Treasures from the thrift store

It was a fun day yesterday shopping at the thrift stores in Clear Lake and Mason City.

First — books. I don’t often take the time to search the books but I found some yesterday.

I’ve listened to Pillars of the Earth and loved it. The Hosseini book is the third one he’s written and I loved the other two. Dog books, of course. Amy Tan I’ve read before as well as Sue Miller. All those books for $5.50. I gotta read faster!

This ironstone plate has those wonderful raised dots around the edge and I’ll add it to my white collection in the piano room.

This retro set is for my niece Jenny. If you’re reading this, Jenny, what do you think?

This very solid oak school desk chair was $5.00 and it will make a great plant stand!

You might remember I look for Homer Laughlin dishes in the Virginia Rose pattern because my nephew Dan Rose married Virginia last summer. I found this bowl for $2.00.

I also stopped at Walgreens to pick up this copy of American Patchwork and Quilting because Jo’s quilt is on the cover – congratulations to Jo’s Country Junction – and this issue honored Laura Boehnke’s 25 years as their quilt tester.

And last but not least I bound this UFO last night and hung it in the kitchen.

34 thoughts on “Treasures from the thrift store”

  2. Kathy

    Such wonderful finds at the thrift store! I’m glad to see your re-purposing of the student desk and how the dishware filled a gap in your white collection. Your finds make me anxious to take a visit to the local thrift shop for some serious treasure hunting! I love your hanging UFO quilt. It’s stunning! Your energy is so infectious and cheering to me.

  3. Martha Engstler

    Wonderful buys, all of them.. It’s hard to say which is the best buy but the white platter, English ironstone is pretty special. Especially for $1.00. Went to thrift stores in Iowa City and got some super buys a couple years ago. Iowa must be special in many ways. When we come to Iowa this summer I’ll have to check out those in Mason City. Luv the UFO too.

  4. Susan

    I love to see your finds at the thrift stores. I enjoyed going to the one in Clear Lake when I lived in Iowa. Now the 600+ mile drive to get there is only once a year.
    Love your farm and all that goes on there!
    Thank you for sharing your life with all of us!

  5. Launa

    You have a good eye for wonderful bargains, Mary. The student right arm desk chair is a terrific buy and looks good with your plants in the place of honor.

    We had a dusting of snow last night and awakened to 17 degrees, but the sun is shining brightly and it’s now 25 degrees outside.

    I love anything with dots so your new to you ironstone plate is a true treasure to enjoy. I’d have to say you had a true treasure thrift shop trip. So nice to have you share it with us.

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Laura – I haven’t been thrifting for so long this winter – it was really fun!

  6. Diane

    Wow–you did get some wonderful finds! Your white china collection is so special. I love it when you find more:) I think I sat in one of those oak school desks. That one does look sturdy. Enjoy your great buys. PS Pattern for the UFO??

  8. Susie Fiorito

    Some wonderful finds! I love the Homer Laughlin Virginia Rose bowl. I collect Fiesta Ware.

  9. Kathy Hanson

    What finds! Love seeing the things that you get at the thrift stores! Your UFO is gorgeous! So wonderful to get things done and hang them up where you can enjoy them!

  10. Carolyn Boutilier

    Mary, Love all your treasures. Love your UFO basket quilt. We are 70 today here in the Shenandoah Valley. Worked out in the flower bed a bit.. Great new plant stand.
    Carolyn B

  11. Susan Dangelser

    I’ve been to Opportunity Village in clear lake. Love that place always a must stop when in Iowa. We are going to Hawaii this week. Certainly hope I can find some great things at their thrift stores. Love seeing all the treasures you find. Thanks for sharing.

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Susan – if you find thrift shop treasures on your trip won’t you have to pay shipping to get them home?

  14. Sara Reynolds

    We had desks just like that when I was in school. When I start reminiscing, my kids always say, “Back in the olden times, Mom.”

    1. Sherry Whalen

      We had a few of these desks too – and they were awful if you happened to be left handed!

  15. Sandy Kolarik

    Wow, what great finds. I should go with you to the thrift stores I’m never that lucky.

  17. Sue

    Sounds (looks) like you had so much fun shopping. Love your chair with the plants on it. Those old school chairs bring back lots of memories. Solid oak, usually, and that one looks like it too. Always love your quilts.

  19. Paula

    Love all those goodies. Finished my Feathered Circles a couple weeks ago, it was fun to make. Paula in KY

  20. Cynthia Sabinske

    Loved seeing all your lovely pictures and great finds! You thrift shops price things affordable and it makes the shopping fun! Great platter, quilt is beautiful and super cool chair for sure you are repurposing a great chair, I think we had desk chairs here and there in my old high school!

  22. Sue H

    What a great day you had! Love shopping at thrift stores too. Completing your UFO was a wonderful way to finish the day.

  23. Diane M

    You found some great items. We have a school desk similar to yours. It has our phone on it and also books that I want to read. It also has a drawer underneath it and a place on top in the corner for on ink stand. I may have to use it for a flower stand like yours. The amaryllis I had over Christmas has two seed pods right now. I’m going to experiment with the seed to see what I can grow. They look like small pieces of black tissue paper with a seed inside. Have a good day.

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