A Most Caring Gift

Well, finally! I'm back posting...sorry to have been absent for so long. I did enjoy having my favorite son here...and meant to post after he went back home...but I managed to get myself into a little 'slump' and just couldn't manage to get anything done. But...I've begun walking with a friend and that seems to have done some good, sort of boosting my energy level...plus I heard from a friend...one who reads my blog and I've never really met...but I know we are real friends..and she cheered me up. You know I love hearing from you all.

Yesterday, a box arrived on my front porch via my nice mailman. A heavy box. The old Navy man asked what I had ordered and, of course, I had to tell him I hadn't really ordered anything. Well, there is that last book I ordered from amazon.com, but it won't be coming for a while because it was a 'pre-order,' but this box, I knew nothing about. And, it WAS addressed to me. The minute I looked at the return address, I knew it was going to be special, because I knew it was from my blogging friend, Sandra.

And, boy, did she brighten my day!! In fact, she made me feel like a special person and really cared for. Everyone needs that once in a while and her timing was just fantastic! Months ago, she ordered one of my bird pincushions. She wanted a shorebird. It took a very long time for me to fill that order, but recently the 'bird flew to Alabama' and I am so proud she loved it! You can check into my archives and see it on my post of March 11 of this year.

Opening this box was so very exciting...yes, I like a bit of excitement just as you do...so it was FUN. Even the old Navy man enjoyed it. So here you see what all was in the box. There is vintage lace, vintage spools of thread...mostly silk. Does anyone ever have enough of those? I just love looking at them and I tried to photograph them so you could read the ends. There are buttons, some loose and some on cards. Trims. Needles. Pincushions....my VERY favorite is the pincushion made from a real acorn cap. So cute. Well, so is the little blue bird pincushion.
There are three red hearts. I swear I've never seen anything like these...they are red, velvety, and they are BEADS. I tried to photograph one so you could see the hole going all the way through. Wonder what terrific thing I can use those on? They feel great! There is a wonderful piece of fabric with birds and houses. OF course, it's cute too. I absolutely LOVE the laces...gives me all kinds of ideas.

I've opened the drawers to photograph the insides of the GORGEOUS little chest of drawers. I know I told you about my little collection of chests, as I love anything with drawers and shelves and such. Sandra has really paid attention to things I like....I know she read that post. Isn't this just the most beautiful little chest? I took pictures of the top, front, sides and it's even pretty on the back. It's heavy and it's extremely beautiful in person. I sent her an email telling her it was so beautiful that I shall leave it to one of the kids one of these days...but til then, it will be one of my favorite TREASURES. It feels good too...so smooth, it's almost 'soft.' I am just thrilled!!!

I need to hang the bird key rack somewhere useful...we DO have a time with keys here. Now, how did she know that? That pretty embroidered bird pillowcase is so sweet...how did she know I have an embroidered pillowcase collection....not all in sets of two...I like to mix and match. It's probably not what you are 'supposed' to do, but, that has never been something I would worry about...I'll love having this one!

What is amazing to me is that she reads my blog posts and evidently we 'connect.' That makes me proud.....as I do enjoy hearing from those of you who read the sometimes silly things I write.
And, too, I'm glad you enjoy my photos. No, they aren't 'professional,' but they are of 'real' things around the Nest and I'm so glad you like seeing them. Sandra told me her sister helped to pack the box. I like that too. I have one sister in Texas. We don't see each other often, but I can see us packing a box together. It would be FUN! Weren't they nice to do such a thing...yes, I believe they certainly were!

So, look carefully at the photos. As we all know...some of us have become friends just by reading each other's blog posts. And, when we post comments...it really helps us 'connect.' So, Sandra, THANK YOU so much for your comments...your lovely emails and the very special gift so lovingly packed by you and your sister. I am so HONORED!!! You have made my day....perhaps my whole month....and you've made me feel so much better! In all the world....there is not much better than family and WONDERFUL friends!!!

Hope you all enjoy the photos....especially my friend, Sandra. And, I hope you will return here to see what is next. Perhaps a photo from my favorite son's visit....and then, some 'art chairs.'
Meanwhile, take care my friends and thank you so much for spending some time with me. pat

More Shorebird Photos

As promised, here are more photos of the Shorebird Pincushions. Several of you sent email asking to see more. From the photos I had taken before these pincushions were mailed, I chose these five to show more detail of one of the pincushions.

Here is the Mama bird.....and a closeup of her. Now, you know these are really 'fantasy' birds...the same way I embroider 'fantasy' flowers, so we are assuming this is Mom. If she is Mom...then the little bird has to be baby bird and here's a closeup of baby. These are stitched with DMC floss....two strands.

One of my very favorite things to do is bead the edges of these pincushions. If you check my archives...you'll see many different beaded edges I have made....and hopefully, I will make many more...it's so much fun. This 'fringe' is made with random lengths. I chose to do random lengths on these pincushions...well, mainly because I wanted the fringe to represent water and doing random lengths meant I didn't have to count each bead I put on the needle. I have shown the pincushion sitting on a candlestick so you can see the lengths of fringe. Every so often, I have added a small shell. So much fun. Yes, time-consuming, but all parts of this kind of work just eat up time. It's not something I worry about as I love tedious work and won't begin one of these projects unless I am determined to finish, no matter how long it takes. And, really, you have to be goal-oriented to want to do this.

Lastly, here is the back of the pincushion. I like adding a label. My friend, Sherry, stamped several strips of muslin with birds, as a gift to me. One bird made a perfect label for this project...don't you think?

No, I can't tell you how long one of the pincushions takes from start to finish. Let's just say if I actually kept count....it might scare me, so I prefer not to know. Let's just say the hours are many...the love is great. Hope you enjoyed seeing them again. take care, pat

Oh, yes, I forgot to mention that these are stitched on painted vintage fabrics...old dresser scarf fabrics...or linen pieces.