oh! -- I just "Bought" IT..?

OR, "HOW TO EXAMINE-DECIDE-BID-WIN IN 10-SECONDS"!! -- well... I really hadn't *bought* ANYthing ELSE all Day...

However, at $10. IT does somewhat *BREAK* My "$5. and UNDER"-ART-COLLECTION Budget. - But, then again, the Money is going *to* "CHARITY"...

so. DESPITE the rather GOOD WEATHER, We pretty much MISSED any GOOD YARD-SALES! -- Just One down-the-road-around-the-corner... And, a Regular One in BEACON HILL.

whatever... We ended up at The SALLY-ANN. There were some "Sales" going on and, the Monthly AUCTION... Which, was halfway DONE by the Time We got There. And, from "what" I could SEE of the ITEMS, there really wasn't Anything of "worthwhile" Interest..?

As MOTHER browsed about, I "ORBITTED" the AUCTION-Area... Looked around... And, kept an EAR-Out on the PROCEEDINGS... MOST of the ITEMS were going to the PRE-BID BOOK - [that I never did have a Chance to Look AT]. And, there seemed to be only a Handful of BIDDERS partaking...

I was a few feet away when the Word "NEEDLEWORK" *grabbed* My Complete ATTENTION! - THEY've had Other Large Framed NEEDLEPOINT at Previous AUCTIONS...

By the Time I got to SEE "IT", I *literally* had SECONDS to *DECIDE*!

What do YOU Think..?

GATE-GIRL..?

The PIC really *doesn't* show the Finer DETAILS... IT "looks" like SILK-THREAD on FINE-LINEN - [or even, Silk again?] - Also, EXPERTLY "FRAMED"! -- After 20-Years - [see the Label] - the PIECE is still PRISTINE!

Now. IF only *I* can "KEEP" IT *THAT* Way for the NEXT TWENTY!!?

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nuts! I probably *should've* SNATCHED that FABRIC after all..?!!

EIGHTH-INCH MIDNIGHT-NAVY & WHITE PINSTRIPE LIGHT-WEAVE COTTON... However, "Optically", IT was just a tad *nasty* on the Eyes! - Although, IT probably would have mixed well with Something ELSE on the "SOLID"-side..?

Anyway, a MOOT-Point *now*, as SOME-OTHER-YOUNG-WOMAN Latched-On to IT *before* I could get BACK to IT...

oh, well... I suppose I've Saved Myself from *certain* BLINDNESS for a bit Longer, so that "SOMEDAY", I might to able to DO "Something" with the Piece of COTTON FABRIC that I *did* BUY...

The CLOTH is somewhat "THIN"-nish... BUT, might hold-up IF IT were "CROSS-STITCH"-*QUILTED* to some THICKER "Backing"..? -- IT would be a rather Interesting, if not, TIME-CONSUMING "ENDEAVOUR"! -- *SOME*-Day...

MEANWHILE, during the Rest of My SHOP-FARI through The VALUE-VILLAGE, I came across THIS TAPESTRY-YARN...

Still a tad Pricey at just Under $2. even *with* the SENIORS'-DISCOUNT - but, I Liked the Colour!

Whilst at HALF the Price, I also acquired THIS BLUE & WHITE WALL-MOUNTED-VASE...

hmm... I NEED to Find some "WALLS"!

wait. -- SISTER has Some...

Perhaps, I can FILL Them UP while She and BIG-D are busy "CELEBRATING" Their **ANNIVERSARY**!?!

...or, not...






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POST 1111 - [say..do those "ONES" look a little *too* Pointy..?]

TODAY'S "KEYWORD" -- *NEEDLE*-work... - [sorta...]

hmm... The SUN was OUT. WARM, but *not* Humid. And, with a Pleasant BREEZE...
-- A *PERFECT* Day in which to "Poke-In" on *The VAMPIRES*!

I had some Regular "Bloodwork" to have done... AS, did MOTHER... Although, SHE *wasn't* the ONE having *only* WATER for Breakfast!! -- THANKFULLY, She was Ready-to-Leave WHEN I was! And, that TRAFFIC was Light and PARKING was actually to be FOUND!

Despite a little nearby Grocery-Shopping thrown in, We still managed to get Back HOME within a HALF-HOUR! - [shock!] - Then, it was a quick "BRUNCH" for Me and We were OFF to MICHAEL'S...

NOT a Lot happening There, Today... I just Added to the RIBBON-*HOARD*... [Blame IT on the Blood-LOSS and 20%-OFF-Coupon!]

Meanwhile, seeing as IT was TUESDAY and "SENIORS'-DAY" at VALUE-VILLAGE, We headed on over There...

