The Heron's Nest

Flea Market Finds

Ok, so there are some perks to my husband's weekend flea market habit.  Usually I am completely annoyed by useless things that take up space in our already cramped home, but today was a completely different story.  First there was this lovely little surprise.

I am still trying to figure out the year of this very heavy and very sturdy new friend.  I am banking on its age instead of brand.  I have read a few good reviews online so far.  I thought for sure it was a mistake when I saw the cord, but my mechanically inclined uncle appeared yesterday and seems to have fixed that problem temporarily.  It seems to be working, just in need of a good cleaning and oiling.

So, after receiving much praise and excitement from my end, Paul then mentioned nonchalantly that there was a "really old Singer in a cabinet" too.  My ears perked up.  Within 10 minutes, we had the kids in the car and were on our way back to the flea market.  This is the little treasure that was still there, waiting for us.

Paul suggested Ebaying it if I didn't want to keep it.  Are you kidding me?????  I seem to be falling in love rather quickly, despite the scratches and bits of rust.  After checking online, I have pretty much figured out it is from 1919.  The machine could probably be made to work fairly easily.  I am not sure what to do with the cabinet, besides some serious cleaning.  Refinishing would look nice, but I don't want to decrease the value of it.  (MaryEllen and Jane, any thoughts????)  While online I discovered the little Singer Featherweights and now have my eye out for one of those too.

I love the idea of both machines being in my home.  What are the stories behind these machines?  What were the women like who used them?  What types of things were made with these machines?  Now I need to get to work and get some REAL sewing done in order to justify this I suppose!

Nifty Thrify Find

Yesterday was "one of those days".  One of those days with children that has me waiting by the door, purse thrown over my shoulder, impatiently waiting to see my husband's car pull into the driveway.  This ensures me of an escape.  Sounds terrible, I know, but I think we all have them at some point.  So, once my dear husband was in the house, I was out, on my way to....where?...Thrifting of course!  What a great way to release stress, get lost in another world, breathe for a short time.  First I visited a local quilt shop which always seems to be either closed when I am alone or open when I have the double stroller and would never be able to enter.  So, there I was, alone in a quilt shop.  Ahhh.  What a delight to just stand, search through an array of quilt books and patterns, and dream.  No one was tugging at me, no one was crying, no one was even standing sweetly next to me with a cute little comment.  Just me.  I used great restraint and walked out empty handed, but I have now discovered a great local place to find some nice fabric.  (I have far too many unfinished projects to finish before I start another!)  I must say I am a bit frustrated by the lack of availability of Moda, Amy Butler, .....here.  I don't know if it is an east coast thing or if it is because I am in a rural area.  A quilt show I recently visited (no, I did not take my camera, BIG MISTAKE) had only one quilt that had this kind of fabric, and the woman who made it had recently moved from Washington or Oregon. I also wonder if these fabrics tend to be a generational thing?  The woman at the quilt shop labeled them as "eclectic".  Ummm, no, NICE, GORGEOUS.....regardless, I can't find a shop where I can actually FEEL them.  But I digress....

So, next I ventured into an antique shop which I have always just passed.  Well, that won't happen again.  There were many cool things, but I was really on a mission for one thing.  And I found it!

Feed sack?  Very cool I think.   The person who made it must have messed up because the print is upside down, which makes it all the better, I think!  Can you believe the pockets?  The colors?

And look at the back!  I am definitely going to copy this one.  It is a bit small for my current "post two baby figure", but I think I can easily add an inch (or two or three) to a new one to make it reasonable.

This very much reminds me of the houses dresses and aprons my  Great Aunt Anna and Great Aunt Ella used to wear.  Aunt Anna in particular, always had these really funky dresses.  I remember my mother trying to explain to me what exactly a "house dress" was.  I inherited quite a few for dress up when I was little,  They were usually made of soft cotton or horrible polyester, but they were colorful and fun to play with for an eight year old.  I like the idea of a house dress.  Maybe because I miss my working days of actually getting dressed and looking presentable.  It is so easy these days to throw on a polo and a pair of capris and think I am "dressed".   But a House dress, now there is some fashion.  Hmmmm.  Makes me start thinking......