“You’ll have a lot more respect for a bird after you try making a nest.” – Cynthia Lewis
The tropical-foliage fabric (sheets) inspired a new project: curtains for the guest bedroom! The botanical painting in progress paired well with the fabric…
But those black and white sheets did not belong in the same picture!
So….
I first dunked the sheets in a sink of water, then transferred them to an area of the floor covered with plastic. Then streaks of yellow acrylic paint were brushed across the fabric, and then random dots of green were added……..
So far, pretty ugly!
Yellows, blues, bright green and olive green all went into the mix! Two were from quart cans of acrylic latex house paint. The others were artists’ paints. Abandoning my brush, I scrubbed and squeezed the paint thru the fabric with my hands!
The fabric ‘soaked’ and dried slowly overnight. The next morning, I took it outside to finish drying, then did the same to the bottom sheet and the pillow cases.
The curtains, made with the botanical fabric, are almost finished. I’ve enjoyed packing, being online, sewing, packing, being online, but it’s time now to return to my new home, and to hang the curtains and then hem them. Will share photos of the room on the next post.
This was a fun project!
Through Emma Lewis’s Petchary’s Blog, I’m honored to know the lovely Nadine Tomlinson, who published Friday Favorites Workplace Ideas. Drop in and say ‘Hi’ – and perhaps you’ll see a few new things as well as something familiar! (Thanks again, Nadine!)
Some of you have asked about the floor at Casa Loca, and I’ll take some photos next time in Jama, but this image gives an idea of why it was time to move on.
The yard continues to slough into Rio Jama. 😦
“You cannot prevent the birds of sadness from passing over your head, but you can prevent their making a nest in your hair” – Chinese Proverb
After today, I’ll be offline until later in the week. Thanks, as always, for your support!
Lisa
Zeebra Designs & Destinations 
I just love everything about this post! How unique to tie in birds nesting with art. Man are you creative!!!!
Donna, it means a lot that you approve, and that the post gives you a smile in your heart! When one lives way away from convenient places to shop, the options are to use what’s on hand – or alter things.. it actually encourages creative ideas.
As for the nesting birds, I have been watching this Scarlet-rumped Cacique build its nest right in front of the house. It’s amazing what it can do with just its beak and feet.
Thanks again!
And the queen-sized sheet set, made in Ecuador, cost 12 dollars. The most difficult part was ‘ripping’ out the fitted areas of the bottom sheet.
That’s wild! I would be ripping my hair out, lol. I don’t have the patience for that. Just beautiful!
Great fun project! The sheets look lovely.
Thank you so much, and yes, this was a fun project!
Birds’ nests are indeed amazing and I like what you did with the sheets. Enjoy your offline time. 🙂
janet
I have pictures of your floor!
Gorgeous! Birds are inspiring, aren’t they – sometimes in unusual ways! I’m sorry to see the river nibbling away at you. Are you afraid of flooding? Last but not least – thanks so much for linking Nadine and me in your post! We both appreciate it!
I’m so glad you shared these photos! I’ve been intrigued about this project ever since you mentioned it. The sheets are lovely. Also, I’ve been contemplating ways to use up massive amounts of old papers, most with equally old drawings and paintings on them that I no longer want to save. I’ve been thinking of making strips and weaving them into three dimensional forms, possibly with wax layers for stability and to unify the elements. I was thinking “baskets,” but the ideas just never seemed quite right. After reading this, I had a light-bulb moment: “NESTS!!!” Just that simple shift in thoughts pulled all of my ideas together. Thank you!
What a lovely nesting place you are creating, Lisa. The little cacique may be watching you for inspiration.
Totally exciting as expected. Nature blends well with your thinking and art as beautifully displayed here. How could it not? Hugs, Eddie
Wow, amazing how you are doing this all yourself! Yes, sad but necessary to move on with the river coming closer!
I’m so happy that we connected, Lisa. Thanks for the lovely mention.
I love seeing bird nests. Imagine the work that went into putting it together.
Beautiful new creation of fabric colours to match perfectly.. And seeing that photo I can see why it was time to move on..
The Bird nesting wonderful capture.. Nest making has always fascinated me, how intricate the birds weave with beak and bill, and create something we could never hope to re create.
🙂 Have a lovely new week Lisa xxx
I think the bedroom’s going to look fabulous. Love the curtain fabric. And that Chinese proverb is a beauty!
Alison
thanks, and if you ever find your way to ecuador, the room’s there for your timeout for immersion in nature!
Love those pretty textiles! I bet your house is absolutely magical with all your art. Sounds like you are truly enjoying your new home Lisa.
it’s always been nice to look at a blank wall and then be inspired to create something to make it ‘not so blank.’ thanks, yes, it’s a great new place to call home!
Wonderful Lisa!
You’re a genius with any media! Love the proverb.
thank you!!!
That “Chinese proverb” is interesting, indeed. I learned it in a somewhat different form (without the mention of sadness) with an attribution to Martin Luther. A little research seems to suggest that the original source is neither Chinese nor German theologian! I think it’s time to send an email to the Quote Investigator, and see what he has to say about it.
Whatever the source, the wisdom’s real. I’ve lived with the Luther version for decades, and believe me — it’s been useful a time or two.
Having more time online for clarification would be wonderful, as would access to a great library… but i am grateful for moments like right now when i have time to do some research – and save the info til i get home and read offline at night…
inquiring minds are wondering, hmm, wonder what linda’s doing this weekend? you squeeze the most out of every day!
It’s sad seeing Casa Loca, and yes, it was time to move on. But it must have been very hard, after all the relationships you built in Jama, and your deep attachment to the land there. But moving on seems to have jump-started your happiness genes again, with so many discoveries, new things to see and new ways to do things. I hope you are able to work out a satisfactory internet connection. Be well! 🙂
oh yes, a jump-start is always appreciated, and embraced! so far, nothing new for internet options……… the drive to the little village with the cyber shop is an easy one, and it’s funny to witness the children’s reaction to the gringa in their town…
🙂 BTW I love the photo of the bird with the nest nestled in leaves. And I admire your digging in to that project!
Your creativity never ceases to amaze me! The only thing more amazing is your patience through these projects Z! Beautifully done (and love the nesting quote!)
Thanks! and yes, I am blessed to have a very large dose of patience! All’s going well, though today was a challenging one for my patience. whew! may tomorrow be easier!
What a sad sight at Casa Loco Lisa, but like always you have moved on with positivity to a new project. I love the sound of your new place and look forward to the next post and photos when you come back all renew and invigorated from the beauty of nature that surrounds your new piece of paradise
yes, it continues to slough into the river, though that bend is actually getting higher – and has young mangrove trees about a year old now.. the cycles work well if man gets out of nature’s way!
Both sad and happy. There will always be change
What better for a fabric hymn than “then hem them”? My mind caught on the three consecutive words so I preceded them with two more. See what you started.
jajajajajajajaja!!!!! yes, your imagination surely zoomed to full throttle with that prompt!
This goes to show that inspiration is in everything that surrounds us. An inspiring post, Lisa.
hey otto! i’m at ‘a cyber’ for a quick email check.. it’s hard to leave the property, ‘just’ to check emails, but it’s been almost a week.. it’s nice to see that the world is still going round and round, and this week not too many problems.
thank you so much for your continued support! one of these days we’ll get you ‘here’ to experience the many facets of ecuador!
I would love to get there some day. 🙂