THRIFTY GOODNESS

Moving Right Along . . .

2012-01-26T16:15:00.000-05:00

While I may not be keeping my promise to myself to blog more often, I AM steadily working on the doll house.

It is a slow going project as I often have to wait for paint or glue to dry.

I am enjoying the building part much more than I expected to.

However, I have learned that I do not like painting tiny little things like porch railings.

It is a very fun project and I'm already purchasing some decor for the outside like door knobs and a porch swing. Next step: drawing the lines for the roof shingles. :)

New Year, New Project

2012-01-02T13:21:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year. :) I've neglected my blog a lot lately and have made it one of my resolutions to post more, craft more and take more photos.

Speaking of resolutions, a few years ago I bought a doll house. It's been sitting in the basement since then ( yes for FIVE years) and I've finally decided it's time. So one of my New Year's resolutions is to build the doll house. I'm off to a great start:

Step one is to paint the outside and all of the trim.

I'm using Safari Green by Glidden for the main house. For the trim I'm using Ballet Slipper and Aegean Blue by Martha Stewart Living. I've ordered the stain for the roofing shingles and hardware for the door. I ordered them from this fabulous site. This will be a big project and I'm expecting a lot of cursing to go along with it but I'm looking forward to the challenge. The kit I'm using is Allison Jr. from Real Good Toys. It says it's an easy to assemble model. I can only imagine the more difficult ones. :)

Wish me luck!

Annual Christmas Craft Party

2011-12-06T17:26:00.001-05:00

Time sure flies. I can't believe it's almost Christmas! Of course I have not nearly as much done as I would like but I know I am not alone there. Back in November we had our annual Christmas craft party. I think this was the 4th year and as usual it was a great success!

Each year we make 2 to 3 crafts, have a lovely pot luck lunch and do a Greedy Santa gift exchange. It's a great way to get into the holiday spirit!

This year we made glittered cookie cutter ornaments designed by Heidi and fabric yo-yo trees designed by me.

We decorated in fun pastels and a good time was had by all. As a gift I made everyone fabric pin cushions to use for our sewing project.

I put the cushions into vintage tins and wrapped them in tissue.

This is the glittered bunny cookie cutter ornament I made.

All the glittered cookie cutters came out great! Thanks to Heidi for the idea and to Amy for the photo.

And these are the yo-yo trees. I plan to put up tutorials for both these and the pin cushions in the new year. The party was a great success and I am already looking forward to next year!

And because there aren't enough cute baby photos on this blog:

My too cute nephew on his Baptism. :)

Until the next . . .

Ask and ye shall receive . . .

2011-11-29T13:24:00.001-05:00

I won't waste your time making excuses as to why I haven't blogged in forever. I am sure you know how it is. :) Instead I will share a story of how I asked for something and was rewarded.

So here is the link that I pinned and then sent to my Mom: http://home-frosting.blogspot.com/2011/10/reindeer-plaque.html

Okay, did you check it out? Now meet Victor*, made by my Dad:

Isn't he awesome? He is hanging above my fireplace and looks perfect.

I even decorated him a bit. I think he'll stay up there even after tha holidays. Thanks, Dad!

* - apparently Vistor is Rudolph's brother who had an unfortunate hunting accident. Hmm . . . .

Guest Post: Design Shuffle - Embroided Accessories

2011-11-01T09:51:00.000-04:00

Hi, I'm Susi and you can usually find me writing for DesignShuffle.com, a wonderful community of designers and their work from around the world. I'm lucky to get to visit great blogs like the Thrifty Goodness as a guest blogger. My guest post today is all about embroidered home accessories and decorating ideas. Whether you are investing in a suzani textile or adding embroidery to a new or vintage find, embroidery is a great way to add color, pattern and personalize home accessories. Thanks for letting me stop by today! Enjoy!

Many ethnic textiles like the design darling Suzani use embroidery to create elaborate and colorful patterns. This chain stitch embroidery is a Kazakh rug, a beautiful accessory.

