Thrifted Thursday

Here's a Christmas present that didn't get made:

These two 100% wool sweaters cost me $5.70.

I meant to use them to try out a pattern (or several) from Countryside Softies. I got the book out of the library, but I like so many of the animals I should probably just buy it.

My niece received a sewing kit last year from my sister-in-law complete with lots of notions and I thought it would be brilliant to give her all the pieces and directions to make her own little animal this year! The problem was I ran out of time to assemble the parts, let alone test the pattern to be sure the directions would make sense to her... Perhaps it will work out as a birthday present.

Instead we gave her an origami flower set. And a flock of cranes I made as hanging decor for my college apartment. I felt bad throwing them away at the end of school so they waited in a paper bag until now. I think it was quite a hit as I spent at least an hour Monday afternoon assisting as all three kids made various types of birds, a frog and several sleds with the extra pile of origami paper also found in the bag.


Isn't this little emblem cute?

Finished!

Well, I'm posting this a bit later than I had intended. Truthfully, the table has been finished for a couple weeks now. It was the surroundings for the photo that weren't... Anyway, I've been working really hard to get the apartment ready for the holidays and apparently it's down to the last minute. All the relatives will be arriving tomorrow evening!

Here is the side table installed in my sewing room the guest room:

A chronicle of my process:

As purchased, dirty and stained.

Sanded and primed.

Even the back.

Epilogue:
In January, I plan to reconfigure our furniture again.

The futon will return to the living room while the large (ugly) dining table will be moved to the sewing room since it is the best available surface to sew large items on. (You can expect to see my first attempts at quilting!)

And this lovely little side table will be moved into my room. I can't wait to snuggle under my blankets with a cup of tea and a good book!

Presents!

Made by me!

I'd seen Pay It Forward around here and there, but never in time to be one of the first 3 commenters.

Until yesterday at A Sometimes Quilter.

The concept is easy. If you find a Pay It Forward post AND you blog too AND you are one of the first three commenter's on the blog post that tells you about Pay It Forward, the blog owner will make something especially for you.

Here are the details:

1. Important! You have to have a blog.

2. I will make a little something for the first 3 blog owners who comment on this post. It will be a surprise and I will make it and send it to you some time during the next 365 days after you have commented. 

3. Make sure you let me know your email address, or that you arent a no-reply blogger so that I can get your contact details.

4. To get a handmade present from me, you have to play too! This means YOU pledge to send a little handmade something to 3 readers of your blog. It doesn't matter what you give, as long as it is handmade by you!

5. Once you comment here, you need to post about your Pay It Forward on your blog (within 48hrs) to keep the fun going! You can just copy the rules from me and please include the Pay It Forward badge in your post. Also, feel free to join the Flickr group to see what else is being sent!

Note: If you want mail you'll be happy you opened, please help me get to know you a little bit and learn what would make you smile! I'm looking forward to reading your blogs and checking out any other related accounts (flickr, pinterest, etc...) you have in order to plan what to make for you!

Thrifted Thursday

Does luck at thrift stores come in spurts? It sure seems like it. I've been searching for furniture for our (sparce) apartment since we got married over a year ago and only in the past few weeks have I actually been finding things I like. (Of course this only adds to my list of things to do before company arrives.)


On my last trip I found a small side table. $5.66, including tax!

Second find in about as many weeks!

I like the legs and the fact that the drawers have tracks on the underside so they stay flat when you pull them out (at least to a certain point). It seems to have some water marks here and there; I'm not sure how they came to be on a vertical surface... I think the worst part is a sticky fake wood grain print protective thing over the top. I'm guessing its mylar, but it could be plastic. Either way, I am removing it. I'd hoped it would peel off in just a couple pieces, however it is old and brittle so I am scraping it off with a carving tool left over from my architecture student days.

Finally! Some sewing!

I feel I'm making good progress on my first bed sized quilt top. All the charm squares have been sewn into pairs and most of those pairs have become squares again, albiet larger this time.

Here's the overall design.

I'm sure it's overly ambitious, but wouldn't it be nice to be able to lay this quilt over the bed in the guest room when we have visitors in 3 weeks? Hmm... yeah, probably not going to happen. Nice thought though.

I've also begun picking fabric for the quilt along. Here's what I have so far:

I'm planning on a white background and considering adding some solids to the mix. I'm not sure whether I would make the solids their own starts or have them mingle with the flowered prints - any thoughts or suggestions?

For Juliet

I met my cousin's new daughter for the first time on our visit to TX in September. Adorable.

My dad's side of the family usually exchanges Christmas gifts at New Year's, but since we won't be visiting again this year, we decided to do it early. Of course, I'll be sending some small packages since I wasn't really ready. Juliet was the only one I actually had a present for, a blue and white striped dress made from a men's shirt.

Did I remember to take pictures of the finished product? No... the best I did was a blurry shot of the package being opened in which the dress was hardly discernable...

I do have other pictures of the trip though, as promised!

Will's first visit to the Alamo.

The grounds were wonderful!

Here's me with my dad at the Riverwalk.

Totally a posed shot.

The puppy wanted us to stay longer. And keep petting him.