Treasure Trove

We recently explored some attic storage in my house to see exactly what an elder relative had stashed away. Box after box (after box after box...) emerged from hiding. Think clowns spilling out of a VW Beetle. The majority went straight to the Goodwill, but after the entire contents of all the boxes had been gone though, I ended up with an overflowing basket of Vintage Goodness. And I do mean vintage. Lovely printed tablecloths? Check. Pretty hankie? Check. Random chunks of midcentury barkcloth? Lonely embroidered linens? Check and check again.

Now, what to do with it all? I'm not sure. Pictures to follow. Suggestions are welcome. Help. Me.

Bundle of Joy

Lately I've been leafing through my mother's collection of 60s and 70s craft books, and the patchwork projects that appeal to me most use lots of solid cottons. (Also, the ones I love the most seem to be often designed by Jean Ray Laury. More later...) The solids have since gone out of (quilting) fashion for the most part, and I have a hard time finding quilt shops around that carry a really huge palette of solid colours.

So, during Christmas I went to Michigan to visit my family, and made a side-trip to JoAnn Fabrics on Christmas Eve day. Umm... you know your fabric-buying excursion is going past the point of no return when you fill your cart with bolts for cutting not once, but TWICE...

Solids!! Glorious SOLIDS!! Drink in the spendour!! (And very inexpensive to boot!)

NOW I can explore the wonderful world and inspiring work of Jean Ray Laury, whose 1966 book called Applique Stitchery I just received in the mail after a rare eBay order. This book really speaks to me in a lot of ways, particularly her views on colour, design and craftsmanship, and the use, almost exclusively, of solids. I've been a fan for years, apparently, but never knew her name until recently.

Okay! I have to go wash and press and fold my new-found friends...