Such a Charming Bird

After two days of trying...I have actually gotten these photos on the blog!  Either I am even less tech savvy than I thought....or something has been wrong with blogger....either way...I am relieved to finally be able to show you these great and glorious birds!  A few months ago I ran across an artist from England and absolutely LOVED the work she was posting on her blog.  Along with beautiful mixed media paintings, she had posted several of these appliqued and embellished birds, presented on beautiful pieces of vintage quilts.  Well, isn't that right up my alley?  So, I was OVER the MOON about them right away.  And, now, I can say I own one of her pieces myself and I'm thrilled!

Here are several photos of "my" bird....isn't it just wonderful!!!  And, boy, I would love to have seen the quilt this little square came from.  I have never been an advocate of cutting up quilts....and would still never do it unless the quilt was already in shreds or pieces when I found it, so when I saw these birds on their glorious backgrounds....I began to hatch a plan to immediately go in search of some old delapidated quilts.  I have found a couple and bought them....have found a couple others whose colors just wouldn't work for my taste and didn't buy them.  I will have them as top priority when I go to the flea market as I have been inspired to try to do a few things of my own design on pieces of these found, and for all intents and purposes, discarded quilts. 

Just look at this face!!!!  Such a charming bird!  About now, I am figuring you want to know who made it and I'd love to share that with you.  Her name is Mandy, she lives in England, and you can go directly to her blog, called THREAD AND THRIFT  right HERE.  You will enjoy seeing what she is all about and you'll love her work too!  I visit her blog just about every day and enjoy seeing all the lovely work she is doing.  You will probably also want to visit her etsy shop....where birds and other beauties are available.  Click HERE to see what she has for sale today.  I also especially love the leaves and vine pieces she does! 

Look at this tiny flower.  So simple to do and to my mind....the most charming embroidery of all.  I always call this embroidery 'school girl stitching' because what Mandy does, and what I do. uses mostly all the stitches taught to small girls in days past.   Mandy's birds, however,  are quite a magnificent example of how those simple stitches add such a lovely touch to appliqued birds.  I LOVE them SO!!

Notice all the tiny pieces of the quilt square......I've no idea what the pattern of the quilt was....but love the way the quiltmaker used the least little pieces of fabric.  Waste not, want not, as they say!

 Love this bird!

And, once again, the whole picture!  This quilt square is mounted on mat board and signed.  I shall enjoy it for all my days!  THANK YOU so much, Mandy, for sharing your beautiful work with me.  Y'all visit Mandy, you will really enjoy seeing her beautiful creations!  take care out there, pat

PS.  Finally feeling better....hopefully you will hear from me again soon!!!

 Hi there!  Hope you are having a lovely Sunday.....we've 'almost' got a Spring Day here...still kind of cool, but the wind has stopped blowing so hard and to me that is a good thing!  Hopefully, Spring IS on the way.  I received an email this a.m. asking how I was....I'm sure because of the fact that I haven't posted in a fairly good while.  (Thank you, Pat!) I'm ok...have just been 'under the weather' and just didn't have the energy to spend any time in this cold studio...I don't heat it unless I intend to spend several hours out in it....and I felt the need to hybernate in the house while 'resting up.'  I bet you can understand that.  I have actually felt guilty in not posting....but talked myself out of feeling that way.  Being OCD, though, you know I had to have several 'talks' with myself.  Anyway...things are getting better, so today I thought I should post something...anything...just to say hi and yes, I'm still here.

I guess I didn't get my fill of Hearts in February, because all I could think of to show you today was more hearts!  Here is one next to the hutch in my kitchen.  I bought this mirror a couple of years ago.  The old navy man was with me as I made my rounds at the local flea markets.  This is something that rarely happens as he isn't all that crazy about wandering around these places.  I kept going back to see this mirror  and finally he asked if I really NEEDED it....of course, I said, "Oh, yes....I really need it...it's so perfect."  So, we bought it.   I tried to talk myself out of it...but when I read what was at the top...I knew it would go home with me.  It says:  "From your son in the Service."  Loved it!!

It is not in great shape...for fortunately for the mirror and for me.....I like things that have lived a long and 'pre-loved life.'  I often wonder about the son AND the mother to whom this meant so much.

