That Large, Green, Frivolous Thing

In my post of June 17th, I mentioned that I would show you that 'thing' I drove to McRae to pick up and said it would be something 'green, large, not made of fabric and in this day and age, completely
frivolous.'  Some of you sent email guessing what it might be.  The largest item guessed:  a car!

As you can see, it wasn't a car.  But it is large....50 inches x 74 inches.  And, it isn't necessary to life,  making it also 'frivolous.'  So, here's the story.  About two months, or so, ago, my friend, Lavern, called to see if I'd like to come to McRae and go through her parent's house.  They had passed away and she was in the process of cleaning out their house so she could put it up for sale.  Being an only child, she alone was left to decide what to keep and what to give away, throw away, or sell.  She knew I loved 'old stuff' so when she called, of course, I said I'd love to come over.  And, I did.  There were several things I purchased from her and we enjoyed walking down memory lane... I knew her parents and thought a lot of them.  Her Dad was much like me...loving to collect 'stuff.'  Her mother was a school teacher, so I brought home some of her books. And, she had a box ready for me when I got there...as she knows me too!  Anyway, as I was leaving that day, we were walking out of the garage and I noticed a large green chalkboard against the wall and I asked her if it was for sale.  "Sure," she said.  Well, it just so happens that I had been looking for one of these for quite a while and had had no luck...so, OF COURSE, I wanted it.  There was a problem though...it would not fit into my little PT Cruiser.  So, we made a deal that it would stay where it was until she was ready for the sale and at that time, I would get someone with a pickup to drive over and get it for me.

A bit before my sister's visit, my grandson and one of his friends went over there and got it for me and brought it to my little Nest.  I was thrilled to have it.  I knew my sister and her husband were coming and he always liked to 'fix things' while he was here, so I asked him to hang it for me while they were here.  He and I went to Lowe's to get some screws and a 'cleat' to hang it properly, which he did, assisted by my grandson.  If you read my last post, then you will have surmised that one week later, he passed away.  That makes my hanging chalkboard even more special to me.

For its first photos, I wanted to write something on it that was profound.   When I was looking in my files to find something, I remembered this very special quote, which I love:

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life.  Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking.  Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice.  And, most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.  Everything else is secondary."

                                                                                         Steve Jobs

                                                                                         Stanford Commencement

                                                                                         June 12, 2005

Well, as we all know, our time is limited and no matter what our ages, it seems this quote is important.   I'm so glad that Rick added this chalkboard to my Nest....I'll never be able to write on it without remembering how it got here, and I intend to write on it often....quotes, lists, pattern drawings, whatever crosses my mind to do.  I'll be following my heart and my intuition!


And, Lavern....thank you so much for the invitation to your parent's house....and I'll remember them too!  Take care out there, pat

PS.  YES, that stool under the chalkboard is what I have to stand on to reach the top of the chalkboard!  My sister helped me find that at the Emporium and it works beautifully!  See you soon.
 

Remembering a Special Person

Richard Dean Leland

1949-2012

Today I had intended to tell you about something silly.  You'll remember in my last post, I mentioned it.  But, as life is what happens while we are making other plans, my intentions have changed.  I know you will remember the two funny sisters from my last post.  Yes, my sister was here visiting and we had a wonderful time.  She was here with her husband and their eleven year old grandson.  It was a wonderful visit.

That comment about 'life happening' is true.  This past Tuesday....my sister's husband and my great and good brother-in-law, passed away.  He was 62 and for the past thirty-seven years has been in my family.  A good man from Maine....he said WE had an accent.  We said HE had one.  It's been a family joke for years and we enjoyed all enjoyed it.

Having his grandson with him to enjoy his new boat was what he was looking forward to this summer and this past Tuesday they went to Lake Belton, Texas, a few miles from home to fish.  It seems that when it came time to load the boat back on the trailer, Rick had some problems which Daniel, his grandson noticed.  Evidently Rick had an issue getting the boat loaded and it began to float away.  The wind got up and blew it further away.  He swam after it.  Seeing his grandfather in distress, Daniel jumped into the water to help, but realizing that something bad was happening, he pulled him to shore.  He had to find help, which he did.  However, Rick did not survive, evidently the victim of a heart attack.  An awfully sad event, but a really valiant try by a great kid.  He will be in my thoughts and have a special place in my heart for a very long time.

