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Sunday, January 22, 2012

Happy Birthday to Me!

There are good GOOD things about taking a partner-in-quilt-crime antiquing, and there are BAD things!

JUSTIFICATION TIMES TWO! ((Is this the GOOD thing or the BAD thing? You decide!))

As Lisa and I were laughing and talking and browsing, I turned a corner and spotted THIS along one wall. And my heart stopped….and dropped into my stomach.

Oh! Oh! Oh!

This is “MY” kind of quilt….scrappy stringy crumby with no rhyme or reason! And look…the sashings don’t go all the way around the outer blocks…see? We saw a large amount of this style just wandering around!

Can we get a closer look?

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Oh wow…it has odd borders! Even better! See those pieced border stripes? and a PINK side border? I love quilts that have odd borders..I could hardly wait to get it out and unfold it!

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There is a LISA behind the quilt! And!! The piece de résistance for me --- a row of HALF BLOCKS at the bottom!! BE. STILL. MY. HEART!

It didn’t take much for us putting our heads together and deciding that YES it was my birthday and YES this NEEDS to come home with me! Shopping by myself I may have waffled on my decision and decided to think about it more and maybe come home another day --- but with Lisa buoying me up, I bought the quilt!

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I took this pic on my kitchen floor ----the light in the kitchen always yellows things --- but don’t you love the quilting on this? 3 close rows, and a wider space, 3 close rows and a wider space, 3 close rows and a wider space…..LOVE IT!!

The quilting knots are on TOP of the quilt --- love that too!

And even though it is fairly primitive ---- most of the points of the stars are sharp and intact.

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I loved this very low contrast block! It looks more like a spiderweb than a star! We get so fussy fussy and try to distribute our colors evenly and have everything “matchy” but look at this!

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Can you see the knots on top of the quilt in the right hand sashing?! And can you see that two of these star points could have been made from larger left-over 4 patches? I love that 3 of the star points are whole fabric, not pieced….what a wonderful scrappy mess!

The whole quilt, sashings and all is hand pieced. Who was this woman? She obviously had a sense of freedom with her piecing, but yet had enough skill that star points were not all chopped off and corners “mostly” matched. She’s my kind of piecer! She didn’t have to purposely push it all the way to the REALLY wonky side for someone to think she wasn’t just a bad sew-er!

I also love just a bit of carefree whimsy with my piecing….I don’t pin EVERY LITTLE SEAM, and if some end up a needle’s width off, I’m mostly okay with that..just let it be.

While perusing another booth, I glimpsed a familiar shape peeking out from amongst dishes and kitchenware --

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Does this look familiar to any of you?

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It’s a puzzle box….that holds vintage machine attachments! I have one of these…and decided right then and there that it needs a companion! This one has pieces that my other one was missing…

But what the HECK is this?

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Wouldn’t it be great of ladies from that era could give us Youtube videos on what they did with all this stuff? LOL!

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This is something we could use today…a quilting guide!

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And THIS! My favorite seam guide! Always glad to have a spare of these to use on my featherweights or other vintage machines. I love these better than any foot with a guide attached ---

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The date on this box? Patented February 19, 1889.

Tonight we are planning a family birthday dinner. My birthday is tomorrow, Jeff’s is the 25th ((Wednesday)) and I’m leaving for Florida in the wee small hours tomorrow morning ((How does a 5:25am flight sound to you?! ACKK!)) so we’ve got plans to celebrate tonight. Ever since Jeff was born 2 days after my 28th birthday we’ve been celebrating together and I cherish those days. Often it meant not having a cake on MY birthday, but sharing one on his ---who needs TWO cakes?

Wishing you a restful pieceful Sunday!

105 comments:

  1. Happy birthday! I went to a junk shop yesterday also, and bought a Franklin treadle sewing machine for $25! My husband needs to fix a few things, but that's ok. I've been kicking myself for not buying the sewing machine feet though! They don't go with my machine, but still wish I had bought it! LOL It's over an hour away so I don't know when I could go again.

