Homespun Quilts

Vintage Fabric

2009-12-02T15:50:00.005-07:00

Happy Vintage Thingies Thursdays

I trust everyone (in the USA) had a wonderful Thanksgiving. And since I wasn't able to join you last Thursday, I will being checking out what I missed as I come around to your place. My thanks to Suzanne our ColoradoLady for being the constant hostess. Check out her Who's Who list of vintage finds.

Well, it's December and I have some vintage Christmas fabric to show. To me, nothing says Christmas greenery more than pine needles [and holly].

I have a few yards of this print that is definitely old but I am not sure from what decade--maybe 1940's or 50's. The background is more gray than white :( and it has a rough burlap-like texture. I am trying to think what I can do with it. I believe it was used as a tablecloth because the cut edges have seams; a very useful way to get an extra long table covering.

Well, I have the house all decorated for Christmas and I need to get my shopping done early to be able to ship it out on time. But hopefully I can get in some antiquing along the way.

Sandy, I haven't forgotten you and your welcoming email.

So many of you have welcomed me to my new home; thank you.

I so want to get back to "normal" but that may have to wait until January. I enjoy my time blogging as I do so many other things but I just need to figure out what is my best time to get online. I will have to pencil in blogging right before exercising;-)

Hugs, Susan

Vintage Turkey Platter

2009-11-18T16:52:00.004-07:00

Welcome to Vintage Thingies Thursday.
Thanks to Suzanne who is gracious to organize these lovely Thursday gatherings we have a wonderful time looking in on the past and seeing some long forgotten friends.

Join us, won't you.

My turkey platter was once hanging in my mother's kitchen under the top cupboards sort of like a back splash. It stayed there all year long not just at Thanksgiving.

I remember it when I was a little girl in the 1960's but not sure the year it was made. The marking on the back reads...

I have never celebrated Thanksgiving without a roasted turkey on the menu. For over 20 years the holiday has been at my house. I would be up early in the kitchen preparing old tom for a 3 o'clock supper. Breakfast would be light knowing a feast was coming. We would watch the Hudson's Thanksgiving Day Parade on television and later the traditional Detroit Lions football game. Once when we were newly married and our daughter was a baby we when downtown to see the parade in person. That had to be one of the coldest Thanksgivings. We learnt the best seat was in front of the TV. This year I will watch it tape-delayed from 2,000 miles away. And although we have been invited to share the meal with friends, a traditional Thanksgiving will always be a part of our family.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hugs, Susan

Arizona-Sonora Desert

2009-11-10T09:34:00.007-07:00

I am still getting acclimated to my new environment and discovered that all the emails I thought I had sent out were actually being collected in my outbox...urgh! I went and changed my email address at all the right places or so I thought. I am so sorry if my reply to your comments did not get back to you; hopefully now it will without delay.

I want to share what I did this past week-end. We are learning about our new surroundings and a visit to the desert was just the thing to do. Here at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum you can see all the creatures that live in AZ. I don't know why it is called a museum when it is more like a zoo.

Edit: The last statement bothered me so I looked up the meaning of museum:
an institution devoted to the procurement, care, study, and display of objects of lasting interest or value; a place where objects are exhibited.
zoo: a garden or park where wild animals are kept for exhibition.
The use of the word museum better describes this place.

WARNING: This post is packed full of pictures and is rather lengthy.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is located in Tucson. Close by you can see Old Tucson where some John Wayne movies were filmed.

This is a Massasauga rattlesnake and although not the most famous of AZ rattlers, it is one that is found in Michigan too. The only rattlesnake in Michigan's upper lower.

This Grey Wolf looks like you could go up and pet him...but I wouldn't dare!

Cave People

This Bobcat was fascinated by our shadows on the rocks.

The Dodge Ram truck symbol--The Big Horn.

The majestic Mountain Lion looking so regal.

Such a cute Prairie Dog.

But not a cute Javelina.

Rocky Raccoon was checking me out. He probably thought I had something for him to eat.

And what I believe is the state bird: The Roadrunner.

We decided to become members of the museum because we know we will be back to visit. The whole location is filled with beautiful spots to photograph and next time I want to stay for sunset.

