kirstencan

Latest Thrifting Finds

This years yard sale finds have picked up, finally!  Here's some of what I've found in the last two weeks:

A red wagon - $2.  Because all kids need a wagon, right? I don't know how Radio Flyer does it, but they make kids play extra cute.  So. Darn. Cute. 

Even the bigger kids love the wagon (here Princess and a neighbor had just rode it down the neighbors' steep(ish) driveway).

A handful of vintage (or vintage looking?) Christmas ornaments and an old shadow box.  I will do something cool with that box, but I don't know what yet...

(I love how the soldier ornament above has a guitar - and speaking of guitars...)

A kid's guitar ($5).  The boys especially are thrilled.  Thomas made us put on 'No Cars Go' so he could play along - also he likes to 'play' and sing 'We're Not Gonna Take It' to much applause.

Monkey tried to jam with his sister during her piano practice.  Then we showed the kids School of Rock, after which the boys tried to crowd surf off the couch.

Lately I've been trolling the classifieds for another train table.  Our train table in the playroom is rarely used for trains anymore.  Usually it alternates between Playmobil and Lego bricks.  The sides of the table are awesome for keeping all of those teeny pieces in one place and not all over the house.

Often now one boy wants to switch what's on it while the other boy wants to keep the Legos on the table.  Monkey really really wanted to play Playmobil recently, and when Thomas wouldn't agree to cleaning up the Legos, Monkey asked him  to help him lug the huge Playmobil box up the stairs to his room.   We used to be pretty strict about keeping toys out of their bedroom - to keep it nice and calm for naps.  But they're beyond naps now and I realized that having a play table in one of their rooms might be a good idea and could possibly help with Quiet Time.

Long story short, I've been in the market for a train table.  Most sell for about $40 in the online ads.  I found this one on Saturday for $10 at a yard sale!  Woo!  That's a better deal than our first train table ($25 also thrifted)!

The roundhouse you see on there was included.  The boys are loving that, even without a turntable to attach it to the tracks.

So yeah, right when I show you Thomas' room - we go and change it.

I've gotten a few other things:  a bookcase we were needing, another globe, books and some other stuff, but these are the highlights.  I've been trying hard to not bring unnecessary 'stuff' into our house, so I've been turning down quite a few good finds. 

This really had been a slow thrifting summer for me (anyone else?) but my luck finally turned!

Polaroid Love

I mentioned last year that I'd passed up several Polaroid cameras because of lack of film.  Well, last weekend at a yard sale I found a Polaroid camera*... WITH FILM... for $3.  

Ten shots.  Ten tries at something super fun.

With film that expired nearly 5 years ago.

I loved it.

I scanned a couple to show you.

The gnomes are my favorite shot (hence the new blog header) - the clothespins are my second.

And now I'm asking for more film for Christmas.

And yeah, I was the geeky mom who brought THREE cameras to the last day of swimming lessons.  Whatever.  One was for video.

 

*It's a 1200FF

Old quilt finds new home

I picked up this beauty of a quilt at a yard sale this morning.  It is in really great condition, and entirely hand-pieced and hand-quilted.  I think the pattern might be called 'Grandmother's Flower Garden'?

I was checking it out and asked if it was indeed hand sewn, and the answer was "I don't know, it was a gift" and that I could have it for five dollars.

Well, I think the person who put the hours and hours into this lovely gift would be horrified by the price tag (besides the fact that they were selling it!), but would hopefully be comforted by the fact that it is appreciated by the buyer.

Not sure what we're doing with it yet - it may be a summer quilt for my daughter's bed.  It has a lot of different pinks in it - very pretty!

I couldn't very well leave it there, now could I?

Saturday mornings so far

I haven't shown you my yard sale scores from this summer yet!  There have been a few Saturdays I've gone out - most of them rainy, of course.  I haven't found any crazy amazing finds (yet), but plenty of moderately cool ones, which is happy.

The day before Princess' birthday, I found her a New In Box metronome.    I was wondering if I should get it or not when I peeked in the box and saw that it was cherry red!  Also, the price tag said $37, but the lady sold it to me for $3.  So that was good.

That day I also found some New In Box Freaky Little Girly Pet toys - for less than $1, and some manga.  Really, I should have wrapped this stuff up for her birthday...

Then I found this set of knitting looms for $1.  Now I need to figure out how to use them... Princess has tried crochet, but was having a hard time - I think this might be easier for her.

Last weekend I came home with only these three boxes - but I had a lovely morning listening to music and driving around downtown neighborhoods that I normally don't go to (and only spent $7).

See that box in the middle?  I'll bet you could only find Gocco stuff at the yard sale of a blogger.  It's a fabric kit!!!  I need to pick up a few more bulbs, though.

And we've been having fun playing the Lego Creator game with our little Lego Maniacs - although somehow there are always more people (clones) than we need - and some casualties.  Pretty sure that's not how you're supposed to play...

Speaking of clones... I stopped by one yard sale recently because I saw that they had lots of boys' clothes.  As I'm looking around I find a Star Wars clone costume.  One of those cheesy ones that I just won't buy for my kids (at least not full-price), that nearly every boy in our neighborhood had last Halloween (and still wear regularly for Star Wars battles).  Mask and all, I couldn't turn it down for less than $1.