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  2. Happy Birthday Bonnie and Jeff too! Love this quilt! What an awesome find!
    Hugs,
    Lola

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  3. Happy Birthday. I loved this post. Great buys.

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  4. Anonymous9:10 AM EST

    Wishing you a wonderful birthday - have a great day!
    Jackie (Huntsville, AL)

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  5. Happy Birthday Bonnie!!!! Hope you have a wonderful day filled with all of your favorite people and things!

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  6. Happy Birthday, Bonnie. Safe travels.

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  7. Happy birthday to you! Looks like you found just the right gifts!

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  8. Happy Birthday! I'm a firm believer that it's best to buy our own presents and it sounds like you did that very well ;)

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  9. That quilt was just waiting for you to take it home!! It also reminds us that not everything we make has to be "quilt show" quality, but made with love.
    Happy Birthday Bonnie!!

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  10. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BONNIE!

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  11. Happy Birthday to you and your son!! I love buying my own birthday presents....looks like you made an awesome choice.

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  12. Happy Birthday Bonnie!! I love that quilt..gives you good ideas for future use. I hope you have a great birthday and many more! What part of FL are you going? My friends and I will be there a month from tomorrow! YEAH!

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  13. Elaine S.9:33 AM EST

    Happy birthday Bonnie! It looks like you got just what you wanted

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  14. Sending 50 wishes for a fantastic birthday!!!

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  15. Joyce Wilson9:37 AM EST

    Wishing you a very happy Birthday and again many thanks for all the great quilt patterns you have shared with us!

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  16. Happy Birthday to you!! Hope you have a wondermous day! Love your finds - you always come across some great ones. Glad you bought yourself a few birthday gifts!

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  17. Anonymous9:41 AM EST

    Have a YOU day today and safe travels tomorrow. Maybe they'll have a birthday cake for you on the plane. I wish I could arrange for that to happen.
    Maryella

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  18. Have a wonderful birthday! I'm happy to see you found the perfect gift for your special day.

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  19. Anonymous9:43 AM EST

    those sewing maschine attachments look like tools of torture ...

    happy birthday ! ...

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  20. Kaye Littles9:43 AM EST

    Happy Birthday Bonnie. Hope your day is filled with all good things.

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  21. Happy birthday, Bonnie! A toast will be made in your honor this evening! Congrats on your birthday gifts - finding a puzzle box in such great condition with all the pieces shiny and bright is a treasure!

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  22. Happy Birthday Bonnie! I'm still singing "Delta Dawn" in my head. I hope you have a fabulous day! (from one of your "talented and gifted" room students) :)

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  23. Happy Birthday wishes sending your way. I hope we can be doing this 50 years from now. Do you suppose that by then we'll have all the quilts of our dreams made...NOT!!

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  24. Happy birthday, young lady! :) Enjoy every second of this wonderful day!

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  25. I have similar quilt preferences to you :) Happy birthday!

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  26. Happy Birthday Bonnie. May your day be filled with good health and happiness. I know that you are always happy. so I will replace that word with getting some rest. Truly, may you have a great one! Betty

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  27. I've seen that whatever it is somewhere when looking for accessories on line and can't for the life of me remember where. So glad the box AND the quilt came home with you. They couldn't be in a better home.

    Happy birthday!

    x

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  28. Happy birthday....welcome to the 50's...they are fun years!

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  29. Happy Happy Birthday! Wonderful quilt and puzzle box, so glad you treated yourself to them!

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  30. Have a SUPER Birthday, Bonnie! Love the presents to yourself! You did good! We might as well get what we want, right? Have a safe trip and lots of fun and sun in FL.

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  31. Happy Birthday! Have a safe flight and a fun trip.

