Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for embroidery

Over the Weekend

October 3, 2011 at 4:56 pm by Claudia

Over the weekend:

I added some lace to the edge of the upper shelf in the studio cabinet. It will do for now, but I think it is too close to the color of the shelf – not enough contrast. Hello brides and grooms!

I found a place to hang the pretty embroidered guest towel from Jill:

I won that rustic hanger a while back from Jennifer at The Old Painted Cottage. Unable to decide where to hang it, I put it away until inspiration struck. It struck over the weekend. As long as Don doesn’t sleep walk out of the bathroom, which is just to the left of the cabinet, and dry his hands, it should be safe.

I looked at this and thought there must be a more attractive way to store my crocheted-throw-in-progress:

You were thinking I would follow with a photo of some beautiful container? Nope. Haven’t found one yet. Though it won’t make any design magazine spread, the box is right by my chair in the den and holds everything I need to work on this mammoth throw. Can’t use a basket – the yarn will snag. Any ideas?

I received a phone call from Don on Friday saying we were going on a ‘Mystery Date’ that night. He gave not a hint of where we were going. We ended up driving to a town that is right next to the wee hamlet we used to live in. I still had no idea what the heck was going on until we turned a corner and I saw the marquee: “Gordon Lightfoot tonight.” I was totally surprised and delighted.

I’ve been a fan for years – I saw him in concert at least 3 times when I was much younger and somehow wrangled my way backstage and got his autograph. Don saw him more recently when I was away working in California. This time we got to experience his artistry together. It was a magical evening and just what I needed.

Gordon Lightfoot and my mother were both born in the same town of Orillia, Ontario. I feel that makes him a sort of cousin. Gordon might not feel the same way.

Another scary photo of Scout. This one cracks me up.

The call of the wild.

Filed Under: crochet, Don, embroidery, Scout, studio 26 Comments

Birdies, Nests, Dollhouse Miniatures; Presents in the Mail

September 9, 2011 at 10:40 am by Claudia

Part of a robin’s egg, found on the patio a few weeks ago, clearly needed to be back in a nest. This particular nest is being carried on the back of one of my McCoy singing birds.

A few months back, my friend Jill of Little Nest Studio had a giveaway. Jill is a longtime blogging friend. She is one of the nicest people I know and very talented. And she loves miniatures. I was lucky enough to be one of the winners (I seem to remember there was more than one.) Jill wanted to make something special with the winner in mind. Oh my gosh…she did.

Yesterday, in the midst of the rain, I saw a package down at the mailbox. You’d better believe I skedaddled right on down there. The box had the prettiest hand-addressed label and may I say that Jill has the coolest handwriting in the world? I’m jealous. She writes in a style that immediately says ‘Artist.’

I couldn’t wait to see what she had created.

Yes, there are wrapped presents there (check out the sweet rick rack and flowers), but first…what do I see on the right?

Oh, happiness! Some of my favorite coffee! That darn Jill knows me very well, indeed. I let out a little cry of delight when I saw this unexpected goodie. Just ask Don. He was right there. (See what I mean about the handwriting?)

Here’s what Jill created for me. Get ready to swoon.

Oh my goodness!  It is absolutely perfect. Jill’s embroidery skills leave mine in the dust. When we were both part of 39 Squares, her work was consistently beautiful. A close-up of her stitches:

I’m fiddling with Picnik – no sunshine for several days makes for difficult picture taking. The blue is more vivid than this photo indicates, it’s more like the previous photo. But back to the stitching…isn’t it beautiful? I love the rick rack trim she added, as well. Frankly, this is too pretty for my kitchen. Don would forget that he wasn’t to touch it and within seconds, there would be some sort of stain on it. Have I ever told you about the mess he made of my wedding dress? Just think about spare ribs and sauce and you’ll get the picture. I will have to find a better place. Hmmm. My thinking cap is on.

What else was in the package?

For my dollhouse: this charming table (made and signed by Jill) in my favorite colors. Won’t it look sweet in my dollhouse – perhaps in the kitchen? She also sent the vase, which looks very much like the McCoy pottery I collect and display here at MHC.

Oh, that’s not all.

She also sent the tote bag and flip-flops. Adorable. Do you think Jill knows my favorite colors?

Every single treasure in this package was made with me in mind. That blows me away. Seeing all this beauty, this precise and heart-felt handwork, touches my heart. I am surely blessed by knowing Jill and I’m so grateful to call her my friend.

Thank you, dear Jill.

The sun just came out. Do I have Jill to thank for that? I rather suspect I do.

Filed Under: dollhouse, embroidery, Fellow bloggers, gifts, McCoy pottery, miniatures 19 Comments

Husband’s Idea

September 3, 2011 at 11:11 am by Claudia

Remember the embroidered ‘Nice’ that I stitched and then tacked onto a pillow? It’s on our bed.

Knowing that Don doesn’t always notice these things, I pointed it out to him today.

He said I should embroider another one that says ‘So-So’ and attach it to the other side of the pillow. Depending on how ‘things’ (ahem) go, one side or the other can be displayed. Sort of like the signs judges used to hold up for figure skating before computers came along.

Then he said I should market and sell them.

Oh, that boy.

Filed Under: decorating, embroidery, husband 30 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.

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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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