Thread Haul

When I saw this lot of vintage embroidery threads go up for auction I decided to bid as most were blending filaments, which I have only a couple, as well as what looked like significant amounts of wide Kreinik braid in white, which is really impossible to find. Anyway, I had to fight a little for it, but in the end I won and still paid less than $1.00 a spool.

The wide braid spools were even better than I'd hoped. I want to try dyeing these myself, so I have lots to experiment with in the future. Also, only a few of the other spools have been used, so most are full-length and in mint condition.

Here's all the spools without the labels covering them. It's a really nice variety, and since they still retail anywhere between $3.50 to $5.00 a spool, a great value.

I definitely need to get a bigger box for my specialty threads now. :)

A Goodwill Gamble Part 1

The best way to purchase vintage textiles is in person, of course, but aside from thrift stores it's hard to find a brick and mortar dealing in such fabric, at least in my area. That's why I often shop online at Etsy, eBay and other sites.

The biggest problem I've found with buying vintage fabric online it's sometimes hard to tell exactly what you're going to get. Sellers often stage their lots so they look attractive, and hide obvious defects that might put off buyers. There are ways to analyze the available pictures, however, and let them give you an idea of the true worth of what you might get.

For example, I recently bid in a Goodwill.com auction for this big lot of miscellaneous fabric. The title of the lot was "16lb Lot of Fabric/Material, Precut Pieces & Projects, Quilting, Fleece, Variety" which suggests it could be a quilter's stash. The photos from the auction listing also gave me plenty of clues, too. In this one, which shows the entire lot, you can see a variety of prints and solids. In the back of the photo is a red and black piece that looks like patchwork to me.

There's definitely a pile of precut rectangles in this pic, which don't make sense for anything but a quilt. The white and purple polka dot piece at the back looks like at least two or three yards of fabric, which would serve nicely as a lap quilt backing.

The pink camo piece at the top is fleece, which quilters use as backing and to make rag quilts. Next to it is some light green minky, an expensive plush fabric that quilters use as backing for baby quilts these days. Also, look at all the selvages. It's easy to pick out a JoAnns fabric (the cat print) and lots of quilter cottons.

It's difficult to tell the condition of fabrics online, but I see only minimal fraying and no staining. Quilters tend to take good care of their stashes, so I'm confident it will all be in usable shape. I won it for the minimum $10.00 plus shipping (I was not going to increase my bid, either, so I got lucky that no one else wanted it.) When it arrives we'll see if I was right.

Image Credit: all of the above images came from the auction listing at ShopGoodWill.com.

The Fab Four

There is a cultural school romance phenom in Asia that has been churning out heartthrobs for the last twenty years, and yet remains virtually unknown in the West. Boys Over Flowers, based on the 1992 Japanese manga Hana yori Dango by Yoko Kamio, is that star maker. This story is also so beloved that it's been turned into romantic drama series not only in Japan, but also in China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Taiwan and now Thailand with F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers.

The basic premise is a poor girl on scholarship to a rich kid high school tries to stop the top elite four male students (teen rockstar types known as F4 or the Flower 4) from bullying a friend, and instead becomes their target. That she fights back and refuses to give in and bow down to these guys is more wishful thinking than anything (did the writer even go to high school?) but that defiance helps the story evolve as not one but two of the guys fall for her. The play of group versus outsider dynamics is pretty interesting, and the poor girl is a heroine to basically every adolescent girl who wistfully looks at a rich guy and wishes she were pretty/well-dressed/popular enough to have a chance with him.

I've watched the Japanese and Korean versions, so I was expecting more of the same, but the Thai version has some nice differences. All of the actors are extremely attractive, so it's kind of hard to know who to root for (and you do even when you know how it will end like me.) The characters are portrayed with more complexity in this production, and emotions run much higher. It's more serious than goofy, and there are some really amazing moments between the poor girl and one of the four who ends up broken-hearted from failing to win his first love. I'm only about halfway through the series, so I can't give you a final verdict yet, but this very well may be the best production yet. Available to watch on Viki.com.

Also This Summer

In between my summer projects I will be working on finishing the recycled linen quilt I set aside last year.

First thought after taking it out of storage: Whoa, forgot how big it is.

Pretty sure I have enough perle thread to complete it. :)

More Bargains for $1.25

Another shopping trip to Dollar Tree turned up Quiet & Roar body lotion. I think they remaindered the old bottle design; the new costs $6.99 for 20.2 ounces. A 16 oz. bottle costs $1.25 at Dollar Tree, so you could buy five bottles of the slightly smaller size for what it costs to buy 1 bigger one at Target and have money left over.

