Thrifty Finds + a Couple Tips for Thrifting

I love going to my local thrift stores! We have several around here that price their stuff fairly cheap. I don't find something everytime I go but sometimes you just have to walk out empty handed. These are a couple of my tips for thrifting...

 

1) Go in with a plan or a list. (Or at least an idea of the type of things you are looking for.)

If you go in just to look around you're likely going to come out with stuff you don't really need or have any idea what to do with it. Don't get me wrong, I love to go and 'just look', but more often than not, I'll end up buying stuff I don't have a place for.

2) Just because it's cheap doesn't mean you should buy it. There are a LOT of great deals out there especially at yard sales, but seriously, remember that this treasure you're looking at is someone else's junk. Some of my friends yard sale and find great things to resell on ebay and they make money doing that. If you're going to do that, make sure you have a plan and a place for it all so that you don't become a hoarder. Get it, list it and get rid of it. Using the ebay app for iPhone is great here. You can look up whatever item you're hoping to sell (before you buy it) and find out what it's going for on ebay. This will give you a great idea of whether it's worth it to buy it or not.

3) It's okay to walk away. When you're at yard sales, it's sometimes awkward to walk away empty handed. Get over it. (I still feel awkward.) Just because the person is standing there staring at you browsing at their junk doesn't mean you have to buy it. I'm not a yard sale pro by any means, but I hope to do more of it this year. My friends are great yard salers!

 

These are a few of my recent finds by thrifting!

What rules to do you go by for thrifting? Are you an impromptu buyer?

Happy Yard Saleing this weekend!
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I'm sharing this with some of these parties!

Paper Doll Wall Art {Tutorial}

This almost doesn't even classify as a tutorial because it's just so simple. The idea came to me about 5 years ago. I am a big Mary Engelbreit fan and was getting her magazine, Home Companion, at the time. Every issue had her adorable characters in them in the form of paper dolls. The dolls were on cardstock and way too cute to just leave in the magazine. I don't remember if I saw the idea somewhere or if I just had a genius moment, but I decided to cut out a few of the paper doll sets and frame them for my daughter's room.

I just bought three basic white frames and some scrapbook paper.

Cut out the paper dolls and place them in whatever arrangement you want.

It's that easy! I loved this wall art! It is a little bit faded from being in direct sunlight for 5 years, but still one of my favorite ideas for a girl's room. Easy art!

I'm sharing this with some of these parties.

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Butterfly Silhouette Art {Tutorial}

Confession. Sometimes I find some really great deals on neat stuff that I'm looking for. And sometimes I find some really great deals on neat stuff that I didn't know I was looking for and have no idea where I'm going to use it {but I buy it anyway - because it was a great deal!}. I know I'm not the only one.

I found this wall art at Goodwill about 2 years ago for $3 and it has been sitting around waiting for me to use it. I'll use the birdcage for another project, but the butterflies were perfect for this!

I'm sharing these with some of these parties!

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{Five} Happy Years!

We are celebrating a milestone in our family today! Our youngest girl is turning five years old today!

It is so hard to believe five years have passed since this blonde headed blessing was gifted to us by God.

She has been a constant source of joy and laughter in our family, as well as, constant entertainment. She fits the third child birth order to a tee.

Her sisters adore her and she them.

 

She loves princesses, unicorns and rainbows...

...and has great fashion sense.

 Her dimples make us melt.

How can you not love this face?!

Happy Birthday, sweet girl! You are a treasure from the Lord!

Chevron Canvas {Tutorial}

It's no secret that one of my favorite patterns is chevron. It comes in so many colors and widths and variations and looks great on art, clothing, home decor, etc. I've used it on curtains, throw pillows, skirts, baby items and now art. I'm planning a room redo for my 9 yr old's bedroom and she's been begging me for a Paris room. So, I'm slowy - very slowly finding things for her room and will be changing everything from the wall color to the bed skirt. The other day I came across a blank canvas at Goodwill for $1.50. I knew I'd use it for something but by the time I got home I knew its purpose. Here's how I made a personalized chevron canvas for her future Paris room.

Now, you can leave it or you can personalize it with a monogram or a picture or whatever you feel like doing! I chose to do an M for my daughter's name. After a few texts back and forth with my sister, I decided to paint the M gold. {Stay tuned for more gold painted accents for this future Paris room!}

 I had a big chipboard M laying around from Hobby Lobby so that's what I used to make this. I had also bought Antique Gold craft paint for another project so I was able to make quick work of this.

 Or if monograms aren't your thing, hot glue a smaller canvas to the center and personalize it any way you want! Decoupage a picture to the top canvas or have your child draw on it or whatever you want! Be creative! There are tons of ways to use canvases.

Check out my other chevron tutorials here.

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I'm sharing this with some these parties.

Words to Live By

Some days you just have to be reminded of this. I haven't had one of these days recently, but over the years, I've had plenty. I have a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics and took several semesters of various sewing classes. I'm pretty sure the seam ripper is my most used tool besides my sewing machine itself. We have a love/hate relationship, my seam ripper and I. It's a handy tool, but I never want to need it.
Have you seen the new seam rippers?

Very ergonomic. For those who plan to use theirs for hours on end. Yikes! Here's to hoping our seam rippers will just be a decorative item on our craft tables!! But if you need a good one, you can find that one here. Or just go to Hobby Lobby. I saw a good selection there.

Happy Sewing!!

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Greenhouse Inspiration {Succulents}

The first time I noticed succulent plants was a couple years ago in a magazine. I really like the look of them - thick, almost plastic-looking. I also like that there are different kinds of them. The other day my sister blogged about some that she planted for herself and I had no idea they were that easy to plant and keep alive. I don't really have a green thumb. When it gets super hot outside, I slack in the area of watering porch flowers. But these I thought would work well inside my house in my window and other sunny areas.

 {Vase from World Market - I bought it with my $10 Reward they gave me for my birthday. Sign up with them if you aren't already signed up!}

 {Terrarium - birthday gift from my Mr. - buy one for yourself at Kohl's.}

 {Succulents bought at Lowe's - indoor garden section.}

These are handpicked by my kids. The best flower bouquets of all!