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 :)

for Amy

Everyone knows Amy from Diary of a Quilter, right? Well, she is one of my enablers of great fabric....have bought great fabric and quilt kits from her a few times! Well, recently she sent me a "bonus" package of some of the DS from Joann's as a surprise, for no particular reason, so I thought I would send her a little surprise package in return.

If you follow her blog, you will know she once lived in England and that the UK is close to her heart. So I made her up a little change purse with the Union Jack on it, for her to "save her pennies" for a trip to visit someday :)

Lined it with a red, her favorite color.

She also loves all things vintage and thrifted, so I included some vintage lace, a linen handkerchief, and shared some of my vintage buttons scored here. Included some cute sewing sticker labels as well.

Got an e-mail from Amy and the package has been received and enjoyed :)

Am sharing this with Megan at Canoe Ridge Creations and the gang at Sew Modern Monday.

WIPs on this lovely Wednesday

Here are a few things I have cooking over at my place. I normally hate to have too much on the go, I prefer to see something through until it is finished, but lately I have been lacking some focus and have been actually enjoying having a bunch of things to work on at once! First on the list, a finished HST baby quilt top (and back), set to be basted, etc: (Pssst! Can you see the GRASS in the background of this photo?? It's yellow, but at least it isn't covered in snow any more!)

Fabric cut and ready to roll for my Rainy Days and Mondays Quilt for my youngest daughter's upcoming birthday. Also did a couple test blocks....am trying not to doubt myself and just go for it: I am working on an extra completely unnecessary simple quilt top with vintage sheets, just because it feels spring-y and makes me smile! Part way through knitting this sweet little elephant for my favorite boy: And I still haven't forgotten that I promised you a tute for this album cover. It's coming! So, that's what's up in my neck of the woods! Sharing with Lee over at Freshly Pieced.

Cottage curtains from vintage tablecloth

When we had our family vacation in Brainerd last month, we hung out at a resort and did almost no shopping. Unusual for me- I am not a big shopper, but am known for doing some damage at Target when I get to the US! When we crossed the border and said our total shopping totalled under $100, the border guard looked at me funny.....What did I buy? Well, there was the life sized Edward that you met modelling my scarf here (" A what???" he asked), a book of Paul Bunyan tales from 1938, and a vintage tablecloth. I had my eye out for one for awhile, after being inspired by this picture in a thrifty decorating magazine:(I am pleased to report my tablecloth only cost $18, not $24 as quoted in the article. Score!)

So, I took my scissors to it, and transformed it into kitchen curtains for the cottage as follows:

A little bit of color and vintage feel to liven up my tiny kitchen, and I love it. Simple, but lovely, I think!

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