Thrifted!

 

I swear it seems to me that it is an unwritten rule in my life that if I chose to go out with a.) hair uncombed and hastily thrown up in a bun, b.) sweats and c.) no make up, I will without any hesitation run into someone I haven't seen in 10+ years. Yes, this was the thrifting equation for the weekend.

 

The thrifting theme, on the other hand, was books. I found the stack above, featuring subjects that are near and dear to me, at several thrift shops in my old hometown . This was were I ran into two people I used to work with many years ago. I ran into them separately at two different places. And, to make it a bit more exciting, these particular people are people you wish you looked as though the years had no effect on you (you do know the type I'm talking about, right?) And I was clad in sweats with uncombed hair. Sigh, Life of Gina.

 

 

I also found cheap frames this weekend. I collect the vintage metal ones (like the one peaking below the top one). The one on top was difficult to photograph as it is a pair of deer in 3D. I am not wild about the frame, but I thought the print was pretty cool.

 

 

Another found book was this one on milk glass. I have collected milk glass for years and have quite the collection. I really should share more of my collections. I also found the milk glass leaf and a large hob nob vase. I've noticed lately that the once plentiful white vases are now starting to dry up at the thrifts. I think I find more at the flea markets these days, so I was happy to find this pair (and on 50% off day to boot! I guess this is the karmic pay off for looking scrubby on a bad day!)

 





 

And, not to be outdone by lovely milk glass, are these two gorgeous Johnson Brothers transfer ware plates. While in the process of photographing them, I noticed a tiny chip on one the edges. I'm not sure if I bought it that way or did it while getting in the car. I know I slightly bumped the bag on the door. I really need to use best practice in handling these old things, both in spying imperfections at the time of purchase or hastily throwing my purchase in the vehicle. I seem to have this happen a lot. Thankfully, this chip is hard to notice and will be alright in my personal collection.

 

All in all, yesterday was a relaxing day of thrifting. I also learned a couple of valuable lessons, but the most important one to me: Ditch the sweats once in awhile! 

 

 

Sharing my weekend finds at Sir Thrift A Lot's Thriftasaurus #17 and Apron Thrift Girl.

Happy Junk: My Swallow 10.02.11

Up first on my little thrifty show 'n' tell is this (horribly photographed) mid-century child's school chair. I found two of them at a yard sale for a couple of bucks each. I love them and the youngest boy has already placed them around his train table. It is hard to tell here, but they are pink with white atomic print and turquiose metal parts.

Next, the cute little church on the left was snagged for 50c at the same yard sale mentioned above. It lights up blue and is in perfect shape. The next day (Saturday) the boys and I had business in the closest big city. Driving by where the old Salvation Army used to be located (ah, a favorite past haunt of mine when I lived there), I saw boxes and scores of people in the parking lot. After taking care of the rental, I drove back and a guy with a sign screamed, "Only a dollar a bag!" Apparently, the SA was cleaning up the old store (they recently moved to a busier location). We had to stop. I had exactly $4 and only a 1/2 hour to spare (sadly), so we got busy. We managed to find lots of vintage items, mostly Xmas things, in our wee time and filled three bags. I actually only made it about a 1/3 of the way through the boxes and regret not going to get more money and just being late to our next appointment (isn't that what I have a cell phone for???) Oh, well...I also feel I am a bit of a hoarder in the making, so best to leave the rest. Anyway, long story, but the church with the sweet, red roof-a twin to the blue-light one jumped quietly into our bag. Its front steps were victim of an earthquake at some point (or sunlight), but I think we can repair her. I love them and think it is funny I am so drawn to the equivalent of dollar store items which were probably dime store items in the 1930's-50's.

I heart cookbooks that have little handwritten recipes and notes inside them.


It's Joy of Cooking, a classic CB and I snagged it at the dollar-a-bag SA sale (along with the ledger below it). Shortly after I took this photo I threw the nasty jacket away. I really like books to be naked (I know they say it devalues them), but this one is a wonderful aqua and in perfect shape under its ratty jacket. I put it with the two other copies I own. Maybe I am a hoarder.
Pocket book, pocket book...where did I put my pocket book? Oh, yea, it's on the back of the sofa! Found the red one in Alabama and the RWB one came from that dollar-a-bag holla sale.


