Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Monday, July 10, 2017

Thrifting & Quilting


Isn't this pretty . . . 25 cents at a yard sale.
I had a some free time and did a little thrifty shopping
last weekend.


Metal hanging planter . . . 25 cents.


Set of three Debbie Mum boxes . . . $1.


Hand embroidered dresser scarf . . . 50 cents.


This one was  . . . 50 cents, too.

Look at the pretty details.
Did I score or what? 

Last but not least . . .

$3 for this cute country pitcher.


Then my good buddy, Butch & I went over
to the Art Barn and had time to enjoy
some sewing :)


This is a quilt that I am starting
for a September birthday gift. 


Paper piecing six point stars.


Laying out a design. 


And starting to piece & quilt.


It's another "quilt as you go" quilt.


After so many gardening and outdoor projects,
 it feels so good to have time to spend in the barn.


I love my space.


I've been thinking a lot about many
of my family and friends that have 
been having health issues.
We truly need to be thanking our 
Dear Savior each day for the 
great bodies we have . . .
mine is not the prettiest . . .that's for sure,
but I have been blessed with good health.

I'll take that over pretty
any day of the week :)

Any thoughts on the subject?

Keep Smiling!

Your blogging sister,
Connie :)

58 comments:

  1. You sure got some beautiful things for just a few pennies.
    I too am blessed with good health and thank God every day for it.
    How fortunate I am that I can get up and walk 6 miles every morning and feel great. Yes, I'll take health over beauty any day, which fades in time anyway.

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    1. We are blessed to have strong bodies . . . so many women our age can not say that, Praise God :)

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  2. Appearances are not important its what inside that matters and you have a heart of gold. Great finds, love the pitcher.

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    1. When I was a little girl I remember my Grandma saying, "pretty is as pretty does" . . . I think see had the intuitiveness to know that I would never be a beauty, LOL. I do thank the Lord for my strong body and that I am able to garden and do things like kayak . . . also good eye sight to sew and do the things I love.

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  3. So many beautiful finds, I think my favourite has to be your cockerel jug, but also it's so wonderful to have rescued those beautiful linens that once someone would have spent so much time and attention on xx

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    1. I know those embroidered table scarves were ones the lady giving the yard sale said her mother made . . . I could never have parted with them.

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  4. Oh, absolutely! You did score! The embroidered scarves are beautiful. I can imagine someone spending hours embroidering those scarves, can't you. Mama used to embroider such pretty things. I enjoyed your little tractor story...your last post. :)

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    1. The woman having the yard sale said that her Mama embroidered those scarves. I would not have been able to part with them, but maybe she had many more, who knows. It was fun getting out and doing a little thrifting,I really don't need anything, so I don't do it as often as I used to. Steve loves that tractor so much that last night he was talking about mowing twice a week, LOL.

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  5. Awesome score at the yard sales. You did good.
    Totally agree with you on the health thing. I have very minor issues (the getting older kind) so in comparison to what others are foing theough I consider myself very lucky.

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    1. Me too . . . I have a bad back, but most of the time I can exercise through it, My right hand is crippled, and I have arthritis, but as for serious illness I am blessed to not have any. All of my troubles can be helped with moving, stretching, walking and a pain pill now and then when it's terribly bad. At my age that is a true blessing.

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  6. We're all blessed in so many ways, blessed indeed is the one who can recognize it and give thanks! You truly scored on those lovely embroidered runners, and the lace edgings are wonderful too.

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    1. Amen to everything you said here and thanks for visiting and for leaving a comment.

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  7. Oh my! 25 and 50 cents! Just think of all the hours of work that went into making these beautiful things! You did score ~ big time! And your quilt blocks are lovely.

    All of a sudden I'm looking old! Maybe it's because I can see better now :) But my mind isn't there yet. I do thank God for my good health; even no medications at age 76.

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    1. That's very good, I'm the same . . . I do take an over the counter pain pill now and then, but nothing major. There were many hours of talent and love put into those scarves . . . they are little treasures. I still can't believe she would sell them and sell them so cheap . . . I'm delighted that I was the one to find them :)

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  8. What great treasures you found! I have a thing for doilies and dresser scarves, too. I haven't been on a treasure hunt for awhile, but I've been itching to go. Maybe tomorrow? I've been blessed with reasonably good health, and I am forever grateful.. Many of my friends are older, and starting to have serious problems.

