thrifty adventures

See that little dish by my sewing machine? That is an ash tray. It was my Dad's, one that he got when we lived as a family in England. It is lined with some names of different hotels, and I use it every time I sew. The needles I pull out from my sewing project go in that little white dish. It's a funny way that I remeber my Dad, and make him still a part of my life.

Even though this ash tray is not thrifted, it is something that I often see at thrift shops. Ash tray's always were a part of our decor growing up. We made ash trays at school whenever we made ceramics in school. I think the ash tray is a part of our past culture, something that is now out of fashion.

For me, this little tray holds memories. What have you found lately that holds special memories for you? Be sure to see what Stacey found this week too. p.s. the above photo is by my friend Ashley of www.domestic-fashionista.blogspot.com

thrifty adventures

Have you missed me? I have missed you! There is a lot of busyness going on for me right now. Some changes are happening for katie jean. All good ones! But I am going to keep it to myself for just awhile longer. So you will just have to wait.

But one thing that is not changing is my love for thrifting. I found this little tin at a favorite place of mine in Auburn. When I go there I tell my hub that I am going to see Mr. Paul, my boyfriend. The kids know this too! But I suspect that Mr. Paul would blush if I told him of any of this!

But I found this tin at his shop. It has no lid, but just wonderful illustrations all the way around the sides.

Here is the tin bottom. Mrs. Leland's Master Kitchen, Chicago, 1958. Isn't it all just so sweet! I bet she made some tasty treats too!

I also found this quilt top at Mr. Paul's. It was just a few $ too. Under 5, I'm sure. It is very simply made.

And the fabric print is very tiny too and faded in a few places. I am waiting for a warm day to wash it gently in my big tub. And let it air dry inside out of the way of direct sunlight. I think I will bring it to my next Modern Quilt Guild meeting and show it to the girls there too.

Now you can share your thrifty adventures with Stacey and I here too. Just grab our button and add it to your posting or sidebar when you do. Thanks!

thrifty adventures

Look what I found! Something that I had never seen before! Isn't that a real treat? It's a beautiful piece of 2 yards of blue fabric, sold as a remnant.

I just love the whole packaging. The string wrap closure and the labeling. It didn't have a price on it, so the shop sold it to me for the original marked price on the packet of 79 cents.

And I just love their business logo. See how the needle and thread make up the name Rother's. And the phone number is LYtell 3-9211.

It also says "The most complete fabric and sewing store". Plus they had sewing classes. Which I love! And I guess they taught how to sew on Knit -n- Stretch fabric. Polyester?

Plus I bought this little packet of notions for $2. More than the blue silk fabric! But the seam bindings and ric rac is always a must for me to buy. You may never know when you will need them.

Did you have any unexpected finds at the thrift store this week? Please visit Stacey at Pill's Place to see what she found, and join our link party here.

thrifty adventures

I am writing my thrifty adventures post even later than Stacey did hers. It is actually Friday and I am still going to post this as a Thursday. Tricky me.

I went to the thrift shop this week with my girl friend and my 3 beauties. She actually found this plate and was going to put it back. Then she said it was Texas Ware. Which I kind of have a thing for. I actually have a little bowl that is Texas Ware and is just wonderfully awful! You know what I mean?

And if you love to thrift, I'm sure you do understand. You buy things that you love and hope others won't judge you for that love. Have you found anything awful lately? Remember to visit Stacey to see her cute finds.

thrifty adventures

I am the girl who likes to look through the patterns at the thrift. Not usually for the patterns themselves, but the pictures. And I love the guy pictures especially! Would you marry a guy, much less date him, if he wore a cape? I like to be the fancy one when we go out. And the guys in their pj's are just a little aloof and sexy!

But when I saw this pattern, I let out a little inner squeal. It was because of the print fabric.

I have a pillow that I made, all hand stitched, using the same fabric. My mom had made an outfit for my sisters, and there was this bit that she had left over. I've had this pillow since about 1976.

When my family moved, my best friend drew me a picture on this little bit of silk. It says "Katie C. is my best friend". And I have just gotten back in touch with this childhood friend last week. Linda Jo is going to get a giggle when she sees this pillow! I wonder if she is going to remember drawing it for me.

See the importance of thrift shopping! It truly touches lives :) What did you find this week? Remember to visit Stacey to see her thrifty goodies.

thrifty adventures

Yes, I buy vintage sewing books. They are a little hard to resist. I just love them for the pictures and graphics alone. And just look at all the wonderful things you can learn from 1980.

How to pack for a 5 day trip. This will help since I'm going to Salt Lake City in May to see my sisters. I am already packing in my mind, deciding what to wear, and what else I may need to buy before I leave.

You can teach your little cute pixie friend how to slay dragons and teach your cat not to scratch at your polyester pants. This might even be some great inspiration for a halloween costume. I would just need a bigger spool. Like to my ankles.

And from 1972 look at all the things you could learn. I especially love the doll over the toilet paper. It's a classic.

A perfect hostess gift. Just crochet a poodle to cover a good bottle of whiskey and pop on over to your neighbors house. You will be welcome back anytime. And maybe each time you can crochet a different animal for each bottle you bring. Crochet a menagerie of bottles for the bar.

Make a tulle swan for your daughter's bed. Or maybe it's a swan hat. Perfect for a sweet 16 birthday present. Nothing else says I love you, like scratchy pink tulle.

And who wouldn't love a fur rat doorstop! I think it would be made a little cuter if it was called a mouse. Mice are cute. Rats, not so much. My 6 year old daughter actually wants to make this. I bet she thinks it's a mouse too.

This is a 1975 book of things to make for children. Not by them. Not even with them. But it does have some great stuff. Sure to keep you busy, making things for your children.

