The Adventure of the start of my fabric stash.

A long time ago.

(Have you noticed that I seem to like things that happened a long time ago. Maybe that is because I remember them more, or better... or seem to remember only the good parts. Anyway... Where was I? Oh, yes... A long time ago)

This was during a time when Mr was laid off after working for a company for 28 years. We were having yard sales, going to shows, listing on craig'slist. All to keep off unemployment.

The LORD provided for us then and HE continues to provide for us today, praise Him.

Mr and I were attending a storage auction. It was at a moving company and the storage containers were large wooden boxes, like a small shed. They were probably 6 feet wide, 8 feet long and 8 feet tall. A forklift brought several of them out to be auctioned off.

Another couple that we had met during our times here and there were there also to bid. The lock was cut on the first one and the doors opened. Bidding started. One had furniture, not what we wanted. Another had sundry items. Bidding was brisk and we were not anywhere near the top on any of them. Then the lock was cut on the last one. Inside were stacks and stacks of plastic containers. See through, sorta. And, it was fabric. Lots and lots of fabric.

Most of the other bidders had already spent their wad, or were just not interested. I said to Mr, in my most quiet, out of the side of my mouth voice, "I can sell that fabric".

He says back. "Let's set a limit, not over $100". Done.

Bidding starts. We put in a bid or two and then it was at $100, not our bid. Oh well. The other couple that we knew had it. SOLD for $100.

I overheard the woman say, "Well, all I wanted was the containers. My daughter is moving and we need those". Must have been twenty or twenty-five of them. So, I said, I wanted the fabric. So a deal was struck,
we would pay them half - $50 and they would get their containers and we got the fabric.

Mr backed up our small pick-up that had a canopy over the bed. The couple started unloading the boxes and throwing the contents in through the door of the canopy. More and more boxes were unloaded. Boxes we didn't see from the front. All fabric. I heard the lady mutter, "Well, a deal's a deal". Then a box appeared that did not have fabric. They quickly put it aside to go through later.

There was fabric, cutting mats, specialty rulers, fleece, quilt batting, markers, did I say flannel? Just about everything you could think of in a fabric store. The truck kept getting more and more full. Finally the storage shed was empty. We closed the door of the canopy, thanked the couple and headed home. There was a LOT of fabric there. This was from a serious fabricholic.

At home, I started sorting. Fat quarters of groups of fabric collections. Velvet, plastic table covers, leopard prints, all you could think of right there. I had some containers and they were quickly filled. Bags came out next. They filled up.

I took the fabric to sales and sold it for $1 each piece. Just the other day, I "found" a container that had fleece. It went to a sale. I have made quilt after quilt for family and friends from this find. I have decided that I will never get to the bottom.

Needless to say, we made our money back... and then some.

Only a few of the quilts that were made from the famous fabric find.

Cowboys

Fishing, hunting

Pinks

Fun pinwheels

Blues and pinks

Black and White and Red

Tiny squares

Estate Sale Finds

Just a few pictures of the things we got this morning at an estate sale.  It was a barbershop on one side and a home on the other, side by side. The seller called this a "shot-gun" house. Those of you that are from older homes recognize this term. There were about 30 dealers there. D & T were there with others we have seen off and on through the years. The seller is a dealer herself and we used to be across from her when we sell downtown. We moved to the other block to be closer to D & T (The Vintage Bricoleurs).

I guess you can call this my things. Bowls, blue and white cannisters, pewter candlestick, kitchen tools, milk glass salt and pepper, doilies and two boxes of jewelry.

There are a few nice pieces here, but most of it will go into the $1 bin and even then, I will make my money back and more.

These are so cute. There are six total with the little pepper to boot!  Ever heard of Farina?

These cute little stools and bench only need a little soap and water to make them sellable.

Mr got two of these old hair-cut station cabinets. So neat.

One of the two crocks I got, the other is with the stools.

Well, I hope you are having a good day. As you can see, it is sunny here and we are enjoying it immensely.

Friday Finds

Well, Mr and I went out combing the highways and byways today and here are a few of MY finds.

This poor chicken doorstop had lost her proud look. She needed eyes and the stuffing worked back into position.(Cost $1) I also got found two neat pottery bowls (cracks in them, but they will look great on Mr's Farm Tables)(Cost $5 for both) an old fashioned egg beater with faded green handles and a Jamacian doll that reverses to another figure when you turn her upside down.(Cost $3 for both)

After a much needed neck massage, Mrs Chicken is looking better.

I went through my button collection, looking for just the right ones for eyes. I chose the two on the right. Oh, and yes, Starbucks played a big roll in the hunt this morning.

 I hot glued the buttons onto Mrs Chicken, but she still needed that gleam in her eye...

 So, I put a little white paint on the top of the button, where light should reflect.

Here she is finished, and on the job at once.

 Mr got some great finds, like this little table with a drawer. It is ready to sell, nothing needs to be done here.



This is an old phonograph cabinet, he has big plans for it, probably removing the guts and using it.

Drawers, drawers... we always need drawers for tables and... these have the same drawers runners that our drawers in our house have, we need to use them to replace some broken ones. (its hard to find hardware that is over 30 years old that fits)

Here are two casement type windows, pretty good shape, especially when they are cleaned up. Some people like to use them for a room divider, put a mirror inside of them and hang them, etc. I have seen painting on the glass also. I may try that if I get the OK from Mr.

Now, don't laugh! But this old bathroom vanity will have a new life soon. I think it will be the bottom for a small hutch. Add a small bookcase on top, perhaps some "feet", of course a back, some paint, too, and there you have it...

Well, we need to get busy and transfor this junk  into treasures for someone.

Have a great day.

I almost forgot -- check out these etsy stores

Summerwood Photography

&

My Simple Things

&

The Virginia House

all of these ladies have quality items for sale and... they are my friends.

A Favorite Place and a finished project

One of the great things about life is that you can have favorite things, places, foods and they are yours.

One of my Favorite Places to visit when I go to our local Antique Mall is this one...

the vintage bricoleur

Now, you may be like I was and say "Huh", what is that?"  Well, the dealer has provided a handy definition for us: