Alterations

I love shopping in thrift stores, and I usually never leave one empty handed. I buy old books to cut up for scrapbook layouts and cards, jars for storage, dishes, doo dads, what nots, and occasionally clothes. While shopping I am always on the look out for items to alter. I also look for items for friends and family. You might remember that prior to the wedding in KY, I spent time in thrift stores looking for ironstone dishes. To me, thrift store shopping is like searching an area with a metal detector; you just never know what you might fine.

Here are a few of my creations using thrift store finds:

I made these cupcake pincushions from wool sweaters I bought at the thrift store. I used the cuffs to form the cupcake shape and then used pieces of the sweaters and felt to make the inside layers. The plates were also thrift store finds. I have made many of these to give to friends.

I purchased this tray from Hobby Lobby for just a few dollars. It was battered and had many chipped places. The clear acrylic cover was cracked on the lower right corner. To alter it I covered the bottom of the tray with 7 Gypsies paper and applied rub-on words and flourishes. The chess pieces, the games pieces, and the small Scrabble letters adhered to the acrylic cover were found at the thrift store. I used a rub-on to cover the cracked acrylic and a black Sharpie to cover the chipped places. This tray entitled 'Playing for Keeps' is one of my favorite pieces. The journaling is about our many years of marriage. The photo was taken on our 25th anniversary.

This is my most recent alteration. I bought this frame at the thrift store for less than a dollar and covered it with Webster's Pages pattern paper. I inked the edges and added Prima flowers. This was an easy project that turned out beautifully. It now resides in a friend's scrap room.

It is going to be very hot tomorrow, but maybe you'll see me at the thrift store!