My Lucky Day at the Thrift Store

Since I started reading blogs a few years ago, I've been going to thrift stores to see what treasures I can find.  I've snagged some good deals, although I swear our thrift stores have higher prices than the ones that I read about on the blogs from the southern States.  Anyway, I always keep my eyes open for original art, so that I can find a valuable lost masterpiece like they do on Antiques Roadshow.   


A few days ago when I popped into the thrift store I saw a picture that had one of the world's ugliest frames - a brilliant gold frame with a pink mat - around a picture of a some men at work launching a loaded boat.

I was so blinded by the frame that I almost put it back, but then I noticed that the signature looked like it was done in pencil and the blue background wash extended behind the mat, which probably meant it was an original. 

So right there in the thrift store I opened up the back of the picture to check.  Sure enough there were sketches on the back of the paper and it had obviously been cut by hand.

Bingo - it was an original pen and ink sketch.  I paid my $2.99 and took it home.  Once I had removed the picture from the awful mat and frame, it looked so darn cute.

I haven't decided yet how to frame it, but it won't be in a gold frame with a pink mat.  Sheesh!  I love little pieces of art and I'm looking forward to finding a great home for it.   

Linked to Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style,
Flaunt it Friday at Chic on a Shoestring,
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home,
Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous
Junkin' Finds Friday at A La Carte
Thrifty Thursday at born-again crafter
Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays at Coastal Charm
Twice Owned Tuesday at House of Grace

No commentsRead more

Bits and Bobs and Dogs

A random assortment of happenings -

1)  We started the advent calendars yesterday.  I sent ones to the kids living away from home (which you can read about here), but frankly I was tired of cutting envelopes and punching holes and tying ribbon so for William, who is still at home, I used the felt snowman advent calendar that we used when they the kids were young.  In case you were wondering what a 16 year old boy wants to find in his advent calendar, have a look at the photo below.  It looks like I stuck a bunch of treats to the wall.  He's happy though.

2)  I've been rather lucky recently in finding treasures at the thrift store and antique store.  I found this Villeroy and Boch pitcher with a sweet little winter scene on it (the lid is missing, but I can live with that),

 this old blue canning jar ( now I have two - yeah!),

 some vintage (or possibly just vintage-looking) Christmas ornaments,

and these lovely old gingerbread trim pieces.

I was thinking of putting them above the sliding door as I have always thought it looked a bit bare up there.  What do you think?  Should they be resting on the trim or hung a few inches above the trim???

3)  And finally, you just never know what you will find at Eddie Bauer these days.

 

No commentsRead more