Goodies from the DeKalb Quilt show and area thrift stores.

One of the first things I saw, as I walked into the DeKalb Quilt Show, was a vendor booth.  That booth had the new 'Singer' fabric displayed.  I've seen this online, but, I prefer to purchase fabrics from local stores, not online.  Of course, I had to have some of these fabrics, especially as I have some of the machines featured on the fabrics.

Singer Treadle fabric

Singer hand crank fabric

Singer logo fabric

Singer fabric

I also purchased two sewing themed T-Shirts, but, they had to make them up overnight, so, another vendor was going to pick them up for me.  I'll get  them later this week. 

There was a consignment booth for the quilt guild, and, I couldn't resist checking it out.  I bought a specialty ruler.

I don't know what the intended use is for this ruler, but, it will be great for trimming up squares.  I also found this spool holder.  The wooden part that holds the spool is too large for any of my spools, but, I'm sure hubby can trim  it down for me. 

After the quilt show, I checked out some of the local thrift and antique stores.  I scored at the very first store.  I found this lovely hexie shaped quilt.  It isn't lined, but, it is quilted.  It was either a summer weight quilt, or, meant for a table.  It is fairly large.

hexie shaped quilt

This quilt had a label on the back.  I really like what she put on it. 

hexie quilt label

I showed this quilt to the lady at the antique shop, and she said she knows the lady who made the quilt.  Small world. 

I found a few items at the antique shop, too.

I haven't seen a doily/hot pad with this design before

I couldn't pass up this cute teapot

Debbie Mumm fabric, who could resist?

At the last thrift store, I found these sewing machine cams.  I don't have a clue what machine they might go to (nothing on the box). 

cams for an unknown machine

All in all, it was a very fun day on Saturday.  My family reunion in Arkansas is coming up, and I always find lots of great stuff on that trip, too.  I'll be visiting several quilt stores, lots of antique shops, and a few thrift stores, too.  It will be a month of fun finds.

Trip Goodies!

Being gone for 18 days, you have plenty of time to collect some great goodies along the route.  I was limited, since my car was full from the start (lots of stuff for the TOGA, and for friends/family).

When I travel alone, I stop at antique stores, instead of restaurants (I can eat jerky while I drive).  Much more fun to walk around antique stores, than to sit (again) and just eat. 

While gone, I stopped at 2 quilt stores, a Hancock Fabrics (going out of business) and purchased fabrics at the TOGA.  Here is what I bought.  I thought I was pretty conservative.

all the fabric I came home with

I also got some patterns and quilt books.

patterns

quilt books

I have one of the jacket patterns above, but, I'm not sure where it is.  I really need to finish some jackets that I started several years ago.  I did make 2 jackets (one for a friend, and a matching one for me) several years ago.

I stopped in Tulsa (both ways) and gave the 2nd Leg Lamp quilt to Betty.  She claimed it, back last summer, when she saw the first one.  I told her she couldn't have it until after my guilds quilt show in March.

Betty and her Leg Lamp quilt

Betty gave me a few crocheted wash cloths she had made.  I also collected a few others on the trip.

Betty made the green and the yellow & orange cloths

I stopped at a few thrift stores in Tulsa, too.  I picked up 2 mini quilts, for 99 cents each.  I just can't pass them up when they are priced so low.  The 2nd mini quilt is hand quilted, too.

mini quilt

2nd mini quilt

At the TOGA, in the middle of the fabric and notions, from the ladies stash, I spotted something RED.  Of course, RED is my favorite color.  I had to check it out.  It was priced at $3, since it needs to be repaired in a few places.

Grandmother's Flower garden quilt top

I'll work on repairing it, and, who knows, I might even quilt it one day.

My aunt was going thru some of her mother's things.  She gave me these things.  I remember her mother well.  She'd have us over for Sunday lunch, with all of her family (a very large group).  She and her husband lived next door to my aunt and uncle. 

lovely lace tablecloth

teapot and some pretties

I spotted some other lovely lacy items on my trip, too.

another lace table cloth

two lace table runners

embroidered and crocheted items

I choose a bag from the TOGA table, and found 2 zippered bags in Texas themes, later in the trip.

a few bags

I also picked up a few miscellaneous sewing notions, too.

sewing notions

Of course, I also found another teapot.  My mother collects elephants, so, I'm always on the lookout for elephants.  She isn't getting this one (I'd already picked up an elephant for her, earlier in the trip).

elephant teapot

Of course, a couple of sewing machines followed me home (DUH!)  The two littlest ones are from Lisa.  Thanks Lisa!

musical treadle, mini treadle, and sewing machine salt cellar

Yes, some larger machines also followed me home.  3 of these are junkers.  A local friend wants to trade me her treadle head (keeping the treadle base) for a junker, so that she can turn the junker into a sewing machine tractor for her husband.  I was given 3 different junkers (all the same model, Singer 127).  I may use one to see if I can repaint it, since it's already a junker. 

junker #1

junker #2

junker #3 (this one was made in Singer's Russian plant)

I also purchased 2 other machines.  The first one is from the TOGA, the 2nd one, my uncle found for me.

