Thrifted Fabrics: Sustainable Resource + Addiction = Overwhelmed

That's right! I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I am a self proclaimed fabric whore!!!

What is wrong with me?

Really I think there needs to be a support group for this sort of thing. I have spent a lifetime collecting fabric that I hoped to get around to sewing with, and now it's everywhere in my studio.

When I'd get to the cutting counter they would ask me what are you making, and I'm sad to say that a long time ago I just started saying I was collecting it. It's so bad there's no where left to store it anymore, and what's even worse I still keep buying it! I really think I do need an intervention. I know my friends will say, "but you have a good eye!" but this has bordered on ridiculous. What's a girl to do?

I'll tell you exactly what a girls to do! Sell it! Slowly but surely the studio is losing weight. Fabric is being sorted, washed, cut, re-evaluated, made into whatever I can make up quickly and the rest is getting listed for resale. I made pretty good progress this weekend with listing stuff, so be sure and check it out if your interested in this kind of thing. There's some pretty unique stuff that got listed.

Quarter Fats from Vintage Bed Linens

Vintage Chenille Towels

Fabric Yardage from Vintage Bed Linens

Second Time Around

"The second time around". I couldn't have come up with a better  title, I don't think, for the thrift day I had on Saturday. Not only is it a metaphor for the repurchasing of thrift items, but it's basically how I found things in the store. When I went into the Webster Savers on Saturday I wasn't really in a mood to be there. We had just run there to make a donation, and do some grocery shopping but decided to stop in. The weather was rainy, windy, cold and I just couldn't seem to shake sleep off, but we were there so why not? I went up and down all the rows, barely looking, and didn't see anything I had to have. I even got three rows into the linens before I found a sheet I couldn't resist having. This is completely unusual for me.
I was ready to leave, but for some reason decided to make one last round again. Well all I can say is WOW!! Good thing I did. I found $35.00 worth of new to me treasures. Most of them for me and not the store too, which is how it's been working lately. 
I can't wait to show you.

This ceramic box is Italian. It's in my favorite colors. I have to admit that I have an identical one already, that I've owned for almost 15 years, so I wasn't about to leave this one behind.

These California Pottery Trays came off of a lazy Susan, but again they were in my favorite color green. $1.99 for all of them! I think they will be great to hold snacks, or for fondue dipping items.

They stack for easy storgage.

This vintage sheet was the only thing I found the first trip around. I've had this sheet before, that I've cut into quarter fats for the store, but this time I think it might be made into a wrap dress I just bought a pattern for.

 A vintage wooden Jack and Jill switch plate. This cleaned up really nicely and aside from some little chips of paint, it's very sweet. It's slated to go on my store.



Another Madonna! I've found this one before too, but this one is smaller. I think I'll be keeping her, and putting the larger one on the store. I plan to spray paint mine when the weather is decent again enough to do painting.

And Now, my last two and most FAVORITE items discovered.... A brand new WOK complete with handle, cover and chop sticks. It's NEVER BEEN USED!! $7.99

 AND......wait for it!........

The mother of all Fondue Pots! This lovely thing I found in two individual areas in the store. The pots and forks were wrapped up and tapped for $4.99, and the burner-lazy Susan w/ glass containers was in another area for $9.99. I asked if they would combine the price and they did! $12.00. I've been sending the message out to the universe that I wanted a fondue pot for months now, and of course because I bought a smaller vintage one off of Etsy, it sends me this one. We'll I'm keeping it! I love it so much. It doesn't look like it's ever been used, and the only problem was the tape from the store I had to soak off. So now I just have to plan the party, and yes, I will be reselling the vintage fondue pot I already have.

What did you find this weekend?

Slim Pickings Saturday

This Saturday I wandered out to Buffalo to visit my sister and her family and of course that also meant an early morning stop to Savers near her house. The pickings were slim, but I came home with a few useful items. Of course that also meant I didn't go over my thrift budget, which is always a nice thing too, right?

