Stash Enhancement Experiences

Stash Enhancement Experiences - or S.E.X. as some of us refer to it - are sometimes planned (visits to fabric or thrift stores), sometimes serendipitous, and sometimes downright unexpected.   But always fun and appreciated, right?

Imagine my surprise when I (Queen of CQ Stash) received this unannounced box of goodies from my friend Schultz in Georgia.  Dear Schultz is a quilter, of both the sane and crazy varieties.  She is also a cancer survivor, so my first reaction to opening this box of stash was "uh-oh".  But she wasted no time in assuring me that all was well in Schultzville (in fact, she is now a 5-year cancer survivor!  Here's to many more years of good health and her delightful repartee!).   So.... I am the lucky beneficiary of her partial de-stashing.  And since I firmly believe in paying forward, you will definitely see a lot of threads (some of these and some of MY de-stashing results) in the upcoming 200 Post Giveaway.  Details coming soon.

And then Schultz also added some lovely vintage buttons, beads and lace.  Totally awesome!  Thank you, Dear One!!


Last Saturday, I also made an extended visit to my favorite thrift store.  "Extended" means that I spent 2 1/2 hours there by myself, combing through every bin, every shelf.... you get the idea.  I thought I got some great stuff.  But then I returned today (Wednesday) with Bruce.  It's snowing and he was anxious to get out of the house (he's at the point in his back surgery recovery where he feels restless at home but is not yet released to go back to work).  Besides, today was Seniors day (20% off) for those 55 and older, PLUS there was a new color tag on sale for 50% off.  Wow.  I learned that things are more abundant and alot less picked over on Wednesdays.  Mental note.

So, these are my finds from Saturday.  (Will blog todays finds soon.)  I love the little "chair", which was a candleholder.  That and the swan will become bases for pincushions.  The black and white saucer was so "Mary Engelbreit" (or so French? like the chair) that I had to get it.  The wooden sign thingy will be painted and then used to display my business cards in my Farmers Market craft booth.  The linens are for resale.....  my Etsy shop will open in April.

And there were about two yards of this vintage kitchen home dec fabric that I got, too.  I think that, combined with a contemporary fabric (picture yellow or orange gingham,  a bright ticking stripe, or....) this will make cute aprons.  Or maybe combine it with some of those denim bibs to make aprons (see post here).  Heaven knows that dear Gerry K (Olderrose) sent me about 22 bibs she found on sale!!  A lot to work with!  And THEN sent me this:

Two boxes full of home dec prints that she used to make those aprons from!  (and the fabric is already cut and ready to sew to the bibs!)  It was, in fact,  her gift of one of her handsewn  aprons to me that got me started making them last year.  Those checks in the picture foreground are coordinating fabrics from my stash that I pulled to pair with the great (and wonderfully sturdy) fabrics from Gerry.   So, thanks to dear Gerry (whom I consider my FRMOMSIS - a friend, mother, sister).  I love you dearly!!


So, I've got my work cut out for me..... Farmer's Market opens in June.  And the Rosebud Country Store at Wheeler Historic Farm (where I work) is asking for a half dozen aprons to sell there, as well.   If it were true that we couldn't die until we finished all our projects, I'd live forever.  


But tonight I'm off to visit my grocery store (a local chain called Harmon's), where I've been invited to take part in their semi-annual customer focus group, which they limit to 25 people.  I've always loved grocery shopping.  And I was a marketing/accounting double major in college (marketing, in that sense means promotion and advertising, not "going to market", LOL).  But a focus group is meant to glean ideas and opinions and feedback.  Imagine getting paid ($40 worth of food and goods) to talk about grocery shopping.  I think it will be delightful.  Is that sick and wrong???


Hugs,