Another Great Find Under $1

I am starting a short series of thrifty finds.  Enjoy!!

50 cents!

If you look carefully at the cover of this book you will see the 50 cent price tag.  This book was tucked away at the Friends of the Library monthly sale.  There are 48 pages of alphabets and fun stitching motifs.  There is very little instruction, which is fine since I have no idea what language it is printed in.  If you know, please pass on any knowledge you have of what it says!

New Sewing Machine



Recently, I spent the day driving from one sewing machine dealer to another with my friend Tracey as she researched the latest "super machines".  I told my husband when he left for work that morning that I would try not to get sewing machine fever while we were out.  The real machines were tempting, but I could not pass up this $7 beauty at The Classy Flea.  I wish I could have waited until he got home so I could have seen his face when I told him I bought a new sewing machine!  Just the sound of his voice over the phone was worth the $7 investment.

Possibly My Best find Yet!!

20 Cents!!

That's right.  I paid 20 cents for this hand painted plate at Value Village today.  You can't see it in the picture but that is metallic gold paint.  I Googled Georges Briard and he popped right up.  His handpainted plates sold in Nieman Marcus and Bonwit Teller in the 50's, 60's and 70's.  I am guessing that this plate was part of a store display.  Georges Briard was the name artist Jascha Brojdo signed on the back of his commercial products. Jascha served on the staff of Gen. George S. Patton as an Army interpreter.  Does anyone else wonder if this was a tribute to the General?  Hard to believe it is just a coincidence.

Crazy Quilting

Does this fabric look familiar?  These are the fabrics from my nephew's quilt.  My friend Tracey came over the other day to teach me how to crazy quilt.  We were going to practice with random scraps when she had the brainstorm to use the leftovers from the quilt.  I have a couple of mistakes that I will not point out but am curious if you notice.  I was able to take this square in the car and actually embroider while riding.  I normally cannot do anything in the car, but this I could do!  Very exciting to have something to take along in the car.

I also took along the book on the right, Complete Guide to Embroidery Stitches.  This book is checked out from the library. (I love the public library!)  I put this book on my Christmas list but was dismayed to find that it is out of print.  The least expensive copy I could find was almost $100.  It immediately came off my list.  But I was able to check it out again to take with me on our trip. 

 I added some embroidery in classic crazy quilt style to the square above.  It was a great way to pass the time.  I will make it into a pillow to send with the quilt - when I finish it!