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Sunday, January 25, 2015

Auction Day


I worked a rare Saturday auction today.
It was busy, crowded and full of quality antiques!
And the bidders seemed to have bottomless bank accounts. ha.
I was amazed at how high the bids went!
But near the end of the day, the crowd dwindled down to just
a handful of people and I ended up bringing home three boxes of
very nice items to put in my shop.  No trash picking this time,
because there weren't any box lots! 
One thing that may have to stay here with me is this antique quilt.
Bet you can't tell why I like it so much.  ha.
It needs to be washed, so I'll have to do a little
investigating to see how to wash it.
They called it a blue bird quilt, but they look like swallows to me!
Isn't it sweet?  I just love all those tiny hand stitched squares. :)


45 comments:

  1. Lovely acquisition . . . . . . nice and classy . . . . :)

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    Replies
    1. Isn't it pretty? :) Can wait to get it cleaned up.

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  2. Very sweet! Whatcha get? Whatcha get? Whatcha get? :-)

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    1. Quite a variety of things! It's all still in the jeep...I've only been home about 90 minutes. ha.

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    2. I ruined a quilt - the silken edging of it - by putting it in the washer. And it was on a gentle cycle. Totally frayed the hem. So I might suggest soaking it first in a laundry tub or bathtub to see how much comes out. Also you can use Borax which is for unbleachables. I have e-mailed you something you might find helpful.

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    3. Also, I am laughing at the bluegrass banjo music that the boys are blaring... but it might drive me to drink!

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    4. It is awful, let me tell you! Lol...

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  3. Very nice! I think you have the perfect job.
    :0)

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    1. I think I do, too! I enjoy it so much more than I even thought I would. I was petrified when I started but now it's just fun. ha.

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  4. It looks like a swallow to me too, but what a nice find! I watch American Pickers all the time. You could star in your own show. I know I have said that before!

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    1. I've never watched that show! I need to look it up and see when it's on.

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    2. I think you would love the guys!

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  5. It certainly looks the part, that will keep you warm on chilly nights. I have a VERY large American style quilt my grandmother made us for a wedding present in nineteen hundred and frozen stiff! Every panel is padded and hand stitched, it is gorgeous, I wouldn't part with it for the world! I think I sent you a picture of it once, not sure. It's a pity we cant put pictures in the comments.

    I would sooner have the quilt than a modern duvet; there's no comparison!

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    1. Did you find me a nice green salad bowl?

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    2. You got married in the year 'frozen stiff'? No wonder it didn't work out. ha. Yes, I remember your quilt...it really is a beautiful piece of work. And even nicer since your grandmother made it!

      No salad bowls....I'll have to go through my boxes and see what's there tomorrow. No rolling pins, though, I do know that much!

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  6. haha you never would have guessed why you got that
    Must have been the white and not the bird coming up to bat
    Like to have a bottomless back account here
    That would suit my rhyming rear

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    1. I know...too expensive for my purse
      all that money would make you curse!
      But things calmed down a it
      and I got to bid a bit.

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  7. How fun! I love it, what a wonderful take away for a day of work. Think if it could talk - what wonderful stories this quilt would have to tell! :)

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    1. I was thinking that as I drove home. I wonder who made it....just one lady pouring over each stitch in her free time or was it a quilting bee with a circle of ladies gossiping as they worked. And I wonder where it's been and who it kept warm. ...and if they loved birds as much as I do. :)

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  8. It is pretty, I hope it washes up good for you, maybe a gentle soak to loosen and dirt then a gentle wash, I know my my Mum washed her old quilts in Ivory snow . so thats what I do, yours being white does present a more delicate problem of bleaching, maybe just hang it out side to dry in the freezing cold with the sunshine, I know frosty sunny days help whiten sheets, lemon juice helps whiten and the old fashioned bluing, . I love when you have auction day!

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    1. Those are some good ideas! Too bad it isn't just all white...I could use a little bleach. I guess if the birds turned grey I wouldn't really mind. lol... Lemon juice is a good idea....soaking... and then on the delicate cycle.

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    2. ooops, I thought it was all white, sorry, its lovely, I wonder if Oxi Clean would be to harsh, if its old, bleach might dissolve the fibers,

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    3. Well, it's all white except for a blue border and those stitched birds. Oxy Clean might be a good choice...I'll do a little research on it! I might just give it a go with my regular laundry soap and a soak. I'll have to spread it out and give it a good inspection to see if there are any stains.

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  9. Very pretty- I was going to say it looked like a peace dove. Wash extra gently- I once had a quilt rip in several places..but I think it might have been dry rot.

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  10. Back in the 70's when I was young I could go to farm auctions and buy things for a song. Somewhere during my college days antique shops started taking off and I just quit going to them. Your quilt is precious. Someone was so proud of the creation and their work quality was so great. I gave up a hand stitched flower quilt of my mom's to sil because I am a nice guy, but what was I thinking?

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    1. I have 16 or more upstairs in storage so it is good I let one go, I guess that is what I was thinking.

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    2. Sixteen? Oh wow...I'm jealous! You should at least have them out ....maybe not to use, but I love the look of a big stack of quilts.
      yes, you were nice to give that one up...even if she is related. haha.

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  11. cool....we have a quilt made by my gramma...so heavy and warm...so enjoy it...

    we are sitting at the hospital now with my other gramma...she had a heart attack and fell yesterday....

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    1. Oh, I'm sorry....hope she's ok. You're so lucky to still have a gramma! But then, you're young yet yourself. :)

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  12. That quilt has Betsy written all over it! Glad you got some good stuff!

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    1. I know...doesn't it? So sweet. Someone else loved birds too...all that hand stitching and I think those are forget me nots. Aw.

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  13. What a beautiful quilt. I love all the hand stitching. Just wonderful. So glad you got it. Will you display it somewhere?

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    1. I'm not sure what I'll do with it. It doesn't really go in any room! I just love it, though. It might end up in the shop after I admire it for a while.

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  14. Very very pretty!!! I would have grabbed it up myself, then again you have restraint with all the neat things you see.

    I don't have your knowledge but I got some advice when I would buy old linens and napkins. To clean them, soak them in dishwasher liquid. Odd, but it worked I would do it in the sink or tub, depending on the size and then rinse and roll in towels. Air dry. Let me know if you've heard of this.

    Jane x

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    1. That's a good idea too, Jane..thank you. Dish soap would be gentle...just need to be careful I don't make too many bubbles. Maybe just some sponged on any stains. Can't wait to spread it out today and have a close inspection. I was clerking when it sold so I only got to see it from a distance. Seems like just some yellowing from what I could tell.

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  15. I am such a sucker for any hand stitched, hand made items. This is a little treasure, Betsy. Especially perfect for you with the sweet bird... I think you are right about it being a swallow. ;) blessings ~ tanna

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    1. I know...it's such a sweet thing. Nothing like hand made!

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  16. I agree with Laurie M, I like when you work an auction.

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    1. I haven't been posting about the auctions much! The schedule slowed down significantly over the holidays...hopefully it will pick up now that we're in a new year!

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  17. Looks perfect for you, as if the person who stitched it had one of your drawings in front of her.

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    1. I agree....it was one of those things I didn't have to think twice about wanting. Ha.

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  18. Beautiful quilt. Terrific find. Don't bleach it. Soak with Biz and wash very gently. I was at the big quilt show out here yesterday. They had a display of vintage quilts yours would have fit in perfect with, depending on the condition of the whole. I love the birdies. Taria

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  19. Beautiful quilt, made for you - quite clearly.

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