Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Thrifty Tuesday

Having a 9-day old baby did not deter me from hitting the yard sales last Friday. We had to go to the food store anyway and we might as well stop at the sales along the way, eh?

One sale we stopped at had this lovely vintage Sunbeam stand mixer. Of course I snagged it when I saw the price was a mere $3! I can't decide if I am going to keep it or resell it on ebay. hmm...

The rest of the yard sales we stopped at were slim pickings, so after our grocery shopping, we took the back way home. Are we ever glad we did! These lovely old ladies were having a yard sale and were selling off their salt and pepper collections, old toys, vintage linens and all kinds of goodies. What caught my eye was a pair of two gooseneck rocking chairs. These chairs are in mint condition with the exception of the fabric design and the slight musty smell. I looked them over and underneath and they are in sturdy shape, no wobbly parts and obviously no cats to claw up the corners (something I know too well!). They were asking $15 each which is really a good price when I have seen them in thrift shops for $50 up and in much poorer condition. Hubby and I talked about the chairs, and then one of the old ladies offered both for $25. Augh! What a way to make it harder for us to resist! We caved in and bought them both and they are sitting in the sunroom until I get around to reupholstering them. I know just what fabric I am going to use, but I don't know if it is enough for both chairs and if it isn't, do I go ahead and use two different fabrics, or do I go and buy more fabric in a different material? Decisions, decisions!

In case you aren't familiar with what gooseneck chairs are-- see the arms? Carved gooseneck head and neck. Hubby's grandma had a chair just like this and he remembers sitting in there until Grandma shoos him out! They are comfortable!
Before I had the baby and I was in my nesting mode, I cleaned out the linen closet. I had all kinds of stuff in there that shouldn't have been in there and while sorting, I filled up this laundry basket with nothing but vintage sheets and blankets. Is there a 12-step program for vintage sheet addicts? I need to start doing something with these! I pulled out the holey and stained ones and those will go into the rag rugs, but the rest of these are in good condition. I have got to stop buying vintage sheets until I at least make a dent in this pile. Which incidentally, is only a small fraction of the sheets I have-- did I mention I also have 3 large rubbermaid bins full of vintage linens sitting right behind the basket? Hi, my name is Jenny...

7 comments:

mishkazena said...

Smiling.

I wish I could go to the yard sale. I looovvvveee vintage items, too!

Kelly said...

Love 'em chairs!
I am jealous with your great finds!

Sarah and Jack said...

Welll, in my humble vintage linen loving opinion, it doesnt hurt to have a lot of them if you use them. They do get torn up and then they need to be replaced.

But then again, I am a junkie.

I had a minute here the other day but didnt have the chance to tell you that the new baby is gorgeous. Congratulations.

Lantana said...

By the way, there is a product called, "OdorXit Magic" that I purchased online. It is an odor neutralizer that would get the musty odor out of your new chairs. This product was reccomended to me when my cat kept peeing in the same place in the house! After I cleaned the spot really well and sprayed it with the product, the cat does not go near it! It works on all "offensive odors", including urine and mildew. www.odorxit.com

Lantana

jenny said...

Sarah-- Thanks! We think he is gorgeous, too! :o)

Lantana-- Hmm.. I'll have to check that stuff out! I have a few other musty smelling items that need help. Thanks for the tip!

Barbara said...

Beautiful chairs - you lucky girl! And I'm most envious of your vintage sheets. These must be quite an American thing as I never find such pretty sheets over here. The blue on top is gorgeous - would make a pretty dress.
I remember taking my girl to early morning car boot sales in her sling when she was very tiny - stall holders love a small baby!

jenny said...

Barbara-- almost every sale we go to with the kids, they get something for free. Might be a toy, or a doll, and once it was a lovely porcelan music box. I don't know about where you are, but I always see old flower sheets at the sales and thrift shops. Maybe people over there don't give them up? Used them until they were threadbare and then tossed them?