Cheep, Cheep, Cheap, Cheap

Finally! Thrifting life is returning to normal.

Each year, that period between mid-December and mid-January becomes so hectic that time is at a premium. In our community, estate sales are nearly non-existent during that time. And, this year, between holiday house guests and a bout with the uber nasty respiratory flu, I was out of commission for a good part of December and early January--even if the estate sales wouldn't have been.

Now, estate sales are back. They started slowly, with one last weekend. More are advertised for this weekend. Hooray!

Take a look at some of the items I found last weekend.

The sweet little ceramic chick sports a darling blue jacket for spring. How dapper. The underside of his beak has a small boo-boo that's not visible unless you turn him over. But, that might explain the 50-cent price tag.

A stamp on the bottom says "Joan Lea Creations." Not a signature I'm familiar with.

A couple of burlap tablecloths--one forest green, one a rusty shade of red--and a pile of buttons in shades of brown are another useful find. One can never have too many buttons. The tablecloths may reappear someday as something other than tablecloths. I have a couple of project ideas, but need to mentally prepare for working with burlap. It gives my hands an itchy rash.

These charming 1950s rayon placemats and napkins are so cute they make me giggle. Still in the original box with the tag attached, they're in mint condition. The tag describes it as a barbecue set.

Each placemat has a different saying on it.

Little excites me more than to stumble across vintage cameras to add to my extensive collection. What a delight to come across a small vintage suitcase containing two mint-condition vintage Kodaks, a significantly-less-than-mint Agfa folding camera and a couple of vintage flash attachments that fit the Kodaks.

Overall, the darling little wooden case is in very good condition. Looking into the repurposing crystal ball, I see a makeover with embellishments in its future.

Happy thrifting. Let the weekend begin  . . .


Make it a great day!

Linking to:

Time Travel Thursday
Thursday Favorite Things
Feature Friday

Chickens Come Home to Roost

Is it just me, or do you occasionally experience this, too? You find something you really like:  a pretty plate, a vintage linen, a compelling old photograph. So, you buy it. Then, all of a sudden you start seeing other items the same shape, composition or style everywhere you turn.

That has recently happened to me with chickens, particularly roosters.

It may have started with my son who, as he was looking to decorate his new apartment at about this time last year, seemed drawn to vintage roosters. Like this vintage trivet he found at a thrift shop.

Naturally, I began noticing roosters when I became aware he had an interest.

A while back, as I was browsing Karen's extensive library of wonderful images at The Graphics Fairy for a project I was working on, I came across a gorgeous rooster image. I had been saving a fabulous piece of Waverly fabric (an estate sale find) for just the right project and decided to stop right then and make a pillow with these beautiful elements. I can be impulsive like that.

The polka dot fabric is gorgeous and the large rick-rack row at the bottom is part of the print. I transferred the rooster image on a piece of vintage muslin using my inkjet printer. I added the black rick-rack frame to finish it off.

It even looks pretty from the back.

And, the chickens just kept coming. My husband and I grabbed a set of 10 embroidered fabric cocktail napkins at a recent estate sale. The proud white rooster is accompanied by his cocktail shaker. Won't these be fun for a summer get-together?

Then, on a recent trip to Illinois to visit my husband's parents, my mother-in-law asked if I'd be interested in some of her old tablecloths and linens. They are trying to downsize and have started sorting through their accumulation of household items. Lo, and behold, more chickens.

This beautiful brown tablecloth is in perfect condition and is adorned with roosters and hens. Yes, I told her. Yes! I'd love it! Thank you.

And, finally, last weekend, I came across this sweet vintage apron at an estate sale. My daughter, a barista in a cozy, locally owned coffee shop, enjoys wearing fun aprons to work. She has a nice collection of them, but is always looking for more. And, recently, she also seems attracted to the chicken motif. This cute apron will be a birthday surprise for her tomorrow (if she doesn't read my post today).

As you can see, when the chickens come home to roost around here, it makes for a fun and interesting collection of goodies.

Make it a great day!

Linking to:

Primp Your Stuff Wednesday
Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage
Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Flea Market Finds at Her Library Adventures
Sister Sunday at Sisters of the Wild West
Brag Monday at The Graphics Fairy
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm
Show and Tell at Blue Cricket Design
Pillowpalooza