Sunday, February 24, 2008

Thrifting and a give-away

What is it about rummaging through other peoples cast offs that gives me such a thrill? Earl and I had a great day together yesterday exploring new territory in Ann Arbor. Home to the University of Michigan and a very diverse and artistic population, Ann Arbor is a good time just waiting to be had, so we had it! We were concentrating on thrift shops yesterday and our first stop was a Kiwanis club thrift store. This store is only open Saturdays from 9-12, no pictures because it was so packed with bargain hunters you had to almost fight to get through the crowd. Not my idea of a great time, but since we got there as the doors opened we beat most of the crowd in and I got a few bits of vintage jewelry and pearls for creating, then we got out of there while we could still get to the door.Our next stop was a fun one, it was a reuse and recycleing center where "good" stuff is dropped off instead of going to the dump. I have thought this idea was a good one for a long time! Look at all the light fixtures here! This chandelier was only $15.00, the wicker chair below (there were two!) only $35.00!

I didn't get anything here but we will be back in the spring to look again.Look at this chair, $35.00! I swear if I had a speck of blue in my house I would have bought this, it was in perfect condition.

One of the last stops was my favorite. It's called Thrift Mart and it is a resale and consignment shop. Oh my. Three floors of the most awesome, great stuff ever!
Needlepoint chairs and stools....

These vintage glasses were only 50 cents each, love the bright fruits on them!
I saw this little tea for one and thought of Dolly, sorry Dolly, didn't get it:>(
You say you like milk glass? They have a little. I did walk away with a few treasures, there was so much to see here I could have bought more, but the budget just wouldn't allow it so this is what I found....




A platter that goes with my set of Johnson Brothers rose bouquet (another garage sale find) that we use all the time for special dinner parties, and a stack of 17 clear glass dessert plates for $4! The platter was marked $10 but they rang it at $9 because it had been there long enough to get marked down. What a deal! the platter is listed on replacements.com for $30.99. The dessert plates are just what we need for big family dinner parties and I love that they are so simple that they don't fight whatever china pattern I use. I did get a couple more things but I am waiting to show them to you until I finish a few projects...which leads me to the other reason for this post. One year ago today I stumbled and bumbled my way through my first post on this blog. I had no idea what I was doing or how much I would get out of this experience. It has been such a positive part of my life and I have loved every minute of it and every person I have met through sweet comments and the thoughts and experiences and creations you put into your own blogs! So here is what I am giving away

It seems appropriate. After all you have all touched my heart in so many ways. The bliss charm represents the joy I find through this little piece of the world that is all mine to express myself in any way I choose. So I am giving you my heart and thanking you for the smiles and inspiration you have given me. I will be adding some more items as the week goes on. Just leave a comment on this post and your name goes in the hat. Thanks for making this a great year, I look forward to the next and to more fun with my "invisible friends":>)

75 comments:

  1. My goodness at all of the pretties:) Sounds like such a fun day!

    Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary! I would sooo love to win the beautiful heart pillow you made!! Did you know that you were one of 3 people who left a comment on my first post? You said:
    "Welcome to blogging, I think you will find that bloggers are some of the nicest people you will ever 'meet.'..." I am glad to say you were so right:)

    Love ya,
    Rhonda

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  2. Oh what a fabulous place Ann Arbor must be to visit. Such a fun day for you and Earl.
    Congratulations on '1 Year in Blogland'.
    Like you I have really enjoyed being a blogger. There are so many lovely people out there that we otherwise wouldn't have the chance to 'meet'.
    Have a great week.
    Alison

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  3. That platter is a beauty! I love thriting and good finds.

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  4. Congratulations...please enter our names for that fabulous heart...just wanted to stop by and say thank you...thank you...thank you for all of your sweet birthday wishes!

    Hope your day is as wonderful as you have made mine.

    smiles, kari (& kijsa)

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  5. Congratulations on your anniversary! I love the platter you bought!
    The heart you are so kindly giving away is beautiful!
    Have a great day.
    Donna

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  6. What a lot of eye candy in this post (including your lovely heart, of course)! What an amazing amount of good deals you saw. I am so itchy to go rummaging :-) Rosie

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  7. Kathy
    Such a joy getting to know you. I love all your finds with your husband...I could not have walked out without that blue chair--would I have been crazy enough even to repaint a room around it?? Maybe!!