When you have to drink a lot of water every day like me, after a while you try a lot of water enhancer mixes. I prefer the kind that don't contain aspartame, and this one is pretty good, taste-wise. A comparable product at my grocery store costs $3.99; I could buy three of these at Dollar Tree for the same price and have money left over.

In summer my hair gets very dry and wiry, so I use a little leave-in conditioner to help combat the frizz. This one not only smells nice but you don't have to use a lot of it. A comparable product in an 8.5 oz. size by Pantene at Target costs $6.29; you could totally buy 5 bottles of the no-name brand at Dollar Tree with, yes, four cents left over! Ha.

Summer Treasures

I have big plans for this summer, creatively speaking. This box of inspiration (put together by 14carrot on Etsy) will be my go-to source for when I need a break from the big projects. Some of the vintage bits will no doubt end up in my cabinet of curiosities quilt.

I really enjoyed doing those art prompts back in January, so I decided to invest in a book with a year's worth of the same. I don't know if I can do one every day, but I'll try.

I need to finish last year's recycled linen quilt, so that's on the agenda, too. Stay tuned to see how I do with all these treasures. :)

Farewell Old Friend

The last tea room in town finally closed down and turned into a trendy little tourist bistro; I was sad when I had to pass that news on to my favorite person. Over the past twenty-odd years we shared a lot of lovely meals as well as teas there, including celebrating one of her birthdays while she was in high school. It was a little oasis of civilization and calm that we thought of as our special place, and I'm glad we had it as long as we did. Still, time moves on rather more quickly than I want it to these days, and takes away more happiness than it brings.

People today go to Starbucks, not tea rooms. They want big desserts, not little tea cakes. They drink designer coffees, not exotic brews. They work on their laptops and ignore each other instead of talking. Take it from me, that's a true shame.

Back to the Start

I learned how to embroider mainly from books, but also videos and just experimenting (which is how I've come up with some of the odd stitching I do.) No woman in my family ever did any kind of embroidery, which is why I had to teach myself. All the books I've read on the subject are quite advanced, however, so I was only able to learn the simpler stitches. I do want to expand my horizons, but my capabilities are probably not going to ever stretch to more difficult or intricate needlework. That's why when I saw Doodle Stitching by Aimee Ray I thought, that's the book I need.

The 29 projects in this book are all simple, beginner-level items that don't require any complicated embroidery. The author shows you how to do about 17 different basic stitches (most of which I've already done and can manage easily) to use for embellishing clothing, home decor, linens, etc. The instructions are all written clearly, and most don't require a bunch of materials (needle, thread, a hoop and the item you're embroidering are all you need for some.)

There's even a cute little lap quilt I really want to make. The simplicity of this book appeals to me; I wish I'd found it when I started teaching myself to embroider. Anyway, I think I will start making one of these projects during my break times in between quilts, and see if I can learn a bit more.

Keeper #2

House of Scorpio by Pat Wallace is a novel that has stayed with me since the first time when I was fourteen. It became my second keeper (Mistress Devon by Virginia Coffman was my first.) It's a collection of six interlinked science fiction romances set on alternative world where zodiac signs are actual human races. Avon published this novel as a Gothic, believe it or not. It's also the book that taught me how to build a universe from scratch.

I loved this book because even to this day it is the most wildly inventive romance I've ever read. It swept me off to a completely alien world that I had never before encountered and yet felt immediately comfortable with and understood right away (important world-building lesson #1.) It was a captivating story, told in six parts that all came together at the end beautifully. It was also a well-veiled attack on the sometimes hysterical racism in the 70's. For a kid who was dealing with desegregation at school and a panicking mother who was convinced I'd get my throat cut during homeroom, it was a blessing and a light during a very dark time.

No one will probably remember this novel in another fifty years. It will just be forgotten as more important, literary authors must always come first. Yet the writer and the person I grew up to be is in part thanks to House of Scorpio. I will always remember this book.

Cover Up

My first little project since finishing the last quilt was to turn these two hand-stitched quilted pieces from 14carrot into a cover for my journal, with the help of some thrifted fabric in a complimentary checked print.

I don't have a pattern I follow when I make journal covers. I just trace the silhouette of the journal onto the wrong side of the fabric, add a half-inch when I cut it, and insert some folded fabric in the ends to make sleeves and sew it right sides together with another piece of the same fabric, stitching about 1/8" outside the silhouette line. I usually put some batting in my covers, but since the quilted pieces were batted I felt like it would be too much.

Once I had the cover stitched I then hand-stitched the two quilted pieces to the front and back, using a white thread that wouldn't be too noticeable.

Here's the front of the finished journal cover.

Here's the back.

I stitched one of 14carrot's labels to the inside of the front sleeve to honor her contribution to the project. I think it came out cute.

