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

Message In A Bottle

I've had this wonderful sea glass for some time.

I have had it in a clear glass vase on my window sill to admire

and it has been other places, too.

Sea glass is glass that has been dumped into the ocean along the coasts.

I know that is not environmentally friendly, or something like that.

Birthday Quilt in "Royal Colors"

My friend "L" is having a birthday, so...

I asked her husband what was her favorite color.

He suddenly had that "deer in the headlight" look. He absently looked off, and then he said, oh, she likes them all.
So, I pressed him a little - does she like pastels, or strong colors, is she partial to one if you think about it? "Hmm", he said as he glanced over to her, "Oh, she likes purple, yeah, purple". When I looked across the room where his wife was visiting, I couldn't help but notice that she was wearing a purple top, so- Maybe she will like this lap quilt I am making for her, and maybe not.
I get the feeling that if she had worn red that night, that would have been her favorite color.

It made me wonder what would my husband say if someone asked him about my favorite color.

She suffers from MS, but you never, ever hear her complain about being chilly, or how her bones ache. I hope this little quilt will be just comfy enough to ward off the floor chills or she can take it with her in the car for a quick throw over her legs type of thing. Or, perhaps she will wrap her favorite little dog in it so they can snuggle together, whatever makes her happy.

Linking up to

Quilt Story: Fabric Tuesday

JAQS Studio: Made By ME party

The Vintage Farmhouse: Creative Things
French Country Cottage Feathered Nest Friday

Blogging Luncheon

Friday, I attended a blog luncheon in the High Hand Nursery buildings. There is a large open area where about 12 - 15 ladies (and one man who remained in the background...;) anyway, we were seated in a large "U" shape with tables and access to power for our laptops. There was a last-minute cancellation and Terry (my daughter) thoughtfully invited me. (I know friends in "high places")

A lovely box lunch was served about midday and there were giveaways, ideas, instructions and general good times. It was hosted by Terry from http://thevintagebricoleur.blogspot.com/. I know, eventually Terry will post pictures from this gathering. See them here.


Connie Spade (a licensed massage therapist and instructor) gave out complimentary 5 minute massages for either our neck or hands. What a treat! Nicole from The Little Blog  took tons of pictures also. Terry suggested that I bring my camera ("as all good bloggers should do"), but when I saw the wonderful machines that some had, I was too shy to even turn it on.


I met so many lovely ladies. There was:



Courtney from
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/ was the instructor for this day of blogging tips. She came prepared with a slide show (almost just like what we had in grade school - remember those?) She had some very important tips to share and we all had questions. The main question of the day seemed to be "Why are you blogging? For profit or fulfillment". That was my take on it anyway. Along with tons of information that I need to digest, if I could only read my notes...

I met some other very important people like:


Laurel from
http://laurelsquill.blogspot.com/
Laurel has some incredible photography pictures that just make you drool with envy.

Melody from
http://willyswife.blogspot.com/
Is a new blogger and may change her name, as when we tried to find her blog, we came up with some other sites that she wasn't too pleased to see. She has so many ideas that she has already tried and taken pictures of, and is ready to share with us. Kim from "Not Too Shabby" wants to come up with a name for Melody, I know it will be a 'doozie' and fit her exactly.

Linda from
http://www.lifeandlinda.com/
Linda had some advice on obtaining your own domain... I have to check it out.

Joy from
http://theoldefarmhouse.blogspot.com/
A wise woman who has taken her years of decorating and is now sharing with us how to transform our homes. Also so much fun to visit with.

Paula from
http://windmillfarmofgridley.blogspot.com/
Paula's blog is about her farm, and the wonderful produce, like vegetables, fruits and chickens and eggs that the farm produces - with her help, of course!

Kim from
http://lazycowgirl.blogspot.com/
has a blog that showcases her vintage art styles. She uses western, laces and vintage finds to highlight her art.