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  8. Your shopping trip looked like so much fun! I would have enjoyed the milk glass :) Thankis for sharing all the pictures!

    Michelle

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  9. Those shops looks wonderful, what great goodies! I look forward to another year of blog joy from you!

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  10. Ann Arbor is a wonderful place. I'm fortunate to live nearby and shop at all of the shops you mentioned. Love finding a great bargain!

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  11. What great thrift stores!! I loved that blue chair too....

    Count me in on your marvelous giveaway! I would absolutely love another Kathy Heart! Congrats on your Anniversary Kathy. I have enjoyed meeting you and have you as my friend...
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  12. Congratulations on your blogversary. I am delighted to have a chance to win the lovely heart! :)

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  13. Happy Anniversary Miss Kathy!
    I can see a trip to Ann Arbor in my future!
    Looks like fun!
    Ouuu and I do like the cherry tea for one! I have yet to see one like it! Thank you for thinking of me!

    I have a surprise on my blog for you!

    XXOO, Dolly

    P.S. I'd love to win one of your pretty hearts!

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  14. What a great thrifting hunt!! It sounds like you had a great time and found some awesome finds! Love the platter that you chose to bring home! And please enter me in your giveaway! I would love to have one of your pretty hearts!
    Barbara

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  15. What a wonderful day of thrifting the stores that you visited all looked wonderful. I really enjoy reading your blog.
    Cheers Linda

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  16. Oh, what a gorgeous heart. It would be perfect in our bedroom! You do such a wonderful job with each one - I want them all!

    I would love to have been with you as you were thrifting. In each picture I saw things that I would have enjoyed finding. And I'm sure I would have bought some of the yellow glass you saw!

    Thank you for stopping by my blog and for leaving your sweet comments. I love hearing from you! I'll be back soon to see what you're up to.
    ~Adrienne~

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  17. Your shopping excursion looked like a blast. What a cute blue chair.
    Alexandra

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  18. I forgot to say congratulations on your blog anniversary. I'm so glad you are one of my blog friends. I always love to visit you and have enjoyed our emails through the last months. Isn't it amazing how this has opened up our world to new friends who are such a part of our lives now?
    ~Adrienne~

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  19. What fun! So many nice things you found during your Thrifting adventure...I know how hard it can be to pick & choose! Love your heart pillow (lovely colors...) Please enter me in your giveaway. I am rather new to blogging, but am finding it to be a wonderful adventure as well! (maybe not as fun as thrifting...but pretty darn close...) :)

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  20. Hi Kathy!
    Congratulations on your blog anniversary! Your little hearts are so pretty & looks like your thrift shopping day was so much fun! I see your little bluebird again in a newer picture below - mine still sits in my kitchen window & always reminds me of you!

    Have a wonderful day!
    Kathy

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  21. Count me in! I love anything gingham!
    I wish I could have gone to these thrifting stores with you..my oh my that would have been fun! I love the blue chair but don't have anything to match with it either.
    Congratulations on your blog anniversary!!

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  22. You did see lots of pretties.
    Oh I want our heart so bad hehe. Is it wrong to pray to win lol. I think it is a desire of my heart..but im sure it is the desire of many. Love the heart and would love to have it. I do want you to know I have loved your blog since I started. It was one of my first to find.

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  23. Dear Kathy,
    What a lot of fun -- there's nothing like "pawing though other people's junk," as my kids would say! :) I love the platter -- it's beautiful, and what a great deal!

    Congratulations on your blogiversary. Your blog is always sweet, and inspiring, and heartwarming, and beautiful! Can't wait to see what the next year brings!
    xoxo,
    Mary

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  24. Daddy used to take us to Ann Arbor to tour Greenfield Village!!!
    I love this heart Kathy :) I still need to show mine on my blog!

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  25. I could have dropped a chunk 'o change at the reuse/recycle center! Congrats on one year of blogging! I love all your hearts so please count me in!

