inkstitch

a thrift post, just because

Because it was cute.

Because it was cheap.

Because I'm a sucker for Wendell.

Because wood toys are always better than plastic.

And because I need a quick post.

Have a lovely weekend!

On the table tonight:  Enchiladas

Thrift Thursday

Hi, my name is Denice and I'm a thriftaholic.

This is the latest pile.  Not all from one trip, mind you, but recent.  It is not everything, just the pretty stuff.  For instance, there are about six more pair of jeans in various sizes that could have been included, but you get the idea.  (Yes, that would be eight pair.  I have five sons who all have holes in their jeans, all the time. I never, ever pay full price for jeans, are you kidding?)  There is also a very big pile of cotton flannel, perfect for linings and fillings and diapers, but not so pretty you need a photo.  All super cheap though!  I have my favorite thrift shop all nailed down: On certain days certain colored tags are 50% off, and I always have at least a 20% off coupon, just in case there is something of another color tag I just can't live without (although I do try to stick to that color, really I do).  Mondays are awesome: every Monday all items of x color tag are only 99 cents!  Woot!

Recent finds include some great notions...

...and buttons (there are a couple of good ones in this little lot), and a pin box full of a variety of snaps.  I had it on my list to get more snaps soon, so yay!

I carried one of these around JoAnn for a long time last week before I told myself I didn't need to spend that cash and put it down.  But ten cents beats $6.99 any day! :)

Baby J won't fit these shoes yet, but they were too cute to pass up.  And won't they be sweet with those jumpers?  Makes me giddy just thinking about it.

Pretty Pyrex: the two smaller bowls even have a lid!  Plus there are those embroidery hoops, and the black blob on the floor which are perfect pumps for Natalie (gotta love perfect $2 shoes!), and the sweet ice cream dishes...

...and finally, the sheets.  Oh, the sheets!  I already have so many uses in mind...  I promise a project post using sheets very soon!

On the table tonight: ham sandwiches and tossed salad

 

just in time

May you have a peaceful and joyous celebration.

The One About the Cats

You may remember Miss Kitty from a few posts back.  Meet Wyatt, Alice, Steve and Sherman.  They are her progenitors, my first attempts at stuffed toys.  I know I'm a little late to this game; there are some really great stuffed sewers around the blogoshpere, and they've inspired me, obviously.  This gang was created completely from "found" materials: from the stash, the scrap basket, or the clothing-on-its-way-to-donation box.  The topic of over-consumption is always on my mind, so I really enjoy this kind of recycling.

Sherman's blue was rescued from a musty, dusty box of found fabric in my mother's garage; Alice was formerly a great sweater (that I really never should have been painting in); Steve is quilt scraps.  Wyatt may be my favorite... He is made from a retired pair of wool pants.  He belongs to Ian, who feels his face is crooked and his eyes don't match, but has become satisfied with him anyway.  Hehe. 

The basic form for these came from Denyse Schmidt's pattern.  They were a quick and easy response to, When are you going to make something for me?  Well, right now.  One for each of you.  And they are very loved.

Thrift Thursday

A few thrifty finds: A butterfly sheet I mostly brought home for its buttery yellow color. (I keep picking up yellow lately; it's gotta be a need for spring.) The green tablecloth, which has ugly lace around the edge, but is a great color and is a nicely textured heavyweight cotton, which will probably become the summer tote -- or perhaps a much needed new library tote.  The awesome pitcher came from my mom, who is cleaning out for the sake of a move.  I love that hobnail glass.  The ruffled plate is for the plate wall in the dining room.  The blue dish is for -- well, it's to be pretty.  I'll put jam in it.  Or salsa.  I could tell you about my obsession with serving dishes here, my table setting obsession, how everything on the table must be in a bowl and never in the jar, and there must always be a knife, a fork, and a spoon, and how I never ever want to use a paper napkin if I can help it -- but the baby on my lap and the resulting one-handed typing is helping me keep it short and sweet today.  Enjoy.

(How cool is this little set of letters?)

On the table tonight: breakfast for dinner

speaking of buttons...

