Sunday, February 20, 2011

Goodwill Hunting

My daughter, Kristen, and I had a good time Goodwill Hunting yesterday...hit two Goodwill stores after our lunch out. I know that those of you who follow this blog love to see the latest "junkin" finds", so here goes...

The first find called out to me like the "little black dress" does in the Goodwill commercial. It didn't quite have an aura around it like the little black dress, but almost.

Here it is! A perfect little dollhouse to add to my collection...for $7.99 less my 10% "frequent junker" discount.
The missing piece from the roof was inside so all I have to do is glue it back on.

I love the little hand painted sign over the front door that says, "Home Sweet Home"...and the doormat with tiny fringe. There are even little pink benches for my tiny imaginary "girlfriends" to sit on. (I've already named them Claudia, Alison and JoAnne after some special real-life "girls" who I picture sitting together there....)

Here is the little window box by the front door...almost ready for Spring.

The inside has two large rooms, each with a fireplace and tiny mantle. The whole house is already wallpapered with tiny pink rosebuds. I can't wait to start furnishing the rooms this afternoon...after  a little more roof repair with my trusty tube of carpenter's glue.

I am really getting into "Altered Art" and am always on the lookout for old game pieces to use in collages. Picked up this original Scrabble game in perfect condition for $2.99...full of great old wooden letter tiles.

Here are some magnets I made last month (when I was in my magnet-making phase) with some Scrabble tiles I had on hand. Of course I had to spell out Nancy's name on my craft room wall.

At the second Goodwill, I found this vintage teaching game, full of hundreds of word cards, still in alphabetical order. These will be fun to cut up and use for scrapbooking and collages. Each word card has a delightful illustration on the back. $1.99 well spent.

I picked up this old clipboard too, for $.99. It will someday be the base for some altered art.

And more children's blocks...a big bag of them for $1.99...again for use in some as yet unimagined collage project. My husband, Hank, was a good sport when I asked him to cut them into 1/4 inch slices for me. I would never do that with really old blocks but it will be OK with these...they're vintage but not antique.

I can't help it...I'm already spelling words. As a former high school English teacher, I just love words!

Here is another glimpse of  my craft room...where I look forward to "playing" with my finds (if I ever get off this computer). It is on the third floor of our old house..was once the attic...and, aside from having to drag everything up there, makes a perfect creative space for me. (Even the dragging-up is OK...I earn exercise points on Weight Watchers for stair climbing...extra points if I'm hauling a dollhouse and two or three Goodwill bags with me.)
I even found a spot for the "hand" sign from my January 23rd Flea Market post on the craft room wall.

I had to slip this last photo in...my daughter, Kristen, at lunch yesterday with one of her favorite waitresses at Friendly's, Dorene. Kristen attends Goodwill's Community Skills Program two days a week and loves it...she calls it her "school". An additional bonus to junkin' at Goodwill is that the money I spend goes right back into programs for people with disabilities.
So...total spent for the day...$14.96 plus lunch.  Total fun...priceless!


I have linked this post to the following blog parties...
Treasures & Trinkets Thursday at My Cottage Charm
Junkin Finds Friday at A La Carte
Inspiration Friday at At the Picket Fence
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
White Wednesday at Faded Charm
Thrifty Thursday at Tales from Blogaritaville

7 comments:

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Nice finds - you did good.
Looking forward to seeing what you do with the house.

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

I love scrabble letters and your word cards are great!
I found you thru Linda.
What a fun day you had.
deb

Trish said...

Just found your wonderfull blog i live in the uk and what a pleasure it is to read you my sisters cottage
Mammyk

Sherry from Alabama said...

Your little cottage dollhouse is beautiful. I don't blame you for buying it. I couldn't have passed it up either. That's why I'm trying to stay out of thrift stores, I find things I don't know that I need until I see them. :)

Kristen is beautiful and looks so happy. I've enjoyed my first visit to your blog. I'm glad I followed your link from Show and Tell Friday.

Sherry @ A Happy Valentine

By the Bluegrass said...

Ooooh.... be still my beating heart! I am a goodwill hunter too and would love to visit this one! I have been looking for a little dollhouse just like this one! You lucky girl! Wouldn't we have fun Good Willin' together?
xo,
Sena

Linda @ A La Carte said...

That little doll house is adorable!! I love your altered art and can't wait to see more! Thanks for joining JFF this week! hugs, Linda

Handy Man, Crafty Woman said...

Great blog you have here! :-) we just love Goodwill here; you never know what you're going to find!