At the thrift store, I found a bag stuffed full of sewing notions for $2. Willing to take a gamble, I bought it. Inside was all of this stuff (some I will definitely use, and some may get passed onto a lucky crafting friend).

Then I opened it. It’s a sewing kit! I’m in love! This baby is being stocked with a few more needles and safety pins, and then this little bit of gorgeous practicality is going to be tucked into my purse immediately. What a gem!

After the thrift store, I meandered down the streets of one of my favourite little antiquing haunts. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a sign: “Moving Sale”.

I’m sorry, are you paging me directly? I’ll be there!

I ran across the street to the store and found a half-empty shop bustling with workers packing up items. I asked a friendly-faced woman who was wrapping jars in newspaper, “Is everything already marked down?”

She smiled and said, “Make us an offer.”

For those in the garage saleing/thrifting world, you know that this is hitting the jackpot. I got to work.

I found this gorgeous little plate on the $1 table. It’s made of melamine! I know you’re thinking, “This isn’t antique”, but I’m thinking, “Yeah, well, it’s awesome and it was a buck. Also, the kids can’t smash it.”

So it’s pretty well perfect.

The saleswoman zoomed over to me and said, “Oh, do you like it? I was considering switching out the plates…”

You can guess what happened next. Now we own this charming picnic basket. Hubby says I should switch the plates out for plastic and let the kids play with it. I see this thing teeming with potential. We could actually picnic! (Oh, my heart swoons with the romance of that… though it is more practical to haul the soft sided cooler with the shoulder strap.) I’ve seen some picnic-baskets-turned-planters as well. What do you think?

Finally, there was my most favourite find. On the shelves full of tins and postcards and knick-knacks, I saw this:

I admit, this was a impulse buy. I saw it while I was standing with the salewoman and casually asked its history.

Here is where I need some help. You can see that there are the words “Crown Glass” on this piece. But it’s covered in what looks like old paint or wear. How do I get rid of this white stuff without destroying the words underneath?

When I got home and suveryed my haul, I realized how well I had done. It was an incredibly successful day-off. Many thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Golfer for entertaining the children whilst I rummaged through shelves of old stuff.

I truly enjoyed myself.