A whimsical shape, bright colors and detailed pattern combine in this embroidered bird pillow to make it a stand out. The embroidered pillow would look lovely on a bed, chair or sofa.

Embroidery on a coverlet or quilt adds a little extra something to a bedroom design. I love this bird embroidered quilt from the creative folks over at Martha Stewart.

Embroidery on a pillow turns a plain pillow into something more. Look for embroidered covers on Etsy or add your own embroidery to pillows you already have.

Adding embroidery to a lampshade like this drum shade pendant light personalizes it. You can easily create a subtle or bold pattern by choosing coordinating or contrasting embroidery floss.

Embroidery lends itself to customization that is only limited by creativity. I love these embroidered portraits—so charming and beautiful. They're great decorating ideas for living rooms or bedrooms.

Embroidered accessories can act just like printables and add charming expressions to your walls. How perfect would this “eat local” be for a vintage kitchen?

Pegboard replaced cabinet inserts create a background that can be embroidered for a unique look on this armoire. This would be very cute in a kid's room or nursery. Which one do you like the best? Find many more interior design ideas over at Design Shuffle! Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

All things sparkly and bright

2011-10-30T12:23:00.000-04:00

My recent antique jewelry finds took me on a journey among my sparkly collections. Wanna come?

Some vintage, some new, my mini dress form holds my collection of necklaces that I wear on a regular basis.

My collection of odds and ends for making jewelry. You know, when I have time to learn to do that. :) Right now it's just fun to find things to add to this collection which is housed in a vintage pink jewelry box.

My current favorite necklace. The chain is a vintage Anne Klein I picked up in a thrift for a few dollars many years back. The tassel charm belonged to my fabulous Aunt Sissy.

This collection is on a table in the craft room.

Fun pins, mostly, I think they are pretty and clip them on my coat once in awhile.

This is a recent thrift store find. I paid $5, which is a lot for me at the thrift, but I have this same bag in silver and it sees a lot of action at dressy affairs. Plus now, it's a collection. :)

Cheers!

The Great Pumpkin

2011-10-26T11:28:00.000-04:00

So before my nephew was even born my sister requested a pumpkin hat for him for Halloween. As usual, I was WAY behind in my crafting so I decided to make his hat more fall like and traditional so he could wear it past All Hallow's Eve:

The pattern is from Last Minute Knitted Gifts but I added a little i-cord top knot. Now I must warn you, the next photo is so sweet it may send you into sugar shock:

Now by that photo you may think he doesn't like his new pumpkin hat but Mandi assures me that he didn't try to pull it off once.

See you in a few weeks, sweet boy!

Antiquing

2011-10-25T12:11:00.000-04:00

On a recent visit to Clinton, NY to see my friend Nina I got a chance to hit up a fabulous antique market. For the most part I thought the prices were reasonable and found quite a few treasures.

Most of my purchases were jewelry. All of these pieces were $3 or less. I love the compact, it's very elegant.

I also found this fun New York souvenir! Take a look inside:

A compact and mirror on one side and the other has a clip to hold money I think as it seems to slim to be for cigarettes but that is possible, too, I guess.

I also found a pink silk glove box (which I gave as a gift to Nina) and a paper box for handkerchiefs that I had to leave behind for fear of it getting crushed on my train ride home. Nina will bring it when she visits next month. We had a great time, including a fabulous trip to the spa, and I can't wait to go for another visit.

What's been going on . . .

2011-10-23T11:06:00.001-04:00

A lot of glittering in preparation for the upcoming annual Christmas Craft Party:

And my first try and paper sculpture:

What have you been up to?

Apple Cranberry Walnut Breakfast Bars

2011-10-13T12:00:00.000-04:00

Fall is in the air so it's time to bake!

