Last week disappeared in a combination of a couple extra days at work, a parents' weekend visit to my son's college and a lot of shopping. Alas, it was the kind of shopping required when we're out of pet supplies, over-the-counter medicines, food, cleaning products - not the fun kind of shopping. Still, I managed to fit in a couple of strategic side trips. The fabric in the background is a $2 bedspead from a church thrift store. The rickrack came from an estate sale.
I'm not usually a fan of bias tape, but the old prints in the foreground say cute school clothes to me. The ones in the back rows are Christmas prints from the early 1980s. No, I don't have an encyclopedic knowledge of bias tape; the date is printed on the package.
More rickrack.
I'll buy any old postcard with a cute snowman. This came from an antique shop I've been meaning to visit forever.
This towel came from the same shop. I did get one project finished this weekend, which was so easy it almost doesn't qualify as a project. Here's the before:
Footstool from an estate sale a couple of weeks ago. It could double as a little side table - you know, the kind you see in magazines, set with a silver tray and tea set and some pretty cookies and linen napkins, like that's going to happen around here.
Here it is, scrubbed up and with new upholstery. I considered painting it, but I'll live with it like this for a while and see how I feel.
I'll close by saying the Steelers-Vikings game Sunday afternoon was one of the best football games I've seen in a long time, and I'm counting last year's Super Bowl, which, we all remember, was won by the Pittsburgh Steelers, making them the first team in NFL history to win six Super Bowls. Not that I'm obsessed or anything.
I am seriously obsessed with vintage sewing trims and I have *never* seen that plaid bias tape. Please lock your doors. I cannot be held responsible for my actions. Plaid! -amy
PS I may have to grab some of those Christmas trims too while I'm at it. :-)
Posted by: Amy | October 25, 2009 at 05:03 PM
I really hate putting bias tape on anything, but I've been hoping for ages to find some of the old printed ones, why? I don't know, but I think you're very lucky to have these!
Your bench/table turned out lovely :)
Posted by: Lisa | October 25, 2009 at 05:18 PM
Digging that fabric on the bedspread - definitely a "made me smile" print. Also obsessed with rick rack and you were wise not to turn down that bias tape....those prints are great! Good finds as usual.
Posted by: laurie magpie ethel | October 25, 2009 at 05:23 PM
Love the ric rack trims and bias tape, lucky girl !
The bedspread is quite a vintage find too !
Love love the bench ohhh you lucky girl !!
Have a good week
Diane
Posted by: Diane ( Crafty Passions) | October 25, 2009 at 05:52 PM
I'm having a rick rack attack right now, how do you find this great stuff?
I live the the Steel City area, so of course,
Go Stillers!!!
Posted by: Mary at Turkey Farm Treasures | October 25, 2009 at 06:10 PM
Today I decided not to go to the flea market as I thought I just had enough supplies by now, but reading your post makes me doubt! And I was so proud of myself :-(.
Thanks for commenting on my post, I was going to answer you, but I couldn't make a reply, so I waited for you to post again. You told me that you liked the birdcage (no I don't think you have Alzheimer, but it is a little while ago) and I was reliefed because somebody else told me: I like the birdcage with the candles. That was it. That birdcage was the before version! Have a nice Sunday! Here I should be preparing Monday as it's almost midnight.
Posted by: LiLi M. | October 25, 2009 at 06:28 PM
AAK! You always get the MOST AWESOME stuff! I need to move!
Love all that trim! I can totally see cute school clothes there too.
That bench turned out great too! Leave it like it is for now. So often I buy with the intent on painting something, then I get lazy and end up happy I left it alone!
Posted by: Robin | October 25, 2009 at 07:10 PM
I love the ric rac and the red and white towel! What wonderful supplies and neat things you found! I love seeing what treasures you find!
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | October 25, 2009 at 07:41 PM
$2 bedspread as in Duvet cover? My old duvet covers are one of my most favorite things. :-) And that rosy print is FAB-U-LOUS.
Posted by: Sarah | October 25, 2009 at 07:48 PM
The new stool/side table looks great now. I have a similar one in the basement that needs an overhaul. I might almost be inspired enough to tackle it now. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Paige | October 25, 2009 at 10:30 PM
I'm in the middle of a huge trim obsession! You really made out!
This funny lady really makes bias tape look cinchy - did I spell that right? I'm not sure I've said that word since 8th grade. http://angrychicken.typepad.com/angry_chicken/2008/03/bias-tape-tutor.html
Posted by: Tina | October 25, 2009 at 11:51 PM
Oh, I will write more later but for now I have to say...yeah Steelers! That was a good game! This is my team (I even have an embarrassing teenage photo to prove it.) We hardly ever see the games here in Iowa. I knew since they were playing the Vikings I had a chance. Sure enough! That is where I was Sunday afternoon instead of cleaning my kitchen counters of auction booty!
Posted by: Shelley G in Iowa | October 26, 2009 at 03:06 AM
That bedspread is fab!! And rickrack - one can never have too much!!
Posted by: Lynn | October 26, 2009 at 06:34 AM
That's definitely the best collection of bias tape I've ever seen! Gorgeous rickrack as well - looks like you hit the jackpot!
Posted by: Rebecca | October 26, 2009 at 10:11 AM
That bedspread fabric is to die for. AND i have been looking for exactly that rickrack to bind a quilt i did with scraps. I think scrappy rickrack would be perfect. Please say you are selling it. :-D
Posted by: renee | October 26, 2009 at 02:07 PM
oop, i meant bias tape. :-)
Posted by: renee | October 26, 2009 at 02:09 PM
It's really hard to read your posts. How do you find this stuff? People in TX musn't have worn plaid bias tape. I went to an estate sale on Friday night with high hopes (again with high hopes) and came out with two checked cloth napkins...one with a moth hole. Don't you feel bad? It's okay Mrs Oodles...I'll keep visiting. You have a gift with displaying your finds and I love the way you write.
PS We are a dedicated Patriot's family living in Cowboy country. Now do you feel bad?
Posted by: Freckled Hen | October 26, 2009 at 02:37 PM
Love those trims -- the rickrack colors are yummy and the printed bias tape -- so cute! Your bench turned out really elegant with it's pretty new cover -- I want to see some staged photos with the tea layout.
Posted by: Martha | October 27, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Do you live near Aurora? We live in SC (20 yrs. now) but are originally from the Finger Lake Area. Beautiful posts! I really like your blog. Kerrie
Posted by: Kerrie Marquart | October 27, 2009 at 02:53 PM
The bedspread reminds of those we had as kids-loved it then and love it even more now! Only wish I still had it...
Posted by: Sue at Serendipity | October 27, 2009 at 04:54 PM