An Amazing Find

A while ago I found the most amazing thing. Well, at least it is to me…beautiful hand painted stationery.




I was told it is from the Victorian era. I’m not sure it’s that old but it is so pretty to look at. I have a vision of the lovely person who painstakingly painted these gorgeous birds on the stationery.





I see a lady, her dark hair piled high on her head. A beautiful ribbon of blue encircles her curls. Her dress is made of white eyelet lace and lawn linen, with three-quarter sleeves. Her satin shoes tap lightly on the stairs as she flies to her room for a few moments alone.



She enters the room. Light from the dormered window pours over her little writing desk. She walks to the window and peers out, holding onto the silk curtain. Leaning her forehead gently on the glass, she sees her garden below. The trees are filled with the song of lovely birds. “That’s it,” she says to herself. “Birds.” She gently pulls back the chair and sits. Her desk is arrayed with colorful pots of ink and her new set of watercolors. She pours a little water into a china cup, dips her brush, and begins to paint.







21 comments:

Heidi said...

WOW! I have never seen anything like this before. I love birds. How pretty and delicate these are. They have already evoked something very special in you by reading this. I now wonder what you will do with these precious pages? I could never use anything this remarkable, could you? I saw them and thought of a framed collage of the papers. I can't wait to hear what you will do with them?

Hugs ~
Heidi

Alison Gibbs said...

They are so beautiful. Be they are old or not it doesn't matter because they are just so special.
Alison

Carolyn said...

Truly small works of art Nancy !

Such a fabulous find !!
I will be waiting to see what you do with them , if you can bear to use them !

xx

Lori said...

so very lovely!!!

The Feathered Nest said...

Oh Nancy!! These are just breathtaking!!! How wonderful it would be to take them to a printer and have them reproduce more for you to sell in little bundles.... I love your taste, xxoo, Dawn

maggiegracecreates said...

Nancy - these are beautiful. I second Dawn's opinion about reproducing these and saving the originals. Your storyline reminds me of the movie scenes of Beatrix Potter from the movie. Have you been priviledged to see it yet?

bluemuf said...

The note paper is exquisite. I just love the story to go along with the photos. Beautiful post.

Karen

Victorian Lady said...

They are lovely! And so was your story!
:)
Mere

Janet said...

You painted a lovely scene with your words. The hand-painted stationery is so delicate and beautiful. It is indeed an amazing find!

Sherry said...

Nancy, these are almost too beautiful to use -- I'd want to frame them so I could look at them all the time!

Margaret said...

How absolutely gorgeous--what beautiful artwork! Thanks for sharing them with us. They make me want to sit down and learn to watercolour properly!

Betzie said...

Oh my....I love birds...to be able to paint like that..in my next life maybe.
They are gorgeous and perhaps the lady that made them helped you tell her story..just beautiful.
I could never use them either!

NeereAnDear said...

What a beautiful story... it was so easy to picture the scene you described with your lovely words..

The papers and especially the art are stunning...

HUGS

JO

Paris Rags Romance said...

Beautiful find! I love hand painted paper, I love your blog too! Something about your header is just so captivating, I guess because I am in love with french lace. I'll be back! I'm sure to add you to my favorite blogs! Take care, Kimberly

Brittany said...

Wow!! What a find! Those are truly beautiful hand painted papers! I loved the story that went with them as well!!

:)Brittany

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

What a fortunate person to come across these lovelies Nancy.

The birds and foliage are striking. My favorite's the third picture, the little bird looks quite alert. Certainly listening to what another little bird is telling him.

Happy day, chirp-chirp!
Tracie

Jennifer Pearson Vanier said...

They are truly lovely! They remind me of an elderly lady who taught me tatting many years ago. She was frequently bed-ridden growing up and her mother taught her all the wonderful types of needlework and lace making so she would have the skills and be able to productively pass the time. She passed on these skills to anyone who wanted to learn and lived to her 90's.
When I had scarlet fever as a child I even made my own writing paper while recovering. I was only ten, but my folks still have it.

These would be very popular reprinted. They are beautiful.

Anonymous said...

This really is an amazing find!! And a wonderful little story, too!
D.

Anonymous said...

Isn't it amazing how beautiful art makes beautiful dreams.

Lucky you.

Lorrie said...

Dreams put down on paper - yours in words and the original artist's in images. Wonderful!

Lorrie

Anonymous said...

That is probably the most beautiful stationary I have ever seen! I love the story you've woven around it too. ~ Lynda xo