WHERE, I found These THREE "NEEDLE"-WORK SCREENS - [8.5x11" on the INSIDE] - for
90-Cents-Each after Discounts and Taxes! -- They're in Great Condition!

SOMEDAY, I'm going to HAVE TO "Dig-OUT" My THRIFTY-TAPESTRY-"THREADS" and *DO* One of THESE CANVASSES!! -- I'm kinda liking that One with the Pansies...

To Complete My "CHINTZY"-Purchases, I also Acquired THIS METER of Quilting-Quality COTTON FABRIC for $1.80... I've got absolutely NO CLUE as to *WHAT* I'm going to DO *with* IT - But, IT's NICE!

Well... MUST stay "on Point" and get back to My Knitting-*NEEDLES* now...

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STITCH-Bound by the BOOKS From Inside "THE BOX" - Part 3...

"ONE" OF THESE DAYS, WE'RE GONNA *HAVE TO* OPEN UP A "CRAFTING"-LIBRARY!!

Because, between Us, MOTHER and I quite *Literally* have a TON of TOMES on ART, CRAFTS, SEWING, NEEDLEWORK, KNITTING, CROCHET, PAINTING, WOODWORK... And, in the Form of "HOW-TOs", Historicals, Exhibitions... A boundless Bibliographic LEGACY of LEARNING!!

So. Whilst MOTHER's "$2.-BOX" held Several Other varied BOOKS, These THREE were in MY "$5.-BOX"!!

Helen M. STEVENS' "EMBROIDERED BUTTERFLIES"

Better Homes and Gardens - "BEAUTIFUL CROSS-STITCH"

Joan FISHER - "The Creative Art of NEEDLEPOINT TAPESTRY"

Anyway, ALL are most Informative! -- "Needle"ss to say, I will Likely be Referring to THEM *When* and/or *IF*, I EVER get around to Tackling Yesterday's Featured "EMBROIDERY KITS"!!

MEANWHILE, a "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" to My Late PATERNAL-"GRANNY"! -- Although, She might not have been in the Same "CREATIVE"-League - [GARDENING was always more of Her "Thing"] - as My MATERNAL-GRANDMOTHER, I will always REMEMBER "GRANNY" for having a Profound *SKILL* for DARNING Socks!

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The *Contents* of "THE BOX" of BARGAINS -- Part 2...

BUT FIRST... An ITEM that *wasn't* in "THE BOX".

As it happens, This EMBROIDERY KIT ended up being My *LAST* Purchase-of-the-Day for only a DOLLAR!

Initially, it was the THREAD-COLOUR that caught My Eye... However, I'm somewhat "TEMPTED" to actually - SOME DAY, *maybe* - "DO" This KIT! -- To be Honest, I've NEVER Done ONE of This TYPE before - [with Threads INcluded]...

Although IT's been DECADES, "THIS" - [BELOW] - is the Version that I'm *more* Familiar with... This TAPESTRY "KIT" *was* in "THE BOX"!

IT has TWO PATTERNS... The SECOND One was never Started and I actually prefer IT. -- I would try to Finish up This FIRST One, but, the STITCHING-TENSION on IT is *WARPED*! - I don't think the PERSON Who began IT, used a Proper HOOP to Secure the WORK..? And, the BACK-SIDE STITCHES are kinda Weird-Looking, too...

*IF*, I "ever do" DO the OTHER ONE, I might just consider taking THIS ONE "apart" and RE-do IT..?

Anyway... An additional "CURIOSITY" about IT -- The *DESIGN* has a *1942* COPYRIGHT, yet, the SCREEN and WOOL-YARN are near PRISTINE..?! -- So. Either IT's all been Remarkably PRESERVED or, the "MATERIALS" were more "Recently" acquired!?

The YARN is apparently "U.K." Made -- So, IF Any of YOU from THERE happen to Recognize IT and can place a "Time-PERIOD" on IT - PLEASE - let Me KNOW!

MEANWHILE... A Couple of OTHER "THE BOX" ITEMS...

I Love the SHADE of This BLUE BOTTLE! As well as that "COIL"-Design. The Other VASE's SMOKY-EVERGREEN HUE was also *most* APPEALING!

BTW, so You *Know*, I had "PLANNED" on POSTING a Few *MORE* PICS, "but", the CAMERA-BATTERIES *died* on Me! - AGAIN!! -- ggrrrrrrrrrrrr...

Will TRY to GET it Done, Tomorrow!

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RE-Filling "The VOID" -- PART ONE

IT'S BEEN SAID -- "...that, NATURE abhors a Vacuum..."

