03.10.11 Thrifted Finds

Since I last posted about my thrift store finds, I have found some more good stuff. At least I think so :)

I had several people ask me where I find good stuff. I think the key is not where you go (although sometimes that does help) but how often you go. I try to go at least once a week. If you rarely go thrifting, your chances of finding something good are much smaller. Sometimes I go and I don’t find anything. But other times I find too many things and I can’t decide what should come home with me. Also, be careful to only buy things you really love. When I get something I’m not over the moon about, I feel like I just have a bunch of junk.

I found this awesome painting a couple of weeks ago when I was with my Mom. As I mentioned last time, we are both on the hunt for original paintings. I seem to usually spot them before she does but that’s only because I try to stay just a tiny bit ahead of her in the store so I can rush to them first. It makes it more fun :) In fact, we both spotted a stack of paintings at one store and we raced to get there before each other. Then we had to laugh at our silliness. This particular painting was $4 and we both love it. My Mom has been trying to steal it from me but so far I have prevailed.

Another painting I found for $3. This one is not original but I still like it and I think it will go in the guest room. I haven’t hung it yet because I need to do something with the frame, either remove it or paint it.

I really love this little lamp. I mean really love it. Did you know at Goodwill everything is 50% off on the first Saturday of the month? At least that is the case here in Cleveland, TN. So I always make sure I go and this particular Saturday I found this awesome little lamp and I got it for $2.50. It’s in excellent condition although there is still some sticky stuff that I have to get off. I’m pretty sure I’m going to use it in Jason’s office. I think the brass will look really nice in there.

I also found 2 of these ikat-ish napkins at Goodwill on the 50% off Saturday for 50 cents. I’m planning on sewing them together to make a pillow. I haven’t decided where I will use them yet, either the family room or Jason’s office. When I purchased them they were a little bit bright. I really liked them but felt the blue was too bright for what I already have going on. But for 50 cents I figured I could experiment. So I brought them home and looked up how to fade fabric. I found this tutorial on Martha Stewart and I’m really happy with the way they turned out. It is hard to capture in a picture because the difference is subtle but I will try. The before:

Like I said, the before was very bright. Also, the white color was actually a soft blue which I wasn’t very excited about. And the after:

After I was finished, the blue was just less bright and the light blue faded to white. They really turned out so good and I’m pleased with the results. This was my first attempt at fading fabric and I would call it a success!

So there you have it. All of my recent thrift store finds. I haven’t had a chance to thrift yet this week but I’m hoping to be able to go soon! Happy thrifting everyone!