Thrifting is for the Birds

I’m the product of a large single income family of ten. My mother, as you can imagine, was thrifty out of necessity. She patched worn out blue jeans, made prom dresses, remade curtains to fit windows and used up every scrap of food in the fridge to feed her eight children. It’s no wonder that the tendency to thrift is in my blood. Over the years, my husband has climbed the professional ladder and his income followed that climb. I returned to school and completed my education as an adult which allowed us a second income. Regardless of the increase in income, my resolute to a thrifty lifestyle has remained strong and consistent. I quilt, sew dresses, make pillows, window treatments, garden, can food and much, much, more.

This week I completed these (Drunkard Path) quilt blocks made from my fabric stash. They will soon become a modern yet crinkly and comfy quilt for our home. Over the years I’ve made and quilted hundreds of quilts for customers and yet my husband and I compete for a single beloved movie watching quilt in our family room. This should solve that problem.

Don’t think I’d stop there. We experienced a stormy Chicago downpour last night. The kind of storm that set off neighbor’s car alarms- 6 times! It also brought down tree branches and a few bird nests.  These birds will be busy rebuilding their homes this week. I’m aware of their need for and appreciation of my “squaring off” quilt block trimmings. I love it when I see them sort through the available fabric colors with their beak and then fly off with their treasure in tow.

Thrifting IS for the birds too.

Your friend,

Dori