Thrifty Treasures

Confession time.

One of the reasons I love coming to the beach to visit my parents at their timeshare is because there are so many great thrift shops here.  So far on this trip I've found a pile of vintage Christmas ornaments and a couple beautiful crocheted afghans.  Oh, and a five dollar chair that will soon be sporting a new paint job and added to my sewing room....  And an exquisite cross-stitch for the kitchen....  Oh!  Oh!  Oh!  And a OLD tole painted tray!  I've wanted one forever.  A buck-fifty?   Are you kidding me?  So awesome!

Here are a few of my faves from the booty:

Santa in the washtub, with his washcloth and bar of soap!

Snowmen warm my heart!

Can such a perky red bird be had for a mere twenty-five cents?

I'm here to tell you, "Yep, it can."

I loved this new wool afghan the minute I saw it, but thought the $20 price tag was a little high.  Then I found out the lady is selling her things to raise money for experimental treatments for her brain tumor. 

Gulp. 

It was done deal at that point.  Isn't it fabulous? 

Between thrifting jaunts and eating way too much of Grandmama's cooking, I'm finishing up the last of the stitching on the border of "Oh, By Golly!"  But this won't get quilted right away, 'cause I have to get crankin' on the Christmas give-away quilt, which, by the way, is all pulled together in my head now. I hope you'll all enter to win it. 

The beach was great the first few days.  Now we're socked in with rain from Ida.

Ida know, I think I'll just keep stitchin' and make the best of it.

Enjoy your day.  Rain or shine!

Love,

Confessions of a Thrift Store Junkie (Or, It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...In July!)

I admit it...I have to check out the thrift stores when I visit another town. I know, I know, a crazy obsession, but at least it doesn't break the bank. So, on Tuesday, Mom and I popped in a video and left Granddaddy in charge of the rowdy crew. (You know how wild those girls get.....NOT! He probably took a nap!)

I found some fun treasures on the hunt. I have a fondness for Christmas mugs. Not just any mugs, as Christmas mugs are a dime a dozen. No, the ones I look for have to have character. Sweet faces, handpainted or look like it, pretty shapes. Every year I lovingly set out my Santa mugs from my childhood. So when I saw this toy soldier mug at the Goodwill here in Aiken, I was smitten. What cuteness can be had for 49 cents! Then I spotted this cute snowman mug and liked his shape. "You're coming home with me, big guy."

That started it...the chase was on. "I will fill my shelf above the French doors with cute mugs this Christmas!"

So, while we were out on Tuesday, I found these two at the Salvation Army. I have a weakness for snowmen and I loved the stockings all in a row. "Pretty reds and blues," I'm thinking.


Back home, looking in my mother's cupboard, I spied this snowman with the candy cane handle just begging to be brought out of the dark. A pleading look from me to Mom and he was all mine! Thanks, Mom!

These dapper fellows wanted to say hello to you. Now, I'll tuck them away until the day after Thanksgiving, when they will reappear to add their touch of Christmas cheer!

Below is another Christmasy thrifting find. I rescued this beautiful needlepoint pillow with the cardinal and holly motif for $1 at the beach.


And finally, I wanted to show you the pillows I've made for the bench in the foyer. This bench has sat here, politely doing its job, but desperately needing some softness. So during my pillow making frenzy a week ago, I stitched these up from fabric I had tucked away. "Sit a Spell" was my brainchild embroidered from a cute little iron-on transfer of a dog sitting with her umbrella. I think she looks as if she is beckoning someone to sit with her! Her name is "Poppins" after my puppy-niece in Alabama. Mary Poppins always totes an umbrella, doesn't she?



Hope you are enjoying your week!

Love,
Laura Lee

Living Room Redo

My project the past week has been to make the living room more inviting. The wheat colored walls had to go. In came a perky green. This has to be first room we've ever painted green. And I like it. And Tom loves it. And Brad is proud of his cut-in job. Mr. Painter Dude won't use tape. Says it's for people who don't know how to paint. In any case, thank you , Brad!

Tom built the ottoman for me last fall.
I love it covered in the checked fabric.
Ok, I just love checks, period!

The $15 thrifted mirror, purchased at the beach last fall.
I stripped it and shabbied it up a bit.

Pillows on parade......

Detail of the pillow trim...how adorable is that?

This cute cottagey fabric just called my name.
And I was thrilled to get a sample of it home
and see how well it coordinated with
the stripes on the sofa cushions.

So it's all pulled together.
Come on over and sit a spell with me.
I've put a pot of tea on!


Love,
Laura Lee

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

Ahhhh, Home Sweet Home....

As much as I love to take a vacation, there is no place like home! Agree??? We spent a lovely weekend in Dahlonega with Tom's parents. Saturday was "Ribs" in Atlanta with all the Cobbs....or most of them. It was wonderful to see everyone at that annual gathering.

I wanted to post a few photos of my "thrifting" finds from the beach. The painted vase and little hen were dirt cheap, and too cute to pass up. They have found a new home on my baker's rack in the kitchen...at least for now.

I purchased this little bud vase for 59 cents. It is holding the three little roses that were waiting for us when we got home.

I also found two beautiful plates for near nothing, and a darling 40's or 50's "ish" coffee pot. I know it is old because on the bottom it says, "Fabricated in Japan." And it has the heating element inside.

I'll be at the kennel bright and early to retrieve Bella. We miss her so badly. I probably won't get much done tomorrow except play with her!

Have a great week.

Love,
Laura Lee