thrifty thursday: deconstructing

thrifty zipper and wood buttons

Awhile ago, back when it was cold and icy outside, I found a sweater with the most amazing wood buttons. The sweater was 99 cents. Where can you find six wood buttons for 99 cents? Plus, get a two-way zipper as part of the deal?

Some of my crafty friends had me convinced I should keep the sweater. I agree that it is cute, but it really doesn’t fit me well. It’s been in my closet long enough and has been relegated to the donation pile. Not before liberating the buttons and zipper, of course.

Don’t worry, the sweater is still very wearable. The buttons were just for decoration.

east campus garage sales alert: Last year a lot of you mentioned that you were interested in this big, wonderful, fabric-y, fiber-y, vintage-y garage sale weekend. It’s here! Maybe see you there?

thrifty thursday

thrifty thursday

I skipped the Thursday garage sales today because I’m planning on checking out Goodwill’s 99 cent day tomorrow. There’s nothing like some good 99 cent retail therapy and I haven’t been to the sale in a few months.

Since I didn’t have anything thrifty to report today, I took a look around my creative space, which is filled with thrifty goodness, and noticed a theme. Some may say that Nebraska has infected my taste in colors or I could be subconsciously planning for the holidays. I think maybe I spend too much time looking at cabbage roses and vintage French linen.

There’s a story behind the fabric. When one of my readers realized that we both live in Lincoln, she emailed me about a big box and big bag of fabric that she no longer wanted. Was there anything I could do with it? I picked it up that evening (small world: she practically lives in my neighborhood!) and started spreading the word.

First I met two friends for coffee and they left with almost half of it! Then I took what was left to knitting group to give to my friend who helps out with Sewing for Babies. I kind of feel sorry for those babies, because the knitters went to town on what was left. However, I’m happy that we kept a lot of fabric out of the landfill and bypassed the thrift store grab bags.* Everyone left with something they really wanted and the rest is going to a good cause.

Of course I picked out a few little pieces for myself. Right now I’m spending more time with yarn, so I can’t overdo it on my stash.

thrifting: The buttons and ribbon are thrifted from all over the place: Goodwill, church sales and garage sales.

* Don’t you hate it when you find one or two things you love at the thrift store and they’re packaged in a “grab bag” with a bunch of things you don’t want? Have you ever just bought the bag, taken out what you want and then immediately donated back the rest? Me, too.