Tiered Plate Stand

The February/March issue of Readymade Magazine featured a tiered plate stand, made with sundae cups, candle sticks, and epoxy glue.
I had to give it a try.

I found these amazing Walter Kimble hen plates at a thrift store, and decided to use the similar designs together even though the options are open for mixing designs and sizes.

There are some examples of tiered plates on Etsy that use a large plate on the bottom and transition up to a tea cup on the top.
Perfect for chips and dip, cupcakes...you name it.

Here are just some of the glass items I picked up at the thrift store for possible pillars.

Here's the final result!

I used a candlestick as a pedestal too!(versus having the bottom plate just sit on the counter. A candlestick and one plate makes a cute cake stand)

I am much more apt to use a tiered stand versus a singular plate, and it really dresses the plate up too.
What a great way to showcase sentimental china patterns, or varying designs of a favorite company.

I have a stone egg I may place in an egg cup on the top as a finial, but I need to find the perfect egg cup first.

My first blog post via phone--not too shabby.

Recent Thrift Finds

Numbered and signed etching in a tree scene that I love, and it matches my room perfectly.
I just need to get it out of its dated brass frame (I may just paint it a nickel color).
$40, which is a lot for a thrift store, but I really like it.

Cute little tiny sewing box--perfect for my portable lifestyle.
$10 at a house sale.

From the same house sale, this hand-painted lap desk.
Perfect for sitting on the couch and balancing my laptop.
$15Pockets and cubbies for papers and pens.

Sparky shoes.
Brand new. $5 at an upscale thrift store.
Wedge platforms covered in a natural fiber.

Thrifty find

I'm still debating if this is really cool or really creepy.
It's a handmade ceramic head that I bought at a thrift store for $1.
It's signed on the bottom with a date of 1972.
Kind-of looks like JFK.
I thought it would make a fun garden ornament, but I didn't want to ruin it by putting it outside, so it's in a pot under the eaves.

The Rummage Sale Gods smiled on me today

Today was the Thursday Club Rummage Sale.
This event is usually an annual tradition for my mom and me to attend, but I was shocked she passed this year.
She preferred warmth and sleeping in, while I got up at 4:30.

I was in line later than I had planned, at 6:30am, and was the 71st person in line (they hand out numbers so no last minute cutting).
The line ended up stretching waaaaay down and around the Activity Center at historic Balboa Park


The large room is arranged in sections of like items: arts & crafts, appliances, sporting goods, etcetera.
I headed first to furniture (my dream is to find and old library card catalog, or an old apothecary chest).
I didn't find those, but I did find a cute little cabinet (end table size), with two shelves, in perfect condition for...ten dollars! Ten!


I got the large, heavy ceramic plant pot pictured, for $5.
I'm always on the look-out for large planters, especially when they have holes drilled in the bottom.

I got this weird wooden coat rack, with alligator hooks, for $4.
It's not in perfect condition, but its character more than makes up for that.

It's wonderfully "shabby"


I was considering making a memo board for my room, and now I don't have to.
Perfect condition aloha goodness, for $5


Cute child's hooded towel I thought I'd give to a friend (I think it was $2), and some flowers for my mom (entire box of pansies and ranunculas $6)


Tiered metal cupcake stand, new with $34.50 tag attached, slight bend on bottom that is no big deal, $10.
Purchase was inspired by a tour yesterday of Cheryl Simpson's craft room (she had a tiered fruit stand filled with tubes of paint, another with jewelry. The most amazing craft space EVER!)


I also got a brass (which I'll end up painting a nickel finish) hook in a 'B' design, for $1.50.
A bar of soap called "Mental Case" (just like this), brand new, for $1.
It was soooo much fun!

Satisfying my thrifting fix

I've been to several thrift stores yesterday and today.
I went to the boutique-style kind where the clothes are even organized by size.
A little bit more expensive, but worth it.
Some days you've just got to satisfy that itch!

And I had soooo much fun.

Here are some of my finds: (click on images to enlarge)

Cute little handmade baby blanket in a motorcycle theme.
The beige minky fabric is on the back.
Don't cringe, but I'm going to give it to a dog I know named Dylan.
I mean, it's going to be loved.

You can't deny the cuteness of this little guy (the one on the left that looks like a stuffed animal)


Vintage Pyrex, two large mixing bowls.
Timeless design for $5 and $4


No Boundaries necktie, mint condition, in a flames design.
I'm thinking this will make a fun purse strap


I buy knitted dishcloths whenever I find them--I love them.
These were a quarter each.


One vintage (1959) cookbook, and three gardening-related books,
from 80 cents to $2


Teva sandals--perfect for beach trips


Gorgeous crocheted throw.
I try to support handmade when I can


I also bought my mom a long sleeved blouse, and a gorgeous suede jacket with embroidery (Chicos brand)
I got my ketchup fanatic friend Michelle a little cook booklet about ketchup
A pair of jeans for myself that fit perfectly
LL Bean boy-style boots for work
A little birdie pin to use in mosaic
A greeting card with a beautiful painting of an orange on it
Four small balls of scrap yarn (I want to knit cat toys)
Fuzzy lounge pants and matching top for laying around in at home
A skirt that I hope to fit into by summer
Three dressy sweaters (wow, finally something to go out in, or wear to a job interview)
And a pair of Rocketdog platform flip flops (no, buying used shoes doesn't bother me).

God that was fun!

