Cheshire Cat Smile

I have this week off from work, and of course I must start the week off by going to the thrift. Glad I did! Indeed, you could say it put a smile on my face.

This is a large Cheshire cat toaster or teapot cosy, in brand new condition. I couldn't quite capture the vivid greeness of his eyes. He is so lovely and is perfect.

The cosy is from "Alice's Shop", Oxford. I had never heard of this store. It is actually a store in Oxford, England, selling authentic Alice in Wonderland items. Can't you practically hear this cat purr?

Close up of the famous Cheshire cat smile. Priceless!

Books from the Thrift Store

My Salvation Army has racks and racks of magazines, and once in a while you can find some vintage-y gems. For example, I found a Circle Magazine, circa 1979 with this adorable craft idea photo spread:

It pictures adorable handmade angels made from recycled drinking cups. I'm not sure what materials were used for the other objects in the picture, but I believe everything is made from recycled materials. Did I mention this was from 1979???

On the other end of the spectrum, this is a copy of Dickens' Great Expectations in the children's section. Why does Mrs. Haversham look like a man in drag?

Today, on my trip to Value Village, there were some interesting office items

in a stunning shade of aqua.



Stacking Trays....aren't they pretty?



Sigh, the colour is so beautiful, it reminds me of summer. I decided I didn't have room in my office for these (sniff sniff).



Things that make me happy

I always go crazy over vintage rick rack and sewing trims at the thrift store. They're very cheap and they have so many uses. They look so pretty displayed in a vintage Pyrex mixing bowl (Woodland Mushroom).

I got all these packages of rick rack, lace trim and seam binding for about $2.00.

So many colour options...



I'll never be able to use them all.

Children's Books and Music of Yore

Here are some adorable kid-themed items I've bought from the thrift lately. I adore old illustrations from vintage children's books.

All these mini paper back books were in a bag for 99 cents. They are precious and in great condition.

On a separate trip, I scooped up these adorable Peter Pan children's LP's from the 50's. They were 99 cents each, but I had a discount card which gave me 30 % off my total purchase... :)

Peter Cottontail and Alice in Wonderland

Sing and Learn Spanish, I'm a Little Teapot

Three Little Kittens, Goldilocks (my two faves out of the bunch)

Eeek! Vintage Christmas themed records! Frosty is so cool looking! heh heh

Hard to Pass up Buttons

Yesterday I visited the SA shop. On the way to the SA shop is a quilting fabric store (which has gorgeous handmade quilts in their window). Yesterday a shop sign outside was advertising "Vintage and Antique Button Exhibit". How could I not stop in?

Inside were all sorts of buttons for sale by a button maker and collector. Button cards, filled with antique glass, metal, celluloid, and bone buttons. There were some vintage French easter buttons that were adorable! The buttons were gorgeous and priced accordingly. However, there was available for purchase, a tub full of regular vintage buttons, two scoops for a dollar, the scoop being a medium sized shot glass.

Cute baggie of buttons

The catch was that you were not able to individually pick the buttons, basically it was a "blind scoop". However, I did manage to move the buttons around a bit in the bin before "fishing".

I didn't do too badly

I did pretty well I think.

Merry Mushrooms Blooming at Value Village

These pretties were lined up on a shelf in the houseware department yesterday at Value Village:

Sears 70s Merry Mushroom Kitchenware

I'm thinking sadly that someone's parent or grandparent passed away, and a relative donated their whole collection to Value Village. All in all there were 16 Merry Mushroom pieces - soup tureen, soup bowls, napkin holder, mugs, cheese plate and salt or pepper shaker, cookie jar, teapot.

Many years worth of collecting

These pieces are so charming and cheerful, I can see why people would have wanted the whole collection, and still do today. They have quite a bit of heft to them and look sturdy. My favourite was the cheese container.

Humourous Items at the Thrift Store

Some of the items I've seen at the thrift store make me chuckle. Sorry for the quality, these photos were taken with my mobile phone.

The "Pick-Up" Napkin

These paper napkins were designed for the shy fellow or gal to surreptitiously pass to the object of their intended crush. They have a spot to leave your name, where you would like to meet, and your phone number. They were unopened. I guess the purchaser lost their nerve and couldn't go through with his or her plan. You could meet your soul mate for only $1.99, what a deal!!

Precious Moments Boy Statuary

It's hard to read, but the boy's sign reads "I will love you all ways". A small but significant error. Guess the pretty girl in the back rejected him. Can you blame her?  Oh, Precious Moments boy, what are you trying to suggest??



My true self is never quite as self-righteous as this, is yours?