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  32. Happy birthday! Love your birthday present. So pretty!
    Sandy A

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  33. Happy Birthday! Love the quilt! Makes me want to just do whatever comes to mind. I am sometimes quite rigid in my piecing, thinking the quilting police will give me a rash of complaints! Why??? Anyway, enjoy your special celebration!
    Aileen

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  34. Happy Birthday Bonnie! Hope you have a wonderful week and how special to be able to celebrate birthday's with your son! Love it!

    Arlene

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  35. Happy Birthday Bonnie, hope you have a grand time! xx

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  36. I have two of those puzzle boxes also both dated with that same date. I've not tried them on the treadle machine they came with though. Some of them are downright scary looking!!

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  37. Enjoy your celebrations and have a wonderful time with your son. Great find too! Jane

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  38. Your treasures are so wonderful and the happiest of all birthdays to you - turning 50 is not bad at all - you have all the wisdom and experience now so you can give advice freely, LoL. I believe turning 60 is when the warranties run out. Enjoy your day as only you could - with a bunch of people sewing. Mary Jo (of Mary Jo's fame) turned 80 on the 16th, which was also my birthday - we have some great company this month. Best wishes from Judy C in NC

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  39. Happy birthday to YOU! Had I seen that quilt in a shop I would have bought it for YOU! It is perfect for you.

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  40. Anonymous10:43 AM EST

    Happy Birthday Bonnie! Can't wait to take your class next month in Annapolis.

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  41. Happy Birthday, Bonnie! Congratulations on your birthday present. What fun!

    The fifties are fun, and I'm sure yours will be grand and filled with quilting wonderfulness.

    --C.B. (soon to be 60!)

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  42. Anonymous10:44 AM EST

    Me thinks its a tucker - trying to find exactly the right photo for you.....

    http://susanscloches.blogspot.com/2010/03/using-vintage-sewing-machine-tucker.html

    Happy Birthday!

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  43. I dont know this as a fact, but Im wondering is that gadget a curtain hemmer? They did wide hems then, and perhaps the skinney tin at the other side was where the curtain lining was folded and sewed in???. just a wild guess that popped into this ol head???? !

    happy birthday !!

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  44. i agree, an ideal birthday treat. all the best and many happy returns; 50 is the new 30 you know...and just want to say thanks for all you have shared and inspired over the years through blogging, and i know i'm not alone in that regard. birthday blessings and safe travel...

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  45. Happy Birthday to YOU! The lady who made that quilt would be so happy to know that you chose her quilt as your birthday present. Never in her wildest dreams, back in her day, did she think her quilt would make its way into a wonderful quilt artist's hands and be loved soooooo much! Happy Birthday!

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  46. Happy Birthday!!!!! glad you bought yourself a wonderful string quilt. Although I have to admit I really like the poly one myself. hee hee heee.

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  47. Happy Birthday, Bonnie! I am celebrating my 50th birthday in March, so I'm right behind you. Enjoy your celebration.

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  48. Happy birthsday - may you have lots of presents and spoiling :-)

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  49. Happy Birthday, Bonnie! I love shopping for my birthday presents!

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  50. Happy Birthday, Bonnie! What a grand birthday present for you. The kind you pick out yourself are often the best! I enjoy your projects so much, so thank you for all your great scrappy ideas.

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  51. Happy birthday Bonnie! Enjoy your new treasures and have a great evening with your guys!

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  52. I know the feeling of having a son born around your Birthday. Glad you get to celebrate with yours today! That is an Awesome Quilt You bought for yourself. No label or signature, I presume? I always want to know the story. Now it has your story, as the 50th Birhtday Quilt!

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  53. Happy Birthday Bonnie and Jeff!
    Love seeing your new treasures!

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  54. Wow....what a great quilt! I'm so glad you got it! And the FW attachments! Yay!

    Hoping you have a happy birthday.....although a wake up call that early does NOT sound very birthday-ish to me! lol

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  55. Anonymous11:52 AM EST

    That quilt was meant to go home with you!

