Gathering Flowers

 

Several years ago, my daughter, some of her friends, and I, opened a little art studio downtown.  It lasted a couple of years and was hard work, but FUN.  We all 'did our own thing.'  That made it fun AND interesting.  Among the things I chose to do was painting on fabric, then embroidering over the painting.  Among the fabrics I chose to paint, then embroider, was not only cotton fabric, but also cotton quilt batting.  And, then, one day, I came across some cloth diapers that had never been used, so naturally, I wondered how painting and embroidering those would work out.  So...here,

This odd little painting.

 

 As I remember, I painted on damp cloth...made it a little easier to do.

 

There was really no thought process about it...just picking some colors, kind of at random, but not really.  I'm not much of a random kind of girl....preferring to "ponder" a bit.  As I do in everything else.  Remember, I am a 'control enthusiast.'

 

 I can say there doesn't seem to be a right and a wrong while painting like this.  Another reason it's fun.

 

There is always a tiny hint of a bird or two.

 

 I don't use yellow very much...but I have to say, when painting like this again, I will use yellow again.  Seems to have made the piece a bit more  'joyful' to look at!!  

And, yes, you MAY gather every flower! 

 So, using that yellow taught me something.  Same as Mr. G did long ago when he encouraged me to try some orange!

 

There was a second diaper found that day...and yesterday, I found it again in a box of scraps saved from that first one.  Here it is.  Well.  It's available, so maybe in the not so distant future, but who knows when, I may use this one as a background and embroider something over it.  After all, it was fun to do.  We will see. 

 

I did this on the first one....cut out an opening in the middle of a piece of paper and placed it here and there on the diaper, then took some photos, trying to figure out the best way to use it as a background.

Boy, that's fun!!  So, just a few minutes ago, I tried it on this second diaper.  I've taken a few photos, trying to find my favorite.

 

Look them over.  See what you think.  Tell me.  I will consider your thoughts when I again work on this piece.

 

I think this is my least favorite. (?)

 Vertical or horizontal?  It's up to you.

 

What do you think?  Would you do this?  Or, am I just too silly.

 (By the way, I don't mind being silly.)

And, just so you know...someone DID buy that piece.

  

 I chose the wording and cut them from an old book to add to the mat after making this piece.  That's another fun thing to do...words...just make something up.  I love doing that.  When I decided to do this post (yesterday), I also wanted to mention that Monday (the 25th), is our 52nd wedding anniversary.  I said at the very beginning that my goal was to be married for 50 years.  He tried to last. And, I'm still here, still counting.  Still remembering.

When I wrote those words, "You may gather every flower" it just came off the top of my head.  But, now, looking back, I realize that is what the Old Navy Man was continually doing.  He would always go out on our back acreage and find a little bouquet of some wild flowers and bring them to me.  I took the photo of his hands holding this little bouquet a while before I painted and embroidered the piece shown here, but, doesn't it just fit the story?  

I miss those little gathered bouquets.

until next time

BE WELL

from

Bird Nest Cottage

♥️♥️♥️

 

A Surprise from a Teenager

 

One night I received a text from Gracen, the teenaged daughter of a friend.  She was looking for someone to help her with a class project.  "Would I mind helping her?"  Well, given that I have no teenagers in my life these days, I know her, and she asked "just right," of course, I told her yes.  Seems she needed to speak to an "artist" and that's when I wondered how I would possibly be of help and what did I commit myself to do.

It was to be an interview kind of thing...with her asking ME the questions, and me, giving her whatever answers I could.  It was kind of awkward, as I hardly consider myself  "a real artist" even though I enjoy playing with the idea.  All kinds of questions, how did I get interested in art, did I study it, how did I determine what kind of art I wanted to be involved in, how long have I been creating my art, how did I handle art and raising a family, anything I could tell her about making money from it, do I still make art, and so on - many questions.  A lot of them I had never even thought about.  Wow! 

So, Gracen finished her project, thanked me and life went on.  Til last week, when I received this lovely Thank You note from her.  Isn't it sweet?

  

And, on the reverse side of the thank you note was this lovely Certificate.  Gosh, I haven't received a Certificate...well, I don't even want to think how long it may have been.  It's adorable.   THANK YOU, Gracen, for thinking I might be able to answer your questions...makes a seventy year old feel pretty good!!!  I love my new treasure!!!

Now, for you who visit this blog...yes, I know I was supposed to have a tutorial in March.  Well, don't you, too, feel the month has gone by way too fast?  So, I'm promising to have it in the first half of April, and I'll do the beading tutorial in the last half of April.  I'm working on it!!

