Monday, September 28, 2009

Back to Business

Hi Everyone!

It's been an interesting couple of weeks. Have you ever felt like your life was changing and even though it's not out of your control, it just seems like it's morphing into something completely different and unexpected? It's like that for me right now.

We have been wrestling with the best way to dispose of Mom's things. Thought about a garage sale and we will have to do that for sure, but it doesn't seem to be the best way to take care of nicer items. And the thought of hauling furniture and messing with the big stuff is not a pleasant thought. Over the last 10 years, we have moved my Mom's stuff SEVEN times! We had one Estate Sale when we moved her from the house and another garage sale when she went into Assisted Living. She still has an apartment full of furniture. And we moved Bill's Moms 3 times in addition to having an Estate Sale when she moved to the retirement community and a garage/estate sale when she passed away. So dealing with 'stuff' is getting kind of tiresome. Obviously, I can't and don't want to keep everything.

In addition to that, you've seen my own 'stuff'. We are feeling overburdened with 'stuff'! I still have closets full of antiques that I never got around to selling when we were in the antiques business, too. Not to mention the sewing collectibles that we offered when we actually had the time to set up at Festival and other quilt shows! Oh my goodness, did I mention we had 'STUFF'?? So.... What to do, what to do?

Well, here's where we have begun. A gal who has been in the antique business for many years here has had a wonderful Antique Show on her property in the Spring and Fall for the last several years. I visited with her last week and she has space for us in her show at the end of October. So that's where we'll start. In addition to that, we are so fortunate to have a wonderful weekly Flea Market in Tulsa that has been going on for over 30 years. I've been in contact with the gal who operates it to see if we can start setting up there in November. It may take several weeks to really clean things out. Some things will go to eBay and Etsy as well. Then what's left will be sold in a garage sale next Spring.

So you see? All of a sudden I'm back in the Antiques business! Needless to say, there will be very little quilt related things going on except what I'm selling so what you'll be seeing here are some interesting things that I come across as I'm getting things ready.

The items below are some of my favorites! I talked about these and had some pictures in my book, but the ones below are others I have found. The flour companies gave away as advertisements little pincushions made in exact replicas of their sacks of flour. You need to make sure that they are not new ones made as miniatures for doll house collectors. Two of these are from Polar Bear Flour and the other is Hunters Flyer Flour. Great names, huh? They typically sell in the range of $25-$50 depending upon condition. I got a great buy on these, so I will pass that along to my customers. Have you ever seen them before?


Another thing I found recently was this fabulous quilt. I actually found it in a Thrift store! It has some of the most beautiful applique and quilting that I've ever seen. It has a beautifully scalloped edge and is in beautiful condition.





So that's it for now. I'll be in touch as I come across other fun stuff. Can't wait to get sewing again! Blessings~

Saturday, September 5, 2009

I'mmmm Baaaack!!

Hi Everyone!

Thank you so much for your visits and notes over the last few weeks. Mom's service was a joyful celebration of a life well lived. I had no idea how many people would be there since she had outlived so many of her friends, but all of the things she was involved in were well represented. I'm sure she was pleased to see them there! We are progressing with getting her estate tied up and will have a garage sale this month to finish up that part. No point in just having everything in storage. So things are going fine. We miss her terribly and it's still very odd not to go see her every day, but we are adjusting OK. Thanks so much for all your well wishes and prayers!

I've actually had a bit of time to list a few things on eBay and Etsy. And you won't believe this, but I even spent a day sewing this week! A small group of friends have decided that we will sew every other Thursday and see what we can get done. I really need to be more intentional about it. Do you realize I haven't made a quilt since my book and last fabric collection were released almost a year ago!!!! Oh my!!

So obviously, I have nothing to show you, but thanks to my friends, I have some pictures of their work! It seems that there have been some darling aprons made from my fabrics and here are a couple of them. The first one is from Chris Eilts who made this for her sister as a gift using the Rise N Shine fabrics. She used a pattern called "Delicious 4 Corners" by Vanilla House Designs. I think it is just darling!

Patrice Heisler is an online friend who has a fabulous blog AND website! She also handcrafts items to sell at wonderful venues such as Brimfield. Here are a couple of aprons that she has made using one of the Sugar N Spice fabrics. I think she has used a vintage tablecloth with the first one. They are both wonderful!


Thanks to both Chris and Patrice for sharing! What would I do without my friends??

So that's it for me. Thanks again for being such wonderful friends and keeping in touch.

Blessings~