SO... Yesterday, when MOTHER and I brought over that Trunk-Load of STUFF to the GLOUCESTER EMERGENCY FOOD CUPBOARD  for Their Today's "YARD SALE",
a **VOID** was Created within "THE HOARD"! -- Therefore, as IS the Nature of THE UNIVERSE, the FOLLOWING ITEMS were *Sucked* INTO that EMPTY SPACE...

BTW, there was a *LOT* of STUFF!! So MUCH in Fact, that I've decided to Spread THEM over a Couple of POSTS.

FYI -- THIS is WHAT *Happens*, "when" I'm Forced to Get-UP *EARLY*! - Not to Mention, that We were OUT "THERE" for EIGHT-HOURS!! - With only a FEW Hours of SLEEP...

ANYHOO... THIS POST is devoted to My "G.E.F.C." Acquisitions ONLY. -- oh. And, I got "ALL of IT" -TOTAL, for UNDER $5.!!


When We ARRIVED, I headed Straight for the "ARTWORK" Area - [IT's a PICNIC TABLE, with Frames and Such propped up on the Benches...] - Moments before, I had spotted a GUY in the Parking Lot walking off with a LARGE PIECE. ITS "Front"-side UNseen!

I can only *WONDER* as to what GREAT WORKS I *MISSED* out on, EARLIER!

These TWO 8X10-INCH CANVASES were the ONLY "good" ORIGINAL-Pieces LEFT!

Despite, THEIR "Subject"-Matter NOT being on My FAV-LIST, *for* just a DOLLAR EACH, I *wasn't* going to PASS THEM up!

Besides, THEY are Nicely-done... Although, THEY could DO with some REFRAMING!






The NEEDLEWORK, was at the SAME-PRICE.

I *hate* the Framing on IT, though! -- IT deserves a much BETTER "FUTURE"...

ONLY 50-Cents for THIS ILLUSTRATION-Filled TOME!

ahh... And, what's a Great "YARD-SALE" without Me reeling-in at least ONE "FISH"-DISH!?!
-- IT's about 10-Inches Long...

NOW...

Amongst the Scattering of rather mundane Glassware and Crockery, I chanced upon THIS Little Cerulean GEM!



About 5-Inches, in CLEAN Condition, with the Markings of "HANKSCRAFT"...


I did a bit of quick & dirty
"Research"...

Supposively Made by the
RED WING POTTERIES of Minnesota for HANKSCRAFT. Likely in the '40s..? And, Designed for BABY-Use!


In which case, I'm in Awe that IT's *SURVIVED*!



BTW, besides the Stunning Colour, the 10-Cent Price didn't Hurt, either!!












MEANWHILE, on a further away Table, These TWO STONEWARE JARS caught My Eye...




According to the Remaining Broken WAX-SEAL on One, THESE are "MUSTARD-POTS" apparently from "MOUSTARDE de MEAUX"..?

At 50-Cents for The PAIR, THEY look Useful.

I've yet to RE-open the Sealed-One to see WHAT's "INSIDE"..?!! -- A *Task* probably BEST attempted "OUTSIDE"! Who *knows* WHAT IT'll *SMELL* like!?!

Over on the "CLOTHING"-"FABRIC" Table... For 25-Cents, got THIS One-Yard Piece of COTTON FABRIC. -- I thought the KOALAS were Cute!

WITHIN the Same "Box" was This ITALIAN-MADE SQUARE SCARF!


There weren't any Other Tags, BUT, I *strongly* Believe that IT's
"WOOL"!
Perhaps - possibly - CASHMERE..?

-- There were Other Cashmere Items nearby in Less Favourable Condition.

JUST another
"25-Cents"!! - And, I even LIKE the COLOUR!

THIS is a Little TIN CASE - about ACTUAL-Size... 10-Cents.

I'm really NOT the "SAYINGS"-
Type, per se... However, THIS sorta seemed Apropos!!?






TOMORROW, the OTHER YARD SALES *STUFF*...

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SHOP-FARI-ing All Over The SWEAT-ENGETI...

BTW, DID I MENTION THE PART, ABOUT THE TEMPS BEING *HOTTER* THAN HONOLULU RIGHT NOW..?!!

As of 5:00pm -
OTTAWA -- 35C [95F] - Humidex 44C [111.2F]
HONOLULU -- 29C [84.2F] - Humidex 35C [95F]

Just in case, You were ALL *Wondering*...

Well, We actually managed to Leave the HOUSE *BEFORE* NOON!! - Found at least ONE YARD SALE in Our Neighbourhood.




