Ah, spring, when the flowers bloom, and the quilt tops appear on the back deck.
It was a four quilt-top weekend. (There were two of these.)
This quilt top was the first one I found, at a sale on Friday. (Please pretend to be looking at Carson instead of the quilt. I did. That's why he's smiling.)
Let's run through the ratings for the first sale while we look at the lovely 19th century fabrics in this quilt top. First, the sale was very close to home, just across town.
Apron!
I was #12 on the list to get in and got bumped up to #9 because some people left.
Another apron!
Found the quilt top, reasonably priced.
That's three!
I love old calico, especially moon-and-star print calico.
Love purple prints too, but what I especially love is this shirting print.
Teeny-tiny horsemen! (I think they're knights. It's not that the riders look so much like knights, but it looks like they're jousting, and I don't know of anyone other than knights who joust. Feel free to correct me.)
Also found some old souvenir postcards from the Adirondacks. I've developed a big fondness for Adirondack souvenirs.
Also found some kitchen miscellany and a complete set of chicken cocktail napkins. I think we'll hold at three aprons, though - I'm keeping my guard up against inflated apron scores.
I didn't bring much cash to the sale, but that wasn't a problem because I could write a check. But at the register I suddenly remembered that I had written my last check at the grocery store the day before. Being unable to pay for my merchandise seemed like a big problem ...
Introducing the new negative-apron graphic! Martha made it for me. She's the best, that Martha is.
Sadly, though, we're down to two aprons. In fact, we should be down to zero aprons, since I'm not going to get to buy anything ...
EXCEPT
My friend Cindy was at the sale, and without blinking an eye, she wrote a check for my purchase.
Here's to friends like Martha and Cindy. Here's an apron for friendship.
So that was a three-apron sale.
The second, third and fourth quilt tops came from a Saturday auction. I think it was the first auction of the year for me. I thought the auction was kind of far away, but it turns out it was simply an area I don't know that well and wasn't really all that far away at all.
That's an apron for expanding my territory, but not driving a ridiculous amount.
The sale was at the home of the last direct descendant of the founder of a peppermint-oil factory. Turns out the town of Lyons, NY, once was the Peppermint Capital of the World! Farms all around Wayne County grew peppermint, and travelers on the Erie Canal could smell the peppermint in the air before they arrived in town.
Doesn't that just sound magical?
The auction lasted a very, very long time, and so I had time to read a pamphlet on the history of the peppermint industry. Its founder was determined to be the King of Peppermint, according to the pamphlet. And since the sale was at the home of his final direct descendant, I assume that made her the Queen of Peppermint.
Here's an apron for an interesting history. I'd like to say that the peppermint oil industry still is flourishing, and that all of the light poles are red-and-white striped like candy canes, but neither is true.
I was absolutely determined to get these quilt tops NO MATTER WHAT I HAD TO PAY. That is bad auction thinking. That is first-auction-of-the-year thinking. Before we take away an apron, though, I'll tell you what happened: The quilts were on a pile that had a dozen blankets and comforters, and probably two dozen sets of sheets, and the auctioneer said he was selling the whole pile of linens as one lot. I was shocked. And I don't know if the prospect of that big pile of linens scared away potential bidders or what, but only one other person bid, and she dropped out right away, and I got all three quilt tops for less than I'd planned to pay for one.
It created a bit of a stir. I even drew a little group of admirers who congratulated me and oohed over the quilts.
Another apron for auction buzz!
There are so many wonderful prints in these quilt tops I hardly know where to start. In fact, it appears I bored Carson with my endless chatter about them.
"Look, Carson! There's a hat print!"
"And palm trees!"
"Carson, do you know what's even better than a girls-roller-skating-print in blue?"
"When it comes in orange, too!"
"Carson, there's a puppy chasing the girls on roller skates!"
"Carson, there's a print that has puppies!"
He is just not interested.
Anyway, there is much more to show you.
Another apron for fun stuff.
And an apron for staying well within my budget.
A five-apron auction, but it felt more like a six. All in all, a good weekend.
Not sure how Carson could not be as thrilled with your purchases as you are. Can't wait to see what else is in that stack of boxes!
Ps this is the first blog comment I have typed with my new iPad!
Posted by: Laurie magpieethel | May 22, 2011 at 11:55 PM
Oh my goodness, I love those prints! Sounds like you are off to a great summer!
Posted by: Kathy | May 23, 2011 at 12:02 AM
You found an apron with a hash mark. I love it. What great quilts. The old fabric feedsacks are just so genuine. I have been working with the reproductions and I just adore the prints. What a great haul. Keep up the hard work I am loving it! I do hope one of those will be going to a sweet little dog bed! Smiles...Renee
Posted by: Renee | May 23, 2011 at 09:48 AM
That was a 10 apron post. Love all the vintage fabric. It makes me want to reach in and grab them from my computer screen!
Posted by: nanette | May 23, 2011 at 11:02 AM
For a short time, at least for this week, you are the Quilt Top Queen! I would love to show this post to my sister, who is a quilter, but I fear she would undoubtedly lose consciousness!
Posted by: Carol @ Old Glory Cottage | May 23, 2011 at 02:28 PM
WOW! I love the quilt tops and those napkins are super! Can't wait to see about those boxes...
Posted by: Tina | May 23, 2011 at 02:32 PM
I find the suspense of your apron rating system much more entertaining than most of what's available on 200+ cable channels. Looks like you got quite the haul!
Posted by: Gina at Vintage Junk in My Trunk | May 23, 2011 at 04:11 PM
I am sure that Carson was in fact quite pleased...in his own way. I know that I was pleased to see all of this thrifted goodness!!
Posted by: black eyed susans kitchen | May 23, 2011 at 05:35 PM
Oh, oh, oh B your killin me - LOVE those quilts - and puppies, and roller derby girls and - well I can't say enough what a lucky girl you are (and boy I need to find me a friend name Cindy LOL). Hoping she is not charging commission... Thanks Carson for patiently waiting while your Mum took pics to.....(Miss Gwendonline would not have stayed after the first photo)
Posted by: Julie | May 23, 2011 at 07:11 PM
Too bad Lyons isn't still the peppermint capital of the world. Most peppermint oil and peppermint candy canes now-a-days comes from Mexico. :(
Love the chicken cocktail napkins! Such a nice display with the cookie cutters. And, what great friends Martha and Cindy are for helping you out.
Posted by: Joy | May 24, 2011 at 02:37 PM
Those quilt tops are really wonderful, but I especially love the old fabrics in the first one. I've always loved those. I like those chicken napkins too!
I yard sale shopped with Beth while in Maryland. I've decided the east coast is much better for yard sales and antique stores. There is so much more old stuff there where you guys are.
Posted by: Lena | May 24, 2011 at 06:07 PM
What a great story about sitting through the auction and being rewarded by buying the whole stack. Your dog is so cute, he looks like he belongs in a vintage kids book!
Posted by: Kate | May 24, 2011 at 10:08 PM
I just love the vintage fabrics and quilt tops ( and everything old! ) I think I will have to start blogging about my old fabrics, I do so enjoy your blogs!
Posted by: Farmer's Dotter....Brenda Weed | May 25, 2011 at 01:27 PM
loved the story of the peppermint kind and queen. that must have smelled heavenly floating down the canal and getting your first whiff. such wonderful treasures, and so very nice of the other bidder to bow out for you ;o)
Posted by: susan | May 31, 2011 at 02:55 PM