GREAT THRIFY FINDS

I hope you all had a great Easter! Our family had a very blessed day.  I've been MIA for a few days because I've been very busy with Easter, family and  several visits to the sick and shut-ins in our congregation.

I'd like to welcome the new followers to this blog, and say "thank you" to all of you who follow me. I'm a little behind on emails, but wanted you to know I do love hearing from you and read all your comments and emails.


I did a quick drop in at my local thrift store today, and thought I'd share my finds with you.


I found these two candle sticks for .99 cents each.  They're going to look great in our living room.   The living room makeover has been slow because we're still working on reupholstering the wing back chairs. There never seems to be enough hours in a day to get them finished. I can't wait to show the room to you!

I also found 4 cute lanterns for .49 cents.  I can just see them out on our patio flickering light on warm summer nights or hanging from our  trailer while camping. 

This table cloth was only $2.49.  It will work great on our patio table. It has the zipper so it can be used with our umbrella.

The last items were these cute little baskets for .99 cents.  I'm planning a laundry room makeover, and they'll be great for storage.

 The original price tags were still on these baskets.  At $8.49 each, that's a $30 savings!!!  Hurray!

Have you found any great finds lately?

DECORATING INSPIRATION

Where do you get your decorating inspirations?  There are so many places we can get inspired including the Internet, hgtv, blogs, stores, shops and friends to name but a few.

We have friends that live about 5 hours from our home. Once or twice a year my husband is asked to preach in their church as a guest pastor.  We have stayed with these friends over the past 14 years.  They always make you feel like special guests... a basket of fruit on the cabinet and mints on your pillow. They love to have guests, and have always opened up a guest bedroom for us.  A year ago they decided to make a special place above their garage.  It was a dark and gungy space before the renovation.  Today I'd like to show you what welcomed us with our recent visit.  Everything was done on a budget using free or second hand items.

Welcome to the Guest House Loft nestled between the pine trees on a mountain side.  The guest house makes you feel like you're in a wonderful getaway retreat with the aroma of the pine trees and fresh mountain air.

 The queen bed was purchased from her brother for $30.  (He owns a motel and gets new beds every year and sells the old bed for a very low price.)  See how creative she was and used pine boards to act as the head board and an old dresser for the foot board.

 
She wanted to create an area that's quiet and serene just like the room's mountain side view. There will be no television in the room but rather a cozy sitting area to curl up and read a book.  She plans to add book shelves along with a small library.  The flooring was to be laid a few days after we left. 


The furniture in this area was all free!

 The text from Psalm 46 was painted on the wall by her daughter...a perfect addition to the room!

 The view from the kitchen looking toward the sitting and bed area. 

 
The kitchen with its fantastic mountain side view was stocked with beverages, fruit and a basket of chocolate candy! Yum!!  

She found the table and chairs for free, and the oak cabinets were purchased for only a few dollars at Kijiji.  I'll be anxious to see the loft next time with the appliances, wooden floors and trim installed.

I always enjoy seeing what others can do on a limited budget don't you?

Have a great day!

HOW TO THRIFT STORE SHOP

Many of you have asked me "where do you find all your great deals"?  My answer - thrift stores, garage sales and sale items in retail shops. Today I'll focus on thrift stores. Economic times are touch and thrift stores are amazing places to find  quality items like clothing, furniture and house hold items for a fraction of the cost of new.

Things to bring with you while shopping at thrift stores. 
(I also bring these while garage sale shopping).

1. Tape measure
-for measuring furniture or clothing

2. Traced copy of your child's shoe

- if you're planning on buying shoes.  Place thrift store shoe on the traced copy of your child's shoe to see if the shoe will fit. Remember that shoe sizes aren't always visible in used shoes.

3. Sheet of paper with each family members sizes and measurements 

- this will aid you when buying clothing.

4. List of what you're looking for or a "wish list".

Things to keep in mind: 

1. Look outside of the box - can the item be re-purposed or made over.

2. Look for higher end items at great prices.

3. Watch for clearance wracks.

4. Shop often - I often stop by the thrift store while on another errand in town.

5. Check the item over carefully - look for damage, dents, stains, and missing parts. 

-If you plan on refinishing or painting something, scratches are fine, but if it's missing something vital to the piece or badly ripped or stained, leave it and continue shopping. 

 
Do you shop thrift stores?

THRIFT STORE SHOPPING - part II

Yesterday I told you about the local thrift store I visit frequently. If you missed it you can read it here. 

THE SHOW ROOM:

  Greets you with more displays.

The right side of the room is a section with linens and bedding. Along the wall dishware, pots and pans and baskets are displayed.

I think the back drop wall of galvanized steel adds to the old charm of the building.

The next area the children love.

  The Toys! ....

 

....and the books!

 

And of course the furniture is great as well. 

Sometimes they'll have a day with pieces of furniture for only $1.00!  

I've gotten some great deals on those days!

If you would  enjoy seeing a few of my great finds from thrift stores.

Go here to view them along with ideas on how I transformed them.

I hope you enjoyed seeing one of the places I shop.

I'd love to see where you shop.

Don't miss my next post where I'll share ~  tips for shopping at thrift stores.

THRIFT STORE SHOPPING

Many of you have asked where I get such great deals while shopping thrifty stores.  I thought I'd share photos of the thrift store I frequent. (I'm not receiving any monetary endorsement for sharing this). The store is sponsored by our local Christian School with all the proceeds going to christian education. (The store is in the old school building and gymnasium).  There are 150 volunteers that work to keep the store up and running.  Of the 150 volunteers, there are three ladies that come every Monday  to set up displays.  The displays are changed twice weekly, and include seasonal and holiday changes.  As you can see in the photos, it's now set up for spring and Easter.

Welcome to my local thrift store! 

 (I think their name is so fitting and the sign is creative... using an old door!)

You're greeted by one of the new weekly display as you enter the front door.

To the right of the entrance, home goods are displayed while the antiques and jewelry items are behind a display counter against the far wall.

Note the attention to details ...

...in the multiple displays.

 See the great prices!

There's also a large selection of clothing as well as a corner set aside for shoes and purses.

In my next post, I'll reveal  what's in the main show room.  On the following day I'll share tips for shopping at thrift stores.  I'm anxious to share these tips with you, so please come back for more!

Have a great day!