Thrift Shop Commando

Leading off with quilting stuff. I finished this quilt top from mystery quilter. The blocks were in such good shape, I had to do very little trimming and squaring up. I had just enuf of the blue and beige plaid woven for the borders. While others tend toward uber bright quilts in eye popping colors, I love these understated ones. I call it Not-So-Western because it isn't overtly Western but I think of it that way.  I used the remnants to add the piano key borders, one of my favorite quilt top extending techniques. That is the creation I spun from the bag of 12 blocks and some remnants.  Going through my quilting books for sale, I found this advice on storing quilts: You should roll or fold them and put them in cotton pillowcases. Occasionally re-fold them to avoid fold lines. Do not store in plastic bags as air circulation is essential. On that note, I intend on moving my PIZB (projects in Ziploc bags) to different storage containers. Lastly, do not store unwrapped quilts directly

I am in the middle of listing needle kits for sale on eBay. More than once, I have pulled a kit to keep for myself and then put it back in the listing pile. When you sell items that you like (that is a good sign by the way), it is hard to part with them sometimes. This Chintz Cats needlepoint kit was pulled from listing (yet again) to retain as a keeper. I have a full-sized tapestry I continue to hold on to. It is one of those denial situations. When will I ever devote time to that project? IDK  It really is best that I continue to collect OPA (Other People's Artwork). I do love needlepoints and cross-stitch pictures but, I hate to admit, they will always be bumped off the wall for original paintings.  Sharing the newest update to my sewing room annex. The brocade panels were a recent yard sale $5 purchase. The quilt a recent completion. The room still needs upgraded curtain rods, and the bed, a box spring and frame.  The beloved abstract in that same room has found a home amongst

If it weren't for my sales on eBay, I would not have been able to ever leave the house during lockdown. Because the delivery of my packages was considered essential, I earned short 30 minute respites from the home/work environment.   Now it is time to make another change. My current position as a paralegal is 100% remote work and has been determined it will remain that way. While some might revel in that opportunity, it is like serving a prison term for me. I live in a remote and isolated area. Working remote means near total isolation and for a social person like me, it is a tough go.  I have applied for in office jobs with the state. That means even accepting a demotion to a lower position, if I have to.  I have also had an odd experience with remote working. I was hired remotely. I was trained remotely. I have never met most of my co-workers in person. For some of my co-workers, they never appear on camera for video meetings. I have mixed feelings about that. The only word that

I am in the middle of binding a Christmas quilt, a first one for me.  Christmas arrives earlier and earlier for me each year. I figure why not display my decorations for as long as possible? They start going up in late October and don't come down until late January. I also post a Countdown to Christmas and gather images all year long.   My quest for Christmas items include lighted ceramic trees, boxed Hallmark ornaments, Christmas tree pins, and specialty holiday stockings.  I replaced a favorite toy that disappeared from my collection. The abominable finger puppet was always placed front and center in my decorations. An eBay seller came through for me, and I got a bonus reindeer. Reseller update: Here is what storage of 1,200 products looks like, quilt books in the crates on the floor, CDs to be listed on the chair, needle kits on the couch, sewing patterns continue from the couch onto the table and then onto the floor. Books line the floor and my ski equipment in the background f

  Can you feel it? The general mood is pretty much ecstatic. Never again will we take for granted even the simplest things. I am itching to travel again and it has only been 2 months. I have photoshopped myself onto a Florida Cypress Gardens lagoon image. I bought an armload of yard sale clothes priced at 50 cents each. This maxi dress with crocheted halter top was at the bottom of the heap. It is a keeper.  I am applying for management level jobs with the state. Ones that aren't remote office. I cannot deny it. I miss Sacramento. With all of its trials and travails and the scores of homeless wandering the streets, I am still drawn to it. Even though working from home is easier on me, no brutal commute, I miss the people. I am also much less motivated at home because there are more distractions.  Reseller update: Listings I have ended are children's wooden blocks, and a box of cashmere sweaters for crafting. While I still have a few random items on the board, I have narrowed do

Starting off with some quilting stuff. I had the good fortune of buying this set of 20 hand-pieced quilt blocks. Even though it isn't overtly patriotic, I think of them that way.  Each block had to be rehabilitated. I had in my stash a piece of companion fabric. I employed the same method with another group of star blocks I adopted from the same thrift shop in Sutter Creek, California.  I added fabric to the uneven ends and then squared them up to 14". I have five blocks of 4.  This Mystery Quilter's handiwork deserved to be brought to fruition. This is my absolute favorite thing to do now - bring together another piecer's vision of a quilt. I get it, abandoning projects. Sometimes they need to be sent to the Great Thrift Shop Beyond.  In my thrift shop wanderings I found these Watchover Voodoo dolls Princess Jasmine and Ballerina. They have joined my home office toy collection.  My most favorite activity, thrift shopping, produced the usual suspects - CDs, sewing patt