It started outside…I was inspired from the get-go by someone else’s embroidery and button designs in white frames on canvas. Napkin rings were made from silver-plate forks bent into an oval shape. There’s an idea!
And, color! The display of Fiestaware shown above is an eyecather by anyone’s definition. I don’t collect this dinnerware, but I certainly admire the pure saturated colors. This palette could be mimicked with solid Kona cottons in any modern quilt project.
This was the same day at Lakewood that I met Kristine, the Button Lady I wrote about recently. I promised to share more of the treasures and stories from that adventure.
So… I was gathering inspiration before I even got in the building. And, I bought things outside, too.
My first purchase was a couple of vintage cross-stitched pieces and a small black embroidered pillow from a vendor named Kathleen. As I gave her my $15, she said, “Thank you. You just bought two bags of feed for my horses.” She further explained. “I have retired race horses at my home in TN. My husband said, ‘If you want to keep them, you have to find a way to support them.’ So doing these markets is how I keep my horses.”
Inside, I found a lovely old tablecloth with lots of blue cross-stitch. The proprietor wasn’t there, so I hid it inside a cabinet so no one else would buy it before I got back. “It is damaged,” she said, when I returned to retrieve it and make my purchase. Yes, it’s damaged. I still love it.
Then in the ribbon emporium, I found sari silk, hand-dyed french silk ribbons in all widths, sparkly threads, glorious new printed ribbons with feathers and swallows, and some irresistible rayon.
Other booths inspired me with ladders laden with vintage cotton tablecloths, lots of blue and white displays of china, blue and white linens, If there was a color combination for the day, it was blue-and-white. That could be true of any day for me, because I gravitate toward that pairing whenever I see it. But there really was an abundance in sight this day.
I photographed Laurie’s booth filled with baby delights. Soft colors and fabrics in blankets, toys, and clothing for tender skin of babes and toddlers. As we chatted, I told this entrepreneur about the imaginary granddaughter that I conjure up when I want to sew with girly-girl colors. I learned that Laurie doesn’t have grandchildren yet, but she has a “Grandma’s hope chest.” “Maybe that’s what I should call my booth,” she exclaimed!
I visited with Ginnie and bought napkins and towels to use in the kitchen (or use in sewing projects). I bought a runner made from salvageable bits of an old indigo and white quilt and a length of blue lace with bunnies in the design. She had lots of tatting and trims, as well. Ginnie doesn’t have granddaughters, either. She has sons and grandsons (and three daughters-in-law that she loves). She feeds her love of feminine delights by buying and selling linens, old quilts, and trims.
Believe it or not, there are things I see and like but don’t buy. I passed on a $14 barkcloth bag – colors not in may comfort zone. Later I bought this piece of barkcloth ample to make several bags. A bargain at $15 and in colors I like to use!
There was a lovely linen tablecloth with purple morning glories. If only they had been blue!
I wasn’t the only one having fun looking and visiting with old and new friends – I took Missy’s photo in front of the Minnie Pearl booth! That’s what she called it, anyway. I think the expression on her face tells the story of what fun is to be had junking with the experts!
The conversations I have on days like this with strangers who are friends are unique. Some of these vendors are people I will see time after time, others whose paths won’t cross mine again. But for a few moments, we shared bits of our stories with each other. We share a love of things with a history behind them. And we relish the display of simply beautiful objects dancing with each other. I will remember these bits of conversation after we go our separate ways. Their ideas and wares will impact my thinking, my fiber art, and my own story as life goes on. I guess a part of me may go with them, too.
On this Black Friday we wanted to drive backroads with the camera and maybe find an antique shop or two. One goal of photography was some country Christmas scenes. The treasure of the day was a church decorated with Christmas wreaths on every window. And, this church has a chimney. I’ve never seen a church with a chimney. An old cemetery surrounded by a white picket fence is well maintained by a local boy scout troop.
We had lunch at our favorite locally owned restaurant in Monroe, GA, across the street from this pocket park. The focus of this park is an old bank vault (left when the downburst of ’93 destroyed the building). Two treasures here: the safe itself and the fact that the town preserved it and made a park there.
Visits to a few antique stores generated minimal purchases. The highlight for me was packages of old bias tape and rickrack, all cotton, all unopened, bearing original $.19 price tags. I could imagine the vendor thinking, “nobody will want this old stuff.” And, I’m thinking, “WOW. What fun is this!” The wicker item had a tag saying “lampshade,” but I thought “bee skep”.
Yes, we did some shopping on Black Friday. But we didn’t elbow anyone out of the way, never stood in line, didn’t get frustrated, and had no traffic snarls to navigate. Back roads and small businesses, that’s the way to do it.
Yesterday Jim and I went junking. Well, not really. Dumpster divers we aren’t. We aren’t even heavily into yard sales or estate sales. We like antique malls where someone else has made the selections, maybe done some cleaning up, and displayed items in a pleasing manner. Well, the last is not always true. But, we do like antique malls.
But I did find a few things I couldn’t leave behind. An old quilt with a masculine look will be perfect as the backing for men in photographs. The homespun backside is amazing, too. A blue cross-stitched linen tablecloth. A couple of bargain pieces which will be amazing labels, and a lovely bee!
I didn’t really plan to spend a day this week cutting apart old wool coats and felting them. But at $5.00 each, these 100% wool coats begged to be included in a quilt project. Ok, will do. Any ideas about what to do with the fur collar?
And I found inspiration! Not so much in the textiles themselves, but in displays. Old suitcases opened with vintage trims and fabrics inside, laces and ribbons wrapped around old wooden spindles, jars of buttons pleasingly arranged. These kinds of things make my heart sing.
