FLEA MARKET SUNDAY

I woke up early on Sunday I was really anxious to go to the flea market downtown, I got on the metro train and was on my way.

As I was changing lines I came upon a set of tiles and I thought that is a nice pattern for a quilt ,what do you think ?

There were loads of people and most were tourists,there was a group of students from the U.K. and on the other side a group of scouts.



As I had to change a second time at Sindagma square I took some photos of the Ancient ruins that were excavated during the construction of the new metro line .

I reached Monastiraki and I stepped out and this is the sight to my right ,you can see the Acropolis at the top.

I walked the narrow streets and saw antiques of all kinds.

This little tin caught my eye ,but the lady said 20.00 euro I passed of course.

I thought this was interesting a grape leave roller ,I took a little video to share ,but it was taking to long to upload ,but I think you get the idea,I also thought who would get one of these.

Many stands of old books and mag.

On the other side of the section with narrow, winding  sidewalks with shops and antique stands ,I have a better view of the Acropolis.

I walk down this long wide sidewalk to the flee market which I go to.

As I walk I pass by some ruins.

As you can see there are many fabrics ,but they are mostly knit and not preferable for quilting , once in the past I did find some pretty cotton prints ,the Gypsies sell all the fabric for 1 euro per meter , not bad if you can find something nice .

I did get some blue thread from them for 50 cents .

This Gypsy had some nice duvet covers with matching pillows ,large single size for only 3 euros, so I got two of them ,the cotton is so thick and crisp I just couldn't resist.

This pile had tons of lace ,as you can see I got some ribbon with squirrels on it and some real pretty red and white flowers for only 3 euros. and at another pile I found some real pretty vintage floral prints for only 7 euros. some large and others various sizes,but I was so busy searching in the pile I didn't take a photo.

I left and went back the same way ,but this time went through Visinias square where they have tons of furniture and many other Antiques.

Outside the Monastiraki station ,I saw a stand roasting corn and chestnuts..

And a fruit stand.

And the kiosk next to the Bread rings stand .

To my surprise I ran in to a friend that has a craft store in Marousi ,she went down for a class on felting ,but it was the wrong Sunday,so she also walked around  Monastiraki .I showed her what I got ,and then she showed me the grape leaf roller that she bought and I quickly showed her the little video I took and we laughed, so I snapped a photo of her while in the train,we laughed so hard we missed the station where we should have gotten off,and we laughed again and returned to the proper station to make the change.

I took these photos as soon as I got home ,aren't they pretty?

This reminds me of my Aunts sofa covers when I was a little girl .

I also got this little milk glass bowl, I actually had one just like it ,but it broke so I thought one day I will find another one, and I did for only 3 euros, notice the squirrel  ribbon there are many meters of it ,but the flowers one was only a short strand.

These are the duvet covers ,I was really happy to find them the cotton is so nice and thick, I was thinking I could applique some flowers on them.

On my way home I passed by a bakery and saw these birds feasting on a loaf of bread ,there are so many of them you can hardly see the bread , I thought it was cute and I must share.   I would like to thank all of my sweet friends for stopping by and visiting me , I truly enjoy all of your sweet comments ,I have been so busy in the store making frames lately I don't have any time to respond, and when I have a moment I get interrupted and I forget what I was doing and I might have sent a response to some of you twice , I hope you all understand .I am still working on the charity quilts I have finished 2 and have a third to go ,would also like to thank Vreni and Valentina for there participation in the quilts for the  Thessaloniki orphanage , my friend Kristina is coming to Athens and she will also be  visiting  Valentina in Cyprus I wish I could also go ,but it is impossible , I wish all of you happy quilting and crafting.

NICE FINDS

Over the last couple of months I have found some nice items as you can see ,mind you these items have been thrown out so I am walking along and I see them always by the trash bins and if I like them I pick them up . I think they have potential to become use full and very pretty , the little chair above I love and I plan of having it re weaved there is someone downtown that does it so I just have to take it down it is small so I can ask how much it costs and and then take it down.

The photo of this wooded suitcase is not to good ,anyway I love it I plan of sanding it and applying  some wood glue at the joints and driving the nails back in tight and use it to store something in it ,that I will decide latter ,maybe some fabric LOL.

Can you believe someone through out this beautiful foot stool it is awesome !!I can't wait to bring it to the store ,sand ,refinish ,and reapohlster it I have to many pretty thick fabric samples I can use, I will have a tough time choosing .

And this nice country style stool chair ,the back was removed when I found it ,I have already started on it ,I patched the holes where the back of the chair posts stood ,I used wood shavings and wood glue and ,mixed it and pacthed it ,let it dry and added more untill smoothe and sanded it . I plan of painting it white and  sanding it to give it a used look and then varnish , what do you think ,then I will sew a pretty flowery cushion it will look WOW!!!

And last,but to least some nice shirts to cut into I have a bunch saved for a futer quilt  ,the one on the left is a pretty pink with blue and brown stripes it doesn't show up in the photo , so these are it for now.  I love finding things ,I am amaized at what people throw out ,I will keep working on the top four items and I will be posting the after ,it might take a while ,but shurly I will fix them up I promised myself well!  happy crafting everybody.

