New Year's Eve Side Trip!

What's another fun way to celebrate New Year's Eve?

Well - it didn't start out as a celebration kind of thing, but the maintenance light on the van has been on for a while indicating it's time for an oil change and tire rotation.

The van uses synthetic oil, so it can actually go a bit longer, but it was time.

I thought to myself  "The oil change place wouldn't be too busy on New Year's Eve, would it?"

And it turned out that they were slammed, and half of the staff were out sick.

So what's a girl to do when she finds herself free wheeling in town on a Saturday morning, New Year's Eve or not?

I headed to the local antique mall - only there was not a parking spot in sight.

Does EVERYONE celebrate New Year's by heading to the antique mall?

Once I found a spot to park in the next parking lot over, and walked my way into the mall I could hear what the big deal was.

There was an auction going on!

I don't know about you, but I love listening to the auctioneer as they ramble and raise people's bids until they finally reach the highest bidder for the win.

It's fascinating to me!

After a while though - I took to wandering.  There was nothing on the auction block that I was interested in, and I really couldn't see what was going on up at the front from my standing-room-only perch at the back of the room.

I don't know about how things are where you are - but lovely vintage quilts are getting harder and harder to spot.  

I smiled when I came upon this one. How sweet are these blocks in their 1940s prints?

There were plenty of bad stains that will never come out.  But it was cheery enough for some photos, and I'll likely use one of these close up photos for future Quotes of the Day.

This is what we call "Catch & Release" because we can't purchase and save them all.

A Singer "Red Eye"  in a non-Singer cabinet!  Those curved drawers are the cat's meow!

I don't see sewing machines out and about like I used to either.  My hope is that they are all home and being loved and used by someone - not discarded while their treadle legs are turned into tables or bathroom sinks.

Oh, small vintage wash stand love!

There is something about Victorian Era furniture that captivates me - just look at those knobs! 

I also love the two candle stands on either side of the back board. Washing by candlelight, anyone?

Birdseye maple!

And those knobs!

Nothing came home this day.  But I got "petting time" with beautiful pieces, a treadle pedal and some quilt photography.

I headed home before ALL of the auction traffic let out making the parking lots even more of a jumble.  The grand escape.  Whew!

Another New Year's finish -

Blocks all laid out -

All sewn together -

In line for quilting!

This project so far doesn't have a name.  I've called it "Triangles" since it first started at the end of June or beginning of July.  All I know is that it was started before the foot/face break.

No borders are going on this one....and let me just say thins: It did not use up near enough fabric!

The size is 80'' X 90'' - A good full size.

it still needs stay-stitching around the outside edge to keep those seams from popping open.

It's busy busy - so quilting is going to be simple.  

Maybe by this weekend?

How are your Part 6 blocks coming along??

I am loving seeing all of the different color combos coming together.  It's exciting!

I have loved this "build as we go" format we've played with over the past couple of parts.  I think it will make everything not be so overwhelming when we finally hit the finish line.

Do you like it this way?  Putting things together as we go so it keeps the momentum going?

Today I'm finishing up the graphics for Part Seven and doing some step out photography - getting everything ready for Friday. 

Thursday I have an eye doc appointment in Boone and they are going to dilate my eyes so Martha is taking me.  We'll have lunch out before my appointment time - 

Anyway everything needs to be ready before Thursday because I don't know that I'll have computer time (or want computer time) after that appointment so I'll be ready for Friday morning.

We just keep juggling the "must do!" things, don't we?

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

The start of a new year reminds me of the first time I open a new blank book - all the pages are empty.

⁣

How will you fill yours?

Have a terrific first Tuesday of 2023!