Thanks, always, for your visits! And, wishing you some sunshine and fair weather.

Until next time.....

♥♥♥

Sharing this Day

 

Sharing my day with you...

My brother-in-law, Don Eaton, in Birmingham, Alabama, had a stroke on Monday.  He is the old navy man's older brother.  My heart is in Alabama these days and with him and his family.

Don is an artist...he painted this bird nest and eggs watercolor for me.    I have been enjoying it this Autumn season.  ♥

 

These flowers arrived at my house on my birthday.  From my favorite son.  Beautiful, aren't they?

 

Here is the card that came with them.  I had to Google the French, as I don't understand a word of it.  I just think it is beautiful on the page.   I went to Google translate and this is what I got:   "You are my mother, preferred."  How cute is that?

 

 

 Here are close-ups of the flowers.  LOVE THEM! 

 

I like to dry the roses and have several around the house that I have saved over time.  I  will save these too.  Visual memories, so to speak.

 

 He also sent me this lovely bird book.  He said I mentioned one time wanting a children's book about birds, in French, so he found this one on amazon.com.    Who knew?  I love it....I can't read it, of course, but I can enjoy looking at it.  Actually, when I am out scouting the flea markets, I always look for books in French.  Not much chance of them turning up in Arkansas, but it gives me something to look for!  My dream is to find a vintage French book on needlework....well, yes, I DID say DREAM!

But, you never know.....and I do like a challenge!

 

 The artwork is just gorgeous in this book....makes me want to take another stab at doing more applique and embroidering of birds.

 

  

Just lovely.  Wouldn't a kid enjoy these? 

I will enjoy this book for a very long time...inspiration is always a good thing!  Thank you, Scott!

I hope you all have a safe and wonderful day!  

Until next time, take care.  ♥ pat

  

I voted the first day of early voting in Arkansas.  PLEASE vote!  People died so we would have the privilege of voting.

A New Vendor/Cutting Boards

 

One of the flea markets I frequent has a new vendor.  My grandson came over and told me about it on Friday....so, on Saturday I paid a visit to that flea market to see what Ty's excitement was all about.

Seems his employer has been using his early morning, pre-work time, to create beautiful cutting boards...and opened a space at the flea market to sell them.  Ty was so proud of what his boss had done and wanted me to see them.  And,  WOW!!  That's pretty much what I thought.  

 

ART.  That's what they are.   He uses three different kinds of wood....Dark Walnut, Purple Heart, and Maple.   Beautiful work.  So, I thought you should see them too.

  

  

Not only do they look gorgeous, but they are very smooth to the touch....I would find it hard to use them, actually.  But, that IS what they are made for and he also has made his own oil and conditioner for sale also.  I don't think you should own one of these and use them without taking very good care of them.  

 

 His display of various boards is quite special and a treat for the eyes.  I know there is lots of work involved in creating each one.

  

The bread and cheese board...shown here standing on end, has all three of the different woods in it...so I bought it.    

  

 These are his wood care products.  A necessity to properly take care of these boards.

 

A close-up of one of the larger ones...of course, this one is also a quilt pattern called "Baby Blocks" so it caught my attention.

 

A smaller version...this one has a handle, covered up by the tag in this photo.

 

This photo was taken in my kitchen.  I thought the cutting board I bought should be seen in a real kitchen...although my cutting boards...(which I seem to bring home often, used and needing a home)....are pretty poor looking compared to this one.  Well, you know how I love beat up old things...(And, don't we love that spoon in the shape of a heart!)  

I have decided to give this cheeseboard as a gift to someone special...it's really too pretty to live in my kitchen and I have the perfect person in mind.  You'll know who it is...he lives in California,  has a birthday coming up in June and is one of my favorite people of all time.

 

TM Hardwood Designs.  A local building contractor who happens to employ my grandson.  I hope he sells every one of his cutting boards.  I think he needs to get online so lots of folks can see these.  They start at $50 and go up...and are beautifully made.  Art.  Yes, indeed.   The Freeway Emporium....I go there often.  Cheapest therapy I can think of and very enjoyable.

  

I couldn't resist setting up a photo with the cutting board actually in use...well, sort of.  I didn't really slice this bread on the board as I intend to give it away, but entertained myself pretending.  Notice I DID have to add a little bird....just what I do around here.  That little piece of paper the bird is standing on holds an actual maple leaf, preserved forever...given to me by my friend, Bibi.  Cute, huh?