I was driving home with my box of clothes wondering exactly how on earth my two boys were going to share the costume, and then when we unpacked the box... somehow there were TWO costumes.  I swear I only saw and picked up one, but I'm loving that somehow it multiplied in the box. ;) The boys dress in costumes often, so it's fun to have more stuff to throw in the dress-up box.

Let's see - that's the interesting stuff, but I've also picked up some clothes and books, cool letter stamps, and an outside table for the back patio (kinda seen here - last photo).  We'll eat outside more when it stops raining!

I have more on my list to look for this summer - what are you looking for?  Or have you found anything awesome?

p.s. I just noticed this is post #600!!!  A nice big round number, eh?

Tales of Tables

When we were first married, we rented a furnished studio apartment.  Our table was tiny and two of the four chairs were stacked in the closet because there just wasn't room for them.

For our next apartment we went to the thrift store and bought a horrid (but cheap! We were still in college!) table and chair set - which we left on the side of the road with a 'free' sign when we graduated and moved (they were picked up almost before I put out the 'free' sign).

In North Carolina, we picked up (or got suckered into) an English pub set at an antique booth at the Raleigh flea market.  It was cool.  Tiny, not practical at all, but cool.

For several years, we were the gathering place for my family when my parents came in from out of state.  The pub set wasn't cutting it, so we eventually got my parents old dining room set (which has like 13 leaves, I swear - it's huge!).  I love that set.  My parents bought it when I was about 9 or 10, and I remember thinking as a kid 'This is nice.'  I've always loved it, and was happy to have it in my home.    It's oval, and a beautiful, dark, glossy rosewood.  Ahhh.

But, quite frankly, it's too nice for us.  We recovered the chairs, and had the hardest time keeping screws in the seats after that - resulting in most guests being very surprised when they slipped off their seat, and one chair breaking into smithereens.

Also, we had to keep a pad/tablecloth on it all the time.  That's hard when kids want to do school on it (you need a book under the paper), or you just need to wipe up one spot. 

I've been thinking a lot about how schooling is going to go in the fall.  And one of the things I decided was that we needed a new table.  Something wipeable.  And a little smaller, to make room for some cabinets I would like to hold school stuff.  I figured I'd look this summer at thrift stores, yard sales, classifieds, and if I hadn't found one by August I'd buy this table from IKEA.

So, having just decided that, I checked the classifieds online, and found that exact table.  And eight chairs, much like I would have picked out myself (except I wouldn't have picked white!).  In perfect condition.  In my own town.

It was too easy.  I'd just decided this, right?  But I called, and it turned out I could go see them that very afternoon - and my mom happened to be up so I had someone to watch the kids.  It all just came together, you know?

Anyway, that is a very long way of telling you that We got a new table - and I love it!

It's very wipeable... and sturdy.

We were going to put one or both leaves in it, but decided to keep it at it's smallest for everyday use.  And it's working for us.

I was also thinking of getting a preschool table for the boys to work at - something where their feet touch the ground.  I pulled this table and chair set (we painted it for Princess when she was two) down from Monkey's room and put it in the living room temporarily.  It's been cloudy and rainy, so sometimes little changes like this work wonders.

It's not quite big enough for two kids to work - but I figure between the table, counter (assuming I keep it cleared off - heh), this little table, and their own desks, the kids will have plenty of workspace choices next year.

p.s. I also bought another Nintendo DS from the classifieds this week - and guess what - I talked the seller down $15!  I stink at bargaining.  Generally, if something is priced too high for me I just don't buy it.  But I think this was easier for me because we offered/counter-offered via email, and it ended up being a great deal - I'm proud of myself!

Exactly what I wanted.

After dropping off my donations at a thrift store, I walked in to browse for a few minutes and immediately found this:

This lovely little side table.  It's just what I was looking for.  I love the legs, aren't they gorgeous?  We're doing a little living room re-do.  Nothing huge, just some paint, and moving bookcases and things from room to room - more on that later.  But I needed a side table.  Preferably one that can hold books (because we never have enough book storage), and preferably vintage.

This.  Basically I wanted THIS!  And I found it!

And did you see the drawer pull?  Perfect.

*sigh*  I love when that happens.

Randomness for a Monday

• I just found out that Thomas' kindergarten teacher is RETIRING at the end of the month.  They've hired a new teacher, but I'm worried about the transition.

• I found a bunch of Star Wars toys at a yard sale on Saturday - and bought too many.

• But I also found a nice, handmade Spiderman costume that fits Monkey perfectly.  He's ecstatic.

• I hope it lasts until Halloween, because now I don't have to make/find a Batman one for him.

• Here's some cute glasses and a pyrex bowl I found, too.

• The bowl was free - the guy was going to charge all of 25 cents for it, but when I bought several cd's from him, he just threw it in.

• People really value things differently.

• I've ordered a new camera - it should get here by Friday and I CAN'T WAIT!

• I've had a lot of camera dreams lately.

