Summer Quilt Project

When the temperature hits the triple digits for weeks on end here in Arizona, that's when it's time for indoor projects.I do not consider myself an expert quilter, but I do enjoy it, so here is my summer quilt project.

 I have a cupboard  full of fabric saved and collected over the years. I decided on a turquoise and brown color scheme.I did buy the polka dot and aqua swirl fabrics at an estate sale for 50 cents a yard, the rest I already had in my stash!

 This pattern is called Garden Trellis from the book Jelly Roll Quilts.

 All done!

The quilt adds a splash of color to my wing chair.

This was last years summer project - as you can see I've got a lot of turquoise and blue in my fabric stash to use up!

Ironstone Tureens

Not only do I have a weakness for domed cake plates, I can't resist an ironstone tureen either.

 I found this beauty at the Goodwill yesterday. As you can see it has a lovely underplate, a ladle and the lid had a charming fruit finial.It's in perfect condition and I'll be taking it into the store soon.

 I've had this antique English covered dish for years. I use it at Thanksgiving filled with buttery mashed potatoes!

 This is a little Italian creamware piece I found antiquing in Atlanta a few years ago. I love the basketweave detailing on the lid.

 I can fit a whole chicken in this large covered baking dish made by Arabia of Finland! It is one of my favorite pieces that I found at an estate sale in New Jersey some 25 years ago. I really splurged by paying $25 for it, but have seen it selling for much more. And I love my little floral embossed mini tureen that I  use for chocolate or strawberry sauce for ice cream buffets.

My ironstone really stands out against the mahogany sideboard and red walls of my dining room!

Please come see me at Merchant Square Antiques where I always have more pieces of ironstone available for you too!

Tenille's Collection

We had such a lovely visit with our kids in Pennsylvania. My daughter-in-law Tenille has a weakness for  blue and white pottery( like me!) and we had some fun antiquing and hitting the garage sales.

 Tenille found this charming piece of Wedgwood at a garage sale for $1!

 She wasn't sure what to do with some of her random pieces so we took a cue from Nancy at 

Nancy's Daily Dish and decided to hang them over her breakfast nook window. It's hard to tell, but the walls are painted sage green which makes the blue and white really pop!

We've both also got a weakness for Polish Pottery and Tenille has the start of a nice collection. Our only problem when we go shopping together is who spied the treasure first! 

Antiquing in the heart of Pennsylvania

We've had a little family reunion in State College, PA where my son Nat, his wife Tenille and their two little children Grant and Sadie live. Our daughter Megan and her friend Brian joined us from Georgia, and our son Josh flew in from Utah. So we were all together for the 4th of July.We've done lots of eating, watched several movies, stayed up late chatting, watched the fireworks - a typical family get together!

 Of course, we had to leave time for antiquing! These are just a few of the treasures I found, I'll post more pictures later!

 I love the little Austrian teapot and the Lladro dancing girl.

 This is a plate from the Johnson Brothers Heritage series featuring a castle.

 I found a full set of silverplate and couldn't resist!

I also found lots of vintage lace and linens.

We're here for a few more days so hopefully will get  a bit more shopping in!