Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Thrift Sales & Art Barn


Don't you just love finding 
cool things at thrifty prices :)

This watermelon is made of paper mache'.
It's a Goodwill find for $3.99 
(plus my senior discount).
The pretty red scale was a gift from my 
sweet friend Shirley :)

This little polka dot chicken jar
was only $1.99, Goodwill again.

 They just give my kitchen that farmhouse feel.
I think that I've posted the pig before.
He was also a Goodwill find :)

 At a yard sale a week or so ago,
I spotted this old sled.
They were asking $20 for this and $20 for 
a small cabinet that I also purchased.
I only had $29.86 in my purse,
because I was on my way home from 
Joanne Fabrics, LOL.
So they excepted my offer of all that I had,
  for both items :)

I've made more jam this week.
Raspberry from our three bushes,
and blackberry from some berries that were given 
to me by a dear friend.



On to the Art Barn.
We had this electric fireplace/heater
in the living room of our old house.
I've had it stuck in a corner of the house,
but have wanted to bring it out here to the barn.
I just didn't think I had the room for it.


Well after rearranging and shuffling things
around, Viola, I made it fit!
It will be nice & cozy, come winter :)

There is a magic to rearranging furniture.
You always feel like you have a new room,
I love it!

 This is a chandelier that I have been working on,
for the Art Barn.

 It's a combo of an old weather wreath,
some small branches that fell from our trees,
and a set of patio canning jar lights.

Perfect for the barn :)

Last but not least . . .
This gumball machine 
was at the Goodwill for $7.99.
I filled it with old broken watches 
and clock parts.

What do you think?

If you are still here . . .
thanks for sticking it out.
I know it was a long post.

Thanks for your friendship and support.
I appreciate you all :)

Keep Smiling!
Your blogging sister,
Connie :)

32 comments:

  1. You've found some real treasures! Love the red scale. I have such a tiny kitchen that there is no room for extra decor.. so sad. I hope you have a dry and fun weekend.. we got drenched yesterday and today. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My girlfriend and I planned a day of picnicking and kayaking, but the wind was bad and the lakes were choppy, so we had to remember that summer is young and we still will have many nice days ahead. Needless to say, it did burst our bubble for today :) I enjoy the hunt for decorating treasures at barging prices.
      Here's to a pretty weekend, for both of us :)

      Delete
  2. After a week of very mixed weather I think we're heading for some sunshine and warmth. Too bad you had to cancel your plans though.
    I just love hunting for inexpensive treasures for our home. Lately garage sales have not been very productive but maybe tomorrow??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that the ratio between good and mediocre yards sales is about one in every twenty :) You'll hit a good one pretty soon, don't give up :)

      Delete
  3. Great Goodwill finds! Glad you found a place in your art barn for the fireplace. I've been wanting one of those for our basement family room - maybe this winter we'll get one. Love the chandelier you made out of a wreath - so pretty! Have a wonderful weekend, Connie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Those fireplaces are really quite nice. They give you the choice of just flames or flames and heat. So, even if it is not very cold you can have the cozy atmosphere :) You won't be sorry buying one.

      Delete
  4. Some great finds, it is always a joy to visit your craft barn it is a feast for the eyes. Love the wreath chandelier, looks amazing. Have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you enjoyed this post and my chandelier. The wreath was one that I had fall flowers on an had hung on the outside of the barn and on my old house for a few years. I like them better after they have weather a few years. Thank you for popping in to visit, I appreciate your blogging friendship.

      Delete
  5. The watermelon and polka dot chicken really completed the farmhouse kitchen look. Love it. Good deal on getting both those pieces at the yard sale for what you had. I've been to yard sales before where people want too much for their stuff and they aren't willing to go down on price. There is a house I drive by frequently that has an old sled with ice skates hanging on it that they put out on their front porch in winter. I've always liked the look

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the idea, I already have a pair of polka dot skates . . . I was thinking about a green wreath, but if I use the skates, I won't have to buy anything new, and I like that :) Wishing you a happy weekend!

      Delete
  6. Great finds!! LOVE the chandeleir it is perfect!!!! Cute idea with the gumball machine too!! Love your blog.

