The painting is going quite well, though slow. Matthew is teething and wants nothing other than to be with his momma which means lots and lots of painting breaks. Add to that an invitation from a friend to go to a Brad Paisley concert (funny thing is I only know one song of his) this weekend and an unexpected thrifting opportunity and well, I just hope to be done sometime this week.
A few nights ago, Poppa and I were watching a movie and he mentioned that he knew someone whose grandmother had passed away when we moved here and they had to clear out her house by the end of the month. He mentioned being asked by the family if we were interested in anything they had for sale. Upon further inquiry (by me) I found out that an estate sale was being planned but nothing had been sold yet. I begged him to find out if I could go have a look before the sale and the next day we planned for the boys and I (my favorite thrifting partners) to go and visit.
A chance to go through the whole house before anyone else? Yes, please and thank you! Oh and the painting you ask? What painting?, would have been my answer. So, yesterday early morning, we headed out. We went through cupboards and closets, basements and attics, bedrooms and the largest craft stash I have ever come across. Unfortunately for me, it was paper craft and that is just not something I have ever been interested in but if I had, coming across thousands of stamps and die cuts probably would have done me in. Four hours later we emerged with our treasures.
In the basement in a very back corner, I found a box FULL of vintage buttons (I am still on cloud 9 by the way), a few vintage fabrics, baskets, a lovely vintage table cloth, a box full of antique clothes pins (which will be offered in my store soon since I already own more than I need) lots of sewing notions, vintage toys, a quilt rack, another vintage sewing machine (goodness, ‘I think that makes 6 now) an oil painting for the dining room and a few more things that escape my mind at the moment.
The sewing machine was a necessity, I promise. I just took in 3 of ours to get serviced after my favorite sewing machine died during the holidays. I have one more that needs new belts and so I actually do not have a sewing machine to use for the next three weeks. I could not pass up the great price on the one I bought. When I tried it out, it was such a pleasure to sew with and the girls are quite tired of my hogging up their machines.
On the way home from our private estate sale, the boys begged me to go to our favorite treasure hunting spot, Tickled Pink. We waisted, er spent another two hours getting lost among all the vintage treasures. If you are ever in Louisville, you must visit them, you will never have more fun anywhere else. It’s is one of my favorite places to be.
On the way home, I started thinking about the estate sale. I thought about what would happen to my own stash if I passed away. I know my daughters would use it but it still made me think about how I need to use the things I have, make something with it or pass it along. I thought about how many times I have come across button collections at these types of events. I don’t want someone to come across my buttons and take them to store in their own home until they too pass away. These buttons will find homes, on handmade clothing I make for my little ones. They will get used. I think it’s time for a Craft Manifesto.
For now, I am going back to painting, though that vintage sewing machine is calling my name.
Ooh, I'm jealous. I've had dreams-both sleeping and waking-of something like this. Wow.
Wow…good finds! The buttons alone would have me singing but the Play Mobile toys are just too awesome!