    Manuela

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  26. Wow, what fun. I think that teapot with the cherries is adorable. Might have to go to Ann Arbor to find it myself. Your neighbor in our cute little beach cottage. BTW, I did start my own blog. It is http://bunnyruncottage.blogspot.com then my computer died. I will add some more pretty things real soon. Thanks again for sharing.
    Cheryl

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  27. What a fun time you had and what a sweetheart you are to give away the Sweet Heart!!! Please put my name in!!! Glad to get to recently know you. Sounds like we "started" about the same time but took a while to connect. Glad we have.
    Susan

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  28. Hello Kathy,
    Congradulations on your first year on blogging i'm just starting and discovering a lot of inspriration.
    PLease count me in your give away...Bliss is a favorite word of mine for sure.

    Michelle xox

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  29. What a fun day you must have had...and I LOVE the treasures ;you brought home. I, too, have some of the clear, little dessert plates and just love them.
    Oh, my, what a lovely heart. I only have 2 of your hearts as I gave one to Beautiful Daughter so I sure need this one to make 3. :)
    Please enter my name for your drawing....
    hugs, bj

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  30. Hi Kathy! WOW! It looks like you had a wonderful time thrifting! You got some wonderful things and I cant wait to see what you are creating! Your heart s are goergous, I would love to win this, the color reminds me so much of SPRING!!!

    Hugs,
    Amy

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  31. I really like Ann Arbor, I went there once in '94, so pretty and such great shops !! Congratulations on your one year !! Wow !! I love all the vintage goodies, really love the needlepoint chairs. :) I want that heart !! lol

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  32. Hi Kathy. Congratulations on one year of blogging. I have enjoyed your blog since I became a blogger in Nov. Please enter me in the draw. I sure hope I win because I LOVE your little hearts!
    What great thrift shops you found and everything was so cheap. You must have had a ball.
    Rhondi

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  33. What lovely finds! It looks like you had a fun day!

    I love your new Easter header...need to get crackin' on mine!

    Your hearts are so precious, and this is especially charming...congratulations on your blogoversary!

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  34. Congrats on your blogiversary!! So nice that earl goes to the shops with you. Bob goes with me too. It's a great couples day!! Sign me up for your "heart".

    Janet

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  35. I do enjoy seeing the deals others get...great steal on the platter. Congrats on 1 year! Come for a visit.
    Karen

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  36. What a fun day out with your husband. It's so great he enjoys thrifting. It always helps to have someone with you to help carry all those treasures! Congratulations on your first anniversary. Your heart is lovely, please enter my name in your drawing. Chris

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  37. What fun finds !!! What is it about thrift stores and flea markets ?? I have often asked myself that question ~ I think it is the thrill of the hidden treasure ~
    xoxo,
    Lori

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  38. Happy Anniversary! Sounds like you had a great time in Ann Arbor. I'd love to have another "Kathy Heart"...please enter me in your drawing.

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  39. Please I want to shop with YOU! Loved the photos...my kind of scratching places.Colleen

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  40. Congrats on your one year blogging! Your blog is beautiful, and I love your thrifting posts! Thanks for sharing!

    karen

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  41. What a lovely blog you have! I will check back often! Please count me in for the giveaway and congratulations on one year!
    ~Lolly

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  42. Congrats on your one year!!! You day sounds like fun! Please add me to you giveaway
    Michelle

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  43. Congratulations on your one year! Please include me in your giveaway too!

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  44. Congratulations on one year of blogging. I'm trying to get my blog set up soon. I love coming to your blog, especially to read of your thrifting adventures. I love a good find, too. Your heart is soo pretty, gorgeous colors...matches perfectly with my bedroom decor.I'd sure love to win it!

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  45. Hi Kathy, What a fun day you had..great shops with lots of goodies. I love your platter, the design is so pretty. I can't believe how reasonable the furniture is and I saw a cute milk glass nesting chick..I'd love.
    Glad you had a happy time. Please enter me in your wonderful give-away...thank you. Linda

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  46. Congrats Kathy,on your year of blogging.
    I really enjoy reading about your days.
    Your treasure hunting in the thrift store sounds wonderful.Looks like my kind of place.
    I would love to win the pillow.It would go so well, in my home... Blessings....