    Have a great weekend, Janie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Janie, thanks for visiting and for your sweet words of encouragement. After I took the photos and had them in my post, I realized that I should have turned the lights on before taking the photo of the chandelier, we'll call it a senior moment, LOL.

      Delete
  7. The Art barn is really looking inviting! And I love the fun finds you've gotten...the sled and that neat old gum ball machine. I have a gum ball machine and need to fill it with something too! Hugs, Diane

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Diane, I started to fill the gumball machine with BINGO balls, but I didn't have enough to make it look cute. That's when I though of my old watches :) Thanks for stopping by to say hello.

      Delete
  8. Hey Connie! Are you kidding! How could anyone stop in the middle of one of your posts? :) I am always amazed at your thrift store finds and your decorating. I love the chandelier!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are so sweet, thank you. It tickles my heart to hear that; you've put a big smile on this old face of mine :)

      Delete
  9. You have some great finds there and all for great prices. I love rearranging things around in the house and do it often.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't rearrange the way I did when I was young, but I still do it a lot out in the barn. It is amazing how much more storage and space you can come up with, by moving things around. The only thing out there is that I move things so much, that I forget where I've stored some items, LOL.

      Delete
  10. Hi Connie, Your raspberry jam looks delicious! I made freezer raspberry jam last year but am thinking since I don't know when we will be moving that I should can some this year. Did you use sure-jell? The sugarless or regular? I will be watching to see what you do with that sled as I have one downstairs and plan to take it with me when we move. Thank you so much for the encouraging words on my blog! Nancy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Nancy, regular sure-jell that's the way I went. It's the only thing that I had ever tried and it always works, so why change. I've been keeping my eyes open for an old sled for years, so I was excited to find this one. I've seen them priced as high as $75, but I knew if I kept looking that one would come along that was more in a price I was willing to pay. I'll be decorating it for Christmas, for sure :)

      Delete
  11. Great finds and I so love your chandelier that is just too cool, The watch parts in the gumball machine is cool too, you are so creative!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's fun decorating the Art Barn, because I have no rules or restrictions. It's my space, so I do not have to consider the tastes and comforts of other family members. I just use lots of color and lots of mixed matched stuff and try to bring it all together in a fun way that makes me happy when I walk through the door :) I wouldn't want my house to look like this, but out there, I'm in my own little world, LOL

      Delete
  12. I love the spotty dotty chicken - very cute!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, I just had to buy it and bring it home to my farmhouse kitchen :)

      Delete
  13. Not too long at all! I am in love with your chandelier and the gumball machine! Both are awesome! Great idea to put the fireplace/heater in the art barn. That will be so cozy this winter. The jam looks so yummy. I love raspberry anything! It is pretty to look at as well. Good deals on the Goodwill finds and they look perfect in your kitchen. I haven't been thrifting in a while! Enjoy your Sunday evening my friend. Have a lovely week!

    Hugs, Vicky

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Vicky, I have been under the weather all day, but starting to feel a little bit better. I even went back to bed this afternoon, that is not like me. I'm sure that by tomorrow I will feel better . . . I think that my problems are related to pushing myself too much. I am older now and need to learn to balance my life a bit better. My body tells me I'm ageing, but my brain still thinks I'm a young woman, LOL. Thanks so much for stopping by, I always enjoy reading your comments and visiting your blog :) You are a sweet friend.

      Delete
  14. You're a busy girl with a knack for finding great deals.

    If you look at Share Your Cup #203, last week's link party, you will see a darling sled makeover. They painted it like the American flag.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Lovely frugal purchases, Connie - I managed a few of my own last week - see my previous blog post! Thanks for your visit and nice comment - I'm glad you liked my baby card. I'm very thrilled to have my machine up and running again.

    Shoshi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Shoshi, it is always nice seeing that you have popped in for a visit. It's great that your machine is running and bringing you enjoyment :) You deserve it!

      Delete
  16. You are seriously very creative and it is so interesting how you made decorative pieces out of junk. I especially loved your art barn, the nest and gumball machine. You really have some kind of amazing talent.

    ReplyDelete