A Trip to the Antique Store

In the midst of preparing for the boutique (to say nothing of next week’s CQ Retreat), I got a postcard from my friend Joan who owns an antique store (see stories here, here, here and here).  She had just returned from a show in Denver and had some old CQ blocks and all sorts of vintage ribbons and trims in.  Did I want to see them?  Twenty minutes later, Bruce and I were on her doorstep, LOL.

My discretionary funds are very low these days (it’s called retirement), but she always gives me a good deal (and this time it was a great deal), plus I got some credit in exchange for giving her some Etsy lessons. Let me show you some of my treasures.

There were lots of vintage ribbon flowers from the 1920’s, but this was a style I had never seen before. I bought it and hope to analyze it and see if I can figure out how it’s done.  I do have a class with Candace Kling in November at the Pink Bunny retreat, so if I can’t figure it out, I am sure Candace knows.

See the stamens tucked in there?

This is the back. I don’t know what those two black threads were for.

Bruce always loves a good antique store, and he settled himself down after doing his rounds, knowing that I would inspect every scrap of ribbon, trim and lace in the store.  To keep him occupied,  I had him sort through the baskets of buttons for me. I told him to think large and unusual; things that would go on Boho bags or that would just look awesome on a crazy quilt.

I have to tell you - he did a super job!  This was my favorite thing he found, and he knew it was perfect the moment he saw it.  What a wonderful button, eh?  It almost looks like you are looking down on a vintage hat!

Below are some of the other buttons he found.

And here are my trims:

And this one (below) I believe I got enough of to share. I will have to go through things carefully when I get back from Colorado.  And I am ashamed to admit this, but I still haven’t put everything away that I got in Connecticut last April! I realized it when I began finally cleaning my studio up this week...

This was so unusual I couldn’t resist:

A couple views of some antique metallic trim I bought:

And the

piece de resistance

Vintage metal thread and silk ribbon basket applique

It just occurs to me that I don’t have any pictures of the lace I got. Hmmmm… where did I put it all anyway?  I know it’s not buried in the studio

Hey, check out my Etsy shop if you haven’t done so for awhile.  I am still trying to add new motifs, but some are selling as fast as I can get them listed!  ;-)  Lots of new things, and I would like to get at least one of everything listed before I take my stash to Colorado!  

Oh, and I have reached 250 followers, so when I get back from Colorado, I am going to do a giveaway! Don’t know what yet, but I am open to suggestions…..

Talk to you soon!

Vintage Ribbonwork Lingerie Case

I mentioned this lingerie case a couple posts back. I bought it several years ago from my friend Joan, who owns Mormon Trader Antiques (the brick & mortar storefront) and Estates & Remainders (which is estate liquidation portion of the business). At the time, I paid only $25 for this, which included what Joan calls the "family discount" for her friends, LOL. Take a look at this beauty.
The lingerie case is a creamy satin, inside and out. The pictures make it look white, but it's definitely a rich cream color. It's thickly padded and very luxurious. Inside there are two pockets (didn't take pictures of the inside - my bad) and the condition is near perfect.

It's getting more and more difficult to find nice specimens of ribbonwork from the twenties and thirties, but with this piece, I feel as though I struck gold. Helen Gibb, as I mentioned in a previous post, absolutely raved about piece, both workmanship and condition.

The gathered rose, above, is most intriguing. Helen said she'd never seen one like it. She took dozens of pictures of this case and asked me if it was OK to try to figure out how this was done. I hope she does, because it's not as simple as it might appear. There is padding in there.

What a lovely rosebud!

The leaves and stems are all pretty basic. The ribbons are all ombre silk. I wish I had some provenance with this piece, but sadly, I don't. Still, I treasure it and have never seen another one that comes close to it, in my estimation. Of course, I'm going shopping tomorrow for another ribbonwork piece; Joan said she'd bring in her inventory for me to "play" with. My hopes are high!

My Secret Sister ROCKS !!!

In Crazy Quilting International (Yahoo group), we have assigned Secret Sisters this year. My SS, who is unknown to me (but identities will be revealed at the end of the year), has been such a great friend. Beyond the obvious generosity and forethought she's given to everything - her gifts and her words alike, there is an uncanny sense of timing. Her packages and notes always seem to arrive when I'm feeling emotionally "needy". They never fail to either (1) rev up my spirits or (2) bring me to tears of joy (and THEN rev up my spirits!).

So, whoever you are, dear one, you are VERY much appreciated. And you know, I'd love for you to write me some time - just write - and tell me something about you. Something that wouldn't reveal your identity, but would help me to get to know YOU better. Or maybe some obscure clues that I can begin putting together for the Grand Revelation.

The picture shows what my dear SS has sent to me just in the last two months. In June, she sent the rolls of vintage rayon ribbons. OMG. I'd been looking *everywhere* for that stuff to include as fringing on some purses. I've so far just fondled it a lot (I know you all understand....), but I feel a Creative Weekend coming on, LOL. The two books arrived today. I had neither and LOVE both. I've got another of Helan Pearce's books, and didn't even know about this one. What eye candy!! And the scents - they are so DO-able; I can't wait to read and study this book in more detail!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And I'll leave you with a picture of Boomer that I snapped tonight. He's sitting on my ironing board, facing me as I was sitting in the armchair in my studio, stitching. Very obviously, he's thinking, "Gee Mom, I was hoping to get some attention from you tonight...."