FRAMEOLOGY

For some reason this photo  moved on its own  it should have come second ,this is where I measure the watercolor and cut the matting the size I want it in this case I want 5 c.m. all around the art work so I measure the width and higth and add 10 c.m. and then I proceed to the mat cutter which is below the intro .

As some of you might know  that I make frames all day so I just what to share the process with you .  This summer I got inspired to do some watercolors since I felt to hot to hand quilt ,I made a bunch of them ,I just can't make one since I believe the more you make the better.   So I will frame a couple today it is Sunday and I won't have interruptions.



I adjust the quids at 5 c.m. so that way when I push the cutter with the sharp blade it will stop at 5 c.m. ,I cut the sides one and a time turning clock wise , there are 3 diff. points of adjustments , on the left ,top and bottom .



And this is the result it cuts a nice sharp  angle just the way I like it ,it is a great machine to have.

And this if it how does is look with matting? ,I love matting on all watercolors.

This is what I cut the frames with , it is called a guillotine cutter ,I push down of the lever at the bottom and it cuts the frames with one swipe just like a guillotine

I choose the frame I want for the subject and I mark and then take it to the cutter.

I set the measurement guide for the length I want it is visible on the previous photo of the frame cutter.

I put a dab of wood glue at the short ends .

Then I turn on the compressor which is connected to this little devil and the blue that you see is the cartridge that has some points,  when I join the frame and push on a pedal the thingy at the top goes down and pushes the point into the frame , I forgot to take a photo of them they look like wedges.

I framed two of them , how do you like the frame I chose I like the frames to be simple, for the art work stands out more.

I  also have  a stash of matting remnants ,you never know when your going to need a small piece of a certain color ,that is money saved , by the way I store my fabric pretty much the same if I spend time organizing I won't ever have time to quilt.

And this is an overall view of my little work space ,tons of frames I have made over the years ,how does it look a little messy and the same thing goes for here to if I spent time cleaning up I wouldn't get my frames done, and have time to blog and do other things, to many things to do and not enough time, hop all of you have enjoyed my little demo. you might say ,I wish all of you a lovely day.

QUILTING WITH A PURPOSE

I have been busy working on the quilt tops for the orphanage , you probably have noticed an earlier post  that Kristina a fellow quilter  and friend  has committed to making 50 baby quilts for Christmas  for the orphanage in Thessaloniki where she lives,so I have been working on them since I like to wake up early I  utilize that time to  finishing a couple of quilt tops before going to work .

I love the process of making the lattice fence design it is quick and simple .

I am finally using the hello kitty fabric that my mom got for me from Joann's fabric, there is one in the town she lives in, she sent it to me about 8 months ago so it is time to cut in to it .  I  used the log cabin  design with coordinating solids around it , isn't it cute ,by the way I would like to thank the  Lady's that have offered to help out for this charitable cause I truly appreciate it, happy quilting everyone ,may your needles always be sharp.

CINDY'S GENEROSITY

I was just in AHH!! with delight when I received a lovely package  from Cyndi( her blog is called bluebirdswing her button is on the right )with some lovely luscious items inside,at first when I opened the package I noticed and orange with white daisy fabric , it turned out to be a lovely bag,I remember the bag on one of Cyndi's post and I recognized  it right away .  I admired the bag in my comment and Cyndi made one for me how special and kind is that?  she also made a key holder how sweet ,she is a true Angle I will cherish it forever and save it for special occasions.  Cyndi's bags are a piece of art, so perfectly crafted that is why I placed it in classic frame such one would do for a piece of art , thank you Cyndi!!

A real piece of art !!

Cyndi didn't stop there she had a post on a giveaway saying that she had allot of fabrics leftover from projects ,she stated that she had enough for three people ,there were already three in the comment box I think I was the fourth or fifth maybe I don't remember I meekly made a comment like as to I am always late ,but you are so kind , She then made another post saying that she had so many fabrics she could give away to more people ,  And how kind and generous she is  I read her post how she won a go cutter ,she knew a lady that was ill and didn't have the energy to quilt and how the go cutter would help her and save her energy , she had it sent to her now how thoughtful is that . Cyndi is a very special person and I feel blessed to have met her.

LOOK at the luscious and lovely fabrics ,what  lovely colors now I have some fabrics like the one's  I see other quilters  using in quilts some I recognize ,they are from famous designer's . I will  look at them  and fondle them for a while ,of course thinking of what quilt design to make .  She also sent me an array of patterns, quilt patterns,wallets , a pouch and also a really pretty applique pattern. I am thinking of using some of the fabrics to make the quilt in the photo the upper left ,it is so pretty it will be perfect with the fabrics .I will of course send a little something special for Cyndi ,but nothing I send will equal the goodies I got , My deepest thanks to Cyndi ,I send her my blessings and best wishes to her and hubby.