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

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.

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

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 creative space

Love this idea from Kootoyoo. Here is my creative space. I almost cleaned before taking pictures, but thought that wasn’t an accurate representation. After all, it’s hard to be creative and clean at the same time. Or is that just me?

My desk

My desk is a library table that my parents bought a long time ago, and I was lucky enough to steal. It’s such a great, large, hardwood table. My chair is my one of my favorite flea market finds ever, for $50. It has tattered arms but I don’t care – such beautiful bird fabric. The stacks of fabric in front of my computer are for a baby blanket. Underneath the desk are containers full of yarn and fabrics. And Gus Gorilla, my alma mater’s mascot, has a prime space on my desk.

Chairs and fireplace on the other side of the room as my desk. Chair on left has a blanket crocheted by my grandma. Chair on the right was purchased from an awesome second-hand store.

My beautiful Bernina, given to me by my awesome aunt-in-law

Art above my desk: blue and yellow stars from vintage cowboy store in Parkville, top left piece of artwork called "The Sharing" that my dad brought back for me from Ireland. Stickers from the Obama campaign, poster from the Obama campaign, and postcards from the campaign. Other framed artwork is a photo of my husband and I from our wedding shower with family members and signatures with their well wishes.

Drawings of Clinton, IA, my parents' hometown, drawn by Larry Davis, my mom's high school art teacher

Awesome, working vintage clock found at flea market

On my desk: One of my ceramic matadors, a photo of my husband and I on our honeymoon, and a lamp my inlaws made for us with flowers from our wedding reception.

Another of my matadors, with the red ceramic bull my husband gave me for Valentine's Day to match, saying I was "adora-bull." So cute.

Stack of vintage mug shot newspaper printing blocks, with book of vintage advertising layouts behind.

OK, that was probably more detail than you needed, but I love this space – it’s cluttered but full of things that have deep meaning to me, and is a great outlet. Check out the other amazing creative spaces here!

Another dose of (softie) inspiration

One day I was looking for inspiration for a new softie project to make for home decorating, when I stumbled upon LucyKate Crafts. I seriously love her blog – so many beautiful projects, great pictures … it’s a great blog to spend an hour perusing.

I fell in love with her fox softies, and was inspired to create my own fox. It didn’t turn out as adorable as hers (she is a professional, after all), but still pretty cute.

Oh foxy, foxy

I have a soft spot for foxes, too, because our Cairn, Netta, reminds me of a fox.

Cairn Terrier

Actual fox