I GOT the vintage carpet bag and a few other things

 I know you were all wondering!!

So here is how it went.... "I told Mr. Coco I needed to be at the Salvation Army at least 20 minutes before they opened. (Read previous post if you have no clue what I am talking amount *lol*) So we get there and there is no one waiting outside... we park and another car pulls in. *Eaaak* I think in my head... I better bee-line for the door. I did just that and stood right next to the ENTRANCE. Then the lady who pulled in behind us walks up. So I am thinking hmmmm I guess I was more worried than I should have been. That is until I looked over and realized there was 2 separate vehicles with lady's sitting inside with horrified faces."  UH-OH I guess some people were trying to stay warm in their vehicles..... "If you are serious about something you gotta tough it out" *laugh*

They abruptly get out of said warm vehicles and cue in-line I swear every ones secretly eyeing each other up and down. Then I realize one of the ladies doesn't even have a clue as to what's going on when she says "WOW WHAT'S GOING ON?? Why is it so busy today?"

One of the vehicle ladies says: "They opened the display case this morning"

(Hmmmm I wonder what she's after I think to myself.) As time gets closer I get more nervous. I show Mr. Coco the two pictures I took of the display case the month before (Yes Clare display stuff is ALWAYS priced higher, sometimes higher than they go for on Ebay for goodness sakes.) when everything had just been placed inside. I say if you see this purse or this hat. "GRAB IT"

The time arrives when the worker unlocks the dead bolt. I pull open the door and start walking at a calm brisk pace. Sort of like there was a hot fire coal under my buttocks .... But then I hear the people behind me. Their feet picking up speed.... That's when I revved it up and the hot coals turned to a full on fire. As I am walking/joggin... I see the vintage hat with the black veil and grapes I didn't even stop  just *SHWIIIIP* Plucked it off a mannequin head in a snap. Okay one down one to go.... I get to the bags... (ITS NOT THERE) Panic sets in... "WHERE THE HELL IS IT" my hearts racing.... SURELY someone has it in their clutches by now. I hear everyone chatting loudly *Look at this* *OHHHH THAT'S NICE* I see a small crowd gathered over a table. That is when I see the corner of the handbag sticking out from UNDER THE TABLE every one's at. With one *WOOSH* OF MY arm the bag was in my hand *Breath* "AHHHHHHH" I did it. (I actually said that out loud didn't I??) yes I did..... *hahahha* I got what I wanted. But wait?! what's the prices on these things? They always have the prices hidden in the display case. I flip the hat over and it's $10 (Uhmmm no) I like vintage hats but I am not a HAT COLLECTOR or crazy hat lady.  That is when I hear one of the vehicle ladies "OH I knew it would have been you that got them, I just knew it" she said (She was smiling and being nice) But I knew she had obviously been after the same things. That's when I noticed she had the other hat that was in the case in her hand. One lonely hat..... I felt the hat I got should go with her. She would appreciate it more than I. So I said "I decided I am not going to buy that hat, it's $10 would like it?" "Oh yes..... thanks" she replied... She looks at the purse "It really is a beautiful bag" "Yes it is I reply" (In my head I say and it's not going anywhere else but with me.) *SMILE*

I told her to enjoy her hats they are both very pretty. And that is how it went. I got the bag.... The bag I wished for.

The price..... $20

Her name: Beatrice mainly because I beat everyone to her.... *hehehe*

Note: I might of bought the hat if I hadn't had plans to go on a out of town day trip on Monday.
I am gonna need money ... I usually find great vintage stuff up there.

 Beatrice had a busy first day with me. She went to a Bank appointment and then we had some lunch at the Japanese ramen place, we went shopping to Winner's & Toys "R" Us and had a quick jaunt through a Grocery and dollar store. She was told she was a very nice bag at the Japanese restaurant by one of the Waiters. (Obviously he knows his stuff)

Beatrice smells like a Grandma's house... not a Grandma from nowadays but a vintage Grandma. She is better than alot of my vintage bags because she is HUGE and holds my big wallet, camera, comb, change purse, pen, chapstick, gum. And I still had room. You will see more of her in the future I presume.

Here is some other things found this weekend.

 Earrings 0.25 cents (I don't have anything like these. I love them they jingle alot,  music to my ears?)