Thrifted Jewelry

My friends and I started a new tradition last year, where one gift to each other has to be thrifted.
When I found the gold and pearl necklace, and even though I really didn't want to spend $9, it just screamed my friend debs' name, so I got it.
Gold ball earrings $4 and round pin with rhinestones $5 for Janice.
Cookie Lee dangle earrings $4 for myself.
Frog on a star pin $5 to top Jen's package.
Real shell with gold accents $2 for Tracie.
The wheelbarrow $4, pearl grapes $4, and bee $2 is for myself for a future garden-themed mosaic.

Lovely vintage linens

Isn't this cute?!
It says, "Friday ah is Sassy."
(click on image to enlarge)

I found this at a thrift shop the other day for 50 cents.
It's hand embroidered on a big flour sack dishtowel.

It is well used, and hopefully it was well loved, so it has stains and holes...
but it's still charming.

I could cut the design off the old towel and make it an applique and thereby save it.
Or, I could just continue to use it.
I haven't decided yet.

The shop had miscellaneous linens, and there were two other towels there embroidered with a Dutch girl motif.
My friend debs is of Dutch heritage, so I briefly considered buying them for her, then decided against it because it's not really her style.
Then I came home and mentally popped myself in the head.
What was I thinking? They were two for a dollar! Helloooo....
I went back today, and they were gone. Aarrgghhh.
I mean, even as a gift wrap they would have been adorable.
I did, however, pick up another with a pineapple motif that I love, so the trip was still worthwhile.

Children's book, 1958

I found this vintage children's book at a thriftstore and fell in love with the illustrations.
The text is in German.
According to Babelfish, the title says, "glad beginning"

The book appears to be nursery rhymes and seasonal festivities.
This looks like a May Day celebration






This one is about taking a bath

rough translation:
The bath
Bruno may in the bath
Raus from the trousers
raus from the shirt
in the Water to the belly
to the neck brrr
Soap ago mummy soap
I am clean



This one appears to be Ring-around-the-rosey

Update: someone on Flickr just commented that I was incorrect.
"...it was an exercise game of the easiest sort. There was going in a circle holding hands the first two lines, hunkering down to the floor for the third, jumping up and clapping hands at the fourth or some such. Most I remember wondering about the second line, saying "we are three children" as we did it with the kindergarten teacher in a circle of at least 25 people (and never a shrub in the middle)... :)

The second is some kind of sensory finger counting game for people from newborn up to kindergarten age, referring to each one that is touched as if they are little brothers at harvest time, telling a little story:
This one is the thumb ( touch thumb)
This one shakes the plums ( touch forefinger)
This one picks them up ( touch middle finger)
This one carries them home( touch ring finger)
And the tiniest, he eats them all alone. ( touch little finger)"


The book was $5--rather expensive by thrift standards.
But I love illustrations.

Thrifts and Misses

Sometimes I go to thriftstores and I find incredible items, yet elect not to buy them.
Maybe I can't afford the price, or maybe I don't have the storage space, or maybe for some reason it's not appropriate.
These are some of my passes (sorry for the fuzzy cell phone quality, but I figure it's fun to share anyway).

Gorgeous chair. I love simple lines on furniture.
I love Shaker and Mission style furniture, with very little hardware.
I think this was around $150, and I was too poor.
It may of even been sold already--I can't remember.
I do remember it killed me to pass it by.


Eek, this one made me squeal with joy, but again I lacked the $79 required to purchase it.
Vintage record player/stereo cabinet.
Incredible.


Toy horse


Really interesting table made up of multi-colored real horseshoes.
If I remember correctly, they wanted over $30, and I didn't have the cash on hand.


English tea cart


Rooster-shaped mailbox.
I may have picked this up for my sister-in-law were it in better condition.


Cute mouse-shaped bank.
I considered picking this up for Jen, but I doubt she needs or wants another "dust collector.
It's a cute shape that may inspire a future pin cushion or something.


Cool stuff in an antique store in Temecula.

Thrifting, auctions, and gifts

Okay...just a quick hello before I get back to the sewing machine.
I am not a fast sewer.
Even if I was, I don't see how people finish so many things when there is work and errands and...life.
I mean, yesterday I worked five hours, rushed up to the north county for more fabric, got my taxes done, and spent two hours at the dentist's office.
Not much time was left for sewing.
How do some people do it???

Between appointments I had a few minutes to kill yesterday, and made a stop at my favorite resale shop.
I got this set of 27 dominoes for $2!

I don't know anything about age or quality of dominoes, but I do know I want to learn about collaging on dominoes to make pendants, magnets, etc.

On another fun note, I just got this today in the mail (an ebay purchase).
I love it so!

The Dis-glo Whistle. It lights up when you whistle! (excuse the light reflection from the scanner)
Ha! This just makes me giddy.
The suit! To use for "rollerskating"!
Love love love this funky 70's memorabilia.

Speaking of mail and 70's, the ever magnanimous Mary Ann sent me yet more goodies in the mail.
Can you believe it?!

Vintage necktie patterns.
Like Mary Ann said...who knew?!

(click on image to enlarge)
Three neckties: McCall's #2568, 1970
Tie and Ascot: McCall's #3434, 1972
I think the model here cracks me up the most.
Oooh...foxy (lol)

She also sent me several pet-themed greeting cards, from the
etsy shop Good Morning Sunshine.



Then today I received yet ANOTHER package from my fairy blogmother--a cache of seven pretty neckties (not scanned right now because I need to get back to sewing).
Geez, Mary Ann--you spoil me!
Thank you.