Thrifting Thursdays – Bargain Birdies. Oooh, alliteration.

Today’s Thrifting Thursdays find takes the cake for cheapness, and was one of my first buys after I purchased this house.

These little bird cards were found at an antique mall for 25 cents a piece. I picked out 7 of my favorites, and framed them in cheapo glass with no framed edges found on Target’s clearance shelves for $1 a piece. So, the main focal point of my living room cost $8.75.

Flanked by a beautiful fan my mom brought home from a trip to China

Thrifting Thursdays

Posting two similar thrifting finds in succession may lead you to believe I have a bigger collection than I do, but this is another of my favorite thrift store finds, for under $5.

This lovely lady resides next to my husband’s side of the bed, because I’m pretty much the coolest wife ever. (Or, because I think it’s cute. You be the judge. :))

For more fun vintage finds, visit http://www.coloradolady.blogspot.com.

Thrifting Thursdays – a little birdie

To be honest, I’ve had this so long I don’t remember exactly where I got it. I do remember that I paid less than $3 for this tiny treasure. I love birds and decorating with birds, and we have framed bird items all over the house. So when I saw this petite version, in this darling frame, I couldn’t resist. For more thrifting and vintage fun, visit here: http://www.coloradolady.blogspot.com.

For size comparison

Bugs and gardens and glass, oh my!

While in St. Louis for my step-brother’s wedding, we had some downtime between the ceremony and the reception. We stopped by one of my favorite stores – The Bug Store Homestore, a mix of pots, garden implements, iron work, art, blown glass … fun, beautiful and inspirational.

The window display. We picked out one of these to bring to my mom.

I really wanted this for our garden, but Matt (AKA the practical one) didn't think this was a wise take home for a road trip in a small car.

And a little somethin’ somethin’ for my walls:

If you live in St. Louis or happen to be near by, it’s definitely worth the stop!

Thrifting Thursdays

For the longest time, I struggled with what sort of decoration to put on the wall of our one and only bathroom in our house. It is so, so very small that is painted white, as are the cabinets, and our towels, rug and shower curtain are all in neutral colors. I am not a neutral colors person – but when your whole bathroom is about 4 feet by 8 feet, you do whatever you can to make it seem larger.

The mystery of what to put on the walls was solved with a trip to the St. Joseph Ave. Antique Store. This store is beautiful, which is especially impressive as this street holds few businesses and mostly rundown buildings and homes. It is a beautiful brick building with stunning hardwood floors and an original soda fountain. Not to mention, impeccable antiques, most of which I can’t afford.

However, one day, I discovered these awesome, cheeky, vintage pinup girl calendars. There was a slew but I selected my 3 favorites, and I can’t remember exactly what I paid for them – less than $10 a piece. I then framed them in clearance frames I found at Target that cost $3 a piece. I love how they look, a little bit risque but still classy.

Buying these was also pretty entertaining. I was speaking with the co-owner, who told me with some disgust that her husband collected old pinups and had finally decided to get rid of some, which is why these were in the shop. I thought it was cute and almost quaint that she was worried about his pinup collection – it seems so innocent compared to modern times.

This is why I normally avoid Target …

Because I always find something adorable I just have to have. Check out my new sewing lamp:

Let there be light!

Thrifting Thursdays

Today’s Thrifting Thursdays features one of my favorite bedroom decorations – these beautiful mirrored sconces found for $5 a piece at the Rusty Chandelier, the world’s best vintage decorating store found right in St. Joe, Mo. Check out more beautiful vintage things here.

These beauties are on either side of the main windows in our bedroom, which is also on either side of our bed. Can you get more romantic than mirrors, candles, and that ornate iron work?

Thrifting Thursdays

Welcome to the second edition of Thrifting Thursdays, which showcases random affordable decorating finds from around our house. This is a 2-parter – our livingroom coffee table.

I found this coffeetable at a garage sale in Kansas City. It was marked for $60, and I had $17. It was the end of the day, and after some aggressive haggling, a very disappointed homeowner relented and this table has happily lived with me for a few years now.

It was originally in perfect condition, though since has served as the base for many painting projects (that some spare, beautiful bird fabric conveniently covers).

On top of the coffee table are a couple of things of note. The coasters were made by a glass artist in a small gallery between Boulder and Estes Park, that we stumbled on during our honeymoon.

The tray in the middle of the coffee table is another fabulous thrifting find, for $3, at the Jesse James Antique Mall in St. Joseph. A fabulous antique mall, if you are ever in the area. The store next to it – The Rusty Chandelier – is my favorite store in St. Joe.

A great candle tray

The candles were a bargain, too, purchased at huge clearance at Pier 1 for 50 cents a piece

Thrifting Thursdays

One of my favorite loves is going to flea markets and antique stores. So, I am introducing a new feature called Thrifting Thursdays that will contain, at least to start, treasures in our house found at flea markets, antique stores, relatives’ homes, garage sales.

To start, chairs. I showed a few when showing my creative space. I love colorful, funky, individual chairs. I would fill our house with all chairs if possible. If it’s in great shape, slightly vintage, and has funky fabric – I’m sold. It also has to cost under $75. Our whole house has been decorated for a ridiculously small price, and spending more than that at a flea market violates my ideals. 🙂

Please ignore the laptop cords in the corner. I love this chair and it was a steal at $40. I love the carved legs, and the oversized pattern. I found this at Revival, a fantastic furniture consignment/new furniture store in Kansas City. (I only go to look at the consignment pieces) Unfortunately, my favorite branch of Revival, that used to be on 75th and Metcalf, closed. It had funkier, more affordable pieces. However, there is still a great store located on Metcalf, just north of 95th street. It’s worth a drive if you’re looking for something unique and affordable.

What great thrifting finds have you found? Check out this Web site to see others who are finding amazing things, too: Colorado Lady.

My quilting hero

… is my Aunt Carol, or technically, my husband’s Aunt Carol. She is an incredible quilter, and can whip out even complicated patterns in an afternoon. She works for a fabric store, and has previously been a professional sewer.

She’s also insanely generous, and has provided me with quilting books, quilting magazines, and the beautiful Bernina I have. She also made us this beautiful quilt for our wedding gift.

I would guess that a lot of quilters have someone who turned them on to the hobby. Who was your inspiration?