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    1. Many of my friends are younger and have even passed on . . . we truly need to be thankful for good health. My husband started a little thing that we always do . . . it's just a simple phrase . . . Savor the Moment . . . we repeat it to ourselves then we pick the slow line at the grocery store, when things aren't going as we planned, and when we are having a not so good day . . . Savor the Moment . . . we could be standing in line for our chemo treatment, instead of just being in the slow line worrying about our ice cream melting, :)

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  9. Great new finds to add to your barn collection. It's nice when you find some cute things.

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  10. I would love that rooster pitcher...and I really like the other thrift finds. I will be waiting to see the finished quilt...and aren't we supposed to be thankful in all circumstances. I am neither pretty and have some health worries...but I am thankful. I have so much to be thankful for, but sometimes I fail and dwell on the negative.

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    1. We all dwell on the negative at times . . . hopefully as we grow older and wiser we will turn quicker to the positiveness of gratefulness and thanksgiving. We always get there in the end, but a quicker route is a sign of growth :) There is so much to be thankful for and those things truly out weigh everything else. God bless you and thanks for your comment . . . we're all human that's why we need a Savior :)

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  11. I'll say you scored with those lovely linens! I have a thing for embroidered dresser scarves and have paid a lot more for those I've seen in antique shops. Your quilt is so pretty and certainly is going to make a wonderful gift. I've reached the age where I do have a few aches and pains and certainly do thank the Heavenly Father for the good days I enjoy. ♥

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    1. They say that growing old is not for sissies and as we grow older this statement becomes more valid and true. Praise God! He is there with us on the bad days and the good ones. Isn't it wonderful being loved by Him :)

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  12. I love those dresser scarves.... the embroidery makes my heart happy just looking at it. I always admire your quilt projects too. The colours you choose are so cheery.

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    1. Thank you so much . . . I get a lot of pleasure making my quilts and passing them on to loved ones. Oh, I keep a few too, LOL. I haven't had much time since Spring to sew, so now that the garden in doing well, I can get a few days in before it's time to start canning :)

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  13. Oh, yes! Health is something to be very thankful for if one is healthy. Even not healthy I can be thankful I am not worse. God is so good. You certainly did score some great finds!! Do you have plans for all of those beautiful linens? Buddy is so cute! Nancy

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    1. Things could always be worse than they are . . . we have much to be grateful for. As for the linens, no big plans just to display and enjoy :) Wishing you a wonderful day.

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  14. Yes... good health beats "pretty" any time.. hands down! Mine is reasonably good..... each day I'm thankful I can walk, talk, see, smell and hear! My motto is "move it or lose it" and boy is that true. If we don't keep moving, we lose our agility and mobility and flexibility.. I try to do lots of stretching (have been remiss lately) which helps so much. I never quite knew what that saying meant (pretty is as pretty does). My mom used to say that too.. maybe meaning to be pretty, you must "do".. not just "be"? Not sure! Anyway... love your sweet finds. I too love dresser scarves and doilies.. my mom embroidered and I did when I was younger.. I still have some of her things and they are precious. I always look through the linens when I go thrifting too! And love that pitcher! Glad you've taken some time to sew.. your quilts are always so pretty. Hugs.. Marilyn

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    1. Hi Marilyn, I always enjoy reading your comments and feel like we know each other so well, that we could meet and talk for hours, like old friends. I think that saying has to do with our heart . . . the condition of our hearts reflected the way we do things and the way we treat others. Being pretty on the inside always shows on the outside. I know I love that rooster on the pitcher . . . so farmhouse :) I've been collecting rooster for a few years . . . it's been so slow that I didn't realize that I had a collection going on until lately. You know, we just purchase things that we like and then after a few years we notice that we are being drawn in a certain direction. Have a great day and keep moving and stretching :)

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  15. Our health is indeed a precious gift. Love your thrifty finds. The vintage linens look like they are in great shape. Great prices too. You scored some good deals. Glad you found some time to get some sewing done. I love your crafty space.
    xx Beca

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    1. Thank you sweetie . . . you are always so positive and uplifting . . . thanks for spreading a little sunshine my way :)

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  16. Oh how I love a good yard sale! Those are some nice finds. I think you have a great eye for style.

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    1. Thank you so much and thanks for visiting . . . you're a sweetie :)

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  17. Wonderful yard sale treasures. I'm especially admiring of the hand-embroidered scarves. I'm trying to collect hand embroidered goodies for a project and they've become harder and harder to find. Good health is something to value, that's for sure!

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    1. Hi Lorrie, they are hard to find, or should I say rare finds . . . I think that yard sales are the best places. These were done by the lady having the sales, mother . . . I wouldn't have parted with my mother's work, but some people just don't appreciate vintage, or handmade. It's a shame.

