*~*~*A Little Christmas Stitching*~*~*

No laughing,

but after I finished writing my couple of cards

(to those who would otherwise think I was dead,)

I actually spent a little time stitching.

It's just a little quilt

made from the scraps of a much larger Christmas quilt.

I have had the stack of scraps sitting there

in my way for ages so decided to get rid of them this way.

They aren't finished and aren't really Christmas fabrics

but will make a nice little doll quilt

or table topper.

Sometimes these weird little projects

turn out to be some of the most fun to do,

because they don't have to be 'just so.'

So far that's how this one is-

just a fun little thing.

I wish you all a very merry

and blessed Christmas.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Estate Sale Finds

This was actually a good estate sale.  Sometimes, I feel a little weird about estate sales although I love seeing old time goodies that are nowhere to be found on store shelves today.  The ol' fella that owned this home also had another in another town so was selling off one of them.  There were over 8000 books (a good portion cookbooks.)

I found a sweet little doll quilt.

One of the things I just love about these little old doll quilts is their imperfections.  These little blocks are not square - you can see at the bottom corner - as well as the fact that they were loved.

Also, a few kitchen items, I just couldn't live without.

I have always wanted a cake cover - I usually see the tops, but the bottoms are gone, or they are in such poor condition, it's not worth it.  This one is fantastic.  It even locks so the lid doesn't slide over into the cake.  Love little butter molds.  
I have a bit of a collection of pie crust cutters, purely by accident of course:) I actually use them though, some for pie crusts and some for other confections.

I have never seen one like this.  It has the wheel at one end and at the other the scallop.  I can't wait to try it.

And....there was a sewing room with some interesting notions-score!

This might sound funny, but of all my pincushions, I don't have an old fashioned tomato.  Lots of vintage transfers.  I will use some, but not all.  Also, lots of lace and vintage trims, so I have goodies to organize.  Huge hoop - $1.
I did get just a couple other things, but I want to show you that with something else in another post.

There was lots more there of course, but we must set our limits (even if they are waaaaay out there:)

Time to stitch...

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Unstitched!

I really do love stitching.  However, unstitching? Not so much.  Yesterday, I was as much of an unstitcher as I was a stitcher.  My poor abused seam-ripper probably had sore muscles this morning.

I have been trying to get a few things made for a holiday show I will be attending.  I did everything from sewing the brim of the bonnet backwards to sewing the trim on the inside of the skirt rather than the outside.  After all was said and done, I got them done, and I think they are pretty cute. I still need to add the bonnet ribbons to finish them off.

I just love their profile.  I think I will make her a little book to hold.

I also got a boarder on a child's quilt and the back pieced and ready to go.  Even something this simple I can flub up on.  I was sewing the boarder strips together and sewed one going across the wrong diagonal. 

I just have to say, "I am now one very talented unstitcher."  Do you ever have those days - Naaa, (don't admit it, and I won't tell:)

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches (and no seam-ripping)

I Scored!

Yesterday, I had a little time to kill so mosied on into the local thrift store.  I found a couple pairs of work pants for Mr. LB as he goes through them pretty regularly.  Since I had time, I wandered up and down isles I wouldn't usually venture into.  Aaaaand, guess what I came upon.

Wrapped up in a little plastic bag with a sticker that said $2.99 were these two little darlings.  I snatched them up.  I didn't need to open the bag.  I knew what they were.  They are not super old, but they are sweet.  I refer to this era as 'The Bert & Ernie" era.

Hand stitched & I think I recognize some of those fabrics.  Wait, did I say that out loud?

And remember that pre-quilted polyester stuff?  Of course not - it hasn't been around in the last 29 years since we were all born:)  This one happens to be crazy quilted together so it has an appropriate home. 

Just had to share.  Have a beautiful Thursday.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers & Even Stitches



Berries, Babes, and Bags

Good Morning,  I just had to share a couple of things with you.  First, I found these adorable little dolls in John Day at 'A Little Bit of Europe.'  They were made in Germany, and I just couldn't resist.  I'm not entirely sure just what I will do with them yet, but finding 3 that are the same is so rare.  That was my find for the day.  

Theeeen, I picked a few raspberries.  It took a little while, but I did it.  They are now all safe and sound in their freezer bags - except for the ones that will be eaten soon.  If your screen were only a scratch-n-sniff.  Okay, wait.  That makes for a disturbing image, funny, but disturbing:)  A really quick recipe for summer. 

