Finally found:  some vintage sheets, a pillowcase, and some gorgeous material:

Two feed sacks:

More gorgeous material.  I love the gray with flowers and gold hearts.  (The pic doesn't do it justice, as usual).  But maybe my taste is in my feet because my daughter told me she would like if it wasn't for the hearts!  Go figure!  You can visit her blog:  http://www.thetinyhummingbird.blogspot.com/

And last but certainly not least, Alexander Henry at 20% off.  The background is gray but in this pic it looks blue:

A finish!

A finish, a small one, but a finish nonetheless!  It seems every project I start has some kind of snag, real or imagined, and takes longer than anticipated.  Of course, time is ALWAYS a factor, too.  Priorities, priorities!

So here's my finish:
(I got the pattern/tutorial from here:  http://ayumills.blogspot.com/search/label/Tutorial  I love this blog also called Pink Penguin!  So here's my version of her lovely placemats:

Front side of one

Front side of two

Detail (some toile) and back.  Any comments?

Enamel Bucket

I had been eyeing this bucket in my basement for quite some time.  My husband brought it home from his mom's house when she passed away, along with many other "treasures" that he couldn't bear to part with.  I saw Ashley's enamel bucket on Film in the Fridge and said to myself, ah-ha, that's a great idea - a scrap container.  So after a good cleaning up, it will find a new home in my sewing room.  Thanks, Ashley.

Does anyone know what this raw-edge applique is shaping up to be?  I'm using someone else's idea, with permission, of course; she put the tutorial up on her blog, but I'm trying to come up with a major variation.  So far I'm loving it.  I couldn't start sewing last night till about 8:30, then couldn't stop till 1 a.m.!  Shhhh!  Don't tell my husband!  So what do you think it is???  Mary Ann???  I shared my love of this idea with you.  Actually, two different people made one in different colorways.  One gave hers away in a giveaway!  I'm not bitter that I didn't win, either :-)  (At least not anymore!)  Hee-hee!

http://mariemadelinestudio.typepad.com/mariemadeline_studio/2010/07/a-giveaway-for-a-whole-flower-sugar-fat-quarter-bundle.html is having: A giveaway for a whole Flower Sugar fat quarter bundle!  Go to the link above and follow the guidelines, you know the drill, leave a comment, post to your blog, etc., etc.  And good luck, I think!

Photographic Art

Beauty from the Wickford Art Festival last Saturday.  What do YOU think?  Hubbie and I and two wonderful friends had fun walking around, looking at all the unusual unique art from folks from all over.  First we had breakfast at Jigg's on Main Street in East Greenwich - yum!  After the art festival we went back to Lori and Dave's house for dinner - again, YUM!  They've treated us now to two dinners - 2 to 0.  We better get busy!

Featured on "Finished Friday"

Check out my table runner that is one of the features and all the beautiful work from some of those in the blogger world.  I'm in awe and totally inspired!  Thanks, Quilt Shoppe!

http://the-quilt-shoppe.blogspot.com/

Morningstarquilts.blogspot.com Giveaway

New blog I stumbled upon, and a giveaway!
http://morningstarquilts.blogspot.com/
Check it out - they're giving away lots of samples from a show they attended.

Thread Stash questions from SewMamaSew

Here is a little survey I took which you might want to participate in also:
Show Us Your Stash ~ Thread
The following questions are related to this blog post:
http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=8780

* How did you select colors for your personal thread collection?
Answer:  Usually schlep to the store with my fabric and play the matchy-matchy game.
* Do you always match the color perfectly to your project?
Answer:  Usually, because I'm always afraid a stitch might show! 
* Do you ever use contrasting thread?
Answer:  I think about it, but then usually chicken out.  I need some courage.
* Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread?
Answer:  Always, unless I'm quilting, which I've only done two or three quilting projects to date.
* What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors?
Answer:  Big dilemma for me!  I suppose I would use a neutral.
* Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread?
Answer:  I can't say that I do, but I wish I did!
* Can you show us a picture(s) of your thread collection?
Answer:  I could, but my threadbare (no pun intended) supply is not available right now due to its location in another town (at home, and I'm not).
* Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)?
Yes!  What fun!
* Do you "invest" in thread?
I think so when I spend $8 on one spool! 
* What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.)
Metallic, quilting, hand quilting, cotton, polyester.

My friend, the stitch ripper. Oh, well.

Can you tell which two are correct and which two are not?  The first two are placed incorrectly for sewing and that's how I sewed them, too! I think the rule must be, place, pin, check, then sew, and I know that's what I did.  Alas, wrong, but my trusty stitch ripper helped me to make the fix.  Being outside one night last week also helped.  It was a beautiful night, no humidity, and I love being outside on my deck whenever I get the chance.  After being stuck inside a courthouse all day, this was just the place for some quilt-a-longing, and I worked on my wip (work in progress), the Asian fabric wall hanging.

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th of July!  Finished:  one table runner for sister-in-law and brother-in-law.  Heading to their house today for their annual cookout.  See the beautiful binding corners?  I can't take credit!  My okasun (adopted Japanese mother) did the hand-stitched binding.  She is/was a professional dressmaker in her younger days, and what gorgeous work she does!

Some vintage finds - not so great, though.  Quite a bit of staining on one that I could not see in the shop.




And the real good vintage sheets/pillowcases are still nowhere to be found - like Works in Progress just gave away a gorgeous vintage quilt to Shruti from India.  Here's the Works in Progress blog announcing her winner: "Shruti who said... 'I'm so sure that I won't be winning this one, I just had to tell you that the quilt is beautiful...' How funny is that? she did win it... I'm glad! I have to post it to India. Here's what Shruti's profile says...."

'Hello all, Thank you for dropping by. My name is Shruti and I live in Sangli, India with my 3 year old son Aadi & my husband Rohit. I am an Architect by profession. I recently started a new venture - Shruti's - the 'up'cycle shop - where I employ women from the slums of the city to sew various household items. This also gave me an opportunity to try my hand at quilting - which i had been fascinated by, for quite some time. Trying to quilt in an area where people do not even know what Quilting means has put up a lot of challenges before me. Procuring something as simple as a batting is an ordeal for me. But I manage. Most of the times by using locally available substitutes. My quilts do not have that professional look - not yet - but I'm happy with my efforts.'"

So it is so very nice for it to have gone to such a wonderful cause!  I'll still be hunting for some of that vintage that I KNOW is out there.  I have my heart set on making such a quilt for my husband's 91-yr-old aunt who is an amazing woman!    Here's the quilt from Works in Progress that Shruti won: