HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

 

 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY 

 

You heard me say the other week that I wanted to use these two little birds on a nest to make a 

Valentine's Day "card' for the old navy man.

He fed the birds every day and Cardinals were his favorite.

Whenever a male and female Cardinal appeared on the deck he always said:

"They mate for life, you know."

 

                               

 

 Well, we did too and I'm still here, so wanted to remember him this Valentine's Day

with a little decorated nest and that cute Cardinal couple.

(Mother of Pearl buttons because I had no bird seed.)

 

 

                                                                        So, here's to you,  

                                                                        Old Navy Man

                                                 my one and only Valentine forever and ever.

     I will never forget.

   ♥️

                                                                                   

 

   Stay safe and warm and have a Happy Heart

      from 

      Bird Nest Cottage

   ♥️

 

For Want of a Floral Vine

 

 

I don't know how to think or say anything anymore, without wanting to sketch or embroider.

Words just won't do.

But here are a couple of "projects" I have decided need my attention.

I bought this old print at the flea a couple of weeks ago. In the "back room" as we call it.

For $1.

I couldn't resist.  I can barely ever resist.

 I've been looking at it off and on wondering what I could do with it as my little brain instantly saw a vine all around the mat.  How would I do it?

  Well, will I do it?  I want to think so. 

 

 

I can't improve on the lovely girl....no.   But, I could really have some fun and experiment with that mat.

Surely the girl would forgive me.

(I think if I really messed it up, I could just put in an new mat.)

 

 

  

Then....these hexagons....

I bought these, ($2), made into a pillow which was crying out to me to put it out of it's misery.

Needless to say, I unsewed the pillow, throwing the stuffing and the back away.  I not only loved the wear and tear on the hexagons, but the old fabric prints.  What would I have done differently?

Well....I wasn't there then, so I really wouldn't want to say, but I do know that now I would probably not have used the muslin, but even more of the lovely old print fabric.  And, I would have left off the blue.

  I do love it though, and hope to use these hexagons in a project or two.......just a small rescue project.

I hope to get better at answering email and comments.  Patience please...

See you next week.

Stay safe and warm and have a happy heart.

from

Bird Nest Cottage

                                                                                ♥️

Old Things Made Along the Way

 

 

 So, here's my story:

 

 

And, here are some things I have made along the way.  The "way" being years long.

I'm fond of these few things....none of them quilts, you will see.  I could have shown quilts, but my house doesn't have much to wall space to hang them, so it was just easier to show some small things.

 

 

 

 

 

This may be my favorite thing ever.  I do so love some embroidery...and I especially love the very old all white embroideries of days gone by.  The cloth on the end is one I found at the flea.  Immediately I knew I was going to try and reproduce it.  And, I did.  It's embroidered on linen with a beaded edge.

 

 

This is a pillow I stitched many years ago.  Redwork.  I remember I used two strands of, I think, DMC #816.  It doesn't take as long as you think.

 

 

 

Somehow I got into a habit of making pincushions.  I still love them and have LOTS of items to use to make many more.   I will....I may have to push harder but I have every intention of using a lot of this stuff up.

 

 

 This appliqued landscape I made for the old navy man.  He loved it...notice the power poles.  They weren't there at first, but he told me that barn would never have power if there were no power lines.

(He worked his whole adult life for the power company.)  I took his word for it, so managed to stitch a few power lines along the road.  There is even a transformer there.  It makes me smile still.

 

 

And this pincushion....I do love it so.  You've seen it many many times here.

It's very tactile...I just love holding it in my hand.  Several people have asked me how I could possibly stick pins in it.  I think that is hilarious as it has a million stitches holding it together. I actually don't use it as it was intended though.  Mostly I just look at it.

 

 

That basket.  I em embroidered that on a scrap of fabric, then didn't know what to do with.  I ran across some glass paperweights and knew that would be a good idea...so immediately put those two things together.  I've enjoyed having it.

 

 

 

 Another pincushion.  One of the Crazy Quilt things I felt compelled to make.  I may make some more here soon......as I have it in my head to fill a huge bowl I have with different pincushions and hearts.  We'll see.