Bramble Berry Pie: About 4-5 cups raspberries, black berries, blue berries (whatever you have.)  Mix in 1 container strawberry glaze and dump it all in a graham cracker crust.  Chill for about an hour.  Top with ice cream or whipped cream.  MMMmmmm

Lastly, my bags are packed, and I'm ready to go. Watch out Baker City.  Here we come!!!  Quilts, fabric, stitching, antiques, mocha...  Does life get any better than that?  

Wishing you all a fabricilious weekend,

JoeyLea

Visiting Prosser, Washington

I have been right through the town years ago without stopping.  Yesterday, I stopped in Prosser.  I started out with a destination of the Sewing Basket Quilt shop. 

It was like a quilters Easter egg hunt heaven.  In places the fabric was stacked three bolts deep, which makes it a little tough to see what's available.  But, they have tons!  There was a room for batiks and a room of novelty - fabric with popcorn, baseballs, cherries, you name it.  In the main two rooms were various collections and the cutting table of course.  Theeeen, the wonderful owner said, "If you like 20's and 30's repros or holiday fabrics, there is the garage as well."  What more?  I had a stack going so asked if I could leave it there while I went and checked out the garage.  This is no regular garage.  Shelves four bolts high - and someone with a ladder to retrieve those high bolts if I needed a closer look.  I ended up with a stack there as well.  I couldn't believe the selection. 

A couple weeks ago, I went and quilted for a day with my mom and a friend from Baker City.  She was working on a 'cathedrial window' quilt so I was inspired to try my hand at it and found this beautiful collection that I thought would be perfect.

I found the teal-colored fabric first and didn't see the others.  While it was being cut, I went back over to see another piece and saw the others.  After all was said and done, I ended up with this.  Don't worry; they won't all be in the same quilt - eeek. 

I was surprised (and super happy) to find this little heart fabric in the Christmas section.  I have wanted to make a St. Valentine's Day quilt for a long time, but it's difficult to find old-fashionedy Valentine fabric.  Their Valentine collections were much more modern - duh that's what most people probably look for - and then there's me.

The robin's egg blue (sorta) and ivory I just loved. (the picture is a little dark) Then I thought of Kathie at 'Inspired by Vintage Quilts' and thought, "Why don't I just make a small quilt?"  For some reason, I think I have to make a big quilt when I am buying fabric.  I think I get that from my mom.  Her motto is 'Rule of thumb: you have two thumbs, buy at least two yards.'  I'm not quite like that, but I like hand work so I need to think smaller in order to get anything finished.  There is also a B & B at this wonderful quilt shop, very reasonably priced, and able to host 4-10 people.  I might have to gather up a crew.

 Well now, since I traveled all the way to Prosser, I wasn't going to leave just then.  I ventured down town where I found several lovely specialty and antique shops.  Let me just say, "There are some very talented ladies over there."  I found twin vintage crazy-quilt doll quilts to add to my collection.  Both have the same happy backing.  Woohoo, heehee, ladida - me singing a little happy song.

That's all for now.  I need to go reset all the clocks since our power was out during the thunderstorm last night.

Have a fabulous weekend.

Vintage Doll Quilts

Good Monday morning everybody.  I just wanted to share a little happy place with you.  Now anyone who knows me knows I love the deep rich colors.  When I was choosing colors for various rooms in the house, I was referred to as 'the color-match queen' at the paint store.  I would take in a piece of old fabric, or gadget and have the color replicated for wall paint.  However, and a big however it is, I have one room that would probably be a bit unexpected considering the tone set by the rest of the house.  It has yellow walls, a green slipper chair, a little bit of orange, robin's egg blue, and purple, etc.  In that room, I have a little sampling of my doll quilt collection arranged on one wall. 

Some are older than others, a better quality than others, &/or in better condition than others.  I am a bit of a crazy quilt lover by nature, so I was thrilled to find a 'bright' one to add.  It is far from square and the stitches aren't fantastic, but I love it.  I have actually done a light washing on each of these just to remove any dust, pet hair, or smoke odor that might have been in them.  None of them seemed to have those sorts of problems, but I figured I didn't want to be in the room after hanging them and wonder "hmm, what is that strange smell?"  I didn't try to remove the imperfections.

I figured, whatever Dolly did to achieve those stains, there must be a story, and I want to preserve that story even though I don't know it.  I am not concerned with the real 'value' of these little beauties.  They make me happy just as they are.  I have a few others in better condition, design, and workmanship, but these are the ones that made the wall.  Just thought I would share.  And by all means, if it makes you happy, display it for yourself.