I just love finding a bargain at a garage sale, auction, flea market…now I can add thrift store to the list! Finding my first “Pittsburgh Steelers” long sleeve t-shirt at the thrift store for 50 cents had my heart singing all day! Every time I walked by the $30 Steeler’s shirt at Walmart, I just couldn’t get myself to buy one. It’s amazing how much happiness the little things can bring.
Here’s my latest. I have a beautiful collection of antique Fostoria crystal passed down to me from a great-aunt who was dear to me. It’s very sentimental to me, and I love finding pieces to add to the collection. While My Big Boy and I were browsing a garage sale, I spied a piece of the Fostoria. I swear, my heart started beating faster. “Honey, grab that plate.” He’s even beginning to catch my bug. “This one?” “Yes, that’s my crystal.” “It’s only 50 cents!!” “BINGO!”
This is an American pattern cake plate with handles. A lot of Fostoria in the American pattern is pretty reasonable, under 20 bucks. But, what I knew was that the handles made it worth a little more. Came home, looked it up on the internet…and I just changed my 50 cents into 50 dollars! Not that I’ll ever get rid of it…but, I swear, every time I think of it…happiness!!
Remember the mantel that was given to me? I hauled it back to Kansas, and my daughter nabbed on to it. This is what we did with it, with just items we found around her home.
By the time I left, we had added a few more pumpkins and gourds and it was so cute! Came across two of these while antiquing last week, both were priced for $150!! That’s happiness.
Here’s a hint. I keep a list…”things I’d like to have” or “things the kids need”. While in Wichita, I stopped at an estate sale and bought my oldest daughter the set of white china she’s been wanting for $20!! Now she’s feeling the happiness.
Just one more. My sister is very creative and talented when it comes to stitching. Her new love is working with wool. She stitches table runners, pillows, wall hangings…they are beautiful. Yesterday I found four wool skirts at the thrift store…50 cents a piece. Wool at the fabric store is $30 a yard!! Now we’re both so excited and happy!
Wow, after all that…no wonder I’m smiling
49andcounting 
Some of my favorite things are thrift shop finds. I’m with you! But I can’t take apart skirts and make something else…sewing and swearing goes hand-in-hand for me.
I promise you piecing with wool is too easy! You don’t have to worry about turning edges under..yahoo! Although, as usual, I don’t think it’s my passion, just anotheer basket of ‘started’ projects! LOL My passion is finding wool skirts for 50 cents and mailing them to my sister!!