These happened yesterday morning.
I had hoped to have some time while in Wallburg to not only get the Essex linen foundations cut for our upcoming Germany trip (ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!) but to also get the four remaining place mat tops pieced and ready for quilting. Now let’s be serious – do I really think I can get these quilted and bound before the Ms Bee Haven Beta Test Retreat Group shows up? Doubtful. But it felt good to let everything else just take a back seat while I listened to some podcasts and just stitched in the comfort of my old home basement studio.
Just a bit of string piecing to finish the borders needed.
All of the parts kitted up and ready for assembly -
Truth be told – I’ve been up since 5am and I was going to run down to the QPO while dad slept and at least load these in the machine to be quilted later, but it rained most of the night, and my van is encrusted with frozen icy drizzle. I didn’t know what the roads would be like and as it is still dark out, I decided not to risk it.
I’ve also got to print the Sulky Stick ‘n Stitch overlays with the Warm Hands, Warm Heart image so we can do the peel and stick routine onto the Essex linen foundations and run a needle through each one so those will be ready to hand out to my travelers. But in the daylight. When I’m sure there isn’t ice. Maybe later today.
There was time for a bit of this!
Antique Marketplace in Greensboro is very close to the airport, and as I was running early, I made a stop just to see what I could find. I didn’t make ANY purchases, but I loved seeing the quilts and all of the Christmas decor going up in preparation for Black Friday shoppers. Of course – you know what WE will all be doing on Black Friday, right?
Now take a look at all 4 of these quilts and tell me if you can spot the Chinese import imposter?
I posted this photo to Instagram and Facebook yesterday and there were so many comments of “Oh, that Pickle Dish! It’s gorgeous!” Well, folks – THAT PICKLE DISH was made in China. How can you tell? Polyester batting gives it away, as do the honking big stitches, but the easiest way to tell? There is no binding. The whole quilt is sewn like a pillow case and turned right side out. If there is no binding of any kind, be wary. Be aware. They were offering it as a “Vintage, hand stitched heirloom quilt, difficult pattern.” for big bucks. It likely sold through sears for $99.00. Just be aware.
This one – is every bit as real as you think it is!
BEAUTIFUL!
As is this one. Doesn’t it look comfy?
And you know this one is as real as the day is long.
But take a look at that center! MATCHING POINTS!
My hat is off to you, string quilt lover!
I wanted a pink princess phone in the worst way growing up!
And these always remind me of my Grannie.
They used to scare me when I was a kid.
Especially the one on the left end – WITH TEETH!
Oh, the nightmares.
But see the guy on the right with the fox? It reminded me of this guy we saw on safari in Kenya:
What a pretty fella! This is a Silver Backed Jackal.
Hello, my pretty!
Jackals are medium-sized omnivorous mammals of the genus Canis, which also includes wolves, coyotes and the domestic dog.
He knows we are watching!
Okay that was a little segue down the jackal hole!
Another sighting, a different location, different day.
This is NOT a Jackal.
Oh honey, you are a TANK!
All of this – for straight stitch only.
This is a machine that says “don’t mess with me!”
But this caught my breath!
And then I blew it out again when I saw the price tag.
$1,200.00
Yikes.
Merrick's Six Cord Spool Cotton
This one was also lovely, and different with those two smaller drawers on the bottom. Let’s just say that I could buy two Featherweights for what they wanted for this one spool cabinet. nope. I’ll keep looking. But aren’t those knobs beautiful?
Pardon the blur from the restaurant lighting and all around excitement!
With one grocery stop on the way to pick up just a “few” things:
Look what I found!
And the Wilkinson family Thanksgiving tradition is saved for another year. And it was buy one, get one free day at Lowe's Foods in Wilksboro so we are good for Christmas too!
What a long day! I am so happy that Dad is here. Not sure what the plan is really other than to spend time together. We will just play it by ear, taking weather into consideration.
There is always hand quilting in my comfy chair while binge watching something on Netflix. And that is fine by me.
Quiltville Quote of the Day -
what are you afraid of? Fear solves nothing!
Take that first step!
