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Wednesday, January 23, 2013

An Afternoon Wander ---

I just had to get out of the basement yesterday.  I had spent nearly every waking moment down here since returning home ---and though it was only in the upper 30’s outside, the sun was shining and I knew the heater in the car would make it seam a lot warmer!

After dropping book and seam guide orders off at the post office, a plan formed for an easy lazy wander through one of my favorite antique haunts in Greensboro.  I short 15 minute drive up the road and I was there.

I’m never looking for anything particular, but certain things do grab my attention! 

I saw this very primitive quilt in a basket and had to stop to unfold, wouldn’t you?

While museum quilts are lovely ---there is a “no touch” policy!  I like to think of Antique Malls as places were I can gently unfold, touch the stitches and the fabrics and dream about the person who made this quilt and what the circumstances of their lives were.

antiquemall 022
Of course, no museum would allow me to lay a quilt out in the aisle for a photo shoot!  But this piece is so interesting – it’s a pine burr made in all solids, many of them look home dyed.

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Very thick cotton batting – and inventive fabric placement –making use of what was available in the scrap bag.  I’m wondering if the brown background and triangles were originally green?

antiquemall 024
And this one blue corner block!  What’s the story with this?  ((And it looks like someone took a bite out of it at some point!))  The reason for one blue block?  Was it a sample?  Isn’t this a great folky piece?

antiquemall 025
Close up of another area…I just love how the blue points fade into brown ((or once green!)) ones….migrating triangles!

As primitive as this quilt looks..the piecing is very precise – there are no cut off points anywhere.

This lovely quilt did not come home with me…..and as always when out browsing, I get a big kick out of finding the “weirdest” item on the treasure hunt as well.  You know the kind – thinks that make you scratch your head and go “What the?!”

How about this lovely?

antiquemall 046

A genuine camel bone chair.

Yes.  from real camels.  It doesn’t look very comfy.  The side view is not much better!!  What’s even better is the price ---they wanted $2,000 for this thing!

antiquemall 048

NO THANK YOU! LOL!  I was having fits of hysterical giggles by the point I was done taking these photos…and you should have seen the look of the other people walking by!

I thought of having someone take my picture while I was sitting in it, but I thought better of it before I even asked --

It makes me remember Dawn and her ladies on a trip to Paducah – when they were traveling in separate cars, and each had a list of “treasure hunt” items they had to get photos of on the way ---and one of the items was really weird yard art.  What she found was SO FUNNY ---

And since today is my birthday—I can be extremely grateful that no one bought me this chair as a gift…LOL

Have a super day everyone!  Look for Quilt-Cam tonight at 9pm Eastern.  I’m raring to sew!

58 comments:

Sandi1100 said...

Happy Birthday Bonnie, Thanks for all you do for us quilters! I for one, enjoy the mysteries (although I usually fall behind) and quilt cam and your books. Have a wonderful day!

Lois (AKA Onnie) said...

Just curious, how much was that quilt? I am starting to look around here, and wondering about prices. Not Ebay prices!

debbie said...

hppy birthday bonnie. hope you have a great one! I am off to the oral surgeon this afternoon to have a tooth cut out

Marilyn said...

Happy Birthday , Bonnie. Thanks for all of your hard work and inspiration.

Tonya Ricucci said...

That is a ghastly chair. I think $100 would be a realistic price... Fun quilt.

Osage Bluff Quilter said...

Happy Birthday Miss Bonnie! Enjoy your day doing what ever you want!

Nann said...

Happy birthday, Bonnie!

Anonymous said...

HUGS ON YOUR Life be filled with all good things, good people and good work too.
SMILIES
JULIEINTN

cityquilter grace said...

love that pine burr quilt...brown or green, it's lovely either way

Ann-Mari said...

Happy birthday, Bonnie. May your dau be filled with your favorite activities, foods, drinks and company.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

Happy Birthday - that chair is absolutely insane! I have seen furniture made out of antlers and things but this one takes the cake!

Lynne's Quilting Adventures said...

Happy Birthday Bonnie. I hope you have a great one. Lynne, MB

regan said...

Happy Birthday, Bonnie! And thanks for sharing that quilt! It's fantastic!

Quilting in the South said...

Happy Birthday, Bonnie. Thank you for making quilting fun for all of us!

Saska said...

I want to know how those bones are held together? I could make/send you a cow chair like that...IF you think it would fit in with your decorating style? haha

Ellen said...

Happy Birthday Bonnie! Where is this Antique Mall you go to? I don't live far...

Sherry said...

Happy Birthday Bonnie!!!! Wishing you a beautiful day and happiest moments.

Mirtes said...

Happy birthday Bonnie !!
Lovely old quilt
And for the bone chair : ewwww

Andra Gayle said...

Have a Super Happy Birthday, Bonnie!

Jan said...

Dawn did win with her yard art, only because she missed the turn to Paducah and had to take a back road. LOL!!!!
Happy Birthday Bonnie.

Jo C. said...

Happy Birthday, Bonnie!

Jo C. said...

Bonnie, wheres the antique mall in G'boro located? I want to check it out!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday Bonnie and many happy years to follow!
Faith in Maine

Patti said...

