No Albert Until Thursday...

Tessie and I are both in so much trouble! 

I went to my favorite Goodwill store this morning.

This is what I found.  No. Not Tessie.

All of the stuff around her.

It was a large bag of ribbon and trims for 6.99. With the "Little Old Lady Discount", It came out to around 5.50.  There was another smaller bag, but I didn't take it...

It looked to me like a lot of mini ribbons and trims. For that price, I was willing to take a chance...

I am SO glad that I did!!!

A lot of the little plastic bags, I recognized from mini shows back in the eighties. I was right!

As I unpacked everything, I wrote down the prices on the bags. To my surprise, by the time I finished, There was over 150.00 worth of trims and ribbons!!!

I took Each item out of it's bag and wound the ribbons and trims on separate cards.

As I was doing it, I kept thinking of the other bag that I saw. When I finished everything but Tessie's pile. I decided that I wanted that other bag. 

I went back to Goodwill and got it.  It was 2.30 more.  It had some more trims and some very nice antique lace.

I think by the time I finish Tessie's pile, I can safely estimate the total very close to $200.00 worth of trims, lace and braids.  

I have to go back now and finish untangling Tessie's mess. She can't seem to get out of there.  I just hope I don't have to cut her loose.  That would be a shame...

She is just going to have to tolerate the mess that she got herself into until I untangle her. 

Wish me luck! See you tomorrow.

A Good Time Was Had By All!

When I woke up this morning, Tessie was ready to go!

Today is the first day of the local miniature show and sale.  This year it is back at the Woman's club.  It was done there for years.  Last year they tried it at the Mini Time Machine Museum. It was over crowded and being short, I kept getting stepped on all the time that I was there... Tall people don't tend to look down and behind themselves.

Anyway, it was much nicer today and Tessie was ready to go at five thirty... The show doesn't open until ten.

 Anyway, when we got there, there was a line by the door. 

As soon as we got inside, we made a B line for the one table that I always buy from. 

I loaded up on trims from Debbie Laue.  She always had a wonderful selection of small print fabrics and trims. She also carries all kinds of kits and other goodies!

I loaded up.

If by chance you see her at a show, be sure to look.  I know you will find something that you really, really want!

This is her card.  She also has an online shop.  The address is at the bottom of the card.

When we got home, Tessie grabbed the bags and ran for the bed.  She spread out all of the treasures and started sorting through.  We spent around fifty dollars, but it was worth every penny.  We can't buy the tiny trims here in Tucson, so I loaded up.  These will last me at least part of the year. Then I may have to go on line to restock.

Anyway, Tessie is happy.  And if Tessie is happy, everybody's happy.

 

Maybe I should make her a new hat.

 

See you tomorrow.

 

My Favorite Hawk.... Hudson...

Before we go on to anything else, I would like to introduce you to my favorite predator...

This is Hudson Hawk. He has been coming into our back yard to hunt(Pretty much unsuccessfully) for a couple of years.

I am sorry that this is not a better photo, but it is really hard to get him to sit still.  This was taken through the screen from indoors.

Every once I a while I catch him rolling around in that tray of water and splashing like the little birds do.  I have yet to get a photo of that though.  I am going to keep trying.  For a hawk, he's pretty cute.  That tray that he is sitting on the edge of is about 15" across.  That will give you some idea of his size.  He is NOT a small bird!

Now, on to business... I decided to make myself a board of samples of some of the laces and braids that I use for architectural features, so that you could get some idea of what can be done with trim, glue, gesso and paint.

I glued a bunch of different stuff to the board.

Then I gesso-ed it all.

After that was dry, I painted it all with the paint that I have been using for the bath and bedroom.

Some notes to self.... The first one on the left is crochet.  It works, but needs another coat of gesso to make it look like part of the wall

The one on the top right is a piece of regular Victorian trim from Houseworks.  It adds a little something to put some trim on the top of the strip.

The bottom right is two examples of what lace can do to plain old cove molding.  I am going to try some lace on crown molding and see how much fancier that can be made.

 

I added some more #3 pearl cotton to the doorway.  I may not be done yet... It just depends on my mood... Please pay no attention to the drunk passed out on the bathroom floor.  I didn't even notice that Zar was there until I uploaded the photo. 

I guess I should drag him out of there and give him some black coffee.... It must have been a bad night...

Anyway, the morning shift is on duty in the back yard, so I had better go and play lookout for the squirrels.  Hudson pays no attention to the "Keep Out Hawks!" Sign that is posted over the birdbath.

See you tomorrow.