I knew there was a reason! ..... and a surprise!!!

When I posted about adding the black patches I received suggestions about adding black decorative seams and black lace.  I knew that was not what I wanted but I couldn't put the reason into words.  Then after I had chatted with Janet Popish it came to me...... adding blacks seams and black lace would give the piece the look of stained glass..  Not that stained glass is bad, it is just not what I was seeing in my vision..  Using all the same colors of the patches would add depth and texture.

I mentioned that I couldn't recall seeing an antique crazy quilt with black seams and Janet sent this comment which I thought was interesting: "When I was doing CQ restoration work, black embroidery thread was rarely needed. I didn't even have any in my stash of silk threads  for the first few years. Probably only needed it on 2 or 3 quilts the whole 6 years I did that work."


Remember when I was lamenting how incongruous this little turquoise stool was with my antique typing table and old Singer featherweight?  I thought I would eventually cover the stool with something but finally decided, since they are among my most beloved possessions, that I really needed to do them justice... 

So I started looking for an antique piano stool that was within my budget.  It took some time but finally found one.  Then the plastic Ott light had to go.  Luckily I had this vintage swing lamp on one of my sewing machines in the barn...perfect.  From now until I die, no  matter where I live, these pieces will be with me.

Also remember last year at this time I was deep into my "rainbow door" conspiracy? Well it has brought me great joy ever since.  Every night at dark I go out and lock up the chicken coop against the racoons.  When I return to the house this is what I see and I smile.

I'm not sure it is normal or even healthy to get so attached to "things" but I sure do!

Linen and vintage Singer trading cards........

 

This lovely block belongs to Marilyn Nepper who is starting a CQ project using linen from blouses and shirts she's collected from thrift stores and I think it is going to be fabulous.  I've many fine linen and damask tablecloths I have always wanted to use but never even thought about using linen clothing... I'll definitely be on the lookout now for it.  And it is perfect for the turn of the century trading cards.

      

      Actually it was Marilyn who brought these cards to my attention several years ago... At the turn of the century  Singer Sewing Machine had an advertising campaign with trading cards about American Songbirds.  There were 13 in the series.  On the back of the cards was a promo for a Singer product.  They are delightful....

She had trouble getting things shipped to Canada  so I volunteered to put together a complete set for both  of us... There weren't any complete sets for sale so by combining partial sets I was eventually able to get a complete set for both of us... and actually cards in very good condition considering they were about 100 years old.

Each card had a picture of a bird and its egg and information about the bird on the back of the card.  Marilyn cut the bird out but I like the idea of the egg and the singer logo... I had forgotten all about mine but I searched them out when she started her project... These would be absolutely perfect for CQJP2014 so I may have to start a little late and play catch up...