July 24, 2011

Thrifty Treasures

I have learned or should a say relearned a valuable lesson about buying  electrical items at rummage sales, estate sales, or thrift stores.

On Thursday morning, I woke up at 5:30 A.M. and got myself ready for the short drive to Illinois to met my sweet sister for Saint Ignatius church rummage sale. Thursday was opening day for this huge three day rummage sale. The sale started at seven and as we pulled into the grassy field to park the car, the long line of people started to move/run into the tents.

Housed in a large tent was all the furniture, I saw tables of all types, kitchen, dinning, end, and patio. Dressers, chairs, sofas, bed frames, you name the type of furniture and, I believe they had it. The prices were high, and I moved on to fill a bag for  five dollar tent. A quick scan and, I moved on to the household items located in a pole barn. Dishes, glasses, bread machines, and my eyes saw the box that contained the Thunder Stick. I remember the infomercial that featured the lady that made whipped cream from skim milk, and peanuts into homemade peanut butter.

The Thunder Stick, deluxe multi-purpose blender system.

Since the instruction manual was inside the box, I did a quick check to make sure all the parts were there. Everything was there and for $3.00 it was mine.  I came home washed all of the pieces, and I was set to whip up a smoothie using the aerator blade with my Thunder Stick. Dead, no power. I changed outlets, scanned the manual for trouble-shooting tips. Zip, nothing, nada.  I decided to call the 800 number on the back of the manual, the phone number is disconnected.  Moral of this too long story is, find an electrical outlet and check to make sure your item is in working condition.

Inside the building that was air conditioned, (we were having a heat wave) was clothes, shoes and linens.  I found these pillow cases for fifty cents each.  

These cross stitch pillow cases caught my eye.

Although there was only one butterfly 
pillow case, I couldn't pass it up.

Beautiful hand embroidery.

Three pottery nesting bowls with a snow flake design,
The Art Box note cards, and a yellow and red 
leather purse. These items came to $5.00.

This vintage Christmas stocking kit was a sentimental purchase.  
My family would drive to Elgin, Illinois to the Lee Wards 
store a couple of times a year for craft supplies. So for only 59¢, 
I picked up the stocking, but now that I look at it... it's ugly! 


I am linking up with, Her Library Adventures on Sunday, for:


on Monday with Apron Thrift Girl for:







6 comments:

  1. Great finds, really liking the butterfly embroidery

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  2. Ohhh the embroidery is so great! Nice treasures!

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  3. Pretty, pretty pillowcases!

    My mother ordered from a Lee Wards catalog for years so I can understand the sentimentality of that purchase. Maybe someone on ebay would find it beautiful?

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  4. love the linens!

    Smiles,
    The Joyful Thrifter

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  5. I love your finds, that butterfly pillow slip is so sweet!

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  6. Any chance you still have all of the Thunder Stick goodies? I have my Thunder Stick but All of the attachments were lost in a move??? Maybe we could help each other out
    :-)renae.scribner.willis@gmail.com

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