Fall Break with MadMax

MadMax doesn't like to make the drive from School to Atlanta for a long weekend so we met at the lake for Fall Break.  On Saturday, we went to Walhalla for an auction preview and hit several yard sales on the way back.  Most were a complete waste of time.  I did find this vintage fabric, along with a lot of yardage of three different solid fall colors and a bag of lace and rick rac for $1.

We went back to auction that night.  It is a true adventure in people watching.  It is cheap entertainment.  Max really didn't like the three dealers sitting in front of us.  He particularly didn't like the way one of them thumbed through Southern Living during the whole auction and then would kind of wiggle her fingers like she was making a fist when she bid.  Funny how he reacted.  He had a good night and found $30 (no one claimed it) so his net cost was good:  Ikea looking magazine rack ($2.50), a small shelf for his closet ($1), a powder horn and leather wadding bag, feed sacks with Indians, and a college kids dream --- an entire sleeve of Heineken coasters from the 70's and another sleeve of Pabst Blue Ribbon Coasters from the 70's in box lots of other stuff.

I bought a few box lots:  Buttons, Empty wooden thread spools, spools of thread on wooden spools, two vintage glass pitchers with flowers, and boxes of ephemera.  Spent around $30 plus had a great time, better than dinner and a movie.

Here are pictures of a few of them:

Buttons (plus another bag of buttons on cards)

This is my favorite button.  Doesn't it make you want to know what the dress looked like that this was on?

A Giant spool of thread, I am sure it was from a mill.  Love the wood.

This little sewing kit was in one of the box lots too.  Given the color of the tube and the color of the thread, I think it may have been military.  There are no markings though.  The little tube of needles fit through the hole in the spool of thread with the thimble on top.  Kind of cute.

Looking for Christmas presents on the cheap

Our family is changing our Christmas gift giving this year.  We usually have an all day orgy of present opening.  The kids are nearly grown and don't need much.  Mom, Sister 2 and I met with my son and her middle daughter and we decided on a $10 limit per person.  It will encourage creativity and limit over spending.

I decided for her daughters to give them a treasure chest full of cosmetics, beauty products, etc. by using coupons and samples.

I found this great site from hip2save.com, Rue La La.  I don't know if they are still doing it, but I got a $20 credit for signing up.  Yesterday, I bought a FOUR piece Laura Geller Lip Shiner set for EIGHTY FIVE CENTS!  What a frugal way to make the gifts for the girls, the retail on each one is $16,  $64 value for 85 cents.

Order Subtotal:	$10.90
Tax:	+ $0.00
Shipping:	+ $9.95
My Credit:	- $20.00
Order Total:	$0.85

It looks like Sunday night it the night to get bargains.  It is great that the $20 credit could be used for shipping.


Sister #1

Birthday Present for my Mom

With all the Halloween projects out there, I know this seems a little bit out of season.  For my mother's birthday (she's getting it today), I made this bunting for her.  It is really long.  She loves red, white, and blue and of course, Fourth of July is her favorite holiday.  They use their brick patio for entertaining and I thought this would be perfect.  The fabric was thrifted, the denim was from a thrifted pair of jeans, and the binding tape is vintage.   I cut the denim patches, then washed them and dried them to get the worn look.  I wish I had a picture of it put up but it's too long to show in the house.

Pssst: Good Earth Sample

General Mills sent a full size sample today of their new product "Good Earth"  I cannot wait to try it.  I got Mediterranean Chicken, one of four flavors. They also sent a stack of coupons to give away.  If it looks half way as good as the picture on the box, it should be delightful.  Will let you know how it is.

Burt's Bees Grab Bag

Thanks to Hip2Save, I scored a Burt's Bees Grab Bag with FREE SHIPPING!  It is a great value for $20. Listed below is what I got.  It was all in a clear plastic draw string bag.  The total value I received is $48.45, not including the extras like the scrubbie.  I used the price per ounce for the full size product on the smaller samples. The samples are still big enough to put into a gift basket.  I will definitely get this again.

Spearmint & Lime Body Wash                                   $5.00

Natural Toothpaste Whitening                                    $5.00

Beeswax Lip Balm                                                      $3.00

Lip Shimmer Peony                                                    $5.00

Super Shiny Lip Gloss                                                $7.00

Beeswax Lip Balm                                                      $3.00

Radiance Lip Shimmer                                               $5.00

Radiance Night Crème ($18/8) .25 oz                        $2.25

Almond Milk Hand Crème ($9/8) .25 oz                    $1.13

Lip Shimmer Natural ($5/.5oz)                                   $3.00

Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey ($10/8oz)          $1.25

Vitamin E Body & Bath Oil ($8/4 oz)                        $2.00

Orange Essence Facial Cleanser ($8/4.34oz)              $1.03

Soap Bark & Chamomile Cleansing Crème ($8/6)     $0.52

Coconut Foot Crème ($9/4.34 oz)                              $1.16

Therapeutic Bath Crystals ($10/16 oz)                       $0.94

Fabulously Fresh Body Bar ($4/4 oz)                         $0.80

Rosemary Mint Shampoo Bar ($6/3.5 oz)                  $1.37

Bee Nail File

Bee Tin           

Cosmetic Bag

Soft Bath Scrubbie

Small Sample Mens Natural Cologne

Small Sample Muscle Mend Balm