Red Tulips

In my last post, I said I'd show you RED TULIPS in a couple of days...so here they are!  Another of my downtown studio collages.  I'm also showing you the paper napkin I used to make this collage.  Red Tulips, of course.

 I also used another paper napkin for the butterflies.  OK, I did forget to take a photo of the paper napkin the butterflies were cut from, so let me describe it....black, with a few sprigs of flowers and these multi-colored butterflies in different sizes.    Maybe this Friday, while at the studio, I can take a photo of it..then add it to this post.   I'm sure the photo would make more sense to you than my description of it.

After painting the canvas and adding the butterflies and tulips, I drew in some little flowers and painted them.  I just thought it needed 'something.'  And, as before, I used oil pastels to add more color to the butterflies and tulips.

Also...as is my current habit....words cut from books.  Anyone can do this...you just choose some words you like and glue them on!!  And, this sounded good to me:

"Spring, so glorious
Red flowers grow
butterflies fly
the sun shines." 

Enough said!  Hope you like it.....and next time...my 'new vintage' collage.  Take care, pat

PS.  So now Blogger has changed....oh my!  Just when I think I know something...turns out I don't...it's so hard for an old dog to learn new tricks...but, I'll try!

"New Beginning" Bird Collage

It's Monday morning.....at this moment....10:24 a.m. Usually, I am at the downtown studio at this time, but I've had a revelation....and it is this - I need to be home on Mondays! Nothing much happens down there on Mondays and I am having a terrible time getting anything done at home, so staying home seems a really good idea. I'll still be downtown on Wednesdays, Fridays and the Second Saturday of the month..plus 'special' times, like May 5th, when we are participating in the Downtown Sidewalk Sale.

I couldn't let this particular Monday morning pass without posting. I always feel like I'm behind in posting...so I'm showing you my latest bird collage. It will be followed this week by two other collages...neither with a bird motif. Imagine that.

As you can see in the second photo...this collage began life with a painted canvas and paper napkins. I wish I had left the napkin on the right out of this photo, as I decided not to use it, then forgot to take another photo with it removed from sight. I did decide to use the white napkins with birds on it...just so sweet. Notice the canvas is not in my usual color scheme. Here's the story on that - I had some yellows, reds, oranges and one of my favorites, called "Apricot".....they were left over from something else I was doing and since I hate wasting paint, when I finished the other project, I just painted this canvas with the leftover paint. Not knowing what I was going to do with it...I saved it for 'another day' and that day was the one I decided to use this paper napkin with it's cute bird's nest. Other colors were added and here we are...the basis for this collage. I also used one of those vintage ledger sheets I have and, as always, WORDS.

Using these paper napkins is so much fun. You can use bits and pieces of the napkin, or the whole thing if you want to. (Remember to use only the top layer of the napkin, removing the back two, or you'll make a mess as the printed layer won't stick!)

Last Fall, I found the leaves I've used on this collage blowing down the sidewalk in front of the studio and I've saved them 'til later.' And, later is now....in Springtime! I've chosen to paint over them using oil pastels. I've also used the oil pastels to add some color to the birds and the nest. Again, I've drawn, then painted a vine. I've no idea why I like adding these to my collages other than I draw these kinds of vines on embroidery all the time and I guess I'm just so crazy about doing it, I also feel the need to include them in my collages. Who knows?

I always paint the sides of my collages....add my name and the year. Sometimes I had little bits of print or decorative paper too...then paint over them. Making these collages are so much fun. As you know, I'm not really an artist...but I like to pretend I'm one!

In my next post, I'll show you my other two new collages. One is red tulips, the other will be another of my 'new vintage' ones. I'm going to do my best to show you those two THIS WEEK....meantime, I hope you have a great week and thank you so much for visiting me!
take care, pat

New Shoes and Bluebonnets

You know I've told you that you can never be too sure what I will show you on this blog. Never thought I'd resort to talking about shoes. So, here's the story:

