Vintage finds

Had a lovely day with The Middle Child and and old friend last weekend. A perfect, sunny fall day, and we took in a farmer's market and a local quilt show. What could be better than that?

I scored some pretty cool vintage finds at the market, and had to share. First up, this wooden doll cradle, a steal for just $5!

I offered to give it a coat of paint but The Middle Child was thrilled with it just as it was, and immediately had it in her bedroom for her favorite doll and her doll quilt, of course.

Next up, how neat are these? A set of paper plate holders, shaped like fish, in a sunny bright yellow. How fun for at the lake! Again, only $5 (a good day!).

Lastly, this one is a freebie from my wonderful MIL. I had admired her old Pyrex bowls last time I was at her house, so she surprised me by gifting them to me. She received them as a wedding gift 40 years ago, and they remain in wonderful condition. I was so touched that she shared them with me! Thanks, Mom :)

my happy place

I found an antique store in the city and it has stolen my heart. It is called The Old House Revival Company, located downtown close to the university, and I remember visiting it years ago. But now I see it with new eyes.


I took my daughters in with me for a visit. They asked me why they had to come to a place full of old stuff.

Me: I want you to get to know me, what I like. I like old stuff.
LBNL: Is that because you are, like, really old?
Me: No. I am not old, actually.
LBNL: Really ??? (doubtful, looking to big sister for verification)
The Middle Child looks me up and down and declares, with authority: No. She's not too old. Not yet.

*Phew*

Inside is 4 floors of antique and restoration awesomeness. Stacks of old wooden doors. Moldings. Tin ceiling tiles. Glass door knobs. Furniture. Books.



And quilts. Check out this hand pieced and hand quilted hexie quilt, in my new favorite color combo- aqua and yellow! And only $60! I had a hard time leaving it behind...may have to go back for it.



Pyrex :)




And all sorts of quirky uses of these things all over the store. I love how they used this old door in the bathroom, replacing the window with a mirror and using the door knob to hang a basket for napkins. Adorable!


I totally hope to make use of this place when it comes time to rebuild/repair our flood-damaged cottage. I would love to replace all the doors with mismatched, painted old ones. And use some old corbels with chipped paint to hold up shelves or a kitchen island. Maybe some of these old tin ceiling tiles as a kitchen backsplash?


I showed superhuman restraint and only this one little piece of Pyrex made its way home with me. Love anything blue :) And I loved the delicate snowflake pattern with the scallops.



I am not the type to have collections (well, aside from fabric and yarn!), but I do think it would be fun to "accumulate" some vintage Pyrex. I can picture it lined up and looking cheerful on some open shelving in the cottage. I love that it is both beautiful and functional! I can justify that, right?

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

Getting the Point (a lesson in Canadian history, eh!)

Canada, as a relatively new country which is made up of a blend of so many cultures, has very few things to truly call their own. We are known for our Mounties, hockey, maple syrup and poutine, but today I am going to introduce you to a wee bit of Canadian history that may not be so familiar.

Back in the late 1700s, as Europeans were settling what would become Canada and engaging in fur trade with the Natives at trading posts throughout the inland. One of our founding retailers, the Hudson Bay Company (which still exists today!), introduced woolen blankets that made in England as a regular trade item in exchange for beaver pelts. The blankets were traditionally cream in color with multicolored stripes, and had indigo lines, woven into the side of each blanket, called "points" which indicated the size of the blanket and weight of the wool used to make it so it could be quantified for trade. These "Point Blankets" are a symbol of our history, and can still be purchased at HBC. I had one on my bed growing up! As they are made of 100% felted wool, they are very warm AND very expensive- a 4 point/double size retails for $325.

BUT- lucky, lucky me I found one at a garage sale this summer...for just $15 (and I even managed to negotiate a free skirt along with that!).

So, now that the frost and snow is finding us here and we are hunkering down for the winter, I am toasty warm with my point blanket on my bed!

Sometimes life is so awesome.