Apple Cranberry Walnut Breakfast Bars

BAKE at 350 for 35 minutes

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 and 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups (packed) brown sugar
2 eggs
1 stick of butter (1/2 cup), softened
1 tsp vanilla
1 and 1/2 cups diced apples
2/3 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13 inch cake pan with cooking spray and set aside. Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a bowl. In an electric mixer, beat brown sugar, eggs, butter and vanilla until smooth. Slowly add flour mix until combined. Add apples, cranberries and walnuts and spread into cake pan. Bake for 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cut into bars and enjoy!

Bewitching Beauties

2011-10-12T12:06:00.001-04:00

I was happy to join Sarah's Halloween Ornament swap this year and blow the dust off of some of my crafting skills. Everytime I join a swap I start freaking out that I won't finish in time. Luckily my second idea turned out well (the first, not so much) and I was able to finish them up with time to spare.

My theme was Bewitching Beauties. I love using vintage images* in collage art and when I came upon some cute scrapbook borders of different poisons I knew I wanted to show a fancy lady with her preferred method of getting rid of her problems. ;)

I gave each beauty a witch hat, crepe paper collar and some bling and packaged her up in a sweet little toile bag. Toile made of skulls that is. Spooky.

I've received my return package and all I can say is WOW. These crafty ladies are good. I'll share links to Sarah's posts of all the creations soon!

Cheers ~

* - I find a lot of my images here.

Canning Jar Lid Pin Cushions

2011-09-28T09:00:00.000-04:00

On my last trip home my Mom handing me a bag of things she picked up for me at the Treasure Sale. There were lots of fun finds but one in particular piqued my interest:

It's a pin cushion made from two canning jar lids, some fabric scraps (velvet in this case), stuffing, fancy ribbon, gold rickrack and a ring. Clever! Many of us probably have these very things taking up space right now.

I've had swaps on the brain lately since I joined Sarah's Halloween ornament swap so I think these clever pin cushions would be great for a future swap. Now I know I asked if anyone was interested in a pink, white and gold swap in my last post but I think these pin cushions would be fun, too. Also quick to make and not too expensive to mail. And what they heck, they could be made to be pink, gold and white, right? :)

Seriously . . .

2011-09-25T13:53:00.002-04:00

Where does the time go? I know I haven't posted in forever but partly it's because I find I don't have the time to create, thrift, cook, etc. these days. Tempus fugit I guess.

Finally last week I was able to fit in a quick trip to one thrift store. It wasn't a stellar trip but I found a few things of interest:

I hardly ever buy vintage sheets anymore but this was too cute to pass up. I've had this grand idea to make a hooked rug from strips cute from sheets forever so maybe this will be the one to start on that? I do already have the rug canvas and the hook so it's really just my laziness keeping me from getting started. :) Of course the pattern is fun and could be made into any number of things. What would you make?

Another vintage apron. This thrift is pretty good for finding these. I guess the shoppers there aren't looking for aprons these days. This one is pretty badly stained but I loved the colors and the construction so I grabbed it anyway. I have a pretty good collection going now. Of course they are just folded in a basket and don't see much use.

I've been very into long necklaces lately. Particularly those with tassels or large ornaments. I was thrilled to find this bead and leaf necklace and have already worn it twice. I think it's a true piece from the 70s and not a reproduction. Maybe my favorite find of the day.

And last but not least by any means . . . I spied a bag of beaded holiday garland. The color combo is what caught my eye, I love the pink, white and gold** together. Normally I don't buy these garlands as I don't have many ideas on what to do with them besides decorate but then I noticed that the gold strand was vintage mercury glass beads. Be still my beating heart! I've never found any true glass garland and am thrilled to finally have some to call my own. Of course now I'll be checking every bag of beaded garland hoping to find more. Maybe one day I'll luck into some glass bead picks, too.

So that's my thrifting report. I miss it and want to go more often. I definitely want to make a trip up to Connecticut to the Elephant's Trunk flea market soon as well. I do have a few more things to post about this week including a clever idea for making pin cushions and a recipe for apple cranberry walnut breakfast bars. Yum.

** - wouldn't pink, white and gold make for a fun swap theme? Maybe for Christmas? Thoughts?

Some Bunny to Love

2011-09-11T18:08:00.000-04:00

Made from the same original pattern I created to make this one, a gift for my nephew.

