Old Things Made Along the Way

 

 

 So, here's my story:

 

 

And, here are some things I have made along the way.  The "way" being years long.

I'm fond of these few things....none of them quilts, you will see.  I could have shown quilts, but my house doesn't have much to wall space to hang them, so it was just easier to show some small things.

 

 

 

 

 

This may be my favorite thing ever.  I do so love some embroidery...and I especially love the very old all white embroideries of days gone by.  The cloth on the end is one I found at the flea.  Immediately I knew I was going to try and reproduce it.  And, I did.  It's embroidered on linen with a beaded edge.

 

 

This is a pillow I stitched many years ago.  Redwork.  I remember I used two strands of, I think, DMC #816.  It doesn't take as long as you think.

 

 

 

Somehow I got into a habit of making pincushions.  I still love them and have LOTS of items to use to make many more.   I will....I may have to push harder but I have every intention of using a lot of this stuff up.

 

 

 This appliqued landscape I made for the old navy man.  He loved it...notice the power poles.  They weren't there at first, but he told me that barn would never have power if there were no power lines.

(He worked his whole adult life for the power company.)  I took his word for it, so managed to stitch a few power lines along the road.  There is even a transformer there.  It makes me smile still.

 

 

And this pincushion....I do love it so.  You've seen it many many times here.

It's very tactile...I just love holding it in my hand.  Several people have asked me how I could possibly stick pins in it.  I think that is hilarious as it has a million stitches holding it together. I actually don't use it as it was intended though.  Mostly I just look at it.

 

 

That basket.  I em embroidered that on a scrap of fabric, then didn't know what to do with.  I ran across some glass paperweights and knew that would be a good idea...so immediately put those two things together.  I've enjoyed having it.

 

 

 

 Another pincushion.  One of the Crazy Quilt things I felt compelled to make.  I may make some more here soon......as I have it in my head to fill a huge bowl I have with different pincushions and hearts.  We'll see.

 

 

This is a little book from Walmart's school supply section.  My kids are in their fifties, but every year I go to Walmart and buy some school supplies.  One year I picked up about half dozen of these.

I gave it a little artistic touch by covering it with a paper towel, then painting it, etc.  I write quotes in it.  There are never enough cute books to write quotes in if you ask me.

 

 

                                           

 

 This little 3" x 4" applique and embroidered bit of fun is another of my favorite things I've ever made.  What fun it was.  I still enjoy looking at it.........and, of course, it has been one of things that encouraged me to make LOTS of FRENCH KNOTS!!!

 

 

 

And, this little person.  Made her from a Japanese embroidered dinner napkin.  Except for her hair which I made from some hand-dyed fabrics.  She was so much fun to make.

 

And, I've saved this little pincushion for years.  It's barely two inches square.  Plain as can be.  I just never wanted to do anything to it as I thought it cute just as it was.  Don't really try to figure yourself out....just do the things you feel you want to do.  There really is nothing wrong with a plain pincushion, is there??
 

 So,there you are.  Many things you will find hanging around my house.  Hopefully....more will be forthcoming here shortly.  And that quilt I showed you a few weeks ago...I'd like to have it done by the end of 2022.   

Much goodness to come your way this year.......take care......pat ♥️

Stay safe and warm and have a happy heart

from

Bird Nest Cottage

♥️

HEART MONTH, POST #3, Pincushions Needlecase and a Basket

 

Well, here I am with the third post concerning Hearts.

And, in this post, you will see why my favorite colors are green, red and pink.

My first grade teacher told me you should never put red and pink together.  I've spent a good bit of my life doing just that.

 So here are a few too many photos showing another of my total passions....pincushions!

I can't help myself!

 

 This little brass pincushion, was also in a post not long ago.  It's sweet. I hope you can see the little pink clear heart, the tiny brass one...it is made up of many TINY little hearts. Then the usual straight pins with a heart at the top.  I LOVE those things.  Not to mention that the bird is dear.  This was a gift from my friend, Jim, very long ago.

  

Here are the crazy quilted treasures I made also long ago.  You may be sick of seeing some of these little pieces as I've shown them so many times, but I never tire of them and will probably show them from time to time until I quit blogging.

 Here are the sizes:

The needlebook is approx. 5 1/4" x 7 1/2" opened flat and 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" closed

The tiny pincushion is 2 1/4" square

The larger pincushion is 4 1/4" square

and

the brass bird pincushion is 2 1/2" wide and 2 1/2" tall

 

 Again....so cute.  That little round clip holds a tiny portion of one of my business cards...its part of an embroidered tree.  I just thought adding it to the mix was FUN.

 

Here are the three crazy quilted sewing items.  They are on top of a very old length of fabric.

Of course, I loved the colors in it!

 

 Closer photos!

 

 The Needlebook.