 

 

This is a little book from Walmart's school supply section.  My kids are in their fifties, but every year I go to Walmart and buy some school supplies.  One year I picked up about half dozen of these.

I gave it a little artistic touch by covering it with a paper towel, then painting it, etc.  I write quotes in it.  There are never enough cute books to write quotes in if you ask me.

 

 

                                           

 

 This little 3" x 4" applique and embroidered bit of fun is another of my favorite things I've ever made.  What fun it was.  I still enjoy looking at it.........and, of course, it has been one of things that encouraged me to make LOTS of FRENCH KNOTS!!!

 

 

 

And, this little person.  Made her from a Japanese embroidered dinner napkin.  Except for her hair which I made from some hand-dyed fabrics.  She was so much fun to make.

 

And, I've saved this little pincushion for years.  It's barely two inches square.  Plain as can be.  I just never wanted to do anything to it as I thought it cute just as it was.  Don't really try to figure yourself out....just do the things you feel you want to do.  There really is nothing wrong with a plain pincushion, is there??
 

 So,there you are.  Many things you will find hanging around my house.  Hopefully....more will be forthcoming here shortly.  And that quilt I showed you a few weeks ago...I'd like to have it done by the end of 2022.   

Much goodness to come your way this year.......take care......pat ♥️

Stay safe and warm and have a happy heart

from

Bird Nest Cottage

♥️

A Valentine - An Early Start

 

 

 The Cardinal was Richard's favorite bird.  He loved to watch them feed on our patio. 

I found this little ceramic nest with two Cardinals perched there on the edge a long time ago

and decided the other day that it would make a great place to display an embroidered heart 

for Valentine's Day.  For "the old navy man."

 

 

 

I haven't made it yet, but thought I'd gather some "ingredients" together

and make him one.  Surely I can do that before it's actually Valentine's Day.

So, here we are....DMC embroidery floss, a bit of old aged lace,  the needles,

the thread (even it is aged!).

And, just for inspiration, I placed a needle book I make long ago....just the right colors. 

 

 

                            

 

And, a bundle of fabrics to choose from....although these may not be the ones I use.

 

 

Mother of Pearl buttons will line the nest.

There is my little embroidered heart Sampler.

I made those as a stitch guide several years ago. 

I'll let you see it beforehand, but it will probably be my post for Valentine's Day too.

I'll add some others to that post.

Here I am....looking forward.

It's all good.

♥️

Stay safe and warm and have a happy heart.

from

Bird Nest Cottage

 

ANOTHER CHANCE

 

 

Well, here we are...a new year.

I am happy that 2021 is over and we have another chance to do better now that we have reached 2022.

 Personally, I feel I pretty much wasted the last year.  Nothing seemed to be right...I lost focus, energy, the will to accomplish things, and most important to me....enthusiasm.  Then, there was also the fear.

It was the year I became old.  

Just to add to the craziness.....I fell and broke my right shoulder.

That gave me plenty of time to see just how far I had "fallen" in this little world I had made for myself.

I couldn't do anything...I am right handed.  I never knew how important a shoulder actually is.

During the last four months of the year, I realized I had to get over myself.

 Physical therapy made me also realize I might have a little trouble quilting and embroidering and writing and all the other things I had enjoyed up until 2021.

So, I've done a lot of thinking.

 

 

Last few years, if you've read my blog at all, you will remember that I have loved rescuing quilts.

It occurred to me that unless I put out some effort, my own unfinished work would have to be rescued by someone else. 

How sad would that be?

 

 

 

 

 So, I made the decision that I had to work harder at the therapy.  And, along with that, I needed to get back to writing to YOU.

Many times over the last eight years, you have given me a reason to do things.

Last year, I let you down.  So, this year, I'm going to try harder to include my work and my small audience back into Bird Nest Cottage.  I hope you will visit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

These photos are to show you this quilt....one I started many years ago.  And, the first thing I believe I need to finish in 2022.

I brought it...and my frame and put it right in the middle of my living room.  I can't avoid it now.

And, later tonight, I plan on trying to actually quilt on it. 

 

And, you will find me posting more often.

 

See you in a week.

 
 

 

Have a

  VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I'm wishing you a safe, warm, and happy heart in 2022

from

BIRD NEST COTTAGE

♥️