If you look at that hutch....you can also see another of my favorite things...no hearts this time, but kitty cats.  This card was given to me probably ten years ago by a friend....and they've sat in that hutch having tea ever since.  Aren't they cute?   Everytime I think they should be 'retired' - I find I just can't put them away....

So....there now,  I managed to post something....I hope you have enjoyed this little blogging 'hello.'

And, just have to tell you.....my sister is coming today!  If you read my blog often...then you will know her husband passed away last summer just a very few days after they visited here.  This will be her first visit since then and she is driving herself from Texas to my house, something she has never done alone.  I will be happy to see her.....and Wednesday is her birthday!  She is ten years younger than I, but to me she is still a little kid!  We intend to talk our heads off....and knit!  She is staying a week, so I won't be posting until she goes home....but, come visit again after the 10th and I'll try to post something

interesting then....meantime, know that even though I'm not posting often right now...I DO think of YOU.  Take care, pat

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

 

Sure hope you all have had a wonderful Valentine's Day!!  In this first three photos, I am showing you a Valentine I bought myself several years ago.  Just couldn't resist and while the old navy man is my BEST Valentine EVER.....he doesn't go to flea markets with me...so it was either buy it myself or miss having it.  You get that, I know you do!

 

 

I have no idea who made it...but I still love it and thought you'd enjoy seeing it.  It was framed and everything...and I paid $12 for it.  I remember thinking it was a bargain.  I always say that to myself when I want something.  Usually, it's true...but not always!

  

 

It's so cute and really, all you have to do is put a HEART on something and I'm pretty much over the mood about it.   Hope you enjoy seeing it.

 

And, so now...it's time to announce the WINNER of my Valentine's Day giveaway, pictured here. Thanks to the old navy man...the winner is:  JAYBIRD!!!  A big THANKS to all of you for commenting....as I always say, I wish I could give something to all of you.  I will have another Giveaway later in the Spring...so please try again.  As this day closes,  I hope your heart is full to overflowing and your day was beautiful!  take care, pat

A Valentine Giveaway

  

 Yes, it's nearly Valentine's Day...already!  So, once again, I am having a Giveaway.  There can never be too many hearts if you ask me...so here are some for one of you.  As I'm fond of calling you around here - my "Peeps."  So, if you are interested, kindly take a look and then comment for a chance to win.

 How about a small Whitman Candy box?  I bought two of these....they only have seven  pieces of candy in them...so I gave one box to the old navy man and he ate all seven during one 'snack period.'  He is a chocoholic.  Anyway, you'll remember I'm allergic to chocolate, so one of you get my box - which is what I planned when I bought two!

 There is a cute Valentine's Day card too, plus Somerset's latest Holidays & Celebrations magazine.  You'll notice it contains a bit of Valentine's Day fun....plus all the other holidays too, so I hope you enjoy it.

 I saw this little girl in Hobby Lobby...just had to buy one, but since there are no little girls around here, I thought she might be welcome in your home.....if you don't have a little girl either, maybe the 'little girl in you' will enjoy her.  She's so darn cute!  (By the way...I'm a sucker for Mary Jane shoes!)

 

One of my  8" x 10" mixed media pieces will be included in the Giveaway.  Evidently I'm the only one that liked it because it didn't sell at the downtown studio.  Naturally, first thing I thought of was giving it to one of you.

 Also included is one of those wonderful new (but vintage looking) dish towels....love that red stripe.

There is a hanging loop in one corner.....I'm trying to think of something 'artful' to do with one or two of them....so, I'm sharing one....maybe you will come up with something unique...or else just enjoy using it as you please.

 

 I am a fool for Whitman candy boxes.....I like the cross-stitch designs on them.  From time to time I buy one of those yellow ones with the cross-stitch sampler design...give the candy to the old navy man, and keep the box for myself...or give it to someone else with something pretty in it.

Another look at the towel........I have to make a heart this month....so perhaps I will use one of these towels for inspiration....let's see what I end up doing......that will be another post for another time.

