Good Junk

My blog absence last week was partly due to the fact that I went down to Southern Colorado to visit family for a few days. I've mentioned before what a great place it is for small-town thrifting, and once again it didn't disappoint. On my way out of town I hit a great garage sale! Here is what I bought:

The old dictionary is to cannibalize for art projects. I have no idea why I bought the red book with the lady but I think I can use it for display (apparently Rebecca and I have a similar affliction). The book on the right is most interesting. Here's what it looks like inside:

Beautiful, spidery copperplate handwriting! It is a very old composition book that the owner used as a place to copy poems. Each poem is dated at the bottom and at first I thought it was the date the poem was written, but upon further investigation I believe it's the date that the poem was copied into the book. Let's see a close-up of this particular poem's date:

Yup, that says 1882, folks! I think this definitely qualifies for the oldest thing I've found while thrifting. I love it! I can't wait to use the pages in my projects.

Next was a whole bagful of old hankies. I spent a relaxing afternoon earlier this week ironing each and every one. Hankies are the ideal thing to iron--no tricky cuffs or plackets to work around, and they're pretty to look at while you're working! Here are a few of my favorites:

And here is my very favorite hankie of the bunch:

Not only is it pink and turquoise, but it's a state souvenir, and it's from Colorado! A trifecta!


I cannot pass up pretty crocheted potholders, especially when they're in such lovely colors and such good condition. The jewelry will be remade, and there's also an old glass knob hiding in there. And would you believe that I once had a big bag full of those vintage Halloween cake picks? I sold it on eBay, and for not even that much money. Whoops! These may find their way into something for the Sweet & Sinister Halloween Swap.

This is a fun little trifle. It's not a hat, but I do believe it was meant to be worn on the head over the hairstyle. I thought maybe I can use it for Halloween somehow, as it does remind me of a spiderweb. If nothing else I can use it for parts. The bows are velvet ribbon and the little crescents are flocked as well.

And one last treasure:

This is a bit odd. It's definitely a veil, as there are small hair combs sewn on the underside but the lace feels very heavy, like it was a curtain panel or a tablecloth in a former life. Generally you expect a veil to have lace or tulle that is very fine and light, so that leads me to believe that this must have been homemade. The trim is vintage with pearl beads and rhinestones and it's gorgeous!

My goodness, I'm glad it's Friday! This has been a long, busy week and I'm worn out. Because The Mister is in the National Guard, they've been staying downtown for the past week to be available in case riots happened during the Democratic National Convention. Thankfully things were much more peaceful than everyone had worried they might be, and we are more than ready for DH to be done with all of that monkey business. We're leaving town next Wednesday for a week and I have a huge project for church to prepare for as it happens right after we get home, so that has me stressed. And I love my kid but she wears me out, so I'm eager for DH to come home and give me a break! Our plans for Labor Day are mostly to relax. Hope you all enjoy your long weekend!