Free Clip Art ART

I won this trio of gilded bamboo framed prints on ebay for $6.99. I bought them solely for the frames, because one of the three prints were very faded and didn't match the remaining two. I wanted to replace the prints with something colorful and fun, so I got the idea to print some free clip art off of Google Images. All I did was search for "Ginger Jar", found a single image I liked, and uploaded it to Pixlr.com. It was there that I messed around with the colors, and came up with three different versions of the same image. Here is what I wound up with...

BEFORE

FADED PRINT

AFTER

Nightstand Decor

I went to Home Goods today to find some flowers to go in my porcelain vase on my nightstand. Normally their flowers are $9.99 and above, but I found some faux tulips I knew would work, and they were marked down on clearance for only $3.50. The only problem is they were wrapped in fake leaves and embedded in layers upon layers of styrofoam. So, I did what any crafty girl would do and completely obliterated the flowers. 

My huge mess...

No, your eyes are not deceiving you...that is a green kitchen counter top...

Daily Thrift Scores

Starting now, I'm going to start showcasing my daily thrift shop finds. I figure this is the only way to keep my fiance from asking questions whenever he sees new things popping up around the house. (Since all my treasures are getting harder and harder to hide.) "I had to buy this, babe. It's for my blog." That should work...right?

Framed and Matted Oil Painting Signed T. Carson

"Streets of Paris"

$5.15

Little Brass Trinket Boxes

$.75 Each

Little Brass Tea Light Candle Holders

$.75 Each

Giant Oriental Brass Bucket/Planter/Waste Basket w/ 2 Ring Handles, and Faux Bamboo Edges 

$6.95

(This image was taken from Etsy.)

 Oriental Pottery

$6.00, $2.99, $1.19 

$2.99 & $1.19

Framed Bird Print 

$4.00

Decorative Box

$.75

Lucite Picture Easel

$2.00

(I added the picture)

Ginger Jar & Oriental Ming Stand

$3.99 & $1.00

Gold Gilded Bamboo Frame

I was out shopping today when I came across a beautiful gold gilded faux bamboo framed art piece for only $10.00. The art was actually a needlepoint piece paying homage to someone's dad for Fathers Day. However, Dad must have not liked his gift, thus potentially being the reason as to why it was donated to a thrift store. Well, he's a great dad in my eyes, because he essentially gave me a gift today; the gift of happiness. I am always on the hunt for faux bamboo frames, but on the rare occasion I do come across one, they are normally a little on the pricey side. I bought this one not knowing what I would replace the needlepoint artwork with, but I assumed I'd find something on eBay eventually. On the drive home I had an epiphany. I remembered I had a vintage bird lithograph print I had bought for $.50 at a yard sale this summer that would look absolutely perfect in this frame. When I got home I measured the print and it was an exact fit. Lesson learned? Never judge a frame by it's artwork. ;)

BEFORE

 AFTER

Pagoda Lampshades

I had bought two beautiful "Pagoda-ish" brass lamps a few months back at my favorite ReStore. The moment I spotted them, I knew there couldn't be a more perfect set of lamps fitted for my chinoiserie guest bedroom. Not to mention, at only $12.00 a piece they were a steal. The only downsides were; one harp was longer than the other (easy fix), and they didn't come with lampshades. The lamp shade issue was a big one, because these lamps are HUGE. I'm talkin statement pieces. So any old lamp shade wouldn't do. I had to find large ones that worked with the overall style of the lamps. After doing my research, I knew only a pagoda lampshade would suffice. Finding these I knew would pose a challenge, but, since I am stubborn by nature, I always enjoy a good challenge. Every day for the past 5 months, I searched Craigslist, Ebay, Etsy, HomeGoods, and all surrounding thrift stores high and low for pagoda lampshades, but to no avail. I even got so obsessed that I set both my Google alerts and Ebay alerts to "Pagoda Lampshade". Well, that's what worked. Just last week, there was a posting on Ebay for a pair of Vintage Pagoda Lampshades listed for $99.00. I know, seems pretty pricey for just the shades, but after checking out brand new pagoda shades going for over $200.00 a piece, I didn't feel so guilty about placing a bid. I wound up winning the shades, but unfortunately when I received them, I noticed one of them had a rather large tear in the front. (Happened during UPS transit.) Luckily for me, the tear was somewhat hidden in the design, AND the seller gave me a partial refund because of this defect. So, technically I only paid $50.00 for the set of shades. I couldn't be more pleased with them. They look like they were made for my lamps.

(The lamp on the right is the correct size. The left needs a new harp.)

***

Dining Room Is Coming Together

Our lovely neighbors had a beautiful, antique, wooden dining table they just weren't using. I casually mentioned how nice I thought it was, and they offered it to me...fo free. I gladly took it off their hands, and it now sits perfectly in our "work in progress" dining room. 

The moment I saw the table, I knew the exact style of chairs I wanted to pair with it; black Windsor chairs. Since we're attempting to do everything on a budget, I knew that finding 4 Windsor chairs, for a reasonable price, would pose quite the challenge. Well, lo and behold, the very next day (no exaggeration), I went to my favorite ReStore and spotted 4 black Windsor chairs for $10.00 a piece. I was so happy to have found the chairs, that I actually left the store right after purchasing them. Didn't even browse, or even attempt to look at anything else. (This never, and I mean NEVER, happens. I was just THAT excited.) Here is what I have thus far...

BEFORE

NOW