My Spring Finishes

Merilyn is the winner of the 2014 Quilt Ladies Calendar.

Congratulations!

I wish I could give everyone who commented a calendar. Thanks so much for your supportive comments. Merilyn, send me your address and this calendar will wing it's way to the other side of the world to you soon.

Here is my completed 9-patch. This was a swap I organized in my quilt group. I'm afraid I made it a tad bit LONG. It's 72"x48". What was I thinking? Oh, well. Dave will appreciate it's extra length when it keeps him warm while watching TV in the cold weather. He's the tall person holding it for the photo.

Here is my other quilt finish. A mini using the shoofly blocks Bea sent me. Thanks so much, Bea. I love my new little quilt.

Another project I've been working on since the end of last year is painting my dining room furniture. The table, chairs and china cabinet were my grandmother's so they are about 90 years old. The set also includes two other storage pieces - sideboards I think my mom calls them. They don't fit in this room. One is holding our TV and the other is storage in my sewing room. My whole adventure in furniture painting is because of this set. You don't have to look closely to see the scratches and dings on the table and chairs. Despite that I was still hesitant to paint it. What if I messed up? So I practiced on a lot of other pieces that didn't mean as much to me. Finally, in December I felt I was ready to tackle this big job.

Here is my refreshed room. We also painted the walls an off white. I love wallpaper and would have done that if the budget allowed and I knew we were staying here a while.

It's an awkward room because it has openings to the living room, family room addition and a doorway to the kitchen. This set would look much better in an old farmhouse. ; c )

This glass front bookcase and paintings came from my in-laws. We covered the chairs with a toile from JoAnn's. Very inexpensive and easy to do.

I love the fretwork in the china cabinet. I was a little worried that piece would crack when I took it out, but it is still strong and supple. The china came from my MIL. It really belongs to my DD but I don't think she needs it while backpacking New Zealand.

I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White for the table and china cabinet, Scandinavian Pink inside the china cabinet and Aubusson for the chairs. I used dark wax mixed with clear wax and distressed the edges a bit to give them a little patina. I used Country Grey on the bookcase.

I almost forgot to show you this-

While two of my nieces were here over the holidays, I asked them to Mod Podge these recipes that my grandmother had clipped over the years and my mom couldn't throw out.

The yellow tape is from my grandfather's butcher shop. I think they used this tape to secure the butcher paper. If you click to enlarge the photo you might be able to see it says-

S. A. GABUZDA

Meats-Groceries-Provisions

(SERVICE WITH A SMILE)

Cor. Centre and Chestnut Streets

FREELAND, PA.

Phone 373

Free Delivery

The funny thing is, I didn't get this tape from family. I found it on eBay several years ago. I searched either on "Gabuzda" or "Freeland PA". You never know what you'll find on eBay.

If you know a Gabuzda, you know someone related to me.

I'll be back soon with more quilt show photos.