A is for Annabelle Quilt

As most of my blogger friends know, I am a Tasha Tudor fan. I have been since my girls were young and I made my first trip back to Vermont in 2007. I just returned from my 4th trip back for another Tasha event. A is for Annabelle is a sweet alphabet book revolving around a little doll named Annabelle. Most of us have an Annabelle doll and we have developed quite a fine group over the years.

This is Annabelle from the book. She is a French Fashion doll. The event that I just went to was so wonderful. A small group of us were able to meet the doll used as the Annabelle model for the book. The book was published in 1954.

A few years ago, the Tasha Tudor family sold the fabric to honor the book and also put out a quilt kit. My friend Melinda bought the kit and asked me if I would make it. At first I said no, but she did so much for me on my visits back to Vermont, that I agreed. I didn't buy the quilt kit but I did buy a lot of the fabric and may want to make on for myself now!

This is the fabric after I cut it all out and had it labeled to take to a quilt retreat. I actually took it to 2 retreats and spent a great deal of time piecing it.

This is how the kit looked when I brought it home with me in 2015.

You can see the darling fabrics in the set of fat quarters.

This is one of the blocks that I first put together. I had to fussy cut so many pieces for this quilt. It said it was a beginner quilt, but I'm not sure if I would agree.

This photo was from this spring when I finally got all the blocks sewn together and had the top finished. After I got sick last summer, I had to put it away for awhile. When I found out I was going to Vermont in May, I really had to get it all together so my friend Nancy could long arm quilt it for me.

Nancy did an amazing job on it. We chose a busy quilting pattern for the quilt as it really looked old fashion to match the whole thing. This is the label I did for my friend.

This gives you a great look at the overall quilt pattern on the quilt.

I actually gave it to Melinda in our hotel room the night before our event. She was so tired! She was really speechless and delighted. She said she was hoping to snuggle up under it someday in the future with a grandchild. How sweet.

What a gift of love for my friend Melinda. It was quite the project, a learning process and a delight. As I said, now I am so tempted to make on for myself, but not quite yet! 

Tea Time Tuesday #157

Happy Tea Time Tuesday! After a busy day....blood test, errands, Etsy shipping and visiting with my dad this afternoon, I took a little break for some tea. I am waiting for spring to come. It was supposed to be nice today, but the rains moved in and it was another gray day. I am used to rain living in the Pacific NW, but it has been so wet this year. UGH. So I am enjoying any bit of spring that I can. I put up all my Easter things last weekend and that cheered me up.

I just love this sweet little teacup. The overall rose pattern is so darling and I love the soft green trim.

The teacup and saucer is marked Rosina, is bone china and was made in England.

These sweet bunny ladies are enjoying a spot of tea today too!

I love this little bunny's outfit. She is ready for spring!

This is the tea I am enjoying today. The packaging is so cute.

I am going to a quilt retreat at the coast next week and can't wait. This is one of the projects I am going to make with a layer cake pack and the sweet little flower fabric will be used as the binding.  I am totally into floral and flower prints this spring. Pink pink pink!

A perfect match! Did you have time for tea today? I hope so. 

Thursday Treasures

Today for Thursday Treasures, I have a lot of fun things to share from last weekend. We actually went to two events and sure had a fun time shopping! The weather was quite nice for outside shopping. It's not fun when the temps reach up to the 90's! It was overcast yet quite warm.

The garage sale was just across the river into Washington, only about a half hour from home.
They get a very good turnout at this event.

I was ready to go and this is how I found Jimmy! I just had to laugh.

This shot was taken back in Oregon at the Expo show. I was fascinated with this booth and it's rolling showcase booth. It was drawing a great deal of attention.

In the summer, this show has a huge outside area. We no longer exhibit at the summer Expo. We will be back for the October date.

The sun popped out a bit right before we left.

Jimmy was packing out his goods...those are snowshoes over his shoulder. He sell every pair he can find!

When we get back home, we always enjoy a share and tell and spread out the goodies! He was quite pleased with his finds!

I just love this old box! It may have to stay around.....

The black dolly is fabulous. I love her dress and she will fit in quite well with our booth .

Older copper molds are always welcome! Jimmy also found 4 fishing rods to sell, so he was quite happy about that.

Now, for my goodies! What a different look, heh? That's the fun about each of us selling different things. Fun Fun Fun!

Was I ever pleased to find 4 Holly Hobbie dolls! Most of mine have sold and they are such great sellers. There's a wonderful piece of HH fabric on the left side...a great find!

Old quilt blocks and a wonderful clay cookie mold. I will be keeping this one! I have never seen a quilt pattern one.

A few goodies for the tea collection! It's a real treat to find a pink luster teacup out here in the NW.
I was happy to find the little Japanese teapot to send to a friend's dolly. Ida will be happy. The small teacups are child sized from Queen Elizabeth's coronation. They will be joining my collection...so sweet!

Look at this charming rag doll pattern by McCalls! She has very cute clothes patterns too.

I am always happy to find some ephemera. Most of these were taken from a cute children's book.

My most favorite find was this Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt top. I love the colors and it's nicely done. It was fun to find a top made with hexies, as I'm into that right now.

And look at this gorgeous piece! It's an embroidery hoop that attaches to a table top. We think it's made of maple and it's so pretty and in very good condition.

You just screw it on and off. Jim wants me to keep it and I think it would be a wonderful piece to have! Thank you Jimmy.

Well, I did have a great time but it was hard on my old sore feet. Just a month left to see the doctor.

Linking up with Bernideen at Bernideen's TTC and G Party
Linking up with Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage

I missed my Tea Time Tuesday this week as I was sewing for two days at our church, making bags for a missionary trip. It was fun. 

Thursday Treasures

Our recent trip to the coast was quite fun and we found so fun goodies to keep and of course to sell.
I found lots of things that are just perfect for my Etsy.

You know, I was jumping up and down when I found quilt blocks and a doll quilt. All the fabrics were really in great condition...bright and colorful.

The star blocks are just beautiful! There are 5 of them constructed with fabulous fabrics.

I found a whole stack of the Wedding Ring quilt blocks. I'm sure someone would love to give new life to these blocks.

One large Dresden Plate block would make a great bag or pillow top

I'm always excited to find a doll quilt! They are always a good seller for those little doll cradles or doll beds.

Jim is always looking for small dressers for his booth. This one is so charming. I get excited when I find anything Holly Hobbie! I think I have to keep the Wee Wisdom children's magazines...just too fun!

The maple wooden bowls are for Jim's booth. He got a great price on them and they were made in Vermont! Love old tin cookie cutters. We have found quite a few now for the next show.

Jim is just crazy about Bennington pottery. This is a smaller pitcher and it is charming. It will stay in Jim's collection.

As you can see, we just had lots of fun doing something we love to do together.