Today was Rick's funeral.  You might ask why I am not in Texas to attend the funeral...and that's a fair question. I haven't shared this with you as I prefer to keep my blog posts on the light side and not mention my personal issues.  I try to write things that get me 'out of the everyday' for a while.  It helps me and if you find my posts interesting in any way, well, that helps me too!  I'm honored when you comment that you enjoyed something I've shown you.  So, just to clarify why I'm not in Texas at this moment.....my own 'old navy man' is not in good health and my sister requested that we stay home, which is really unavoidable and being a very thoughtful person, she knew it.  It would be quite difficult for him to travel and I never leave him overnight.  And, this is probably all you will hear me say on the subject...because you now know...writing to you about silly things is my therapy.  So, today I have watched the clock and knew what my sister, her family, my brothers and their families were doing every minute and I was there with them, though I wasn't physically there.  We've talked on the phone and shared the day.  I am so saddened by this loss.  He was a great brother-in-law.

Years ago I read this quote and would like it to be read when I go.  So, knowing Rick as I did, seems to me he would feel the same:

"Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that is how I will remember you all.  If you can only remember me with tears, then don't remember me at all."  Laura Ingalls Wilder

Yes, I will remember him with those smiles and that laughter and my sister and I will spend time together again.    And, you, dear friends, forgive the sad post, but I feel I owed it to Rick to pay my own tribute to him.  I'll see you soon.  Take care out there, pat 

My New Old Log Cabin Quilt

  As promised the other day, here is my latest flea market find...a gorgeous vintage Log Cabin Quilt.  A couple of weeks ago, I made a visit to the flea markets in Beebe.  Well, I actually had to drive to McRae to pick something up from a friend's parent's home.  Since I was THERE and the flea markets in Beebe were 'just a scant few miles' away, a quick decision was made to visit them.  (I will show you what I went to pick up that day in my next post!)  This evening it was so pretty outside, I thought I'd photograph this quilt in front of my backyard studio - as you know - I call it "Bird Nest on the Ground."  

There are several flea markets in Beebe.  One of my favorites is Do Drop In.  I always find things there, mostly small things and I enjoy it a lot.  I usually visit "Buried Treasure" when in town, and found this time that it had changed hands and is now "Presley's Place."  This is what can happen if you don't frequent a place...it can close.  Fortunately, new owners came along and the flea market stayed open.  And that is where I found this quilt. 

Months ago, my favorite son made me a gift of some cash.  His instructions were to spend it only on 'frivilous things.'  It was for my entertainment.   When I saw this quilt, I knew instantly that this could be one of my frivilous things if the price was right.  It wasn't marked.  (Don't you just hate that?) So, me being me, I took it up to the check out counter and asked if they could find out how much the vendor wanted for it.  A call was made.   To my surprise, I found that I could use that much and still have a good bit of my 'entertainment cash' left for other frivilous things.  Now, although you haven't seen anything I've quilted in quite a while - rest assured that I still consider myself a quiltmaker, and I know I would never hand-piece and hand-quilt this beauty for $70, so I whipped out my wallet immediately and bought it on the spot.  It really is all done by hand...except the binding is done on the machine.  Well, who knows why that part was done by machine, but it didn't bother me in the least....as it is so beautiful.  And my favorite Log Cabin setting.

It does have curved corners.  Not my favorite thing...but, once again, the quilt is so fabulous, I did not care in the least about that.  The 'logs' are about half an inch wide....and that's another thing I love about the quilt.

The borders are quilted using diagonal lines and the rest is quilted in straight lines and also some fans.  Isn't it a happy and cheerful quilt?

Thought you might want to see the back too...although in this photo, you really can't see much.  Perhaps if you click to enlarge it will show up better.  I love the light shining on this quilt...just the right time of day to take photos of quilts....but, still, I could have done better on this part.

And, here is another photo of the quilt on the grass.  It looks so small, but is full size.  And, like I said....it is gorgeous.  What do you think?

Hope you visit later in the week when I will show you 'that thing' I went to McRae for the day I bought this quilt.  I'll give you a hint or two...it's green, large, not made of fabric and in this day and age.....completely frivilous!  (Thank you very much, my favorite son, Scott!!!!)