Frankly My Dear

I've gone back to watching Chinese dramas, and My Dear Guardian is going on my rewatch list, probably because it had lots of action, as well as a solid, talented cast from the leads right down to the minors. I will say that the forty episodes tend to be convoluted and over-complicated as far as the plot goes, as well as being rife with the usual gung-ho for communism government propaganda, but despite this everyone in the series did their best to embrace their characters and give an amazing performance.

The story is kind of unexpected, too. From the moment they meet during a terrorist hostage crisis, Army Captain Liang Mu Ze (Johnny Huang) and resident heart surgeon Xia Chu (Li Qin) seem destined to hate each other. After that rocky start their relationship becomes a series of coincidences that loudly hint they're fated to be together, as is common in most Asian dramas. The problem is they don't like each other, and their personalities are so different the whole business seems doomed. Yet gradually (and quite realistically) they begin growing closer through conflicts and challenges, and soon fall in love -- which is only the start of their headaches.

Like many viewers at first I got something of a Descendents of the Sun vibe that made me think this series was just another knockoff, but it's actually based on a novel that was published long before the Korean series aired. I think the age-old romance trope of military hero and medical heroine is just one that tends to be popular across all cultures. Johnny Huang and Li Qin did their best with their characters, both of whom are difficult people, but had a natural chemistry together that made me think that off screen they might be good pals.

The cast for this series is quite large and there are a lot of characters you get to know, but I prefer that to minimal casts. While the propaganda is annoying I'm getting used to it enough that I can ignore it now, especially when the actors are this good. I think the plot could have been simplified and the story would have had more oomph, but I like complicated stories and had no trouble following along. There isn't a happy ending to most of the secondary conflicts, which I understand -- it makes it seem more like real life, especially on the hospital side -- but that could have been balanced a little better with a tad bit more optimistic wrap-ups here and there.

I have to mention one of the secondary actors, Jiang Yuan, who played Liang Shao Xue, Mu Ze's mentally unstable cousin. She probably had the most difficult part in the series, and had to pull off more emotional damage than any other character. She not only nailed that, but she made an extremely unlikeable character almost loveable in her craziness. In the midst of making everyone miserable she falls in love with Mu Ze's stoic, poetic lieutenant, Tian Yong (played brilliantly by Zhao Xun) and these two mesh together so well they almost steal the whole series. But this is one subplot that could have used a little better balancing, as the resolution was kind of cruel, actually.

My Dear Guardian isn't for everyone, but if you like a natural romance and don't mind excessive plotting and lots of characters, this is one of the better long series to watch. Available to watch on Viki.com.

Clothes Maketh the Quilt Finale

Took a little over a month, but I finally finished the quilt I made from one pound of fabric from thrifted clothing.

The thrifted bedsheet I used for the backing shows all the embroidery stitching. For the binding I dug out some vintage cream-colored bias binding from my stash, keeping the entire project vintage, thrifted and/or recycled.

I struggled with this idea at first, especially in the design and piecing stage, but eventually I found my zone and even came up with a story about the quilt while I was working on it that I might write in my spare time. In the end I learned a lot.

Aside from the lovely time I had making this quilt, I think it proves that unwanted used clothing can become something beautiful, unique and purposeful.

Now I think I'll do some smaller projects. :)

Summer in 2 Days

Summer has always been my favorite season. As a kid I always looked forward to the long hot months of no school, and being able to read as much as I wanted. I started spending my summers in libraries at the age of ten, and didn't stop until my mom got me a work permit and arranged my first summer job when I was thirteen. After that I had to work every summer at a part-time job until I left home for the military, but I usually got mornings and weekends to myself, and off I'd go to the library.

I know my liking summer confuses some people, but you have to see the year the way I do. For me spring has always been about taxes and cleaning, and trying to figure out the year ahead, all of which are exhausting at times. Fall is when the worst hurricanes hit, and then there's that awful pumpkin spice everything trend that keeps coming back every year (Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, so that's the only bright spot.) Winter is cold and all about the Christmas holidays, both of which I do not like. I would skip Christmas entirely if I could.

None of that spoils summer for me. It's bright and hot and everything is green. There are lots of thunder storms, sometimes daily (I love the rain and thunder actually puts me to sleep.) The kids don't have to go to school so they're out riding bikes and having fun. People seem to be happier, too -- maybe like me they love going to the beach.

This summer I'm planning to have a lot of fun at home. I'll be winding up the last phase of my big work project so I'll be able to take some time off and focus on some projects I have planned. Maybe it's selfish to make this season all about me and what I love to do, but I generally devote the rest of the year to others. Summer is mine!

Making

I could have bought a finished necklace for my grape cluster pendant, but I used to make a lot of jewelry back in the day, so I decided to get the chain and findings I needed and put it together myself.

