The Color Blue, Birds and other Things

 

 After several months of not blogging...here I am.  I seem to have crossed over the hump I was stranded on and not only have I been quilting, but I feel, once again, like posting on this blog.  Oh, my goodness gracious....thank goodness!  I hope you are all well.  Not really knowing what to post about, I decided to talk about something blue.  Although there isn't much of it here in this cottage....I do like a bit of it now and again.  Some of these things have come to live with me recently and some have been here a while.  Some are gifts.

 

 Let me begin with this little blue bird.  It's cast iron...painted blue...a gift from my friend, Jim.  I thought it fit right in with these other bits of blue today.

 

 This absolutely lovely bluebird bowl was given to me recently by my friend, Kathy.  It's ADORABLE!!!  The little heart dish sitting inside I found years ago....for something like a quarter.  I think they are dear together.

 

 Don't you think so too?  The bluebird clock is called a Songbird clock and is from Germany.  Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, but when it does, the little bird chirps and moves.  I found it several years ago. 

 This lovely tea towel is embroidered by hand.........with a pretty yellow checkerboard trim.  Another gift from Kathy.  Doesn't it just 'go' well with all the blue things here?

 

 The bedspread you see peeking out underneath this linen piece is from my Mother-in-law's guest bedroom and there on top is a linen table runner, very wide, another piece from Kathy.  It is DEAR!!!

I had a fit when I saw it....such beautiful hand embroidery along with beautifully done cross-stitch.

 

 This is stitched across both ends of the cloth.  

 

 And, the White on White embroidery is to die for.  Truly beautiful.

 

 Just another peek at the bird.....

 

 and a bit more of the embroidered edge...it's four inches deep.  

You all know I just love the birds, the stitching, well, all these wonderful pieces.  They fit right into my house and I'm so grateful to have them to admire each day.  I found these two quotes and thought I'd add them to today's post.  They are me...all over!

"I'm always chasing rainbows, Waiting to find a little blue bird in vain."

Joseph McCarthy

"I suppose I am a Sparrow, a stay-at-home bird."

Gladys Tabor

Yes, indeed.  There I am.  I'll be doing my best to post again very soon.........hang in there with me, as I know many of you have.  And, do take care.  Be well and be happy!

from

Bird Nest Cottage

 until next time

♥️♥️♥️

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

 FROM MY HOUSE TO YOURS:

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 and

 

  

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

MAY YOUR DAYS

 

 BE MERRY AND BRIGHT

 

and each filled

 

completely

 

  with

 

 PEACE,  JOY AND LOVE!

 FROM

Bird Nest Cottage

until

the New Year

❤️🎄❤️

 

A Beautiful Old Jar

 

 And here it is - the most beautiful old jar!

 

 I found it at my favorite flea market several weeks ago.  I paid more for it than any other jar I have ever bought, bringing to mind a favorite quote I've posted before:

"If, of thy mortal goods thou art bereft,

And from thy slender store two loaves alone to thee are left,

Sell one and from the dole,

Buy Hyacinths to feel the soul."

Muslihuddin Sadi 

13th Century Persian Poet

Now, nothing really can top  beautiful flowers, like the Hyacinth, but I suppose that day, for me, this jar came really close.  I am "over the moon" about it.

 

It's large:

11 inches tall

16 inches around at the widest point

13 1/2 inches around at the bottom

  

 Have you any idea what it might have held?  I've searched the internet and have found not a hint of it anywhere.  It has a screw-on top which I believe has been painted and no markings of any kind.  It is a mystery.  A gorgeous mystery.

If you have any clues, kindly let me know, please.

from

Bird Nest Cottage

until next time

♥♥♥

Autumn Beauty

 

This photo was taken last November.  The tree is just over my back fence.  The colors were gorgeous.  Today, there is no color at all.  Just a drab brownish green, waiting for Autumn Beauty to take over.  It reminds me of life these days....just one sad thing after another....with all of us watching and waiting for something beautiful to come along.

 

These leaves look happy and festive....at the time, approaching Thanksgiving,  The year's last party before Winter sets in.

 

 It is beautiful, isn't it?

 

 Just look at those beautiful shades of orange with some red thrown in. 

