Thrifty Thursday

This past weekend was a huge community garage sale with over 200 yard sales.  It was a lot of fun but super crazy with the swarms of people.  Parking was difficult.  We had to park and walk around to several yard sales in fear we might not find another parking spot. 

I took my 5 year old with me as he is always begging to go.  He took his little baggie of money and was so excited to be there with me.  I was so proud how he would go up and ask the price and then give them the money.  His favorite purchase was the cat scratching thing that he paid $.50 for.  He ran straight in the house when we got home to show it to his cat, Cheeto.

 As you can tell by the items purchase, my son bought far more then I did.  He actually got all the sand toys, the little pirate hat and a couple other things for free.  He is really into Halloween and skulls so he is always on the lookout for them.

 Total we spent about $14.  We only hit 15 yard sales before getting tired and heading home but it was a fun morning and I really enjoyed spending it with my son.

Thrifty Thursday

My boys and I stopped by a couple yard sales last week.  I don't usually take the boys with me so they were very excited to pick out a couple things.  My youngest picked out the hats and my oldest picked out the mask and plane.  I was happy to find a big cutting board for $1 and a serving tray to use for a project like I did here.  I spent $2.95 for everything shown.  Not a great week but the boys enjoyed it.

Thrifty Thursday

I didn't make it to a thrift store this week but I was able to go to a few yard sales.  I will be so sad when yard sale season is over.  It is something a look forward to every Saturday.

My favorite find of the week was the men's dress pants for $2 a pair.  They are name brand and still had the dry cleaning tags on them.  They fit perfectly on my husband.  My boys loved the Snoopy snow cone machine that I got for 50 cents.  I also found a scrabble game (which I plan to make necklaces with), a bag of glitter and a paper cutter all for $1 each.

Only two more days until I can go to more yard sales.

Thrifty Thursday

My friend and I were able to get away for a couple hours last Saturday to hit some yard sales.  I found a great yard sale with several Baby Gap items for $1/piece.  They were the perfect size for my little guy.  I also found some sweats for my big guy.

 I got a big white sheet to make my little guys Halloween costume.  He wants to be Zero from the movie "Nightmare Before Christmas.".  I also found some red and white stripped material.  I will use this to make some of the pirate hats for my oldest son's birthday party.  He has requested a pirate theme.

I also got a candle stick, two reindeer decorations, several Cars cars, finger puppets, a Sesame Street felt book, two books and a big boat.

I won't be able to go to any yard sales this week due to having family in town but I hope to be able to stop by a thrift store or two.

Serving Tray Redo

My mom purchased this serving tray at a yard sale recently for a dollar.  While she liked the style of the tray, she didn't like the color and how scratched up it was.  I offered to fix it up for her.  I decided to repaint it and line it with scrapbook paper.

 Once the piece was clean and dry I painted it with two coats of primer.

 Before I painted a final coat I figured out the placement and measurements of the scrapbook paper.

 I used my paper cutter to cut the paper to size.

 I painted two coats of satin black spray paint.  I didn't bother with the middle since it would be covered with paper.

 The size of the tray is longer then standard scrapbook paper so I had to use two sheets.  I painted on Mod Podge and laid the paper down.

 I smoothed the paper out to make sure to get all the air bubbles out.

 I let the piece dry for a couple hours then spread on a thick layer of Mod Podge over the top.  It goes on white but will dry clear.

 I think it looks great in my moms new kitchen.  I just wish I had one for myself.

Linking up to A Diamond in the Stuff , Not Just a Housewife, Ginger Snap Crafts and Get Your Craft On!

Thrifty Thursday

I didn't have a chance to stop by any thrift stores this week but I was able to hit a few garage sales.  I found a couple pairs of pants and several shirts for my boys, two books, two pairs of candle sticks, two kids cook books, a cast iron skillet for cooking fajitas (brand new), a puzzle, picture frame, several Match Box tracks and two Pottery Barn pillow shams.  I paid $25 for everything.

The lady that sold me the pillow cases also has the comforter that matches.  She has it packed away so is trying to find it for me.  Crossing my fingers that she finds it so I can have the whole set.

Did you find any thrifty finds this week?

Adirondack Chair redo

A couple months ago I was at a yard sale and came upon two wooden Adirondack chairs.  I have wanted a set for quite some time but would never pay retail price for them.  When I saw these chairs I knew I had to have them...until I saw the price, $15 a piece was too much for me.  The chairs needed lots of work.  They were wobbly and the red paint was peeling off everywhere.  So I decided to pass.

 As I continued on to other yard sales I couldn't get the chairs out of my mind. After an hour or so I decided to go back and offer $15 for both. To my surprise, the owner had marked them down to $3 each. Now that was a price I could pay.  They even helped me load them up.