At 50-Cents Each, I picked up These TWO CERAMIC "TEA"-SERVICE COTTAGES.

At least, I think that's what THEY're for..? There's a Hole in one of the Roofs for a Spoon.

-- Made in JAPAN by OTAGIRI.

The Tallest One is 6-Inches high.





Off to BEACON HILL next...

Where, apparently STUPID-BLIND-DRIVERS-WHO-RUN-STOP-SIGNS-LIVE-IN-PAIRS!!

-- I'm not going to Dwell on Them...



Anyway, aside from the ODD-CHILDREN selling Their TOYS, there was only One SALE worth Stopping for... A "JUNK-DEALER", Who had His STUFF in His Backyard.

Made in *JAPAN* - *SWEDEN* - *DENMARK* - *GERMANY* - and more likely NOT "The BAHAMAS"!

Which was where, I found These BLUE & WHITE PORCELAIN THIMBLES amongst a Larger Assortment - 5 for $2.

ALL from Different Countries and of Lovely Quality - except, for The "BAHAMAS" One which is clearly on the CHEAP-side. BUT, IT was BLUE & WHITE, with a "FISH" and "PALM TREES". And, I've been There! Not to mention, I needed a FIFTH One!

We made a Quickie-NON-Purchase-For-Me-Stop at The SALLY-ANN. Then, went all the Way over to HOME DEPOT because MOTHER *WANTED* some "MUMS" that were ON-SALE!
-- AS She perused PLANTS, I picked up a Pile of PAINT COLOUR-SAMPLE CARDS... I like the Colour-Combos.

After draping the 5-POTS-of-MUMS with some little Clear-Plastic-Bags that happened to be IN the Trunk - [makeshift Terrariums to KEEP Them ALIVE in the STIFLING Compartment] - We hauled over to
MICHAEL'S at TRAINYARDS.

I had Several "40%-OFF-Coupons"...

And, I've been Wanting some 6.5mm LOOP-KNITTING-NEEDLES. Plus, YARN of course!


Also, whilst There, We "met"
One of BABY-BRO's former ARMY BUDS! Who had Recognized My
"distinctive" BALL-CAP that My BROTHER had given Me Years ago from one of His "TOURS".

*CHATTING* commenced... Mutual "SMALL-WORLD-ness" resulted.



The HOUR and HEAT were getting on, so We started for THE MALL... With, a Last-Minute-Right-Turn-At-The-Red-Light toward VALUE-VILLAGE. -- SO Glad We DID!!

However, this was *DESPITE*, just happening to OBSERVE from a Distance - [after dropping MOTHER off at the Entrance and going to Park] - a PRETTY-LADY and HER-BABY - [a.k.a. SUPER-IDIOT-MOTHER-OF-THE-YEAR-*NOT!*] - SUBLIMINALLY-TRYING-TO-KILL-HER-CHILD!

Okay. So, MODEL-MOM has Her TODDLER in a Stroller going to Her Car, which, She "parks"
BEHIND the Left-REAR-FENDER. Puts Purchases into Trunk. Then, INSTEAD of moving said CHILD over into the "Safety" of the EMPTY Parking-Space on Her Left, She gets IN and **STARTS-UP** the Car!!!

-- "Presumably", to turn on the "Air-Conditioning" for Her HATLESS-in-the-SUNNY-110F-HEAT-TWO-FEET-AWAY-FROM-the-*RUNNING*-EXHAUST-PIPE-and-IS-STILL-PARKED-*BEHIND*-the-LEFT-TIRE-of-the-NOW-**OPERATING**-VEHICLE-about-to-be-ASPHYXIATED-if-not-RUN-OVER-CHILD!!??!

Had I been Closer...


ANYHOO... On to My more ENJOYABLE "DISCOVERIES"!

This Fabulous "Made in FINLAND" 7-INCH BLUE & WHITE PLATE for $2.25. -- I think IT could be a Cheese-Platter..?? IT has a small RIM that would Suggest such Use.

ALSO, for the Same-Price, another HAZEL-WARE "COLONY" BOWL in the Square-Shape!

And, in AMETHYST!!

-- For My FAV GLASS
"COLLECTION"!!

-- WOOHOO!!





Eventually, We got to THE MALL...

AIR-CONDITIONING!

"REST-ROOM" break.

Much *Needed* "SALTY"-JUNK-FOOD Acquisitions!

Obligatory "Loosing"-LOTTERY-Tickets...

oh, yeah... and, GROCERIES!


Got HOME just in Time to MELT into a Long-Weekend-*COOL*-BASEMENT-BLOB!

aahhhhhh!!!!

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