I hope you found this as interesting as I did. I didn't take pictures of the creepy crawly creatures because they have them in the dark (behind glass of course) and you push a button for the black light which reveals them. That kinda freaked me out but I did manage to see a few. Anyways, when we first moved in our house it had not been sprayed for pests in quite awhile and we had enough Black Widows to last me a lifetime. Steve ended up killing 5 once in the back patio. I never went outside until after the bug guy came and took care of business. I am still on the look-out even though he assures me he took care of them.

Now to get my mind on other things I am scouting out quilt shops in my area...haven't found any yet but the JoAnn Fabrics at San Tan Mall is HUGE!!!

Vintage Guest Bedroom

2009-11-04T17:24:00.005-07:00

I am back to join in the fun of Vintage Thingie Thursday. I've been gone for too long. The move to Arizona has been long and my new place on earth is starting to feel like home.

A part of my homelife that I missed was entertaining guests at my home. I love to have family and friends around me and my goal is to make them feel at home. At one time, my hubby and I wanted to open a Bed and Breakfast up in the Straits of Mackinaw. We love to stay at them when we travel and thought it would be a lovely way to spend our time. Well, it is nice to dream and who knows, maybe someday it may come true. But for now we practice on those who come and spend time with us.

This bed belonged to my Uncle Edward. It was given to my parents who in turn gave it to me. For years I had a bedroom for my parents and in-laws to stay in between their route from northern Michigan and Florida where they stayed the winter. When I began setting up this room here I decided to use vintage furniture. You may recognize the dresser from my husband's grandparents' wedding chest. And the bedside table is my aunt's sewing cabinet. Both were featured in previous VTTs.

One of the things I've been doing since the move is cleaning all this wooden stuff. Every piece I have has been washed with Murphy's Oil Soap and the oiled with Weiman Lemon Oil. Quite a project to do all at one time but totally worth it. I'll be all set for the holidays.

We have had one guest already (a co-worker of my DH who is moving out to AZ from MI too) and this weekend he is coming back with his lovely wife. But I am going to enjoy my morning coffee with a romp around blogland checking out all the thingies you all have featured. If you would like to join me hop on over to ColoradoLady and check out the list. Thanks Suzanne for sponsoring this. I am amazed how it has grown.

Has It Really Been One Month?!

2009-10-22T14:39:00.004-07:00

When last we spoke these guys showed up at my house in the rain--Michigan couldn't resist giving me a typical autumn send-off. Matt and his son Craig were the best as were the rest of his crew.

We never doubted our stuff was in very capable hands. A bit of reflection made me realize that if I were to never see any of my things again the earth would not stop in its orbit. Everything made it in one piece and the move was a success.

The transport of Steve's truck (the black one on the top) was not without a little drama. The movers came on Friday and Saturday morning we were to begin our trip down but the transport said they couldn't pick up the truck until Monday. What?!! I set this up weeks ago and you just now telling me this. Brian (the driver) worked some magic and picked up the truck Saturday afternoon. Can you see the smile on my face? I mean, I just wanted to get to the new house before the movers arrived.

We followed the old Route 66 as much as possible. We ate at the first Steak N Shake in Missouri. The scenery was beautiful through all the states we traveled except God's country as I've heard Texas called. Well, through the panhandle of Texas God descended in a white cloud where I had maybe a quarter-mile visibility. I was driving at this time and a white semi truck ahead of me became my good buddy but at times all I could see of him was his red taillights.

We followed Route 66 into Arizona and made our way to Flagstaff where we spent the night. In the morning we were greeted with 40 degree temps making me feel like I was back in Michigan.

It was another four days before our stuff would be here but that gave us time to take care of business. After two weeks I finally have internet and slowly getting into a routine. Hopefully soon I will be back to normal (no jokes please).

I love my new home and can't wait to get into my sewing room but there are other more important priorities or so I am told.

Thanks to all my good blogging buddies I have been greeted by an email here and there along the way and you don't know how good it was to hear from you. My bloggy world is going to be my dearest friend in these coming days/months.

Love to all,

Susan

Moving Along

2009-09-22T05:00:00.002-07:00

I am determined to get this post out since it has been in the edit's folder for over a week. Packing is all I do around here but I am finally seeing an end. We have reached the two-week mark having our movers come Friday, 2 October.

