A Beautiful Old Jar

 

 And here it is - the most beautiful old jar!

 

 I found it at my favorite flea market several weeks ago.  I paid more for it than any other jar I have ever bought, bringing to mind a favorite quote I've posted before:

"If, of thy mortal goods thou art bereft,

And from thy slender store two loaves alone to thee are left,

Sell one and from the dole,

Buy Hyacinths to feel the soul."

Muslihuddin Sadi 

13th Century Persian Poet

Now, nothing really can top  beautiful flowers, like the Hyacinth, but I suppose that day, for me, this jar came really close.  I am "over the moon" about it.

 

It's large:

11 inches tall

16 inches around at the widest point

13 1/2 inches around at the bottom

  

 Have you any idea what it might have held?  I've searched the internet and have found not a hint of it anywhere.  It has a screw-on top which I believe has been painted and no markings of any kind.  It is a mystery.  A gorgeous mystery.

If you have any clues, kindly let me know, please.

from

Bird Nest Cottage

until next time

♥♥♥

A Bird's Nest Among Coin Purses

 

Last week, my friend Sherry called and during our conversation, she mentioned that she had seen a bird's nest inside a coin purse online.  Of course, that fascinated me...#1, I have bird nests here, and
#2, I have a small collection of vintage coin purses.  It took me five minutes to put my hands on both and you see the results here.  Very sweet, isn't it?

 

Here in the close-up, you can see just how little this nest is.  And, you can read that it came from Country Club Road.  That is where my daughter lives and one beautiful day,  I found THIS nest in her yard while walking my grand dog, Trixie.  (I try to remember to add a little paper tag with the name of the street where the nest was found...when I find a nest.)  And, this one just fit in this vintage coin purse.  

 

 

Here is my little collection of vintage coin purses.  Some are in better condition that others, but I like them all.  They are getting harder for me to find, so I've pretty much quit looking, but on occasion, one will just jump out in front of me.  That's how I found those two tiny ones in front.  I found the petit point one years ago....and  the TINY one, I found recently.  It is so DEAR!!!  And, VERY old.

 

 You can see it here opened as wide as it will go!!!

I decided to put a quarter up next to it, so you can tell how small these are. 

This very tiny purse is so small, that the quarter barely fits  halfway into it.  How in the world did they attach that purse hardware to the fabric??

  

 

 Adorable, aren't they?

Vintage coin purses, real bird nests, two of my favorite things.

Hope you enjoyed seeing them!

from

BIRD NEST COTTAGE

until next time

♥️♥️♥️

Names and Monograms, A Collection

 

Well, I'm back!  Yes, I've been out of the blog posting business the last month or so.  No good reason, just a lack of enthusiasm on my part.  The summer doldrums, perhaps?  Anyway...here I am and I'd like to share with you a few things I have gathered together.  This post began with a package I received in the mail a couple of weeks ago....a gift from my friend, Meredith, who lives in Canada.

She is a very thoughtful follower of my blog and one of those people it is a pleasure in life to know.

One of the rewards of blogging is making friends with people from 'everywhere' and she is a treasure!

 

In the lovely note Meredith sent, she explained to me about the huge department stores in Canada named EATON'S.  I had actually heard that before, but I enjoyed her telling me about EATON'S  again.  As a gift, she enclosed two spools of seam binding (Oh, I LOVE that stuff!!!)  What a treasure and fun to see "my" name of the packaging!  Wasn't that a nice thing to do?  Like I said, she is very thoughtful!  She also send a lovely card and a bookmark.  THANK YOU, Meredith, and I wish you all the best!

 

While I have been admiring my EATON'S seam binding....I got to thinking about other things I had with either my last name, first name, or monogram included on them.  So, here is a little 'collection' of

some of what I found here in what I call the 'cottage.'   Here is a button (about three inches wide)...made from a vintage hanky and some old lace.  Can you see the appliqued 'E'?  Love it!  I bought it long ago at Quilt Festival in Houston.

Several years ago, my friend, Sherry, gave me this old stationery box.  I have loved this box....just because of the name...of course...and the fact that it came from my good friend, Sherry, in Little Rock.  There are still a few cards and envelopes in it.  Love the font.  Thank you again, my friend!!!

 Pretty, isn't it?

Can you see the name 'Pat' embroidered on this basket?  My friend, Pat S., from here, gave me her entire little sewing basket several years ago, including her vintage beads, and threads, and a lovely tatted cross you will see in another photo.  I treasure this little basket....and of course, we share the name!!!  Thank you again, Pat!!!

In my search to find names and monograms for this post, I remembered I had covered this button at some point in time, then beaded the edges.  Yes, sewn beads, not glued.  You'll see it again too.

