Vintage Collage & Quilts

I'm Back!

Hi Blog Peeps,

No, I didn't drop off the face of the earth.  I just have been so busy lately no time to blog.  We are getting ready to take off for a vacation at Lake Shasta soon & so I'll be quite a while not posting.  This may be my last pre vacation post.

We went to Minden Nevada last weekend & visited some friends.  Shirley, myself & Eileen went antiquing & shopping most of one day.  We visited The Quilt House in Gardenerville & they had a sample from my book on display.  Shirley & Eileen spilled the beans that I was the author so I had an impromptu book signing.  Lots of fun & a great shop!  Eileen asked me to bring my quilt so she could see it in person so we ran back to her house as the shop ladies wanted to see it.

 

And ... speaking of quilt shops, on Tuesday I dropped off the doll quilt & some patterns at In Between Stitches in Livermore & ran into Elizabeth.  She has a brand new short hair do which is so cute.  I miss seeing PKM there though.  Boo hoo. 

Cheshire Antiques is one of the greatest antique shops there! What fun we had looking : ) Check out some of the beautiful pics on their website.

I'm also throwing in some photos from around the house to tide everyone over till I'm back.

Pretty vintage millinery & ribbons from France.  I just discovered a wonderful French shop in Alamo that has antiques & new French inventory.  It has been there for YEARS & I didn't know about it.  It's called Friendship Farm Antiques.  If you love French you have to go.  It's only open Tues - Fri. 

I received these fun charms from Lilli's Etsy shop.  She enclosed a few crocheted pretty flowers for me.  What a sweetie.  Can't wait to put photos in the charms.  Thanks Lillli!

I've been going through my china cabinet & have things from eons ago that no longer appeal to me that I am going to sell but I also pulled out all the blue pottery I had & made new vignettes in the kitchen. I just love the way blue & yellow look together.

 

These lovely china groupings are some of my mother's collection. The demitasse & chocolate cups are antiques. The coffee cups & saucers are vintage mostly from the 1950's.  Every year on Mother's Day my father used to take my brother & myself to pick out a new one for her.  I gravitated to the chintz ones. 

That's about it folks.  I'll be lurking on your blogs for another week before I leave : )   

Recycle - Thrifting Finds

Shirley & I had a couple of fun days this week.  On Weds we met in Martinez & hit the antique stores.  On Saturday we were going to have a joint garage sale but the weather was so crummy we decided to SHOP instead.  We went to estate sales, garage sales & thrift stores in the Danville area.  What fun.

First of all I want to show you this picture of the thrift store shoes I've found this last year.  These shoes are either NEW or maybe worn once or twice.  My husband was showing a friend his fishing picture & up popped my shoe pic & wondered what the heck is that?  I wondered what happened to it.  I guess I used his camera. 

Look at the brands!  Shirley gave me the Ferragamos that she found thrifting.  She is a Ferragamo sleuth.  Woo hoo!  My husband now calls me Imelda : )

I found this wonderful little vanity set at a garage sale yesterday.  The colors go perfect for my bathroom.  Got them for a steal. Fine bone china made in England We also popped into Cottage Jewel for a looky loo & Quilters Inn.  Found these pretty Kaffee Fasset fabrics that I loved so got a half yard of each.

I love these frames & this one with the vintage pic was only $8.  The pic is around 1900 & all the people are camping or something with a tent behind.  Kind of dressy camping.

The pretty purple bottle - $1.99 at Good Will.  Isn't this a fun reproduction Izannah Walker doll.  She/he was plain but I sewed some vintage labels on the muslin body, tied a steel cut button around the neck (a necklace or medal depending on the sex) & gave him a belly "button".

Thrift store brand new vest for $3.  Softest material.  The price tag & extra button were still hanging on it - $49.00.

 

The softest courdoroy jacket with grosgrain trim. Thrift store for $3.00

It's done - finally!  My "Paper Doll Dresses" pattern.   I have added the pattern to my Etsy website.  You may also order by contacting me by email with your paypal email address & full name & I will send you a paypal invoice.  The china doll heads photo is included in the pattern! 

HAPPY EASTER!!!

I hope everyone is having a nice relaxing Easter Sunday. 

Run don't walk to Michaels!

I found this wonderful shadow box at Michaels about a month or so ago.  I was just admiring Andrea's blog today where she showed hers filled with vintage jewelry so I thought I'd show mine.  They come with the pink/brown background paper & also blue/brown.  I just LOVE it!