While clearing the attic I found this old quilt that Steve's grandmother made for him when he was a child.

I have several quilts by her and they are all tied.

It has several worn areas which expose a thick cotton batting that looks like a blanket. I know she was very frugal and would have repurposed old blankets.

The binding is the backing wrapped around to the front.

September has always been a busy month with my daughter's
and son's birthdays on the 15th and 18th.
Steve and I were married on the 10th and he never fails to get me flowers.

So it is only right that our move to AZ should be in September too.

Please know that I am reading your blogs
even though I don't comment; it is nice to read what is happening elsewhere.

XO,
Susan

P.M.S. I will not miss the dang humidity in Michigan!

House Hunters Desert Style

2009-09-01T17:51:00.004-07:00

Last week the desert valley greeted us with several days with temps in the hundred-teens and the rest hovered around 106 but that didn't stop us from our objective: find a house. Steve has his "why so serious" face on when really we had the best time looking and that is because we had the best agent ever. She was so much fun and every day we gained more knowledge of the area that now we feel right at home here, there.

After driving around the beginning of the week and looking at hundreds, no thousands of houses (it sure felt like that) it came down to 3 choices. So, let's have some fun. I'll show you three and see if you can guess which one we went with. The last picture will reveal the answer.

House 1

This house had a bonus room built over the garage which made it a desirable room for my sewing

but Mr. Serious kept saying

how good his exercise equipment and weights would look in there.

Did I have to arm wrestle him for that room?

House 2

This kitchen was to die for! It had all the counter space and cupboards I would need.

All it needed was a little TLC.

Am I showing it some love?

House 3

Now I hear that come October through whatever month begins the triple digits outdoor living is the thing you do and with a backyard like this we could easily live under the stars.

Oh, yeah, there is a pool, a built-in grill w/bar and a gorgeous fireplace.

Am I ready for some outdoor entertaining?

I will not keep you guessing any longer.

We made house #2

our new home.

Come next month I will be living in Arizona.

This Michigan girl has lived within 10 miles of her birthplace for all of these 53 years.

I am ready for an adventure...

If you want to see the pain of packing I'll share it with you.

My head is still spinning.

On The Move

2009-08-21T06:30:00.002-07:00

I have discovered that blogs WITH pictures are more easily read than those without, so while my subject may change throughout the course of our conversation I will give you some visual stimulation. By the way, these finished blocks of Bunny Hill's Tisket Tasket A Month of Baskets have me caught up to the current month.

Now to bring you up to speed on what is happening here. We did sell our house and closed the deal this past Wednesday...HOMELESS! We had all the paperwork completed before this AND I found I had time where I was not able to do anything to make it happen any faster--this is where these blocks helped me pass the time. This is a great stress releaser for me.

Tomorrow morning we fly to Phoenix and begin house hunting again. As you may remember, one year ago we did this same thing BUT our house here was not up for sale and now we have a new motivator in having no place to call our own.

I hope to chronicle my days next week as we go through the whole process. This will keep my family informed of my adventure and maybe have a little fun with it.

Anyways, you have been warned of next week's House Hunters Desert Style.

The blocks above are part of a BOM with Bunny Hill - Anne Sutton. Anne has a Flickr group where you can see some wonderfully creative interpretations: follow this here to take a look.

I will see you bright and early at the airport in the morning ;-)

~Susie

For more up-to-the-minute coverage you can follow me on Twitter. Yes, I am going to use it for faster updates. I just added the Twitter widget to my sidebar which will show my tweets.

Vintage Flour Board and Rolling Pin

2009-08-12T17:01:00.005-07:00

Welcome to Vintage Thingies Thursday.

I just have to tell you about Suzanne's post right off the top. Suzanne is our hostess who has recently taken up quilting. She is putting together a sewing room and has re purposed an old table which is fabulous; you have to check it out (here).

My offering this week is a flour board and rolling pin that belonged to my mother.
My mother was a baker and we all loved her pies and cookies. The holidays would start in early November with her baking for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

My father who was very good at making things with wood made my mother and my four older sisters flour boards to help in their preparation. I was too young when he did this or I would have received one too. I did get mum's.

