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

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Trash to Treasure ~ My Repurposed Kitchen Sampler

I just adore hand-stitched alphabet samplers. One of these days I am determined to fill a wall with them ... but until I have all that extra time to stitch, I'm always on the scout for them at second hand shops or yard sales.

While on our trip home this weekend, I just couldn't resist stopping at one of my favorite Goodwill shops along the way. Did I tell you that I have them all mapped out from here to there? To my husband's great dismay, I really do!


Well Cookeville seemed a perfectly practical stop for lunch ... and it just happens to have one of the largest Goodwill stores I've ever seen! So the boys ate and I happily browsed through the discarded treasures at Goodwill. And for a mere $1.50, I found a lovely hand cross-stitched ABC sampler. Okay, so it wasn't exactly prim but rather stitched up in lavendar and pink ... but I thought with a little dye it just might work in my home.

Oh how I wish I had taken a BEFORE photo. The wooden frame was severely damaged and the sampler was matted in two-toned purple ~ very pretty but not exactly me. So I pulled it all apart to find one of the finest pieces of stitchery that I've seen. The stitches were perfect, and it was obvious that someone took great care with their handwork.

After dying the piece, I scrounged through the attic and my endless supply of old frames to find just the right one. And now this sweet little sampler hangs in my kitchen right beside my sink where I can enjoy its beauty often.


Isn't it sweet? I can see that I missed a spot with my dye. I'll have to go back and fix that. The antique stoneware bowl was a gift from Mom during our recent trip. Thanks, Mom ~ I think its wonderful! I have a little coffee soap in it. And the book is another Goodwill find called "Grandma's Kitchen". It is an old book that is a combination fictional story and cookbook all rolled up into one. I'll have to share more about it sometime.


Here is my special place at the kitchen sink. I love how God changes the picture in that window for me with each season! Right now, the trees are bare but there is a special beauty even about the winter ~ maybe it's the promise of new life in the springtime. Two of the largest old fruit jars were found buried on our property near the site of the old homestead. Can you imagine the story they have to tell? And that sweet little pumpkin was a gift from my friend Paula of October*Moon. It bears our family verse: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Thank you, again, Paula!


This is another crock that I bought this summer at a local yard sale for $1.00! Love the chicken, don't you? I keep Colton's meds in it.


And finally, though these kitties don't exactly fit into my decor, I couldn't resist their folk art charm for $6.00 for the entire set. They make me smile.

I hadn't exactly planned to share all of those things, but once I got started snapping photos I just couldn't stop! LOL

Wishing you joy,
Lea

38 comments:

Cat Nap Inn Primitives said...

I love how you redid that sampler..very prim indeed..I especially love your kitchen window..inside and out...have a great day:)

Kindra-At Home With K said...

Great find at goodwill! I wish I could be that lucky! It looks great in it's new home. :)

Wendy/TheCozyYellowHouse said...

That sampler came out great!!! I need to get to Goodwill now!!! I love the pictures of yourkitchen, please share more!! I wouldn't mind doing dishes looking out that window either!!! Take care my friend!~hugs~Wendy

Anonymous said...

What a Find! Love your sampler! I came out great!

You are very welcome my friend. I am happy that you are enjoying the pumpkin.

CLPrim said...

Hi Lea,
This Dena with Crazy Ladies Primitives. I wanted to thank you for dropping by the blog last month. Also wanted to let you know we are having another giveaway and would love for you to drop your name back into the hat again. I just love the sampler and everything by the way.
Have a great day!

Anonymous said...

Oooh Lea it looks perfect! It was meant to hang there :) Great find! You have a lovely Kitchen...the view is wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing!

American Homemaker said...

I have the thrift stores mapped out everywhere I go too :) I love the sampler. I've never found an alphabet one anywhere in my yard sale or thrifting adventures :(

I love how yours turned out! It looks so good.

tam said...

Hi Lea! I do think the sampler is sweet! Nice job on fixing it up-and good placement!Your kitchen is very country, prim,cute!
Hope you are having a wonderful week!
~Tam :D

carolyn@simple~primitive~devotion said...

The sampler turned out great! And I love your other things too! I wish I had a window over my sink. In all the years I have been married, I have never had a window over the kitchen sink. Maybe in our next home......
Have a great week!

Nancy M. said...

You have a great eye for fixing up things. I love your art! My view out the kitchen window looks a lot like yours.

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

What a great fix it you did on that and it is perfect there. LOVE the view out of your window!!! We need those things to keep us motivated to finish our chores!

Everydaythings said...

I found your post to be so relaxing and lovely, especially about what yousaid about the view changing in your window! so true.

Julie said...

