Thrift finds and some freebies.

We have a favorite place we like to visit when we need sewing or craft supplies but we don't go to often because it can get quite costly with all the wonderful finds. It's called Craft Bits 'n Pieces and it's in Fairport NY. We went on a recent Saturday because we had things we wished to donate. This is a second hand shop where people donate their unused craft supplies and they resell them to the public to support their senior citizens. Well, they couldn't take our donations because we were unaware that you now needed to make an appointment because they don't have enough volunteers to accept them and run the store. If I lived closer I would volunteer, but I am to far away to help.

This is a very very small amount to leave there with. We usually find so many pieces of fabric that we fill a bag, but we've been very selective about what we are buying. Yes, my daughter even found a new hair clip and at .25 for a package of double fold bias tape we got those too.

Besides going to make a donation the most important reason was to see what we could get for thread. This is what we found and the prices were .25 to .50 a spool. We usually select specific colors, but this time we took whatever we thought we would use. The thread rack in the back was purchased at Savers for $1.99 after we shopped at Craft bits. We had the donations in the trunk and needed to unload them somewhere and we got a discount card for making the donations.

For thrift finds there were crocheted coasters (Craft bits), canning jars ranging in price from .29 to .99 and amazingly two pillar candles for .99 each. They always seem to mark them at $3 to $4 each.

We found this brand new Kay Dee linen owl print towel, a lime green Pyrex pie plate, along with an aqua coffee mug and vintage towels and linens. The vintage deer with her fawns is plastic but looks so nice on our shelf.

Part one of our freebie economics, my daughter has been cutting down fabrics and sewing, creating lots of extra pieces and scraps. She has a friend at work who also loves to sew and she takes these scraps to her to use and enjoy. Well one day a week ago she took a bag to her and we've been excited to get a little more out to be used and shared, but the universe on the very same day showed up. Another co worker arrived in her office with a large box of fabric. This is the bundle she brought home, but she shared about one third of it with the other co worker. We were happy because they were solids and not prints so we could use it to back sewing projects. 

The freebies from grocery apps included two boxes of baking soda and two boxes of brown sugar. Due to the weather and not needing to many of the offers this is all we've done lately. I'm sure there will be lots more in the future to share.

Thank you for stopping by and have a great week. 

What's new at The Craft Zone.

A few thrift finds.

Jars, jars, and more jars

I try not to spend a lot of money on used canning and food storage jars unless I need to get new ones. Lately it seems as though the thrift stores are charging way too much for used jars. Sometimes $2 plus tax. I leave most of them for some one who doesn't know that a new one with the lid and rim retail for $1.02 plus tax. I managed however to find several for $.75 and made sure the came home with me as long as there were no cracks or chips. This is not the total lot because I filled some already with my potato soup and granola. I found a 1/2 gallon jar, several pints and a couple of different size jars for my special sugars. Yes the bottle of Vodka is on the counter and the vanilla beans are on their way. These jars will hold my vanilla extract, vanilla sugar and vanilla powder. By the holiday season I will have home made gifts to give using my creations.

I found new packages of rick rack and bias tape for $.25 each and my best find was the nutmeg grater for $.50. I can't wait to sew and cook using these items. Confession: Yes I am domestic at heart.

For linens this week I found two double flat sheets with two matching pillow cases and two similar pillow cases. I've slowed down buying new linens until I get caught up (lol) with the projects and inventory I already have, but the price was just too amazing to pass up. I'd tell you but I almost feel guilty getting them for what I did. 

And finally what about all those lovely 12 inch pillow covers made by that creative lady at poetcharms.etsy.com. She continues to amaze me with her use of all those vintage pieces of fabric for up cycled projects. Well, that's what's new here at The Craft Zone. I have some up cycled sewing projects underway, but they are still works in progress and subject to the time I have to do them, but I promise I will be posting them soon. Until then I hope everyone has a great week and please take the time to visit the stores to see what's new.