How to Have a Happy Sunday

1.  Spot a humble hand-made sign that reads  "Yard Sale". 

2.  Drive by.  Does it look any good? 

3.  Wow!  It does! 

4.  Start to get excited. 

5.  Pull over.  Glimpse piles of furniture through the trees. 

6.  Enter a wonderland of antiques - scattered on a giant lawn, under tents, stacked high in garage.

7.  Ask husband, "Have I died and gone to heaven?"

As it turned out, this wasn't exactly a yard sale, but the clever marketing tactics of an antiques dealer.  I only came with eight dollars cash in my wallet, so it meant browsing only.  I spied a huge pinwheel quilt, time-worn and butter-soft, at least a generation or two old.  At a regular yard sale, I might have a chance.  But this was a dealer, and I'd never seen a hand-quilted vintage gem like that in antique shops for less that $75. 

It couldn't hurt to ask.

Me (gingerly):  How much are you asking for the quilt that's hanging over there? *smile*

Antique Lady:  Oh that one?  I'd say that one is...uh...eight dollars?

Me: !!!!!!!!!!

Exactly the amount I had in my wallet!  I tried to act nonchalant so she wouldn't change her mind, emptied out my wallet, hugged it tight and scurried back to the truck.  It was MY quilt!  It was meant for me!  The talented lady who created it must have been smiling down on me from heaven, counting up my change and making my wish come true. 

And I won't let her down!  You'd think it was my very own family heirloom, I'm so attached to it.   The picture above is not it, here is half of it on the clothesline:

The picture at the top of the post is actually another brilliantly lucky find - a handstitched quilt top constructed out of vintage fabrics - scrunched up on the thrift store shelf for three dollars!  This woman had a great eye for combining colours (don't you love the maroon and turquoise with the pink?):

I'm going to try and finish it myself as a practice exercise.  I've never quilted anything - so I'll try my best not to ruin it! 

I almost feel guilty, buying two incredible labours of love for a grand total of eleven dollars.  But they're in a good home now, ready for many years of quilt-ly duty. 

Comments

[Holly C.]

You are so lucky! What a find. I love quilts too, especially old ones. So beautiful.

[Natalie]

Perfect... quilt destiny. If one of my quilts should ever part from the family, I hope it would land in the arms of someone just like you!

[bigbucketgirl]

"The talented lady who created it must have been smiling down on me from heaven, counting up my change and making my wish come true" That is such a wonderful description! I love it! When I go to car boot sales and the like, the women 'up there' must be busy!

[Jennifer]

Congratulations -- this was all meant to be! You will not, repeat not, in any way ruin or dishonor the top by using it to learn to quilt; in fact, you will be doing the maker the ultimate honor and service. Go for it!

[Andria]

I am so happy you found these jewels. Quilts are the one thing that will actually make me cry if I think about how they ended up where they are. Someone's family didn't care enough about the strained eyes or arthritic fingers that lovingly put these beautiful blankets together and they just threw them out or sold them. I'm glad you found them to give them love again.

[Jen]

Oh, how lovely! I collect old (reasonably priced) quilts, and I would have snapped it up too!

[amanda bel]

Lucky ducky!

[Allison]

I would've flipped out at such a great find for $8! And what a beautiful quilt. I haven't been to any yard sales or antique stores in quite a long time and this post is making me wonder why I've neglected one of my favorite pastimes.

[Cheryl]

Gorgeous quilts! I'd say that's $11 very well spent!

[Tina]

Wow! What a find!! I love quilts so much, but they are mega-expensive to buy over here in Scotland. I ought to try making one myself, but I haven't worked up the courage yet!

Love your blog!

Tina :)