Thrifting, sewing and spending time with family

"The most important things in life are not things." I have loved this statement ever since I heard it quite a few years ago. Last week I got to spend some special time with two of the most wonderful boys in the world. The two boys are my grandsons and we cherished the time we had together. They will be back in school soon, playing football and studying and the time we have together will be less. I am grateful for Facebook so that we can stay in touch.

We did some thrift shopping and flea markets together with my daughter (Auntie) and they found everything from sports shorts and sweat shirts to video games, board games, and books. We ate out, walked parks, saw movies and played video games. I didn't take pictures of the clothes and things they found, but they are getting to be great thrift shoppers. It's fun to just let them go and grow.

The boy's mom (my younger daughter) referred us to a recycle shop in town an we took the time to go look. I found some things I could use.

First I found a barrel full of bubble wrap. The shop charges by the bag so I proceeded to fill this $3.00 bag. All you can fill in the bag for yes, $3.00. They have different size bags, but I emptied the barrel and kept looking around. It was all hit and miss, but it was worth it.

I also found a bundle of plastic bags that I can use to package my fabric once it's been listed on the stores. They also fit in the $3 bag.

I found a bag with all of these hooks in it and it also fit in the bag. I really didn't have use for them, but I knew I could list them on my store. butterflyplace.etsy.com.  These also fit in the $3 bag. It doesn't look like a lot, but at the cost of bubble wrap and plastic bags to me it was the ultimate find. The hooks are already listed for $3 so hopefully I will recover the money spent to go back in a couple of weeks. 

My daughter found thrift items for our apartment and they are very colorful.

She found two yellow hand towels and two orange wash clothes for our totally orange and yellow vintage thrifty bathroom. The bathroom doesn't have a window, so we needed to make it bright. I know we succeeded. She found two lime green Pyrex bowls to add to her aqua and green kitchen and a yellow Pyrex dish to brighten things up. Her colors are aqua, green, orange and yellow. So far from my primary colors. She found many other items too and we will be working on taking pictures and listing them on her store, poetcharms.etsy.com.

Last but not least for today's blog is the finished product from the cutting table. Cowgirl pot holders. Couldn't believe that I got the pattern to work, but here they are and they are already listed on the store. I love spending time sewing. I think that's where I belong. 

Until next post I hope everyone has a wonderful week.

Thrift shopping with my daughter.

We haven't done a lot of thrift shopping recently because there have been other major things going on and we have so much to work with already. We had a 30% off coupon to Savers from all of the donations we have been making and had more to drop off, so we decided to go look around. This is what we found. 



A two yard piece of vintage alphabet fabric, a Raggedy Ann and Andy Sheet and a geometric print sheet which conjures up all sorts of ideas.

A mustard yellow, orange and white floral sheet which is my favorite find, some white cotton valences with a crocheted lace which I am going to use for an up cycle sewing project, a few vintage doilies and two orange and yellow vintage wash clothes for our thrifty vintage bathroom.

Add to those finds these blue and pink floral sheets and what a wonderfully bright collection of linens to add to our over grown stash.

In the glassware we found a vintage Pyrex oval bowl with lid and a lovely mid century modern pitcher made in Japan. Not much, but the time with family was great and I look forward to many more outings. Please stop by the shops to see all the new listing. Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful week.

poetcharms.etsy.com
butterflyplace.etsy.com
butterflyplace.storenvy.com

Soon to find new homes.

 

I had an incredibly wonderful adventure this week and found a good lot of vintage pillow cases. I also found a piece of black wool that I'm sure someone would love to felt.

 

 

 

The next two wonderful finds were a score. First there is a long and wide piece of new denim. I measured at least 3 yards. Who doesn't love denim. The stripe fabric is a heavy home decor fabric the same weight as the denim. Again this piece is at least three yards.

 

 

 

I also found two pieces of colonial print fabric, a fun piece of juvenile print fabric and two lovely hand made doilies that I may use as apron pockets just to add a splash of the past to a new item.

