Yet another catch up post

Still no word from my swap buddy, the organizers are trying to match me up with someone else who's buddy ditched them.

They are down to one other candidate and myself for the bank contract- they are making their decision on Tuesday.

Haven't been doing any sewing lately, but feeling like I may be getting the groove back.

Did a trip to Value Village with my sister today. Scored a few zippers (I want to make more zippered pouches - I have to practice my zippers), a large piece of beige linen to use for something, and a big bag of towels to cut up and use for rags - I really have to get going on my spring cleaning and these will come in handy (there was 3 large towels (may save these as dog bath towels) and about 7 hand towels all for $3).

Also went to Maple Fest in our town today - another nice day. Had a smog dog (sausage from a street vendor) and old fashioned cinnamon sugar donuts. Didn't actually try or buy any maple syrup. Lots of craft vendors and such - was a good time.

Update: Oh and I've gotten off my duff and scheduled posts for the next 4 days so far :)

Works For Me Wednesday - Thrift Store Shopping

Post partially recycled from July 2008


I LOVE thrift stores!

I mostly buy fabric at thrift stores. I find brand new fabric. I have gotten some really good deals.

Check out my finds here, here, here and here!

This quilt is made completely from fabric I got at value Village. Total cost of fabric is approx. $13.

Last week my sister and I made a trip to two different Value Village stores. I was looking for fabric and wool for my granny squares. Neither was to be found this time, however, I did find these two fabulous table cloths.

The beige one will be used as a topper over my current dining room table - it isn't large enough to be used alone. It was $4.99.

Please note, those are water marks from my
not-supposed-to-leak iron, not stains of any kind

I'm not sure what I will do with the second one. I don't have a table it will fit - it is a small square. But for $3.99 I couldn't pass it up.

This photo doesn't do the tablecloth justice -
it really is a nice white on white embroidered pattern
I didn't iron this one yet as my new iron has some gunk
coming out of it and I didn't want it on the cloth - why
can't they make decent small appliances these days?

When my son was younger I was able to get him clothing in good condition - but now that he is older, not so much.

My sister buys most of her wardrobe at thrift stores. She often finds item with tags still attached for only a few dollars. She is able to update her wardrobe each fall and spring due to the savings.

Even if we don't find a good deal at a thrift store, we always have fun checking out all the stuff and saying "wow didn't Mom have one of those?" or "I remember that!"

It's also a great place to buy books.

So if you haven't recently, go check out your local thrift store - they work for me!

For more great Works For Me Wednesday tips, stop by We are THAT family.

Latest Fabric Finds

This is what I got on my most recent Value Village run.

These 3 will be combined in some type of bag.

I'm thinking to cover the seat of my sewing chair in this tapestry fabric.

I'm thinking totes out of this one.

Shopping bag totes - they are 99 cent pillowcases.

More fun pillow cases to become totes.

I picked up some mini composition books at Dollarama - 4/$1
I think they would look cute covered in fabric.

It still looks kind of plain - I will have to add something to it. Any ideas?

Latest Value Village Finds

This afternoon my sister D and I took a trip to Value Village.

Here is what I scored:

This will become my sewing chair $14.99 - I have
a perfect piece of tapestry fabric to recover the seat.These are leather Bandolino's - I found these similar ones online for $70
- these are barely worn and I paid $17.99

This is a valance but I liked the fabric so will unstitch it
and use it in quilts or something - $0.99

Brand new baby outfit and Baby Gap shoes, both with tags for
when my niece's daughter is born -$4.99 for all

Brand new baby slippers for nephew's baby on the way - $0.99

Queen size vintage sheet - I love the retro pattern - $3.99
I am thinking lounging pants - I'll leave the trim at the bottom.

2 new skull bandanas - $1 each
I have a project in mind for these - will post about it soon.

Harry Potter twin size sheet set - looks brand new - for J
$6.99 for the set

Oh, I also bought myself a pair of shorts, a tank top and a summer blouse.

I love Value village :D

UPDATE: I have finished quilting the baby quilt and have sewn the binding on the front, now all I have to do is hand stitch the binding to the back. Hope to be finished tomorrow and will post pics then.

An absolute major thrift store score!

My sister and I did our semi-monthly trip to Value Village - the local thrift shop - we actually visited two different locations today. I scored big time!

My oldest niece is expecting her first child in August - I plan to make at least one quilt, some burb cloths, and some bibs. This will be the back of one quilt and maybe some bibs and burb cloths too. It is a really soft flannel - at least 3 metres for $4.99

These flannels will be added to several pastel ones I already have to make a baby quilt.
The striped one is a sheet $2.99, the other two are receiving blankets - 99 cents each.

This is a sheet that will become the back of another baby quilt - $2.99

SO so soft mini fleece throw - 99 cents - will be something for the baby

This is a double sheet and will become the back of this quilt - $4.99About 1 metre - I am thinking a purse or two - $2.99 - really gorgeous fabric

About 2 metres - will be used as lining - $2.99

This fabric will probably be used for lining totes - about 3 metres
and the bottom edge has lace sewn to it - $2.99About 1/2 metre of this fabric - will probably be added to a quilt - 99 cents

About 2 metres - not sure what I will use it for but it really is lovely - $2.99

About 1.5 metres - I am thinking totes - $2.99

This is a plain cotton pillowcase - I bought it for stitch work - 99 cents

About 3 metres of this fabric - will become totes and purses - $3.99This fabric is a valance but I'll probably use it for the lining of totes or in quilts - $1.99

About 3 metres of thin corduroy - I'll use this for totes and bags - $3.99

This is a pillowcase that will become the lining for one of the corduroy bags - 99 cents

I love the fabric on this apron - $1.99

I bought this full apron ($1.99) and it actually fits me! I should wear
it when I eat - I always drip something on my shirt :PI bought this to use as a bread basket - it was 99 cents

This I got at Dollaramma - it is a cute little fabric tray with ties at the ends.
My sister looked at it and said "You can make that!" Ya I can, but not for a buck!

I just loves these, they are so cute! $1 each. I have no idea what I will use them for :)

And one open

My sister has yard sales each summer to raise money for the weekend to end breast cancer walk that she participates in each September. Friends and co-workers donate stuff for these yard sales. She knows the type of stuff I am looking for, so always keeps me in mind when she gets new stuff.

I told her I wanted a teapot for work , so she gave me one of her own.

She saved this teacup for me.

And these two Pyrex bowls (there were 3 but she dropped one :))

I think I am set for fabric for a little while now :)

Thrift Store & Yard Sale Finds

I did a little thrift shopping on Saturday - I know I am late posting this.

My sister came by bright and early Saturday morning - we were hoping to find some yard sales as the weather was just gorgeous - but we only found two - we followed signs for another 3 but they must have been old signs - I hate when people forget to take down their signs Grrr ......Ok rant over :)

Anyway, I found this cute tea cup at the first yard sale
for $1 - I plan to turn it into a pincushion.

I didn't find anything at the 2nd yard sale.

Next we went to Value Village - I lucked out and got this nice spring jacket for $9.99 - they don't usually have anything in my size - so this is really lucky. I was recently complaining to my husband that I had a dressy spring jacket and a ratty fleece (for camping and the like) spring jacket but nothing for everyday wear. Now I do.

I also found a pair of brand new jeans for my son for $7.99.
Ya he is 11 and into skulls at the moment :)

I got this lovely piece of fabric for $1.99 - which will
likely become a tote or the lining for one :)

Some crocheted lace for 99 cents. Not sure what to do with this - trim a tote?
Add to a crazy quilt? So many possibilities.