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  47. Congratulations on 1 year of blogging. I just barely started and am enjoying it. Doesn't it kill you when you find such great bargains and your budget makes you pass them up? It looks like you found lots of great things.

    Happy Blogging.

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  48. You hit pay dirt at that thrift store! OMG, I wish we had one like that one here. Ours just don't compare.

    Congrats on your year anniversary and ALSO for selling all of your sweet hearts. I cannot believe how many you have made! I will always have mine hanging out to enjoy all year long.

    Kathy, this little green checkered heart is adorable. It would be wonderful to have two hearts hanging around our little home. So, please add me into the hat for the drawing.

    Love,
    Becky

    PS: I won't tell you that it is going to be 70 today here. Ahhh...

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  49. What a fabulous place. I can't believe all those wonderfully delightful pretties that you bestow upon us! What a delight! I could get lost in a shop like that.

    I love your little hearts, they are so beautiful! What a wonderful give-away and what beautiful words.
    I'm so glad to have met you via
    'blogland'.

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  50. Kathy

    Loved hearing about the Ann Arbor weekend! Next time I want to go too. Please add me to the list for the heart giveaway! You add so much joy to the blogland world with your ideas and craftiness and sense of purpose in this world. Keep up the wonderful work. Hugs, Jan@daylilylane

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  51. Ijust found you through a comment you had made on another blog about what if it was our last day .. I will post what I thought on that comment next

    LOVE your blog.. your bling... your eye candy... and that heart!!..Please enter me in your giveaway if its not too late

    HUGS

    JO

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  52. What a great place to thrift shop! I especially love the platter, so pretty. Congratulations on your one year anniversary!

    Please put my name in the pot for the beautiful heart pillow.

    Sandra

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  53. Congratulation on your blogiversary!

    Ooooooooo, the heart is so pretty and springy. I love the checked red one I got with the dream charm.

    Please add my name to the pot!

    ~elaine~

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  54. Ops, I forgot to leave my email addy.

    ~elaine~
    roz_etta@yahoo.com

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  55. Such a very pretty gingham sachet! I saw your beauties in your etsy shop and WOW! I love all the little embellishments you add to them! I would love to enter your generous giveaway! =)

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  56. Such special and fun places! I love those needlepoint pieces!

    I love your words at the beginning of this post...and too have tried to think this way, to take stock in the beauty around us no matter the cold or heat or whatever. You said it so beautifully!

    This heart is one of my favorites!! And you know I LOVE your hearts!!

    Happy Thursday dear heart!

    Hugs,
    Sue

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  57. Would love to have a thrift shop like that in my area!! The bluebird is absolutely adorable! Thanks for the chance to enter and win.
    Carolyn
    angels@cfl.rr.com

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  58. Our small town has little in the way of thrifting to offer. I'm so jealous of all that's available to you. That needlepoint chair would be hard to leave behind for me.

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  59. Congratulations on a great year, looking forward to year two!

    xoxo
    Blessings,
    melissa

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  60. Of course I would love to have your little birdie wing her way to my nest! Thank you for sharing your art in this way. I look forward to visiting your blog often as your work speaks to my fabric and vintage heart.

    Kindly,
    Lisa

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  61. Hi Kathy,
    What an absolutely lovely treasure hunt!! Oh, I could have a field day in there! The cherry tea for one was too cute! It would be perfect for my kitchen! Please enter me for that lovely little bird, will you be making some for your shop? I'd love to buy one in red and white!

    Have a fabulous weekend!
    :) Abbie

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  62. I LOve your little bird and do agree that you should make more for your etsy. They are as sweet as the hearts (and I have two of the hearts.....love them too). Congratulations on your 1 year blogversary. Yeah! Keep on bloggin' I love to visit here.

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  63. Thanks for dropping by my blog!

    The little blue bird in the nest you made looks so bright and cheery -- just perfect for Spring!

    I can't believe the bargains in that recyling center!! I would have been so tempted to buy everything.

    Have a good weekend! Pat

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  64. So hard to believe a year has skipped by! Your blog is always such a pleasure to read and view - so thank you for the pleasure! Happy blogging!

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  65. Congratulations on a whole year of posts. I am enjoying your blog.