I don't remember when, but at some point in the last five or so years, I found this box of straight pins on eBay.  I remember the old navy man saying "So, I guess you just have to have it, right? Well, why not.  How many times might you find a vintage box of pins with your first name on it?"   He nearly always 'got it.' You understand, don't you?

Here is the lovely tatted crossed from Pat's sewing basket.  I still keep it in the basket and I've never used the beads from the basket....but I do think of Pat everytime I look inside!    You can see the bird nest on the card from Meredith here too.

 

This little lavender filled pillow came from Dawn at The Feathered Nest.  Can you see the name at the bottom?  (Not only the name Eaton fits, but the old navy man's middle name was Edward!)  Smells great and it is sweet to look at.  I've really enjoyed it over time.  Sweet!

How about this cute monkey?  No, has nothing to do with a name or a monogram....we found the monkey in a tree by our deck when we bought our old house.  Actually, the old navy man found it.  I saved it because it was just so cute and how many people find a little stuffed monkey in a tree by their deck? Later in time, I found this tiny little pillow embroidered with an R.  The old navy man....Richard.  So, for some reason, I always wanted to keep the little pillow with the monkey.  Yeah.  Don't try to figure it out!

So cute!

Another thing that doesn't fit my subject matter today....an old bed spring with a paper heart in it.

This one is large, there is a smaller one in the first photo.  I have intended to make hearts with a monogram for these bed springs, so I'm sort of showing an idea I haven't completed yet.  Just like me.

Here's Meredith's card, along with the small bed spring/heart thing.  You'll see them when I get them done...whenever that is.

The bird nest bookmark from Meredith with some fancy threads....which I have inadvertently clipped from the photo somehow.  I am already using it in the current book, "A Great Reckoning" by Louise Penny, also from Canada!

 

That covered button again.  Fun to make those! 

 

 From the back.

And the "E."  Beautiful!

Tatted!!  It's about four inches long.

So pretty!!!! Note the little jewel in the upper left corner!

 

So, there you are!  Names and monograms....lots of fun, plus so much thoughtfulness from so many friends!

 A quick shot of my little work table....nothing artsy about the arrangement for posting.... so glad to have gathered these objects in one place for today.

from

Bird Nest Cottage 

until next time

Searching for Heart Rocks

 

So here's a story about my continuing search for Heart Rocks.  It really is an ongoing thing.  And, you should know that my son says I see heart rocks because I want to see them, not necessarily because the rocks I find look like hearts.  Remember that as I continue.....

Last Wednesday, mid-morning, I was outside watering some plants....deadheading some flowers, getting some sun, pondering the state of the world, and just 'doing my thing.'  I had the phone out there with me...and sure enough, my favorite son called.  Now, I was out on the patio....and it just so happens there is a pile of rocks sitting there, rocks that I removed from one of the flower beds last week with a shovel.  They are waiting there for me to get rid of them.   I'm standing there, talking on the phone....and I just happen to look down at my right foot for some reason...and there, right next to my foot, staring right up at me, yes....side by side....TWO Heart Rocks!!!  Talking to Scott....who thinks I interpret all rocks I find as Heart Rocks,  I say to him - "OMG!  I see two heart rocks right by my feet."  "Oh, I'm sure you do," he says, laughing.  "Oh, I really do," said I.  He doesn't believe me. So, I took them in the house, washed them off, took a photo with my iphone...and sent it to him.  "Oh, I guess you really do," he said, surprised.  Yes, indeed!  Right there they are in the photo above.  I think I know a heart rock when I see it!!!  Well, most of the time anyway.

 

So, a bit later in the morning, I make my usual trip to the mailbox.  My sidewalk and driveway are made of concrete with millions of little stones embedded in it.  As I made my way back up the sidewalk, I looked down as something caught my eye....could it be?  YES.  A Heart Rock.

For sure.  At least, my 'interpretation' of one.  Can you see it here?  

 

 How about a close-up...see it now?  Sure you do.  Look closely, you might find others...I know they are there if we look hard enough.

 

 Now can you see it?  Well, ok, it's not a perfect heart....this one has a little chip on it's shoulder, but I see a heart anyway.

 

I'm feeling lucky, so decide if there are hearts in the sidewalk....there must be some in the driveway.  I launch a search.  And, wouldn't you know.....YES....see it?

 

 Right there.....almost a perfect one.  Do you see?

 

And, there....another one!  Not close to perfect, maybe one like my son thinks I imagine as being a heart.

 

 And, another???

 

 Kind of a misshapen heart here....but it still looks like one to me.

 

 And, finally, one more.  My neighbor across the street...I would call her elderly, but she's only five years older than I, so I won't go there...well, she called my cell phone....and asked what I was doing in the heat, walking around all bent over, did I lose something?  Oh, dear.  I said, "No, I haven't lost anything, I'm finding things."  "What things?" she said.  I said,  "I'm finding Heart Rocks embedded in my driveway."   I think I'm fast becoming the 'weird' resident on this street.  And, there really is no chance of me changing anytime soon.  I really did enjoy my "search" and I'm sure you'll hear about it if it happens again.