Kim from
http://nottooshabbyshop.blogspot.com/
Kim is part owner of the store "Not Too Shabby" in Folsom, CA with Bobbi. They are right on "Antique Street" - not really - but right there with all the good stores in Folsom. Visit her blog and see what they have going.

Ellie from
http://rustdustandroses.wordpress.com/
Ah, another wonderful vintage treasure chest for decorating, and such.

Jonelle from
http://jotraveler.blogspot.com/
Whoa! she caught me right between the eyes with the first few words...

Beth from
 thedailyparagraph.com (I did get an email from Beth with the correct address - Horray!) this should take you directly to her blog this time...

Nicole from
http://nicoleslittleblog.blogspot.com/
she has an awesome picture sense - her photos of people and places make you want to see more

Lynne and Lauren who, from what I understood, don't have a blog yet... but want to.


and, I'm ashamed to admit, more that I didn't interact with to get their blog addresses.

If you have time, and I say you must make time, visit these blogs and see what they have going. I have visited them all and want to return and explore more.



Nicole

Revamping a Design, WIP

Awhile back, here...

I wanted to make a jelly roll, quick fix quilt...

Well, after it was all sewed together with the fabric

I didn't like it.

I tried to like it.

I turned it this way

I turned it that way.

I folded it up and hid it from view.

It just grated against some nerve or something.

I decided to make it up and sell it.

I couldn't even do that.

So, I got it out again and looked it over.

I decided that if I took out some prints I could live with it.

(why do I have that gene that won't let me just throw stuff away?)

I didn't pay full price for the fabric, I probably got it at a yard sale...

This is what I ended up with.

I kinda like it now, I know fickle women...

I still need to find some kind of backing and I think I may put on a border if it suits me.

But, that is what is going on around here.

How is your day going?

The Missionary Barrel

I'm pretty sure you have all heard stories about missionaries that were abroad and every once in a while a shipment would arrive that would have all kinds of supplies. Some very needed medical equipment perhaps, maybe treats from far away, and sometimes clothing.

When our children were home and, of course, much much smaller and "uneducated", we would receive "missionary barrels" from time to time. It didn't always come in a barrel, but perhaps in the more current black garbage bag.

We knew families that had children that were older and sizes larger than ours, and when their children outgrew their clothing, they were kind enough to "pass it along" to ours. We had three older girls that were somewhat of a size, two boys - one a husky and one a slim, and a younger 'tag-along' girl. We had almost all the sizes!

At a Bible study, I would get a 'heads-up' from a mother that a 'bag' would be deposited in our van. We had strict rules that we would open the bag at home, and with all present, so it would be fair.

What a fun time we had opening the bags. There may be dresses or skirts for the girls,shoes, maybe even a coat or hat. The boys sometimes had pants that were too large, too long or just not appropriate for wearing at the present time. Many try-ons were had then and there. Giggles at how some of the clothing fit, silly outfits from several pieces and on and on. Occasionally, one outfit was designated to one child and another outfit to a second child and then perhaps, the top was traded out for a new find, etc. Everyone got something...

I had a basket that stayed up on a tall shelf in the boys room with pants, shirts, ties, etc that could not be worn because they were too large. I can't tell you how many times I visited that basket and there would be just the right garment for a wedding or special occasion. It seems that the Lord put just what we needed for the special time.

I don't want you to think that we relied only on our "missionary barrels", but they were a real blessing in a time of "not quite enough". I want to remember that the Lord provided for us through other's kindness and I want to give also, for we have received much.

Thank you to those that supplied our needs through your generosity. And, I think that is when I first appreciated that just because you are finished with something, it still has life and can perhaps be used somewhere else, in someone else's life.

Eyes That Really See

I have been battling an eye infection this week.

Red, swollen eyes that itch and burn. Not from allergies that I know of. Eyes that looked into a blurred world, like you are looking through a mist, even with my glasses on. Not a blessing.

