Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Teacups & Squares

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The man who is selling this set of Edwin M. Knowles china keeps re-listing some of the pieces when they don’t sell. So you will understand if I have succumbed once more to the lure of this beautiful china. I got the teacups. Love, love them.


I’m in heaven. And once again, the generous seller threw an extra piece in the box.


A beautiful, large platter. How lucky am I? Truly, within a week of discovering this pattern on Lori’s beautiful blog, this wonderful set appeared on eBay. I was the only bidder. And I was fortunate to do business with a generous vendor. I’m sure there are more pieces out there that I would like someday – Lori has a covered dish that is a stunner – but for now, I have a lovely set.

I was so tired yesterday after not enough sleep and tackling King Lear, I couldn’t even imagine stitching a one inch square. So I got up this morning and stitched two of them. Today I present you with Squares 5 & 6:


#5 – some flowers made from vintage beads, #6 – MHC for Mockingbird Hill Cottage

This means I will take a day off from posting tomorrow and will be back again on Sunday with Square #7.

Almost forgot: My friend Sabiha is having a giveaway – she is a wonderful miniaturist. Stop by there and say hello to her if you’re interested.

Have a great Friday and Saturday!

Straw, Worries & Square #4

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I woke up too early today and then found my brain suddenly full of worried thoughts – flitting back and forth from one worry to another. Of course, every worried thought is a projection, a ‘what if’…and before long they take over and you realize that you are certainly not living in the moment. I’ve always been a worrier. When I was a little girl I would lie awake at night worrying about school or what happens when I die or would I be picked last for a team in gym class. I’ve managed to let much of the chronic worrying go as I’ve grown older, but if I’m not careful…it can erupt again.

The sun has come out. That helps. And writing about it to my dear blogging friends helps. Thanks for being there.

On to Square #4:


I did this late last evening and it truly was free form. I hope it is recognizable as a lavender bird sitting on a branch. I was playing with satin stitch. These tiny squares are playing havoc with my eyes. I had to resort to a stronger pair of magnifiers – threading the needle is so much harder for me nowadays than in my youth. Now I have to figure out today’s square…

When our dogs go out the door to their ‘corral’ they go uphill on a little path. Currently, the path is plain old mud because we’ve had so much snow melt. Every time the dogs came in, their paws were covered in mud. Husband went out and bought some shredded straw yesterday and the path now has a layer of straw over the mud. Less mud = more vacuuming, as the little bits of straw are all over the kitchen. That’s all I can see – straw – everywhere. Off to vacuum.

Have a great day.

Little Shelf & Square #3

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The little spice shelf now lives just below my large aqua mantel shelf in the studio. For the moment, these little cuties reside there. The wreath, by the way, was made by the very same Amy who is hosting our 39 Squares Stitchalong.

I stuck to my plan yesterday: text work on King Lear in the morning and early afternoon, then fun in the late afternoon. Don and I have worked out a system which we tried out for the first time yesterday. When he has to work on the computer, he must be upstairs in the office/guest room/music studio. I have a laptop so I am more flexible and can be downstairs in the den. With the dogs. Now, you know I love my babies but sometimes I need a break. They are sweet but demanding. On those days we are both home, Don comes downstairs around mid-afternoon, so that I can go up to my studio. Studio = happy place. Yesterday, I grabbed some time and spread out all my stitching stuff for the Stitchalong:


Love these little containers. I got them at Target. Aren’t they cute? I loaded them up with beads and other fun things that I might eventually add to some of my squares.

I sat by the bedroom window where the sunlight was pouring in and came up with Square #3.


“Ode to our Weeping Willow tree” – oh, how I love that tree. What will today’s square be? I have no idea. I’m trusting the embroidery muse will inspire me with yet another idea. I’m having fun with this challenge. I’m also thinking that a portable project like this one would be perfect for me when I am in San Diego. Last year, when I was there for a much, much longer span of time, I worked on the quilts. This year, I will be there for a couple of months. I always have to have a project going – why not some freestyle embroidery?

Have a great day.

Since some of you mentioned it in the comments, the chenille Scottie dog was made by my friend Joy. I bought it when I was in San Diego last year.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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