Vintage > amy a la mode

McCoy Additions

Posted by Amy on October 12th, 2011

My husband and I just took a very long weekend and spent three nights in Cambria, on California’s central coast. We rented a house all to ourselves, relaxed, went for long walks along the bluffs and beaches, did some Christmas shopping, ate some fabulous food, and did some antique shopping.

We managed to find four new additions to our vintage McCoy pottery collection. We had never seen three of these before (the ones on the right). We have a pot just like the bulb bowl on the left, but it’s taller. We had no idea this short version even existed!

It was really unbelievable that we found this many. A bit much on the pocketbook to buy them all in one weekend, but I just couldn’t bear to pass them up! We collect any pattern of McCoy, as long as it is this color (okay, we do have a few pieces in other colors, when the mood strikes!).

But I was so busy relaxing most of the weekend that I failed to take any photos of us or the beach or the town. Though I did find some beautiful quilts that I photographed and hope to show you soon!

Vintage Sewing Treasure from My Grandmother

Posted by Amy on October 5th, 2011

My parents brought this little gem to me when they flew out in August. It belonged to my dad’s mother — the seamstress, not the quilter. The quilters were really her mother and my other grandmother. Hard to keep it all straight, I know!

They took out the screw holding the three pieces together and managed to pack it in a carry on and get it to California from Kentucky without any damage. Complete miracle. And I love it. Love it, love it, love it.

A place for everything, and everything in its place. And the best part? It’s on a lazy susan. Yes, yes, it is. I should have made a little video of it spinning to post. That would have been kind of funny, don’t you think?

After a little research I have discovered that the two round compartments on the top would have originally contained pieces of foam to serve as pin cushions. These could easily be replaced, but I find these very handy spots for the different feet I am using on for a current project. I think I’ll leave them as is.

The only thing is that we have our windows open a lot around here, and the dust is either mostly 1) dirt or 2) green pollen. And it gets on everything. So, I don’t like to leave things sitting around uncovered.

What to do?

Make a cover for it, of course. This is made from vintage ticking that I had in my stash. It’s fairly heavy and stiff, so it sits up pretty well. I just used my fake overlock stitch to finish the seam around the top and to finish the bottom edge. Then I turned up the bottom edge and hemmed. Voila!

Vintage Blue and White Quilts

Posted by Amy on September 28th, 2011

While my parents were in town, we spent a couple of hours one day doing a little antique shopping. I managed to snag a few photos of some gorgeous vintage quilts!

Double T Quilt

I love the slightly different shades of blue that were used in this quilt, as well as the tiny print on the white fabric that makes it seem white at a distance but gives it some extra interest close up.

LeMoyne Star Variation

Isn’t this one gorgeous as well? Check out those awesome prairie points for the binding!

Each of the stars was pieced together from loads of tiny bits of fabric. I think I could have looked at this one for hours. I think my favorites are the tiny little geometrics!

Today’s Thrift Store Haul

Posted by Amy on September 17th, 2011

1. 17 zippers for a total of $2.90 (one seems to be missing – must be in the car somewhere!)
2. two packages of 100% cotton bias tape, 25 cents each
3. two vintage belt buckles, 50 cents for both
4. one tiny gift box (for a Christmas gift I have already purchased), 10 cents

Total: $4