Sunday, May 19, 2013

Another Year Gone By




This week was my second blog anniversary. Time has whizzed by and yet MulticoloredPieces marks the passage of time and records it for Memory thus creating a chronicle of life, my life, the bits that have come together. I see continuity, balance, a whole. So I propose a couple of before-and-afters, a couple of two-years-ago-and-today shots to celebrate. 

Two years ago, I showed a border along my entrance alley to introduce my recycling theme.



The broken 1950s cement irrigation pipes found out in the fields made interesting pots alongside the thin trunk of a wild olive tree. Some plants worked, some didn’t, yet this spot looks almost lush now.






















Looking from the other direction, I’ve found a few more pipes to add to the lineup along with some succulents and geraniums.























Furniture has been recycled as well. My old bedroom set was solid, comfortable, and useful, but dark. So I gave it to the neighbor (my daughter). The Before:
 







Then there was a bench that had a broken rail underneath. For years, my husband made half-hearted attempts to fix it and it would break again. In addition, the straight back on it made it very uncomfortable to sit upon. When my husband wasn't looking, I sawed off the broken part and the back. 


I lightened it all up. Shabby chic to the rescue. Et voilà! The After:
The Egyptian Tentmaker's quilt that I have shown before may visit my daughter awhile. Her collections deserve mention. The clay animals are from Sejnen, a small town in Tunisia known for its unusual pottery. 

The tin boxes belonged to her Tunisian grandmother and date from the 1930s and 1940s.
Of course,  I must thank all the readers who stop by, those names and statistics that appear within the magic box we call a computer, virtual presences that represent very real people. Without you, a blog would be a dreary exercise, however, with you I am able to confront life and construct a vision of what I think life should be. When I write a post, I say to myself, "Now I will make something good happen."  

Although a pileup of work has cut into the time I spend visiting blog friends for the last several months, I will soon be back because the world of MulticoloredPieces provides a window on the world, expansion, mental exhilaration, creativity, and friendship. 

Thank you for your virtual presence on this best of birthdays!

35 comments:

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

Congratulations on your 2 years of blog posting. I love all of your recycling projects!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

A very happy blog-i-versary to you!

Unknown said...

Nadia, happy blogiversary - so true what you have said about the magic of the community created around the world thru blotting. I love visiting in the Land of Multicolored Pieces.
best wishes for the future!
-sus

Cate Rose said...

Congrats on two years, Nadia. I'm so glad to be along on your journey. Many hugs.

Pippa Moss - Welsh Quilts said...

I have enjoyed reading your blog, surroundings so different to mine, happy anniversary. I hope all is well for the future.

Silvana Vituriano Celistre said...

I love your blog!

MARIA CRISTINA said...

Congratulations on the two years of his blog!
It's a luxury to discover its beautiful and original works on canvas, landscapes so wonderful, recycling and garden resplendent.
A warm hug from afar, Tandil, Argentina.

Martha said...

I've always enjoyed before-and-after pix. Yours are so pretty. Happy anniversary!

O'Quilts said...

Yup...a window on the world. I love it. Tunisia even made the news the other day in Charlotte, for it art collection. Do they all know about you, one of the finest of Tunisian artists...?

Jeannie said...

Happy Anniversary! I have enjoyed each and every post. I may not comment often, but rest assured, I love visiting. You continue to inspire and I am very grateful to you for taking the time to share your world. Now, I must go out into the fields and look for old pipes. :)

Juanita said...

Congratulations! I enjoy visiting your blog. Love your garden photos!

Merilyn said...

Congratulations on two years of blogging!! Always enjoy your posts, your recycling efforts, the great photos of scenery and garden, your perspective on the powers that govern your lives, your home......
May you enjoy many more years of sharing.......

Jodi said...

I always slow down and read every word when I get to your posts. Good to see the "tent" quilt again - it looks fabulous on the "new" bed, and good job with the bench - now it's useable and functional. You also inspire me to reuse and repurpose things around my house. Your gardens look great!

Nancy said...

Happy Anniversary to you! You make many good things happen, indeed!! Thank you for sharing yourself and your world :)

Julie S said...

When I stepped into blogville about 6 months ago,
i never dreamed it would give this Philly girl a view into the pure colors, lush greens, and sorry politics of life in Tunisia, of all places!!! My absolute favorite entry was the day we went thread shopping in town.

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

I always love to see what you are doing, Nadia, and you always inspire me. I am so glad you showed the tentmaker's quilt again. It is so incredibly beautiful!

Ms. said...

I've been happy to visit with you, and to learn of Tunisia through your eyes, wander in your gardens and watch your handiwork. Congratulations on two blog years and my wish that there be many more as you please.

Bouts Choisis said...

Happy blog anniversary! it's been lovely to "meet" you! Lynne xx

Rafael's Mum said...

Congratulations on your bloggaversary! Your posts are always so varied and interesting, I have really enjoyed them so keep em coming!!

Linda in Calif. said...

Happy Blogbirthday. I can't believe it's been so long - and yet I can't believe it's been only two years. Haven't I known you longer than that? Well, Congrats! And thanks for writing.

MariQuilts said...

Congrats, Nadia. Lovely post....your blog is a wonderful place to stop and visit.

Becky said...

Congrats, and what beautiful pictures, especially the quilt :-).

Linda A. Miller said...

Happy Anniversary! Time does fly...love the tour and seeing how you creatively add your touch to your home...

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

Happy blogiversary! Gorgeous photos, too!

Stitching Lady said...

I feel like we know each other already for many - not just two - years.

Nat Palaskas said...

Happy 2nd Blogiversary Nadia. Thanks for your generosity and sharing your wonderful life in Tunisia. I have been enjoying your blog although I don't visit as much as I would like. I'm still a working girl and sometimes wandered how I manage it! Yes this box means a lot to me too so please keep sharing, creating and showing - Best Nat

The Idaho Beauty said...

Gosh, you've shared so much with us it seems like longer than 2 years that you've been up to this. I hope you blog for many many more years.

Norma Schlager said...

It's always to treat to see what you have to say and show on your blog. Love your recycling projects.
Happy blog birthday!

gloria said...

Feliz aniversario del blog!!!!.
Eres una artista del reciclaje. Besos.

Els said...

Congratulations Nadia !!!!
(any many more blogaversaries to come, please .... ;-) !)

Radka said...

Congratulations! :-)

Anonymous said...

Hello Nadia
Happy Blog Anniversary.
Love your work and writing. You gave us some facts about Tunisia
Thank you
Najlaa

Salsy said...

Happy blogging Nadia. Thanks for sharing with us from a distant part of the world. Wintery here tonight..expecting 4 degrees Celcius.

Cécile Meraglia said...

Recyclage très réussi !

Chris Daly said...

Congratulations Nadia! What a beautiful quilt and your "new" white furniture sets it off so well.