A New Springtime

Make Your Own Calendar Coloring Book

Today, we found a little gem at the thrift store.

 This will be a good motivator and reminder for me to do a monthly nature and book shelf. I love each of the adorable illustrations which spurned me to make a list of miniature things I can use to decorate our shelves with. I think I will start a clear bin for these items. I will put them in a Ziploc and label them January through December, then all I will have to do is get them out when needed.

• January - a sled, hats, mittens, snowflakes
• February - doves, angels, hearts
• March -  figurines of kids flying kites, daffodils
• April - ducks,bunnies, tulips
• May - insects, grasshoppers, butterflies, various flowers
• June - daisies, birds, mushrooms
• July - patriotic items, flags, shells, ocean animals
• August - farm items, veggies, fruits, farm animals
• September - pumpkins, apples, leaves
• October - spiders, moon, stars
• November - turkey, corn, indian and pilgrims
• December - snowman, pine trees

A Tasha Tudor Book , A Great Thrift Find

                                     

 Thursday night thriftin' is always a treat. As some of you may know Thursday is supposed to be a night out by myself, well I usually bring the baby of course due to nursing. However, now that she is getting less dependent on the "num nums", this week is going to be all mine.

 I have also had three other tag alongs who manage to finagle their way into my time out. Not that I mind the older ones because they are pretty much independent but I thought this was 'my time'. How did that happen?

 Anyhow, I did get a great find at my favorite Thrift Store, Savers. It is this book, Tasha Tudor's Heirloom Crafts.

                                       

 I never really knew too much about Tasha Tudor's life. I did know that she was an illustrator of children's books. We have two of them. This one:

                                          

 I found out that this is rare and it is selling for $60.00 on the Tasha Tudor and Family website. I got this for a mere $0.69 about  a year ago while thrifting. I will treasure it and I hope my children will as well.

 The other book we have is this one:

                                          

I have been enjoying reading about her life and all of her crafting endeavors. I am trying to find out more about visiting her place.If anyone has been please leave a comment.I hope to find more treasures by her or about her in the future.

Thriftin' Thursday Finds

Thursday night as I have stated before is my night out. I usually take the baby and one of the older kids and we head to my favorite thrift store.Last night, I picked up a great game for the younger kiddos. It is Monopoly Junior. I thought it would be a hit because they are always bugging the older ones to play the regular Monopoly game. It was only $2.99 and I've already gotten my money's worth. Today they already played it twice. The first time I was the banker but the second round they were on there own.

                                 

 It was a great Friday treat.  I seeing them engage in games.

                                 

Baby girl even enjoyed the action!

Eliana's Toys

                                   

 I have been able to find some great toys at my favorite second had shop for Eliana. The place is full of plastic toys but if Ikeep a sharp eye out there are always a few hidden treasures. It is a challenge to Hannah and I to find things made out of wood. I think it teaches us to think outside of the box and go beyond the normal consumer mind set. I try to find quality instead of the normal everyday junk. I was also blessed a couple of weeks ago to find this solid bookcase on the side of the road. I rescued it from becoming wasted. It only had one little scratch on it. It fits perfectly in the living room and it's just the right size for Eli to be able to get to her toys.

                                       

 This is my latest find, this wooden busy bead clown, I just think he's the cutest and it's made by Haba. It was a $2.00 treasure. I had found the wooden cube a couple of months ago. It has a bell in the middle and Eli loves to play with it.

                                      

Here are a few more that she got for Christmas. I had seen the one on the left at a specialty store but I just thought it was too much money. I paid no more than a couple of dollars for it.

                                      

 I was so thrilled to find this wooden xylophone! It makes the softest, beautiful tones when played with. I thought the little duckling toy was adorable when I laid eyes on it. It is plastic but it's precious. There are three little ducks that go round and round, I couldn't resist.

                                 

                                        

 I like having this neat little shelf to hold all of the baby's toys. At the day's end it all goes neatly away ready for some more use the next day. These shallow baskets are also great  because the baby can easily put things in and out of them. I love when things come together neatly and simply.

            

Should I Stay or Should Go

 Last week I hadn't gotten out too much. Hubby had to take the van to work because the truck needs some minor repairs. One evening I had a small craving for some "me time". I couldn't decide if I should go some where local or head out a bit farther to my favorite thrift store. I only had a small window of opportunity because I wanted to go when baby had just nursed and was content. It was already about 7:30 and the thrift closes at 9:00. Decisions, decisions.

 Well, I decided to brave it out. I got there and bumped into a friend, we chatted for a few minutes and said goodbye. I decided to look only at the books and the games for the sake of saving time. I ended up finding some great bargains and some fun things for the kiddos all for under $10.00.

Here are the latest finds:

a one hundred piece knight puzzle in a tin $2

 Abba Do and Hannah already putting it together.

This was still in the plastic. I actually got this for free. I had a coupon buy 4 items get one like item free.

This version is for the teens. $2

This puzzle was still in the plastic, never opened. $2

This one is my favorite. 6 bean bag frogs, 6 lily pads, and one trampoline frog. The object is to toss the bean bags on to the bouncy frog and have them land on the lily pads. Each lily pad is worth  points. How cute. I even played this one!

 Hope you enjoyed seeing these great finds; Happy thriftin'!