Kitchen Chairs

I bought this dining room table and four chairs at a garage sale the summer before we got married, FOR ONLY $40! 

Before you go thinking I'm amazing, let me just tell you how bad the seats of the chairs looked. They were stained, 90's colors, and smelled horrible. They were bad. I wish I had a picture to show you truly how bad they were. But you'll just have to trust me on this one.

Luckily this "refinishing" project was quick and inexpensive. First I unscrewed the seats from the frames of the chairs. Next I measured the seats and cut four squares of upholstery material, leaving a few inches of excess. Then I stapled squares of upholstery material at the bottom of the seats and screwed them back on. The whole project took about 30 minutes. Material was purchased with a coupon from JoAnn.

Dining Room Set

Completed Chair

My Polka Dot Refashion

I found this polka dot shirt during my recent trip to a Goodwill Outlet and loved the pattern. In fact, it reminded me of a shirt I already owned and loved. The great thing about the thrifted shirt is that it can easily be worn spring through fall.

My previously owned shirt next to my newly thrifted shirt.

But, it was also a bit too large. To tailor the shirt I put it on inside out and pinned the side and arm sleeves closer to my body. Then I averaged the length, sewed, and serged the side and arm seams.

So much pinning!

 

I really liked how the final product turned out. This outfit is a fun twist on this summer's black and white trend with a few bright pops of color and can easily transition into fall.

What transition pieces will you be wearing into fall?

First Day of Work Outfit

What better way to explore your new city than to check out its thrift shops?! Plus I could buy with the excuse that I needed a new outfit for my first day at my new job...

This multi-colored top was one of my last purchases at my favorite Goodwill in my home state and totaled $3.69 plus tax. This skirt was my first purchase at the nearby Goodwill in my new state and totaled $4.29 plus tax. I could not have been happier with how well the two worked together. To complete my first day of work outfit I purchased a bubble necklace from the American Etsy shop J. Girls Jewels.

*Shoes (Payless) and sweater (TJ Maxx) previously owned.

As I checked out of my new, local Goodwill I overhead the cashier asking the gentleman in front of me in he had a rewards card. To my shear delight I learned that Goodwills in this area have a FREE rewards card, color tag themed sales, and sales on specific days of the week!

I know where you'll find me next weekend! What kind of promotions do your favorite thrift stores offer?

I Found My MECCA!

Paul and I decided to take a mini-vaca before we started working and learning full time. AND YOU WILL NEVER GUESS WHAT I SAW ON THE WAY!

So proud that I got the camera out in time to snap this photo!

That's right folks, a Goodwill OUTLET! Now I had never been to a Goodwill Outlet before but I knew that my vacation wouldn't be complete without stopping.

I was amazed at the site inside, row after row of huge, overflowing blue bins on rollers. Some bins were more organized than others and I honestly didn't find as many good deals as I had hoped for but it was worth the experience and the prices were right!

Plaid, meet velvet. Velvet, meet plaid.

Seriously neat vintage jumpsuit.

Weighing my finds.

I ended up with a pair of shorts, a dress, a blouse to re-fashion, a scarf, and knee highs all for the grand total of $1.34!

Other recent Goodwill purchases include two new lampshades, $3.99 each, and a paper shredder, $4.99.

Have you been thrifting lately? What are your best finds?

Housewarming Craft

Today I received a fun package in the mail (the first of many?!) from my Aunt Karen. She wanted to try out a new craft and made the coasters below for a housewarming gift for our new place. I love that she used recycled pictures from old cards we had sent her. She's so crafty, must have gotten that from her Mama!

Fair Judging

Stephanie & Marissa

Today my friend Stephanie and I enjoyed judging fine arts at our county fair. I can hardly believe we first met through 4-H almost 18 years ago! We had a wonderful time and saw a lot of great pieces. Keep being crafty 4-Hers!

Preserving the taste of summer!

Basil just says "summer", doesn't it? I love the fragrance of basil when the sun warms it. I love the taste of basil fresh in a tomato dish. I love a hint of basil on a grilled cheese sandwich. All in all I think basil is the taste of summer and I always long for a hint of summer in January when the snow is up to my hips (I am short) and it is gloomy and cold outside.

I got crafty today and was able to get quite a harvest of basil and parsley. Here is the end result of the pesto making efforts.The jars will go into the freezer for one daughter. The ice cube tray will go into the freezer just till they are solid and then they will go into a freezer bag for individual servings later. That is a great way to use pesto if you have fewer people to feed at your house. The bigger container will be used for a family event. It might be used on a couple chicken/pesto pizzas or maybe some pasta dish. 

It almost makes winter sound not so bad.

Here is my Pesto recipe.

2 cups clean fresh basil

1 cup clean fresh parsley (I prefer curly)

2-3 cloves of garlic

4 Tablespoons of sunflower seeds

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Blend till creamy. Freezes well if you have any left.

I hope you are able to preserve some of your summer flavors too.

All Moved In

Paul and I are moved into our new apartment and getting settled in. First up, getting my crafting and sewing things in order! Look for more home type crafts from me in the next months as I make the new apartment feel more like home.

My sewing station.

Old Faithful herself. :)

Look for the end stand in a future re-finishing post!