"To Work With Your Hands"

 

"Aspire to live a quiet life, to mind your own affairs and to work with your hands."

1 Thessalonians 4:11

That's pretty much how I have always felt about the quilting, embroidery, crocheting, knitting, etc., that has taken my spare time throughout this life of mine.

Now that we are all traveling through what seems to be a nightmare and since we are being urged to stay home to keep our families safe...it seems to make sense even more.  To my way of thinking working with my hands has taken on an even deeper purpose.

I'm partial to all kinds of needlework, so that is what you will see from me, but YOU might be making a multitude of other kinds or work and it  may do the same thing for you that needlework does for me.

A way of being productive and at the same time, soothing the spirit, calming fears,

and giving your sometimes nervous hands AND mind something to do.  It's a meditation, a prayer, a way of coping. Something to get lost in.

Actually, something also that might re-energize and feed your soul.

Staying home is not so difficult for me because basically, I am a hermit.  But it is difficult for some people.  Perhaps now might be a good time to learn how to make something.  Even children can knit or crochet, even quilt.  Google and the internet machine has thousands of videos that will teach you to cook, build a birdhouse, make a garden or just about anything else you might want to know.  Take a look.  Some things may help YOU relax...some things may be good for a small group...like a family. To create something is FUN.  Everyone could make a very simple book of their own, for instance.  There's always lots of paper around...such as the envelopes holding junk mail.  See. 

I've always heard that busy hands are happy hands.

So, we've got to get through all this someway.  I  may even finish this quilt which is been hanging around my house for years.  

On the odd day here and there, I will post a photo or two of some work in progress around here...maybe some work finished.  No stories...hopefully the work will speak for itself.

Would you like me to show some of what you are working on?  If so, just email a photo to me and I'll include it on one of these "odd" days.  If you'd rather, I can just use your first name...or not.

It might be fun to see how other people use handwork or other things to cope through these times.

 You can find my email address on my profile page. 

I will look forward to hearing from some of you...meantime, let your handwork help you in these trying days. I will too.

Wherever you may be this day

BE WELL

from

BIRD NEST COTTAGE

❤️❤️❤️ 

 

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

♥♥♥