Those White Pitchers in the Pass Through

 

Another question asked of me about my living room tour concerned the white pitchers in my kitchen pass through window.  My good friend, Jackie, a lovely person I have known for well over thirty years, asked about them, so I told her I'd show a closer look at them.  (I am from McGregor, Texas, near Waco, where Jackie lives.  She is best friends with my sister, which is how I met her long years ago.)

  

So, Jackie, here is the pass through that goes from my living room into the kitchen.  I have been collecting these pitchers for the last few years.  The main requirement I have for actually buying one of them is that the pitcher speak to me in some way....such as the shape, texture,  or size.  It matters not a bit to me if they are of any value...as I don't pay much for them.  I often use them to serve from, but have also been known to use them to hold flowers, silverware or wooden spoons. 

  

You can see silverware in that one on the far right.  I actually bought that one entirely for the shape plus, it feels good when you hold it.  I loved the lines in that one second from the left.  

  

 Mixed in with the pitchers are a few birds.  The two birds with a baby bird in the nest were given to me by my friend, Deb C.  She is no longer with us, but when I see this cute 'bird family' I think of her.

That big cup is actually a cereal bowl (and, I think, SOUP!).  I bought it at Tuesday Morning.  I actually bought three.  I wanted four, but three is what they had.  The way I look at it is I can serve two, with an extra on hand in case of breakage.  I'm currently thinking of other ways to use them....holding buttons, for example.  I love that little bird perched on the handle.  Also there is that bird on a lid, just sitting there.  I bought it at the flea.  Just a lid....50 cents.  And, it's a heart.  The way I look at it...well, it can still be enjoyed!

 

 A close up of the bird family.

  

 The cereal bowl, the bird on a heart.

 

And, then, on the left side, a little pitcher with a bird perched on the lid.  That lid really doesn't fit the pitcher, but I put it up there anyway.  Cute.  Two cute birds who are actually salt and pepper shakers.  A gift from Sherry.  Very sweet!  A smaller bird just showed up here one day...so the bigger birds adopted it.  Then there is a planter, given to me by my friend, Bibi.  Here holding old silverware. 

 

 

 

 I'm always finding these vintage pieces  - I LOVE that little spoon on the right..it has a twisted handle, so sweet!!  It is in a very small creamer.

 

 And, now, here is the view of those pitchers and things from the other side...the kitchen, looking into the living room.  That little pitcher there, from friend, Kevin.  And, there is that cute little dog.  Found that one day at the flea and it just said, "take me home...I can aggravate your cats."  (You'll see!)  I think he is awfully cute!

 

The back of the cereal bowl, the birds on the branch, and another pitcher. 

Also you can see the samplers I showed in the last post.

 

 The backs of other pitchers and now, the cats.  A mom and a kitten....hiding from the dog on the other end of the window!  They make me smile when I'm doing dishes.

 

 I don't know how long these will be in the window.   You know I get the urge to move things pretty often, but for right now, they will stay for a while.  So, Jackie, there you are...what I can tell you about the pitchers....which amounts to the fact that they are there for my own personal use and enjoyment, isn't very informative.  Just know they may show up in future being used in some odd way we may have not thought of before.  Thanks for asking about them, dear friend!!!

I hope to have a short post concerning those book stacks in the next day or so, then toward the end of the week, I am doing a very special post on a dear friend's new book, published in France.  You will definitely want to see it and if you love embroidery, stories, interiors, and collections, as you know I do, then you will want to buy one.  I promise you have never seen anything like it! I'll be sharing my special copy with you before the week is over, along with ordering information. please come see!!!

from 

Bird Nest Cottage

until next time

♥♥♥

A Sampler Collection

 

So, one of the questions I received about my living room post, was to have the "story" of the samplers over my tv told.  I apologize for the quality of these photos....it is difficult for me to photograph things hanging as high as these, so the angles are wrong and the light too.  But, I actually think you will be able to get a somewhat satisfactory look at them.

 

Here is a closer view.

  

This one is on the lower right.  I stitched this from a kit.  Actually, the ones I made were stitched in the 1970's....a long time ago!   This one has a larger stitch count, so took longer to make.  I remember having a great sense of accomplishment after finishing one of these.  This and the other large one are 18" x 24."

 

Here's a closer view.  You should be able to read it.

  

Even closer.  Seems like yesterday.

  

 This one is the same size...and made shortly after we married.  A smaller stitch count, so a shorter stitch time.  I have tried to put these away from time to time, but I find it impossible to do. 

  

Here's a closer view of this particular one.  I still like cross stitch, but rarely do it anymore.  These that I have made were all kits, but I have actually done many smaller pieces counting over threads and I really enjoyed those too,   I need to see if I can find some of those in the storage places in this crazy cottage!

  

On the upper left....a sampler I also made from a kit.  I believe this one is 12" x 14" or 16."

Unfortunately, it's too high for me to measure.  I try to do a lot of my work in the same color combinations...that way it will go anywhere in my house....and so I use my favorite colors: red,green,pink,brown, off-white with an occasional piece made in a totally different combination...just because.

 

 In the center is a small sampler I bought at the flea...beautifully stitched.  I'm sorry it doesn't show as well as it should.  I think this one is about six or eight inches square.  I paid $4.00 for it as I recall.

Bargain!  And, then, there is that heart.  When my daughter hung these samplers on my wall after I moved in, well, I thought they looked just great, but I also had this embroidered heart I wanted to put somewhere.  She had gone home, so the only way I could hang it myself was to climb up on that stereo cabinet  and stretch as far as I could.  Nearly fell off and scared myself, but I did get it there where I wanted it.  (Photo of it to follow.)  Seems I'll do almost anything to hang a heart...and almost anywhere!!!

 

This isn't a sampler, but needlepoint.  In this great old frame.  I found it, of course, in the flea market.  I bought it for two reasons....for that great huge frame and the house in needlepoint.  Seems I also have a love of embroidered houses. Oh, my!

 

 Another sampler purchased from the flea market.  The verse is done in a very pale thread so its nearly impossible to read even close up, but I did love it anyway.

 

 Then bottom center, another purchased from the flea market...it's a bit less refined looking, but caught my eye. 

  

 So, here's a sampler hanging elsewhere in my home.  Actually right inside the door when you come through the garage.  Such a true statement!!!

  

 And, this one...large, another 18" x 24."  A lady down the street passed away and they had a sale at her house...household items, quilts, sewing.  When I saw this sampler, I knew it was going home with me.  It's beautifully made.  They were asking only $10.00 for it.  Even though she wasn't there....I thanked her for it anyway.  It's in my hallway.

 

Wonderful, isn't it?

  

 And finally, here is that red heart hanging up high.

Hope you enjoyed the samplers!

from

Bird Nest Cottage

until next time

♥♥♥