Stella Arrives in Ohio!

Look who has come for a visit at my house! Let me introduce you to Stitching Stella, from England. She is traveling around the world, from blog to blog. She will be my guest and we are going to have some great adventures! Stella was created in November 2008 by: Lindsay-ann at The Cross Stitch House and Lorrie at The View from My Door. To follow her adventures so far, click on the picture of Stella in my sidebar.


Stella last stayed at the home of Shelia from Note Songs in Galveston, Texas. She had a wonderful stay there where she got herself into trouble sneaking out at night to go surfing with the locals, getting a tattoo (though it looks awesome) and getting arrested. She reformed herself and went on to star in Broadway shows, in addition to helping Shelia with her tablescape and cooking and cleaning. Shelia also got Stella her little dog which she named Gally.

On Friday, I spotted this package at my door. It was supposed to rain, hence the plastic bag. Oh, I couldn't wait to rip this open and meet Stella!


She was safe and sound and happy to be woke up from her long nap in transit. Not only did I find Stella, I found a beautifully wrapped gift! I love that the blue paper matched my tablescape!

Ooooh, look what Shelia sent me! Mary Englebreight notes and a journal and a pretty card! I loved it all!


Anyhow, I wanted to get out and take Stella on some adventures. So bright and early the next morning afternoon, Stella and I set out to a town in the next county to visit a cute little shop that was having an open house. It was raining all the way there, but by golly, as soon as we reached our destination, the sun came out!

Here we are at East Mulberry Gift Cottage. It's cute even from the outside! Click on any picture to enlarge it so you can see the detail.

Cute sign! Mulberry Cottage is located at 847 East Mulberry Street, Bryan, Ohio 43506, and if you see anything you like, you could call the owner at 419-630-0100. I wanted to give some free advertising since she was so sweet to let me take pics! She loved the idea of Stitching Stella travelling the world!


Here is the view as you enter the front door. It just took my breath away the first time I saw it! So much to look at and its all so pretty.






Of course, Stella had to get in on all the fun! Here she is chatting with some of the dolls at Mulberry Cottage.


When she saw this evergreen tree full of birds and nests, she had to hop on in and play with them!


Near the tree, I spotted a stuffed kitty in the windowsill. Upon further inspection, I found out that this was a real kitty! I didn't want to get too close and disturb his sleep.


Stella found this gathering of frogs underneath one of the tables and jumped on in to join in their ribbity fun. You really have to keep an eye on that girl!


She even found a seat nearby that was just her size.


After playing with her new friends, she decided to take a quick rest in this little antique bed while I shopped.


Before we left, we both had some of these yummy cookies! It was an Open House after all!


Just a quick stop to the bathroom for both of use before we went outside. Isn't this the cutest bathroom ever? I love that light.






It was windy and blustery outside, so Stella chose to stay tucked away safe inside my purse as she feared being blown away. Mulberry Cottage has a beautiful garden out back. It's early in the growing season in northern Ohio, so I imagine that there will be even more flowers by the end of summer. I spotted this cute purse being used as a bird nest.


I really like these rain cups, used in place of gutters. It's so much prettier, and drops of rain were still falling through them!


Here is a tree next to the side door. I love that the owner takes even a bare tree like this and makes it decorative.


Here are some pics of the garden.







Willow furniture! I think this is so cool.




After our visit, we drove home. Oh, I did buy something after all! Isn't this bag so cute?


I had purchased some buttons and she put them in this precious green bag.

Stella wanted to see what was inside...

So she dumped all the buttons out. I tell you, don't take your eyes off of her!


It was okay though. Just look at these beautiful buttons! The owner asked if I collected buttons, and I told her that I hadn't been, but since I have been laid off, I have all kinds of ideas bouncing around in my head, and I think I could use these for something. I just haven't figured out how I will use them yet.


That ends our day! We have more adventures planned, so stay tuned. You never know if Stella is going to behave or not, but either way, she is a delight!