 Blue pressed glass AVON jar 0.50 cents

 Hosiery also bought out of the display case. $1.00 each.

 Tablecloth background purchased for 0.50 cents, mesh bag 0.50, yellow hanger 0.25 purple and blue scarf $1, white FREE

 Ceramic Bambi made in Japan $5

(More than I normally spend on a figurine, but the price tag was wrapped around it's leg and I thought it said 0.50 cents ... Then Mr. Coco said uhmmm no it's $5 I was putting it back and he said... NO! I will buy it for you.

(Such a sweet man)

 Random sewing bits $1

 I was gonna keep this a secret because.... well... uhggg .... errrrr ... it's a little uhm Gosh I don't even have words.... I BOUGHT ANOTHER SEWING MACHINE!!!!!!!! OKAY OKAY OKAY there it's out... I outed myself.... YES another one. Number 7 to be exact... that's why I wasn't gonna say anything. Sewing machine anonymous WHAT'S YOUR DAMN NUMBER? because I can't find it anywhere?!

But look at that above picture. I saw this (Suitcase looking dealie) sitting on a bottom shelf of a local thrift shop today. I said to my Hubs... "Can you open that for me... I wanna see what it is?!" Is it a record player... a sewing machine...???? The box opens.... "ANGELS SING" I see it like a banner flying behind a plane BERNINA................

 Photo from here
(*dammit*) Why did we open the case? WHY WHY WHY... I CAN'T LEAVE IT HERE? It's orphaned... owener-less sad and cold??!!

(Get a grip on yourself Coconut) It's a flipping hunk of metal

"NO IT'S NOT" It once had a family.... it once made things for it's family. It's owner loved it very much when it was purchased in April of 63. She was smiling and happy and couldn't wait to get home and step on the pedal and hear the motor hum while she made curtains for her kitchen and fancy stitching on her tea towels. She dreamed of everything she would create. Bernina had been threaded who knows how many times by her owners hands..... Bernina had been oiled and cared for and loved and cherished..... She had seen many dresses MOD, groovy, maxi & mini. She smelled many cups of coffee, heard lots of laughter and even seen some tears. Whatever circumstances led to Bernina being orphaned must have been serious. It couldn't possibly be that Bernina had been replaced by a new plastic model that only weighed 6 pounds.... NO  NO NO IT wasn't that!!! Bernina's owner must have aged..... aged to a point she could no longer sew.... Or maybe she moved to a seniors home and couldn't bring her machine with her... or maybe... maybe... she had passed and the owners children just dropped off Bernina like she was a old tatty hat and didn't really realize how special she was.... I don't REALLY have the answers.....
But I just knew she needed a home.

 Push the button on the top left and her light comes on

She came with these lovely books that used to cost a mere 0.20 cents from Woodwards

 She came with her Bond

She stitches like a dream.....

And she will be with me until I can no longer keep her or I find someone who will cherish her just as much as the lady who purchased her in 1963 did the day Bernina was purchased.


Okay so where's that number?

I am in love with Elna (Apparently)

 *Shifts Eyes* uhhh... Okay so I broke down and purchased my 3rd Elna!

(I admit I have a problem people) But really could I pass it up for a $20?

Last night I cleaned the whole thing up and down. Today I did some testing.

She sews like a dream of course. Quieter than my NEWEST sewing machine that's (not really my newest because I keep buying ones that are decades older than even me.)

I was worried about the "As is" at first but realize they thought the case was broken and couldn't get it closed. *hehehe* There was nothing wrong with it, it was just designed different than the older cases and is in perfect working CLOSURE!

 All metal (Light blue and white) from the 1970s

It came with a mother load of bobbins and all different colors of thread. Even some different feet and 6 different stitch pattern cams.

 

*Whispers* "Thank you Santa!

I purchased these mouth blown shiny brite's that were hand crafted in Poland from Salvation Army.

They are now hanging from my Christmas tree. They are small and add a little vintage charm.

 I like taking photos out of the car window. That is how I got this shot of the Hampton Inn sign in the midst of snow flurries.

 Another out the window shot. Christmas lights & neon

 My "Hobo girl" look!

 A playhouse I just had to take a tour of outside of the hardware store.

