Xmas thrifting

The top two pictures are recent thrifting finds:  Large kerchief in holiday colors with the lucky symbols of clover, a wishbone, rabbit's feet, a horseshoe and an elephant (why?) 50 cents, and Color Brite snowman water slide decals (can anyone tell me more about these?) 50 cents.  Two spools of cording, much thicker than baker's twine (scroll down about half way), $1.50.  We won't need ribbon for a looong time. 

In the middle is a section of a square Vera tablecloth with a large print that I picked up last year for $1.00.  The label says it's 100% cotton but it has just a slight perma-press like feel to it.

The bottom pictures are of another smaller, square tablecloth I thrifted a few years back for $1.00 at the most, gave to my mom for her birthday which falls right before Christmas, and then received back from her since she doesn't use it.

So far I haven't been able to bear cutting any of these up but I'm sure I will when/if the right idea strikes, or maybe they'll be used for their intended purposes?

I tried to go thrifting today but I didn't realize all the thrift stores were closed on Sundays and so were the independently owned craft store and the artist's co-op that sells yarn, so I was stuck with the box stores to get errands done.  I missed all the local holiday craft bazaars this weekend as well (there had to be 5 or 6, maybe more) so ended up feeling guilty for spending $s at places like Target, Kmart, Costco, and Safeway rather than in support of local crafters, not that the needed groceries and supplies that I was shopping for today could replace what they were selling.  It's not that I was out buying imported Christmas ornaments at the mall, although I saw my fair share. 

A big, errand running day, over an hour's drive south of here, is like a full day's work.  Thankfully it doesn't happen often but then when it does the list is looooong.  Today I left at 9:30 am, returning at 8:30 pm with unloading and putting away still left to do...and that's my day off, on my own.  Long shopping days are so much easier without the boys.  They despise it, which makes it no fun for anyone.  Besides, it leaves me time to browse magazines and the like, the real reason it takes so long when I go alone. ;) 

The rest of the weekend was spent sledding, dining with friends and family, and attending our town's holiday parade and tree lighting.  Not that I counted but I think the parade this year consisted of maybe 7 or 8 cars and floats decorated with lights, about twice as many as last year, and the big guy in the red suit arrived by horse-drawn wagon lit up by oil lanterns and jingling all the way!   Yee haw!

Gingerbread cookie dough is mixed & ready for rolling, cutting, and baking.  Lights need to go up outside.  There is candied grapefruit peel to make.  A house to clean.  C's mom flies in on Wednesday evening.  Plans are in the works for E's birthday on Thursday and then there is our annual holiday party two days after that on Saturday.  There is a long list of Christmas crafting I'm hoping we'll get to.  Most of it will have to wait until next week.  Whew.       

Comments

[julia fc]

So cute. I. Must. Make. Gingerbread.

[jean]

Good times indeed. And it's SNOWING here today. Doubt it'll stick, but it's awfully pretty. Interesting how many "Jeans" are responding to your posts these days. I rarely meet one, especially not my age. (43) And these gals are from all over. Enjoy the day.

[Paula]

Great finds. My grandmother always said that elephants with their trunks up were considered lucky. http://www.luckymojo.com/elephant.html

[The Weekend Warrior]

I have an errands night like that once a week on late night shopping night - there is nothing better than actually being able to go into a book shop or magazine shop and standing still, without having to amuse anyone, without having to chase anyone, and just browse. Does kind of drag out the errand experience though!

[Charity]

Busy, busy, busy! But still fun, too, eh?

I asked the family if they wanted gingerbread - they would rather have the chewy choc chip ginger cookies that you shared the recipe for! Funny kids. :0)