Made with Bernat Cotton Tots yarn and some scraps of cotton I had laying around.

Made to be loved. Pattern coming soon. Vintage high chair courtesy of Mom's house. Hmm, I think it was mine. Does that make me vintage? ;)

Things I'm Loving

2011-08-25T10:37:00.000-04:00

Yes, I've done this type of post before and YES it's because I have nothing creative or thrifty to share. I feel like time is being sucked away from me lately. I am working on a few projects including one that will result in a free pattern to share. But alas, nothing is complete or even in a stage to photograph whitout you scratching your head and wondering what the heck is going on over here. Thus, my list of things I'm loving right now.

The Hunger Games

I am really enjoying this series and have almost finished the second book and already have the third loaded on my Nook. It's engaging and intresting and you really become invested in the characters. I like it as much as I did The Books of Ember.

Reading on the Subway

I'm actually enjoying my commute these days and have had lots of time to read. Not only The Hunger Games but also Next to Love and The Help.

L'Occitaine Shea Butter Hand Cream

Yes it's just hand lotion but it makes me really happy. I have some from a stock up at the outlet.

Pinterest

Because it provides so much inspriation. Follow me!

Story Book Paper Roses

Seriously. I want to make these. you know, for my craft room make over which I am also obsessed with yet haven't started yet. And yes, I found these through a board in Pinterest.

Craft Room Makeover

I have plans. Big ones. Now I just need motivation and energy. And to do my living room make over first.

So what are you loving these days?

Ciao ~

Guest Post: Jennifer from Arcadian Home Decor Blog

2011-08-15T09:30:00.000-04:00

Hi all! I’m Jennifer and I write for Arcadian Home Decor Blog, a site that chronicles the work of top interior designers and home decor trends around the world. I've been writing about home decor since graduating university and have loved it ever since. I'm addicted to patterned fabrics, Jonathan Adler, chaise lounges, old doors, milk glass jars, and chandeliers. I've always been one to collect antique cake stands and love a great DIY project, and Thrifty Goodness is one of my bookmarked virtual inspiration boards, so you can't even imagine how thrilled I was when I heard I'd be writing a guest post here. Hope you enjoy these crocheted home accessories as much as I do.

Everyone wants to add a little personality to their living spaces, and nothing is cozier or more fun than crocheted home accessories. While crocheted white lace is a delicate detail in tablecloths and window treatments, their colourful counterparts can also come in the form of pillows, throws and more. Here are some adorable crocheted home accessories.

The bedspread

decor8 via

There's something so ornate and yet so subtle about a beautiful crocheted bedspread - the lack of wall art and decor brings the eye straight to this homemade centrepiece.

The room divider

hella love via

A shabby chic space such as this, with a 70s style wicker chair and collection of guitars, is adjoined to a formal living room but is separated by a pretty crocheted panel on a curtain rod.

The accessories

Meme Rose via

There's no shortage of cute crocheted accessories in this space - the pillows on the chairs, especially the rocking chair, as well as the crocheted blanket infuse this playful white room with colour.

The handy helper

My little wonderland via

The decal wall art is incredibly striking, however it's the tiny crocheted pocket hanging from the kid's bedrail that has all the whimsy.

The valance

Aiken House & Gardens via

A vintage daybed swathed in a rose-printed quilt looks even frillier perched beneath a crocheted lace window valance.

The toys

Wealden Times via

Although this sunroom is bursting with trash to treasure finds, the chest full of crocheted stuffed animals is perfect for kids and kids at heart.

The pillows

The Yvestown Blog via

A plain white window ledge is revitalized with homemade prettiness when lined with an assortment of bright crocheted pillows- they're the perfect home accessories.

The light fixtures

Needle Exchange via

A retro-inspired globe light fixture looks dainty in crocheted lace. The minimalist approach to the end table decor gives centre stage to this modern chandelier.