Hope y'all have a lovely new week...see you soon.  Take care out there, pat 

Pretty Linens and Two Funny Sisters

Finally, and at last, I am posting after a long break to visit with my sister.  I thought of you, of course, and am glad to be back with you.  Here we are....two funny sisters!  Well, you already know that is me on the left.  That's my sister, Debbie, on the right.  I have two brothers, but she is my only sister and is ten years younger than I.  I must say, she is taller and smarter, but I may be a tad funnier.  It's up for debate, of course.  You might be asking what in the heck we are doing with these goofy helmets on.  Well, my grandson has a motorcycle.  He challenged us to go for a ride with him.  This is one of those instances where I may NOT be funnier, as I wouldn't ride, but Debbie did.  I did, however, consent to have my photo taken in this helmet.  I think we look really silly and that was ok with me.  She's a great girl!!!

Here we are again.  A little more 'in the pink.'  We had been shopping at the local Emporium and she came home with these pretty dolls.  She has a collection of them and these two went home to Texas with her.  It was nice to spend a few days with her, her husband, and their grandson, eleven year old Daniel.  As you may remember, my grandson is nearing 27 years old and there aren't kids here very often....nice to see one once in a while although this one of hers is about four inches taller than I.  Not so little! They sure grow up fast!

I found some linens...you know how I love to discover these here and there.  That one with all the pink and blue embroidery is a dresser scarf...fine to use as a table runner too.  There are quite a few pieces here....and I love them all.  Nothing in the world as fun to me as finding someone else's handwork to use, enjoy....and appreciate!

I love the oval linen pieces with crochet around the edges and red flowers embroidered on them.  Just lovely....

as are these red rose cross-stitch pieces with just gorgeous lace borders.  There are four of them, but I'm only photographing one. 

Just look at this border.....delicious!!!  Not to mention the cross-stitch roses!  I've no idea what I will do with them, but it's fun to TRY to think of something different to do with them and, meantime, I can just look and touch!!

 Don't you love them too?

Here are the linen pieces with that shell crochet edging.  I don't know why I don't do this shell on a pincushion or something small.  It's so dainty and I just love looking at it.  Love the French Knot flowers.  These, too, are bound to be included in some gorgeous creation as yet undecided on...but definitely on the 'back-burner' so to speak.

 Just beautiful!!!

This gorgeous edging is on a lovely linen handkerchief......I have a collection of them and never tire of finding these here and there at whatever flea market I am in....I even buy ones that are falling apart as I figure there is still a lot to love (and use) in those pieces.

This gorgeous linen piece with the crocheted scallops is actually a very wonderful mantle cloth.  I am anxious to try it on my mantle and if it doesn't suit me there....I'm thinking it's wide enough to use as a valance on a wide window.  I'm thinking it might look really cool over a drapery made of painter's canvas.  Just love using that stuff for various things.  We'll see.

 Aren't these scallops just divine?

There are four little linen cloths...I think would be so sweet as coasters on the dining table.  I'm really not sure what their intended use was.   Very sweet!

Then, there is that monogram!!!!  How divine is this?  I always buy these when I find them for a couple of dollars...and dream of finding the whole alphabet.  Now, there isn't much chance of that happening, but can you share my dream of making a quilt from all of those monograms?  I'm far from finding them all....but keep looking, just the same.

These colored laces began as plain white ones from the fabric store.  I've used Setacolor to paint them.  I don't know that much about doing it, but try every once in a while and these are my latest attempts.  It's fun and I never know what I will get, and that's about as adventurous as I get around here.

No idea what I will use them on...but doing little things like this means I am never bored.  A good  thing.  

You can also use acrylic paint which has been watered down.  Such fun and not a very large investment in time or money.

 Another view of one of the linen pieces....I'm thinking I will embroider something pretty on this one.

 More goodness to see and love, don't you think?

So, there you are!  A peek at me and my sweet sister....and lots of pretty linens to enjoy.  Hope you will come back as in a couple of days I plan on showing you something really special...my latest quilt purchase....stay tuned and have a very lovely weekend, will you?  I'll be having my Father-in-Law over for lunch on Sunday.  He and the old Navy man are the best Dads I know and I bet you feel the same way about yours! I wish you and your Dad a very Happy Father's Day!!!  See you soon, take care out there, pat

Some Flea Market Finds

I thought I'd show you some of my recent purchases from the local flea markets.  You know how I love to go in search of 'stuff.'  Now, I never go looking for something in particular because if I did, I'd never find what I was looking for.  I just go to walk around (I call it therapy) and see what finds me.   And, most of the time there is something that calls my name.  Not always, but often.   I did not find all of these things in one trip by the way.  Anyway, I thought I'd share these with you.