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  56. Anonymous11:53 AM EST

    Happy Birthday from Cindy and Lillian.

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  57. Happy Birthday Bonnie - hope you make that early flight - the Greensboro airport is busy busy early in the morning... as I am sure you know!! - Always amazing to see so much activity so early. Glad the quilt found your home!

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  58. Happy, happy birthday, but it seems like you've already started on a wonderful one. (I also noticed that Jeff's birthday is the same as my youngest granddaughter!) Enjoy Florida. My son and family live there in Tampa.

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  59. your birthday is tomorrow??? monday the 23rd??? no way!!! SO IS MINE!! holy cow, i share my birthday with bonnie hunter!!?

    happy birthday!

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  60. Happy Birthday Bonnie..... so glad you had an awesome day and bought something just for the heck of it!!!

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  61. Anonymous12:11 PM EST

    That gadget looks like something I saw on the internet. A fagoter? If so it was on that site for featherweights you sent us to the other day,or one of its links maybe. Happy birthday!

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  62. Happy Birthday Bonnie! Enjoy your family birthday celebration and your new quilt!

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  63. Love your 'new' quilt! Have a wonderful birthday and another rich and adventure filled year! You are certainly cherished! I'm grateful for all you add to the world!

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  64. Happy Birthday have a Super Day!!!!!!

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  65. Many, many Happy Returns of the day !

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  66. Hoping you have a very Happy Birthday! 50 is fabulous! Seems like that quilt was just waiting for you to find it, so glad you took it home. I think shopping with friends is a GOOD thing!

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  67. Happy Birthday indeed!As many before me have said, welcome to the 50's. Thankyou for all you do for us fellow quilters. I enjoy your blog emensely (sp?) and have used your scrap quilt patterns often.

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  68. Happy Birthday - glad you got something for yourself. Got a birthday in a month, so will be looking for something to get myself. Keep on blogging. Cold and white in northern Iowa.

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  69. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Bonnie! Fifty, Famous, Fantastic and Funny. Doesn't get any better than that. It's all uphill from here! What a wonderful Bday gift you splurged on. Enjoy your day!

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  70. Since y'all are celebrating your birthday today, I'll so ahead and sing to you a day early, too!

    ♪♫ Happy birthday ♪ to YOU! ♫♪
    ♫♪ Happy ♪ birthday to YOU! ♪♫
    ♪♫ Happy birthday dear ♪ Bonnie!!!! ♫♪
    ♫♪ Happy ♪ birthday ♪ to ♪ YOU!!! ♪♫
    ♪♫ And many more . . . !!!!! :)

    Hope you have a lovely birthday!! :)

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  71. Anonymous12:57 PM EST

    Happy Birthday, Bonnie, to my very favorite quilt inspiration! And Happy Birthday to Jeff as well! Have a wonderful day and a safe trip.
    Elaine
    Ehquilts@me.com

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  72. Happy Birthday! I hope it is a great one, and the celebration is fantastic too!

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  73. Happy Birthday, Bonnie! Love your gift!

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  74. (How cool, look at those musical notes in the birthday song from Denise..right above my comments!!) Happy 50th Bonnie! (I also had a child right after my 28th birthday in January)
    Looks like you have been celebrating with some super finds.
    I hope you cold is gone and your batteries all recharged for your next trip.

    Happy sewing, Happy Birthday and safe travels!

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  75. That quilt was just waiting for you and your birthday! I'm glad Lisa was along so it could come home with you.
    Do you know what even half of those gadgets do? But it must give you a sense of security to know you have two sets of what-ever-they-are in case you should need them and you lose one of them! : )
    Happy birthday, girl!!

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  76. What great finds!
    Wishing you the happiest birthday ever! ... and to Jeff too!