I had some eye drops that I was using and every time I used them, I would agonize afterwards because of the extra burning and itching. I was scrunching up my whole face with a giant blink to make my mind think that I was really digging in and scratching the itch away. After using the drops for about 3 days, I decided to look up the ingredients. What do you know, they had Sulfa in them.... and I am allergic to sulfa...duh!

 Well, I haven't used them for about a day, and there is a marked improvement. Mr says my eyes look 100% better. Rather than encourage me, that remark makes me really wonder what he had to look at!

I had told one of my daughters that they looked like I had been crying a lot... well, now they look that way, I guess I was just kidding myself with that report.

All this to say that I have had time to reflect on some blessings I have.

I have a very supportive husband of 40 years.

Our marriage has been blessed with six wonderful children who love him and me too!

I have friends that care about me. I have had phone calls, and one dear friend who brought us dinner. (I don't blame anyone for not coming over, I would probably have sent them home with an eye infection too, even with me wearing disposable gloves when I cooked and wiping down all surfaces with disinfectant)

I live in a very comfortable home that more than meets our needs.

We enjoy our hobby/job of antiquing and reselling.

But, most importantly, I have been blessed to have been bought with the precious blood of my Savior. He loves me no matter what I look like. I have been brought to the realization of just how precious eyesight is.

I want to use this lesson to really, really see what is important in life. Not just the surface, but deeply looking beyond to see people and their needs, their joys, their sorrows. That is my prayer.

Jelly Roll Quilt Top WIP

I just found out what "WIP" means-- Work In Progress

I have seen this on other blogs, but never could figure it out. Well, someone had it and in parenthesis had provided the translation, thank you, thank you.

Now, back to this attempt. I saw a post about Jelly Roll Races here and I was intrigued. I had a jelly roll of reproduction vintage prints that was screaming to be used. I first thought this would be a baby quilt, but I am not sure at this point. I may just have to stay home. I make quilts for a lot of others -- and well, always a bridesmaid and never a bride, if you know what I mean.

This was probably the fastest quilt top I have ever pieced.
I started out with 20 different fabrics, they are pre-cut across the width of the fabric, and there were two of each print.

I sewed them together, end to end and had 1600 inches of strip.

That's a long, long, long strip.

You join the two ends and sew them side by side and then cut the ends. Now you have 800 inches of strip, still a long one.

You do this again, and now you have 400 inches and 4 strips side by side.

Continue, and with a few more seams (and each one is half as long as the previous one) you have you finished top.

It needs to be squared up and I think I will put borders on this. A light solid color.

What do you think? Pretty big and bright for a baby?  I do have other pink fabric that I can cut into 2.5 inch strips and do this again, only on a smaller scale.

What's the verdict?

I Have This Love Affair Going

My love affair isn't with someone other than my husband. He is the love of my life and I can't imagine life without him. This is different.

It is with bowls.

Colored pottery bowls. Although I would not turn down glass bowls either. But these 'speak' to me. Just a minute, I have to get rid of the people at the front door from the insane asylum.

It is very, very hard for me to pass them up in sales, thrift stores, etc. And, much harder for me to sell them in my space or at shows.

I love them big and I love them small. And, I have more that I didn't show...

I love the durability, the stories they can tell of the meals they helped to prepare for large and small families, the craftsmanship in their making.

They make my heart sing. I know, crazy...

I think maybe this is too much obsession with an object...But, there isn't one or all of them I wouldn't part with if it meant less heartache for one of my family. If it could take away the pain for a little while... I would throw them out if it could heal rifts that should not be.

Do you have objects or things that 'speak' to you?

I do, another day I will share my pitchers, and creamers.

Fabric Exchange - My Project and a Gift for a Friend

I think I mentioned a while back that I had participated in a fabric exchange with a few ladies in May.

Well, one of the ladies made up her quilt and it was so beautiful, 

that I decided I had to start working on my fabrics.

We were to all bring 6 different fabrics, cut into 6 inch squares

and enough for all the participants.

We had some that were not able to participate, so we each ended up

with about 70 squares.

I took mine and tried to sort them according to color.

