The birds are sweetly singing and the earth is blossoming forth as the old saying goes. What a treat to be in June, even a June that is only slightly sunny with a cool edge to the breezes. And the beautiful flowers don't seem to mind at all. I love my Irises.
And this combination of colours...the purple, violet and deep down, that extreme yellow...
I finally got into another thrift store. And the sentence You need this like you need a hole in the head definitely applied. I have a small collection of dog figurines mostly found during my thrift store jaunts. When I spied this one of a German Shepherd so like Rex I just had to have it even though it had a very unthrifty price tag of $22. It is in mint condition and features the Alsatian German Shepherd with the sloping back just like Rex.
I got excited when I recognized the mark of a V and an embedded number-CH 618, on the bottom- I knew this was a Goebel, the Hummel figurine folks. My dog turned out to be my second best thrift find next to my Petit Point Dish Set. Oh my. Here is what one seller on Etsy is charging. Approximately C $166.73!
Here is Rex under our tree back in 2012 and I still tear up just thinking about him. Beautiful and faithful, the best boy ever ( I can't let Ned hear me say that.)
My other real bargain was this long summer shirt by Olsen. I paid $13.98 for it and I know a shirt like this would be over a hundred dollars brand new. Finds like these...things I love and that are sure bargains is why I love thrift stores. You really never know what you will spy but for me, the genuine fun and enjoyment is always in the hunt.
I got a chance to do some veranda slow stitching last Sunday. With a light sweater, the temperature was lovely though the mosquitoes were awful and I had to use some bug spray- which I hate- to be comfortable. Here I'm stitching Floralies from Canevas Folies which is an online shop in Switzerland. I think they now have PDF options too which they didn't have when I bought this kit. I have my eye on their Christmas Robin design.
I also am stitching more handles for my Baskets Love project. I got myself organized and made a bit of an assembly line.
I'm using blanket stitch around the edges. This is a project destined for the wall not a bed so it can afford to be somewhat flimsily hand stitched by me.
I'm doing well with my summer sewing machine challenge to myself. I've now finished four stringed blocks. More about that next time. Happily sharing with Quilting is More Fun Than Housework where when I write that my brain always says yes it is.
I'm enjoying seeing how so many of you are embracing June's RSC colour, orange. Wow, so many lovely blocks and projects in that colour. I like how some are making Halloween blocks which is clever to get so ahead in the quilting game, LOL. So Scrappy hosts the weekly party. Our pool is open and I've been swimming which feels wonderful. I've decided not to heat it this year as I enjoy how the cold makes me feel. I have no idea if it helps the immune system or has any other health benefits as such. We are all different and what works for one might not for another. But I believe this is good for me. In fact, something I do all the time is turn my shower to cold before I finish...it seems to liven me up which improves my mood. Tony is totally aghast at the very thought of doing this! Are you with Tony?
LeeAnna's, Not Afraid of Color, prompt this week has to do with learning to swim. I learned when I was 9 or 10 at the Margaret Bowater Park, Corner Brook, Newfoundland where the beautiful Humber River flowing through formed a mostly natural swimming area. I wasn't a strong swimmer, still not, so very cautiously always stayed in the cordoned off section.
Come to think of it, maybe those early cold water swimming experiences set me up to enjoy it all my life. Who knows!
Anyway, hope there is lots of the good stuff happening in your life to liven you up!
Meanwhile linking up with Life in Pieces and Small Quilts and Doll Quilts.
25 comments :
Great thrifting finds! I'm like you, I love the thrill of the hunt. But I'm like Tony when it comes to cold showers! Your embroidery is beautiful, just like the outdoor setting.
those were good finds at the thrift store - we don't have any good ones around here and I rarely look at them anymore. I do not like cold water shower or for a pool I tend to get cold very easily to the point of turning blue rather fast! Your embroidery flower piece is beautiful
I guess I'm just not a thrift store shopper. I've gone with friends who are really into it. I think you need to be able to go regularly with the idea you won't always find anything. I'm at the stage whe I'm trying to get rid of stuff, not add more. And that includes the fabric stash.
I can swim enough to keep myself afloat, but don't have easy access to a pool or lake. Cold water plunges would not be my thing.
Pat
I have a deep well so I can’t turn the hot completely off, but I alway make it cold before I get out of the shower. It’s invigorating! I feel like it’s closing my pores and must be good for me lol.
Looks like you scored big at the thriftie! Like you, I find it's the fun of the search because you never know what you'll find. We used to be avid yard sale goers but haven't been since we moved here because we simply don't need more 'stuff'. When it comes to thrifted clothing I always try to subscribe to the 'one in, one out' theory.
Our building has been having issues with the hot water and more often then not we don't have any so it's a real eye-opener to get washed in cold water in the mornings. So far we've managed to work our showers in and around the outages but oftentimes it's only lukewarm.
