Treasure Box Wednesday: A Short Holiday Wrap-Up

We've talked a lot about holiday decorating lately, so tonight, I thought we'd gab about gifting. As you know, I'm a big supporter of finding great gifts at thrift stores. It supports reuse, it's cost-effective, and best of all, you can find amazing, unique items.

But really, you have to know your recipients when you do this. I'm fortunate to have friends and family who understand that just because something was pre-owned, doesn't make that item any less wonderful, or my gifting intentions any less sincere. So I understand, thrifted gifts may not be for everyone.

Today, however, I thought I'd share with you a little overview of some of the gifts I'd thrifted this season. Fortunately, those who will be receiving these goodies, are not online this week. (HA-HA.) So I can tell you folks in real-time about the fun finds-- while the recipients can still enjoy the surprises of the season.

But first, I wanted to share with you a truly crazy, creative and beautiful gift my friend Kitty made for me this year. Kitty is known for her sense of humor and crafty side, and has, in the past, come up with rather wacky and extremely thoughtful Christmas gifts for me. And this year was one I thought would make you all smile, as well; Kitty made me a Thrift Shop Romantic logo needlework sampler!


Here is a close-up of the detailed stitching... She did the curliques, lamp fringe, and all!


I am not handy with a needle myself, but I do know the intricacy and time that goes into a piece like this. Plus, she made her own template from a print-out from my web site header and chose the specific (and eerily accurate!) colors. It's a little hard to see in this photo, but she even went to the trouble to make the background have the same textured feel of the pale green damask graphic.

The last little nuance to the piece was in choosing the frame. Kitty's personal taste runs much more streamlined and silver than mine, so it is a big credit to her talent at gifting that she chose such a burnished, old-fashioned-feel frame for my decor.

I was speechless when I opened it, and I'll be hanging it in the just-right spot in my home.

Most of all, I feel lucky to have friends who care so much.

Speaking of excellent friends, another bud-- the infamous housemate, Scoobie-- will be receiving a couple of thrifted gifts this season, too. (She's away for the holidays now, so I can tell you all about it!) You all saw her French blue Christmas decor the other day, so you may understand why these handpainted plates leapt out at me...


I was particularly surprised to find a set of four! I also found this beautiful transferware and hand-detailed luster plate from Germany.


I think it's fairly old, and she'll be happy with it. Lastly, in the house she doesn't yet have (she's planned a lot for it, it's going to be astounding someday), she hopes to have a bit of an Old West/Victorian theme. So I thought, what 1800s saloon would be complete without a nifty mirrored beer sign?...


At the very least, I thought it will give her a good chuckle.

Now, what Victorian home wouldn't be right without a big, yellow robot Transformer?...


Um, yeah: I know. But still-- he works! He's "Foot-stomping Action Bumblebee," they tell me. And he makes one heckuva lot of racket (particularly when I was driving him from the thrift store to home! Every stop light there seemed to be an explosion). But a young Transformers collector on my list will be one totally happy dude.

Other thrifted purchases over the season for gifts include a huge milk glass collection (including punch bowl set!), comics, collectible dolls, character glassses, a wide range of books, and a number of Garfield collectibles. How fun is that?

Lastly, there are two thrifted finds this week I thought I'd show you. Like these paintings?-- "Pshaw!"....


Or rather "P. Shaw." The artist. But as you can see, the artist took liberties with his/her signatures on the watercolors. A great find at just $1 a piece.

And then there was Scoobie's early 1900s rocking chair coup. This was at the St. Vincent de Paul in Monroeville for around $40. It will need some reupholstery, but it isn't a difficult piece do redo...

And just look at that gorgeous tiger oak!

Anyway, that's all for this week's Treasure Box. I hope those celebrating holidays right now have a happy one, and I wish good tidings to everyone in general this season. Thank you all for reading and for being a part of it!