She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. Proverbs 31

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Thrift Store Treasure

One of my favorite past times is visiting our local thrift stores. Now I never shop at the mall or even department stores in town. They're just not my style. But give me a well stocked Goodwill shop with shelves piled with goods or even a huge yard sale and I'm one happy gal!

I do try to be very selective about the "treasures" I bring home. I don't want to clutter our small home or put stress on our already tight budget but I do enjoy browsing. It is like a treasure hunt! So much fun. And once in a while I find a gem.

Well last week while I was in town, I stopped by the Goodwill for a little browsing and came home with this lovely hand pieced, hand quilted log cabin wall quilt. And all for only $2.99! I was so excited. I have been planning to make some little quilts for my wall and this was such a great start for me.

So like any prim lover, I brought it home, washed it up and then dyed it to look old and worn. Now you shabby chic gals are probably thinking that I absolutely ruined a perfectly good piece. BUT we prim lovin girls know it's just not finished until it's grubbed or sanded or beat really well with a set keys! You know what I'm talking about! LOL

Before



After





Smiles,
Lea

34 comments:

Renna said...

Oh, Lea, I bet you and I could have fun together. Give me a twenty dollar bill, and I'll head to a thrift store faster than you can say my name!

Like you, I try and avoid bringing home clutter. I used to do that, and am now trying to rid my home of too much stuff. It's the thrill of the hunt, so to speak, though. You just never know what's going to be on the next shelf. Even on days when I don't find anything, I don't get discouraged, for there's always next time, when a whole new bunch of stuff will be there to see. :-)

I LOVE the quilt, especially after the primming process. ;-)

pinetrees on the moor said...

Hi Lea,i am with you i don't do department stores, only charity shops, car boot sales or jumble sales the great part is finding a treasure like your quilt its worth waiting for.My friend who comes with me to sales gets such fun when i find something prim,its like finding gold dust here she laughs at how excited i get lol.I will post pictures later of some of my quilt finds but not as good as yours.blessings to you all.Take care Kate

Something Nice and Pretty said...

Love that quilt Lea! What a great price too:) I like it primmed also.

*Rondell*

2 Much Farm Primitives said...

Love it!!

Nancy Jo said...

Lea,
If we were giving out awards for the best purchase at the thrift store for the week , you WON!! I always wonder why no one would want that, or know someone who would like to have it before putting it at a thrift store. Well all the better for us thrifters. Its so pretty. Are you going to use it as a wall hanging or over a chair someplace? How big is it?
NANCY JO

Sherry's Cabin said...

Gorgeous! You gave it the perfect touch! Boy, we'd have fun if we were all together! My husband had to go to Abilene for a yr. end inspec. on one of his jobs yesterday. I tagged along and hit the flea markets/thrift stores! I didn't make any great finds like that, though!
It looks perfect!

Kindra-At Home With K said...

What a find, Lea! The quilt is stunning in your home and for the price, you can't beat!! I need to make a goodwill run!

Lori said...

I love thrift stores too! We also have a consignment shop nearby that I can squirrel away hours in.
And the quilt looks so much better after dying it. I love the way it makes the pink in it pop.

Angelena said...

Beautiful!! I am a thrift store junkie as well. I love it!

Wanita said...

Lea, what a beautiful quilt and at such a great price! I love what you did to make it look old and loved.

Thrift stores are the best places to shop. Like you, I prefer them to department stores any time.

Idaho Quilter said...

There is nothing more homespun than a log cabin quilt, you found a real treasure there.

Wendy/TheCozyYellowHouse said...

I Love it Lea!! Don't you just love a deal!! Hope you and your family are enjoying your summer! Take care:0)~Wendy

The Stricklands said...

Oh what a find! My favorite quilt is a very old "grandmother's garden" baby quilt that I bought at a thrift store. I put on a new binding and wrapped it around my sweet little ones for years.

It is a challenge only to bring home things I really, really love or that we need. I take boxes to the thrift store, I bring things home from the thrift store.....and the cycle repeats itself :0)

Anonymous said...

The prim look is so much more homey. Cozy. Love it! And what a find by the way

Pattie said...

Hi Lea -

Thank you SO much for the kind words you left on my blog. It's nice to meet you! My goodness, I feel happy knowing that my funny little face made you smile!

I love what you did with that little quilt (and what a find that was!) I guess that makes me a prim gal, too? I do love the look of reproduction fabrics replicating older quilts. But I've not yet been brave enough to tea-dye any of my own work.

