Outfitting the summer place is the focus now. This ship's porthole clock was a $20 hospice thrift shop find.   I have gone through a spate of buying at online auctions. This purchase nearly $50, included some really nice quilt blocks, a couple of packaged fabrics, and a jelly roll.  Those blocks are destined for my fan quilt if my instincts prove right that they will fit right in.  Pattern of the Day is from 1974. A keeper because it is cut and in such bad shape. Patterns from the seventies have moved into the rare category.  On a totally different subject but rela ..read more

Each month I like to highlight weird and wacky items in the world of thrift and beyond. These stunners were offered for sale at Freestyle Clothing Exchange in Sacramento, California.  Stuffed animal mounts Just call me three feather.  These cookies are more Wonderful than weird or wacky. The Limited Edition Dirt Cake Oreo Cookies. They even sparkle! Not a sponsored Ad - just an Addiction!  1993 Pattern of the Day from my newly listeds. These are the most folksy toys I have seen. The look on that lamb's face! https://www.ebay.com/itm/1864184643 ..read more

This year's tomato and pepper starts from a dear friend.  Greenhouse gardening - Not for the faint hearted. Inclement weather has blown away half of the panels, all of the roof, and the entire front doorway. Last year, I brought home a tray full of plant starts, put them in the greenhouse, and some critter got in and ATE the ENTIRE contents. Prior to preparing the beds for planting, one of my cats had decided it was her personal litter box. These next images will make sense, garden beds protected by chicken wire.   Tomatoes Before After ..read more

My usual practice listing eBay items is to photograph one day, edit photos on another day, and then prepare the listings on yet another day.  I tried to do it all in one day, but I took not one but two naps. ? So I listed the next day, still not a slouch.  Sourcing for product is ultimately more fun than listing. While I catch up on a couple of categories, I lurk on the online auctions. My latest purchase this $40 mystery box (shipping cost included). It was described as "Box of various assorted size and themed fabric patterns." I can name that tune in 2 notes! It will only ..read more

Cowboy quilt is completed. A wonderful wool batting quilt as an engagement gift for my daughter.  Close up the quilting detail. The yardage bought retail was the bronco busters, and the painted ponies backing.  Fan quilt is up next. All it needs is the borders and I can send it off to the longarmer.  Wedding update: It is my goal to have 8 completed pet/car quilts for the bridal party as gifts. Here is an example of one used in the truck when the dog rides in the back seat.  Seller update: I surpassed my first $200 week in sales. I am inching closer to $1,000 a mo ..read more

My next category to enter for sale will be Buttons. When I buy sewing items in lots, I find buttons still on their original cards. While I like to keep the loose buttons for projects and repairs, I usually don't sew garments. Pictured below is my loose button stash.   The last of the 80 yard-sale sewing patterns went on the boards. This was the only pattern of note - a Russian hat. Reminds me of the movie Doctor Zhivago.  https://www.ebay.com/itm/186392450021 Segueing to talk of my daughter's wedding. A location has been chosen, and a date in September 2025 is s ..read more

My daughter's cowboy quilt has arrived back from the longarmer. Her choice of quilting pattern in a dark brown thread was a good choice. I am in the binding process now and will follow up with some glamour shots in the wild.  The fan quilt is queued up next to add border fabric recently purchased from Joanns.  On to seller update:  I have been lurking at a certain online auction site. Estate sales haven't started up yet with our wet weather. Here are the images of recently purchased boxes. Those two Santa kits will pay for the needlekit box. Christmas kits always  ..read more

The Mr. is setting up Fish Camp. Here are the views from the back of the trailer. The first image is the river as you head out toward the harbor.  This view is down river. A wrap-around deck is being constructed. This is not a permanent move, just digs for the summer. I plan on spending mucho hours on the deck leisurely reading books I have gathered over the years.  Just thrifted in this group of New Look patterns. I place them as 1990s kids fashion.  https://www.ebay.com/itm/186378308526 https://www.ebay.com/itm/186378311646 https://www.ebay.com/itm ..read more

As I have noted earlier, I returned to college for an 8 week course of Women in Art this spring semester. My 70 year old brother's reaction when I told him I went back to college, "AGAIN?" and "You need to turn off those after burners." ? I have BOINGED back to college at least 5 times. My first attempt was at Highline Community College in Washington. Then I moved to Arizona and went to Phoenix College. [Insert 20-year hiatus here] I have attended classes at Sacramento City College off and on for the past 10 years or so.  I only take one class a semester, the majority have been ..read more

Here we are into April. This is the month Fish Camp begins setup. We are prepping the trailer for its permanent home on the coast. The lead-off image highlights the back window covered in space fabric. It is pinned to the top of the valance and the bottom of the blind.  An upside to stashing a lot of fabric is when you need some yardage it is right there. The sleeping part of the trailer faces towards the road. Even though the windows have blinds, light still came in. I pinned the gypsy-hanging-curtain to the valance above the door.  Another section of fabr ..read more