1920 Singer 66 #G8150064

1912 Singer 15 #G2449799

I've been sewing on a Singer 15, with the same decal set.  I also have a collection of Singer 66's with Red Eye decals (my favorite, since it has red in it).  They should both clean up nicely.

Of course, I'd purchased a Bradbury Family VS hand crank last August, from a lady in Florida (I already have another machine that she had owned, previously).  Lisa picked up my Bradbury, while she was traveling cross country, to pick up some other vintage machines.  Lisa delivered it to me at the TOGA. Thanks Lisa!

Bradbury Family VS #D22822 (1906-1915, most likely)

back of Bradbury Family VS

Yes, I took 2 machines on the trip, and came home with 8 machines, total.  I could have come home with LOTS more, if I'd just had the room. 

Score!

Score!  After sew-in today, I stopped at a local thrift store.  After finding some great yardage of 3 different 'sewing themed' fabrics, I turned the corner and saw 3 HUGE  (comforter size) bags stuffed with fabrics.  I could tell that there was lots more 'sewing themed' fabrics in each bag.  The bags are stapled shut, so, you don't really know what you are getting until you get home.  Well.......

fabrics from the thrift store

The 2 stacks on the left are all sewing themed fabrics.  Several of them are 3-6 yards of the same print.  Some are the same line of fabrics, but in 3 different colorways (green, light blue and dark blue/reds).  The stack on the right is all quilting cottons, too, from Christmas, to children's prints, etc.  One is even an Egyptian themed print. 

There were lots of fabrics that were not quilting cottons.  I don't sew clothes, so, I'll pass these on at the next guild meeting.  There are satins, corduroys, and lots of other clothing fabrics, along with some cottons that I know I won't ever use (not my colors or styles). 

2 bags of fabrics to pass on (garment fabrics, etc)

Between 3 large bags of fabric, and the yardage that I'd already grabbed, I still spent less than $30 for all of it!  SCORE!  I've never had such a great day, fabric wise. 

Now to figure out how to use all this fabric......  It will take me quite a while, I'm sure. 

A little stitching and some fun finds!

I made a little label for the baby quilt.  I wasn't going to put one on a baby quilt, but, my Aunt insisted she wanted at least my name on it. 

label for baby quilt

I should have made this before I put the binding on, but, I just forgot about it.  I was too busy rushing to get it finished to show off to my little quilt guild.  I had to hand stitch it to the back of the quilt.  My Janome does letters, so, I used that.  This quilt should be in Texas any day now.  The baby is due next week. 

Susan, over at Starwood Quilter, made some burp cloths a while back.  I used her idea and made a few for the new baby.  I shipped them with the baby quilt. 

burp cloths

Not too bad for a first time.  I need to make more of these. 

My Harry Potter Yahoo group is making some things for a little girl with cancer.  Make a Wish contacted one of the members of the group.  The little girl wants to go to the Harry Potter theme park as her wish, but, she can't while she is still on chemo.  The member was asked if something with a Harry Potter theme could be made for her, while she waits till fall for her wish.  OF COURSE some Harry Potter themed items can be made for her (and her little sister, too).  Several members have signed up, and started crafting.  I pulled out a mini quilt top I made for the Wicked blog hop back in 2012, and basted it.  I've started hand quilting it.  I will hand quilt some Harry Potter themed items  in the blank places, too.

basted mini quilt, waiting to be hand quilted

The backing is black with white polka dots.  I made binding to match the backing. 

Hubby had me hit the thrift stores last Friday and Saturday (the sacrifices I make for hubby ;).  Besides the new Sewmore #404 sewing machine that I got on Friday, I came home with a few other goodies I thought you might like to see.

I found a lovely, hand appliqued pillow.  This is hand made and hand quilted, this is NOT Chinese made.  I can't believe someone dropped this off at the thrift store.  It is in pristine shape, and lovely!

hand done pillow

Every applique stitch is hand done.  All the quilting is hand quilted, too.  How could I resist?

At another thrift store I found a whole baby quilt kit, unopened.  Couldn't resist it, either.  

unopened baby quilt kit

I came across a cutie that just called out to me.  He's now living in my sewing room. 

cute baboon

Yesterday was another Quilts of Valor sew-in.  This one was at the shop in Yorkville, IL, Sewing, Etc.  They have a brand new website.  They've been on Facebook for a while, but, I don't Facebook.  The owner, Kelly, is a sweetie. 

My youngest son, Connor, is getting married next year.  He has requested a quilt as a wedding present.  I decided I want to make Jean's Twist and Shout.