This is the second vintage yarn crafter I've found for the store (sadly I still haven't listed the first one), but this one was unopened, and still has the plastic wrapping around the box, with the original price tage. It's pretty cool.

I'm always on the look out for embroidery books that have patterns I've never seen before. I don't keep the books around for long. It's easier to photocopy or scan what I want and pass the book along back out into the big bad crafty world for someone new to discover.

Check out these awesome goldtone metal hands. They were kind of neat. I plan to put them on the store for some crafter to work their magic with. It's rare to find something so cool. I have no clue what they could have been used for. Anyone have any ideas?

O.K. I have to admit that I haven't found a Vera piece in a VERY long time and I feel a bit sad about it actually, but I did spot this vintage scarf. I thought it might do well on the store, as the colors are very in right now.

Yes, this guy is mine. I've already hung him up in a small spot where the staircase meets the wall. You don't see him until you get to that point on the stairs, which I think is neat. I like hiding art in fun nooks here and there.

This is my favorite weekend treasure. While visiting my sister she mentioned all of the excess she had left over from her scrap book business, and that someone hadn't paid for the marker set they ordered. I bought it at a reduced cost. I've been looking for a decent set of double tipped markers for a while now.

I can't wait to start playing with them, but there are too many other projects out right now being finished up. I'll get there I know, but it's a one day at a time deal. I'm working on finishing up a free raffle to promote my new facebook page, so that's taking a little while. Almost there though! Stay tuned. Happy Monday everyone!!!

Birthday Weekend Thrifting

Plastic Homco Dove wall hanging

Today is my birthday. I'm 40 today. I haven't really wanted to do much to celebrate, but my friend Susan, a few weeks ago said I needed to do something. She decided it would be best to go do something I enjoyed and was good at. So this weekend we hopped into the truck, and headed out to Buffalo to do our thrift store circuit. It was actually pretty fun, as we hadn't done it in a while. I did a moderate amount of damage, some for me, but primarily more for the store. Here's a few images of the things I've came home with.

 Birds Eye Overview of all the finds. I'll be posting more about the hidden paint by number painting hidden under the stack at the bottom left of the image.

Included in this image is a stack of vintage linens. My camera fritzed out when I tried to take a detailed photo. I found an awesome twin set of yellow, stripe sheets that the cashier rang up for $4,030.00. It made me laugh. This was at the first stop. She told us the most amazing story about a scary mu mu she used to have during her pregnancy that was yellow striped, and accidentally punched the amount in wrong amount. I explained I didn't think I should take a loan from my 401K for a set of sheets. I found it very funny, and we all had a good laugh, because obviously she was still very traumatized by the mu mu. I have plans to make a dress out of that stripe set, and the yellow floral sheet I found at the same stop. I also found a great dress that I will be putting up for raffle in a few weeks. Can't wait to show it off to you all so check back often. 



Religious Iconography, Fitz and Floyd Butterfly Dessert Plates, and Mod carved wooden squirrel 

I know I've said it before. I love collecting religious icons. I've limited myself to what I have shelf space for. Here are a few of my new ones. The statue was free, but my favorite is the little angel with the harp. She was made in Mexico and was only .69. She's going next to the front door.

Summer Spray Painting Projects that need to be done before listing 

I found another six wine glasses that were smaller at St. Leo's. Next to the ones I found a few weeks ago, they look amazing on the hutch. I'm getting more motivated now to refurbish it(pictures coming soon). Now, just to have some dinner parties. These would be great for sorbet/dessert.

I also found another Betty Rubble glass! I've been trying to build a set and have been buying a few on Etsy, so this was an awesome find at only $3.99. They sell for WAY more!!

The transfer embroidery pattern, stuffed animal pattern, virgin plaque, jello jiggler alphabet mold and book I'm keeping for myself. I plan to make gingerbread alphabet cookies with the jello mold. I think no matter what the age, you should be able to play with your food. The card trays will be going to the store.