Just a few short weeks ago, my button collection could be nearly contained in one small teacup. 

The lack-of-sewing/too-much-time-working-at-the-computer had to break eventually, though, and it did, in the form of a new eBay button habit.  It was short-lived, and I have now sworn NOT to bid on the twenty-something "watched items" in My eBay, but before I quit I scored some lovelies.  These are a few.

On the table tonight: Pot Roast

setting the table

Tea time. Ten cups. Eighteen plates. $6.  Kind of pricey, actually, but I can serve up coffee and cake for even my family (of whom there are many). (Yes, I make good coffee. It is necessary to draw my brothers to my table. The cake, too.) Pretty napkins: ten cents.

Our current plates. I love these. Set of eleven for $1.  Look at that cool design!  I would love to know who did the original illustrations.

And the pretty pitcher. I have a collection this will fit into beautifully. Thrifting has been good to the kitchen lately.

On the table tonight: Shepherd's pie

getting real and giving away

I have wandered my house looking for light, but there is just no solving the grey out there today, and these photos are as good as it gets.  If it's beautiful photos you want in a blog, you can go here.  But before you go, look at these sweet little embroideries found thrifting Saturday. 

I have no place at all for them but they are just so charming.  I have been wondering what I could make with them... of course I couldn't just leave them there on the shelf, they had to come home with me, so now what?  Inspired by Kristy I thought I'd offer them up.  If you love them, email me.   Otherwise, I'm sure I'll think  of something!  Gone to Autum's house!  :)

On the get real front, I believe Randi is planning on posting a theme (if she already has I missed it), but meanwhile here is a first photo for you.  My kitchen cupboard.  The first one you see when you walk in the door.  The cabinets were a terrible mess when we came here, and not having the budget to buy new ones, we refinished them all.  I am happy enough with the finish, but this door was missing, and although we plan to make a new one, here it is, showing off  the sticky jam jar.  One might also note that the trim is still missing from where the cabinets meet the upper soffit, and the tile backsplash needs trim.  We have been over a year now, and began the kitchen project almost the day we arrived, so none of these things, unfortunately, are recent.

Sadly, I am much better equipped to post to this topic than Amanda's wonderful Corners of My Home group.  It seems each corner that I love, that I would think of posting to that group, is not finished, not painted, not the way I'd like, etc.  My home is very much a work in progress!  So, I haven't posted to that topic yet.  ...  Maybe this week I'll finally feel ready.

On the table tonight: last night's pork chops, which were replaced by pizza that I didn't have to cook!

fabric finds

Eeek!  Husband was so very generous today in accompanying me to the local Goodwill, and even lending his enthusiasm over my finds.  I was giddy (really, giddy!) to be there, so "in the mood" was I to hunt.  I am new to the idea of thrifting for fabric, and my-oh-my I do believe I overdid it, but I am coming home with some lovely stuff!  Besides, how much can you overdo yards of fabric for only $2.99?  -- Well, $2.99 times... well anyway, it was a deal, I tell ya!

Did you get a good look at the green one?  A bit reminiscent of yesterday's lamp, no?

And these kitties are awfully cute...

pink repurposed

Remember this? 

It has now become this:
For a child who loves to dress up.  Everyday, within moments of coming in the door, she has put on an ensemble similar to this.  The flowy, silky fabric of the dress was perfect for her to feel lovely in.  It also became several of these:
And (hurray!) I am almost finished with these:
I am ever-so-slowly closing the gap between me and feeling caught up on projects that I owe to people.  Now if only I could get off  the computer!  I have only had a blog for a few posts, but already I know I need to join Blair in a Free Friday!

On the table tonight: pizza

the pink dress

Last week's thrifting also yielded this little lovely.  Oh, come on, you know you want to wear it...   This is my first ever buy-it-just-to-cut-it-up purchase.  I mean, except for halloween remodels.  I am inspired by all the thrifted remakes I see out there.  I bought this purely for the fun print.  Eventually it will become a few of these (although mine are quite elementary by comparison).  I have some overdue cards for a "Hot Pink" theme that will be created this weekend, yay!