So, there we are......a Valentine's Day gift...arriving at your house, should you be the winner of my giveaway.  If you comment on THIS blog post....you will be included in the drawing....kindly see to it that I have a way to get in touch with you for notification.  I will be announcing the winner this Thursday, later in the evening.  Please DO have a lovely Valentine's Day!!!  take care, pat

PS.  I don't think I've said, but we have closed the Downtown Studio.  With everyone there but me having a full time job...it just became too much.  I expect you will understand that.  So, here I am, covered over with all the stuff I had managed to accumulate down there....now in piles here and needing organizing.  So, I will spend some time getting it all put away....and then, hopefully, I will have some time to actually stitch something...which I haven't done for over a year!  Please hang around here to see what I manage to do to share with you from time to time! 

OH, one more thing....the girls at the Downtown Studio were asked to put some of their work in AJ's Art Studio.....a place for art parties and classes with a gallery and some vintage 'stuff' too.  You can check on it HERE.  I will be there helping out a bit on Wednesdays for a while and she (Audra) has chosen to be open on the second Saturday of each month just as we did. 

Two Gifts

Hi!  Hope you are all well......I know you are busy and I am also busy....but thought I'd spend some time showing you two beautiful gifts recently given to me by friends.  Beautiful things deserve to be seen and appreciated, not to mention that the gift  'givers' should be properly thanked.   So, here we are...my two absolutely gorgeous gifts....from friends Jim and Susan.  First I'll begin with Jim.  He sent lace.  Susan gave me a beautiful knitted scarf from her very own hands....and I used it as the background for Jim's lace.  You'll notice it through out this post...more later.

Jim sometimes sends me things in the mail,  not all that often though, so I was surprised the other day when I went to the mailbox and this little envelope was there.  It's 5" x 8" and since there was no envelope art to see, I expected it just had a note or something in it. (He has been known to send me fabulous "envelope art.")  Imagine my surprise when I opened it and all these little lacey treasures fell out of it. Whoo-hoo!!!

They are all very small and perfectly wonderful!  I've photographed each and added a closeup of each.  They deserve to be seen as closely as possible and are a wonderful sight to see.  Oh, it boggles the mind how such tiny lacey things can take your breath!

And, it's closeup.  So lovely.

 

A little square one......so dainty.

And, it's closeup.  Makes me imagine all kinds of ways to use these..... you think there might there be a crazy quilt in my future?

A very small round lacey thing, more inspiration for a crazy quilt.

Things that can be done with just a needle and thread are a constant amazement to me.  Don't you sometimes wonder who invented the first needle?  Well, I'm sure that first needle was a piece of bone or something, but how did the idea get in that person's head?  Yes, it boggles the mind!

 A rose is a rose.  Thank goodness!

 And, the rose's closeup......

This piece is quite small too, about three inches square.  Of course, I love the little embroidered flowers in the corners!

 No way I could do all the work on this piece...but, I COULD embroider those corners!

 Quite a fantastic triangle, wouldn't you say?

 And, it's closeup.

 Another square....so pretty...the inspiration in every thread!

LOVE!!!  I have to tell you that Jim went to Texas, may I say SEVERAL times this summer and fall to work on an estate sale for a friend of his that does that kind of thing for a living.  The estate was that of a multimillionaire in Dallas and it went on over several months.  Mostly Jim cleaned silver.  If you read his blog, then you know.  But, evidently, he managed to get into some other things, as he often does, and these pieces he bought for me.  Lucky me!!!

   

Now, here is a view of the scarf that Susan made just for me.  Of course, it is green, as you know, I love the color green.  Susan is a knitter and a quiltmaker and quite a lovely person.    This scarf is so soft, sometimes I just pick it up to handle it for a while...very tactile.  

This photo absolutely does NOT do it justice...it's not drab at all....just a lovely varigated green, as soft looking as it feels.

 

 All the various shades of green.......can you SEE how soft it is???  So lovely.

So, THANK YOU, Susan, and THANK YOU, Jim...for remembering me in your thoughts and deeds.

I am very grateful for you both!!

