Random afternoon out

My husband took me out to lunch and the antique store last week.  We had a lot of fun!  Going to flea markets has been a favorite past time of ours since we were dating, and it is fun to think how our tastes have changed over the years.  

The cupcakes are from a local bakery called The Cupcakery.

I wish I had bought this lovely vintage embroidery.  I love the treatment of the woman's headband, and all that stem stitching!

Casual Book Review: Painting between the Wars

Painting between the Wars 1918-1940, Daniel Robbins, Published 1966.  From the series 'Color slide program of the World's Art.'

This book is very fun.  It is modest in size; only about fifty pages, but the real cool part is the 24 color slides that are stored in plastic sleeves in a fold out cover.

My husband spotted this one years ago at a library book sale.  We don't own a slide projector, but this makes me want to get one!  Someone got some good use out of this one, there are stains and highlight markings throughout!  The book is a little rough, but the slides are in perfect condition!

You can get your own copy over at Biblio books, my favorite online book retailer!

The one and only Matisse

I'm not very familiar with Stuart Davis' work,
but I love this street scene!

Chaim Soutine was a good friend and often sitter for
my favorite painter, Modigliani

Nice! 

Vintage Embroidered Linens

My Husband was very sweet and took my Mom and myself to a sidewalk craft sale today.  There were a lot of nice vendors, and I would have more fun if it wasn't nearing 100 degrees without a cloud or a breeze to be found.  The sun is merciless in the desert; you can get the start of a bad sunburn in a matter of 5 minutes.  (I know this from experience!)

Though I was speed shopping, I did pick up a few fat quarters, and scored some beautiful vintage embroidered linens.  Tomorrow I will do a bit of washing, ironing, and stashing!

Sampler butterfly- love the colors!

This is a table runner, with a butterfly on each end

This is a little piece, edged with cotton lace

I think the leaves are kind of neat

Cross stitched rose

This grape embroidered piece is large!  The linen has natty bits running through
it in different colors

The grapes are outlined in the most perfect blanket
stitches I have ever seen!

These two little elves are adorable!

The blue variegated thread gives a nice effect

This bouquet sampler uses quite a few stitches. 
I really like the extra long lazy daisy stitches
worked in pink and red thread!

It is table runner size

Cute!

This might be my favorite one, I just love this.  It is a table runner, with the
design on both ends.  Cotton lace border

Vintage Patterns

It is beautiful in Las Vegas today.  75 degrees, a little breezy, birds are singing and the air is fresh.  My husband and I were running a few errands and, on a whim, we stopped into the Salvation Army. 

There were plenty of VCRs and old blenders, and more plates and glasses than you could shake a fist at, but I found a few things I liked!  There was a beaded purse; circa 1880, with beautiful muted colors, and the beads no bigger than a pin head!  The $100 price tag was a little rich for my blood, but I got the lady to let me hold it a minute.

Then on a shelf next to a box of old eyeglasses, I found these old Simplicity patterns! 



1971, never cut



1969, cut, the collar pattern piece is pinned to some
fabulous green flower fabric!



1972, cut



1971, never cut



1968, well used



one Butterick, cut
no date, probably mid 70s

At a dollar a piece, I didn't pass up a one!

Cement Head

Me and my husband picked up this life sized cement head at a peddler's mall several years ago.  She weighs about 40 pounds, but we love her anyways!

She's modelling a hat I crocheted a few weeks ago.  I used a big hook and only one ball of yarn; it worked up really quick!

You can get the pattern here.  (you have to sign up, but it's free).

I love her face

Polyester Squares

Several years ago, while shopping at a weekend flea market (in the parking lot of an old piggly wiggly to be exact), I came across a large plastic bag filled with.. hundreds of 1" polyester squares.  I think these were an ambitious quilt project that was never finished.  The squares are all cut by hand (no rotary cutter) and seem to be taken mostly from clothes.  Needless to say I was hyperventilating while getting them to my car!

Here are some of the squares-the fabrics are so great!  I have never counted all the squares,
 but my guess would be at least 1,000

I haven't the heart to cut into any of the squares, it just didn't seemed right.  But, I have used a handful in various projects over the years.  Here is a little clutch I made using recycled wool and a few polyester squares.