I had to show you this recent acquisition. I actually purchased it from an antique dealer in Fairmont, IN (hometown of the infamous James Dean) for a great price. It came off the nursery wall of a Baptist church. I love it and it goes with the growing collection of religious ephemera*; However, I especially love the swallows (I so want a swallow tattoo-maybe for my birthday this week, tee hee).

So, imagine my HUGE SMILE when I discovered this little beauty at the $1/bag sale. I have always wanted one of these plastic swallows! I saw one on a blog not too long ago (I think an AU one from Flea Market Sundays) and I have been looking and looking ever since. I tried to hand it above the Cradle Roll print, but it won't lie right on the nail. I need to get velcro and try again. I may paint it too, but still not certain.


OK, long post today and I barely shared the $1/bag stuff. Oh, so much more yet to share...

Oh, and I am joining the fun at Her Library Adventures' Flea Market Finds. Go look at all the pretties!

Thrift Share Monday: March Roars

First up for my Thrift Share Monday show and tell are these boring soup mugs. The weird thing is I was thinking a couple of weeks ago that I wanted a matching set to replace all our odds and ends bowls. These were $1 each and fit the bill for our soup. Oddly, though they look new, these babies are almost 20 years old (made by Westwood in 1993). Realizing these mugs are almost 'vintage' makes me feel a bit old.


OK, I spent way too much for one of these items (hint, a very iconic item from the late 70's/80's). Definitely more than the 90c it originally cost someone. I used to steal my older brothers Mad magazines and fold the back pages! These will probably be gifts for both my brothers. I actually found 46 of them in perfect shape and in the end I couldn't just pick a couple (I bought them all!)


A whole bunch of odds and ends stamps (sadly, not a complete set). They are scattered on a great, unmarked chick transferware plate I suspect is not vintage.

The sweet, wooden bird art was handmade in Somerset, KY. I love it. The little squirrel was a 79c bargain that had to go home with me for no particular reason. The Asian pot is missing its lid, but I plan to put a succulent plant in it anyway.

Lately, I have been finding silhouettes. This one has "circa 1880 P. Wolf" on the bottom. I think they mean the image as there is no possible way this is that old. Cute, nonetheless, and when I find a third one I will hang them somewhere (I have a girl with poultry somewhere around here).

I also found a great hippy sundress by a designer called Bila. Unfortunately, I did not try it on and it looks horrible on me (I was with youngest child so in a hurry; the dress makes me look like I have another on the way). And, not pictured, are the great vintage rabbit planters I found and made into a springtime display at the IN house (forgot to photograph). Chocolate eggs fit perfectly inside them! ;)

(Excuse typos tonight...tired and spellcheck is being a bear!)

Check out Apron Thrift Girl and Her Library Adventures for more wonderfully amazing thrift/flea market scores.

Crazy Busy (What Else is New)

Busy week, I have been holed up at a really nice hotel near Cincinnati for work projects. Lucky for me, one of my great co-workers and friend was sent here for the project as well and we have had a magnitude of fun after work. She likes to thrift too and we found both a GW and an antique mall only a few miles from the hotel. I missed Thrift Share Monday this week (but I will save something really sweet for the next one), but I will link up to Coloradolady's Vintage Thingie Thursday (check out all the other great vintage thingies-it's addicting!!)

Mother and Father tea cups

Large Mexican tray with interesting embossed design (not sure age)

Betsy Johnson skirt (not vintage, but fun!)

Vintage bird prints in wooden "bamboo" frames

I also spotted a really great cat print at the Goodwill on Wednesday. I picked it up several times. It was only $3, but, in my attempt to not buy too unreasonably, I ended up opting out of the purchase because I couldn't picture where I would hang it. Tonight, my friend and I walked through the antique mall by the hotel. Upon entering one of the aisle, H. says, "I think we've been down this one; I remember that cat." I looked at where she was pointing and, lo and behold, it is the same cat print. I check the back and it was definitely the same print I saw the day before at GW. The new price...??? Twenty.Five.Dollars!