Making Money at the Thrift Store

This past week there were two cool stories about thrift store finds.

A guy in Nashville bought a rolled up paper that turned out to be

an ''official copy'' of the Declaration of Independence -- one of 200 commissioned by John Quincy Adams in 1820 when he was secretary of state and printed by William Stone in 1823.

He paid $4,000 to have the document conserved, but will have an opening bid of $125,000 and could sell for nearly twice that amount when it goes up for auction.

Then, a 15-month-old was playing with a book at the thrift store. The babysitter paid 25 cents for it and when they opened it they found $1,300 stuck between the pages. The babysitter took it to the money, which dated back to the 1960s, to the bank but only received $300 because the rest was tattered.

As I was telling these stories to my coworker, the book Buy, Keep or Sell? came across the desk. I like that it is full of photos and shows what to buy and what to sell. I doubt I would partake in the buying and selling of items and certainly keeping is against my de-cluttering efforts. Others might find it of interest to see if anything they have in their house has a value.

Make It: McCutie onesie and blankie

McCutie onesie and blankie
Originally uploaded by udandi.

I know four expectant mothers (March-June) and this is April-baby's gift.

The baby's last name will begin with Mc and the mother watches Grey's Anatomy so McCutie was the only thing I could think of that would be suitable for a boy or girl.

The other item I've named "handy Andi blankie," which was based on these little print blankets a friend bought at a summer festival for her babies. The shape of this one was determined by the amount of denim I had for the back. This is really soft denim that at one time had been a pair of jeans until I ripped the leg! Instead of trashing them, I saved them and have used pieces for these blankies and for a pillow.

I am not big on wrapping gifts so I found this keepsake box and wrapped it up with ribbon!

Make it: Rockabilly Onesie & blankie

rockabilly baby onesie and blankie
Originally uploaded by udandi.

This is March-baby's gift, who is a boy so that's why I chose the cowboy print for his blankie.

My friends are into the rockabilly scene so that is what I decided to do for the onesie.

Pretty much the same as April-baby's gift, except I used the blankie to wrap the gift.

Free Stuff: Chick-fil-a swag

Chick-fil-a swag
Originally uploaded by udandi.

Back during all bowl season, I signed up to have a Chick-fil-a cow sent to my little buddy. I hope she was surprised to get a little cow with a foam finger in the mail!

Also, my friends and I received Captain Morgans hats and light-up necklaces from the Captain's treasure chest! He gave us cards that we had to put into the chest and see if it would unlock. Unfortch, I did not have my camera with me or else we could have gotten our photo taken with him. Back when their slogan was "the captain was here" I photoshopped a photo of my friends and I to look like a Captain Morgan's advert.

Free Stuff: Dove Cream Oil Body Wash

I saw the commercial with "Callie O'Malley" (Grey's Anatomy) last night during the Oscars.

Free sample of Dove Cream Oil Body Wash

Craft Supply Center Redux

Craft Supply Center Redux
Originally uploaded by udandi.

This is an updated photo of my craft supply storage center. It now has four ribbon holders and a magentic memo board above where I have loose ribbon and do-dads in a magnetic tins and a place to hang cards.
If you click the photo, it will take you into Flickr where I put notes on the photo.

The right side of the dresser is empty, but I have thought about adding peg board so that I can hang scissors and keep tape, glue and punches handy.

I might submit this photo to the local newspaper, which was asking for DIY ideas for a new feature called Clever-U!

Love It: Academy Awards Dress Replicas

I spoke of this librarian before saying it would be cool if her concept was compiled into a book (or maybe she could start with a blog?).

The title of this post links to the article, but I am posting the photo and full text here with complete byline since Community Press & Recorder articles tend to get lost (or purged) in the archives shortly after publication.

A fun fact about Heidi is that she does not sign her artwork and does not give autographs. If you are a Greater Cincinnati resident, check out the Covedale branch to see her display!

Librarian shares Oscar gowns
BY KURT BACKSCHEIDER | COMMUNITY PRESS STAFF WRITER

COVEDALE - Heidi Bullard loves this time of year.

February is the month movie buffs and fashion gurus turn their attention toward Hollywood for the annual Academy Awards, and Bullard is no different.

"I'm very much into the Academy Awards and I have a number of different lists or goals I'm working on regarding the Academy Awards," she said.

"I also host an Oscar party each year."

One of Bullard's goals is to see every film nominated for Academy Awards in the top eight categories, which is more than 7,000 movies. She said she has about 50 movies still to see.

But like many people, the movies aren't the only aspect of the glitzy award show the teen and reference librarian at the College Hill Branch Library looks forward to each year.

Bullard said she's been interested in the fashion, particularly the dresses Hollywood stars wear to the gala, ever since entertainment magazines began scrutinizing the fashions in the mid 1990s.

