Flea Market Friday...Tuesday

I haven't written a Flea Market Friday post in ages.  Actually, since January!  It was shortly after this last post that my work scheduled changed and I was no longer off on Fridays.  No longer was I able to visit flea markets, antique malls, garage sales and estate sales...on Fridays, anyway.  Well, guess what?  It's Friday and today I am posting about some of the great finds I came across at a local antique mall I visited.  Okay, I visited the mall on Tuesday, not Friday.  (Since I am off work recovering from my knee surgery, Tuesday could be Friday, Thursdays can be Saturdays!  Who cares!)  It was a short visit, as it's still difficult for me to get around.  I've "graduated" to a cane, but it's still difficult to "walk" around and my knee is still quite sore.  Anyway, I came across a lot of "stuff" in the mall. Here is a small sample:

1950s Needlework (LOVE IT)

Vintage Washing Machine (What? Barbaric!)

1950s Bed Jacket (COOL!)

Vintage Tied Quilt (Hexies..right?)

Vintage Tea Pot

 In previous Flea Market Friday excursions, I usually focused on one style, element, or item.  For example, during one trip, I focused on handbags.  Although I didn't lean toward one thing during today's trip, I seemed to be partial to tea pots.  I even bought a tea set.  I'm not sure how "vintage" it is, but I think the set is pretty neat.  It is a set of 6 cups and saucers, cream and sugar dishes, and the tea pot.  It is designed with a dragon motif, which is textural.  The pieces are stamped "Japan" on the bottoms.

So why did I visit the antique mall on Tuesday?  It was my anniversary!  My husband, who is off work to "take care of me," and I went to lunch and then stopped at the antique mall.  I can't believe it's been another year.  I posted about our seven year anniversary last year!  Here's to 8!  Time really does fly!

Be sure to check out the Charitable Links Page.  I've added a few more links to charities collecting hand made items for their causes, including a link to a charity in New Zealand. that is collecting hand knit penguin jumpers!

Tootles!

A Christmas Commitment

I've been thinking a lot about Christmas lately.  Pinterest is probably a major reason for my Yuletide thoughts as is my obsessive browsing on Etsy.  I've decided this will be a handmade year.  I've pledged to either make gifts myself or buy handmade.  I've also pledged to be involved in charitable giving this year.  Every year I "plan" to get involved in a charity, but time always seems to get away from me (insert another excuse here) and my plan fails. This year, however, is going to be different.  No excuses.  There are 70 days until Christmas.  Let the Christmas countdown commence!

I've done a bit of research and have come up with a list of organizations in need of handmade items for the person(s) they serve.  Have a look through this list.  I'm sure you'll find one or two that might help you decide to get involved, too!

Project Linus volunteers, also called, Blanketeers, make blankets for kids who are seriously ill.  These handmade blankets can be quilts, crocheted, knitted, or even made tied fleece.  There are Project Linus chapters in every state.

ConKerr Cancer accepts handmade pillowcases.  These cases are then given to kids  who are battling cancer.  There are ConKerr Cancer chapter nationwide.

The Ships Project is an organization supporting America's military troops.  They accept handmade knitted socks, knitted or crocheted slippers and hats.

Soldiers' Angels Sewing Team also helps out America's military persons.  There are multiple ways to help this organization, but the Sewing Team works to make blankets, sand and "cool" scarves as well as pillowcases.

Binky Patrol is a national organization of volunteers who make and distribute handmade blankets to kids currently in foster care, children born HIV +, infected with AIDS, abused, or chronically or terminally ill.  The blankets can be sewn, crocheted or knitted.

Threads of Compassion is a group of sexual violence survivors based in Chicago.  They support "new" victims by giving them handmade (knit or crochet) scarves when they enter a hospital for emergency treatment.  

Compassionate Creations is a Massachusetts chapter of Threads of Compassion.  This group also helps victims of domestic violence and accepts lap squares (18" to 30" square) and wristbands as well as knit or crocheted scarves.

Carewear volunteers sew, knit, or crochet handmade baby items for hospitals.  There is a huge list of links and patterns on the Carewear website.

Wrap Them in Love is an organization that collects and distributes donated quilts to kids around the world.  This group is based in Washington. 

The Shawl Ministry website has a lot of information (and patterns) about joining and or starting your own Shawl Ministry.  

Obviously this list is only a small percentage of charitable organizations in need of handmade items.  If you are involved in one not listed, please let me know.  I will create a page just for these links.  No excuses.  We can all get involved this year!

Tootles!