I love what you did with the sampler--three cheers for dye!! It looks just right in your kitchen. Great idea for the crock--I have some and always wonder what to put in them. Have a great day. Julie

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Hello Sweet Lea! I love your sampler and what a great find! Hope you are having a wonderful week! Hugs, Maryjane

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

I love the samplers, too. You are always finding great deals and I am so happy for you. You have an eye for what things can be as opposed to what they are......
Stay warm, friend!

Brenda said...

Lea, I love the sampler! You did a great job on it. The rest of your kitchen looks great too. I love old crocks and jars too and a window over the sink too!

Thanks for sharing your "treasures"!

Hugs and blessings,
Brenda

Primitives By The Light of The Moon said...

Ohhh I love it all. What great finds they all look perfect!
:)Ginger

Paula said...

Oh I love all your wonderful treasures, Lea!!

Janelle Willis Hurt said...

What great finds! I too, have all the local thrift stores mapped out, and visit them on a weekly basis.
Thanks for sharing that!

Janelle

staci said...

Wonderful finds!!! Your sampler is really lovely and looks perfect in your kitchen :)

Katy said...

The stitching is fantastic!!! I love it!!! :o) It is beautiful and I love how you died it! Did you do that with tea? It looks perfect where you put it too...like it was meant to be there! :)
I love your kitchen window area! It is beautiful! I hope you are having a great week Lea! xoxo

KKJD1 said...

What great treasures you have and I love them all. A great sampler you found to and it looks great in in it's new home. Blessings, karen

Deb said...

Hi Lea! I love what you did to the sampler and all the other things are lovely too! Love the cats! Tell Colton I said Merry Christmas!Deb

marie said...

Oh, that little sampler is so cute! I love where you put it too!

I also love your thoughts about your window scene - the Lord is so good to give you new artwork with each new season!

Carrie P. said...

I love alphabet samplers too. I have six hanging in my entry way that cross stitched.

The Stricklands said...

You are my thrift store hero! I haven't found any good bargains at my favorite store lately, but I refuse to give up hope :) Have a blessed weekend!

Catherine said...

Your sampler really looks great. The frame suits it just fine. I also like the three cat pictures. Fat and happy cats!

Nancy Jo said...

LEA,
I often find needle work pieces at the thrift or garage sales. I sometimes buy them and wash and iron them and make them into something else, you know a small pillow, of just re- frame it. Always feel bad that all that work is not being shown off. So you did a very good thing buying that cute little sampler. I wonder who made it and what they were thinking about when they were making it?
NANCY JO

Cat Nap Inn Primitives said...

Lea, You are a sweetheart! thanks for all the nice complements on my blog..I love your blog too...If I can't use my coupons at joanns..I call it coupon abuse..lol...but if I can't use them..I start asking folks in line if they need them...I love our woodstove..it just makes our house a home...we didn't have one in our 2nd house..and I hated it..I love it..so when we moved here to this home (it was new) but didn't come with one and that was the first thing we put in...would always have one...our kittys love falling asleep in front of it...thanks for adding me to your side bar too...! have a wonderful weekend...:)

KKJD1 said...

Hey Lea, yes love finding fun things. I sent you an email with a question yesterday did you get it? Let me know. Blessings, Karen

Cat Nap Inn Primitives said...

I just left you an award...:)
Gina

Toby Parsons said...

I love all of your new treasures! That crock and sampler are my favorite. I'm really impressed with your sampler make-over. What a wonderful thing that you are lovingly, caring for someone's lost treasure of fine hand work.

Your home inviting and welcoming. So lovely Lea!

Unknown said...

Oh, you where at my Goodwill!! I just love it!! I work on the same street so I stay in trouble:)lol!! the Goodwill always has great finds. the sampler looks terrific!! your kitchen looks lovely! take care Kim

Vintage Linen Treasures said...

Hi Lea,
As always make the best finds! I love what you did with the sampler and the cats are too cute.

I just sent you an email requesting some info because you won 3rd place in my giveaway!! Pop on over to see what it is. I didn't plan to have more prizes, but it just worked out that way.
Hope you like it.
Patricia ;o)

Renna said...

Lea, I'd love to travel with you! Forget the malls, and take me to thrift stores. ;-Þ

You really scored big; I love everything you bought!

PS-Thank you for your sweet comments on my blog this week. That nasty cold set me back, and I haven't gotten around to responding to anyone's comments yet.

Barb J. said...

I love that chicken crock! Good work on the dye job!

Julie said...

Oh, Lea!!!!

I just love everything! That sampler is just so neat -- aren't you smart not to pass it up just because the colors are too bright!

You have me giggling that you've mapped out the Goodwill's -- much to your hubby's dismay!

Oh, and that book, "Grandma's Kitchen" -- wonder if it's still in print? It sounds too charming for words... I love those kinds of books.

Many Blessings and Merry Christmas,
Julie

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

What a great little sampler...it looks lovely on your wall!

I love looking out my kitchen window, too, to see the changing seasons.