Thrift Thursday and Thank You Thursday too...

Well, it will probably take a week or two for me to come anywhere close to posting 5 days a week. But here is my " Thrift Thursday" entry for today!

I got this quilt at the Goodwill for 16.00. Not in my usual budget but I was really drawn to the craftsmanship and the cozy fall palette. I am working on some cute Joel Dewberry throw pillows to go with it. I may sell it with the pillows on Etsy, as I don't have the perfect place for it in my house.. but for now it is on my rocking chair... daring me to redecorate, so it can stay.


Here is a belated Thank You Thursday Post too..

Look at this gorgeous donkey from
Laurie at Old School Acres... This guy is so cute and poseable too. He reminds me of Eeyore and of Brighty of the Grand Canyon.. all the storybook donkeys of my youth. I love him.
And if that isn't enough look at all the baubles and trims! Thanks Laurie! You are too kind!

Made It Myself Monday: The Portable Project Board

This is my latest time saving semi-craft. I got a piece of homosote noise dampening board at the huge mega hardware mecca and cut it up with a box knife to appropriate sized pieces. I wrapped it tightly with a couple of lovely pieces of stash fabric. I kept it neutral so that I could highlight my project on it.

I then pinned up the pattern envelope, sewing instructions sheet, all the findings, my tape measure, the smaller cut pattern/fabric pieces, my tailors chalk and seam ripper. I spend way too much time looking for these things as I fuddle my way through most clothing construction.

It is a great way to keep all the bits of the project at arms length and eye level. I had an idea for an improvement though; I am making an arrow "you are here pin" to pin on the instructions too... Because I accidentally read the wrong instructions for the other "view " of the blouse I was making and did an un-necessary facing. Argh.

Thank goodness the extra seam ripper is pinned to the board.

And just in case you were afraid it was all business here at Abode de la Betty:

Snail of Wee Wonderfuls.. for my All Handmade Holidays this year. All wool felt, Heather Bailey fabrics and shocking pink antennae hat. Hopefully a young lady I know will like her a lot.
I think, for now, her name will be Astrid.

Had a Happy Week

Well, I am having a run-away mom girl weekend with my best friend from college this weekend but wanted to do a bit of a weekly recap.

I think that Very soon I am going to try and do themed posts.

You know:
Made it Myself Monday
Tutorial Tuesday
WIP Wednesday
Thrift Shop Thursday
Fashion Friday

Or something less nauseatingly alliterated.
or not.

But back to the recap of The Week That Was:

Very decent Thrift-shopping:

• The 4 cup pyrex measuring cup... I only had the two cup.
• 5 mini fluted pyrex pie plates. These are fantastic. I will use them all the time!
• Handy dandy potato ricer/fruit press: appears to be vintage but unused, cute and handy.
• Nice vintage robe pattern: maybe a holiday item for Mr. Bitter.
• Red beads and a black patent leather frame handbag.

The table cloth was from a previous thrift-venture but it pulled the look together.

I think it is funny how what you buy from the thrift store usually has something to say about you current obsessions. Lately I have been cooking about a thousand times more interesting and complicated meals. Hence the small dishes and huge measuring cup.
But Betty why are you cooking so much more? Why, when there is sewing and embroidering calling out to be done? Why?

The CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Box. It is like an Organic Veggie Subscription.

This is a pic of some of the stuff we got this week.

Last week I made: fresh tomato soup, pumpkin bread from fresh roasted pumpkin, butternut squash soup, cornbread, eggplant dip and sauteed shrimp, margaritas, pita croutons for a salad made with mint and feta cheese, blue cheese-cranberry-pecan salad, apple crisp, pumpkin bread caramel sundaes, gingered lemon drops ( The cocktail, mind you.), tuna casserole with green beans, ceasar salad,

and tonight we will have almond crusted local salmon with creamy leek sauce, scalloped sweet potatoes with fennel, and mixed baby greens with pumpkin seeds and apple chunks.

Normally its just: pasta, burritos, pasta, grilled fish, soup, pasta.. and maybe an omelette.

I am going to have to find a happy medium someday because my craft time has been pretty sparse.. and the huge amount of dirty dishes.. aye-aye!

but for now we are fat and happy living off the CSA Box.

Weekly Gratuitous kitten photo:

Well, off I go to take my big orange cat to the vet. He hurt his paw trying to escape from this little terror.

Maybe I will get a chance to finish my New Vintage Shirt before I hit the road.
Well, a girl can dream, can't she?