Last week was just so nice.
Will had to go back to school right away, but Suzanne got her spring break at last — a much needed rest for a busy schoolteacher!
We enjoyed the springing of spring.
We had what for Mama (and Bridget) is the ideal respite — enjoying just being home and relaxing, doing some heavy-duty sitting around, talking, quilting, biking with the dog, laughing, and just one day of shopping (mostly thrift stores).
She spent some time working on my birthday present (actually from last year, but when it comes to hand-quilting, one must be patient):
I'm excited — it's beautiful!
We were pretty successful with the shopping, which certainly isn't always true. In particular, I almost never find really cute bed linens. I think this is actually a curtain or something — it has buttonholes on one end and a scalloped edge on the other. I can't figure it out, but it will be fine on a bed, and no one will notice anything but the cuteness.
Bridget found this skirt but it ended up fitting Sukie.
Do you love thrifting?
Magda says
How fun! Starting this year, the last day of each month, I go to at least two thrift stores. It's something to look forward to all month, sort of like a shopping spree.
Rosario says
You can say my home is filled with thrift treasures. Some items rescued from the curveside. Others given by relatives. Very few were purchased new. And by now they are almost 14 years old. I am in the process of defining my decor style. I need to take into consideration my culture and my likes. Come by my blog and see. What I have been doing in my home lately. Your blog has inspired me a lot.
Anne says
super cute skirt! it's twirly!
Emily says
Thrifting is starting to grow on me. 🙂 I like it as long as I'm A) by myself and B) have an idea of what I'm looking for. If my kids are with me it is just stressful (don't touch, stay with mommy, etc!) and if I'm just browsing without any purpose, I feel like I'm wasting time. BUT last weekend I went looking for cast iron skillets and a bread machine, and found both! 🙂
sarah says
I love the RESULTS of thrifting. The process, not so much :-).
Deirdre says
Love the bed spread thingy and love the skirt!! I've been really hankering after some good thrifting…
Barbara says
We enjoyed the same sort of week, though looking back I'm not sure what the heck we did!
RedTartan says
I think your new buttonholed blanket may be a window quilt, but yes put it on the bed. Why not? Things with dual purposes reign here 🙂
priest's wife says
ok—perfect skirt!
Amy says
Where in MA are some good thrift stores? I live about 20 minutes north of Boston and would love to frequent thrift stores, but am never quite sure where to go!
_Leila says
Hi Amy — I don't know about the north area, but the only way to find out is to go to them! Salvation Army, Goodwill, church thrift stores — just be patient and you will find your favorites. I know that there is a great Savers in Nashua.
Anna says
Yes! I made an attempt at thrifting today, but when we arrived the 4 year old had bare piggies and absolutely NO shoes. I also have the little one, so I couldn't even let her ride in the cart. Tis the season, I suppose.
Anne Marie says
Yes! And all it takes to get excited about garage-sale season (if not the thought itself) is seeing some great finds like these! Happy you had a fun week.
Anne Marie says
You might be wondering how many times I am going to be commenting today, but I forgot to say before — What if your mystery bed linen was a shower curtain? Or a duvet cover? I have one (thrifted – a find!) with buttonholes that allow it to become a cozy pocket for a down comforter. All right, that's all I have for now.
_Leila says
It surely isn't a duvet cover, having only one layer! And WHO would want a quilted shower curtain! 🙂
Anne Marie says
The same kind of person who would want a quilted curtain, but of course for a shower there would be a liner.
margo says
that yellow skirt is fantastic! I have a yellow linen skirt that goes with everything. . .and I'm dying to make a circle skirt. I have the fabric and pattern picked out, just not, presently, the time.
Tamara says
I looove that skirt!! And I love thrifting the best when I am NOT looking for anything in particular. I like the feeling of “who knows what I may find!”
Tamara says
P.S. I would absolutely buy your birthday quilt for my bedroom, if only it were available for sale! 🙂 It is a little piece of wonderful.
Provincial Homemaker says
What thrifting luck. Like you – I never seem to find decent bed linen. I see on lots of blogs people who sew using thrifted fabric and sheets , but at our charity shops they are always well worn and dowdy. That said, I had some thrifting luck the week before last. I finally found a wooden rocking chair that have been looking for since Ginger was born, so that would be 13 months in process. The reward for my patience felt super sweet.
Also, I find the quality of items in thrift shops varies a lot depending on location. My husband is in the army so we have regular postings – where we lived in Melbourne there were some really great thrift shops nearby, our current posting is to a lower-socio economic area and the pickings are much slimmer (not to mention the shops not so clean). Also, now I have a toddler with me it so much harder to have a concentrated shop; necessary for thrifting – she just doesn't have the patience
Ginger says
Other than my livingroom furniture, all of our furniture is thrift or handed down or made for me. I a incredibily crafty mother. Not that even 1/10 of the the stuff she makes is anything that is “my” style, however I have dedicated an entire bathroom to the things that she has made me. It is the “fun” bathroom that I always get the most comments about.
I love your bed covering. I need something for my three year old room and think I'll head to the Salvation Army today after naps.
Blessings
Cari Berlandy says
I LOVE THE YELLOW SKIRT 🙂 (It looks so cute on Sukie!)
Heidi says
Wonderful…my daughter found a beautiful skirt at the thrift shop. Sadly…it was a bit too large. Wonderful….I can sew. Sadly… this was not demonstrated well on my too small adjustments made to her skirt. Wonderful…it is still beautiful. Sadly… it does not fit. Oh well, we must thrift again! 🙂
Jodi says
Hey Leila. Yes, I love thrifting, and I linked you today! I love visiting here.
Mary Drennen says
Hi Leila,
I just happed to look at your blog because other friend of mine Jodi Lenz that has the Curious Acorn blog had the link to your blog on her blog. First of all I love your blog so much. It is so cool. I also coincidentaly saw that you had a button for The Way of Beaty Summer Atelier the Thomas More College of the Liberal Arts does in Merrimack, New Hamshire. I am actually going to that college in August of 2011. Do you or did you go there or do you know anyone that goes there? I am really looking forward to it.
Mary Drennen
_Leila says
Hi Mary, welcome! Yes, I do know some students there and also the faculty! I am going to post about the Way of Beauty Atalier soon. Good for you to be going there — we'll probably see you at some point — be sure to come say hi!
Amy Caroline says
I adore that skirt! So pretty!!
Ann Marie says
Since becoming a mom 2 yrs ago, (and unfortunately gaining enough weight that my clothes won't fit anymore)thrift shopping has become a great way to get cheap stuff, help local, needy families, and feel like I'm actually “shopping”. The one near my house has clothing items for $1!!! (and sometimes everything is 1/2 price!!) And now I hardly go to the Good Will anymore b/c $3 is so outrageous to pay for a shirt! 🙂 It's a matter of perspective, I suppose.