Until next time,

From Bird Nest Cottage

♥♥♥

Two Books for People Like Me and "The Great Eaton Moving Saga Begins"

                                                                               "The Great Eaton Moving Saga" has begun!  I have been packing for what seems like weeks at this point, with so much more to go. (It hasn't been that long!!) I am reminded daily that I am somewhat of a hoarder.  It's a fact of life and I don't think much will change, even with the move to a great little home...and with no studio.  So, along with packing, I am trying to decide what can go somewhere else to live and what can go with me.   Here are two of my favorite books...about collecting and collectors.  They are very inspiring to me and I hope you will look them up and see if they would do the same for you. (And, they are going with me, of course!)

"a perfectly kept house is the sign of a misspent life" and "NEVER STOP TO THINK...DO I HAVE A PLACE FOR THIS?"  Both by Mary Randolph Carter.  (I got them at amazon.com.)  Needless to say, they are not helping me decide what to edit from my possessions, but I find them comforting in that they introduce me to folks who are "like me." 

 

Rather than show you pages in these books, I have decided to show you part of what I am dealing with here....LOTS of stuff!  Most of this is already packed and ready to go...with only some of it going to storage or to a new owner.  I may end up with more of it going away if I get to the new home and 'something' has to give!  I'm going to let you guess where all this stuff was in this house...or else I'll be posting all day.  Just suffice it to say, it's a lot of packing!!!

 

No way am I leaving this fabulous little gas heater...retrieved from my son-in-law's family store which closed a few years ago.  I do love it so!  And, oh gosh, I may never get all the books I have stuffed here and there over to the new place...but you know - I will try!

 

Dishes....well, some of them will go somewhere....but not my favorites! 

 

 

Family photos....real family and adopted family from the flea market.  These will go with me.

 

This antique washstand is one of my most loved things.  The old navy man bought it for me a couple years after we got married.  It HAS to go with ME! 

Loaded with old things.......old ashtrays full of glass buttons, photos...more real and adopted family, including me as a child.  Lots of quilts in the house...all going with me, OF COURSE!

 

This vintage print belonged to my mother-in-law.  It always reminds me of her.  It's been one I admired for a long time.

Here's the glass buttons in glass ashtrays....a card from sweet Vicki, other vintage things on a tray with a newspaper under glass.  Now, do you think I would not want to keep these?

These old suitcases are filled with REAL family photos and papers.  And, on top, old thread bobbins, a photograph album I made myself....staying with me!

Old quilts and linens stacked under this cart I use for a nightstand....books, all...yes, going with me!

 

This is most, but not all, of my vintage clothing collection, including many children's garments.  A few pieces from my daughter and mother-in-law are tucked in there, but the rest are quite old.   I don't own that many pieces of clothing in my own wardrobe, so figure these will go in one of the two closets in the master bedroom of my new home.  Fingers crossed.

Yes, I also have collected a pretty good amount of baby shoes.  Including the ones my children wore.  Now, why, I can't tell you....just know that it's difficult for me to turn them down when they show up in my life.  I was fortunate enough to find the child's shoe form and also the baby one...I had never seen one that small....well, you know...it had to come home with me!

 A better look!

Artwork in my front bathroom....will go in one of the bathrooms at the new place.  Work by Sharon Tomlinson, Lisa Klaus, Kelly Rae Roberts and ME!  (Click to see up close!)

 

A little cabinet from friend, Jim.  Also some TINY buttons....adorable, and an old hanky with an "E" monogram.  

 

See....LOVE!!!  Packed and ready to go!

My mantle in the living room....will take it down and right over to the new place and put it right back up.  Part of my collection of old clocks.....and little chests of drawers.  One can never have too many!

The butterflies are real, I bought them at an estate sale, along with the little butterfly book.  They belonged to a local doctor's family....I think they are special, as you can see.  The little girl with butterfly wings, made for me by a special friend, Gaby, in Germany, see her work here.

Close-ups of mantle.

Other side.

Not attractive, really, but in my kitchen.  I like things 'at hand.'  That little green glass measuring cup has a crack in it....but caring friend, Susan, gave it to me, from Dr. Bob's family.  Something I love!

I keep all my measuring spoons in it.

 

 A piece of art from friend, Jim, painted long ago, a very fun piece of art.  Some of the old navy man's vintage bottles...he went out and scrounged around to find them....two vintage children's cups, a wine bottle from Texas from my sister, and roses, (not real).  Packed and going.

So, you can see lots will be going....but lots will go somewhere else too.  As I said, I don't like packing...but just think how much fun UNPACKING will be!

I'll be keeping you posted as the moving saga continues.

Until then, pat ♥