First, I must tell you that the two framed pieces in this photo are not stained, as you will see further down.  I was trying to take the photos outdoors in my backyard, as I did last week....and those 'stains' are the reflections of the trees overhead.  So, ok, I'm not a photographer...they'll look better in a minute.

This big frame called my name!  I walked off and left it trying to talk myself out of buying it....but later came back to get it.  Just couldn't get it out of my mind.  It's gorgeous!  I loved the scallops and the circles...and I knew I'd NEVER find another one like it....so, it left with me.  I've no idea what I will do with it...but, whatever I do, you'll see it when it happens.  Luckily for me, I don't put a deadline on such things, so you may have to wait a while.

Then, I found this little cup.  It's really pretty.  I know it HAD a lid, but, of course, it was gone.  No matter to me because at first sight, I thought it would make a really, really cute pincushion.  I paid $1 for it.  Notice the marks on the bottom...Germany.  I think it's special.

 Oh, I'm a fool for the embroidered linens!!!  And this little square tablecloth called my name also.
For $4, I wasn't going to go off and leave it.  I often wonder why vendors put such low prices on this kind of work.  I'm not complaining because a low price helps ME, but I always think of the hands that stitched these beautiful pieces.  All that work for $4.  Somewhere out in the universe,  I think there is some nice lady who KNOWS I have her work and consider it a treasure.

I've shown you three books in a stack in that first photo, but am only showing photos of one of them.  It's a dear little book about Abraham Lincoln and has lovely illustrations in it.  Here are two of them.  I love the cover too!  I have a Kindle.  I could read any book available to purchase on it, however, there is nothing like holding a book in your hand and turning the pages...feeling of it, smelling it (I like the weight of them).  I enjoy seeing stacks of books.  I must, as they are all over my house.  This one will be on TOP of a stack!

 Lincoln's little log cabin home.....I can imagine stitching a little scene using this illustration.  What do you think of that idea?  Oh...yes.  I think that would be a really FUN project!

On one visit to the new flea market in town, I found this illustrated poem.  If you click it to make it larger, maybe you can read it.  I just simply adore these old framed pieces.  Did I say I was a complete sucker for sentimentality?  And the watercolor roses are so sweet..who could possibly resist?

In the next photo, I tried to show you the tiny flowers on the frame, but I'm not sure they show up well enough.  They are a very faded pink and the leaves are green, of course, but the color is nearly gone.  Well, a cleaning might help the color, but on vintage things, I don't like to take a chance on ruining 'that look' so I probably won't try that.
Such a sweet frame it is!























Another $4 item was this 9" x 12" cross stitch sampler.  And isn't it true...we only really rest when we are HOME. 

 I found this iron purely by chance and had been looking for one for YEARS!  If you've ever tried to emboss velvet with a steam iron, then you know why I wanted one...there are no steam holes here!
The handle folds down too, if that should interest you.  I hesitated to buy it ($8), but only because it is electric and I figured at it's age, that might mean it didn't work.  However, the cord looked in really good condition and I figure the old navy man could fix it for me if there was a problem.  Actually, I was afraid to plug it in at first, but he reassured me it would be ok and it was.  Works perfectly!

 I thought you might want to see the name on the iron and also the stand that came with it.  Notice they are two different names, but both pieces work well together.   I'm really going to enjoy using this iron and feel lucky to have found it.

So.  Do you approve of my finds?  I wish you could go hunting and gathering with me...it would be so much fun and I bet we would have lots of laughs......and maybe run across some great flea market finds together.

I'll probably post again next Tuesday or Wednesday....my sister is coming here this Friday for a couple of days and I plan on enjoying her visit.  She lives in Texas (do you know where McGregor is?) and I only get to see her every once in a great while...so we will be talking our heads off this weekend.  Even though I'm ten years older than she....we enjoy our conversations.  The time will go by in a flash!  See you soon...take care out there.  pat