I also received her rolling pin with wonderful vintage green handles. I sure wish I had her cookie cutters but don't know what happened to them. Some of you have shown the kind she had and oh, the Christmas cookies she would make. Yum!

Sadly I did not learn to make them the way hers turned out.
I do not use the rolling pin but the flour board still is in use.

Thanks for stopping by. Sorry there wasn't any cookies made ( my hospitality is lacking at the moment ). Most of my things are being packed up and I am trying to photograph the vintage items before we move. Did I tell you we are moving to Arizona?!!
I am so excited!

Take time to visit the other vintage posts over at ColoradoLady
for I am sure you will enjoy yourself.

Hugs, Susan

South by Southwest

2009-08-11T04:45:00.006-07:00

I didn't plan on taking a blogging break and wonder where the time went anyway. I can't say I've been away on a much needed vacation. I wish I had some pictures to show you but haven't used the camera in quite awhile. I would like to say I have been keeping up with my daily blog reads but days have gone by and I haven't visited my computer. The lights have been off in my sewing room. I sound a little depressed but believe me I am not.

We have sold our house and rushing through closing. For a couple of days my ink pen was a permanent fixture in my hand signing documents and getting all the paperwork together for the title company. It has been 22 years since our last sale.

The DH and I have a flight scheduled for August 22 to Mesa AZ to look for a home. I have started looking but frankly, it is going to be like a kid in the candy store, there are so many houses to choose from right now. Steve was out there two weeks ago and drove through some subdivisions that have made it to the top of the list. A year ago we were ready to buy this but a week later we got out of the contract. That area is still a desirable location.

I am not going to let this consume my blog posts but I will have to talk about it here and there (for those inquiring minds and family members who want to know). I am excited that I will be closer to my sister who lives in Houston. And I have a niece who just recently moved to Tucson.

So I am finally heading west by southwest...

Susan :)

It's In The Bag

2009-07-31T05:50:00.000-07:00

Linda of All Stitched Up is branching out in writing patterns and this is one of her bags that she will be offering.

the front

the back

With autumn approaching and using my daughter's favorite colors, I chose richly hued batiks. The bag is a wonderful size with pockets across the inside which I custom fit one for my cell-phone, actually this particular bag I gave to my daughter already.

I said yes to testing Linda's pattern when she asked me a few weeks back; this was something new for me. As many of you who write them up know, pattern writing is no easy task but criticizing another's words is a bit hard in itself too. Linda's pattern was easy on me for she had all the right qualities in it to make it a success.

~Susan

Vintage Minnesota Fabrics

2009-07-29T18:54:00.003-07:00

Welcome to Vintage Thingies Thursday.

We have been having a jolly time here this month of July celebrating Christmas. *ho-ho-ho*
This is nothing new to do when the summer months get ~~warm~~ HOT (well, maybe for some of you). I am not sure when the tradition started but during the 1980's Minnesota Fabrics had a Christmas In July time where patrons could go to the store and listen to what was new coming in for the season. They would give out free booklets filled with patterns and instructions.

I looked forward to this event. I was able to go and for an hour or two listen to adult conversation on a fun topic for me...not that I didn't love doing for the children when they were little BUT that time when I could just talk fabric was precious. It was the precursor to blogging in the quilting community.

I made many of the things they featured and still have quite a few although most are packed away with the Christmas decorations. Remember braided wreaths and working with wooden hoops for frames and using yards of ruffled eyelet trim around the edge.

This apron was one of my favorites and it still get used today.

And these two VIP patterns (given out free) were used a lot.
The apron pattern was used with the one above but the geese applique went on a pillow.

This should bring an end to my Christmas In July posts.
Too bad the tradition ended with the local fabric stores; it really was one of the year's highlights.

Okay, while you're humming some Christmas jingle why not visit more vintage goodness by way of Suzanne's over at Coloradolady. Just click that button over there (I'm pointing left).