One of my quilting friends, Jan, who lives a few blocks from me, called one day to invite me to start walking with her each Tuesday and Thursday from now through the month of May. This is some kind of Women's Walking and/or Running 'class' and we are allowed to use the track at Harding University. Immediately, I suggested that I was not a candidate for RUNNING, but I would love to WALK. Jan agreed and off we went. Well, the first day was exhilarating....but my feet hurt. So, I decided I needed new shoes for this venture. (Of course, the ones I had were TEN years old!! So, of course, I needed new shoes!! Have I told you that I will wear something until it falls apart? I'm just strange that way.) Anyway, I was talking to my son about the experience and he said I should use some of my 'frivolous money' and buy some new shoes. OK...'frivolous money' - that's money Scott gave me to use to entertain myself. He sometimes does that over my objections. He also knows that my version of 'frivolous' is not the same as his. His actually means 'frivolous' and my version means 'what do I need?" Anyway, I decided to break my own rule and follow his advice, so daughter, Kelly, took me out in search of the proper shoe. (I hate shopping for clothing and shoes and such!) And, we ended up purchasing the shoes you see here. BRIGHT pinkish/orange neon shoes! Nike Free, they say. Comfortable.

So, when I picked up Jan the next evening...the first thing she noticed was the shoes. She laughed. The 'instructor' noticed them too....saying that they certainly wouldn't lose me...then said they'd have to stand me on my head though, because I'm so short.)

I had taken these photos of the shoes that day, and later that night, I was telling my favorite son all about them. So, grandson,Ty, got his iPhone out and we had a little video thing going, showing the shoes off. Now, here's the funny part - Scott asked if we wanted to see HIS new shoes...and, of course, we said yes. There was a pause, then he holds up his shoes.....they are JUST LIKE MINE...only lime green neon!!! Who knew? Well, it was a funny little experience and we had a good laugh.

When I took Jan home....I happened to notice some blue flowers growing in her front yard flower beds. (Remember, I am terribly myopic, so often don't see what is right in front of me!) "Jan," I said, "Are those blue flowers by any chance BLUEBONNETS?" "Yes," she said. Her husband, Tom, is a Master Gardener and was determined to have some Bluebonnets and I was surprised because I thought they wouldn't grow here. (Remember, I grew up in Texas and remember seeing acres of wild Bluebonnets in the Spring!!) Once again, who knew? So, yesterday evening when I went to pick her up I took my camera and after we returned from our walk....I took these photos. Aren't they gorgeous? (And, can you imagine seeing acre after acre of these along the highways? I always loved that.)

So...a little story about nothing, really, but I thought I'd share it with you. Like I said, you just never know what I might show you!!! Hope all is well your way...pat

My Favorite Son, Two Other Guys, and Me!

They are a little late, at this point, but I mentioned that I'd show you some photos of my favorite son's recent visit. Actually, I didn't take many...so there wasn't a lot to choose from...but these made me laugh, so I chose them. We could all use a good laugh now and again.

Scott, or my 'favorite son' as I usually call him in my posts....lives in San Francisco and had a chance to come for a visit of two days...not counting travel. That's not long....but I'll take it anytime. There is nothing better than actually seeing your children in real life rather than on the computer screen. Actually, I DO love seeing him on my wonderful Apple Computer....but it's real hard to get a good hug that way!

Here you see him with two other guys. Scott on the left, of course, his Gramps, my father-in-law, aged 92, in the middle, and his Dad, (that old Navy man) on the right. I never get them together for many photos, so this one is special and it was taken at my father-in-law's home.

There is one of Scott and his Dad taken in my entry hall....I had to smile as he held one of my birds on his Dad's shoulder as I snapped the photo. CUTE!!

Then, there is always the trip to the airport in Little Rock. I always try and get a halfway decent photo as he unloads his bags from the car...seems like it's a very hurried affair these days...what with limits on parking, etc. Anyway, he grabbed my camera to snap a quick photo of the two of us. I detest photos of myself...but actually like this one...because well, he's so darn cute!! I do so appreciate him taking the time to come home...loved every minute of it!