Content provided by Arcadian Home Decor, a site that specializes in top quality home decor items at extremely affordable prices. Come visit us today!

I should have used a thimble.

2011-08-07T08:58:00.000-04:00

Do you know that I don't have a thimble? I thought I did but no luck when I looked in the places where thimbles should be. hmm. Anyway, I don't do much hand sewing and don't need one when embroidering so maybe it's not that much of a surprise. Let's just say the needle was really sharp.

I had big plans to go to the movies, do some shopping, get some laundry done, yada yada yada but after a stressful day at work on Friday (including an ugly incident) I needed a mental break. I started cleaning the craft room and eventually came upon some hand sewing pattern cards I bought from Hillary at Wee Wonderfuls ages ago. This is one of the first blogs I ever read and is what really started me here at Thrifty Goodness. Back then, she also had Thrift Craft and while I was, at the time, writing a knitting blog called NYCe Girl Knits I realized I had more to talk about and voila! A new blog is born.

Anyway, I decided to make the turtle:

He is really hard to photograph! I didn't have wool felt and I've really been on a use what you have kick lately so I used regular craft felt (made from recycled water bottles) and a piece of vintage fabric.

I think he's pretty cute! He came together easily and the standard felt worked okay though the wool would have been nice.

I have 3 other of her hand sewing patterns, a butterfly, a snail and a bird. I think Kingsley Turtle (of course I had to name him, it just comes naturally to me) may need a few friends. The process of creating him in an afternoon was just the mental break I needed.

Turtle pattern can be found here. Visit the Wee Wonderfuls shop for other patterns here.

In the works . . .

2011-08-03T10:23:00.000-04:00

Now you know I couldn't resist taking that nicely organized floss for a spin, right?

The start of a holiday gift perhaps? We'll see . . .

Highly Organized Find

2011-07-28T17:53:00.000-04:00

On my trip to Baltimore I got a chance to thrift with three of my favorite bargain hunters, my Mom, my sister Mandi and my friend Dita. Where I use to make a bee line for the linens section I know find that my first stop is often the crafty section. I lucked out this time:

The previous owner of these fabulous boxes of floss was way more organized then I am.

Look at the perfectly wound threads! The nice handwritten DMC label numbers! Heaven. That takes a lot of work and the least fun part of an embroidery or cross stitch project.

Two boxes filled with floss, needles (in nice cases) and gold and silver filiment. Also a nice pack of aida cloth and perforated paper which is a favorite of mine to work with. Perfect for someone like me who needs a bit of organization in their crafting. This, of course, makes me want to stitch something. Perhaps I'll add that to the to do list for the weekend.

Christmas in July

2011-07-26T14:01:00.000-04:00

Well technically, the day AFTER Christmas in July. As usual, I'm running behind. I promised myself I'd be starting my holiday gifts by now. Yeah, well, you know . . . but I have an idea of what I'm making. Well sort of. Needless to say, I'm not nearly as organized as I had hoped to be. BUT I plan to change that on Saturday. I have the day to my self (my DH is off racing Ferraris - more on that later) so I will have a day of cleaning, catching up on my Tivo and at the very least making a list of my holiday gift crafts and hopefully starting one. Anyone else have holiday crafting on the brain??

On my list?

Monkey hats for everyone. Available in sizes newborn to adult. Oh yeah. Found here.
I have some photos to share from last weekend's Beach Blanket Bingo party plus a few thrifted goodies. I'll be getting right on that. You know how organized I am. ;)

cheers ~ Rebecca

Pin Bottles

2011-07-10T15:58:00.000-04:00

Do you have those projects that you think about sometimes and you basically have everything you need to make them but you just don't do it? And then one day, OUCH! The creative bug bites you and you're off to 110 degree craft castle to make . . . .

Pin bottles. :) Inspired by a perfume, believe it or not, these are easily made with small scraps of fabric, a bit of stiffing, some thread, needle, hot glue, ribbon and salt shakers.

These were fussy and I burned myself once (or three times) but I think they came out cute.