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  77. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! That quilt is super--just love the "wonkiness" there. I celebrated your birthday by cutting 3 7/8ths squares and 2" sq's for leaders and enders on my next quilt--your Blue Ridge Beauty. I found myself feeling all those great fabrics that I could never cut into--and today I turned the corner--"What am I saving them all for?" Snip snip snip--(actually ro-ro-rotary!!) Love your "Adventures with Leaders and Enders...re-reading and re-reading it--such gems.... Thank you and have a great day. Julierose

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  78. Anonymous1:30 PM EST

    What awesome finds! A perfect way to celebrate with your best gal pal too!

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  79. (¯`•.•´¯) (¯`•.•´¯)
    *`•.¸(¯`•.•´¯)¸.•´ ♥
    ☆ º ♥ `•.¸.•´ ♥ º ☆.¸¸.•´¯`♥
    ♫♪♥♥HAPPY BIRTHDAY♥♥♫♪

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  80. Anonymous1:44 PM EST

    Happy Birthday Bonnie. Those are some great finds.

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  81. You found yourself the perfect BD presents. Happy Birthday!

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  82. Looks like the perfect birthday quilt for you- It truly is a fun design. Hope you have a fantastic day and a year rich with all that you can dream. Regards,
    Anna

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  83. Wishing you a happy day X 50!!!! Enjoy your spectacular finds.

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  84. Happy Birthday!!! And what great finds!! Enjoy your day :-)

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  85. Happy Birthday!!!! 50 is a major milestone. You are halfway there. I am aiming for 115. What is your goal?

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  86. Happy Birthday Bonnie. :)

    Annette
    Lake Oconee, GA

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  87. Happy 50th Birthday, Bonnie. That early morning flight doesn't sound very appealing...a girl should get to sleep in on her b-day.

    Cool box of old sewing machine attachments. Some of them will forever remain a mystery. I love my seam guide like the one in the picture too. It came with my grandma's old New Home machine and when I sold my mother's house after she passed I left the machine there since I just didn't have room for it and nobody wanted to buy it. I did remember the seam guide though and made a special trip back there to get it before the new owner moved in. He'll never miss it! :)

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  88. Happy! Happy! Birthday! The quilt is fantastic, but, the puzzle box is a score. I didn't see any rusted parts at all. All of mine have rust on them. Enjoy your day!

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  89. Happy Birthday !

    Always enjoy hearing about your antique finds - this looks like a great one. Hope you and your son enjoy your day together.

    Judy

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  90. Happy birthday!! I hope you have a great one!

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  91. Happy birthday Bonnie! Love both your finds.

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  92. The best is yet to come.... Happy Birthday and many, many more happy and healthy sewing years.

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  93. Your BD present is in the mail. But it will be in the pile when you get back from FL!
    Haver a great birthday. You are the most wonderful woman I have ever met and called friend!
    XOXOXO Subee

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  94. Happy Birthday, Bonnie -- and travelling mercies! Looking forward to hearing all about your next adventure.

    (Oh, and that quilt? Wonderful. And your comments about the skill of the quilter -- warmed my heart! Thank you!)

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  95. Sounds like you had a very happy birthday! So glad! Love the quilt!

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  96. That attachment is a Tucker. If you go to the treadleon.net website they have a copy of the attachment instructions manual that identifies the parts and tells how to use them.

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  97. Happy Birthday TO YOU BOTH ! have today a so nice day than yesterday ! hugs

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  98. Happy Birthday Bonnie. Great finds as the antique mall. Enjoy :)

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  99. Happy Birthday!!!!!!!

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  100. Happy Birthday. 50 is cool. I am 50 too! LOL.
    Enjoy it.

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  101. Happy Birthday to you.....Hope yesterday was great. Hope today is even better.

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  102. Happy Birthday!! Love your antique finds. I went thrift shop hopping on Saturday and got a few goodies also.

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  103. Anonymous10:36 PM EST

    Happy Birthday Bonnie! My husband and I have birthdays 5 days apart. We ALWAYS have 2 cakes! - Shelley in CT

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