Thursday, January 07, 2010

It is cold outside!

It is so cold the birds are eating an entire feeder worth of seed each day! Tonight we are supposed to get freezing rain so I put out a suet and seed block...it is like tapping a keg at a frat party! Birds have surrounded it!

I really have been trying to organize my sewing room the past few days. Not making a whole lot of progress but the floor has been sighted and the good news is under all that fabric, magazines, and baskets - the rug is clean!
(string quilt from Alabama with fun Pop-eye fabric)

Last week I got a call from my LQS asking if I would look at some quilts for a customer. Her father-in-law passed away and they were going to have an estate sale. The family was unsure if the quilts were "good."

Now there weren't any "museum" quilts but were nice sort of shabby chic and very typical of what we see in this area. There were several that I thought the family should hold onto. (I have nightmares after days like this that my husband will bag up all my quilts and put them out in a yard sale...) It was a fun afternoon. My DH even came with me to help...he was impressed that I was able to name the piecing designs (though he is really fast using Brackman's Encyclopedia!) After seeing me go through 50 quilts he decided I should get my appraisal certificate and "hang out a shingle."
Amazingly enough one of my favorites was this bowtie quilt made entirely from Polyester! That is right...the thick 1970's poly that never ever loses its color and is more likely to melt than disintegrate! It may sound crazy but nothing photographs like poly. The bowtie quilt is so well made...and as Tonya reminded me my "Noah's Ark" collection of quilts does not have a polyester one yet....

13 comments:

Diane said...

Love looking at the quilts. My friend Libby tells her husband, if she dies call Diane she'll know what to do with the quilting stuff! I tell my daughter if I die, she will just HAVE to learn to quilt and finish all my stuff for me! (she likes to say she's allergic to crafty stuff).
You should definately get your appraisal cert. What a cool thing that would be to do for people!

Karen said...

That polyester bow tie quilt will probably last forever!

Tonya Ricucci said...

I love that bow-tie quilt, who cares that it's polyester. Just means the colors will stay true.

Nines said...

Love the quilts. And I too take home quilts that I feel sorry for.

SubeeSews said...

My birds have been emptying the feeders at a terrifying rate too. The squirrels knock on the window for peanuts.
The Blue Jays call to me to throw them more peanuts because the darn squirrels got them all.
The Hawks are dive-bombing me and my poor sparrows.
And I shoveled the drive 5 times today trying to keep up with the snow falling.
Love the
poly BowTie...indestructable!

Gypsy Quilter said...

Well, if you really feel you need a polyester quilt, I have one I can donate to you. It's not fancy mind you, but it is great for wrapping furniture in when moving.

AnnieO said...

Wonderful collection of quilts--they don't look too worn to pass on. I hope someone will take them and love them! That poly one reminds me of a pillow my sister bought for me, 100% polyester blocks in Amish colors. Someone even put a zipper in the darn thing! My sister paid $5 at an estate sale and flew it all the way from St. Louis to see the look on my face when she gave it to me! I have upcycled it twice to my mom's car. So far I haven't got it back yet since the week after Xmas.

Michelle said...

I have a polyester/wool quilt I bought at a flea market several years ago. It had ever been used and I loved the colors. Darn thing weighs a ton!

*karendianne. said...

Gosh what a great day! A great post and I'm with DH on this. I really think you have such a depth of knowledge here and what I love about it is - well you already know what I love. Well, I love more than that but still. A Coded Message filled with Love, *karendianne.

Sew Create It - Jane said...

We are having quite the winter on this side of the pond...I haven't seen a bird for days...they must have all flown south!

Sharon said...

I love how a layer of threads and fabrics and books, etc. will actually protect the carpet in the quilt studio from any real dirt! *grin*

Love those quilts! That poly bowtie is wild, and you know that thing is WARM! I made one once for a friend of my Mom's with his sister's fabrics. I think it will live forever and it weighed a ton.

I think you should get your certificate too! That would be so cool!

Quilts And Pieces said...

How fun seeing all those quilts! Oh and congrats on seeing the floor. I was so excited last week when I finally found my floor!

Purple Pam said...

The poly quilt will last a lifetime I am sure! What a wonderful way to spend some time. I tell my hubby to call my friend if I go first. I cannot imagine my wonderful UFOs being finished by a stranger!