 I'm hoping we get to see some of it before all the leaves are gone.

 

So, that was last year.  Nothing seems quite right this year, but we can always hope....and, we can still try to be happy, as this quote says:

"THINK OF ALL THE BEAUTY STILL AROUND YOU AND BE HAPPY." 

Anne Frank 

Surely, if Anne could inspire it, we should be able to do it. 

❤️

from

BIRD NEST COTTAGE

until next time 

♥♥♥

It's the Little Things

 

 A week ago today, my friend, Jim G. came for a short visit.  It had been a long time since his last visit and it turned out to be a lovely day.  Truly.  Now, if ever there was a friend who liked to give multiple "little things," well, it would be Jim.  If you know him, you know he "collects."  For himself, and for his friends.  So as not to fall short I suppose, this visit was no exception...he brought me several things.  Oh, I can't believe I actually said that....because every visit with Mr. G is exceptional for one reason or another!  And, as my post title suggests....it's the little things in life that seem to count.  Now, I'm fine if friends arrive with no gifts....after all...in my mind, they ARE the gift!  But, Mr. G., well, he did think of me, obviously several times, and I really do appreciate those thoughts.  I'm not going to show you everything he brought in this post.....just a couple of them....I'm sure you will get what I'm talking about!

 

 So, let's begin with a vintage petticoat.  A deep lace hem with many tucks above it.  Oh, my goodness, what could be prettier? 

 

 Don't you agree?

 

 And, this little precious shoe.....I am just nuts over it!!!  Only Mr. G would find a tiny bird perched on a shoe!!!

 

 Adorable.

 

 It says something on the bottom, but I sure can't read it.

 

 I do so LOVE it. ❤️

 

 Indeed!

 

 Maybe you can get a better idea of it's size here.

Thank you, Jim!

One of life's great pleasures is a good friend.  And, when a friend really knows you and likes you anyway...well, that's a blessing.  I found this quote today....I hope you like it as much as I did.

"In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter and sharing of pleasures. For in the

dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed."

Khalil Gibran 

❤️

from

Bird Nest Cottage

until next time

♥♥♥

There's No Chair Like An Old Chair

 

 I know I have too many old chairs in the house.  Some of them are way past their prime.  Like this one.  Gosh, I have a chair here from my elementary school (long torn down), and that is pretty old.

They come to me from various places and people and I can't seem to say no to them.  However, Bird Nest Cottage is reaching it's chair maximum.  I could be talked into more....but some would have to go and that is where there is a problem.  I just hate to see them go.  This one is one of my favorites.  When I bought it, I thought I'd try to re-upholster it in a sepia color with lots of lace and trims and such.  Have I?  No.  So, I thought, just for fun, that I would just add a few things here and there and pretend I was getting ready to actually do that little chore.  So, here is the chair....undressed.....

 

 And, then "Dresssed."  A plain pillow, an embroidered pillow, a crocheted and embroidered panel, and then, a tatted linen doily over top.  Gee, I love it just like that!

 

 By the way, this chair used to be covered with green upholstery.  Now, it looks like a rather dusty gray green and there were flowers in there too, but hard to see.

 

 Here it is with a crocheted doily over top.  Even over top of that tatted piece.

 

 A close up.

 

 And, here with a table runner over top.  Battenburg lace.  Really pretty.

 

 Here it is with a different crocheted piece over top.

 

 And, again, a different one over top. 

  

 

 Some kind of feed sack ... well, it says Texas, how could I not?

 

 A Home Sweet Home embroidery I bought for just a couple of dollars.

 

 This a pansy crocheted apron I just draped over the back of the chair.  

 

 This is some lovely embroidery on the center of that panel in the seat of the chair.  

 

 And, then, an embroidered linen doily over top.  Quite nice.

 

 The chair has as soft and smooth a finish as there could be...probably worn by the touch of many hands.  I do love it.  But, what will be it's fate?  I don't know, but I'll probably be playing with it for some time to come as I can't seem to decide just how I will finish it   You can bet you will see whatever it is though. And, it will be white or off-white for sure.

❤️

from

Bird Nest Cottage

until next time,

♥️♥️♥️