Just look at this doll house! It's nicer than the house I live in. I bet the doll's even dress better than I do. Wouldn't this be great to find at a thrift though. Or more likely an estate sale.

And a patchwork dog. I know I have seen this on etsy. Too bad this picture isn't in color. The fabric looks fantabulous!

Did you know that more than 25 million Americans hunt for antiques. What did you find this week? Link up here and just post our button on your blog post or sidebar. And check out Stacey's great finds. She took me around last week to some of her favorite thrift shops.

thrifty adventures

This week I was walking through my local Goodwill and wasn't finding a thing! Has this ever happened to you? Well I was getting kinda bummed about it too. Who wouldn't, right?

Until I got to the back of the store. I found three different pieces of vintage fabric! Such a score for me!

There was a time when I declared that I was only going to use vintage fabric. Well, you know that that did not work. Who can not resist all those beautiful new fabrics.

But now I have this new collection to deal with. So this sweet yardage is being cleaned with hot water and Oxy Clean. And I am dreaming of what to make with it.

Do you have any inspiration or ideas for me?

Now's your chance to link up here with your recent thrifty find. I just love seeing what you all can't live without! Stop by and visit my thrifty sister Stacey and please add our button to your post or sidebar.

thrifty adventures

Last week my thrifty adventure was a complete bust. With my computer not working and all. And with last Thursday being St. Patrick's Day I wanted to share something green with you. Well it was not meant to be. Until now.



So I searched my house for something thifted and green and this is what I found. My trusty trash can that I keep in my sewing room. It catches all of my thread and bits of fabric that is too tiny for scraps. I love to see it fill up, because it means I have been hard at work!


It is such an awful green color and so groovy with the flowers on the front. I just love it and could not walk away from it. Even though the price said $12. I'm sure I didn't pay that much for it. Because I did buy it at a place that I frequent so much, the owner knows my name and asks about my kids and sister-in-law when I am in there. Which really isn't a thrift shop. But a great junk shop that I tell no one else of, because I love it so! And if I do happen to share it with you, then that means I love you too.

So what do you have to share with Stacey and I today? You can link it here, and use our cute thrifty adventures button on your blog or sidebar, when you do. Thanks for sharing!

thrifty adventures

This is where I should be showing you my thrifty find from the week. But my computer is having some problems and is not being my friend. Hopefully it will all be worked out by tomorrow.



So in the mean time, visit Stacey at Pill's Place and you can see her thrifty treasure. You can still leave your link here too!

thrifty adventures

My thrifting days are often done on a whim. Just running errands and I have some extra time. Stop by the nearest thrift shop. Usually it's Goodwill. And this day I was out with my kids and it was the same thing. My eldest needed xray's on his teeth (for braces) and we had some extra time coming home before dinner.

My kids get a $1. spending limit. And this time I held firm. Especially since I had all 3 of them with me. But, they do also get to pick out a book. So it is a firm $2.50. Me, no spending limit. See it, love it, buy it. Because it will not come my way ever again.

And that is how I brought home this perfect vintage hobnail milk glass lamp for $6. I wasn't even sure if it worked. I didn't ask to check it. But the more I looked at it the more perfect it was. It stayed in a bag at home for a week. And when I did pull it out, it was because I had found this perfect lampshade in one of my closets. I told my girl it was going in her bedroom. But I am just too in love with it for now. It will have to stay in my sewing room for a bit longer.

Did you find anything wonderful this week? Then link it up here, because I would love to see it! And visit my friend Stacey to see what she fell in love with this week at her local thrift.

thrifty adventures

This has been my biggest thrift purchase ever. Both in size and dollar amount.


I actually saw this little couch last week. And didn't think much of it at the time. But I ended up thinking about it all weekend, dreaming of where I could fit it in my already full house.

So I went back on Monday morning and it was still there. Just sitting there all covered in its majestic purple velvet. With pure Victorian style. Ready to be painted white and covered with new fabric to go in my bedroom. I'll have to find some inspirational pic's to share with you. I am just so excited to get to it!

A little rickety, but such gorgeous details and pretty much intact. Plus, I asked for a better price and got $100 off. And yes, I told my hub that I was going to buy it. He is just worried about when it will be out of his garage.


When I saw this gorgeous face, I could resist no longer. I buy what I love!

What did you fall in love with this week? Join our linky party here and visit Pill's Place to see what Stacey found. And please remember to grab our button to add to your blog posting.

thrifty adventures

Oh my goodness! Thursday again! It is late afternoon and I spent the day thinking it was Wednesday until my kids got home from school and they were doing homework did I realize the day. Crazy mommy. I had a bit of family commotion yesterday as well. My hub has a kidney stone. So that has further upset my day.

And for now all is well! I snatched up this owl bank as soon as I laid my eyes on it. Isn't he gorgeous! And the paint by number goes with him just perfectly. Can you see some of my favorite colors? l o v e i t.

I keep the painting and bank together in my sewing room. Sitting just like this, the bank in front of the painting. I even love adding a bit of change every now and then. Maybe I can save enough for a fabulous trip! Maybe my sisters would come with me...

And here is the funny thing I like to do. Keep the price tag on! I like going back later to the things around my home to see the great deal I made. Just $2 for this little sweetie. The price makes it so much more special!

This is the back of the painting. I know it's a little hard to read, but it says To Grandma and Grandpa, Love Ryan. 1984. Sweet Ryan, giving his grandparents something a little handmade. I love your work Ryan!

So thank you everyone who shared their thrifty finds last week! Our best so far. Please visit Pill's Place to see Stacey's finds and add yours to our linky party here! Just remember to add our button to your blog post or sidebar to share in the fun.