• I enjoyed reading both Left to Tell and Snowflower and the Secret Fan.

• I still can't find my reading glasses.

• This week for a church activity the young women are learning salsa dancing.

• In November, I'm teaching them about photography.  Not because I'm any expert, but because they asked me to. 

• At camp, I was giving the girls a few pointers about their cameras and they were so into it.  

• We bought our HD converter for our tv.  Now we don't get ABC or NBC.  Bigger antenna needed?

• I can't miss The Office.

• I hope it's better than last season...

• Apparently, this is my 492nd post.

• The fruit stocking verdict?  Aaron says he doesn't think they helped.

• I found a pair of Juicy Couture pants for Princess at a consignment shop - she'll wear them for dance.

• Last year, she wore a size 13 ballet slipper.  This year, we had to buy her a 2.5!

• Wow, that old shoe looks gross.  It didn't start out as white as the new one - she chose canvas this year - the old one had a grey inner sole, I swear!

• Still...

Latest Finds

Someone in my neighborhood recently asked me where I go when I yardsale.  I stay close.  Within about a 3-mile radius - no need to waste gas! Once a year or so (but not this year) I will hit a different town if I hear of a neighborhood sale.  And I only go out for about an hour to ninety minutes each time (leave about 8 and get back around 9).   I check craigslist before going, but usually find enough sales that weren't listed to make it worth my time.

This week:

(click on the photo for more details)

Highlights are the Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker - Aaron was going to buy one anyway, and while he wanted the 2-qt one, the $10 price on this 1.5-qt model made it more than worthwhile; MORE Legos, and the desk ($5).  I've been keeping my eyes open for one like this for Thomas' room.  You can sometimes find them at thrift stores, but usually in rotten shape.  This one is awesome.  I might paint the metal part and leave the wood...

He loves it.  It's just the right size.  And as he'll have homework soon (!) I figured it would be good for him to have a place to work that's quiet and has fewer distractions. 

Also, my mom was in California recently and hit the Petaluma Goodwill for me  (what a good mom!) - the lack of good sheets around here has been disturbing, and I'm quickly using up the ones I have.  That and I want to make a vintage floral sheet quilt at some point (add it to the long list!).  Anyway, she scored some nice ones for me - thanks, Mom!

 

The top green one is a curtain panel - it will make a cute skirt for Princess.  The middle pink ones are my faves!

Did you find anything great this weekend?

New to Me

On the way home from camp, I stopped at a tiny local thrift store in this small town.  I've been wanting to stop there for years, so I was happy to have a few moments sans kiddos to check it out.  Very cool, in an old house where every nook, cranny, and cupboard was filled with things for sale.  Pretty nice place.  The highlights for me were this gorgeous Hanna Andersson slip for Princess and a stack of books for her - some are nice hardcovers, too.

Stopping by the library last night I found these books for sale - for half off of the normal library price.  So, for $1.65 I got all of these:

(I was most happy to find 'Theater Shoes' - our library doesn't seem to have enough Streatfeild books, so I don't know why they were selling this one).  The Batman ones are for Monkey - someone showed him the chase scene with the Batmobile from Batman Begins and the trailor for The Dark Knight (Aaron!) and Monkey is now obsessed.  The mail carriers book is for Thomas - he wants to be a 'package delivery man' when he grows up.  He loves to ride around on his tricycle pretending to deliver mail and packages (occasionally really trying to deliver people's mail - gotta watch that kid closely!).  The Christmas Story is for me - I collect Eloise Wilkin books and I don't think I have that one.  Princess is currently trying to pick up Japanese and French - what a girl

And, um, not thrifted, but practically - Hancocks was having a huge sale and I picked up some fabric to make skirts/tops for myself and Princess (pattern shown is for Princess - Simplicity 2878 - don't be fooled by the Hannah Montana logo - it's way cute!).  Some of the fabric was $1.99/yd or less!

(Bottom fabric:  Batman.  Not shown:  Darth Vadar fabric, Ninja Turtles fabric (for a pillowcase for a friend), and a cute new Thomas fabric that I couldn't resist).

Also (FINALLY) picked up Simplicity 3835 and 4579.  They've been on my list for MONTHS.  Possibly a year for 3835.  And I keep missing the sales, or they sell out.   I actually had a dream last night that the ladies at the fabric store HID those patterns and I couldn't find them.  Seriously.  Pathetic, I know. 

Almost finished my first 3835 top - not entirely happy with it... we'll see how it turns out.

Anyway, what's new with you?

Saturday

Nothing much going on over here - but it's been a nice Saturday.

I was able to get out this morning to check a few yard sales and found some cool stuff - including a new DDR pad - so we played versus mode DDR all morning -and I attempted the '1 player - 2 pads' mode - crazy stuff! 

We got to hang out with Eva as she's in town for the weekend - so glad - thanks for hanging with us, Eva!

In the afternoon we saw the Kit movie - 4 adults, 3 girls, 7 dolls.  It was pretty good - definitely the best of the AG movies.

Then we played lots of Legos (We have a ton of both regular and duplo, but I found MORE duplo this morning - woo hoo!)

Yup, a good day.