 

 

 

My favorite find was this vintage twin size race car bed cover. I just love the print and the colors. I can envision this as the focus point of a young boys bedroom decor.

Most of these items will eventually become inventory on my on line shops. Please feel free to visit:

butterflyplace.etsy.com

and

butterflyplace.storenvy.com

 

I hope everyone has a wonderful week and please check in for next weeks exciting thrift finds. New finds and more bright colors to come.

 

A few new thrifted items.

 

 

Just a few finds early this week. The first being a Napcoware made in Japan blue horse baby planter. The next being a made in Japan deviled egg dish. This is my favorite find. Both of these items are listed on butterflyplace.storenvy.com. The Pyrex bowl is the Shenandoah pattern and size 403. I have added this to two others to make a threesome. There are two 403s and one 402 and they are listed on butterflyplace.etsy.com.

 

 

 

I also found this vintage neon pink, orange and green floral paper tablecloth. It is large enough for a six foot table at least. It hasn't any labels or sizes on the package, but it is unopened and ready for that seventies vintage party. This is also listed on my Etsy store.  

Has anyone who sells on Etsy notice that they've made shipping easy. Even International shipping is a snap. I hope Pay pal picks up International shipping soon. No more waiting in lines and filling out forms. It's all done automatically on line. I'm loving it and what a boost for my business. A+ Etsy.



New year new thrifting

Small pyrex storage bowls with covers. Two small 10 ounce bowls and one larger 20 ounce bowl. These are listes on butterflyplace.storenvy.com

More reclaimed linens being cut for listing on butterflyplace.etsy.com

Another group of yard goods to list. I haven't decided which store, but it will be some time soon on one or the other.

Christmas ornaments from scrap fabric.

For those of you who follow my blog you know how addicted to fabric I am. I just love it and yes I sell it and yes I sew with it, but there's always those scraps. These are made from reclaimed trim and a yoyo and bead in the center. All of these are about four inches in diameter and required fabric no longer than 18 inch strips or eight inch squares or circles.

Yoyo's are easy to make and these became ornament bells with a jingle bell to finish them off. A star can go on the top to make it a small tree also, but I like the bell.

 

Inspired by Kumiko Sudo (Flower Origami) who is a fabric origami artist,  I folded these pieces of fabric to make these ornaments and added the bead to class them up a bit.

 

 

Also origami folded fabric, just a little more folding. These are my favorites and the red and white one's looked the best on a green tree.



These are also folded fabric but a log cabin pattern. I found the direction in a booklet I bought in Lancaster PA. I have been fascinated by folding fabric for several years now.

I added some folded origami to my Christmas stockings and made them look better than just plain white and green. This is how I use my scrap fabric and I hope to be semi retired to do more of the things I like some day. Scrap fabric is always for sale on my stores. butterflyplace.etsy.com and butterflyplace.storenvy.com. I hope everyone has a great week and a wonderful holiday.

Who would have ever known?

 

 

Who would have ever known that thrift shopping, which I did because I didn't believe in paying full price for anything, would become a small and growing business. To top it all off the challenge is fun. It doesn't feel like work at all. I think the hardest part has been the promoting, connecting to blogs, and that's where all the work is. Even the paper work is easy and up to date. Who would have ever known?

 

This past week took me to several different stops. A couple of off the wall places and the finds were just incredible and so were the prices.

 

 

First there is the never ending quest for vintage linens and sheets. These two sheets and two pillow cases are so great. I just love the colors. It makes me wish I could change my bedroom decor every week to something new. However they are now inventory.

 

 

Next there was this vintage Tom and Jerry eggnog bowl with six mugs for a price that I couldn't resist. I didn't get this into inventory because a visitor bought it for her holiday. Glad I took pictures. She loves it.

 

This vintage made in Japan miniature mother bear and two cubs was another fun find. Mother bear is two and a half inches tall and the cubs are one and a quarter inches tall. She shows her frustration so humanly with her children.

 

 

I also found this UCTCI made in Japan little girl with a vessel statue. She appears to be resting  and has the most adorable face.

