Thursday, May 30, 2013

Thrifty Thursday


Hi All!
So Thrifty Thursday's, those are still a thing in blogland, right? I've seen, but never participated... until today, because I just have to share this find! Last weekend, my husband and I went up to Fallon, NV to visit family and while we were there his Aunt Bev and I did a little shopping. I scored some great embroidered pieces that I thought I'd share (and something really special that I can't show yet, because it wouldn't fit in my car to bring it home!). Let's get started.

My first find was this lovely, lovely hand embroidered pillow cover. The colors are so vivid, this sham practically jumped into my hands.

The price couldn't be beat, $6.99!! Can you believe that?

The stitches are so perfect, it looks machine made, and maybe I'm wrong, but all the little knots and tails on the back look hand made to me.

It's just gorgeous!

I love it, I feel lucky to have snapped it up.

The second item was a mystery at first, I wasn't sure what it was, but I knew it was pretty, crewel work. It was sort of crumbled in a ball when I found it, and turns out it's a wall hanging. Or... at least that's what I did with it.

I folded the top edge back and stitched a little pocket to put a piece of doweling through, then made a quick, braided hanger for it.

I think this was a kit, in this picture you can see where the lines of the printed linen can be seen where the stitches don't quite cover.

Whoever started this piece finished all the stitching, and did a nice job, wool isn't the easiest thing to embroider with (in my limited experience), but it looks like they never did anything with the finished piece, what a shame.

I fixed that too, it's now hanging just inside my bedroom door!

This piece cost a whopping $3.00. Yeehaw! I love a good deal. Especially considering the work that went into these, which I often wonder about when I come across these pretty treasures. Who stitched this? How'd it end up in a thrift shop? It makes me wonder about my own embroidered things, will they end up in a thrift shop someday? I hope not...

So this was fun! I've rarely ever posted anything I didn't make with my own hands, and this was a breath of fresh air. I collect all kinds of bits and bobs, much like a magpie, but I've never shown any of them here, not really, so maybe if you guys like this kind of thing, I'll show more of my favorite finds from time to time. 

Do you like thrift and antique shopping? What kinds of things do you collect? What's the best thing you've ever found? Do tell!
oxo,
Lisa

10 comments:

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Great Score!
I don't thrift shop too much anymore. This area is a highly Amish tourist trap and you rarely find great items like these unless they are in the antique mall booths and are pretty pricey. Once in a while you find a garage sale with great stuff. I don't collect..I just buy what I can't stand to leave at the sale!

Unknown said...

I love when people share their thrift finds and things they collect! I don't get to the shops much lately but I love a good find--especially needlework. Like you, I wonder how it got there and tell myself that I'm rescuing this piece by buying it (that's my story and I'm sticking to it!) ; )

I would love to see what else you have collected through the years.

Northern Stitcher said...

Love reading your blog Lisa!

TheMistressT said...

When I shop, I do like to thrift shop. I haven't found "the spots" here yet, but I haven't looked much yet either. My main collecting interests aren't common thrift material: foreign toothpaste, alphabet books (foreign and art), but I do like to search for craft and sewing supplies at thrift stores, as well as things that could become costumes.

Anonymous said...

Otimas aquisições! Parabéns!
Um abraço!

Egléa

Genie said...

Love love thrifting. My passion is for collecting by the feeling in my heart. Color attracts me but my heart tells me what is going come.

Beedeebabee said...

Both pieces are really beautiful, Lisa! It's sad that something so special can wind up in a thrift shop, but then again, they're found by folks like you who can cherish them all over again!...I'd love to see more of your collections and the things you love too. xo

Aurelia Eglantine said...

Great finds Lisa! Both pieces are so beautiful, and in wonderful condition. I love thrifting too, not only finished pieces but craft supplies and books/magazines :) It would be lovely to see more of your treasures in future - and if Thrifty Thursdays are no longer a "thing" they totally should be, LOL!

P.S. I followed you over from Flickr, I hope you don't mind ;)

Angela McRae said...

I love your thrift store rescues! The embroidery on that first one is just charming--so colorful. And I believe your wall hanging is from an Elsa Williams crewel kit. The style definitely looks like hers that I have seen over the years. Great finds!

Helen Le Caplain said...

What fab finds! Beautiful needlework like that should be on display - thankfully you rescued it from languishing on a shelf or in a cupboard.

www.mancunianvintage.com