Here it is with the cover opened.

Cover closed (a little harder to see)

This pair of satin baby shoes are my own little baby shoes.  Hard to imagine my feet that small. 

Progress "IS" Being Made

As for the dresser sanding caper, this is it's latest state.  I had to stop for a while to rest up my arm but it's coming along.  It's no longer going into the sewing room.  It will live in the kitchen with some of my pottery collection. 

Isn't this the prettiest color & design on this bowl/pot.  I wonder if it was a chamber pot?  Ewww!   

I'm going to move the little dry sink out of this corner to another spot, put the big dresser in here where the kitchen chairs won't bump it. 

For those of you who have been asking when the paper doll quilt will be done, believe it or not I have been working on it again.  The diagrams & written pattern should be done in about a week & hopefully ready for sale.  Sorry I've been such a slow poke.  Life happens & I've got too many irons in the fire.

I've quilted around the appliques & now just need to quilt the background & add a few embellishments. 

As for today, DHL is supposed to be delivering my 2nd new computer today.  Then we can pack up the 1st new broken computer & return it.  DH is out doing errands & I sit here still in my jammies (noon) waiting for the doorbell as I have to sign for it. 

Housecleaning Sale

I have put some of my sewing room overflow things on Ebay if anyone is interested : ) 

Updated 3/20 - Sold

Beaded Purse handmade in France! Updated 3/20 - Sold

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**** AND ****

Here are some books that I am parting with.  All books gently read once/like new. Could even be given as a gift.  If you are interested in any of these (not on Ebay) send me an email through my profile with your name, email address & mailing address & I'll send you a paypal invoice.

Celebrating Home.  I have two so one is for sale.  NEW.  Originally $29.95, $19.77 on Amazon.  Through me $8.00 plus $3.00 shipping. 

I have 3 extra copies of Volume II Somerset Home.  Some of my art was in this issue.  Originally $14.95.  Through me $7.00 plus $2.00 shipping.  Updated 3/20 Two left.

4 quilt related novelsby Jennifer Chiaverini & 1 by Sandra Dallas:

"The Persian Pickle Club" - Sandra Dallas.  Originally $11.95.  Through me $4.00 plus $2.00 shipping.

Jennifer -

"The Cross Country Quilters".  Originally $21.00.  Through me $7.00 plus $2.00 shipping

"Round Robin".  Originally $20.00.  Through me $6.00 plus $2.00 shipping

"The Runaway Quilt".  Originally $13.00.  Through me $4.00 plus $2.00 shipping

"The Quilters Apprentice".  Originally $17.00.  Through me $5.00 plus $2.00 shipping. 

Better late than never

It seems like forever since I blogged.  I'm on an organizing whirl.  This time it's the closets.  We saw a box of really nice hangers at Costco & bought them.  Cherry wood, 50 hangers for $23.  Today I took everything out of 4 closets - yikes!  Let me tell you, 50 hangers doesn't go very far.

I used them for my husband's clothes.  Then I went through my clothes & took the best of the plastic hangers & used those & took out the old crappy sagging ones plus the wire ones.  I bagged up lots of old clothes.  My husband's is the worst.  It took me ages to have him part with his 70's stuff : ) & now I'm getting rid of the 80's stuff.  Even his old Members jacket had to go.  He's been retired for 10 yrs now & we've still got some old police jackets that he's saving just for memories.  We dream of someday having the closet people come out & do something to make more room.  Dream closet here. 

Some of the newer clothes go to relatives, thrift stores & maybe garage sales.  The Beave is having a garage sale this month so I will probably drag some of my stuff over & join her. 

My new computer arrived today & as soon as my husband picked the box up it was making a bad rattling sound.  He opened the box & part was disassembled.   How in the world did they manage that?  So, now we wait another week or so for a new one & have to send this one back.

In a few weeks we are getting a new roof.  Well, new roofs (rooves?)  One for the house & garage & another for our separate detached garage/workshop.  Most of our neighbors have changed theirs & some that didn't are starting to leak.  They are over 20 yrs old so it's time.

The worst part, aside from the cost is that I have to take down most of my wall hangings, plates, breakable things while they are here.  I guess I might as well dust while I'm at it since I hate moving all those things to dust.  No more wood shakes though.  This is the thickest composition which everyone seems to be going to, even the new homes.  Less expensive & less of a fire hazard, fewer trees to cut down. This is the roofing slow time of the year so they are willing to deal.