Take care. :-)

Debra said...

Hi Lea,
Been seeing your name at the blogs I visit, so I thought it was about time to come over! I love the quilt, and it DOES look better after your treatment. I agree with you, there's nothing better than a good old thrift store or yard sale. I get about all my clothing at Salvation Army, and have found wonderful vintage stuff there too.
I love your art work. Debra

KKJD1 said...

Yea! Love your find. We are always doing things about the same time to bad you don't live next to me, we could do them together! Blessings, Karen

Chanda said...

I love it Lea, I think you done the right thing. It looks so prim now.

Juri said...

Lea...the quilt is beautiful...and I do love it best the way you finished it!! Like you, there is no better shopping spree than wandering through junk stores, antique stores, thrift shops, etc...and finding just one wonderful treat!

Juri

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful treasure!I love thrift store shopping. Never pay retail, that's my motto.

I'm also very selective about what I bring home, and we have a rule in our house...when something new comes in, something old goes out!

Julie said...

You SCORED big time. I love the prim look--did you use rit dye, tea, coffee? It looks great!! I am in awe that you paid $2.99--way to go!! Thanks for sharing. Julie

Cora from Hidden Riches said...

Perfect is all I can say about it!!!!!

I want so bad to go junking with you!!!!! Boy, would we have a ball! We'd have to pull each other out by the hair, wouldn't we???? And if we put my sister in the mix, we would really be in big trouble!!!!!

Cora

Toni said...

Wow Lea!! That looks great!! Blessings!!

Gettysburg Homestead said...

What an awesome find and great price! Wow!

Love how you prim'd it up I like it much better.

Mary

Katy said...

Oh my goodness gracious!!! It looks FANTASTIC and what a STEAL!!! I am so excited for you...and a lil jealous I didn't find it!!! LOL! That is just fantastic Lea!!!

Hey..I wanted to ask ya..I am going to order most of Madelyn's school curriculum with "My Father's World"...have you used any of that and if so..what is your opinion on it?? thanks so much! xoxo

Paula said...

Wow, I love what you did with that, Lea!
I'm a thrift store junkie, too... I can spend hours in a place like that!

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

You know my tastes all too well. I -HEART- Goodwill because it is a yard sale every day! Occasionally their prices are too high but usually everything is a bargain and we take everything back when we are done with it.
You are right--the tea stain does give it that 'real' look and it is great. I got one--not hand quilted but machined and a little worn -needs a seam fixed but for a dime!!! Had to bring it home. Maybe I'll finally use my machine. LOL :) Linda

Tammy ~ Country Girl at Home ~ said...

It looks so much better "grubbied" up! I love it!

~ Tammy ~

Toby Parsons said...

I love quilts and love making them too, although I don't have time to do that anymore. Normally, I would say, 'noooo' don't dye it, but in this case it looks wonderful dyed!!! Congratulations on your 'wonderful' find Lea!!! :)

Brooke was reading over my shoulder. She wants to know how far from Primm Springs you live and if you go to Grace Center (church). LOL She didn't realize you lived in Tennessee and now wishes she could have maybe looked you up. :) She isn't thinking how 'big' an entire state is. :)

The picture of you with your adorable apron on, standing in your kitchen, Brooke fondly said, "Oh, the kitchen looks like the Campbells' kitchen!"

I pray Colton is doing well with his new meds. :)

Blessings! :)

Farmhouse Primitives said...

OH MY Lea!!! Didn't that do up nice!! Love it!
Pammie

Ann said...

When I see a quilt like that for only 2.99 it's almost upsetting to think about someones hard work having so little value. But then again Lucky for you! It's beautiful and I think dying it only added to it.

Vintage Linen Treasures said...

Lea! You did a WONDERFUL job on that quilt. What a difference! I don't think I would have looked at it twice before you did your magic on it. Now it looks vintage-warm and cozy. Beautiful!
Patricia :o)

Expedition Escapes said...

Loved what you did to the quilt. Looks pretty nice hanging there. I love anything thrifty, but, my husband has a hard time with it. He keeps telling me we are de-cluttering, not bringing more in..oh well. Men don't always understand.

Julie said...

Oh, W-O-W!!!!
That is a beautiful tranformation!
Did you use Rit or tea or coffee?
Lea, it's just beautiful!!!! I'm so excited -- you'd think it was mine!!!
Blessings,
Julie