~Susan

Christmas in July Unwrapped

2009-07-24T07:44:00.007-07:00

It is safe to say I Love Christmas! I have been known to decorate before Thanksgiving once or twice. So to participate in Christmas in July Swap was a treat. And I could not have asked for a better recipient. I began lurking at Quilty Cat reading past posts and getting to know Nichi. She lives in Italy. Did you know she has a horse Lavinia? She loves horses and quilts using applique which interests me very much as I am still learning the technique. Nichi has some wonderful quilts. Well, I did not want to make myself too eager to be known but started leaving comments when her sweet Lavinia broke her jaw and needed surgery which meant a long stay away from home without Nichi. I will let you read all about it at her place.

Christmas is big here in Michigan. For years and years way before me The Hudson Department Store gave a parade in downtown Detroit second only to Macy's parade. You may even watch it since it is nationally televised; Hudson's is no longer around but the parade still goes on. I live about 30 miles north of Detroit in the beautiful town of Rochester. We too put on a Christmas parade that is second largest in our state. The vintage postcard above is my hometown's parade.

While trying to decide what to make I remembered this horse from Sew Pretty Homestyle book. I thought it would make a nice pincushion highlighting Nichi's love of horses.

The fabric on the stocking is from Benartex called Winterscapes. I thought it was whimical enough to compliment the embroidery from Jenny Harris of Allsorts; this is her Elfies pattern. And FYI it is a freebie offered by Jenny and you can find it here.

Aren't these the cutest?!!

I sent some supplies along with my handmade stuff;
Also, my favorite quilting magazine.

And what would Christmas be without candy or any day, come to think of it. Morley candy store is in my hometown...

I took this picture last autumn hence the scarecrow.

And so, as I heard me exclaim before I pushed the publish post,

Merry Christmas in July and to all a good night or day
depending where you are in the world.

Holiday Hugs,
Susan

Vintage Coffee Maker

2009-07-22T18:15:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Vintage Thingies Thursday.

This week marks the 40th anniversary of the lunar landing and moon walk of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. July 20, 1969, I remember sitting and watching history in the making right there in my parent's living room in front of the television. Here is the recorded event:

I grew up reading science fiction and loved a good adventure in space. One book I remember was Miss Pickerel Goes to Mars. I can see the picture of the spaceship she got herself on. Funny how shapes make their way into our everyday lives like in my 1950's West Bend coffee maker.

The shape of the legs reminds me so of that spaceship Miss Pickerel got on.

This coffee maker was my mother-in-law's and was used for the holidays when I was dating my husband. This coffee maker made the coffee at my bridal shower and baby shower. I guess my MIL thought it needed to just stay at my house because that's how I got it. But I just can't part with it because I love the shape. Yes, it still works and if I were to call it into action it would serve us our coffee at any occasion. I think it's best left in retirement.

Make sure to head over to Suzanne's at Coloradolady for more vintage goodness.
Just click on the button on the sidebar.

Christmas in July Swap

2009-07-21T09:02:00.005-07:00

I had been having a day full of mishaps leading to frustration making me not so happy. Ah, the computer, now that it caught me and reeled me in I don't remember what it was like before I had it nor do I want to remember. All I know is I want the darn thing to work on demand and it was giving me trouble.

BUT then came Christmas in July by way of a sweet parcel from...

Marc at Daisy Jayne in way far Australia.

Who has computer woes when there are packages to open?!! Good things come in small packages so this was the first opened. A darling PINK measuring tape in it's own little tin.

An adorable Santa Claus bag (LOVE IT) in country colors (a favorite).

A candy bag for holding Christmas treats!

My goodness, look what else! An apron with more beautiful embroidery.

A close up of the detail

Another bag, I am spoiled, for sure.

Isn't Santa cute?!

I have forgotten what I wrote in the beginning--something about computers, well, this has changed my day. Now I am as happy as can be and this old computer cooperated to boot.
I am able to post this and want to thank Marc for sharing her love of needlework with me. In the midst of tearing down and building up a new house she found time to share.
A big THANK YOU Marcia.

Also, thanks to Linda and Stephanie for hosting this super swap.

Vintage Grannies

2009-07-15T18:00:00.001-07:00

Warning - Granny Overload Ahead - Proceed with Caution

Oh, yes, you can do the Granny Square.

Welcome to this week's Vintage Thingies Thursday.

I am doing the granny. Yesterday I showed the squares I have done so far.

