Unfortunately....

Unfortunately as I unfolded the Tammis Keefe tablecloth to wash it, I found a hole in it! Dang it! I've got to remember to unfold things all the way when I'm shopping. The hole is about 2" across, so it will need patching of some sort... maybe I can get creative with some table runners or somthing.

On a positive note, I finished a Tinkerbell costume for Miss E. The wings were extrememly challenging, as the cheap fabric that I selected unravelled right before my eyes. Eventually the wires were poking through and there were no seam allowances left. Darn my penny pinching.. I got sucked into buying the cheap fabric. So I re-made the wings entirely out of various fabrics that I had on hand. After 3 hours of working, my lovely daughter informed me that the wings were "pokey, too big, and make my tummy hurt". Ahhhh.... the insight of a 3 year old. After a lengthy break from the project, we returned to trying on the costume in the late afternoon, and it was a great success. So we had to take some pictures.....

Goodies from the trip

Here are my latest additions to my vintage tablecloth stash. My best buy was the one with the tulips for $1.60 at a thrift store. It is printed on a herringbone weave. Very lovely and somewhat shabby chic... but a wonderful cloth. The great deal offset the not-so-inexpensive holiday tablecloths. I love the intensity of color in the morning glory print on faille. Extremely vibrant... holiday yet not hit-yourself-over-the-head holiday. The more traditional cloth with the red center and greeny-gold accents is a Tamis Keefe. She was an amazing textile artist. She only had a short career but was very prolific. I also have several of her hanky designs.

Back from vacation and trip to the farm

I haven't touched my blog in 3 weeks! I feel so neglectful. We were gone to Chicago and Michiana (northern Indiana/southern Michigan) for 10 days, and then Elsie and I went to Idaho to visit my parents on their farm for another 5 days. Hillary at Wee Wonderfulsgave me some wonderful advice for a place to stay and do some antiquing- St. Charles. Which is my new favorite city in Illinois. Such a cute town and 45 minutes from O'Hare! Thanks Hillary!
I have greatly expanded my 40's tablecloth collection as well as other treasures. We did quite well in Elkhart, Indiana and Schoolcraft, Michigan. Of course, estate sales and thrift stores always have the best deals over antique malls, but it is still fun to look. I'll try to post photos tomorrow.
At the farm we made 20 gallons of apple cider. Every fall my family and family friends get together to grind apples into pulp and squish them into cider. Very yummy! But drinking too much can keep you in bathroom for extended periods of time... if you know what I mean. The spouse will be turning 5 gallons of the cider into apple wine. Always a fun project. Last year's apple wine is quite strong with alcohol, but has a wonderful apple-y smell.