Happy Birthday Bonnie! Have a special day!

Janet O. said...

That Pine Burr quilt is so cool! Too bad it wasn't in a little better shape. It does appear that the brown was once green, doesn't it?
Boy, you would have to really want a camel bone chair--and who does?
Happy birthday, girl! You are amazing and I, for one, am grateful for your generous spirit. I have learned so much from you!

Kathy in Guanajuato City, Mexico said...

Happy Birthday Bonnie!!!! I hope you have a wonderful day...just doing what you want. :-)

Cathy Kieser said...

Happy Birthday dear Bonnie! Enjoy your day!!!!

Mavis said...

Happy Birthday Bonnie! Have a fabulous day. :D

Quilts And Pieces said...

I LOVE that pine burr quilt. I would have been so tempted to bring that one home. That chair rates right up there with the tacky yard art! What a wonderful trip that was spending it with you and Lucy! Happy Birthday!

Jitka said...

Happy birthday and enjoy your antique quilt. And maybe new chair....

Becky G said...

Happy Birthday & all the best for your next year! Thanks for all you do. And my o my, that chair!?! Tonya got it right "gastly." If they made another Addams Family movie, it would make a great prop.
Thanks too for great photos of fun Pine burr quilt.
Here's to 2013!

Becky said...

O.K. So I'm not the same Becky G. as the last commenter...this is too weird! Happy Birthday to you, Bonnie. The antique quilt is really unique and interesting. I love looking at those things when I'm at thrift stores and antique malls. The chair is really odd. Certainly have never seen anything like that. Thanks for sharing.

All8 said...

Happy Birthday to one of the sweetest and hardest working ladies out there! Hope it's a good one.

That chair is a gas.

Elaine M said...

Happy Birthday Bonnie! Have a fabulous day! The chair would look better with the lovely quilt covering it.

Carol said...

Happy Birthday Bonnie! Enjoy your day!

stitchernow said...

Happy Birthday Bonnie. Although we've never met, your generosity through your blog and your helpful website make many of us feel like we know you. You are a good friend. I hope you enjoy your day.

janequiltsslowly said...

Happy Birthday!! Have a wonderful day doing exactly what you like to do. Hope your day is full of surprises.

PeggyinNO said...

Wishing you a Happy, Happy Birthday!! Hope your day is as Great as YOU are! Thanks for all you do for us, from giving us access to your free patterns to great tips and tricks to try! You are the BEST! Enjoy your day!

AnnieO said...

Thanks for sharing that Pine Burr find! Love that. Not too many quilts in my local shops here in SoCal, I need better shops! Happy happy birthday--enjoy every minute.

Jocelyn said...

Happy Birthday Bonnie. Enjoy your day!

Cassandra said...

Happy birthday!! I hope you have a fantastic day!!

Bev @ kwiltpharm said...

A very spacial "Happy Birthday" to one of the most generous people I have ever come across on blogville! Thank you for all you do for us and the wonderful patterns you so generously provide for us. LOVE your mysteries and the list of patterns you have designed!
Idea for "boat anchor"-clean it up and set it in front of your fireplace-it is too pretty to not be on display.

Laura said...

Have a great day Bonnie, you deserve it! That trip to Paducah was the best as we got to meet you and Lucy. Dawn and I got lost on the way down and in doing so we got the best pictures. A fun trip!

Jennifer said...

Happy Birthday, Bonnie. Here's hoping you have the perfect day, sewing or whatever makes your heart sing.

Rhonda Burgess said...

Happy birthday!!!

shadypinesqltr said...

Happy birthday Bonnie! Happy to report that my String Fling came yesterday, so guess what I did last night!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Bonnie! Interesting quilt. Is it possible that the faded parts of the quilt were blue as well and the maker used two different blues that looked that same at the time of making it. Two different dyes? Just wondering.

Unknown said...

Happy birthday and

Leigh the sewing diva said...

Wow that chair is freaky!! !!!!
Hope you've had a lovely birthday
Leigh

christineschoon said...

Happy Birthday Bonnie!!

Anita said...

Just have to say Rouch! Count your birthday blessings you didn't get this one..I'm sure something much better awaits you :)

HelenMarie said...

So glad you were able to spend "YOUR" day doing something you enjoy! Happy Birthday!

Grammy's Quilting Studio said...

Happy Birthday Bonnie, sounds like you had a great day and I saw your cheesecake posted the other night.
Mona in Melbourne, FL

Lisa said...

Happy Birthday! Hope you have/had a wonderful day! Last night our guild heard the good news that you'll be in Ketchikan, AK fall 2014! Yeah! And about that chair...creepy!

Jennie said...

Happy Birthday Bonnie! Glad to hear that your day was so cool.

Mary Ellen said...

If the brown pieces in the Pine Burr quilt had originally been green, then the blue patches would not have been such a big contrast.

purplefiend said...

Happy Birthday,Bonnie! I am hoping you had a wonderful day. That camel bone chair is just creepy!

dorothy said...

Happy Birthday...hope it was a great day! m(ine is in 9 days.)

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