What Are You Making?

 

 In my blog post of March 20th,  I invited YOU to share with my readers something you have been working on or have made that you might want to share with us.  A couple of you responded.   First was my friend, Sherry.  And, then, Marilyn and Kay sent me some photos.  I am happy to share with you some of their work.

So, I will begin with Marilyn.

 

 I have never met Marilyn.  She is one of my blog readers living far away from me.  Like you and many others.  But she comments on my blog a lot and sometimes we email each other.  Just a little 'extra' conversation.  One of the wonders of the internet machine.  Marilyn makes all kinds of wonderful things and I've chosen from a selection of photos she sent.  She is also a thoughtful person giving many of her pieces to friends and relatives.   

I thought these items made from paper were particularly sweet along with several different cards.

 With Easter coming...the little paper baskets seem like a great little gift, filled with candy, eggs, etc.

Seems they would fit about any occasion made with a different choice in decorative paper.

 I loved this little card/book.

This would be more than a card...it's the whole gift if you ask me.

  

 Adorable!

 

 This one a good choice for these days and times:  KEEP CALM. 

 We could all use encouragement in that direction.

 

"Bloom where you are planted," they say.

Thank you, Marilyn, for your lovely work.  You probably didn't know you were being so encouraging. 

Marilyn is one of those new friends you can make an old one out of.

♥️♥️♥️ 

 And, then, there is my friend, Kay.

I have known Kay for many years.  You may remember me mentioning her several times over the years.  Kay is a very kind and most generous person...always an inspiration to those of us around the state who know her personally.  She is very talented also.  I think she is one of the most talented people I have EVER met.  Just saying.  And, you just haven't had FUN if you haven't been on a 

Do-Dah Day with her  (and a couple other friends from Mountain View too!)

 

 So, I chose some of her photographs to share with you. 

She got this mirror last time I saw her at the flea market in Beebe.

It DIDN'T look like this.  In fact, I was surprised she took it home....but then, she performed her magic.  Totally redoing it....adding this photo and then making it look ancient!  Just what we love, OLD and worn by time and use.  Kay, it is wonderful!

 

 I gave Kay this special button.  I bought it at the Houston Quilt Festival long ago.  (Oh, I wish I had bought more!!)

Then, she added it to this heart pin.  Can you see that it is a tiny hand holding a white envelope with a tiny bluebird perched on it.  So dear.  What a combo!!!  So sweet and so old-fashioned.  Kay, it is dear!!!  

 

 Here it is with a different background.  LOVELY!

And, lastly, a little bird Kay appliqued to this remnant of a quilt.

I couldn't read the words there in this photo, but I know the gist of what she was saying.

At some point, I had told her about one of the English artists I admire.  Her name is Mandy Patullo.  She has a blog named Thread and Thrift.  I love what she does...like I love what Kay does.

I think Kay made this in tribute to Mandy and her work.  We both admire it so.

Thank you, Kay, for reminding me once again!

 

Many years ago, Kay told me of a quote she loved. And, I have loved it too:

USE WHAT TALENTS YOU POSSESS; THE WOODS WOULD BE VERY SILENT IF NO BIRDS SANG EXCEPT THOSE THAT SANG THE BEST.

Henry Van Dyke

So, once again, if you want me to share something you created....email a photo...I guess it's my blog's version of Show and Tell.

Wherever you may be this day

BE WELL

from

Bird Nest Cottage 

❤️❤️❤️

 

My Grandmother and the Flu Pandemic of 1918

 

 The Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918 

killed 50 million people Worldwide, including 

675,000 in the United States.

One of the victims was my Grandmother.

My Dad's Mother.

She had eleven children. They lived in Philadelphia.

Her name was Margaret Cafferty Williams.

You see her here in this photo.

The little girl in the photo is her daughter, Marquerite, one of my dad's older sisters.

After her death, my Dad, Cyril Joseph Williams, born in 1909,

and the younger children went into the Catholic Orphanage in Philadelphia,

where he spent several years, leaving when his sister, my Aunt Marquerite,

lied about his age so he could join the army, which he actually did, at age 16.

  

 Here is his photo, taken at that long ago time. 

 My Dad stayed in the army until 1954.

I don't know what happened to all eleven of the children.  I did have the pleasure of being with my Aunt Marguerite at least three times in my life. 

 My Dad passed away in 1973.  Just the other day, I was reminded that if alive today, he would be 111 years old. He didn't speak of his childhood very much...I expect it was very difficult.  And, I've no idea what happened to my Grandfather.  

I do wish I had been able to meet my Grandparents.

 My aunt told me that I "had my Grandmother's hands."

I don't know if she loved sewing by hand like I do...but I choose to think I got it from her.

I also think she would have loved seeing my children, her Great-Grandchildren.

And, 

now we are in another pandemic.

  100 years later.

 

History repeats itself.

Because, it seems, we never learn.

Do listen to those that know.

Do think of others.

Do all you can, where you are, with what you have.

Let's help each other get through this.

Wherever you may be this day

BE WELL

 from

Bird Nest Cottage 

🇺🇸

 ❤️❤️❤️

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Kelly!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Kelly Vanhook

You are a wonderful daughter!

The other day, Kelly brought me some delicious BBQ

from a local food truck.  YUM.

With not leaving the house, she was afraid I didn't have enough food.  

Not true...yet. 

But,  wasn't that a nice gesture?

And, today, is her 53rd birthday.

No parties these days, so we will do that later,

but I thought you might want to see her.

 

She is cool!

From the moment she was born, we have always called her the 

Cruise Director

as she began telling us all what to do since birth!

She is a people person. 

  

 This is Kelly with her brother, Scott.

She came first and fifteen months later...

he came, giving her another person to take under her wing.

This photo was taken in San Francisco, June 2018.

She and I flew there to celebrate his 50th birthday.

After all those years of hearing that one or the other was taking up all the space in the back seat of the car....and such things,

it's nice to see how close they really are.

Makes a mother proud!!!

 And, of course, Scott with mom...this year.

(Kelly taking the picture)

  

So, Kelly....

On your birthday, 

know you really are a wonderful daughter

and you helped me bring up your equally wonderful brother.

I couldn't have done it without you!

LOVE YOU!!!

Mom

Wherever you may be this day

BE WELL 

from 

Bird Nest Cottage

❤️❤️❤️