I filled the shakers with the buttons I found at the thrift last weekend. I think these would make for cute mending kits if gifted with a nice spool of thread.

These were fast to make and I'm glad I finally did something creative. More to come, I can promise you that.

Cheers ~ RR

Well what do you know?

2011-07-07T16:36:00.000-04:00

I actually went to the thrift store. I know. It's about time, right? I actually had to convince myself to go! It was rainy and I wasn't in the mood but I'd had a few bags of donations sitting by the door for weeks and really wanted them gone. So off I went.

The rain caused the paper bags to burst open scattering my donations across the side walk which resulted in some cursing and foot stomping. I gathered everything up into a big garbage bag and cried all the way to the car. I was soaked! I walked halfway back to the house determined it would be a bad day but changed my mind and went back to the car. So much drama! What did I find??

A bit of fabric (the striped one is Waverly), some ribbon and a large roll of pretty peach seam binding. I love finding these for some reason.

More crafty finds including many sets of knitting needles at a dollar a piece (score!), some other knitting accessories, a bag of white buttons, some thread on wooden spools (I need the spools for a project), embroidery floss and some aida cloth.

I inherited my Granny's Fransician Ware dishes and was excited to find this butter dish and salt and pepper shakers.

And my favorite finds are these aprons. I LOVE the patterns! Especially that green one there on the right. And see that one in the middle? I found two of those. All are handmade and adorable and in great shape! At the top you can see the edge of the Simply Shabby Chic runner I snagged for $1.50.

So yes, I'm glad I went. And now the thrifting bug is back and I can't wait to go again!

Cheers ~ Rebecca

Still Kicking

2011-06-30T10:03:00.000-04:00

I know. I'm a terrible blogger lately. Honestly I'm busy and I have nothing to share. No thirfts, no crafts, no general mayhem. Well maybe a little but nothing of interest. I WILL be back. Soon. I hope. :)

In the meantime . . .

My darling nephew sort of enjoying the elephant I made for him. Honestly, he looks a bit ambivalent.

Have a wonderful Fourth of July!

Cheers ~ Rebecca

Bunny Love

2011-06-13T11:00:00.000-04:00

I mentioned before that I have been working on a project for my friend Jini to give to her new nephew. She requested a bunny holding a blanket with a pocket for her to include a letter. we talked about the type of blanket and colors and then I started looking for patterns. Nothing really grabbed me and since it was to be crocheted I figured I'd just make up my own.

I am tickled with the way he came out!

He's big, about 14 inches sitting up and much longer if you include his legs.

I like to use fabric in my toy creations so he has a fleece nose and cotton lining in his ears and pocket and on his hands and feet.

The blanket looks like blocks but it's actually strips put together with single crochet to form a ridge. The blanket is made from Caron Simply Soft and the bunny from Bernat Cotton Tots which is one of my favorite toy making yarns.

I'm very smitten with him and happy I actually wrote down his pattern so I can make another one. This one will be off in the mail soon and I'll be sad to see him go but know he's heading to a loving home. Bye bye Bunny Love.

You know I made something else . . .

2011-06-09T10:18:00.000-04:00

I haven't been feeling very crafty lately. I'm still plugging away at a project for a friend and it's almost done but that is about all the creative energy I can muster lately. I haven't been blogging or writing Examiner articles, I've just been . . . well . . . being. My new position at work has kept me busy and I'm enjoying the challenge. We are also trying to do some work around the house but the weather and life have gotten in the way of that lately so no newes there either. So what shall we talk about?

How about another cute baby picture in another hand made by Auntie sweater? This one is crocheted and made some time ago so I can't remember what yarn I used. It's a new born size but as you can see, Gabriel is very long so it looks short on him. But he's a fabulous model and he makes it work. I have started another sweater in a size large enough to be worn in the fall but so far I've got about 6 rows done. Again, not much to report there.

I'm hoping to maybe sneak in a trip to the thrift store this weekend but the beach is calling my name as well so we'll have to see.

Cheers!