So....you never know where you will find art...who will be making it....or how you will react to it.

Remember to support your local artists...it's a good thing!

Til next time, pat ♥

 

Playing around with furniture

 

Hi out there!  I hope you are warm.  Seems this winter has been especially hard on all of us and I will certainly be glad to see Spring.  My little blackboard by the front door says "Spring ?"  As in, is there going to be one?  Right now we have rain and it could turn into something else, they say...so hoping they are wrong.  My sister is on her way here from Texas....sure would like her to arrive without mishap.  She is bringing my niece, Tessa, my youngest brother's daughter.  Haven't seen her in several years, so I am looking forward to having them here for the better part of a week.  Three "Williams Girls" as we call ourselves.    I wanted to post something, anything, today as it will probably at least another week before I have the time to do it.  Plan on enjoying the girls as much as possible.  So, I thought I'd show you the result of playing with furniture around here.  Seems I have been trying to  busy myself with some of the things I used to do before the old navy man became ill.  I rather enjoyed puttering around with some of my 'old stuff' as he called it.  So, I hope you enjoy it too!  (When I would go to the flea market, he would always say "What are you dragging in here now?" Smiling.  After he had been ill for quite a while...he would say..."Don't you want to go to the flea?"

Before he passed, he told me to KEEP going to the flea, it would be good for me.  He was DEAR!)

 

There are two alcove like places when you enter my front door...one left, one right.  A total waste of space if you ask me, but being a junky person, I have to put something in them.  I change them every great once in a while and yesterday I decided they needed a change.  The old navy man thought it was work I didn't need to do (smiling, of course) and I think it is fun, so enjoyed the little bit it took to put all my stuff in it.  He gave me the antique writing desk long ago.  It's been in just about every room in the house except this alcove and so far, I like it here.  (Remember, I just moved it yesterday.)  I found that old typewriter for $15...it works fine...and on that enamel tray is my collection of dipping pens and inks.    One of the things I love to do and haven't done in a long time is writing with those pens.  I hope to get back into doing some of the things I always loved to do.    

  

When he bought this writing desk for me as a birthday gift, it did not have a chair, but he didn't give up...years later, he found this one....really 'goes' with it!  It has a leather embossed seat which I love!  I don't think this desk has ever been closed since it came to live with me.  It now houses my sketchbooks, old ink bottles in a wooden box, all kinds of papery things,colored pencils, a little watercolor set, some books.

 

Over top is a watercolor, my friend Jim painted for me long ago.  I love it and it, too, has moved around my house.  And, then, there is that old screen door.  You may remember that I have an old screen door going into my laundry room/pantry.  Both were given to me by my son-in-law and are two of my favorite things ever.  This one has been on the front porch for a good while, but yesterday, I decided to move it inside (on a whim) to become a sort of bulletin board next to the desk.  I know my family thinks I am nuts.  Fortunately, that has no effect on me at all...I just keep doing "Pat things."  I like it here and had fun gathering all the 'stuff' held in place by clothes pins.  I have an assortment of really aged pins, but didn't want to look them up at the time, I set this up, so some are brand new and I'd rather they look old and dirty.  When I am through with this post, I'll be taking more old ones  from the Nest into the house to replace the new ones.  Silly, isn't it?

 

Not a very good photo, as I was hurrying, but you get the idea.  Sketches, postcards, photos.  Love it all.

 

I guess there is no telling how much fun I could have if I just let myself  'go' with playing around with furniture and odd stuff.  Now that I am living in a house, empty except for myself,  I guess I've no limits with how silly I can get.....and that's ok, I suppose.

 

 Oh, here is a little booklet about Camp Polk, Louisiana.  Found it one day at the flea market.  It caught my eye because it is the only thing I've ever seen in print about Camp Polk...that is where I was born.  When I opened up the little book, I was amazed to find it was printed in 1944, complete with the calendar for that year.  The year I WAS BORN....isn't that just crazy?

 

  

Close ups of some of the 'stuff.'  Notice the postcard of San Francisco...love that city!!!

  

OLD postcards, a couple of photos Jim gave me, and some of my doodling around.

  

And, here we are, back to the beginning.  It's a small space, but plenty big enough for me.  I will enjoy it until the urge to play with furniture hits me again!  Hope you enjoyed it.  I will post again, when the Williams girls have gone home.  So looking forward to having them here for the next week.  Hope you have a good week too, a safe and warm one.  Thanks, always for stopping by...love hearing from you.   Big Hugs, pat