I also had to chose a background color and had the choices of

black, tan, or cream. I went with the cream.

I cut them into 5 1/2" squares (to make them all the same size)

And then I sewed them into half-square triangles.

I thought of a zig-zag pattern,

but, it was way too crazy, then I paired them to look like chevrons

It still wasn't right

then I thought, maybe just squares

I took several pictures and emailed them all to my design team

aka: my daughters.

After hearing their suggestions on color placement,

I came up with this

I also decided to add a border and them more smaller half chevrons.

This is how it turned out with the borders and binding.

A smaller chevron strip on the back with the label.

Then on to the quilting. I echoed the chevron pattern in the print areas and

did a vine in the cream areas. 

It was my first time using a method that a friend told me about. (Thanks Nancy)

You can read about it here.

It is a way that you don't drop the feed dogs... but read up on it.

I need to practice like crazy to be able to do it really good. But I couldn't resist trying it out.

I hope my friend likes it as much as I do.

Happy Birthday (late as usual) G.

Now I need to finish a rug for another friend's Jan birthday. 

Nothing like being late to the party, huh?

Another Quilt Finished

I am quite excited about finishing this quilt.  It has been a long time in the making, just because I couldn't decide where it was going. I asked advice from you all and took it all in. My design consultant... aka daughter helped me make the final decision and then it flew to the finish. Sometimes I have no idea where a design or fabric will take me when I start a project.

I purchased the printed panel on a trip to a quilt store in Grandbury, Texas last fall with a dear friend and it (the fabric, not the friend) has been hanging around waiting for me to do something with it. It had the four squares and the larger panel and I cut them apart and added more fabric to make it larger. As it stands now, it is just a little larger than lap size, unless, of course, you have a large lap, then it is just right. Or, if you wanted to have two laps under it, then it will do. After I washed and dried it, it is as soft as a baby blanket.

The backing border print fabric I purchased with the same friend at a different time when we took a trip to southern California a few years back. Somehow these fabrics needed to be paired.

I am so glad that this is finished. Do you have projects that take up "space" in your mind??? Or, maybe I'm the only one... Anyway, I plan of giving this to a couple for a wedding gift -- they have been married for a while now... is it still OK to gift them? I hope so.

Now, I have fabric that is waiting for me for another quilt, for another couple...

Life lessons in a Tree

On most (well, probably 3-4  in a week to be perfectly honest)

ahem, as I was saying

On most mornings, I try to take a walk. It is uphill the one way and

my favorite -- downhill coming back.

This beautiful hibiscus flower is along the way,

along with

These grapes growing on the school yard fence

(why do grapes on the school fence always taste sour?)

This walnut tree has always fascinated me.

Looking up into the branches

I see a lot that has happened here.

Notice the curves and circles of the limbs.

They start out growing and then they are turned into a circle a couple of times.

At the top it tells me earlier in its life it had a major trial.

It was so great that it did a complete circle before it started growing in the way

the Lord intended.

Wow, that tells me something.

I have started out with so, so good intentions, then I have gotten all

switched around, to finally find out that I have been headed in the wrong direction.

But, as I see here, this branch got headed into the right direction again.

Aren't we thankful for the Lord's forgiveness?

Now, at the bottom, there is another arrow.

Again, it got off track. Maybe later in its life.

But, after a lot of twisting and turning,

it is headed again in the right direction.

"The Lord's mercies are new every morning"

Another thing, notice how green it is, and it is still bearing fruit it its old age.

I want that to be said of me, she got off track a few times,

but look at the fruit of her life.

(side note: sorry for the poor quality of the photos - phone was easy to carry)

Old, Yet Still Usable

Isn't she cute? I can see this on a desk to hold hard candies, extra pens or pencils, or perhaps in a bath with flowers spilling out of the top. Many uses beyond the once tiny coffee pot.

**********************

It seems like not that long ago (well, maybe 40 years or so) we met a couple that we thought were "old".

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: