Our Farmhouse Nest

 

nest (nst)

n.

1.

a. A container or shelter made by a bird out of twigs, grass, or other material to hold its eggs and young.

b. A place in which young are reared; a lair.

2.

A place affording snug refuge or lodging; a home.

 

This nest wasdangling from wild grape vines hanging from my giant red oak tree at the farm.  Having a weakness for birds and nests, I gently clipped the vines and nest from the tree and gathered them together with a bit of jute twine and it now hangs from a white cast iron bird hook in my dining room.

I have abandoned bird's nests scattered throughout the farmhouse sometimes nestled into a ironstone bowl, under a glass dome or in a vintage jar.  They are in every room of the house with the exception of the kitchen.

I think the nest and grapevines look great hanging from the bird hook against the white door.  The grapevine has dried blue grapes in clusters on the vines.

 

Ah yes, Life Is Beautiful, don't you think?  A new bracelet in French fresh from my studio that sums up those little nests...

 

Blessings My Friends,

 

Julie

Colors of the Sea Birds Nest Necklace

A new creation to share with you a simple sea blue amazonite necklace with a silver birds nest containing light blue pearl eggs.  The amazonite beads are faceted so they are just a little sparkly in a great kind of way.  The chocolate spacer beads keep the necklace from being too formal.  I like my jewelry designs to go from jeans to dinner dress with ease.

Doesn't the necklace remind you of the ocean?  I love the pale blue colors of the sea... Just looking at these photos brings back memories of the sun on my face and the breeze in my hair... it was a glorious day.  It's snowing again... wouldn't it be nice to wake up tomorrow morning and walk on the beach?

A closer view of the woven silver nest with the tiny blue pearl eggs nestled inside.

I hope you are staying warm and cozy tonight like we are at our farmhouse in the country sitting in front of a fire in the fireplace listening to the crackling sounds and munching on peanut brittle - yum.  I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday.

Blessings - Julie

American Red Squirrel and Prairie Girl Bracelet

This feeder is the favorite of birds and the squirrels each Winter.  It's a nice design that holds lots of birdseed and allows several birds to feed at once.

We have red squirrels at the farm and I love them.  They are really sweet little guys.  In the city we have only gray squirrels as they are more fierce than the mild mannered red squirrels.  The grays chased them out of the city long ago.

The birds and the squirrels take turns at the feeder.  When the squirrel is feeding the birds feed underneath the feeder cleaning up the seeds that fall out from the screened bottom.

Squirrel antics are always alot of fun as they jockey for time in the feeder.  Look at his red tummy, isn't he cute?  We put up several birdfeeders so that all the little creatures can feeds during the cold days of Winter.

While the squirrels play, I am busy creating new jewelry pieces for upcoming shows and the online store.  This one is a rawhide bracelet featuring a sterling silver lady bug and a turquoise bead.

 

 I like the simplicity of this bracelet.  Just leather and silver with laces that dangle at the wrist.

 

Prairie Girl Bracelet - Purchase Here

It's a prairie girl creation that celebrates our Wild West heritage with leather, silver and turquoise.

Bird Nest Jewelry

 

Bird Nest Jewelry - Purchase Here

I love weaving silver wire into tiny bird's nests filled with tiny blue eggs...it makes me happy.  Simple pleasures, right?  There's just something peaceful about sitting quietly weaving the silver wire in - through - and out that feels so right.  Everything drifts away as my fingers coax the wire into the shape of a tiny nest.

I guess you could call me a "bird girl" as I love feeding and watching the birds that visit the feeders all Winter.  I also gather up all the nests that fall from the trees after a storm in the Summer and have them under glass cloches in my house.  I think they are beautiful and amazing.

So many flights back and forth gathering pieces of grass to weave into their nest preparing for the eggs that will soon be protected there.  Isn't that amazing?  

So, I will continue to weave silver wire into the shape of tiny nests to wear around someone's neck giving them pleasure each time they fell it against their heart.

Stay warm and blessed my friends - xo Julie

Bluebird Quilt of Happiness - Vintage Quilt

On one of my recent junking jaunts, I found this vintage quilt featuring one of my favorite themes - little birds. Each bird is appliqued onto the quilt with a potted flowering plant in a cache pot. The black stitching sets off each element in the sweetest way.

I couldn't believe my good fortune in finding this gorgeous vintage quilt in a flea market book with a $35.00 price tag. Can you believe it?

Now, what to do with this tattered quilt. I am pondering cutting the quilt apart and making large throw pillows, but as usual I hesitate....should I cut the quilt up or just do repairs? What do you think about this, my friends? The quilt is large enough for a full size bed. It also has a red stain on one of the panels...

I am sure that you will agree that holding a vintage quilt in your hands softened by many too many washings to count over the years is something really special. So precious...so many hours of love went into the making of this quilt. I am sure the maker was very pleased with her handiwork and lovingly placed this quilt on her child's bed.

This is an example of the wear on some of the panels, but it seems to add to its charm, don't you think? How would you recommend mending this panel?

Look at the stitched feet of the birds - as they perch on the potted plant...charming.

Sweet little bluebird, who's bed did you warm on those cold Winter nights? Did you bring the dreamer visions of lovely birds in flight? Did you feel warm and snuggly tucked beneath this lovely quilt made with so much love for your bed?

Let me know what you think about this tattered quilt....