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  18. Beautiful!! I adore the quilts and lace

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate the comment :)

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  19. Hi Connie, Another neat post here. My spouse says she wants to start making quilts when she retires. I think I will send her to see you and get some ideas from a pro! :-) Enjoyed all the photos!

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    1. That's very sweet of you, but I'm so far from being a pro that it's laughable. My family treasures the quilts that I make . . . that's my reward:) Thank you for your blogging friendship, I appreciate it very much.

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  20. Hi Connie. Wow!! You definitely scored at the sales. I love finding doilies and embroidery. The pitcher has you written all over it. Your quilt is beautiful. What a special birthday gift. What is "quilt as you go"?
    Hugs
    Kay

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    1. Hi Kay, Quilt As You Go is a marvelous way to machine quilt using a ordinary sewing machine. No need for expensive long arm machines. You start out designing your blocks and then you sandwich the blocks together like a batting sandwich. Three layers: your quilt block, your batting and then your backing . . . when they are sandwiched you quilt them. This way you are quilting small blocks rather than a whole quilt. When these are finished you join them all together using the quilt as you go method. In the old days they called them potholder quilts.
      I'm going to email you a link to a great You Tube video. Watch it and let me know what you think.

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  21. Wow you found some great finds! Who needs a whole lot of money to have fun right? Your quilt is beautiful! I love quilts , I love to find vintage ones at the thrift stores and I also make them too. Wish I was your neighbor...we sure could get some stuff done ! Have a great day Lisa@ Sweet Tea N' Salty Air

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    1. I'm sure we would be great friends . . . Thanks for the visit, it is always a pleasure.

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  22. I so admire all and anyone that can sew and make a quilt out of what you have....they are works of art!
    Love all your thrift/sale finds. Especially the embroidered pieces. Yes, you definitely scored big on those!!! Also like the country style rooster pitcher.

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    1. Hi Anni, thanks so much for visiting . . . and for leaving a comment so that I knew you were here. Tomorrow is Friday and I need to go to town, so if I see any yard sale signs I may have to take a little detour again, LOL.

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  23. I always enjoy seeing your thrifty finds...love that rooster pitcher! I bet it feels good to be back in the art barn and working on another beautiful quilt. Trust me, my body isn't the prettiest either (whose is in middle age?!), but I am so thankful for my good health. Even though I have a couple of physical maladies going on right now (recovering from knee surgery & now have lower back pain & hip bursitis as a result...but I'm in PT for all this), I remind myself that it's just a blip on the radar screen and is "fixable". I think of my many friends with cancer and know I have nothing to complain about.

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    1. Hi Melanie, I always get a little bit excited when I see that you have stopped by . . . we have been mutual followers for a long time now . . . ageing brings with it pain but like you say, it's not cancer . . . we are blessed . . . no complaining :)

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  24. Always nice to see your buys, I do like those Debbie Mum boxes.
    We must be thankful for good health, and do our best to keep as healthy and active as possible.
    Also be pleased for every moment and share our happiness with our loved ones.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Life is precious and each day is a gift . . . we need to remember that and be grateful. When we can live that life in a healthy body we're are truly blessed.

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  25. Love all your vignettes!Beautiful embroideries!Have a lovely weekend!

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  26. I'm thanking Him every single morning- so glad to be alive and looking for my happy to come back after my mom passed.
    What a haul you got from shopping!!
    Have a super weekend!

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    1. Hi Terri . . . here's wishing you a very happy come back. It's hard on us to loose someone we love, but for them it's a new adventure with the King of Kings :)

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  27. Trying to catch up on all your posts! Wow...you foundsome really cute things and great deals on all of them! Those plates you founf would be pretty mixed together for a darling tablescape. The chickens would make an adorable centerpiece as well. What are you going to do with the little metal wall planter? I ask because I have a couple wall planters and have never used them. :) I love thrifting but try not to do it too much these days as I bring home TOO many treasures and my home is not that big. LOL! Have a blessed week my friend.

    Hugs, Vicky

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    1. Hi Vicky, I hung the little planter on the wall in the Art Barn next to my computer and put pens and pencils in it. If I ever were to put a plant in it, it would probably be a low maintenance succulent. It's nice to see you back having a little time for blogging, thanks for stopping by to visit. It is always delightful.

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  28. Connie, you're so right about thanking the Lord for good health. It's a blessing we often talk about here in our home. So thankful we are well and can do the things we enjoy. I can't believe you found those vintage embroidered pieces for 50 cents. You definitely scored! xo

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    1. I know! The lady having the yard sale said that her mother made them, I couldn't believe that she would want to part with them.

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