Wednesday, November 25, 2020

The Inspiring Stitching of Mandy Pattullo


 
As some of you know, I am interested in rescuing quilts and embroideries that have seen better days, some just need a little careful stitching to give them more years of life.  Then, on the other hand, many are on the verge of completely falling apart.  There are certainly others on the planet who have rescued such  textiles....using the smallest of pieces to create new life.  Fabric collage being one of the methods of choice.  I became interested is such activity several years ago when I found one of my "stitching heroes," Mandy Pattullo.  She lives in the UK and I found her through her blog and instantly became a huge fan.  I couldn't wait for her to write a book.  Eventually, she did just that, calling it TEXTILE COLLAGE.  I purchased it as soon as I could and loved it immediately.  (I'll show a photo of it below.)

This year she produced another book, her second,  TEXTILES TRANSFORMED.  And, once again, I purchased it also.  And, once again, I loved it immediately.  Her designs are so appealing....and fun. If this kind of work is "up your alley" you might want to check it out.  I'm sure you will love her work as much as I do.


 
The covers of Mandy's books are just wonderful.....tempting you to read further about her chosen work.  Each page giving you so much information about reusing these sometimes ragged pieces combining all manner of threads and other bits and pieces to create lovely works of art. I have read them over and over again....and never grow tired of imagining what I could do with all the rescued pieces I have.  As I said, she is very inspiring.

 
Here, all the photo needed was Mandy's new book.  But, I wanted to add a little extra color to the photo....that painted vegetable can is full of painted book pages I have cut up to use as book marks.  It can hang from a hook somewhere, anywhere.  Of course, I like to use lots of paper to mark the places where I find all the things that catch my fancy.  There is also a little creature that you met in my last post.  I'm mentioning that now because Birdy will be showing up in a few odd places now and again and I may not mention it....just see if you notice though.

 
Here the book is open to show you a bit of what you might find inside.  Make it larger so you can really get a good look at what she has done here.  Log Cabin, one of my favorite patterns...and what she has done to add so much life to such a varied selection of 'pieces.'

 
And, here is one of Mandy's own pieces.  This was given to me several years ago.  I consider it one of the most "precious" items in my home.  That sweet bird.  And, my funny bird!

Mandy rarely buys new fabric, preferring instead to use vintage and antique fabrics along with her rescued quilts or embroidery.  Yes, inspiration, indeed!!!

 
And, here is Mandy's first book.  So filled with stitching goodness!  There is a little trick I do when I don't feel well.  I can get a book or two or three....a comfortable quilt, and a nice hot cup of tea....and "pile up" on the sofa, studying the photos, reading the text, feeling the inspiration, and before you know it...I feel better.

           FYI:  I ordered my books from amazon.com.   And, here is more information on Mandy:

blog:  threadandthrift.blogspot.com  etsy: etsy.com/shop/mandypattullo

                                                                        Wishing you a

VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Have a Warm and Happy Heart

from


                                                                     Bird Nest Cottage

                                                                            ❤️❤️❤️



 

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Time to Knit

 
Today I went to Hobby Lobby....a quick trip, thinking it would be quite a while before I visited it again.  You just don't know these days.  Among my other purchases, it seems a little bird flew into my basket and came home with me.  So, tonight while trying to decide what to post, the bird caught my attention and made it's way onto my work table.  I had already decided to use this gorgeous piece of fabric....a segment of a curtain I made years ago.  

 
This watercolor painting, given to me in 1981 in Silver City, N.M. by my next door neighbor and artist,  Arlene Foster, had been calling for my attention the last few days, so it became another element of my little 'scene.' 

 
A small piece of knitting....intending to be a scarf of some kind was next.  I love knitting a simple scarf....not much thinking involved and keeps your hands busy while your mind wanders, considering all kinds of things....while you "just breathe."

 
Notice the bird seems to have flown into the knitting needle basket, perhaps becoming interested in learning another thing or two about how humans might warm their nest.  I love these needles...the longer ones are antique, the shorter ones new bamboo.  I like knitting with wooden needles.

 
Well, seems the little bird flew away.  Ready for an adventure somewhere else, I suppose.
So....the cold is coming....who knows if we will have snow as in the painting. Whatever happens, I will be under some quilts, perhaps knitting away...and watching for a little bird. 

                                                           Have a warm and happy heart
                                                                                 from
                                                                       Bird Nest Cottage
                                                                             ❤️❤️❤️ 
 


 

Monday, November 9, 2020

A New Fabric Selection and Happier Days


So, new to me, a selection of Waverly Fabrics I purchased from the local Walmart Store recently during three different visits.  I hadn't purchased fabrics in a very long time and walking by the aisle with this display of fabrics available in one yard or fat quarter pieces....well, they made me think of Spring and a breath of fresh air, something I am very much looking forward to in 2021 after this sad and very stressful year.  An "investment" in the future, I suppose you could say.  And, that is my hope...for all of us...better, happier and healthier days.









Wherever You Are Today 

 BE WELL

from

Bird Nest Cottage

❤️❤️❤️


 

A Bit of Heaven

A Bit of Heaven
An original designed wall quilt with my vision of heaven on earth.