Friday, September 14, 2007

Thrift as an obsession

Wait! Don't go! I know you have seen this picture all week but I have something new to tell you. I have been struck by how many of us bloggers are big time thrifters too. Garage sale and Estate sale junkies who can't pass an orange sign and bunch of balloons, let alone a pile of junk by the side of the road without stopping. I was showing my blog to one of my co-workers the other day and as I showed her this picture and pointed out items that were found at above mentioned establishments I realized EVERYTHING IN THIS PICTURE IS THRIFTED! The only exception is the embroidered napkins (from a blog swap so they are FREE!) and the little bird in the nest (from same swap) Even the table was a $5 garage sale find. I think the tablecloth was $2, the teacups $2 each, the doily under the teapot $1, the teapot, $1, the golden glass dishes were in a set of 6 irridescent desert plates and a 12" matching cake plate for $2, the hobnail vase was 50 cents (!)
The curtains I made from 5 yards of toile fabric that I got for $5 at a garage sale, the black dining room chair $5, even the house was found at, you guessed it, a garage sale! My husbands Aunt came to the sale 26 years ago, the owners mentioned they wanted to sell the house and she thought it would be perfect for us newlyweds (and it has been). Clearly thrifting works. I see blog after blog posted with the latest awesome cheap finds that make a house not only a home, but a gorgeous, warm inviting home! Yes, I am addicted, I'm addicted to getting the best I can for the least I can, and I think a lot of you are too! So tell me what the greatest thing you ever got for cheap was and have a great weekend. Hope you find something cool!

14 comments:

  1. Hi Kathy! I do believe that the toile fabric in your curtains is the same that I used for the pillow I made to giveaway. Thank you for visiting! Love all of your stories about thrifting and the tea setting is precious! I am like you, I need to join VA - vintage annonymous. ha. Have a great weekend!

    xo,

    Becky

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  2. Wow, such a nice set up. I love Thrifting, In fact I went today. If your Intesrested in my pretty Pink and Rosey finds, Please stop by and take a look. You did great. Our thriths never have anything for 50 cents,lol :)

    Angie
    www.scrapnmomsmoments.blogspot.com

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  3. I don't really find too many good things thrifting in my area! Every once in a while I'll find something. My smartest purchase these past couple months were the toile curtains I just hung in my living room. They were super cheap on ebay. I was the only bidder (slow week I guess) LOL!

    Manuela

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  4. That is awesome Kathy, and it all looks just gorgeous. Isnt thrifting fun? I LOVE that your youse was found thrifting too! How cool is that?

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  5. Me tooooo.....love thrift shops and garage sales...your Soup looks wonderful...it is cool here today...
    Think this is my first time at your blog.
    Deby

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  6. So many of us are all kindred spirits, aren't we? As a SAHM while the kids were young, I furnished our house from yard sales with dimes and quarters left over from grocery shopping each week. I can remember walking through the house and thinking to myself how much I loved each thing, where it came from and how much it cost. There's just something special about giving new life to something someone else cast off. A friend of mine laughingly says we're like dung beetles, but I prefer to think of it in sunnier terms.

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  7. Kathy -- I once got a chair for free. When I first saw it at the thrift store it was marked $20. Then they had a 50% off sale, and I passed on it. I still didn't bite when it was marked 75% off. The next day the store closed for the summer, and the chair was on the front lawn with a free sign on it. I stopped and took it home! :)
    Mary

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  8. Ha ha that is so funny! And so wonderful :) We need a final total on the whole scene. I'm glad your children weren't in the photo...I'd be worried!

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  9. Pretty picture. :) I too have furnished my home in my "finds". Each piece usually has a story with it. :)

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  10. From reading other inspiring blogs like yours, I just did my first "treasure finds" post today.
    I used to be the teen embarrassed to be seen with her aunt (I lived with my aunt and uncle for a period of time) who loves shopping at thrift stores. Now I can't wait to go thrift store shopping at every opportunity. AND my son is the embarrased kid now. Oh he'll learn, he'll learn.

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  11. Isn't it wonderful when thrift items join hands to create a fabulous still life!

    Hugs, KJ

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  12. Wow, you are quite the thrifter! You have beautiful things in that photo, and how much more wonderful to know the deal you got on them!

    Good job!

    Melissa

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  13. I love decorating with vintage treasures. You look like you are a thrifting pro!

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  14. Oh you have some wonderful treasures! Just lovely.

    Hugs,
    Dena

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Thank you for taking the time to say hello :)