Fabulous Finds Friday
Thrifting the Creativity of Others
One of the wonderful things about thrifting is that it gives me the opportunity to save things made by other creative people.
People who I’m sure I would love to meet and know, but probably never will because you rarely know how far the things that you find at thrift stores have traveled to get there.
Sometimes they’ve come thousands of miles, and sometimes they’ve traveled through years and years
Even though I love to create things myself for my home, not everything in my house has to be made by me.
Especially because it’s pretty impossible to try everything, as much as I might like to.
Today I’m sharing two fabulous finds that I would have loved to create myself but I’ve never tried either of these crafts.
Vintage Framed Paint by Numbers
When it comes to other people’s creations I’m always drawn to things that bring back memories or that tug on my heart strings in some way.
In my neck of the woods it seems to be the vintage handmade things that can go for a song, like this horse paint by numbers, which I recently found for a measly two dollars.
The frame itself is worth much more than that.
I live in farm country and often see horses in the fields.
There’s just something rather peaceful about this scene and horses have always seemed rather majestic to me.
The frame has some fabulous details, and I’m debating whether or not I should leave it alone.
I don’t mind the chippiness at all.
Some people try to make new frames look like this
But I’d like to highlight the raised details so they stand out more, so an aging technique of some kind might be just what it needs.
What do you think?
From the back you can really tell that this is a vintage frame.
The lady at the thrift store told me that they added the metal hanger to the back, and they left the old string that it came with on there.
I love that someone took such care in framing this paint by numbers.
It obviously meant something to someone, and now it means something to me. My only wish is that it was signed, but people don’t often think of signing pieces that they do for themselves. But why not?
I’d love to start a thrifted paint by numbers gallery wall in my upstairs hallway. This could be the beginning of a fabulous collection!
Handmade Floral Quilt
I also feel sooo lucky to have found this amazing handmade floral quilt.
It was lost in a pile of rather unremarkable bed linens, and I was immediately overjoyed when I discovered it.
It’s so beautiful, and for the life of me I don’t understand why anyone would want to get rid of it.
Well, at least they donated it to the thrift store so someone like me could have a chance to treasure it.
The floral squares have a vintage botanical look that I absolutely love and the latin flower names are a very nice touch.
They’re sewn to a fabulous leafy edging, with little plaid squares in the corners.
And the plaid continues on the back in that marvelous green, cream, and red.
Flowers and plaid? Yes please.
I’ll say yes to that all day long!!!
When the colors are right they are totally made for each other.
You can just kind of see the quilting in the backing there.
Now this beauty is, unfortunately, only double size… but I thought it was so fabulous that I just couldn’t leave it at the thrift store.
It fits the bed, but it just doesn’t hang very far down the sides.
And to make a great find even greater it only cost me an unbelievable four dollars but, honestly, I would have paid much more.
It has most definitely found its forever home with me.
Thrifting the creativity of others is a wonderful way to enjoy the beauty of arts and crafts that you have an appreciation for, but just don’t have the time or inclination to try yourself.
Thanks so much for reading, and until next time…
keep on keepin’ on!
XOX
I’m so happy to see Fabulous Finds Friday back! I’ve really missed it. Thanks!
Thanks Fran! I’m so happy to be sharing some fun finds again. 🙂
Great finds, Tuula! I’m glad to see FFF back!
Thank you so much Nancy!
Happy to see FFF back! You found some Treasures for sure, wish I had a Thrift as good as yours!
*hugs*
deb
Thanks Deb! I frequent several small thrift stores in my area, and all of them are very good. I don’t always find things, but I often get lucky.
Missed fff!! Great finds indeed. Love that quilt. What a bargain!!!
Thanks so much Charleen!I agree, I was sooo lucky!
Thank you Tuula for bringing back FFF. I love chippy on the picture frame, but I am a chippy kinda gal. You are so very lucky to find the quilt and for only $4. What a steel! Am looking for an old pieced quilt from way back when. I want to make Christmas stockings out of it. Have a great weekend.
Thanks Nancy! Christmas stockings from an old quilt are a great idea, especially if you find one that’s a little damaged and can’t be salvaged. Good luck with your search.
I love the paint by number! I’ve been looking for one too. I can’t believe the great price!
Tania
Thanks Tania! I hope I can find more.
Hooray to FFF! Starting off with great things! I think the idea of having a wall of paint by numbers pictures is fabulous! Mostly because I’m really impressed with anyone who finishes one. I’ve started several in my life time! The quilt is the winner this week, for me, because my mom was a quilter and I sorta followed in her footsteps. You know, I think the reason some of those kinds of things end up in thrift stores is because the owner of them has died and no one wants them. But in later years they’ll wish they hadn’t! (Please don’t ask me how I know this.) Looking forward to next Friday! Dona
Thanks Dona! I’ve always loved paint by numbers but haven’t done one myself in years. I did a few when I was very young, and they still might be around somewhere. I’ll have to check and see if I can find it. Yes probably a lot of things go to thrift stores from estates. Especially in my neck of the woods because we don’t have estate sales here very often at all.
Hey Tuula!
I’m so glad FFF is back and you started back up with 2 fabulous finds! I can’t believe that quilt was only 4 bucks! I am a beginner quilter and I know how much time goes into sewing them and I am so glad you are giving it a home that it belongs in. It goes so well with your style! I also love the paint by numbers and only wish I had the wall space to hang them. I would love to see your wall when you have it full!
Thanks Pam! I will definitely share my paint by numbers gallery wall. It might be awhile though, but I’m definitely looking for more.
Hi Tuula,
I too, enjoy seeing the treasures others find. You can only take so much of “ made in China.” I love the quilt, and you know it’s old by the fact that it doesn’t hang down the sides. Back then, they didn’t make em like that. I’m glad you have an appreciation for them though. Alas, thrift stores around here think they are retail establishments.
Thanks Florence! I couldn’t agree with you more. There are so many amazing thing at thrift stores for those who are willing to find them. That’s so interesting about the quilt. I was pretty sure it was old, but that’s nice to know.
The quilt is wonderful!!!!
Unbelievable price!
Thanks for bringing back FFF….even if it makes me terrible jealous ! No such good finds down here in S FL!
Happy Thrifting!
Thanks Linda! I’m happy to share my lucky finds. I only wish there were amazing thrift stores everywhere.
Also so happy to see Fabulous Friday Finds again! These two finds are so nice, love them both! I think something highlighting the high spots and details of the frame would look nice. I am in love with Dixie Belle Paint Company’s products. They have everything and work great. I think a collection of Paint by Numbers could be so cool. Might be hard to find them though? Enjoy your new finds.
Thanks Debra! I think highlights on the frame would be the little extra something that it needs. Thanks for the info about Dixie Belle. I agree with you about the paint by number search, but I’m going to keep looking. Maybe I’ll get lucky.
That quilt! My heart be still!
I feel the same way about it Debbie!
I love this feature and look forward to more! I am a paint by number fanatic, but they are sure rare around my thrifting area! I did score a beauty recently in Value Village that looked in terrible shape but turned out to be just a very, very dirty frame and glass. Once cleaned the beautiful picture shone! Your quilt is great and I am glad you rescued it.
Thanks Elaine! Sounds like you found something amazing. I hope I am as lucky in my search.