Thrifting Catch-Up

The following finds were found at thrift stores, antique stores, and garage sales recently. I don't usually do so well in finding these types of things, so I feel so lucky to have found all these goodies.

I've recently discovered oilcloth and found the perfect pieces yesterday in a cute strawberry print, red gingham, and green gingham. Now I'm itching to cover something with it! I'm thinking of covering some of our dining chairs here and possibly the piano bench here. I feel these oilcloth prints will go so much better with what's going on in the house right now and tie things in better. Any other ideas? I've thought of just putting it right over the existing fabric (which won't show through) and that way, if I ever want it back the way it was, it'll be easy to remove. Do you think they'll be too shiny? I know the chairs will be easy to wipe clean. The oilcloth on the piano bench would also make it easier for sliding across.

(edited to add: after writing about the oilcloth last night, I was quite pleased to find this link in my inbox this morning)

I also found the vintage Pyrex plate bordered with sweet red flowers and the perfect red napkin rings.

In this picture, you can see a pretty scalloped cake plate (?) that reminds me of vintage milk glass. Then a vintage vase which I didn't get in the picture very well, a sweet old tea towel in red and blue strawberries that will be perfect for the 4th of July, a small vintage Fire King bowl, some vintage enamel pins and a meat fork with the cutest little mushrooms on the handle. I like the old Jello molds because they're perfect for making individual tea cakes. I love the ones that look like mini bundt cakes!

My husband has an aunt in Sweden and so when I spotted this little trivet, it reminded me of her with it's pretty tulips and flowers - very Scandinavian.
This little luncheon set was found at a garage sale a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately the set of four was missing one of the cups, but it was too pretty to pass up. Every time I set it down thinking I didn't want it because of the missing cup, I'd turn around and go back to it. I did that several times and figured that if it was that hard to turn down, I'd better get it or I'd wish I had. The white reminds me of vintage milk glass, too. Maybe someday I'll find an orphan cup that will fit right in.
These two letters in the perfect shade of red were found at Marshall's. I love monograms and initials and always see them in black or white. When I found some in red, I couldn't say no! As I was making a quick trip down the aisles, these jumped out at me right away. I wish they'd had the first letter of our last name but alas, they didn't. So our first names will do!Vintage seed packets in the PERFECT shades of red and green. Love them!!! Now I'm on the lookout for some more. I'm thinking green peas, watermelon, strawberries, and tomatoes would be cute, too.
Of course when I saw at a garage sale a huge bag of cookie cutters for pennies, I snatched it up when I spied a few vintage ones with red and green handles. I took out the three or four I wanted and left the rest in the bag to put in the donation pile. So worth it for those few I wanted!

I've wanted a vintage milk bottle with red lettering on it for quite a while now. I just love thinking about the days when milk was delivered to your doorstep in crates. I wish they'd still do that in our area. I even checked it out, but it's not available here (yet). So the bottle was a must-have when found at the same garage sale.

I love these old hobnail lamps. I'm pretty sure my grandma had a few around her house when I was growing up. Now I wish I knew where they went. Anyway, I'm hoping my hubby can rewire this one for me. There were three of them at the yard sale we stopped by this morning. They were all different, but I liked this one best.
It's usually hit and miss for me when looking for finds like these and usually more miss than anything. Recently, however, it's been more hit and I'm loving it!

20 comments:

The Queen of Fifty Cents said...

It's the nature of thrifting to be hit or miss--that's what makes it exciting! You really scored with this stuff. Love the vintage tea towel and the cookie cutters!

Rosanne said...

Wow, what great finds!

Joanne Kennedy said...

You sure came home with tons of wonderful items! I collect cookie cutters and was freaking out when you said you donated the rest. I wish I lived by the store because I would have ran down there and bought them.

Hugs,
joanne

Jenni said...

I have to say, you found some wonderful things! Love the oilcloth, and think that's a great idea to recover your chairs with it! It will look so cute, and be practical as well! :)

Unknown said...

So much fun! There are a few things that I share with you in my collection...the lamp I have by my bed and I, too, bought a letter from Marshall's. I posted it on my blog, above our front door. So cool!

Elizabeth said...

Congratulations on the wonderful finds. I don't even know how to choose a favorite from all of the goodies you found. Maybe the cookie cutters with handles...or the milkglass hobnail lamp...or the luncheon set. What a wonderful dilemma to have!

sheila from life @ #17 said...

Red Dominoes?!!!! I love those :)

Dawn Gahan said...

The hobnail lamp is darling. My Nana had lots of them as well and I remember her jewelry setting in the dish-like base of the lamp at the end of the day.

And anything with that vintage mushroom pattern is something you can never pass up!

Dawn

Anonymous said...

Your oil cloth will make great pillows for out side. I saw that recently on another blog and it was a real 'light bulb' moment for me. So think of the pretty colors you could add to an outside chair. Roxie

Anonymous said...

OO love all the red would go perfect with the cottage chair I bought at a yard sale last Sunday for $5.00!

Secondhandrose said...

I made a beach tote out of oilcloth. My sewing machine had a little trouble with it but got it done. How are your projects coming? Come for a visit.
karen

Ele at abitofpinkheaven said...

SCORE! Lots of great stuff. The red letter against the green wall is a wonderful look. I always enjoy your style of decorating. Hope your summer is a good one.

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

Wow you got the greatest deals, I love the green and the red you mix! It looks so great together. I also want to track down that oilcloth! Love it!
Blessings, Debbie
ribbonwoodcottage.blogspot.com
I love your blog and want to add you to my favorites.

The Beauty Bargainista said...

Oh!! I posted my "finds" today. I love everything you found, just lovely!!

Thrifty Cents said...

Wow! Great job and thanks for sharing...I love to look at other people's "junk-tastic" finds!
Carmen

Barn House said...

Hi Anita! Sorry for the delayed response. As you can imagine, things have been a little crazy around here at Barn House. Sorry you couldn't make the sale. The table you asked about was in Sparrow's (Natalie) space. BUT, we just talked to her and she has another one just like it (maybe a little bigger). She will be in contact. Hope to meet you at the next sale!

J & J

said...

Hi! I found you from My Romantic Home. Such a cute blog and fun to read! And you really knocked it out of the park with all those awesome finds!

Anonymous said...

i loved seeing all your treasures!!! you really hit the jackpot!!!


meleen dupre

Anonymous said...

I have a bad feeling you and I would arm wrestle over most estate sale finds! That looked like a pile that I would bring home EXACTLY!!!!! Great finds! Take care! -Amy @ Poppy & Ivy

Caroline said...

I love collecting these lamps as well!