Twist and Shout by Jean Kritenbrink

As usual, I'm going to change it up a bit.  My son requested a larger quilt than this, that he and Krystal can snuggle under while watching TV.  I plan on adding more 'twists' and making each 'twist' longer.  I'm also making it in more colors, as requested by my son.  His favorite colors are blue, green and purple.  Krystal's favorite colors are pink, orange, lime green and purple.  While at Sewing, Etc. yesterday, I found a few fabrics to use in the quilt.

some fabrics for Connor's and Krystal's wedding quilt

The black, on the bottom will be substituted for the dark purple in Jean's quilt.  I picked two shades of each color (sorry, they look better than in the picture) for the twists in the quilt.  The ladies at the Quilts of Valor sew-in, and Kelly, the owner, all helped with the fabric choices.  I still need to find a bright white for the background, and, at least 2 more colors for more twists.  I'm thinking yellows and ????. 

Another one of our local quilt shops is closing.  Their rent went up too much for them to stay in business.  It's a great shop, and, we always went there on the shop hops, after we stopped at Ballydoyles Restaurant for Irish food.  The Quilt Basket will be missed.  A friend and I will make one last stop there on Friday.  We'll also eat at Ballydoyles for lunch.  Hopefully I'll find more fabrics for Connor's quilt at The Quilt Basket.  If not, then a trip to another quilt store (and IKEA) for lunch is planned for Tuesday. 

I can't go anywhere today.  My car is in the shop (again).  The engine light has gone off 3 times now, in the past few weeks.  Unfortunately , I need a new catalytic converter.  A very expensive fix.  Oh well.

Fun finds! Sew-in & July NewFO's

Since I'm headed out of town in the morning (have to drive youngest son's stuff back to college), I won't have time to write separate posts about all I've done.  Sorry.

Thursday was the regular sew-in day at the LQS.  I worked on my Harry Potter blocks, getting them ready to embroider.  Boy does it take a lot of time to transfer title names, and pick out thread colors for each book!

After sew-in, I stopped by a few thrift stores.  It was a very Harry Potter day!  Here are three of my big 'scores' for the day.

Harry Potter musical water globe from the 2nd movie

 My son wanted to take my Harry Potter tie I found a while back.  I told him that it was for my collection, but, that I'd keep my eye out for one for him.  Well.....

Gryffindor tye, with original tags

 I have a set of Dessert Rose dishes, that were 'salvaged' from the trash pile.  They had belonged to hubby's coworkers grandmother, and coworker didn't like them.  (set of 6, plus lots and lots of extras included).  Well, I do have 2 different platters, but, look what I found for $1.99.  Not a chip on it!

Dessert Rose platter

Friday evening, hubby and I went to the Oswego Antique Market.  After a supper of a yummy lobster roll, and a shrimp roll, I found a Singer oil can in great shape for only $5.  I've been wanting one for a few years now, but, I was unwilling to pay more than $5. 

my new (to me) Singer oil can

Saturday was the Pride of the Prairie sew-in.  I got lots of 'NewFO's' started.

some of the ladies at the sew-in

more ladies at the sew-in

7 preemie quilts cut out and pinned, ready to be stitched

The preemie quilts are due to be finished next Monday for my other guild.  Not sure if they will get done by then or not.  I forgot to take pictures of the 'outsides' of the quilts. 

I've also been asked by another of hubby's former coworkers if I can 'duplicate' the baby quilt I gave to her youngest daughter.  Now, I did NOT make this baby quilt, I cheated and bought it. 

baby quilt that has been 'loved' to death

Here is the stack of squares that I cut out so that I can duplicate the quilt.

squares to duplicate the 'loved to death' baby quilt

Yes, there are WAY more squares than I need.  I figured that while I was cutting, I could cut enough to make more than one quilt top. 

Here are some of the projects that some of the other ladies at the sew-in were working on.

trying to use up her patriotic fabrics

Maria's hexie quilt blocks

One lady brought these cute 'goodie' bags for everyone that came to the sew-in.

You Don't Have To Spend a 'MINT' To Have A Good Time!

I keep saying that I'm working on my Harry Potter blocks.  I have finally finished a few of them.  Here is proof.

embroidery finished

Magical Water Plants of the Mediterranean & Spiders & Their Habits

finished embroidery

Madcap Magic for Wacky Warlocks & Twelve Fail-Safe Ways to Charm Witches

Magical Drafts & Potions by Arsenius Jigger & Intermediate Transfiguration

embroidery finished

Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find them by Newt Scamander &            Flesh-Eating Trees of the World by Hugh G. Forrest

 

 

An Anthology of Eighteenth Century Charms

Trying to figure out what titles to use for each book (and fabric) can be difficult.  I am having fun, though.  Hopefully I'll get back to paper piecing new blocks soon. 

The only other thing I've been working on lately (other than machines) is my string quilt for Quilts of Valor.  I keep forgetting to take pictures of it.  If I get a lot done at the sew-in next week, I'll try to remember to take pictures of it. 

So, until next time.....

"So much time, so little to do!  Stop, switch that!"

(Willy Wonka)