Budget Decorating

I'm a budget decorator

~ by choice ~

 an eclectic mix

of tapestry

glass

stoneware

a mix of natural

with faux 

an honest expression

of me!

I found these little pillows at the Good Will store

knowing I could recover them

and then like magic I found three empty pillow cases

like it was meant to be

and new pillows are created

with a bit of hand stitching

and WOW they're beautiful

and they're reversible!!!

along with past pillow purchases at the same store

I've spent a total of $8.00 on eight pillows! 

Gotta love a deal like that!

This Weeks Super Finds

This has been  an exciting week as far as snagging some SUPER FINDS! I have been searching for LARGE terra cotta pots for the past few years. My patience has certainly paid off. I just knew that someday, somewhere I would come across some that I would be willing to pay the price for ~ and that day was yesterday! We had a little time to kill before my hubby's Dr. appt so we stopped in at a thrift store and found these treasures there ~

The "small" pot is 18 inches across and the "big" pot is 22 inches across.

You can tell by the recycle bin (another steal at $1.50) and cooler setting behind them that they are not your ordinary little terra cotta planters. Now here's the deal ~ the small one cost $9.99 and the big fella was only $14.99.  I've searched them online and these exact same planters cost as much as $75.00 to $250.00!!!! These are some heavy duty planters we're talking about.  And if that wasn't enough to give my big strong man a good workout - we stopped at an antique store and he found himself something he's been hoping to find for some time - an antique cast iron bell.  It needs a little sand blasting but it's a big fella too at 18" across and it comes with the original clapper (very important you know) and with the ringing arm! A true find.

Then this morning we had a little shopping to do at the local hardware store and they happened to have some things on sale in their greenhouse. Lucky me ~ we got this wonderful huge fuschia plant for only 20 bucks.

There is a 12" pot hidden in there somewhere and it's just loaded with buds!  But the absolute best part of this week was finding out that my dear husband Thom continues to be cancer free! 

Show Off Your Cottage Monday

I've discovered a lovely site where you can "Show Off Your Cottage Monday." The link can be found in my right sidebar. 

I'm always up for something new so I decided to do my first posting on their site.  I have such an eclectic home, but I love the little things that make it all seem to come together ~ well at least well enough for my liking.

At first I just hung three little pictures ~ then I came across an empty frame. Of course I had to find the perfect place for it ~ and walla ~ oops, there it is. I love how it made the small grouping transform to a collective picture. 

What once was a simple cup and saucer soon became a collection after my sister's visit. Upon her return visit she presented me with a little box holding matching cups, saucers and dessert plates that she said were just taking up space in her attic.  I wanted to show them off so I put them in a huge fruit bowl with a few cloth napkins and grapes. They now grace my dining room table for all to enjoy.

It really is worth clicking on the picture to enlarge it. The cups are just beautiful.

Treasure Hunting

I'm a treasure hunter!  I'm a believer that one mans junk is another mans treasure. But lets forget about men for just a minute, I'm talking about the great deals we women can find.  There are certain places I have a hard time passing. Thrift stores, second hand stores, garage sales, estate sales, auctions etc.  I've mastered scanning a garage sale in a  matter of minutes.  If there's a treasure to be found I'll sniff it out.

But as long as I've been doing this (no -I won't mention how many years) I still learned a valuable lesson this past summer.  Be the first one in the door, and if you're sisters are along, scan fast and head to whatever catches your eye even faster! 

My oldest sister was visiting and knowing she's also a "treasure" hunter, we headed to our local St. Vinnie's.
Now knowing we have very similar tastes, I knew I was taking my chances that she'd find something I'd like.
Neither of us buy, just to spend - we just get things that we know are functional for our purposes or maybe just a gift for ourselves because God knows we deserve it! 

Being a lover of old tapestry; I've found purses, table runners, wall hangings etc. at these wonderful sales.  However; I don't have a large shoulder bag perfect for an overnight bag or to take along on future shopping sprees - but she does!  She found the most beautiful green tapestry bag right in front of me.  Talk about a deal, it was only a few bucks and it's in perfect condition.  I spotted it across the room because it was even in my favorite color. Now I have no idea how she snuck right past me to get to it first but she did. 

I LOVE IT ~ but she owns it. Oh well, you win some and you lose some.