 

So, are you noticing the tiny Satin Stitched Hearts? They are on each piece of the larger two and then there are some Back-stitched hearts on the needlebook and the tiniest square one.

They are all such fun to stitch.  There may be some showing up on the Heartprint Giveaways.  Time will tell.

 

The back of the crazy-quilted square pincushion.  I love the fabric I used here.

 

And, here you can see when I made these things!

 

The back of the Needlebook.  I really like that quote and had to add it to the back of the book.

LOVED making this.

That quote:

"Until the World be quite dissolved and past,

so long at least

the needles' art shall last."

 Unknown

 

 Inside. 

 Look at those top two needles.  They are so bent....after many hours of beading!

 

Here is the basket I used in the first photo with the sewn items.  I have a selection of wire baskets.  I'll post them sometime soon.  I just lately found this one.  The little hearts are so cute dangling there and well, it IS Heart Month, so I had to use it.

 

 Adorable!!!

So, there you are....more hearts...evidence of Heartprints I am quite sure.  I hope you enjoy seeing them. 

REMINDER:

February's Two Monthly Giveaways will be announced in a post on Saturday, February 29, 2020. 

until next time

BE WELL

from

Bird Nest Cottage

❤️❤️❤️ 

 

Heart Month - Post #2 (also with Giveaway #2)

 

"THE FACT IS THAT WHEN YOU DO SOMETHING

FROM YOUR HEART, YOU LEAVE A HEART PRINT."

Alice Walker

 

 I love that quote. 

 And, it applies to just about everything you do, doesn't it?

WHEN YOU DO SOMETHING FROM YOUR HEART!

For years and years now, I have added hearts to my work. Either stitched or in the form of buttons, pieces of jewelry, lace, and ephemera of all kinds. Notice there are heart shaped pins in the pincushion.  Also in this display is a heart shaped dish with a lid and an embroidered heart.

 

  

  

There are Heart Prints you SEE, such as the

   kind I'm showing you here.  And, then, the most important kind...those that you feel.

You know....like when you remember someone with a nice note in the mail, or share a treasured portion of a faded and worn quilt with a dear friend, perhaps gift someone something special for absolutely no reason at all other than the fact you thought of them...like a favored book or flowers. 

Seems to me that Heart Prints would be a good thing to spread around this year.  So...I'm going to choose two of my blog readers every month and remember them with a Heartprint from me. I've no idea at the moment what the Heartprint will be...as I just now thought of it....but, something simple and old-fashioned and probably to do with quilting or embroidery or both.

And,  I'll do it the old-fashioned way sending it by USPS.

 

If you are interested, kindly comment on this post.

 

 

 

  

 I'll be showing you more hearts as the days go by....most much more colorful than these....Heart month, you know.  

❤️

Remember, comment if you'd like to be remembered with one of my Heartprints! 

 (I'll be choosing two readers a month in 2020.)

until next time

BE WELL

from

Bird Nest Cottage

❤️❤️❤️ 

A Little Primitive Table, A Lot of "Stuff"

 

I'm going to tell you a story on Wednesday night, along with some photos.  In a way, it's kind of an adventure.  The kind you don't want to have.  But, for tonight...I'm just going to show you my latest acquisition....this little primitive table.  So cute.  This window is in my bedroom/studio.  My favorite time of day in this room...is when the morning light makes stitches, threads, and fabrics look the best.

Did I choose that light to take these photos in?  Well, no.  I simply forgot I wanted to do that and by the time I remembered...the light was gone. 

 And, now, these will have to do.

 

You've seen all this "stuff" before...well, most of it anyway.  

I enjoy making these little "collections."

 

 

 So hope you enjoy seeing them once again.

 

 Hearts.

There are always hearts here.

One of my favorite things....the Daisy Chain Beaded necklaces there on the left. 

They are so sweet!

The light blue one I've had for a very long time.

I paid ten cents for it.

LOVE!

 

I also love the tiny houses here.

One on the teacup and one on that little vase.

Inspiration for stitching for sure.

 

Love the black card of buttons.  OLD.

And, the little heart box.

 

Old button cards....all white.  

They are everywhere in my house.

And, I never tire of them.

 

The color of this thread....my very favorite these days.

"Just the color" of lots of old crochet and tatting.

 

"Stuff." 

I ordered more of these heart straight pins the other day.  

Hopefully to include on several projects.

 If I can just get my act together.

 

And, Oh My! 

I love these old hat pins in this vintage silver plate sugar bowl pincushion.

 

And, here we are.  

I find myself standing here looking at this collection sometimes several times in a day.

 By the way....Kathy and I could not decide if this 'curtain' is really for the bed or for the table.

We decided it could be for a window.

So of course, I like seeing the light come through the window in the mornings, making everything glow.

Even the embroidery on all that netting.  

Y'all take care out there.

See you late Wednesday.

until next time

BE WELL

from

Bird Nest Cottage

❤️❤️❤️