The little chalk ware snail is all mine. At only .49 he's a bank. He goes so nicely with the others in my collection. Good thing too, because I realize I've filled the others with change, so it was time to start a new one. LOL! The little green dish is Mikasa, and that is now under the spider plant in my living room. The cardinal sun catcher is going to my "little sister" in California, the owl sun catcher will be going to the store.

I loved this little Brass Horse for the store. Spray paint perhaps? What color do you think he should become??

These really fun book ends have an enamelware detail. I'm wondering if I should leave them as they are or give them a new fresh look. Any suggestions?

 Close up of the Playing Card trays, imported from Japan.

Here's a better picture of the sun catchers and other "smalls". The little modern, hand carved wooden squirrel was a great find at $1.99. It's a present for my Aunt, who has a close connection to squirrels. ;)

 More detailed image of the religious icons



Isn't she lovely?

What did you find this weekend?

Linking to Apron Thrift Girl's Thrift Share Monday

Oops I did it again! Confessions of a Weekend Thrift Addict

O.K. I know it! I have  a wee little bit of a problem when it comes to fabrics. I just have to have them, especially if they are funky and vintage. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I am a self proclaimed FABRIC WHORE.

This weekend was no exception when it came to bringing home more, but I ask you, how is an addict supposed to walk away? Is there a Fabric Anonymous group somewhere? If anyone knows I'd be more than happy to check it out. :)

This past Friday evening after grocery shopping I gently coerced my poor mother into making a stop at the Savers in Webster that was right around the corner. She looked at me, but reluctantly agreed. Maybe because I'd been saying I should lay off the thrifting hamster wheel for a while, at least until I could catch up with my Etsy store anyway since I have a years worth of merchandise to list at this point.

Nope that didn't stop me. Just check out these fun fabrics I came home with!! Some will be quilt backings, some will become handbags and some will eventually be fat quartered for resale. They were just too fun to pass up. There were more there, but a girls got to draw the purse strings tight somewhere right?

If I haven't mentioned Savers before, I should take a moment to say here, that I truly do believe it's like the Thrift Mother Ship has called me home every time I go there. I love the fact that they support the Boys and Girls club and that they don't throw clothing into landfill, but give it to missions in other parts of the world. To me there's nothing better than the feeling of thrift helping charity. It's win win. They also don't stop at fabric, and I've found amazing things every time I stop in.

During the same trip I found three more of these plastic birds. I plan to spray paint them over the summer and hang some throughout the apartment. Perhaps the bathroom. Not sure yet. There seems to be a floral theme going on in there. I now have nine of these birds. Don't worry. I'm not keeping them all. Six will be heading to the store (eventually).

 

I also found another I Hate To Cook Book, by Peg Bracken. This will be heading to the store along with these unopened vintage invitations. I'm digging the little clowns for sure. Do you think they are too juvenile to send out if you are turning 40 in a week? Hmmm...maybe just a little.

Yep, that's right. I even found more Virgins. The apartment is loaded with Angels, Buddhas and Virgins. I like the funky ones. Mom is joking that we are starting to have Deity Corners all over the apartment. I say the more blessings the better. I'm covering all of my bases, especially in the event of the apocalypse in a few months!! ;)

This is my favorite find of the weekend. It's a wall mounted bell (yes it works and it's very loud). This is for my friend Karen, who is decorating a room in a nautical theme. I couldn't pass it up at just $6.00. It's amazing, and it was right at the register like it was meant to be bought for her.

And lastly. A little light reading! Ugh, I can't believe I bought novels when I need to be focusing on textbooks in a week. I set myself up for distraction, but come on, they were buy four get one free!!

After I took the picture I noticed a little theme going on with the titles, but I assure you they are novels and not "how to's". Just random works of "fluff" fiction. I will admit it, I am a Judge A Book By It's Cover type of girl, but more in the judge a book by how new the book is. The majority are all brand new, and look as if they've never been opened. Now I just have to find five classics I haven't read yet, to justify the fluff. Don't ask, it's something I've been doing since I was 13.

Linking to Apron Thrift Girl for her Thrift Share Monday Posts