Speaking of ducks.... well actually Geese

 I wonder how this white Canadian goose feels. He/She stuck out like a sore thumb and was the only one in a flock of about 150. The goose was so cute I couldn't stop watching it. It's the first one I have ever seen.

I am pretty sure it was the Royal goose!

 Yesterday while out grocery shopping I spotted this woman ahead of us at the self checkouts.

I told Mr. ("See that lady? That will be me in the future.)

 She was rocking snake skin print pants and those awesome red boots. And I could tell she didn't give a damn what anyone thought about it.

And that is something I think is really cool!

Sew in love with Elna

A couple years back I started thinking I wanted a vintage sewing machine. Being that green is my favorite color I wondered if such thing existed. I walked over to the computer and typed into the google search bar (Vintage green sewing machine) A few photos of green machines showed up but the one that caught my eye was ELNA. I thought about Elna every so often and always came to the conclusion maybe I will come across one............ in like 20 years.
About a month or so AGAIN I thought about the green wonder that is Elna I figured if I was ever gonna get a vintage machine, I better start sewing on my modern one. So that is just what I started to do. I have made a few fun things one being a owl pillow.

Last weekend I had to take a trip to a city 2 hrs from where I reside to visit the in laws. I told my guy that before we headed home I would like to stop in at the value village there and take a walk thru. (Psstt yeah right I wanted TO BUY SOMETHING!!) As we looked round I spotted something green and in the shape of a sewing machine. I thought to myself.. (Could it be...) My mind seriously told me NO! there is no way that that thing over there will be a Elna... WELL IT WAS! I just left without even telling my guy where I was headed my eyes were on that green thing and I needed to get a closer look. Once it was right in front of me I was amazed at the shape it was in. Very little scratches or marks still in it's green case. (Ahhh it was beautiful.)
My Guy came over and looked over it with me, he knew I wanted it. We seen the power cord and some other pieces but then he asked.. "WHERE IS THE PEDAL? is something missing?" Well then he had me second guessing it too. I am not no expert on sewing machines by any means.. we came to the conclusion to leave it. I was sad.. I finally found a Elna and I was gonna leave it behind. We traveled home did not make it back till about 11:30 p.m. I was tired and went to sleep. It the morning I hopped on google and started researching about Elna. Nope she doesn't come with a pedal she comes with a knee bar.. Ohhh I thought so that's what that metal contraption was for. So then I start searching how much they are to buy and I found Elna's anywhere between $180.00 - $300.00. I was really mad at myself then I just wished teleportation existed so I could get back there asap and buy her. I told my guy about all the info I had taken in. I showed him ones up for sale and the prices they go for and pouted. (Yes I am a total brat) I guess he thought it over because next thing I knew he was calling the store. Asked the man if it was still there. (OH I HEARD A YES!!) My excitement level rised a bit.
My guy put Elna on hold and before I knew it we were back on the road. Making the exact same trip we had taken the day before.. all for a green metal sewing machine that had probably not been used in decades. We got to the store and then they had troubles locating Elna. We told them it was supposed to be on hold.. FINALLY they found her in a pile of other stuff behind the tills. THANK GOD!! or I would have been livid! When we got home we plugged her in to test things out.
She was running sluggish. "OH DEAR" I thought.. hmmm maybe this was not the best idea. I googled what was going on and read it could just need to be cleaned. So we cleaned Elna and BOY did she has some lint inside her.. I bet you it was vintage lint so that makes it special, then we oiled her.. who knows when that machine had it's last oiling.


Well guess what?? After all that Elna ran amazing her stitches are beautiful and I was sooo excited and glad we made that trip back to get her. Her sticker price was $20.00 I bet they thought she was on her last legs. Now it did cost a bit in gas to go get her but it sure beats what I would get charged for shipping with a online purchase. So as you can tell by this story if you have even made it through reading it all is that I am SEWWW happy I got my Elna 18 years before I thought I would find one.

She is stamped January 15 1957 that's the day she left the production line. Who knows what she's made or who has made what with her, where she has been, how many fingers she has poked, where she has been stored or the conversations she has overheard. I am just excited shes mine now and I don't plan on getting rid of her ever.


Next week I am gonna start my first project with her, a crazy quilt! I have never made a quilt before so this should prove to be interesting. I have been collecting up vintage material and scraps for this and I am just hoping all goes well. I can't see it going that horrible because now I have my Elna.