Oct 26, 2009

Marvelous Monday Update 10/26/09

STITCHY STUFF
I finished the last "quilt square" motif on TMQ! Let me present "Basket":

A full view of TMQ can be seen HERE.

I was really excited to get this finished so I could start on the center portion. TMQ is part of a series featured over several months in a magazine. I *thought* I had kept the magazines for TMQ in my stitchy messenger bag all these years (Yes, YEARS. Sad to say over a decade!).





Imagine my horror when I went to look at the chart for the center and it was NOT to be found the in messenger bag!






So at 9:30PM, I feverishly looked through my magazine stash to find the issue I needed. Not having any luck, I almost gave up in despair. Then I looked at the covers of the ones I had. Wait one minute! My address label was on them... I had a subscription... I've never gotten rid of any stitchy subscriptions! So the search was on once again. Wouldn't you know it was the LAST bin I looked through that I found it. Whew!


YUM YUMS
Perusing my refrigerator.. Hmmm... Partial package of broccoli, Partial package of carrots, Partial package of mushrooms, Leftover onion, Leftover rice. Not enough of any one thing. What to make for dinner? What to make?

Fried Rice!

Ya know, I think I can make fried rice with just about anything. LOL I used all of the above, plus a handful of frozen peas to make a scrumptious pan of fried rice. Best of all, I had enough left over that I was able to freeze two single-serving size containers for future meals.



GIVEAWAYS
A friend is celebrating her first blogversary with two giveaways. Not only is she a caring individual, she's also a great stitcher. Wander over to her blog to read about the antics of Rory and see Kathy's beautiful stitching.

Sarah over at CraftyMoo is also hosting a nice giveaway. One of her current projects is a beautiful beaded ornament. Check it out while you're there!


THRIFTING TRAVELS
That's a good name for my thrift store journeys, don't you think? I don't ever go to thrift stores or consignment shops with a particular item or "find" in mind because chances are that it won't be there when I want/need it. I go with an open mind and it's almost like a treasure hunt!

During my past few visits to JoAnn Fabrics, I have been eye-balling the wood spool racks that sell for $14.95 ($8.97 with the 40% off coupon, lol).


While thrifting, I found the *exact* same one for 99cents! How could I pass it up? For photo purposes, I sat it on my dining room table, but it's ultimate resting place will be mounted on the wall inside the closet of the spare bedroom/craft storage room.



This past week JoAnn Fabrics had their batting on sale (maybe it still is?). I almost bought some since I knew I was a bit low on the craft/quilt batting. I was a good girl, though. I didn't buy any.

Good thing I didn't... When I was thrifting, I found a brand new package for 89cents! Couldn't pass that up either. This batting will come in handy for ornaments and flatfolds!





This custom-framed and matted watercolor
painting of pansies now hangs above the closet
door in the spare room. Got it for the mere
price of 99cents!


This is a custom-framed cross stitch piece that was "dumped" at the thrift store. Sadly, it was being sold for only $1.99. I'm going to use the nice wood frame for something else, and store the stitched piece. This piece is signed and dated, too.

30 comments:

Kathy said...

TMQ is going to be gorgeous. And isn't always the way the what you are looking for is always in the last place you look. LOL

Great buys at the thrift store!

Carolyn NC said...

Great finish - can't wait to see it all finished. Glad you found the center, too! Lovely pieces you got from the thrift store!

Sadie said...

Really glad you found the chart for the center of TMQ, it's a heart stopping moment when you think you don't have it isn't it!
Your fried rice looks so yummy and you had some great thrift store finds.

Mel said...

Ohh.. pansies. Awesome!
You do find the best stuff. :)
TMQ is looking great. Glad you found the center.

Blu said...

You're thrifting skills are awesome. And that rice looks yummy...

Unknown said...

Hi Meari sounds like things are going great for you. You are right that the thrift shop is a great place to go fishing and see what you can catch. Most of my stash came from Goodwill. Congratulations on your finish. I can't wait to see the whole quilt put together. Happy hunting and thanks for the Marvelous Monday.
Tina

Daffycat said...

