Weeding Out

One way I keep my scraproom neat, tidy and manageable is to participate in the garage sales at my local scrapbook stores. One particular store has an AWESOME sale twice a year and there is always so much to choose from and so many friendly faces buying your stuff! I go both as a seller and a buyer!

To keep my stuff sorted during the in-between times, I have a 14x14 box in my closet which I use to collect unwanted items as I find them. You know, when you're looking for something in particular and you come across something and say, "Why do I still have this?" That kind of item goes in this box until the next sale is announced.
Once the date has been announced, I collect my seller's number, my price stickers, clear cello bags and my trusty tape gun and I go to work. These items were priced last night and finished up this morning. Most items are priced at $1.00 and I don't think I have anything priced over $5.00. I try to be very reasonable with my prices because I know, like me, everyone is looking for a bargain and I would rather not bring anything back home.

Participating in the garage sale is not only a great way to pick up some fun stuff, but a practical way to collect a store credit for my unwanted supplies, which means free shopping later on. That's what I've been up to....how about you?

23 for 2

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a total garage sale junkie! I just love the hunt and finding the treasures for mere pennies, compared to the retail giants! Here's a great example:
Last Saturday, we went to a neighborhood community sale. One of the houses had several "crafty" items for sale, including these [and more] spools of thread. She had a huge box full, all organized and sorted by color. My first instinct was to get them ALL so I asked the price. "$8.00" she replied. I immediately countered with, "Will you take $5.00?" She said it was a little too early or else she would.

After browsing around for a few minutes, the woman asked, "Are you not interested in the thread?" And I told her although it was a good deal, it was really WAY more than I would ever use, and honestly, I didn't want to have to store it. So, she offered to let me pick through the bags, selecting what I wanted for only 10/cents each.

I asked my husband to help "pick out the pretty colors" and we came away with 23 spools for $2.00!!!

I went to WM yesterday to see one spool on their clearance rack priced at $2.50 - I smiled remembering my bargain!

Artwork by Salvation Army

I popped into the Salvation Army store yesterday looking for a few things. As I browsed around I was just about to head to the cash register when I spotted this cute framed print on the shelf in the "red" section. (At my Salvation Army all the knick-knack items are put in order by color.)
I knew as soon as I saw it that the size of the frame would be perfect to display a collection of butterflies. I quickly took apart the picture and asked hubby to sand the frame down for me so that I could re-paint it. My original idea was to paint it pink, but as I looked at the colors available in my stash, I opted for black. I used "asphalt" by Making Memories....it's a great solid black. My goal was to use what I had, and not buy anything.

Once I had the frame painted I went to my stash of large papers and decided to use this cork paper that I've had for almost 10 years. I used my Cuttlebug butterfly die and two different embossing folders to add texture to the patterned paper. (I'll take a better picture tomorrow in the daylight.) The last thing I did was to add one decorative rhinestone to the center butterfly. This piece was made with a total investment of $1.99.

Craft Cabinet Re-Do

I think in a previous post I showed you all the interior of this white cabinet. It holds all of the craft supplies my daughters are allowed to use, on their own, without asking for permission. My stuff, now that's a different story. This cabinet holds plenty of stuff: rubber stamps, paint and brushes, books, felt, foam and pom poms, glue, glitter, beads, etc. I actually lucked out and found the cabinet in the trash and I knew exactly what I was going to do with it.
The front of the cabinet was a little roughed-up, but I quickly disguised it by using some Pottery Barn art clips a friend gave me. You can see 1 of 3 still left on the front of the right door. Well, the other day I was browsing for a birthday gift at Michael's and I came across an entire row of new products designed around a line of chalkboard paints they are now carrying. Lots of really cute colors including, pink, orange and the traditional black. I went back with a 50% off coupon and purchased a container of the black-colored paint for $3.50 (regular price is $6.99).

My husband was kind enough to paint the doors for me and then he added a little bit of trim, which was less than $10 and now we have a new craft cabinet! My girls saw it soon after it was done and immediately added the smiley face and cupcake. BTW, I added the carrot knobs after we got the cabinet. I found them at a discount store for $1.00/each. I didn't like the cheapy plastic knobs it came with. Now what am I going to do with the Pottery Barn art clips? Anyone interested?

Did I say, "Paint it purple?"

A few weeks back I saw a post on Craig's List for a free shopping cart. We went to pick it up from its previous owner and found out they used it to haul their boat supplies back and forth from their house and dock...the house was big and beautiful and on the water. My first thought was to take it to school for our PFA's use in carting supplies from our supply closet to wherever we are setting up events during school. We are always wheeling stuff from place to place. Our PFA color is purple so we painted the cart the same color. Have you ever seen a purple shopping cart before? I think it's pretty cute!

Goodwill Thrill

Last Monday I decided to hit the Goodwill store for an easy 30-minute escape from the huge list of chores and errands I had to do. There's something about garage sales, flea markets and thrift stores that just give me a huge rush....what's going to be there?...what are you going to find?...how cheap are you going to get it for?...what are you going to buy that you really don't need but can't pass up because it's so cheap?....all those questions race through my head the minute I walk up to one. Anyways, back to last Monday....I was at the check out and got by pretty cheap by only spending $3.00+ for a few little things. As I chatted with the lady behind me in line about the glorious "new" bike she had found for $15 she mentioned that they were bringing in lots of great stuff and, in fact, this was her second trip that day. As I headed out the door a little voice inside my head said, "Hmmm...perhaps they brought out some stuff while you were standing in line, you'd better go back and take a quick peek." When I did I couldn't believe what I found. They brought in this really pretty distressed white hutch that ended up being the perfect size for a small wall space in my kitchen. (Luckily, my husband was home so he could check the measurements for me.) Very rarely do I find something that does not need any tweeking and this was perfect, as is! I couldn't believe the steal of a price for only $49!! I'm so glad I listened to that voice inside my head.