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  66. I'm not a blogger, but love reading all about your great finds and items you make. Conratulations.
    Your little bird is som precious.

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  67. Kathy, your hearts are so wonderful. I especially love how you display them for the photos. It is so perfect. Big congratulations on one year of blogging. Looking forward to another year of visiting with you!

    The thrift store temptations--awesome! I want the cherry teapot.

    Hugs,
    Lallee

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  68. Your heart is lovely as well as the nest. Although I only recently discovered your blog, it is one of my favorite to visit. Your day of thrifting looks remarkable. I am so envious! We just don't have the opportunities here to find anything worthy. I've had my eye on an old wing chair at a consignment shop.... $99. Maybe I should visit Ann Arbor! Thank you for sharing your life with us and congrats on one year of blogging! Nancy

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  69. what great finds in Ann Arbor. I'd love to win your heart!

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  70. Hi Kathy
    I would like to congratulate to your Blog cordially to its birthday. I visit you very gladly, and always carry some dear thoughts forward on my way... Gladly also I participate in your drawing by lots, if I live not too far away... I wish you the strength for leading this Blog further so marvelously.
    Cordially Barbara form Germany

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  71. Congraulations on your blogiversary! I'm new to blogging and I too, have found it to be a world full of wonderful people.

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  72. Kathy,

    this is the first time I have visited your site. Love it! I will be back. I love your style, and your little hearts. I too love thrifting.

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  73. Kathy, You guys really did have a great time! I love seeing all that you did here in Ann Arbor. Now, when you come back you are going to have to visit the Button Lady on Plymouth Road. You have never seen so many buttons in one place. She's a very interesting lady who attends all of the button conventions and even acts as a judge. Yes, I was surprised too, but there are button conventions! I guess there are conventions for everything. Another place that I know you would enjoy is "property disposition". It's a site where all of the old University of Michigan goes to die...or find a new home. My husband and I both have 24 inch monitors for our desktops that we found there...each was $50.00. They have a lot of interesting office type things. It's worth the visit. They are also in the North East section of the city, about two miles from the Button Lady.
    Also, if you go to see the Button Lady, you'll want to stop at MoonWinks Cafe next door. It's the most adorable coffe/tea place in the world.

    I'm with you on the ReUse Center and Treasure Mart. I could spend all day at both places. It's been years since I went to the Kiwanis sale because of the crowds, but I agree that it's a great place for a bargain.

    If you come on a Sunday, be sure to visit Kerry Town and the Artisan's Market. You'll see local artists and crafts people selling their ware in an open air market. On Wednesdays and Saturdays the same place is used for the Farmer's Market.

    Can you tell that I LOVE this city? It's a great place to be.
    I'm so glad that you visited and had a good time.

    Hugs,
    Cookie

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  74. Kathy, You guys really did have a great time! I love seeing all that you did here in Ann Arbor. Now, when you come back you are going to have to visit the Button Lady on Plymouth Road. You have never seen so many buttons in one place. She's a very interesting lady who attends all of the button conventions and even acts as a judge. Yes, I was surprised too, but there are button conventions! I guess there are conventions for everything. Another place that I know you would enjoy is "property disposition". It's a site where all of the old University of Michigan goes to die...or find a new home. My husband and I both have 24 inch monitors for our desktops that we found there...each was $50.00. They have a lot of interesting office type things. It's worth the visit. They are also in the North East section of the city, about two miles from the Button Lady.
    Also, if you go to see the Button Lady, you'll want to stop at MoonWinks Cafe next door. It's the most adorable coffe/tea place in the world.

    I'm with you on the ReUse Center and Treasure Mart. I could spend all day at both places. It's been years since I went to the Kiwanis sale because of the crowds, but I agree that it's a great place for a bargain.

    If you come on a Sunday, be sure to visit Kerry Town and the Artisan's Market. You'll see local artists and crafts people selling their ware in an open air market. On Wednesdays and Saturdays the same place is used for the Farmer's Market.

    Can you tell that I LOVE this city? It's a great place to be.
    I'm so glad that you visited and had a good time.

    Hugs,
    Cookie

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Thank you for taking the time to say hello :)