The revival of crocheting is taking blogland by storm.

They are showing up everywhere.

These pages are from 1971 and 1973 Woman's Day magazine
back in the granny square heyday.

Groovy! I see the colors haven't changed much;

you really need the bold colors to make the grannies look good.

Far out! I wonder if Stacy and Clinton would approve?!

Probably NOT!

You know, Stacy and Clinton of What Not To Wear.

Who remembers all the different styles?

The popcorn stitch bag above I made.
The sweet little hat below I made and proudly wore.

I had the poncho and a vest although different than any I see here.

Come on, we all had crocheted clothing and/or accessories in the 1970's;

what did you wear?!!

For more vintage sweetness check out Suzanne our host over at ColoradoLady.

Click on the VTT button over on the sidebar.

~ Susan

Grannies Revisited

2009-07-14T12:02:00.005-07:00

This house-selling thang is cutting into my blogging time. And having Mr. Homespun taking a week from his day job to make the house even more ready to sell is killing me. He wasn't ready when I did put the "for sale" sign out on the front lawn. To him everything must be completely in order before we actually do it. Me, well, I just put out the sign and do as I have to when it comes along. But that's why I love him and he me; we MAKE life interesting! (FCOL--he wants to paint the inside of the garage) Gotta love him!!!

I don't get to play with my computer much these days. I barely answer emails and please forgive me if I haven't answered your comments. I appreciate everyone who visits and takes time to tell me something; I cherish what you all have to say.

And then there is not much time left in the day to spend sewing or anything crafty. I have some obligations that have been a God-send because I have the excuse to get up to my room but like even now, he comes in and asks if I could do something for him. How can I refuse when he said please.

Here is one project I am going to start doing again in the evenings. I was making granny squares but had to put them aside but not anymore. I am back to it. The pattern for this granny comes from Lucy over at Attic 24. I was introduced to her from a blogfriend of a blogfriend who knew this blogfriend and gave her that blogfriend's blog address. Lucy has a very creative side and I love to visit her blog although she doesn't know that. I am so bad and thought I had given up lurking knowing what even a small comment can do to brighten someone's day like I know it does mine.

So, hopefully my new routine will include more blogging time--I think it will--as well as some interesting tales I can tell. BTW, it has been one week and I showed the house to a couple the day after I put up the sign. Sadly, they did not come back for a second look. Oh, well.

~Susan

Grandma's Wedding Chest

2009-07-08T16:44:00.006-07:00

Hello my vintage bloggy friends. I sure did miss you all last week

but we were getting our house ready to put on the market and now the for sale sign is up.

Soon I hope to be in Arizona--Hello Ros.

But for today I have an heirloom piece of furniture from my husband's family.

This chest of drawers was made for my DH's great-grandmother when she was married.

My MIL's family came from Sarnia, Ontario, Canada

just on the other side of Port Huron, Michigan USA.

Some of the family later settled on farms in Jeddo, Michigan outside of Port Huron.

When I met Steve his grandmother and great-aunts were still living there.

We would go to visit them often.

My MIL lived down where we do now and that where I found this chest.

I was only married a year when this chest

was going to be trashed, discarded, thrown away like garbage.

I asked if I could have it and given the "you gotta be kidding stare".

My MIL, who must have got it from her mother, didn't think much of it and there it sat in their garage where my FIL filled it with junk and placed oily cans on its top.

This was my first restoration job and I probably could have done things better but I never was able to remove all the oil.

To make the inside of the drawers usuable, I took prepasted wallpaper and lined them.

It was missing hardware so I scoured antique markets and found the drawer pulls and key hole covers. They did not match the size of the originals but that didn't bother me.

You can see the lightened area around was the original size.

It has very pretty trim.

I have had it now for 32 years and use it to hold linens, mostly vintage ones.

My MIL took an interest in old pieces after this

but none compare to the beauty and history of this chest of drawers.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out all the other vintage thingies over at ColoradoLady.

What Have We Done?!!