So, there you are...a little peek at that short visit from the favorite son. I treasure those. I've been asked what I think my most important accomplishment has been in this life and without a doubt it has to be raising two great kids who grew up to be two great adults....well, that AND staying married to the same guy for nearly 46 years!!! I'm lucky! Y'all take care, pat

A Most Caring Gift

Well, finally! I'm back posting...sorry to have been absent for so long. I did enjoy having my favorite son here...and meant to post after he went back home...but I managed to get myself into a little 'slump' and just couldn't manage to get anything done. But...I've begun walking with a friend and that seems to have done some good, sort of boosting my energy level...plus I heard from a friend...one who reads my blog and I've never really met...but I know we are real friends..and she cheered me up. You know I love hearing from you all.

Yesterday, a box arrived on my front porch via my nice mailman. A heavy box. The old Navy man asked what I had ordered and, of course, I had to tell him I hadn't really ordered anything. Well, there is that last book I ordered from amazon.com, but it won't be coming for a while because it was a 'pre-order,' but this box, I knew nothing about. And, it WAS addressed to me. The minute I looked at the return address, I knew it was going to be special, because I knew it was from my blogging friend, Sandra.

And, boy, did she brighten my day!! In fact, she made me feel like a special person and really cared for. Everyone needs that once in a while and her timing was just fantastic! Months ago, she ordered one of my bird pincushions. She wanted a shorebird. It took a very long time for me to fill that order, but recently the 'bird flew to Alabama' and I am so proud she loved it! You can check into my archives and see it on my post of March 11 of this year.

Opening this box was so very exciting...yes, I like a bit of excitement just as you do...so it was FUN. Even the old Navy man enjoyed it. So here you see what all was in the box. There is vintage lace, vintage spools of thread...mostly silk. Does anyone ever have enough of those? I just love looking at them and I tried to photograph them so you could read the ends. There are buttons, some loose and some on cards. Trims. Needles. Pincushions....my VERY favorite is the pincushion made from a real acorn cap. So cute. Well, so is the little blue bird pincushion.
There are three red hearts. I swear I've never seen anything like these...they are red, velvety, and they are BEADS. I tried to photograph one so you could see the hole going all the way through. Wonder what terrific thing I can use those on? They feel great! There is a wonderful piece of fabric with birds and houses. OF course, it's cute too. I absolutely LOVE the laces...gives me all kinds of ideas.

I've opened the drawers to photograph the insides of the GORGEOUS little chest of drawers. I know I told you about my little collection of chests, as I love anything with drawers and shelves and such. Sandra has really paid attention to things I like....I know she read that post. Isn't this just the most beautiful little chest? I took pictures of the top, front, sides and it's even pretty on the back. It's heavy and it's extremely beautiful in person. I sent her an email telling her it was so beautiful that I shall leave it to one of the kids one of these days...but til then, it will be one of my favorite TREASURES. It feels good too...so smooth, it's almost 'soft.' I am just thrilled!!!

I need to hang the bird key rack somewhere useful...we DO have a time with keys here. Now, how did she know that? That pretty embroidered bird pillowcase is so sweet...how did she know I have an embroidered pillowcase collection....not all in sets of two...I like to mix and match. It's probably not what you are 'supposed' to do, but, that has never been something I would worry about...I'll love having this one!

What is amazing to me is that she reads my blog posts and evidently we 'connect.' That makes me proud.....as I do enjoy hearing from those of you who read the sometimes silly things I write.
And, too, I'm glad you enjoy my photos. No, they aren't 'professional,' but they are of 'real' things around the Nest and I'm so glad you like seeing them. Sandra told me her sister helped to pack the box. I like that too. I have one sister in Texas. We don't see each other often, but I can see us packing a box together. It would be FUN! Weren't they nice to do such a thing...yes, I believe they certainly were!

So, look carefully at the photos. As we all know...some of us have become friends just by reading each other's blog posts. And, when we post comments...it really helps us 'connect.' So, Sandra, THANK YOU so much for your comments...your lovely emails and the very special gift so lovingly packed by you and your sister. I am so HONORED!!! You have made my day....perhaps my whole month....and you've made me feel so much better! In all the world....there is not much better than family and WONDERFUL friends!!!

Hope you all enjoy the photos....especially my friend, Sandra. And, I hope you will return here to see what is next. Perhaps a photo from my favorite son's visit....and then, some 'art chairs.'
Meanwhile, take care my friends and thank you so much for spending some time with me. pat