She started collecting photographs from magazines and has since dressed more than 90 dolls in gowns she's created to replicate those worn by the famous stars who have graced the red carpet.

About half of her glamorously gowned dolls, complete with replica hair styles and jewelry, are on display through the end of this month at the Covedale Branch Library, 4980 Glenway Ave.

Julie Hotchkiss, who usually decorates the library's display case with her father, said they didn't mind getting a month off to allow Bullard to display her collection.

"They have to be seen to be believed," Hotchkiss said.

"She's quite a seamstress and the gowns, as well as the dolls' hairdos and jewelry, are amazing replicas."

Eileen Mallory, branch manager of the Covedale library, said Bullard's display has been very popular among library visitors.

She said children are drawn to the collection because of the dolls and adults appreciate the Oscar ties and Bullard's attention to detail.

"It's been extremely popular and well-received by people on all levels," Mallory said.

"Every time I look up from the counter someone is lingering in front of the display and checking it out."

Bullard said the dresses, most of which depict best actress winners, can take anywhere from two to 20 hours to make.

"It really depends on how much beading and pleating and complexities are involved," she said.

"But it's fun to do and I really enjoy the challenge of the puzzle."

She said she enjoys selecting the material and pieces needed to make the gowns and then figuring out how to force 6 inches of fabric to fall the same way 6 feet of fabric normally falls.

"The dresses that are really popular are the ones that are really crazy," she said.

"The bad ones are also more fun to make than the good ones."

For instance, her collection includes replicas of a swan dress entertainer Bjork once wore and a dress one woman crafted from American Express gold cards, she said.

Bullard's dolls have also been displayed downtown at the Main Library and at the branches in Madeira and Fort Thomas.

"Mostly they just live at my house in solitude," she said.

"This is the time of year they come out."

Get It: Fun Fabric

fabric
Originally uploaded by udandi.

Joann's had $2/yard flannel fabric so I picked up a couple of prints (the candy and food faces) I had seen others blog about. I have projects for two of the prints and for the soft and cuddly green in the middle. I will post about it after I finish and give the gifts.

I am using a friend's sewing machine and it is seriously awesome! I should figure out all my sewing projects so I can crank out my projects all at once!

Joann's had a Sunday advertisement and when I asked at the store if that was going to be a new thing (instead of signing up for their mailing list), the clerk said yes. I hope she is right! It would make sense since Michael's and Hobby Lobby also print coupons in the Sunday paper.

Make It: innerTee

My innerTee
Originally uploaded by udandi.

Over at innerTee you can select a tee shirt and add art to make your own custom-designed tee.

There are so many art options, but instead of junking it up (which I tend to do when I craft) I stopped after adding an elk and the swooop to a red shirt.

My order came in a couple of days with two mini buttons and a sheet of stickers, which are awesome because I really liked the robot but it didn't really coordinate with my design.

Enjoy It: Dora the Explorer cake

Dora cake
Originally uploaded by udandi.

We had a family lunch last Sunday and my sister-in-law brought this Dora cake, which was a hit with the under 4 crowd. Although, I must say I had Dora's hand (the one with the bracelet) and it was delicious!

I have no clue how long it took her to decorate, but I certainly would not have the patience to make each little star-shaped decoration.

Photo: Ice Storm

icy
Originally uploaded by udandi.

Yesterday afternoon we got a wintery mix (switching between icy rain and snow) so I took this photo on my way to chiseling out my car for work.

Work closed 20 minutes early, which was about how long it took me to chisel out my and my coworkers cars (please do not set out for work without an ice scraper knowing this forecast!). On my drive home, the roads were icy and many tree limbs had fallen, some on power lines.

When I got home, the power was out and stayed out for nearly 13 hours. Using the glow of my iPod screen, I put extra blankets on my bed and listened to some podcasts before falling asleep.

Today's news says those without power may not have it until Thursday *brrr*

More ice and photos of the 5 deer who visited our yard on Sunday are in my Flickr account.

Valentines: Recycle Your Heart

I meant to post about this contest last week, but my Internet connection is fried so I have not been (and will not be) able to post to my blog much.

I did not enter, but enjoy seeing what others made in the Craft: Recycle Your Heart contest!

Have a nice holiday, but celebrate love every day!

Snow Day! Part II

This snow has been anticipated for the last couple of days, at least by teacher friends who are hoping for a Wednesday snow day and with this lasting through 1am, I am going to guess they will get it!

It started falling today around 12:30pm EST and these photos were taken a little after 3pm from inside through the window and screen (as in the case above) when I got back from my attempt at going to work.