My dresser sanding project is on hold till my carpal tunnel wrist feels better.  I really overdid it as usual.  It's going to look great though when it's done.  I have been researching the dresser online to try to determine the age & more about it.  It's starting to look like it might be an "Eastlake" piece from between 1870 - 1900.  The top was all scratched up & had water rings on it.

It has spoon carving, (excuse my sawdust) one of their trademarks & the joints are called either Knapp dovetails, scallop & dowel , pin & scallop or pin & cove.  Many names for them.

 

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* A nice surprise a few days ago *

I would like to thank Leticia from Regalo for sending me an ART award/prize!

Here's what it is about:

This prize has arisen from the daily visits that I dedicate to many blogs which nourish me and enrich me with creativity. In them I see dedication, creativity, care, comradeship, but mainly, ART, much art. I want to share this prize with all those bloggers that entertain me day to day and to share this prize with those who enrich me every day. Doubtlessly, there are many and it will be hard to pick just a few, the people I will name today deserve this prize, as do the very long serious list of bloggers I also enjoy to read, but I will name the first 6 and will leave the rest of the work to all the bloggers that visit other's blogs and are nourished by them.

The rules of passing on this award are as follows:- post award in your own blog: [Post who gave it to you]- indicate its origin and a link to the site.

I must have over 200 favorite blogs on bloglines so it is impossible to narrow it down to a few favs.  We all have tons of U. S. blogs we read every day but I'd like to list some of the European blogs I love to look at whether it be art they make with their hands or the art of decorating.  Both inspire me   Here are 6 of them. 

Ciel d Orange

Espirit Champetre

La Brocante de Margote

LouiseLoves Pinboard

Zinc et Buise

Min Lilla Veranda

 

Our Dear Blogging Friends

Please keep Corey & Joanna in your thoughts & prayers.  Corey is back in California with her seriously ill father.  Joanna has been dealing with breast cancer recovery & now her dear mother suddenly & unexpectedly passed away.

Isn't it strange how we all feel we know each other personally when good things & bad things happen to us.

Here are the pics from yesterday

Combination of Addison End Papers sale, Thrift Stores, Junk Stores, Estate Sales, Laci's Lace Museum Windows.

Lacis:  I would have loved to have taken pics inside the store but I'm sure they wouldn't allow me so I settled for the window.  Not the best because of the glare on the glass.

Estate Sale photos & bowl

Addison Treasures - Little dollies & vintage whistle (I think)

Frozen Charlotte is freezing

Q is for Quilt.  I couldn't find an S or any of the other letters I was looking for.  I also purchased some wrapping paper which is very similar to this print.

A stack of vintage letters

A Victorian lace collar

A lovely piece of vintage fabric

Oh my, here I am on Brenda Walton's blog standing in line!  The last photo with the blue jacket & hood over my head.

Our favorite junk store: An old tin of bling that Shirley bought for me while I wasn't looking.

A petit point/needle point treasure from one of our fav antique dealers.  He always gives us great deals. 

Then (Shirley, you haven't seen this yet) on my way home I stopped into one of my fav thrift stores when I saw a 50% off storewide sale I found this wonderful plate for practically nothing. It was just one of those days!

The Thrill of the Hunt

Today I got to Shirley's house in Pinole bright & early.  She got wind of an estate sale in Kensington.  It was fun but nothing that we absolutely had to have.  We tooled around in Berkeley a while & then went to the old Addison End Papers facility at Alcatraz & Telegraph.  It might be just their warehouse now because their store is on Colusa.  Anyway when we drove up there was a line half way down the block.  This was the "PAY" line.  We found tons of fun things inside the store, vintage fabrics, millinery, their famous pretty papers, etc, etc.

Wendy Addison was there helping out.  I saw one lady in the corner with her back to us looking through a box of what appeared to be beautiful buttons.  She had her shopping bag on the floor & I assumed the button box was just like all the other boxes, for people to look at together.  I reached into that box & she said "this is MY box".  She was sorting through it.  I said "you are buying all of those?"  She said "I may put some back but it's my box".  I continued on looking in other boxes.  I came back a few times & she was still there hoarding the button box.  I went in the back room & must have been in there 1/2 hr or so & finally went back out in the first room & she was still there sorting.  There were some laying out on the table in front of the box.  I said "are these ones you don't want".  She just looked at me & went back to her box.  Crapolla!  So much for those. 

