Thrift shops popping up all over. Fun hunting.

It seems like everyone is opening a thrift shop in any little spot they can find these days. It's been great and adventurous for us. The pickings have been bright and colorful and even the quality has been good. We have been out twice in the last week and have had so much fun. I hope it continues. We've found items for the store and items for our personal use. What a world!

First the personal use things we found. Yes four new food saver vacuum seal canisters. All four for $12. If we had purchased new almost $50.

Canning jars are always going to find their way to my kitchen. Cannot believe I've been finding them when it seems like everyone is looking for them. Total $4.

We found two Wilhold sewing boxes full of stuff and junk including candles, picture hanging hardware, needles and thread along with stuff that went directly into the trash. I think this is the first red one we've found. We also found a wear-ever cookie gun with all the parts and couldn't resist. I think my daughter is going to keep this and use it. I had one and sold it thinking I'd never make cookies again and sure enough there's one back in our lives.

These bright colored vintage Shel-Co plastic coffee cups were a fun find. I think it's the colors that attracted us to them.

Four yellow Mikasa light and lively coffee mugs are next.

More Pyrex in the form of a cooking pot with cover.

A great collection of vintage and reproduction cookbooks and a plastic Jesus.

For linens and fabric items we found 3 yards of black corduroy, some vintage curtain panels, a vintage Vera scarf and a darling white cotton sun dress that I may take apart for the fabric if after researching proves it's not something I should sell as is. 

This was the first of the two trips we took and what fun we had. In between shopping trips was lots of baking. Yes, baking. I had half a gallon of milk sour on me and I decided to use it instead of pour it down the drain. I made several different things and found all of the recipes on Pinterest.

First there was spice cake with cream cheese icing. I made two and cut them in half freezing three pieces for later.

12 pint size jars of sour milk chocolate cake along with Valentines day cupcakes and one small cake from the batter left for eating this week.

And my favorites were the pomegranate scones. I had made scones before but not in cast iron and I just had to try this new to me pan. They were awesome. So you can see that this gal keeps quite busy. Next time those teenage grandsons come to visit there will be treats for them to eat. The second thrifting journey netted so much more and I'll be working on that post for next week. So much to do, but just living life to the fullest makes this gal very happy. Life is good.

Easing into summer thrifting.

As I'm getting into the swing of spring yard sales, estate sales and church sales I'm finding many items, which means that I can take my time and ease into summer thrifting and treasure hunting. I have been so busy that I sometimes forget what I've taken pictures of and what I have not. The Napco smiley face planter is on it's second photo session. This could also be a senior moment on my part, but it just tickles my fancy. The dainty floral juice pitcher and glasses were made in Japan by a company called Lego. They are simple but refreshing. I especially love the green and black floral pie plate also made in Japan.

 

 

Once again a second photo session for the cotton nautical themed napkins from India. I would have taken new pictures but these items are packaged and stored and have been listed on my stores. I didn't really want to get them undone and retake pictures.

In this group I found an old rusted lamp shade frame that is listed as a craft item, a clear glass Pyrex grab-it bowl and two bright orange and yellow rooster towels. Lately I have been finding many bright and lively kitchen towels.

 

 

At a community garage sale I found this apple shaped lazy Susan that I couldn't resist. It is so vintage and can you see the fresh vegetables and dip in it on that lazy afternoon lounging?

 

 

I found some Pyrex covers to go with some of my bowls, a vintage Pyrex tea pot, a pair of red salt and pepper shakers in the shape of a coffee pots made in Japan, and a 1920's Pyrex 205 mini pie plate that is 4 7/8 inches in diameter. Quite cute actually.

 

 

I found two sets of vintage fondue forks. One set is Oneida stainless steel. The owl is a votive candle holder. The vintage 11.5 inch doll pattern from 1972 was complete with just minimal wear. It includes everything including panties and a wedding dress, but not a Tuxedo. I found a Georges Briard bird print plate and my favorite find was the strawberry shortcake picnic basket tin which is in almost pristine condition from 1980.

 



These bright colored over sized linen and cotton kitchen towels are from Romania.

 

 

This was already a wonderful treasure hunt, but it was made even better with the Vera Neumann scarfs.

 

 

I wouldn't be who I am without looking at the linens and fabric. This week I found sheets, pillow cases curtains, yard goods and a table cloth. All of the items featured in this blog have been prepped and listed on my on line stores: butterflyplace.etsy.com and butterflyplace.storenvy.com.

 

Please stop by and like my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheCraftZone1



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.

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.

Spray Painted Planter

The dark brown owl planter in the front of this photo was purchased at a flea market for fifty cents. I bought it because I follow a blog called Thrift Core.  http://www.thriftcore.com/2012/06/around-world-thrifting-with.htmlthrifters-. She blogged about spray painting planters and I thought it was a fun idea, but didn't know how good or bad I'd be at spray painting. I gave it a try and I'm not so good, but I'll get better with more practice. For a first timer I got lots of paint on my hands but I think it came out okay and I couldn't wait to put a plant in it and set it on the kitchen counter to liven up our plain rental counter. I found a mini Jade plant that fit just fine and since I don't have room for a standard size Jade plant it made me happy to get the small one. Well today I put them both together and this is the result. I like it and may do this again.

