I must be getting ready to die! Marking STUFF for the rummage sale in May. Getting rid of stuff is just a death prep – trying to save survivors the hassle of getting rid of it all. The thing is it’s all such good stuff! I just hate to see it end up in the landfill or the thrift store when I know there are quilters who would love to make use of it. And have you checked the price of quilting fabric lately?
I look at fabric I’ve laid together and think of what a great quilt it would make – dozens of setups – but I’ll need to pick and choose which ones I want to spend time on – and sell a whole bunch of the others!
I wish you were all local so you could come! Are you a reader from 1-2 hours away? Grab a couple friends and come to Garner May 9-10 for city wide garage sales.
I watched the Masters while I worked – it was great, wasn’t it? The longer I worked, the more tired I got, and the cheaper things got marked. Haha!!!
This is Starlight, Starbright and our very first kit – a plaid pack to make this little quilt. There are 9 – 9” squares, one for each star. My mom, Hazel, packaged every single one of these and we sold hundreds during the time when madras plaid showed up in the quilt market. This was just one of many sweet memories I came across today.
Here’s a list:
Quilting fabric, batting, scrap bags, quilt books, UFO’s, thread, patterns, glassware, pictures, home dec, furniture – vintage and antique.
I’m joining Sam at her house – 750 W. 8th, Garner.
Remember the sales at Country Threads? We always had popcorn or kettle corn – and deals too sweet to pass up.
I will continue to post the dates till then. Put me on your calendar – see you May 9-10 at 750 W. 8th St. in Garner.
Oh in my dreams to attend the sale! Buy a cross-country trip isn’t in the works for me 🤣 I love seeing what you are bagging up/marking – I’ll drool from afar!
I don’t intend to pass for 20 years or so,but I have considered adding a note to my will for stash recipients, likely one of the local charities so that my executor doesn’t need to figure it out.
Enjoy the sunshine and the antics of your furry friends.
I hope you have great success with your yard sale. I live much too far away to attend. Honestly, that’s for the best because I already have my own collection of more fabric, patterns, and kits than I could possibly live long enough too use. Trying hard to not accumulate more, but sometimes I come across an irresistible fabric or pattern that I don’t walk away from. I’m not too worried about what happens to it when I check out. My guild has a committee that will accept donations and sort it out for sale at guild events or use by the community services committee. I just need to make sure my family has their contact info.
Oh, to be in Iowa for your sale and a visit! Drooling over the possibilities just thinking about it…
I just may see you at your yard sale, Mary! I have plans to visit my friend in Algona either that weekend or the one before (depending on life that is). I never got past the dates and address before forwarding the email on to her. We used to do shop hops while I visited but now we are doing sew days as we have a bit of stash. And my MIL is always looking for fabric as she quilts for Lutheran World Relief.
I helped with our church’s yard sale last week. Lots of fun and fellowship. Took a car load but only brought home a few treasures. I have got to the point where I would rather take my stuff there and not do a sale on my own. Just too much work and not enough fun.
Good luck with your pricing.
HI Mary, I have been reading, but not responding for a few posts. Tooo many things to do! You look very organized for the big sale. Wish i could come, but 900 miles is not in the agenda this year. Are the plaid kits of Starlight, Starbright still available? I’d love one and would pay shipping and kit cost:) I am cleaning out for a yard sale, too. Hope I can fit it in this year because the garage is stuffed with boxes for it.
I tried to get on Etsy to complain about the “thief”, but it would not open. Then, the next post, I got on and it said the item had been taken down. GREAT! Good job to all who made yourselves heard:) It is so horrid that someone would just “decide” that pattern is out of date or whatever and TAKE it. UGH. I hope she got an earful and more. In May, I will be putting out my “Country Threads” Purse quilt that I LOVE.
Good luck with your sale.
Diane – let me see if I find more plaid kits. Right now I’m pretty discouraged about it all and have decided to contact a company who handles estate sales – just to ease my mind.
I think that is a great idea. When my Aunt and mom died, we boxed everything up and brought it back to Ohio to an auction house I trusted. It was great and I knew their reputation. It needs to be easy for YOU!
PS. I have told all of my dog people in my neighborhood about Hazel, Keeper, and the raccoon. They are now fans!😀😀
Diane – I’ll be sure to tell Hazel and Keeper that they have a fan club!!
Hi Mary, l would love to go to your sale,long way from new Zealand unfortunately. I have started to go through haberdashery items l have, sorting out stuff for thrift shop and quilters free table at guild. I have written a list of things to do after l fall off the perch formy son. Don’t want it to go to landfill! Take care everyone ,best wishes from Sandy
Mary, I am doing the same thing but I don’t call it a death prep. I have had garage sales for 49 years.
Harlan.Iowa city wide garage sale is in June and I am preparing for it. Going through fabric.patterns,
kits and books that I will never live long enough to use..Pricing things are the biggest job. I am 78 now and thought my final garage sale was 5 years ago.
Since then I have had a back surgery and both knees replaced. Couldn’t bear to toss things so started accumulating again. I usually sell almost anything at my garage sales and have made as much as $800! Needless to say I won’t be coming to your sale but I hope you have good luck and sell it all (that would be a dream come true)!
12 hr ride for me, would love to come, little too far. I think I have a pkg of the plaid fabrics, need to look for it.
Would you consider selling some of your treasures through your blog? I should be doing the death prep, but I can’t pass up guilty treasures.
Quilty not guilty!!! Spellcheck strikes again.
Elizabeth – do you realize what the postage will be on a scrap bag that I can’t even show you? I just don’t know how I could figure it all out.
I just googled how long a drive it is from where I am in FL to Garner, and it is 1389 miles. I’m trying to think of some way to convince Terry that we need to take Sonny and make this trip. Hmmm, it won’t be easy I predict, Would love to come as I haven’t been among my people (Iowans) in such a long time.
Mary, I would love to come! But, our grandsons graduation awards program is in the morning and the party is in the evening. Plus, his graduation is on the 10th at 11 a.m.
Tomorrow is suppose to be a windy day again, ugh! I haven’t started up the swing machine for a week and a half! Ugh! Cooking and getting ready for the kids to come and then while they were here plus two days of grandparents day! Yikes! Tomorrow hopefully I will sew!
Don’t get rid of all your stuff! You need something to do to stay out of trouble! Haha😘
I’m only 5 hours away! It’s my son’s birthday on the 9th, so not sure I can make it, but I’d love to!
I think all of us of a “certain age” are trying to find new homes for our “special treasures.” My problem is that I have run out of willing recipients.
Did you decide on a name for your new kitty?
Mary – I would love to come to the sale, but I’m in NV, so don’t think I will make it. I too, have been doing the “death prep”. I did take out 100 tops from my closet!! I have gone through the closets and cupboards too. I’m not ready to do any of my fabric or sewing machines yet. It does make you feel good, getting rid of stuff you haven’t used in so long. Love JB in the box!