Then I got in the line outside which was a block long by now.  It took forever to get up to the table to pay.  There were two women collecting $$.  One of the women was quick.  The other one was having a big gabfest with every customer.  Chatting about this & that which is fine if you are not busy but geez Louise, people were waiting forever.  I really wanted to say something & wish I did now so I'll complain now.

After that we went to Shirley's brother's antique store & a few other places.  We were on a roll finding cool inexpensive stuff.  I haven't got pics yet but wanted to get this posted in case anyone wants to go to Addisons & wait in lines.  They are bringing more stuff out tomorrow, Sunday & I hear on Monday prices go way down.  Here is the add on craigslist.  Have fun. 

Antiquing with Friends

Yesterday PKM & Elizabeth came over for a visit.  We did a little chatting & antiquing.  Elizabeth brought me the cutest little fabric cone that she made & a pretty bone china trinket dish.  Aren't they sweet!  Pam was wearing her new PKM cherry shoes with a cherry top.  So Pam Kittyish! 

See the teeny tiny yo yo : )

We saw tons of great treats in the antique shops but  Pam & E were the only ones who bought anything.  I just drooled all day for a change.  I saw this wonderful old steamer trunk.  I didn't have my camera with me so asked PKM to take photos of it.  The fabric lining inside was so pretty & had that vintage faded look.  Aqua blue background on one side & green on the other side.

Several days ago I had an appointment in Martinez & thought I'd cruise by downtown & the antique stores there.  I happened upon an estate sale on the way. Here are a few finds.

Fun sewing machine drawers for storage.  A few books & a pretty blue dish.  An old record & little metal round makeup tin.

After the girls left & went to my mailbox & found some good reading.  All in all a very good day. 

Next I'll post some Marie Claire Idees sneek peaks.

Home Decorating

It was only two to three years ago that I spent weeks scraping the old American Country blue wallpaper off my kitchen only to replace it with yellow paint for a French Country look. I have cobalt blue tile & lots of blue accessories in there.  After that I swore I'd never put up wallpaper again.  I'm getting too old for this hard work!

Now I'm thinking new wallpaper for my sewing room.  Oh NO!  I've had the same pink floral on those walls for about 20 yrs & I'm thinking in AQUA, LIGHT BLUE OR GREEN for a fresh change.  I would have to move a ga-zillion things to get to those walls.  There is wallpaper on the top, then chair molding & paint on the bottom.  The carpet is a tan color.

I love to look at wallpaper books though & brought two books home - here are a few peeks:

This is the one I'm leaning towards.

These are a few paint samples that I liked.  I'll have to go back & get a few more to really go with the wallpaper.  I love the beachy colors.

The rest are pretty samples out of the same two books. Pretty birdies, damask & toile.

I am still working on removing the old stain & scratches on my recent dresser find.  I may leave it new oak stain finish after all & keep it in my kitchen for table cloths, etc.  Then in my sewing room sand & paint ( off white or one of these pretty paint colors above) my old childhood maple dressers because I am so tired at looking at their maple stain, chips & all.

Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day Everyone !!

 

Thrifting, Antiquing & Art Shows

Seems like ages since I last posted.  Busy girl here.  The Beave & I went antiquing & thrifting last week.  We went to our favorite Sanford & Son type shop.  This old oak dresser was sitting out on the sidewalk.  It needed lots of TLC but I loved the carvings, key holes & drawer pulls so I snapped it up.  It is also on wooden casters.  Here it is in my car on the way home.  First we schlepped it into Shirley's Volvo.  Then later transferred it into my SUV.  The top was really messed up with rings & scratches.  I've sanded that all down.  I'm working on the sides & drawers now.  I know I should sand it completely & restain but I'm too lazy for that & have bad wrists soooo I will sand it enough to paint in some shabby chic fashion. 

This little like new Minky Teddy for $1.99 made it's way into my car as well.

And these shoes from Salvation Army which were brand new and just my size.   They were marked a 1/2 size smaller than they really fit so that is probably why they didn't sell. These are around $90 brand new!

Sunday we went to the Danville Art & Antiques Show where Ms. Connie (CGS) had a booth.  Well, actually tables, not booths.  I took a few photos but since it was sunny that day, they are kind of burned out.  We were worried about rain & we got sun.  It was a beautiful day.

There is a darling little crown under this netting.

Love the doll head. 

This pretty heart went home with Shirley.  After the show we went to Walnut Creek & went into shops up & down Main Street.  A fun very fun day!