2009 - A Thrifting Review

As much as I love "junk", it is the story and the history that reels me in the most. Here are some of my favorite finds of the year and the stories behind them.

The "R" family quilt top - unearthed from the depths of a trash bag at a huge mess of a sale for $2.00. each "R" square is signed by the maker - Gertrude, Grandma. It's a treasure.

Wonderful 1950's Livestock ribbons in pink and purple. Spotted at the one and only auction I attended this year. I planned on a fierce bidding war - allowing myself to go as high as $20.00 for the box. Opening bid was $2.00 and no one else bid but me. No one even looked at them or cared about them. I clutched them to my chest and carried them around like a newborn baby the remainder of the auction. They don't realize what they missed!

A pile of old journals chronicling one family's purchases beginning in 1927, including the purchase of two rolls of TP for 5¢ and "Baby- Marge" for $25.00. I love picking one up and reading it like a novel. They really tell the story of frugality, charity and life of yesteryear.
I scored all this, including the cabinet on one Saturday with The Bean and The Breadman in tow. The cabinet was $5.00 and was one of my favorite finds of the year.
This giant Santa lived at the house behind me. For years, I saw it on their porch at Christmas time and coveted him. Two summers ago they had him in their yard sale for $25.00. Too rich for my blood. I was happy to see him back on their porch the following Christmas - apparently no one bought him at the sale. So, this summer, I stopped at their yard sale again when I saw Santa under the tree. He didn't have a tag this time, so I asked how much. "My husband says he has to go...how about $5.00?" SOLD. He lives at my dad's house now. And he loves him!

Then there are the Christmas items that I find all year long.

A delicious dish of Christmas delights. All scored at an Estate Sale for about $5.00.

Another dish of delightful Christmas-y goodies. My first tree topper!

A fabulous old, old working Ford Gumball machine for $10.00. It occurred to me on Christmas day that this would have been a fabulous way to display some of my miniature Shiny Brites. Remind me next year to do that, okay? Thanks!

Nice big lot of huge printer's blocks - $10.00 for them all. I'm having fun using these in vignettes and my holiday decor.

Giant jar chock full of vintage cake and cupcake toppers. Another items I swooped in on fearing a fist fight, but no one else gave it a second look. 50¢ total for all that fun.

*Swoon* $25.00 at a late in the year November sale. I've searched for an old cabinet for years, but they are always pricey. This one will be my Spring Project - painted white with some sort of interesting lining inside - old book pages? Sheet music? I can't decide. But, it will come to me.

Here's to a GREAT 2010! I hope everyone has a fabulous year of thrifting, junking and saling. May there be treasures on every corner for you and yours. (And, Laurie, those bags of cash sound real good too!)