All I can say is that if you find something that you really like and it's not in the best condition give spray paint a try. I already have done one other item and it's for sale on my store butterflyplace.etsy.com. It's a mushroom print trivet that I reconditioned orange and it came out better for the second time using a can of paint.

Juvenile Linens are just coming to me. Interesting.

I had absolutely no intentions of stopping at an estate sale, but I did. Found one item and one item only and couldn't resist. This vintage twin size set of Cabbage Patch Kids sheets were just too cute. Okay so it was after noon on the last day of the sale and it was on my way back from running errands and the universe directed me there. At least the one item that I found was a great find and of course since it was the last day and after the bewitching hour I got them for a lesser price. Thank you universe.

The elastic on the fitted sheet is showing it's age (1985) but otherwise they are in excellent condition. The set includes one flat sheet, one fitted sheet and one pillowcase. Still lots of room to be enjoyed or upcycled into something new. This set is all Cabbage Patch girls so I imagine they may have made sheet sets with just Cabbage Patch boys. I sure hope so. That's how my week is going and what I've found. I have many more items and will keep listing them on my Etsy store. See you there. butterflyplace.etsy.com Have a wonderful week everyone.

Favorite thrift finds this weekend.

My favorites of the weekend, but not the only finds are these two loving owls music box and an unusual cheese cutting board that folds like a cupboard. It was so unusual that I just had to pick it. It was in excellent condition for it's age and is made in Japan. I can't tell the song that the music box plays, but it works and was irresistible.

Other finds this weekend include some more fabric, vintage and modern. Two cut glass candy dishes, wooden trivets made in India, a pink and orange vintage cotton towel and a large bell shaped trivet that is silver. A good cleaning and it will make a wonderful addition to any holiday table setting. I had a great time hunting this weekend, but have been careful not to over spend. So far setting a budget has worked.
Other events of the weekend include more research for business growth and learning my way around more internet sites. It's fun and work at the same time. Feel free to visit my Etsy store at butterflyplace.etsy.com .  Have a great thrifting week everyone.

This weeks thrift shopping.

In my travels this week to different thrift stores my intent was to just drop off donations, but the temptation to look at new merchandise led me to a bounty of new fabric and resale items. I like to find different fabrics that I can combine with others for craft projects or quilting both for resale and charity projects I'm involved in. I never fail to find vintage pieces of fabric or reclaimed bed sheets and linens. It has become the fun in my life and gets me out other than just going to work. With warmer weather hitting the northeast early this year I have notice the number of people having yard sales increasing. I'm not quite ready for them, but give me a couple of weeks and I'll be there. The bounty will begin to appear on my etsy store, butterflyplace.etsy.com, so I hope you take the time to visit to see items up close and get descriptions.

Strictly Fabric Thrifting

This latest thrifting adventure was strictly fabric. Downsizing has made it a little more difficult to store larger items. Fabric can be folded and stored conveniently on a shelf. This fabric will become inventory on butterflyplace.etsy.com my online store. I will, however, continue to sell off my lifetime collections since they are already being stored. It just makes sense to sell of what is already here before purchasing anything else. It's amazing what we accumulate in our short lifetimes. I hope you take the time to visit my store.

To Be Continued...Thrifted Chair Part Three

After the final coat of vinyl paint was added and left to dry the butterfly decals were applied and we now have the back of the seat and seat finished. We may add butterflies to the back of the back because there are a few remaining. I'm enjoying watching the progress of this chair. Next it's on to the chrome body and making that shine and putting it back together. I hope your enjoying this work in progress. True recycling at it's best.

To Be Continued...Thrifted Chair Part Two

I didn't think that I'd get to the new pictures until this weekend, but as usual I get more done than I expect in a day. I am a bit tired today, but I think the weather has something to do with it. Nothing but clouds and rain. We saw some sun, but it's in and out. Today is my day off and I decided to keep working, but to pace at a more human rate. Done mostly little stuff today, but it all adds up to big stuff at the end of the day. So now it's time to show you the progress we are making on the 99 cent chair. It still has a way to go before completion, but we can visualize how it will look when it is done. I hope you can see it too. The improvements are slow, but any job worth doing is worth doing well. We will be repainting the chrome body, the vinyl is going to be white and the arms will be white and we found butterfly vinyl to decorate it. It will look wonderful in our computer room. I can't wait to actually see it done, but I can see what it will look like in my mind now.

To Be Continued...Thrifted Chair

I've been so very busy building my on line store that I haven't taken the time to blog. That extra income is helping so much right now. Any how on one of our thrift trips a while back my daughter needed to sit down for a while. She'd been having back problems and it was getting to her. This chair is the result of her needing to have a seat. It was very comfortable she said and had me try it. Spending hours on the computer working is hard on your you know what and we decided to take it. Of course the price was just right too. As you can see from the pictures it was quite marked down. The progression of mark downs only meant to us that no one even tried to sit in it. It was a bit soiled so maybe that's the reason. So for ninety nine cents we purchased a new office chair knowing that we could upcycle it with vinyl paint and maybe some decorations. It is currently in pieces in the garage being worked on. It is showing great progress and we found the most wonderful vinyl butterflies to apply to it. We'll keep you in suspense for a bit longer. I will take some pictures of the progress and blog again over the weekend.