JoAnn has a nice selection of what I needed from Hildie & Jo, a brand I'm not familiar with these days. I went with a light copper chain and findings, and altogether it cost about $14.00.

Attaching the jump rings and the clasp wasn't difficult, but I was a bit fumbly at first. After a few shaky moments it was like riding a bike.

Here's the finished necklace and pendant on me. Pretty, isn't it?

Summer Fun

To reward myself for finishing the latest work project I invested in some vintage treasures from 14carrot, one of my favorite Etsy sellers. She handmade these stitched tags, which I'm going to use along with some thrifted fabric to make a journal cover.

I've wanted this handmade pendant for a long time. I don't know why, but grapes always remind me of Italy and my dad. I'm looking for the right chain for it now.

14carrot really knows how to put together wonderful collections of vintage trims and bits and bobs to inspire me. This time I got a blue vintage glove box she made over that is packed with lovely things.

It's going to be a cool summer. :)

Way Cheaper

I've started making regular stops at Dollar Tree, and picked up this bottle of body wash for our guest bathroom for $1.25. The same product in a slightly bigger size retails for $6.99 at Target.

I already knew that greeting cards were way cheaper at Dollar Tree (2 for $1.00) but these are nice quality Hallmark cards. The same brand retails anywhere from $5.99 to 7.99 at my grocery store.

This really surprised me. There aren't many sugarfree hard candies I like, but Werther's is an exception. I've been paying $2.50 a bag for the exact same product at the market. They were half that price at Dollar Tree.

Yes, Well . . .

I actually tried watching the k-drama Guardian: The Great and Lonely God a couple of years ago, but certain aspects of the story aggravated me, so I stopped around episode four. Since it has been touted as such a great series I decided to go back and give it another try, and at last saw the whole thing.

This is a Korean style paranormal romance, with a somewhat abrasive literary overtone that I really didn't care for much. The fact that a beyond wealthy, pretty omnipotent immortal falls for a poor, abused high school girl while knowing her situation sucks, and really doesn't do much to help her (and even subtly torments her now and then), likewise did not set well with me. I admit, I dislike Cinderella stories; a woman in a bad situation doesn't need a fairy godmother or even a prince to save her -- she just needs to get away from her family and work for herself.

The bromance between the lead male character and his nemesis was cute at times, but got too much focus, and distracted from the main romance. The plotting was unoriginal and misogynistic to a degree I found rather breathtaking, considering the drama's writer is female, and rather tiresome. Finally, the pacing. Goodness. Glaciers move faster.

If you're willing to put up with all that, then Guardian isn't an unwatchable series. Gong Yoo does a fine job of portraying Kim Shin, a general betrayed and basically murdered by the king he served, who is sentenced to immortality for all of the lives he took on the battlefield. That I thought was plausible. That he walks around for nine hundred years with his own sword sticking out of his chest (literally and metaphorically) is a less believable pricetag, but I went along with that, too. He still manages to be convincing, although at times I got the feeling he was rolling his eyes between takes.

The echoes of the past return to haunt him as he meets Ji Eun Tak (very artfully portrayed by Kim Go-eun) the abused high school girl, who becomes his first love. Cinderella isn't helpless, and up to this point does a fine job of dealing with her sucky life, but as soon as Kim Shin steps on stage suddenly she becomes helpless and clingy. That I also found a little offensive to women. This is also the point when the whole series slants to the petty and mean, so I'll stop here. I don't even know if I should recommend this series, but it may be worth a watch for the Cinderella lovers. Available on Viki.com.

Bluebird Bonanza

While working on taking down our rain gutters for the roofers my guy notice the blue bird had come back and was flying in and out of our most frequently used bird house. So once she left, he looked inside, and spotted these.

It looks like just two eggs this time, but there could be more. Hopefully Mama doesn't mind our roof being replaced while she's nesting in there again.

Yet Another Summer Project

From my Goodwill bundle and my gifted UFOs fabric bin I pulled these scraps and FQs to make a quilt this summer. I used the Susan Winget chicken floral print on the far right there to make the other color choices, going with a farmstyle theme.

My plan this time is to piece and quilt it on the sewing machine, as in a few years that's probably the only way I'll be able to make quilts. I've already figured out how to bind a quilt entirely on the machine, and I've made a couple of not-very-good quilts by machine in the past. I thought I should start practicing more now to build my confidence and skills, which is why I've been collecting all this thrifted fabric.

I looked for a free quilt pattern online that would allow me to use the most of the scraps and FQs, and found this one at rileyblakedesigns.com that will probably work best. The chicken wire gray and white print is also a Riley Blake design, so that was a fun coincidence.