Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Friday Thoughts

May 6, 2011 at 1:00 am by Claudia

Remember this? I was crocheting this throw when I discovered the obsession scarf. Nine scarves later, it was time to resume work on the throw. So it was packed in a box and sent to Wisconsin. Tonight, while I was sitting in the chair crocheting, I happened to look over my shoulder at the bird’s nest. There was a bird sitting there! He/she only stayed there for a second and flew away. But the bird came back at least one more time – and sat on the nest again. Maybe the nest is being checked out, like on House Hunters? Perhaps there are 3 different nests being shown by the bird’s agent. I’ve got my fingers crossed that birdie picks this one. I could turn my chair toward the nest and watch – it would be better than anything on television.

I’m missing my little family back East. My allergies are flaring up and I’m just plain old tired. Today I feel too old for all this gallivanting around. I want to go home and cuddle on the sofa with my husband.

May 6th is always bittersweet as it is my brother’s birthday. Had he lived, he would have been 64 today. He was taken from us much too early at the age of 44. Happy Birthday, David. I miss you.

Filed Under: birds, crochet, family 18 Comments

What I Did This Weekend

March 14, 2011 at 11:46 am by Claudia

:: Clearly, Scout is telling me she needs a sleeping mask. Message received, your highness.

:: Saturday found me fluffing the studio. The vintage spools that I found at Tinsel Trading were just begging for some lace. I forgot to show you the little green velvet pincushion that I also bought at Tinsel Trading. Sweet, isn’t it?

I found that old painted trim at The Habitat for Humanity Re-Store.  I love old wooden architectural pieces. This one with its many layers of paint is beautiful.

:: I spent part of Saturday and Sunday obsessing about this crochet pattern:

I couldn’t figure out the directions for the longest time! I kept ripping it out and starting over. Never say die is my motto. My mom has always called me stubborn (that’s the pot calling the kettle black, by the way.) She’s right. I finally got it last night. I’m going to make more. Any ideas as to what I can create with these?

:: We also watched 127 Hours. For a girl with claustrophobia, this movie pushed all my buttons. Perhaps not the best thing to watch right before bedtime. And we watched classic Hitchcock: Strangers on a Train. Hitchcock was a genius. It was more frightening and edge-of-your-seat than any contemporary movie filled with expensive special effects. And oh, how I love old black and white movies!

:: By request, my sister Meredith has written a fabulous post that details how to make those Japanese Crochet Flowers. Just click on this link.

:: Tomorrow I fly to Chicago. First I take the bus to Manhattan (90 minutes) then I take the shuttle to LaGuardia (45 minutes) then I fly to Chicago (over 2 hours.) Then I take a cab to the hotel. I check in at the hotel, go to the theater to do some vocal work, watch an evening performance, write up my notes and go to bed! Wednesday, I snatch a couple of hours with my best friend, Laural, then on to afternoon rehearsal, evening performance, more notes. Thursday: up very, very early to catch a cab to O’Hare, fly to LaGuardia, take the shuttle bus and then catch the bus to my neck of the woods.  Yikes.

:: Japan is constantly in my thoughts. Such devastation is incomprehensible and heartbreaking.

I probably won’t be blogging until I get back. Have a wonderful week.

Filed Under: crochet, Meredith, vintage 25 Comments

Collecting & Crochet

March 10, 2011 at 11:29 am by Claudia

Rain, rain and more rain today. Sounds like the sump pump will be put to use once more. There are flood warnings as the rivers rise due to snow melt and several inches of rain. I’m keeping an eye on the snow – will it be entirely gone by the end of the day? Crossing my fingers.

You all know I have an extensive collection of pottery – predominantly McCoy Pottery, with some Red Wing, Roseville, Hull, Fiesta and Bauer. Then there is the china – oh my. Mockingbird Hill Cottage is a wee little cottage – there is only so much room here. So when I saw my friend Cheryl’s post about her exquisite collection of Shawnee Miniatures, my heart went pitter-patter. Take a moment and visit her – she has displayed them on a charming little vintage shelf. I’ve fallen in love once again (and they’re tiny!) Being the inveterate collector that I am, a little seed was planted in my brain. Fast forward a few weeks and I had a slap-upside-the-head moment. I remembered two treasures I found a few months ago that have been sitting on a shelf in the studio cupboard.

I have no idea whether these are Shawnee miniatures but they certainly are the start of a collection, aren’t they? Now if I could only find my miniature Fiesta pitcher which has mysteriously disappeared.

Don’t you just love it when you start a new collection?

My wonderful and talented sister, Meredith, has once again dangled a little carrot in front of my eyes. She was the one who told me about the Obsession Scarf. This time the carrot is the Japanese Flower crochet pattern that has become very popular of late. She’s having a great time crocheting the flowers. Yesterday, I found myself making some test flowers. The one on the left has 12 petals – the one on the right has 10. I made these using some Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino that I had on hand, since my stash is now next-to-nothing. Baby Cashmerino is expensive, therefore, not practical for anything large.

Mer is making a shawl. I might make a little rectangular throw to place at the end of our bed as we  move into Spring. If you visit Mer’s blog, Mereknits, you can see the flowers she has made so far. She’s joining them together as she goes.

I’ll be making more today. It’s the perfect project for a rainy day. – after I eat the pancakes Don is making as I write this post.

What are you up to today?

Filed Under: china and pottery, crochet 22 Comments

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Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

Thanks for stopping by.

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Scout & Riley. Riley left us in 2012. Scout left us in February 2016. Dearest babies. Dearest friends.

Winston - Our first dog. We miss you, sweetheart.

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