First 5 stitches for SAL and thrifty finds

Just a quick post to show off my first week of stitches for the Joyful Embellishments stitch a long.

I am so glad I decided to participate, after seeing all the wonderful stitchery from other members I had my doubts at my own ability because it has been so long since I have done serious embroidery, and my stitches are still quite wobbly, but then I thought, so what this is what you need: practice and learn.
I don't recall doing a feather stitch until this past week and now its quickly becoming a favorite.

Last Wednesday I made my first visit of the year to one of my favorite thrift shops and was not disappointed, in fact I was overjoyed with my finds most of which will be used for crafty projects most notably the crazy quilt.

velvet ribbon

lace and buttons

lace trim

more lace

still more lace

ribbon

There are yards and yards of the lace trims in the photos plus others I haven't snap picture of yet, the velvet ribbons are full or nearly. The button covers were a sweet find as were a few cards of buttons.

All of this is from one shop the staff had just put it out and I paid under $5.00 but the best find was free this full length beaded dress which I plan to take apart.

front close up

back close up

The dress is silk with a polyester lining, I haven't decided if I will just remove the beads of cut out some of the bead work. Just for the heck of it I weighed the dress its a little over 2.5 pounds.

that's a lot of beadwork

upper half

beaded work some one cut off the dress, this will save me some work

beaded pieces

the bottom piece is I think is hand made lace, very delicate and there is over 10 yards of it I'll press it and wrap it on acid free paper.
I returned to the shop on Thursday and will post those items soon.