~Thrifty Thursday~

If you hang around here long enough you will come to realize that almost everything I own has had a previous owner. We don't have priceless antiques and almost everything is patched or remade from someone's castoffs. Nothing here is museum quality...and I'm good with that. I am a thrifty person by nature and go by the old adage, "use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”. My old granny taught me well how to use up every bit of something, be it food or fabric. 

Like many of you, I frequent thrift shops and garage sales looking for buried treasure. I like the challenge of stretching a dollar or finding something at a rock bottom price. And since we are kindred spirits, I thought you might enjoy seeing a few of my finds from the last week. 

 ~When I came around the corner and saw this little cupboard in the shop I was immediately drawn to all the little drawers & knobs...then I saw the $15 price tag! It is missing one knob, and I might paint it (black?) , but I think I did pretty well for my money.~

The same shop always has a great selection of vintage glassware and jewelry. This week was no exception... 

  ~I found three pretty transferware plates in a springy green floral, a triple strand pearl necklace and a wonderful old tarnished cream & sugar-perfect for make-do pincushions...

...and this long strand of vintage glass beads in peaches and pinks...I have the perfect blouse to go with these.~

Some of you might remember my recent post about Picking. My overall best junkin' advice was to treat people the way you'd like to be treated. I tried my best to convince everyone that kindness matters...

There is a lovely older woman who tends one of the local church resales in my area...she is always especially gracious to me. Through conversation we have discovered that we both have an appreciation for many of the same things. She was an avid seamstress in her day and really knows her stuff. From time to time, I bring dolls and other projects into the shop to show her what I'm working on. I really just love talking with her. Last week when I was in the shop she said the words any die-hard, thrift store junkie loves to hear..."Come in the back. I have something special for you."

~As I unpacked everything she explained to me that she had brought this box from home...especially for me. The laces were freshly laundered and she had attached little notes telling who made each piece. She told me she wanted me to have these things.  Her generosity was truly overwhelming.~

~She had even rolled some of the lace into pretty little rosettes.~

And then there was this...

Someone had donated a beautiful quilt kit, enough fabric to make a queen size bed. Can you imagine? 

My generous friend said, "I thought of you when I saw it."

~Just look at all those adorable prints!~

So as you travel on your thrifty adventures this week, smile, and remember to practice the golden rule. Because kindness still matters.

Until next time...

Snowy Tuesday Display Chain

Hello friends...I've missed you. We have so much catching up to do! I hope you have a cup of coffee or tea, and are settled in...this is going to be a long one.

~A sampler, stitched for me many years ago by a "true friend"~

What a pleasant surprise to return and find so many new followers here on my blog! A big welcome you to all of you who are new. I'm so glad you're here and hope you'll jump right in with your comments so that we can get to know each other. 

And to those of you who took time to comment on my last post regarding managing comments, a huge THANK YOU! It was so good to hear your thoughts on the subject. I've reached a couple of conclusions... first, there is no one right way to handle comments and second, that very few people really expect a reply to their comments. The most important thing I learned (thanks to you) is that I can have my comments sent to me via email...something I had not realized before. Silly me! So, that is exactly what I have opted to do...and I hope the discussion has helped some of you to manage your own blogger comments as well.

The last few weeks have been super busy. In addition to all my regular duties, I attended several estate sales, hosted a heavy metal band, kept dental appointments, celebrated birthdays and met a magazine deadline. I'm looking forward to a few snow days.

While I sit here at the desk, finishing up my summer article for Mercantile Gatherings, our region is experiencing a blizzard. The weather forecast is calling for two feet of snow in the next few days. Can you imagine?

I am looking forward to being snowbound, spending some time with my family and stitching up new goodies. It's nice to have an excuse to stay put and sew to my hearts content. I am thankful that my guys got in before the snow started...this mother hen likes all her chicks in the nest when the weather turns ugly. Plus, I can run the generator and slow-blower if I have to, but I prefer to bake and serve cocoa to those who brave the cold.

I'd prefer not to venture outdoors at all, but there are those who actually delight in the snow...and need my supervision.

~Edith, my snow baby~

~Ears back, FRAP!~

As I mentioned, last week I took an overnight trip to attend a fabulous estate sale in northern Illinois. Yes, I even got a motel room...the sale was just that good. It was the estate of an elderly woman who had a beautiful collection of old flow blue, quilts, sewing supplies and all manner of lovely "smalls" throughout the home. I drove up with a friend, and we met another friend there. It was a wonderful morning of discovering treasures, followed by lunch and lots of laughter. Oh...what did I buy? Lots of funny vintage housewares for my Etsy shop, some  little sewing goodies, and this...