Today was my "day off"- no work, kids at school, time to catch up and do a bit of stuff for me. I was driving by my favorite thrift store and had to pop in to check for vintage sheets, with Amy's awesome vintage quilt fresh on my mind. I was not disappointed, found this pretty here:

I am loving the orange/pink color combos lately! Also, spotted these two lovely hand stitched place mats (2 for $1.29). I think they would make sweet pillow covers, don't you?

Lastly, I got a PILE of 100% wool sweaters. Several of them were ONE DOLLAR. Seriously. I got a great brainstorm when I saw them....I have a tutorial brewing in my head for y'all as I type, hopefully next week once I wrap up a bit more quilting!
So, to recap: sheet not to be used as sheet, place mats not to be used as place mats, and sweaters not to be used as sweaters ;) Plus a couple sweaters and an apron for me to actually use as is (not shown here), all for.....$20.58. Love that thrift shop!

And another awesome image to leave you with. Those of you with kids will recognize how rare and precious these moments of collaboration are among siblings- my son reading a bedtime story to his eager sisters. Yes, it is a Halloween story in February. Yes, The Middle Child is sitting in the doll crib. {love}

Life is awesome!

Time's up...off to pick up the kids, dash to hockey, make dinner, do homework..... See you tomorrow!

Happy Day!

I am having a happy day.

Woke up this morning dreaming of a new quilt design....got scribbling in my "idea book".....more on this later!

Didn't even mind the cold weather because I wore a beautiful new scarf I bought in Italy. Bellissimo!

Got EVERYTHING checked off my enormous to-do list in my 2 kid-free hours this morning. Unheard of!

Hit the Thrift Store and found a bunch of great stuff:

A big bag of chunky weight yarn in creams and browns for $3.50, wooden embroidery hoops in various sized for under $4, cable knit sweaters and a purpley-pink wool sweater (only $1!)....not to be used as sweaters, of course! You'll see!
Over a yard of this white linen, for under $1!
Look at the embroidery on this sweet Christmas doily, for only 59 cents.
Yup. Me loves me a good deal.

Then I arrived home to find happiness in my mailbox. My scooter fabric had arrived! And a few coordinates....
Also, more wooden embroidery hoops! (yes, I have a plan...) Lastly, today is special because it is the birthday of my "first" baby, our much-neglected dog Bailey. He is now 11 years old! Looking a little worse for wear, especially with that crazy haircut due to a run-in with some fleas...but seems to like his new doggie pillow. Happy Birthday, Boy!

Thrifty Thursday

Well, I have been at it again- more finds at the local Thrift Shop!

First up- this lovely blue case.... .....which contains.... .....knitting needles! Lots of 'em! Since I have only slightly entered into this domain and own but one pair of needles, this was a great find, and under $4!

Also found another sweet vintage pillowcase (although I will not use it as a pillowcase) and some colorful belts (although I will not use these as belts, either!).The whole stack, $6.25! I love me a good deal :-)

Thrifty Me

Yes, ME. Okay, I may not normally be known as being particularly thrifty, but trust me, I love me a good deal. And today, I found several! I have been meaning to visit some local thrift shops but never seem to find the time. This weekend, I was reading MADE, and decided I needed to make it a priority . And oh, did I have fun!

I bought (I wish I was a photographer, to truly show the greatness!):

- a vintage full sheet set, floral in pinks, browns, green and cream that I plan to use as a quilt backing and as part of a top

- a saucy little yellow floral pillowcase, which my middle child claimed ("MOM, I want thaaaat! Can you make me a dress?")

- 3 vintage patterns, circa 1980, for a coat/vest, yoked tiered dress, and bohemian style tops (for 10 cents each!!)

- a classic vase- in case my hubby buys me flowers. But in the meantime, it held all my notions that I purchased such as.... - a heap of vintage wooden buttons

- another funky charcoal button

- crochet lace trim (planned to use as sundress straps)

- twill tape

- an 8" zipper, intended for my next clutch

- embroidered trim that will look so sweet as a purse strap or on top of a dress

ALL this for the bargain price of...(drum roll)......$10.90!

Seriously. I. Am. So. Happy.

I better go sew that pillowcase dress!

Kristie