 

These are the special thrift finds that came my way this past week. I have listed some on my Etsy store, butterflyplace.etsy.com and if you're shopping this week don't forget to put in coupon code Santa to get 20% off your total purchase of anything in the store. Also stop by butterflyplace.storenvy.com to see how things are going. I will be listing more items more often there now that things are settling out for me. Have a great week everyone.

 

 





Green

A couple of weeks ago I sent a request out to the universe for olive green fabric at a reasonable price for some projects I want to work on. Twice since I have found some great yardage. The olive green fabric is perfect for some military fabric that I want to make a boy's quilt with. The green striped fabric is home decor fabric which I've already listed on my Etsy store. (butterflyplace.etsy.com) The autumn leaf print fabric was different because it's a quilted leaf on a tan plaid background. This is also listed on Etsy. Then there was this wonderful denim fabric at a price that couldn't be ignored. It's dark blue and heavy and I have some great ideas for it. One more thing to do.

Continuing with my green request was this vintage olive green fondue pot. Used, but in very good condition. This is listed on my storenvy store. (butterflyplace.storenvy.com) I think this week I will put out a request for purple items. I never seem to have enough purple. Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

Fun mix of thrift finds this week.

I tend to search for fabric because I am an addict. Lately I'm finding some fun pieces. I know I can't keep it all or will never use it so I resell it. I'm torn with the green,, brown and gold print piece.

Coming by a piece of vintage Strawberry Shortcake is always great. This is a good size piece with a cut down the center. I will salvage the long piece and sew with the torn section.

I have been looking forever for a piece of black and white checkered gingham. Finally found it in the form of a long curtain. I will be sewing with this. The yellow leaf print sheet is king sized and I scored big with this one.

I found the vintage vase with the fawn at another thrift store and have listed it on my new store, butterflyplace.storenvy.com . The sweet delicate mother cat and kitten was found at still another vintage junk shop. It soon will be listed on storenvy

 

I found this vintage made in Japan oil and vinegar cruet set with salt dish at still another thrift store. It is teak would and ceramic and although one stopper is missing I could not pass it up. It is also listed on storenvy.

 

And who can ever pass on a great price for vintage Pyrex. These are the medium and small bowl from a nesting set. I just recently sold the large one. These will be coming soon to butterflyplace.etsy.com . I had a fun week and just took my time enjoying being out and working for myself. Now the challenge will be to find the time to get to my sewing machine. Too many ideas floating around in my head that need to become real. Have a wonderful week everyone.

 



Quick stop on the way home yeilds great fabric finds.

The funky flowers and yellow leaves are sheets and the African print is yard good. So excited about the bright colors.

Juvenile prints for future scrap quilts to donate. I'm always looking for boy prints.

Race car panels and several yards to make donated quilts. I feel I scored big with these two pieces.

Animal cracker train wall hanging panels and rainbow zebra doll panels. So cute for the little one's. Wish I had time to make them myself, but they are listed on the store.

I also found a vintage Star Wars twin sheet which is the first and so far the only item listed on my second on line shop. (butterflyplace.storenvy.com) I will be adding to that site this week, but I had to shop for inventory. To me that's the fun part. The vintage animal print is so cute. It is actually a crib quilt. I just loved the prints and listed it on butterflyplace.etsy.com to be used as is or as a cutter quilt. I've had a wonderful week thrifting for my stores and more than anything I'm enjoying sharing it with you. See you again soon and be grateful for all of your blessings.

Bringing brightness to my day.

I was feeling rather gloomy and needed a trip to the thrift store. I didn't expect to find much and wasn't really caring whether or not I did. Just need to stop and it was less than two tenths of a mile from the grocery store. Why not look. I had an exciting time just by myself walking up and down the aisles. I found the blue elephant Napco planter, two made in Sweden brightly colored wooden hot plates that have handles so they can be hung, four tall wheat print glasses, a vintage porcelain owl and the cutes Japanese squirrel. The squirrel was claimed by my daughter for her vintage nick nack shelf and for some reason I can't stop enjoying his eyes.

