I purchased this quilt at a local flea market last summer or the summer before. The woman said it was from the time of the civil war. The condition is not great in some spots and it looks like it's "been" through a war, but I'm just not sure of the time period. space Does anyone have any information or thoughts on this quilt. I took pictures from a distance, of the backing and close-ups to help. The last 2 pictures are of the worst damage...one looks like a civil war cannon blew a hole through it!!! You can click on the pictures for more of a close-up. space I absolutely love this quilt and all the wonderful colors. To think that if it is from that time period, that someone wore those clothes that those blocks were made from. Funny how I am drawn to so many different styles and colors of fabrics. I love civil war, 1930's, Thimbleberries, reds and aquas, brights...I love them all, that's my problem. space Thanks in advance for all your help~ ~Karen~
so go wish her a happy day!!! This give away is awesome, with everything Valentine's. Go take a peek, leave her some blogging love and leave a comment to enter!!! space
Are you singing Aretha's song right now? space Do you know you can buy stylish jewelry from the hardware store? Well, check out the chain section. space This first necklace is made with beaded chain at $1.49 per foot. I purchased 3 feet for a total of $4.47 plus 19 cents for that little doo hickey that you pinch the beads in to attach them together. The decorative parts are some of the washers from this post. The washers are decorative and handy if you're sewing with them. You can also hang a pair of little scissors when you're hand sewing.
Close-up of the washers.
This next set is a necklace and bracelet. The black chain is only 54 cents a foot and I purchased 3 feet for a total of $1.62. I just used pliers to open the links, measured it so it went over my head without closures and then linked it up again. I had enough for the bracelet too. I even have some for earrings, but I need to find the wires from an old pair of earrings for that.
This last one is a super belt!! I used 4 feet of chain (it's actually called "sash" chain...I think they are finding us out again. Maybe I need to wear a mustache and a disguise when shopping in Home Depot!!) This was 84 cents a foot and the belt took 4 feet for a total of $3.36. The rectangle is a slide pull key ring I used for the closure. Nothing to do for this one...just slip it on and hook it up.
Here's a little "keeping it real" picture...dog fur next to the chain that's hanging down. Why do yellow labs shed in the middle of the winter. I can make another dog with the hair that she loses. We bought stock in lint rollers!!
I want to thank Kelsie for taking most of the pictures of me. Here is an example of the one I took of myself in a mirror. Looks like I was drinking!!
Here's a close-up of the key chain closure.
That's all for now...so go on out there and shop in the chain section of your local hardware store. People will never know where you purchased it and more importantly they'll never know how much you paid.
Sorry everyone, but I have to move Tool Time to Wednesday this week. With Kelsie's dance competition this past weekend and a crazy Monday schedule...the tools aren't happening today. space However, I will share with you some very random pictures. Space First picture is Scott...my super duper hubby. It's his birthday today!! Happy Birthday!!! This picture was taken on our Boston trip and epitomizes how patient he is. He is always sitting and waiting patiently for us...either in a quilt shop or like this picture outside the Sephora store where the girls are shopping for make-up. Love you and hope you have a wonderful birthday!
space This random picture is a re-cycle. I used an old Victoria's Secret body soap pump, put a hang tag on and now we use it for hand soap on the kitchen sink. space
This is a muffin tin for all your sewing odds and ends to use by your machine. space
This is a before and after of a very old mug tree.
Now I use it for all my scissors and rotary cutters.
Here's another re-cycle, but oops the picture is turned...sorry. Just save old birthday cards and turn them into gift tags for bags.
Cut the back off and just make sure there isn't any print on the inside of the front of the card.
Punch a hole in the card.
and use it as a hanging gift tag for a birthday gift bag. Just write on the back of the blank side of the card.
You can also cut it down if there is writing on the front that you don't want. Here I am cutting off the bottom part.
Just punch another hole in the corner and...
attach it to the bag and just write your message on the back. Super easy, cheap and re-cycled!!
"A"...is for Awards. space Woo Hoo!! Kelsie had a dance competition all day Saturday (and I mean all day, up early in the morning and back home after 9 pm). She danced in 5 dances and received 1 High Platinum, 1 Platinum, 2 High Golds and a Gold. The picture below is her duet and it was just beautiful. The senior company group did an acapella (no music) tap that was just awesome...that received the highest award. I wish I had that on video. We are so very proud of her. Congratulations Kelsie!!
space "B"... is for Baklava. space Courtney and Courtland made a delicious batch of Greek Baklava. It was their first time baking with filo dough and it was soooooooo yummy. This is the pan when it first came out of the oven and then the next picture is the honey syrup that you pour all over and let it soak in. It was the best ever. I think the recipe is from the Food Network from Emeril. space
space "C"...is for Cutting Mat. space My sister gave me this cutting mat for my birthday.
It rotates on the black bottom for easy cutting. You don't have to move the fabric when trimming blocks or squares, the fabric stays put and the mat moves. Love it.
"D"...is for Dansko. space I work in a dental office and I needed new work shoes. My sister gave me a gift certificate towards a pair of Danskos. I've worked in a dental office for 30 years and this is my first pair. They are fabulous...the most comfortable shoes ever. I about choked when I saw the price, $120.00. I have NEVER paid that much for any pair of shoes in my life. Thankfully with her gift certificate I only had to pay $50.00. They come in so many colors and styles, this style is the professional. Mine are black patent leather and are too cute. In the patent leather style, there are a number of colors. I almost bought the Petrol color, which looks like gasoline with all the swirly colors. Here's a link if you're interested. They are quite popular and people wear them as regular shoes because of the support they give your feet. I bought them Thursday and I wore them all weekend. The last picture is my work pants, but they look great with jeans. Best shoes I've ever had. Thanks Colleen...love ya! space I also wanted to take this chance to thank everyone for all your wonderful comments and emails. I try so hard to get back to all of you, but with life getting in the way, it may take me a while. Just know that I read every single one and they mean the world to me. space Have a wonderful day and see you tomorrow! ~Karen~ space