Mmmm, I love fried rice. It makes me happy!

Awesome thrifty buys, Meari! How kind you are to save the homeless cross stitch. It makes me sad to think someone laboured to create something special only to have it tossed out with the charity donations.

Vicki in CO said...

Now why don't I ever find any great finds like this when I go to the thrift stores? Maybe they send all the stuff no one wants to our store? That must be it.

Linda said...

Ok, I've got to get to your thrift stores. All I find here is clothes, shoes, and kids' toys. I never find material although, wait, I did find that gorgeous clown x stitch although not for 99 cents. You must have great thrift stores!
Glad you found the chart! At least you knew where to look.
Lynn

Nancy M said...

I agree with everyone else, the rare times I've tried thrift stores, it's all clothing and really bad toys that look like they've been through a war!!! Glad you found the missing piece of your pattern. I like fried rice, would you like to share your recipe???

Shari said...

wish the thrift stores here had cool bargains! You did really well!!!!
And the fried rice sounds pretty yummy!!!

5 Foot Runt said...

Congrats on your latest finds! It's alawys like reading a novel to you here talk about thrifting. Our thrift stores have nothing of the sort.

Donna said...

Whew! Glad you found your pattern. I have had that same experience and yes, it was in the last drawer of my cabinet. Great finds! Love all the thrift shop stuff.

Kathy A. said...

I really need to go thrifting with you. You manage to find the most wonderful things. I obviously need your trained eye.
Great finds and that includes the missing magazine.

Terry said...

Can't wait to see it all finished now that you've found the last magazine.

Your food yummies always make me hungry. lol Very smart; using the small portions to make a nice big meal and then having extra to serve again. I, personally, love leftovers like that. You can throw in a pan and reheat or nuke it.

Your thrift store finds are all great! I haven't been back to ours in a couple of months but the last time I went I found a huge bag full of fabric. Loving that!!

CindyMae said...

Love the finished motif!! Looks great! The fried rice looks wonderful, that is what we had for supper last night!

Gabi said...

Great stitching! And the findings are lovely too. Love especially that spool rack.

Mylene said...

Lovely square! And great finds at the thrift store.

Carol R said...

Such bargains to be had at the thrift store - lucky you!

Rachel S-H said...

That's a really cute picture you found at the thrift store! Good buy on the batting. Is that really thin? I am afraid I am always using stuff that is too thick.

Ranae said...

Hooray! for all the finds including the chart.
The rice sure looks yummy

too_busy_to_stitch said...

Glad you found the centre!! Lucky finds in the thrift store - what a shame that someone dumped something like that :o(

Shelley said...

I must be living in the wrong area for great thrift store finds. Ours never have anything as awesome as the goodies you picked up. TMQ is looking great. So happy to hear you found the center pattern. Look forward to an update of it.

Lillie said...

The frames are beautiful and the fried rice..yummy.

Wished we could get spool rack like that over here.

The basket looked pretty, hope you found your mag by now :D

Debra said...

You always find the best stuff! Glad you found your pattern and nice progress.

Rene la Frog said...

TMQ looks great! Nice shopping with good finds, I've never found anything like that around here 8o(

glenda said...

What fabulous thrifting!! I have some great finds to share as well. It's such a great feeling to get a deal.
The quilt is beautiful!!

Courtney Short said...

doesn't it break your heart to see what you know is lots of hours and hardwork..in a bargain bin? I saved some great granny squares that way.. I didnt know what I would do with them - but I couldn't let that handiwork waste away.. by the way.. fried rice sounds AWESOME.. I love my mom's..and my aunts.. haven't had any of theirs in a while..my aunt makes hers with peas, eggs, ham.. yum!

CJ in OK ;-) said...

Awesome bargains, I am definitely going start a regular trift store search. Congrats on the final afghan square finish and thank goodness you found the center design pattern, although I am sure one of us would have had it to lend to you. Happy Stitching, CJ ok;-)

Robin said...

Great Thrifty Travels. I like your terminology....sounds better than bargain hunting. Also, I like the idea of hanging your spool rack on the inside of the closet door. Thanks for sharing!!!