Is this a collection?

 

I got this cedar shingle painting from my mom. It used to be in her kitchen. I put in my kitchen.  I have kind of a floral design going on.

Then I spotted this at a local thrift store, and I hung it in my kitchen too. I think it is kind of folk art. I guess now I am into collecting cedar shingle paintings. Is two a collection?

Surprise Thrift Find

My husband is a picture framer and often gets glass for his framing projects by buying old picture frames. Well, he bought this large picture for $17.99. He didn't realize the print was somewhat valuable. It is a signed and numbered Scott Nellis "Clouds". The mat has some damage and the frame itself is not great. However, the print is worth about $150. Not too shabby. I really like this 80s style print. It reminds me of the PNW. I plan on a new frame and possible reflective glass as well. In case you didn't know it, the glass is usually the most expensive part of a framing project. 

Thrift Find and easy fall/harvest project

I wanted some autumn art.  I have a large open place over my electric piano that I try to fill with something. I got a large thrifted frame. It was in rough shape and because my husband does picture framing, I had an odd color mat that matched well.  I downloaded from etsy this pumpkin print and had it made into a poster at Walgreens.  I used a photo coupon.  Total project was $20.  When my husband's hand is better, I will actually have him cut the mat. 

The Turquoise Home talks about engineer prints for large prints.  I don't have a staples nearby.

Weekly Roll

 Oh you know I love a good thrift store story. I have been watching the Crazy Lamp Lady on YouTube. I learn so much and I enjoy watching her hunts for bargains

Check out her YouTube channel. She posts often.

Because Sharing is Caring - One of my thrift stories - When Pigs Fly

Thrift Sleuth - A worker who started reunited families with heirlooms that were donated to Vincent St Paul

Deep Thoughts

Jill Winger is a homesteader and lives in Wyoming. She said that when she tweeted this the first line was the most controversial -"Turn off the news"

Suprise Thrift Find - Madrid Glass

I collect Madrid Depression Glass.  I have collected since High School.  I was so wowed the other day to go in Goodwill and find this on a shelf for $5.99.  It wasn't even in their locked cabinet.  I had forgotten I had the smaller water pitcher. 

It is hard to get a good pic with the pattern showing. I am happy to add this pitcher to my collection.

Election Day

I found this t-shirt at value and it perfectly sums up my election philosophy.  I feel bad it wasn't in my size.

Sharing is Caring- Adventures in Thrifting

I don't know why I am sharing this but it made me laugh.  My local Value Village has started to do little furniture vignettes.  This one really caught my eye.

They actually make the very interesting floral couch work. Honestly,when I walked up on this display the couch wasn't the very first thing I noticed. It kinda all works together in an odd way. My friend thought without the throw pillows it would of been better.

So the lesson is even if you have a hideous couch, you too can minimize it impact in your room.

December Daily - Hawaiian Snowman

December 16

Spotted this Hawaiian Snowman while out thrifting with my friend.  Of course, this was way before it snowed.  It cracked me up. The snow we got was very dry and not really good for making snowmen. 

This was our last snow day of the year.  I kinda wish I was in Hawaii making a snowman. The temperature was in the 20s for the day and much of our town was accessible but the side roads remain an ice rink.

Notes of a Mediocre Homemaker - Conversations overheard at the thrift store

You got to stop eavesdropping a the thrift store. OR How I  got to be so approachable by crazy people why shopping.

I only relate these conversations for your pleasure.  Please tell me I am not the only one this happens to (REALLY PLEASE). Below is a small sampling of conversations that happen to me at the thrift store.

Conversation #1

Customer is telling a worker about how his mrsa on his leg is weeping. He was in shorts. I totally wasn't trying to hear this one but why do over sharers always talk so loud.

Conversation #2

Man was looking at belts.  He asks me and my friend if this belt is a good one for whipping kids. SERIOUSLY.  Then later he tracks us down to tell us he was joking.  CREEPY

Check out my entire Series - Notes of a Mediocre Homemaker
I am linking up with  Write 31 Days.

The Demise of the 27 cent bookcase

Way back in 2008, I purchased this lovely mint green bookcase thing for 27 cents.  It had obviously been storage in someone's garage.  I cleaned it up and repainted it and the bookcase became part of my son's retro vintage military room.  

The bookcase is extremely heavy and large.  So to make way for a bigger bed in my son's room, the bookcase had to go. The easiest way to accomplish this was to take it apart.  Of course, my husband and son were all for taking it apart.

I think we got our money's worth!

T-shirts with a Message - #3

 

I have a habit of searching goodwill and value village for funny t-shirts.  I call these t-shirts with a message.  They are usually not the most appropriate messages but funny none the less. Here is the latest batch.

Sweat is Fat Crying

I

If you're happy and you know it, clap your...
....never mind

Jackpot of Interesting Message T-Shirts

"I flexed and the sleeves fell off"

Mrs Epi and I were browsing our local Value Village and we hit the motherload of t-shirts with questionable designs.  I just have to share because "Sharing is Caring."  For the previous edition of Message T-Shirts (click here)

You really can't go wrong with a bacon t-shirt BECAUSE everything is better with BACON.

I really have to wonder what type of person wears this shirt.

 

 

 

To the last one, my oldest son said, "Well Okay."

5 years later- project complete

You see I have had this $2 plant stand since 2010 that has sat unfinished in various places in my house. That is how I roll.