~Handwoven Overshot Coverlet~

I was especially pleased to add this beauty to my collection...the weaving is exceptional. It's woven of black wool & creamy linen, and in pristine condition too.

 

In other news, Mr. Kattywhompus and I celebrated our birthdays last week. We spent time with precious family and friends and ate more than our share of desserts...but to have done otherwise would have been ungracious, no? Still, two cakes, three pies and a cheesecake might have been a bit extravagant.  

~Display Chain Tuesday~

During my absence these last few weeks, I've also missed participating in not one, but two, of Misi's display chains! Well, this week I'm ready with new things to show & tell, and I can't wait to see what everyone else has in store for us. It's always so much fun to see photos of each home and hear the stories behind each display.

Each Tuesday Misi, of Gable House Musings, chooses a theme and invites bloggers to play along with her "Tuesday Display Chain" by featuring items from their collections. The theme this week is "Displayed Sentiments". If I understand this theme correctly, we are to feature displays that give the reader a glimpse into who we are. Here's mine...

First is a quilt that hangs in our living room. To me, this represents my Faith and God's ever watchful, love and care over our family. Hubby's Mom has made us so many beautiful quilts over the years...this is my favorite.

~Stitched with love by Mary Bruce, 1993~

I love to sew and stitch and the next few photos are vignettes around the house that represent my obsession hobby.  I have a love for old sewing accessories, trims and my especial weakness...buttons. The wood sewing box below belonged to my Grandmother. It always sat on the dresser in her bedroom-ready to sew on a patch or a button. I feel so blessed to be able to use her things each day. My hands touching the things her hands touched...my hands moving the same way her hands moved. 

~Old sewing needfuls, a name tag, and Beulah's sewing box in the background~

~Bobbins, a little boot shaped pinny and a cabinet photo of two cherubic children~

~Fabric, sorted by color and ready to use~

~My overflowing project basket~

We were blessed to have our sons at home with us for school. Our youngest is seventeen and in his last year of homeschool.  This old fashion vignette represents that part of my life.

  As a young homemaker I became a weaver of both baskets and textiles. Thus began my love of handwoven things-be it a basket or a blanket.

~A handwoven basket perches atop a pile of coverlet remnants~

~Wool and flax mingle in a handwoven basket~

~Handwoven textiles soften an old hickory chair~

I have always dearly loved dolls, which inevitably led to me making my own. I like to say that I made this doll (below) "from scratch". This was my first attempt at designing a doll and hand-sculpting a papier mache head and limbs.

~Miz Kattywhompus~

And lastly, these next photos, taken in my studio/sewing room represent my love for anything pink & frilly. 
I am a girly girl at heart.

~Every corner of my studio lends inspiration~

~Old Lace~

~A pretty pink pinny, made from old feed-sack fabrics~

~A cotton dress, displayed on a turn of the century dress form~
Notice my gal has a little junk in the trunk...this form was designed at a time when women wore bustles under their skirts and dresses.

~Dreamy detail on dress~

Almost too good to eat, tiny bottles of shiny vintage dragees...a gift from a friend.

 This "vignette" represents our house, always full of music...and musicians. This just goes to show that even heavy metal guys can be lovable-and take their shoes off at the door.

I know, it's only Rock-n-Roll, but I like it, I like it, yes I do.

So, that's my life in photos. 
I'm a straight forward, what you see is what you get, heart on my sleeve kinda gal...

...beloved of God, wife, mother, teacher, artist, builder, dreamer, gardener, poet, student, and friend.

See the other Tuesday Display Chain participants at: http://1890gablehousemusings.blogspot.com/

Until next time...

I have a secret...

Shhhhh...come closer so I can whisper in your ear. Even though I adore primitives...there's another side to me that you may not know about. I have an alter ego. I'm a girly girl who loves pink, ruffles and all manner of pretty things. 

When I come across an ancient box of old lace or a button tin at an estate sale I just can't resist. Can you?

I love putting together these little inspiration kits from bits & bobs that I've collected on my adventures.

Don't hate.

Maybe you prefer blue?

 Or Aqua?

Old lace?

Or just something sweet?

What's that? You like pretty things too? Don't worry, your secret's safe with me.

These pretties and others, coming soon to an Etsy shop near you.