Sew Fablous!

This book retails for $22.99. It came out in 2008 and I have wanted it since I first heard of it. But, being thrifty and all that, I cannot spend $22.99 on craft books, unless it is my birthday or something. Even then, I like gift certificates to thrift/antique/craft stores for my birthday (hint, hint).

So, when I found this at Somewhere In Thyme, I did not think it would be as inexpensive as it was.

Faintly written inside the cover? $2.95.

And it was 20% off.

I also found an Oct/Nov 1997 Home Companion magazine. For 90 cents.

Oh, yes. I am oh so very happy.

Sew Wrights

This lovely unopened package of rick rack I bought just because I LOVE the color.

And, it was 25 cents.

Unlike the post below, I did not buy it because the man in the picture resembles anyone I know.

Thrifty Dress-Up

For months now I've been meaning to start an official 'dress up' box for Jonge and Famke.

We DO play dress up, but generally just grab at stuff that's laying around (what? YOU don't have stuff just laying around? please send me your secrets.)

Today I actually put some things into the bottom drawer of the secretary in the living room.

These two scarves were the first things to I put in. Both are lovely brand name scarves that I would wear if I were the scarf-wearing kind, but, I'm not.

I got them both for 50 cents. And, they certainly do not take up the drawer space that, say, a thrifted mink coat would.

See? I am thrifty AND practical.

She Plays the Piano

In Wisconsin last week I found the John Thompson Hymns and Fur Elise. Both were a dollar. Tonight I played through the hymns, which wasn't too taxing, as it isn't much above Teaching Little Fingers to Play.

I also played through Down By the Bay. Jonge and Famke are in Florida this week, but that is no reason for me to slack off in the piano playing department. I found that book years ago for a dime. It isn't something I remember singing with my kids, so it seems new to me.

Not so with Perhaps Love, which came in a wedding song book for two dollars a while back. That one is loaded with fabulous songs. Perhaps Love and For You being two of my favorite John Denver songs. My favorite is Grandma's Feather Bed. Sadly, that song didn't come in the book of wedding songs. Perhaps it should have, for me.

Anyway, I have stacks and stacks of piano music now. I cannot stop myself, because I remember being told that it was too expensive, so when I see it for mere dimes and dollars, I buy it. Wouldn't you? If you are reading this blog. You would. I know you would.

A Good Tin Is Hard to Find

Tins are so plentiful in thrift stores that I rarely look at them. But, this one caught my eye. The plentiful kind usually aren't cool and a bit vintage like this one.

I love the winter scene and the colors.

And, it was 69 cents.

I'm trying to figure out if I want to make something of it - which is why it has green florist wire with thrifted wooden beads bobbing around on the ends.

I'm just not sure, yet.

Sometimes plain is fancy enough.

From Sweater Vest to Coasters to Wreathes

Hmmm. I could not quite get the coasters to 'square'.

So, I cut each coaster into 9 tiny squares, and threaded those onto a wire coat hanger (said in my best Joan Crawford voice!)

In between every fifth squares is a brown jingle bell. I found those on clearance and just KNEW that someday I would find the perfect use for them.

I'm not sure this was it.

Although I am happy with how they turned out, THGGM made a funny face at them, and also had a dream about a crazy craft person who made stuff out of felt and bushel baskets.

It was a nice Saturday for thrift shopping. I cannot say that I found a TON of treasure, but I'm happy with just a half ton, somedays.

Much of what I found is shown in posts below, but I love how it looks all piled up together. Ahhh.., Saturday and thrift shopping. Life is.., well, complicated and expensive, but one simply must have an outlet, and this one has this one.

I have a 'thing' for flashcards. I'm not sure what kind, until I SEE them, and then I just KNOW that those are the exact flashcards that I have ALWAYS wanted. ALWAYS.

I DO know how to tell time already, so I shall find some other use for them.

Oh, and look at those three cute little dolls at the very top of the very top picture. They came all together in a baggy for 25 cents.

I don't think it shows up in any of the pictures, but I got a very nice wooden box - the kind you pack full of art supplies and carry around with you. I don't quite see myself doing that, but I just might have to try it.

A Whole Lot of Fun for a Dollar

I found a bunch of crochet books today.

Two piles at 50 cents each. I'm always looking for crochet patterns for slippers, and found several. Potholders are more my speed. And, there were even a few patterns for mittens. But, I've since noticed that in the finished pictures, they never show the thumb. Thumbs must be hard to crochet.

Anyway...I would have paid a dollar just to get this lovely graphic!

One books had some very strange looking toys to crochet. Not the cute Amigurumi style that I like so much. No. I would post a picture, but maybe you like them, and I would hate to offend.

Pinking Scissors

Tonight I stopped in at half price book day at the local thrift store.

I found one Golden book and one Christmas book.

Then, I found THESE!

I paid $1.49 for this pair of WISS pinking scissors.

And they work very well.

Oh, there truly is treasure everywhere.

I Like Blue and White

I looked at these cups and saucers at my favorite thrift store for a week before I finally bought them.

I love blue and white china,

These are stamped Weidess Bavaria on the bottom.

There are actually only two cups and saucers, I just turned them for the picture. On the side opposite the handle the picture is of a boy.

Each piece was a dollar.

Tonight I googled what was stamped on the bottom, and found that I could replace the saucers for $5.00 a piece, and one of the cups was available for $18.00.

They were described as demitasse cups. I have them setting out with my odd assortment of children's dishes.

Im Into Loopy Crafts

These were all separate purchases.

I remember spending hours in the summer making potholders.

So, since I am always in the market for a good Klutz book, I first found that for a dollar.

Next, I found the bag of all cotton loops for 25 cents. Did you know that you could also make your own loops from an all-cotton T-shirt? I haven't tried that yet.

Next, I found the red metal loom. That was also 25 cents.

Jonge and I gave it a quick try today. He could put them on the loom with only a small amount of assistance. Our other assistant could quickly remove them, so I shall put it all away for awhile.

Not a bad find for $1.50.