You are such a great bargain hunter!! I didn't know Hummels came in just animals. Mom has/had a collection and there were always kids sometimes with animals, sometimes not. Your stitchery is looking good. I certainly understand why you may be ordering up the Christmas Robin -- sweet!
So glad it is the time of year for beautiful irises and outdoor stitching! I love that floral embroidery you're working on. What a find the Goebel German shepherd was! So perfect that it represents your sweet Rex. I can't say that I've enjoyed a cold water plunge, but I have gotten in to cold pools many times and am always surprised at how quickly our bodies adapt to it!
cold water, I remember the water around PEI the summer I was there. I think cold reduces inflammation and that's good for me. I swell up just stepping out into the heat Colorado has now. Rings fall off in the house, strangle my finger outside.
That water looks clean too
ahhhh Rex buddy he was special and what a find the sculpture
LeeAnna
I so understand buying that wonderful shepherd figurine. Our animals have a special place in our hearts. I keep telling myself that I need to start looking at the thrift shops-I will get there soon. I have been reading your blog but I don't think I have ever commented. I enjoy it so much. I live in London-Ontario I thought best to include the province. Although my father was from England and many relatives. All the best-Marion
Brr, cold showers, not for me at all! That's a beautiful figurine you found of Rex at the thrift store, even better as it is from a well known company. I dont often do thrift shopping, usually just drop bags of items off instead.
Wonderful finds in the thrift store. I dropped a few boxes off at ours today, but as I am trying not to spend much left right after doing so.
I took a group of teenagers to World Youth Day in Toronto many years ago, and the place we were staying in ran a hose to a make shift shower thing. The guys from Newfoundland purchased curtains for the cubicles and once that was completed I put on my bathing suit to have a shower and wash my hair. I stepped in turned on the water and prayed that I could finish quickly. It was so cold I had goosebumps on goosebumps. I think I am with Tony on the cold shower thing.
God bless.
Pretty iris. What a neat find with the German shepherd. That shirt is pretty nifty (regardless of the price!). I like your embroidery project, too.
I always love to see what you find at the thrift store. Didn't you get a beautiful applique quilt from a thrift store a few years ago? The iris is so pretty! I like sitting on my deck and stitching outside too. I do think the cold water is invigorating! I like it warmer though!
Our gardens really do provide wonderful colour inspiration for our quilting projects! Your irises are gorgeous!
I learned to swim at our local public pool. We had some relatives with pools too so we were often at their houses on hot summer days, cooking off in the pool. I can’t remember the last time I went swimming… Probably when my daughter was younger and we were on vacation at a hotel with a pool.
Great thrift store finds !
Take care. Gail at the cozy quilter.
That should say “cooling off”…
Jocelyn that dog figurine is priceless! I'm so happy you found it. Rex looks like the best boy. I get the tears - they never leave our hearts do they. That is a beautiful shirt!
I miss thrift shopping, just haven't found exactly the right place here and don't want to drive south toward Dallas to find better ones. When I worked near downtown Houston I spent my lunch hour frequenting a thrift store run by "rich ladies" for charity. The things they cast out of their closets were fascinating, and I outfitted myself quite well for my office wear.
Your irises are glorious!
You were indeed very thrifty. Nice finds! Happy stitching this week.
You found some nice thrift treasures. Love the embroidery piece and it is good to see your baskets. I'm not a cold water girl...the warmer the better for me.
One of the American national tv stations had a blip about thrifting becoming very popular. I admire your bargains and I'm impressed you knew the two items were valuable. My grandmother had a big collections of Hummels -- but my generation didn't want them. My mom might have taken one or two. Now I have some beautiful Lladros and I doubt my grands will want them. Maybe the Pekinese will be desired. We had one when I was in high school and I saved up my money to buy it for my mom. Enjoy your finds.
Wow! Even if the price was not so "thrifty" it's still a very good price. You won on this one both financially and emotionally I'd say. I love thrift store and flea markets. My boys do follow sometimes, but DH not at all. It's the surprise of "maybe I'll find something and maybe there won't be anything interesting" that pulls me in. Love your stitches. Enjoy! ;^)
Great finds at the thrift shop! Irises are such beautiful flowers, love the colors. Lovely summer stitchery.
Wonderful thrift shop finds! Especially the dog figurine. How special. Your iris are gorgeous!! I had several colors of iris doing well at the farmhouse we live in (1978-88), but never could get them going at the next house. And I haven't tried at this house as the deer would eat them before they had a chance to bloom. But I still enjoy seeing them in other neighborhoods.
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Congrats on your great purchase of the figurine! I rarely find bargains like that but am thrilled for those who do. It'll be a nice reminder of Rex.
About dipping into cold water.... I read a book called How to Winter last winter and she talks about the benefits of jumping into cold water. Sadly, I can't remember them because it's something I wouldn't do but you could probably borrow the book and read that section. And the shower.... Only on a really hot day do I turn the shower to cool (not cold!) water for a minute or so.
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