Much love on this chilly Sunday morning -
ooh what a pretty face on that jackal...and i spied that import immediately...the colors gave it away
ReplyDeleteEnjoy. Your daddy , I lost mine over 7 years ago, I was his one and only and I sure miss him. The retreat is so nice, job well done
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your Thanksgiving with your family. ❤️
ReplyDeleteBonnie wishing you and yours a blessed Thanksgiving. I start my morning off with you and a cup of coffee. Thanks for letting us come along on your dream.
ReplyDeleteYikes, I loved the thread holder, too; but Holy Cow, not that much!!! Enjoy your visit with your father, et al. You are so blessed to still have him. Gappy Thanksgiving week!!
ReplyDeleteSince your post last year about pearl onions and how hard they can be to find, I now buy them every time I find them...LOL! 4 bags in the freezer. We eat them more often now due to my obsession with finding them.
ReplyDeleteHave been looking g for that pink princess! Had one as a 16 year old and now want another. What store was it in?
ReplyDelete"Antique Marketplace in Greensboro is very close to the airport" - Beginning of the paragraph.
DeleteIcy weather would keep me inside too. Love the placemats. Your strings shine, great idea to use them at Quiltville Inn. Maybe they could also go under the machines to protect the tables. Not that you need another project... i bought some onions last year at Albertson's in honor of your dad. Happy Thanksgiving week.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving to you and all.
ReplyDeleteRobin in COLD Leavenworth WA
Hope you and your family have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteMy husband made a spool cabinet for me from a kit. Not an antique but I love it.
ReplyDeleteBonnie, you look so much like your Dad. Love that you love him so much and enjoy being with him. Today is my Daddy's heavenly birthday and I miss him terribly.
ReplyDeleteLots of rumble about the special onions. How do you prepare them? I saw them for the first time last week in out little town so want to know how to prepare them. Thanks
ReplyDeleteRecipe is under Bonnies Recipe Tab her website.
DeleteHappy Thanksgiving week. look forward to your post everyday. I would have snatched up that pink phone...with the box. it is a rotary dial....Yes. Can hardly wait until the pictures from Germany at Christmas !!! I too always think of the pearl onions this time of year because of the hard time you had last year finding them.
ReplyDeleteThe Flag City Quilter license plate is from my hometown! Haven't lived there permanently for over 30 years.
ReplyDeleteI’m so happy for you to spend Thanksgiving with your dad! Have a great visit.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving, Bonnie.
ReplyDeleteThanksgiving with your Dad means photo shoot of completed mystery quilt. Can't wait to see it. Here's hoping you have a wonderful Thanksgiving week!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving, I'm so glad you get to chill in the hills with your family, you are truly blessed!
ReplyDeleteWell I guessed the wrong quilt! They would have caught me out. The little hexies one is just gorgeous and such vibrant colours , I imagine the hours of work that created it along with pricked fingers lol.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful time with your dad and a fabulous thanksgiving.
Love and quilty hugs
Anne xx
The import looked way too neat and smooth. Compared with the others it had already lost the game! LOL!
ReplyDeleteJackal is so pretty - like a fox on stilts!
Bonnie,I am new to this blog and wanted you to know that I am in awe of your energy! Thank you for this blog and the MQ. I am so excited! You are a very thoughtful and giving person and I know that God will bless you for it.May I ask what recipe you will use all those pearl onions in? I also love to cook!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving! Not only are you blessed, you are a blessing to so many others.
ReplyDeleteBonnie, I am new to commenting on your posts, but have always read them and I love them! All of your trips and especially the last one to Africa! That trip was amazing! I am excited because I am ACTUALLY going to follow your clues for yur Mystery quilt this year! cannot wait for Friday for the first clue!!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving to all!
I just rejoined your blog posts a couple of weeks ago and am enjoying looking forward to it being here every morning when I get up. In a wheelchair after surgery so am loving your Africa trip pictures and pictures of the new retreat center. You're doing such a spectacular job decorating. Have fun on the Germany trip. Are you going to the Christmas market? Happy Thanksgiving enjoying your dad's visit.
ReplyDelete