Now, my blog readers....kindly take note....I will be having a Valentine Giveaway....if you check back with me over the weekend...I will post about the Giveaway....and would love for you to comment in order to win it.  See you over the weekend!!!  take care, pat

"Art Girls"....Some of My Favorite Things

This is a photo of our 'front' bathroom....and for some reason unbeknownst to me....I decided today was a good day to show you these photos.  These are some of what I call my "Art Girls."  Most of them created by two of my favorite bloggers.  So, let me tell you about them.  Actually, you probably already know these artists, but you may not have seen these particular pieces.

This first small piece was painted by one of my favorite bloggers...Sharon Tomlinson.  I love her wonderful faces.  This one is an original and was painted on a 'page' from a child's board book.  Don't you love her too? 

Then, there is this beauty....another of Sharon's original pieces.  I just had to have her....Sharon taught me how to use decorative paper napkins in mixed media pieces.  And, gave me encouragement in trying that technique out for myself.  I am grateful, as I've enjoyed many hours 'playing around' with lovely paper and paper napkins.  If you've never visited her blog....you will learn something from her and enjoy it too....so why not check out what she does HERE.  Sharon lives not very far from where I grew up....tell her I sent you.  You will love her faces too!

These two pieces were created by Kelly Rae Roberts.  My daughter knows I love Kelly Rae's artwork, which is licensed and found in stores everywhere....so occasionally, I am gifted with a piece of her work.  Lucky me!!!  And, I also like it because my own daughter is also named Kelly! You can read all about Kelly Rae and her work Here.

This beautiful mirror was given to me by my daughter for Christmas.  It's quite wonderful...and I just had to hang it in this room with the other 'art girl' pieces...even though this one doesn't have a girl on it.  I love it hanging here and think the knobs are just great and the perfect place to hang some 'jewels.'  Reflected in the mirror is the opposite side of the vanity in this bathroom...more on that as we go.   This piece makes me smile....and I really enjoy the green frame around the mirror....as you all know...it's my favorite color~

This piece is one of my own creations.  Not on the level of Sharon's and Kelly's....but helped along by the inspiration I have received from their work.  Scrapbooking paper, text from a book or two, paper napkin roses, and vines hand drawn....I did enjoy making this.  Oh, the heading..."Thursday, April 16, 1916", was taken from a vintage ledger from my son-in-law's family store.  There were several ledgers...some over a hundred years old.  My son-in-law has kept the really nice ones for safekeeping, but there were some that were falling apart...those he gave to me.  I have used pieces of them on several different canvases so far.

 

This piece was such fun for me to create....just playing around with my chosen 'ingredients' and seeing what I could come up with.  I even used crystals for this lady's earrings.

  

This small piece of Kelly Rae's is so cute.  Another gift. 

As you may remember, around here, they call me the Queen of Everything.

A close up of this dear girl....Sharon...so inspiring!!

And, the Butterfly lady again....my name for her, not Sharon's.  She's quite lovely....I wonder what she is thinking?

 And, again...the mirror.  such FUN!!!

 Another girl from Kelly Rae.....delightful!  I also love the colors she has used.

 

This one is just great......and reminds me of Valentine's Day!!!   Love that tiny heart!

 

 Now these have nothing to do with the Art Girls....they just exist in the same room with them. And, since they appear in the same photo at the beginning of this post...though I'd show them too, as they truly are some of my 'favorite things' too.

 

 A little 'birdbath' with a tiny glass cloche....holding things dear to my heart.  That tiny handmade basket was given to me long, long ago by a friend.....no longer here, but not forgotten.  Little handstitched buttons there too.....so vintage...so sweet and delicate!  LOVE!

In my house (and out in my backyard studio also) you will find buttons in all kinds of containers and in all kinds of odd places.  I discovered this old jar a while back in my local flea market.....it just screamed 'buttons' to me!

And, this is the view in that mirror - given to me by my friend, Jim.  A lady embroidering.  Now, where would he have gotten that idea?

This little girl just had to be hung in this room with all my 'art girls.'  She's an old print...yes, from the flea market.  She reminds me of my niece, Gina.  A grown-up now...but I still see her in my mind at this age.  Both are beautiful!  And, yes, a real bird nest....and egg!

So, there you are!  Two of my favorite artist's work....for me to see as often as I'd like....wonderful!

Visit their blogs...you'll enjoy the visit!!!  Take care, pat