Beelieve

Thrift by the bagful!

I decided on a whim to stop at a thrift shop today thinking I needed maybe 2 or 3 new old t-shirts to upcycle into skirts or something else.  Yes, in response to a large amount of sweet requests here, Flickr and email, I am planning on doing a tutorial next week.  (just have to survive the final few days of Kindergarten craziness)

Back to the thrift shop.  They were having a bag sale.  Shove as much as you can of clothing items into a bag for $10.  (well, I can get more than 2 or 3)  My focus was t-shirts, quick picks for colors and graphics then out of there.  Definitely more than 2 or 3!

Some for funny words and softness.

Do you remember this post, well guess who thinks he is entitled to some shirt pay back.  Big ol' Blue Irish eyes all over that Hooligans shirt...I rather thought it would be fun across my bum on a beach cover up (no really was planning on wearing it to the pharmacy...could you imagine!)  Mr. Honey assures me I will get it eventually...may need to plan another strategic thieving! 

I also managed to snag some great flawless shirts for other projects, the pale green/gray one is 100% linen and a men's large or XL so lots of it!

Not the prettiest post but a big woo-hoo...can't wait to get cutting and sewing! 

My most sought after bag

Here is an "impulse post" thanks to Hélène who noticed a my bag sitting on my necklace holder. I took pictures of it when I was taking some of the bedroom since it was pre-blog made and I realized I had not photos of it.  This little metal bag was a treasure at an antique shop I found a few years ago for maybe $3.  I decided to cover it with french book pages and some art pictures on the sides.  Everywhere I go with it, people want to know where I got it and how to get one.  I have a friend who has been on the antique search for a bag to do for her for some time now. 

So Helene, here are some close-ups...thanks for asking!!!

 

Caught in the act!

I know I promised to show you another shirt I made but I just want to share with you the risk involved in "upcycling". (by the way I am wearing a scarf I made with the scraps from this shirt)  

Here I am pillaging in my honey's dresser,

 

 

hmmm, these new ones just won't do!

 

..."never mind what I am doing honey, what are you doing with my camera?"

 

(I spy a great find!)

 

"looking good from this angle"

 

"yeah baby, that's what I am talking about!"

 

This shirt will be perfect!!

 

(oh I really should "bee"-have already...but how?)

How do I do it?

On Tuesday part of my routine is after PjGirl's art class we hit the library.  This Tuesday there just so happened to be another book sale.  Had to check it out.  Once again, I scored.  I got at least 24 or so books, including PjG's picks for $6 total.  What am I going to do with these?  I have a bit of an idea if I can get it all to work.  For now, here they are:

 

The Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book is still selling for $49.95!

 

I actually grabbed some books I will use and not rip up.  The polyshrink book came with at least 20 sheets of shrink plastic.  Right on time as I was about to try some of these from Elsita and knew if I even located the 1 sheet I may have left, it would not be enough once I started!

 

I have been celebrating this score by cleaning out  today to find room for them.  We have a weird room with a crooked floor and no wall space.  It leads from one hall way to the next so 2 doorways, a large closet, window, a third door to a balcony and built in floor to ceiling bookcase.  About all that is in there is everything that needs a home when brought up from downstairs.  Odd ball boxes of stuff.  So today I was creative at emptying that room out,  yawn!

Fun strides to organization at bargin prices

Why is it everything upstairs belongs downstairs and everything downstairs belongs upstairs? In my mission organization attempts I found myself taking another detour.  Joann fabric and craft just so happens to be the only place for crafting goods around here  and on the way to get Lauren from school  (thank goodness for Internet and UPS).  I had to pop in to see if there is anything interesting for the fun swap Pajama Girl is doing through Kiddio and saw some really fun stuff on clearance (for myself of course) including these great collapsible bags at 70% off!   With motivation like this I think I can find a way to situate items on the proper level. 

What can you get for $4.90?

Lots of goodies!  There is a thrift shop around the corner from my daughter's art class.  For weeks it has been closed at the time we go.  Yesterday I had to walk past to get to the post office and did not get my hopes up.  They were opened!  Did what I had to do at the post then skipped on over, felt like skipping but for the 40yo in flip-flops I just skipped in my imagination.  Here are all the goodies I found.

more books...hard cover a quarter, soft cover 1 whole dime!

Love the illustrations, check these from 1967 (a very good year)

next ones a bit older

Then there was this basket of old flash cards...I kid you not, think they were only a dime a pack!

aren't these fun????

So to answer the post question...I don't know about the rest of the world but I can get a recycled bag full of fun for a mere $4.90 total