  When I got them home I quickly learned how much work they would be. My husband and I sanded as much of the red paint off as we could and put several screws in to make them sturdy. We sprayed them with a few coats of primer and them painted them turquoise.

I love my new chairs.  They are really comfortable to sit in and the cheery color makes me smile. I paid $6 for the chairs and spent about $15 in supplies.  Now those are some thrifty chairs.

Linking up to Thrifty Decor Chick, Not Just a Housewife and A Diamond in the Stuff!

Thrifty Thursday

I didn't find anything at the thrift stores this week but I did find some things while out at the yard sales.

I picked up 14 shirts, a pair of swim trunks, 10 books and 4 small cans of paint for under $10.  Not the most exciting week but at least I was able to find some nice clothes for my boys. 

Did you find anything fun this week?

Thrifty Thursday

My friend and I hit a few yard sales last weekend.  While it wasn't the best trip I have made we still had a lot of fun and found some great bargains.  I got 4 huge white frames, a smaller white shelf frame, a decorative gas pump, 4 kids plates, pair of pj's, 2 pencil pouches (for my coupon binder) and a bunch of books.

I love being able to go to yard sales in the summer.

Happy Thursday!

Mirrored Shelf Redo

I recently found this mirror shelf (for lack of a better word) at a yard sale.  I had been looking for something to hang on the wall in our entry way and this seemed like the perfect fit.  Only problem, it was brown and scratched up.  With a few coats of paint, it’s a whole new piece.

I was able to get this shelf for $1. The mirror was extremely dirty and the picture areas were blank except one had a greeting card in it.

I started out by removing the hooks at the bottom and taking out the mirror and picture frames. I lightly sanded it so the paint would stick.



I sprayed on two or three coats of Valspar primer.



Once the primer was dry I sprayed on 3 coats of Valspar gloss black paint.  I let it dry for a couple days and reinstalled the hooks and mirror.  I printed off some pictures of my boys in black in white to add to the picture frame areas.  I want to replace them often so I just printed them out on my printer.



I just love the way it turned out.   As an added bonus, I have additional space to display holiday decorations.



Linking up to A Diamond in the Stuff , Finding Fabulous and Not Just a Housewife!

Unique Wall Hook

I found this hook a few weeks ago at a yard sale.  When I found out they were only asking a quarter I knew I had to have it.  I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it but knew it was too cool to pass up.

  I got it home and cleaned it up with steel wool.  The more I rubbed the more rust appeared.  It turned a dark orange color so I knew I would need to paint it.

  I applied a couple coats of primer and then sprayed it a sage green color.  I then rubbed steel wool over it again to make it looked a little worn.

I love how it turned out.  For now I have it hanging in my bathroom.  It makes me smile every time I walk past it.  Not bad for a quarter.

Linking up to A Diamond in the Stuff!

Yard Sales May 7th

I went to a community yard sale and came home with a bunch of goodies. For $18 I bought everything in the picture. My favorite find was the Adirondack chairs. I have wanted some for a long time but just couldn't spend the money. I got these for $3 each and am going to refinish them. I came home with the two chairs, a Dracula light (for my son), 3 books, a hot wheels track, wizard hat, basket, Gap shorts, jacket, 10 pots, a kids gardening set, a ceramic bowl, glass jar, 2 make-up bags and a rolling pin decoration that holds recipe cards.

Yard Sale April 17th

On my way back from CVS this morning I stopped by a yard sale in my neighborhood. I found some great shoes that have never been worn. I paid $7 for the 4 pairs of shoes and the Paris sign.

Yard Sales April 9th

It is finally yard sale season. One of my favorite subdivisions (the one I hope to live in someday) had a community yard sale. I wasn't looking for anything specific but found a few items to take home. I spent $7 for two pairs of shoes, a cookbook, basket, package of balloons, stuffed M&M (for my mom), a snowman sign, Easter egg ornaments and a package of raw hides for my dog.

Yard Sales July 31st

I headed out this morning to hit a couple yard sales. I was very excited to find two cook books (one is Williams-Sonoma) and some Wilton cupcake liners all for $5. I also found a couple air duct things that we can use to build robots for my sons birthday party. It was a slow day but still fun to get out by myself.

Yard Sale May 9th

I got up this morning and went to a couple of yard sales. I found a great one that had something the boys would love. Well actually that Trevor would love. I got this train for $10!! It was actually meant for Cole but I knew Trevor wouldn't stay off of it. He was so excited as soon as I walked in the door with one of the tracks.

I also got 2 baskets and a long sleeved shirt for .50 each. I had a great time and hope to get out to yard sales more often.