Thrift Shop Finds

Hello! It got hot here again. Is this what we used to call Indian Summer?
Yesterday was beautiful, hot and sunny, perfect for a visit from my  thrifting friend B [Bea]. My first big adventure since my hip issues began last spring. I was excited to get out and have fun. We got an early [for us] start and we're getting used to the new route, made good time, did not get lost. The drive out through the bridges and beaches was gorgeous, the dunes are showing a hint of red leaves. Okay, it's poison ivy, but it's pretty. And look at this blue sky.

Our favorite thrift shop was jam packed with stuff. Wow. I could have bought three times what I finally decided on. B too had great success, throw pillows and fun old Coca Cola glasses.

My finds~
Baskets.

These large wicker trays aren't fabulous but I need something like this to organize my quilty works in progress. Mostly I ve been using UGGs boot boxes but these baskets are nicer, clean and never used, and were 2.99 for the pair, far less than canvas bins from BB&B.

A faux but beautiful Nantucket basket. I love the deep color.

 So pretty with fall leaves and berries, or for holding small knitting projects....

Then when I was almost done, three trips around the store, I found this in the rack of old CDs and videos. A beautiful split wood market basket.

Really large, about 16 x 24" .

It will get a good washing and drying, then I hope to use it to display all my doll quilts someday.

Small painted wooden box, below. I got this thinking I would repaint it in a primitive folkart style inspired by [not copied from!] the work of Lori of  Notforgotten Farm here. But it's so pretty, great colors, it is growing on me as is. I will use it to store my large scissors, I think. As with the wicker trays for fabrics, I am constantly fighting my tendency to be very messy. If I have nice storage pieces, I am more likely to put things back in their places. Or so I say to myself.

A very pretty pillow sham, soft lilacs or violets on one side, good stripe on the back. For lavender sachets next spring [or sooner? non-Christmassy Christmas gifts?]

The home and kitchen racks are always rewarding.

Nice bowl, not old. But you know I never met a big bowl I didn't love and bring home.

Love the Easter egg stripes / colors. I plan to use it as a mixing bowl, it's lighter in weight than my spongeware bowl, but it also looked pretty cute just stacked with my other pastel bowls.

 It's Pfaltzgraff. I thought their pottery was made in...Ohio. Not Thailand. A surprise.

Stray cobalt soup or chili bowl, to match one I have. Maybe modern Fiesta, or Cambridge, if older. Unmarked.

A modern Ball canning jar in lovely deep aqua/ turquoise. 1 Pint.

I think it's great that a hundred years or so later the old zinc lids still fit the new jars. The zinc lids are readily available on eBay and etsy. Gives the new jars instant antique-look.

Then the best part--- I really lucked out in the plaid shirt department. Lots of men's shirts, many XL or XXL. Not cheap, they start at 5.99 and go up to 14.99 for a Ralph Lauren plaid. But then there's sales and discounts daily, so somewhat affordable in the end. Certainly no bargain, even if cotton fabric is over ten dollars a yard now. But, you know, the mixed shirt plaids give that special look, of thrifty/ make-do-ness.

I chose blue shades to finish Where/ When The Wild Geese Fly quilt, and to replenish my much depleted collection. I am considering using the shirts' bodies to piece a backing for that quilt too. (Or should it be cozy pumpkin colored flannel?). The rest will be cut up for strings for my planned String Baskets quilt.

With that in mind I branched out and added a few plaids that, while they have blue, were also brown or tomato soup colored.

The greens are for my always meagre green stash and also for the green pumpkins in my Jan Patek Pumpkins and Pinwheels quilt [next year, but planning ahead. quiltpattern is here]

I was pretty thrilled with all my treasures, even though I found NO sweaters or woolen garments for felting, no tartans or kilts, and no candle stick bases for my make-do pincushions. Next time? 

We ended our day with afternoon ice tea on the deck, a plate of fall apples, cheeses and sweet potato Triscuits to go with. Time to visit and relax. B lives way up in Upstate NY and I don't see her so often. We then went off to Pancho's for the best Mexican food anywhere. Fajitas, yum! They  have a new dessert menu, free with a meal. Tiny double shot glasses filled with things like chocolate mousse pie, Key Lime pie, pumpkin cheesecake. Free? Oh yes. Four sweet bites, perfect.

Hope your week is going well and you're enjoying the surprise of summery weather again!

love

lizzy

gone to the beach...

Home alone with a bully stick! Mo did well.