2009-07-07T06:40:00.002-07:00

Yesterday we officially put the house up for sale--by owner--and now I am acting real estate agent. Now you have to promise me if I start to wig out just give me the "snap out of it". Miri suggests ripping fabric to relieve stress; humm, I see a folk art project in the near future (remember those wreaths with all the ripped strips?). Actually the grannies I am crocheting are a good diversion too. I have 24 squares made.

I have to tell you about my God moment. Over the weekend when we were out biking Steve and I went over to the old cemetery in town. They are fascinating places we love to visit and look at the headstones. Well, I was taking pictures with my cell phone (forgot to pack the camera). I had just bought this new mobile phone. I switched over from Verizon to AT&T to be on my husband's carrier. We do not have a land-line and both of us are mobile so he got me in on his so I could get the full data package and carry you all with me. Wasting money is not our thang so when my new phone fell and cracked the glass my heart sank. Monday morning I was at the AT&T store explaining what happened and having them tell me that the extra insurance coverage I bought didn't include accidental breakage. My heart sank again. How much to replace the glass? He told me around $100. WHAT! I bought the phone for $99. Just then a young gentleman who was standing at the counter asked if it was just the glass broke and nothing else wrong. Yes. He volunteered to fix it for nothing. He is a tech at the Apple Store at Twelve Oaks Mall and told me to bring it over to him personally and he would replace the glass free of charge. God had placed him at that counter at that exact time I have no doubt. I had to drive almost an hour to the mall but Jason greeted me with such respect I will not forget; thank you Jason. I ended up buying a leather case to help protect the phone from any future mishaps. God is in the small details of our lives and when stuff like this happens, I want to thank HIM.

Have a good day my friends.

xo, Susan

Ahhh, Monday

2009-07-06T04:04:00.006-07:00

Another Fourth of July has come and gone but not without all the firecrackers and food and family and food and fun. Our weather was pretty perfect (sorry to say for those who had rain) and no humidity made it perfect for biking.

We started on Friday with a long bike ride down the Paint Creek Trail. I know I've mentioned this before but I live in the most beautiful area of Michigan. Rochester is a suburb of Detroit but has all the charm and style of being up North (as we say when talking about upper lower peninsula). The Paint Creek Trail is one of many old railway lines that has been converted Rails to Trails. This particular trail is one of the first to be converted so it has a hard-packed surface and gorgeous natural scenery.

So on Friday Andy and Anna joined us for an eight-mile stretch of the trail. There were many many people out hiking and biking...it is so cool!

I grilled on Saturday--a fabulous pork tenderloin with potato salad, baked beans and watermelon; And key lime pie for dessert. The kids came back over and ended up biking again--just the two of them. Then Sunday Steve and I hit the trail again and spent the evening in town. So a very relaxing holiday we had.

I thought I would provide a sneaky peeky into some things I've been working on. It won't be long now and I will be able to reveal the finished package.

So glad to be back among the blogging again. I really had a hard time missing VTT last Thursday but too much happening at once. Did I say how much I missed you all? I did and was surprised to see how many have been added to the followers list. It has not gone unnoticed and I am thinking there will be a party in the near future.

~Susan

Vintage Coppercraft Guild

2009-06-24T18:30:00.007-07:00

Pop quiz: Who thinks there were home parties before Tupperware? Come on, Tupperware Parties were the premier event but my Google source tells me they weren't the first. Coppercraft Guild of Taunton, Mass. was doing the home party circuit before we were ever told to burp our lids.

Bonus question: Who here has heard of Coppercraft Guild of Taunton, Mass.?

My first set of everyday dishes was the Village pattern by Pfaltzgraff and copper was its complimentary ornamentation. I collected copper items to display with my dishes and added these to my mix.

A pretty candlestick and planter that were stamped...

Coppercraft Guild, Taunton, Mass.

Now, I've had these for over 30 years and never bothered to research the manufacturer until now. And using a couple search engines I came up with items listed on eBay and one place that mentioned the home parties. Bummer. The World Wide Web let me down.

I know at least one of you knows about Coppercraft--Bea's Blabber--because she showed us a copper pot from these guys.

Anyone have the scoop on Coppercraft Guild?

Roses

2009-06-18T20:31:00.004-07:00

What's in a name?

That which we call a rose

by any other name would smell as sweet.

From Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

My roses are in bloom so I thought to share them with you.
Let's start with my David Austin roses:

Constance Spry

A one-time bloomer, she gives a big show. I have her growing in the shade.

Graham Thomas

He is growing with a perennial geranium.

Lilian Austin

The following roses were chosen for their unique qualities.

Zephrine Drouhin

She is a thornless rose that climbs.

I have her growing in the shade.

Madame Hardy
A very fragrant Damask rose.

Each rose has hundreds of petals.

Apothecary Rose
An antique rose believed to come from ancient Persia.

Betty Prior

A single-petal rose

Dainty Bess

Another old rose that has single-petals.

I hope you enjoyed my roses.

Susan :-)

Got Milk?

2009-06-17T19:16:00.005-07:00

I can't say I love to drink milk unless I have a stack of Oreos or a piece of chocolate cake.

Remember the milkman? We had Twin Pines Dairy come once a week. Our house was built with a milk chute by the side door so when we moved in I called to have home deliveries.
I started collecting old milk bottles around that time too.

Last year Oberweis Dairy opened a store a few blocks from our house. They have the best tasting milk and the creamiest ice cream. They even would make home deliveries if I wanted.

That made me think about other places having the milkman deliver and so I ask you, do you have a milkman?

It's A Beautiful Day

2009-06-16T05:29:00.006-07:00

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...a beautiful day for a neighbor...would you be mine?

Too many years watching Sesame Street,

but it is a B-E-A-U-TI-FUL day here.

One of my friends in the bloghood is having a give-away for her 100th Post. Miri is a remarkable quilter and it has been such a pleasure getting to know her. Over at Milk and Honey Quilts she shows her vintage quilts as well as original ones of her own. She has an elephant block for a baby quilt that she designed; it is so adorable and it's a freebie. If you haven't met Miri, push that button now and see for yourself.

Now, I can't post without a picture...

Looks like I'm going to join in on all the grannies.

Now that sounds like an announcement, NOT!

You will unmistakeably know when that happens.

Susan :-)

The Pool Opening

2009-06-13T06:20:00.004-07:00

Fred and Ethel Quacker are your typical mallard family. They waddle around the yard and eat the left-over seed from the bird feeders. When they first fly-in the early spring the pool is their landing pad and the rain water that has collected on the cover is a primary source for food. Yum--microorganisms and insects. But now the day has come that they know must happen every first of June...

The mallard's pond will disappear and life will change for Mr. and Mrs. Q.

No more will they feast on the delicacies of stagnant rain water. The lady of the house is washing it away.

And the man assumes the role as plumber and assembles the filtration device. The food supply vanishes. Ah, this is a sad day in the mallard's life.

But is it really? Mr Q to his duck, I hear sounds in the backyard that need our attention; hurry up and finish your meal.

A thought from the lady of the house: Let me tell you about my steps for the pool. A couple of years ago we needed to replace the pool ladder. I liked the look of these Little Tyke steps which were on sale for $99. We bought them. What a surprise, we discovered, one side of a pair.

Back to the pool store we went and found the other side with a price tag of $299. Now I had fallen in love with these steps and could not be persuaded to accept any other. And that's how I got my wonderful steps where (on many mornings) I sit and drink my coffee and ponder the day's events. (slideshow)

But let's get back to the ducks, shall we?! As Mr. and Mrs. Q came around back they saw their lovely pond was now a swimming pool for the humans that lived in the house. And that annoying yellow duck was bobbing around like he owned it.

Hey sweetie watch me do my swan dive! But I don't think Mrs. Q is at all impressed as she leaves to go to the "pond" next door.

Ahhh, this becomes the new form of exercise for Mr. Q and the lady of the house: he swims until the lady finds out and chases him away. Even Mrs. Q finds that amusing and joins in the fun.

And this is how it's been for the past week. Too cold to put the steps in--which involves someone getting into the 62 degree water and placing sand bags inside the base. And definitely too cold and dreary to swim (humans) which will eventually stop the mallards from coming.

But for now we play our game...

On another note: It is a sad time in Hockey Town as my Red Wings lost their possession of the Stanley Cup. I want to congratulate the Pittsburgh Penguins on their victory after a well fought 7 game series.

Susan ;-)