Library Love

When I got my library card, that's when my life began.

~Rita Mae Brown


I love my local library. Where else can you go to touch and read books for hours at a time, with no worry of a grumpy retail clerk giving you crusties for taking up space?

From a thrift perspective, it doesn't get much more thrifty than the library! You can check out books, DVDs and CD's for free, so there's no buyers regret when you get them home and realize the item is not what you thought it was.

Lately, I've been on a craft and cookbook kick, which led me to this gem:

I have checked this book out four times already this year, each time renewing as many times as I can. I think it might be time I lay down some money for this one! I love the retro feel of all of Amanda Blake Soule's projects and I love that she encourages re-purposing over buying new fabric. She's very focused on family, so most of the projects have a family heirloom feel that I just love. Soule makes everything from cloth diapers to quilts to children's toys and gives you ideas on how to personalize each project for your family.

Just yesterday I checked out this book:


This one, by Betz White, is a lot more funky and has an environmental edge to it. White even has an entire section devoted to how to thrift: what materials to look for, how to spot stains, moth-eaten wool and other tell-tale signs of a poor purchase. A gal after my own heart!

I think my favorite project is the auto sunshade made out of CapriSun pouches! So funky and useful!

Both books give you the patterns to copy and blow up, as you see fit.

If you live in my area, you can check both of these titles out from our local library (Once I've returned them, of course! )

And if these books aren't your cup of tea, I encourage you to go to your local library anyway!

Surely you'll find something to fall in love with!



A good library will never be too neat, or too dusty, because somebody will always be in it, taking books off the shelves and staying up late reading them.
~Lemony Snicket

My Go-To

I love recipes and cookbooks. I often spend hours pouring over my mom's old cookbooks or haunting the stacks at the local library. Because of this love, I often find myself in the situation of finding a really great recipe (mostly happens with dinner and dessert) but realizing that I only have one or two of the ingredients on hand. Then, I make a trip to the store and spend a considerable about of money, just to get the ingredients to make a dish that I may cook once and NEVER make again!

Not very thrifty!!

Well, needless to say, this is something I am working on.

So, this weekend when a major sweet tooth hit, I went to my cupboards. I soon realized I had all the ingriedinets to make Chocolate-Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies! Now, while I assume that most people know how to make these, you know what happens when you assume? So, here is the super-simple recipe.


1 3/4 cups of white sugar
1/2 cup of milk
1/2 cup of stick butter
4 Tbsp of unsweetened baking cocoa
1/2 cup of peanut butter
3 cups of quick cooking oats
1 tsp vanilla

In a medium pan combine sugar, milk, butter, cocoa and vanilla. Boil for 1 1/2 minutes, remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter and oats then drop onto wax paper. Let cool until hardened.

Drop by spoonful onto wax paper. Let cool for at least 30 minutes.

These cookies are good with coconut. You can omit the peanut butter, if you're not a fan (Although, that seems crazy to me!) or you could add some Grape Nuts/Rice Krispy cereal for a little crunch. Experiment! Use what you have! Create your very own recipe!

So, they're not gourmet! Who cares? These cookies are definitely delicious and are, by far, my favorite cookie ever. AND they were a steal because I had everything that I needed to make them already sitting in my kitchen.

What's your go-to dessert when you have a sweet tooth and are on a budget or just don't want to go to the store?

I'd love to know!

National Thrift-shop Day

So, apparently, today (August 17th) is National Thrift-Shop Day. Who knew?? I did a little research and couldn't really find where this holiday originated from. I think some thrift store owner cooked up the idea to drum up a little business and then it just stuck. But who am I to complain?

If you're like me, and didn't realize this wonderful holiday had come and gone, don't worry!!!




I like to think of EVERYDAY as National Thrift-Shop Day! Tomorrow is another great chance to go out there and find some amazing deals.


On a side note, I had my 26th birthday this week and my amazing husband took me out thrifting at some of the more hidden (and I'll just go ahead a say it-sketchy) shops in our town. A whole day, pouring over old treasures? Yes please!! Soon, I will catch you up on our outing.

It was the best birthday a girl could ask for.

A Secret.....

While I was attending a gathering this weekend, my best friend (and best thrifting buddy) told me a fabulous secret!

When you make a donation to the ARC, the bin attendants always ask you if you want a receipt. Up until now, I thought the receipts simply served as a tax record of a charitable donation. Oh, how I was mistaken!!! I usually don't bother with the receipt, but now I think I will!

Apparently, at the bottom the receipt is a 50% off coupon for any one item! And here's the kicker-the coupon never expires! Can't beat that, can you!

Just a little thrifting secret from my thrifty best friend, to you.

My beautiful best friend and I on my wedding day

The Shoe is on the Other Foot

About a year ago, I lucked into a great pair of brown flats at a clothing exchange. They're super comfy, a great color and work with skirts and jeans. The only problem is that they have a little bow that just will not stay tied. I'm walking along, looking cute and put together and all of the sudden BAM! The bows are untied and I feel like my feet look sloppy.

Because I hadn't worn them in months, the brown flats had made their way to the top of the next clothing exchange pile. But the more that I thought about it, the more I thought how easy it would be to fix the problem.

First I cut off the troublesome bows. Nothing hard there.


Then I sorted through a great stash of vintage buttons I recently picked up at our local consignment store and antique emporium. I got about ten bags, stuffed full of buttons for $5.


I picked out some neutral colors that would work well with the brown, as well as work with most of my wardrobe.

Then, I warmed up my trusty glue gun and went to work!

And Voila!

I've got my cute, brown flats back for fall! And no droopy bows to throw off my style swagger!

Just an old pair of shoes, some buttons and a little hot glue! There's nothing to it!

Now, what's stopping you from updating that sad pair of shoes in your closet or that out-of-date sweater in you drawer?

Let me know if any of you are busy updating your thrifted wardrobe for fall! I'd love to hear about your projects!!

I have news!

I have been asked to be a guest artist at Madison & Main Gallery for the month of May and most of June. I have been busy making button books since I heard and boy, are my hands tired!

If you're interested in getting a closer look at what I've been up to, there will be an opening reception on May 6th from 5-8pm and you're invited! There will also be a slew of other great guest artists and Greeley favorites. You will not be disappointed! And who knows? There might even be snacks!!

Here's the skinny:

The Garden Show
Madison & Main Gallery
927 16th St.
Greeley, CO.
(Right next to Margie's Java Joint)
Friday, May 6, 2011 5pm-8pm
Show hangs May 2-June24
*FREE*

There's sure to be some other First Friday shenanigans happening at other businesses on 16th, so you can make an evening of it, if you're so inclined!

If you miss the opening, feel free to stop in anytime during the run of the show! Madison and Main's hours are as follows:

Mon-Fri-10am-6pm
Sat-10am-4
First Fridays until 8pm

Well, no rest for the crafty! Back to work I go!

A Comic...

One of my all-time-favorite web comics is KinokoFry. She is super talented and also seems like a really awesome girl that would be the perfect bff (You know, if you're kind of sarcastic and love cats. Which I am and do).

In addition, she has some pretty rad philosophies when it comes to living in this crazy world. Here is a comic that really goes along with what I'm trying to do here at the Thrift Archives.

I sure do hope you enjoy Miss Rebecca Clements as much as I do.