Having heard the snow plows for the last couple of hours, I did not think the roads would be as covered, but it is coming down quickly! I needed to fuel up but when I got to the corner gas station, it was without power - I'm guessing from an accident. In my particular neighborhood, the electricity goes out frequently during rainy weather from cars striking the electric poles.

With only a quarter tank of gas, I decided to go home and call work. In the meantime, I crept back down the road, nearly missed my turn and almost ended up in a yard. Oh yeah, work called and said they were closing at 5pm, which I now see was probably a late call due to the city just declaring "operation snow in effect" (I don't mean to be snarky, but it is obvious snow is in effect so I am not sure what that declaration really means).

Despite having the car warmed up and the defroster on, the snow was freezing to my window upon contact and my dad informed me as the temperatures dropped the roads would become slicker and every car a wrecking ball. Doesn't he have a way with words?!

This photo is from inside as well. I would like to capture a photo of this cardinal who is brilliant red and would stand out nicely in the snow, but I imagine he is nestled at home staying warm!

Before & After: Shelves

To match the room I painted blue heaven, I painted these cubby shelves blue heaven and chocolate chip. These shelves had previously been hidden behind curtains, not to hide the color, but to hide my collection of books, magazines and photo boxes.

As it is, these could be stacked up and look completed, but two things I would like to do to make it my own (the duo-tone shelves were inspired by Crafty & Cool):

1) Make a trolley like I did for the luggage end table so that it will be a little easier to move when I need to sweep
2) Make new curtains

I cannot remember how much I paid for each unit, but it was 10 years ago and they have and should continue to serve me well! I paid $20 for two gallons of paint, which I have plenty leftover.

Free Stuff: Enviga (Cincinnati readers)

The Sunday edition of The Cincinnati Enquirer, page A6, has a coupon for a free can of Enviga (up to $1.89).

A quick check online, a similar coupon ran in the LA Times, page A15, on Saturday.

Enviga is the drink that claims to burn calories.

In other coupon clipping news, Michaels (ad) and Hobby Lobby (comics section) had 40% off coupons in the Sunday paper.

Make It: Layer Cookie Bars

This recipe is called Yum Yums in the children's book Rainy Day Surprises You Can Make, but it is the 7 Layer Cookies bars minus the coconut and nuts.

1 stick butter
1 1/4 c. graham cracker crumbs
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 pkg. semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1 pkg. (6 oz.) butterscotch chips


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a 13 x 9 inch baking pan melt butter in oven.
Sprinkle crumbs over it, mix together and press into pan.
Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumbs.
Top evenly with both chips.
Bake 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned.
Cool before cutting.

I made these and the Cheesey Spinach & Artichoke Dip for the Super Sunday of Snacking!

Attitudes are contagious, is yours worth catching?

Jennifer Ireland's blog was linked through another blog I read. I spent last night reading through much of her and most recently her husband's account of her 13-month battle with colon cancer at the age of 27. This newspaper article, Young parents enjoying life while doggedly fighting for it provides a short recap.

I do not know this woman, but from reading her posts, I can tell she is one of those incredible people who can turn the focus off her own hardship by focusing on positivity in her life. I imagine she is the type of person I would enjoy asking "how ya doing?" and know her reply is sincere and probably does not start with "let me tell ya..." and rambles on about all the minute negativity of her life.

She reminds me of one of my favorite sayings that I read on the sign in front of this church down the road from my parents' house: Attitudes are contagious, is yours worth catching?

Whether it is through thoughts or prayers, I hope you find a moment in your life to send love to this woman and her family.

Update: Jennifer passed away around 2:40am Sunday, February 4, 2007.

Jennifer Ireland Foundation

Before & After: Gumball Machine

I asked and received this mint gumball machine as a child. It matched my seafoam green and peach room decor (it was the 80s) and I loved it!

Then, it was packed away for years until the other weekend when my parents gave it back to me. The color was no longer working for me so I grabbed red spray paint and changed it. When sanding it, I realized it had been bubble gum pink before being mint.

I got a little overspray on the front, which I'll fix, and I need to seal it, but I was so excited it for its makeover.

While looking for information on how to switch it so it does not require coins (still haven't found the answer, if you know, tell me!), I saw a someone describe a 1985 gumball machine as vintage. wow!

Organize It: Buttons, Brads, Stickers & More

I ended up buying a Craft Mates Organizer when I got a 40% coupon for Michaels. I saw the same case at Meijer for $19.95, but it was $14.95 at Michaels.

I put all the little embellishments that I use to decorate paper crafts into most of the 28 compartments. I managed to fit in the epoxy stickers into a compartments by cutting the sheet into individual pieces. Some of my favorite pieces are the itty-bitty hangers, clothes pins and dominoes!

I have a couple works-in-progress that I am excited to post once I finish them!