Continuing down the linen aisle I couldn't believe the bright colors. Vintage and new sheets, reproduction vintage circus fabric and rainbow stripe fabric. How could you not feel better with all these mood lifting colors. Some of this will be used in sewing projects and some added as inventory to my on line store butterflyplace.etsy.com. It was a spur of the moment decision to go and well worth the trip. I can't wait to just do it again because only I can change my mood. Have a wonderful week everyone.

I was slow in September.

 

I only went out thrifting twice in September. Not because I didn't want to, but because of time. I did okay when I went. I found vintage 70's curtains, some bright wavy stripe sheets, a crochet doily that is now in the thrifted bathroom, and believe it or not four 100% cotton baby blue NIP vintage twin size sheets. That was the best score.

 

I also came by a bag of coat zippers, another bag with rick rack for sewing projects, and some vintage 1962 school reading picture cards. I believe they were used to assist in story telling. They are so cute and would look good framed in a nursery.

I found a Cape Cod souvenir tray. All of the Cape Cod trays I've found I have sold. There was a Napcoware pink house with bunny planter made in Japan, another Japanese flower and bunny planter and a set of six Pyrex small bowls. These are larger and thinner than the smaller one's I've always seen. These are going in my kitchen. I need small bowls to use in cooking projects. It may seem like the pickings were slim, but I left things behind. Most of these items are going to be resold on my Etsy store. butterflyplace.etsy.com  I am a bit behind in listing items and need to get busy. Many items are prepped, but pictures need to be taken, edited and organized so that the listing can begin. With canning season coming to a slow down I think that will be happening soon. Have a wonderful week everyone and I'll be seeing you on your blogs.

Slow and steady.

I can hardly believe that it's been almost two weeks since I've updated my blog. I have every good reason to have been away so long. First there's the dealings of selling a house, working for some one else, building my on line reselling business, which by the way is picking up again, and harvesting and putting up this years bounty. I wonder when I found time to sleep. This is the latest canning project. I put up 16 pints of salsa for those vegetarian days. My favorite quickie dinner for when I'm alone is a good sized baked potato with sour cream and covered in salsa. I still have more to do, but it's Sunday and I must turn in early for that 3:15 am wake up call for my early morning shift. Slowly and steadily I will get it done and keep up. After all I wouldn't be the first person to be tired trying to build a business and survive what life throws at you.
Hopefully I'll be back mid week to update the blog, so when you stop by to check make sure you stop by my Etsy store (butterflyplace.etsy.com) to see what's new and how things are going. I hope everyone has a wonderful, but not as busy as my, week.

Great haul of thrifted linens.

Great variety of items.

 

 

Both new and vintage.

 

Even orange and yellow for the thrifted bathroom.

 

Thrifted bathroom. This dark room needed to be brightened up and I found the shower curtain and focused the decorating around it. Even the switch plate covers were painted yellow. We'll put the old one's up when we move out. Sure beats dark and brown.

Went to a local Savers thrift store last week because they were advertising a sale where if you spend $50 you would get 50% off selected items. Linens and home decor was one department. Well of course I didn't expect to find anything, but to my surprise I found a great bundle of new and vintage items. There was a NIP (new in package) red sheet set. I am always looking for red to do quilting projects. There were vintage sheets, Tommy Hilfiger 100% cotton sheets, four king size rainbow and white stripe fitted sheets and the orange and yellow velour hand towels and vintage wash cloth that are already in the thrifted bathroom. I see my store (butterflyplace.etsy.com) inventory  growing in the next few weeks and I have enough now to finish a couple more quilts for charity. I'm trying to have twelve quilts done for he hospital pediatric unit by the end of the year.

 

Last but not least and not included in the 50% off sale was the vintage mushroom and gold index file box which I'm sure was a great file box for recipes. This is already listed on my store. I don't know if I'll get out thrifting this week. Maybe I'll find a yard sale or two on the way home for work. I have lots of listing to do and with all the linens I have some cutting and sewing to do. Whatever the universe brings I'll enjoy. Have a great week everyone.