As a unfinished plant stand in the bedroom

 

As a Christmas Tree Stand

I had GRAND plans to do this or that to the stand but these plans never materialized until this weekend. It most current location was next to our hallway bench to hold my son's school tablet to charge.

I painted the outside gray and inside white.  I am getting an odd reflection inside the plant stand.

stand - $2
paint (Re Store) and leftover paint on hand- 1.25
brush - 2.95
-----------------------
grand total - $6.20

Headboard Bench

 

I got this awesome headboard bench from my parents for Christmas.  They purchased it from a local antique mall.  I am using it in my entry way.  The bench that was there previously was in rough shape.  I had been on the look out for a small church pew or bench.  I love that this headboard bench has a shelf underneath.  I think it is the first one that I have seen with one.

I will be changing the blue outline to a different color.  The blue just doesn't go with my décor.  I will probably add a pad to the seat part simply because boys are rough.  My husband I have been batting around ideas about using burlap coffee bags or just burlap for a pad cover.

T-shirts with a Message

Now that I have kids in adult sizes, I regularly browse the T-shirt selection at Value Village and Goodwill.  I am always on the look out for those with unique sayings.  These are a few in the last year that have caused me to reach for my camera. I never purchased any of these shirts but when I was browsing these caused me to chuckle. Clearly, there are some sayings that just shouldn't be put on shirts. You know what I mean.

 

 

 

 

 

 

31 days of Adventure - Girl Friend Trips

I am joining the Nester's 31 Days of Writing.  Check out my entire series - "31 Days of Adventure."

I love my kids and my hubby BUT it is so good to go on adventures with my friends. My friend, Mrs Epi, and I have been on numerous exciting Girl Friend Trips.  Mrs Epi is definitely my partner in crime and we have similar adventure philosophies. Our favorite adventures are those that involve thrift stores.  When we do these mega thrift trips, we don't have a set destination.  We stop at locales that look interesting. This usually makes for interesting encounters.

When Pigs Fly
One of our first rearrangements

Frogs

Sometimes we like to rearrange. Thrift Stores are sometimes a jumble. We started putting like stuff with like items.  Shortly after we did this a couple of times at our local Goodwill, we showed up and Goodwill did this on their own.  Our local Goodwill is really into recently creating Vignettes.  Do they read the Nester's Blog and 31 Days of  Vignettes? 


Goodwill Vignette

On these trips we just encounter the odd?

Prosthetic  legs

Anyone else thrift and consider it an Adventure?

31 Days of Adventure - Modern Day Treasure Hunting.

I am joining the Nester's 31 Days of Writing.  Check out my entire series - "31 Days of Adventure."

One of my favorite parts of any adventure is the chance to do treasure hunting. My current favorite of course is geocaching. But I think there are several categories of modern day treasure hunting.

Geocaching - Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container} hidden at that location. All the details and much more can be found at Geocaching.com. Check out my series post Finding Tupperware with Million Dollar Satellites.

Finding a geocache
Kevin and Charlie

Letterboxing - Letterboxing is an intriguing pastime combining navigational skills and rubber stamp artistry in a charming "treasure hunt" style outdoor quest. A wide variety of adventures can be found to suit all ages and experience levels. Many people start letterboxing and then move on to Geocaching. Letterboxing compared to geocaching is very low tech. There are 2 different websites to access Letterboxing - Atlas Quest  and Letterboxing North America

Beaver Stamp found in Squire Lake Letterbox
near Bellingham WA

Munzee - Munzee is the next generation in global scavenger hunt games. Simply download the free app, scan the munzees you find, and score points. Munzees are basically QR codes that you scan. These seem to be found in more urban areas.


Thrifting/Yard Sales - Many people are avid treasure hunters at local garage sales and thrift store. I once found a pie bird at Salvation Army Thrift Store for a great bargain. It was marked 99 cents but discounted to 49 cents. These usually go for 20 to 30 dollars. I love the thrill of the search.

Where else can you find a Jumbo Leotard?

Hunting for Sea Glass- For most of my adult life, I have lived near the ocean. I enjoy looking for sea glass.  I have a small collection. Here is a post about one of our adventures hunting for sea glass

Are you a modern day treasure hunter too?

Retro/Vintage Military Tween Boys Room

tin sign above wall switch

I gave you a little sneak peak of Charlie's room design but I never followed up with a completed room post.  A lot of this decor came from around the house. Charlie's is so excited about all the changes we made. I think it looks really good and a lot more grown-up.

Thrifted Bookcase

The story of the amazing 27 cent bookcase.  It went from a nice mint color to sleek black. The prints are from Amazon and I placed in frames. 

Kevin made the desk with a top from the
Dumpster. The chair was a throw away from dumpster
that Kevin fixed

The black square shelves were built by Kevin. All the trinkets and photos are from
stuff we had around the house. The bedding is a blue camo from JCPenny's.

If nothing else there is a ton of history in this room .  There were a lot of contributions of photos from our family.  My Dad's pictures of being in the Air Force.  Pappy on a CAT during WWII. Even pictures of me in my Kevlar helmet. Of course, the room wouldn't be complete without a busted up propeller hanging over the closet.

There are a few more cosmetic fixes and another picture to hang up but it is looking good.

I am linking up with Emily A Clark Kid Space Linky Party. There is still a couple of days before the pottery barn kids giveaway.