What's What Vol. 4 (May 18-June 11)

 I knew this would happen. I'm just a few weeks back into blogging, and things went awry. Let's see if I can knock out a little bit of a catch-up without going too crazy.

What's Finished

As I wrote the last blog, I was working on my May Inspiration Trove Assemblage project. You can watch the video, and the piece is now available at Hello Gallery in downtown Fairhope for sale. 

As well, the 100-Day Project came to an end, and I finished strong by completing this little stitch (and stitched) pouch. You can get a better look at it in my reel on Instagram. 

What's in Progress

Here's a sneaky peek at this month's Inspiration Trove project. (Any guesses as to the prompts I pulled? One is pretty obvious.) And, of course, ICAD has begun! 

This is yesterday's card that used the Glossy prompt. 

What's Up Next?

In the next few hours, I should be pulling the sentiment(s) for June's Finding the Words art journaling. If this interests you, here's the full playlist to explore. As well, there's more index card altering to do, of course. I had hoped to do a vlog this month, but I've been crazy busy and caught a cold in the midst of it all. So, we'll see if that even happens.

What's Caught My Eye?

I went on a thrifting excursion/"artist date" yesterday and picked up several new-to-me items. I'll have them in a thrift haul video later this month. However, you can see some of my other recent hauls in the Thrifty Thursday video that just went up. 

What's Had My Attention?

I mentioned in the last post that I've become a member of a book club, we're now reading The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett. I'm listening to it and am loving it so much. Also, the hubs and I just finished re-watching Ted Lasso and remember why it was such a favorite. SO DARN GOOD!

What's Been the Best Part of My Week(s)?

I've gotten to spend a little more time with one of my best friends. That's a lot of what's kept me busy - no complaints there. At her encouragement, I've joined the Junior League of Mobile! My "provisional year" is just starting, but I'm so looking forward to meeting some new people and serving my community.

I think I'll stop here for this post and try to make sure to stay on the ball.

Here's hoping!

What's New with You?

What's What (volume 2 - April 27-May 3, 2026)

 Look at me sliding in with another week's roundup!! 

What's finished

Honestly, the biggest tasks I accomplished this past week were getting the last blog post up, updating my space at Hello Gallery, and cleaning the house.

I did get these two photos altered as part of my StitchABit100 for the 100 Day Project.

What's in progress

Here's where so much time has been spent. I've got other photos still in the process of being altered. (I'm really just trying to decide if they're done for now.)

Other stitching has been done on this scrap of fabric, to which I'm adding white buttons and additional stitches. 

I've also been keeping my hands busy with some neurographic doodling. It's been a while since I dabbled with these. But, I was absolutely pulled back in.

What's up next?

We're doing a staycation this week and started strong yesterday with grilling by the pool. Though the water is still pretty chilly. We're hoping to take the bikes out, go for a paddle on the kayaks, and maybe even spend a day on the beach. However, we may be overambitious with our time. 

What's caught my eye?

After a ton of rain this past week, I looked out my office window and spotted this beauty of a mushroom. It's as tall as my hand!

What's had my attention

Pat had several band practices and a gig this week, so I was left to my own devices (hence the doodling). I watched Practical Magic for the first time ever and rewatched Dead Poets Society (for probably the hundredth time. It's a longtime favorite that I've avoided since Robin passed away.) As well, I picked up watching Outlander from where I left off several years ago (the end of season 2).

Also, the Mastering Mixed Media Expo 2026 has started, and I've been picking my way through those videos. (Today, the Making Zen Online Retreat also starts. I'm hoping to be able to watch some of those too!!

What's Been the Best Part(s) of My Week

~We did go see Cake, though we didn't take any pictures or video (as requested by the band). It was an awesome show!

~I thrifted some buttons.

~A couple of assemblages sold at the gallery

~We celebrated Pat's birthday with a few friends while exploring Pensacola on Saturday. (It was also Kentucky Derby Day, and a mint julep was in order. And, more celebrating was done poolside on Sunday.

What's new

Can you call thrifted bits "new"? If so, I picked up a few new items that will be in an upcoming Thrifty Thursday (though, not the one  I've got scheduled for this week.)

My pressed flowers came out beautifully! I was just off to pick more yesterday when I realized that I had plenty to do before our guests arrived. Hopefully, I can make it happen this week. 

New videos on YouTube -

~Art Journal Page (Keeping it Spicy challenge)

~Create with me Handmade Bracelets

So, what's new with you?

Thrifty Thursday Haul

I've backed off on some of my thrift shopping lately as I have plenty and really just need to use it. But, I did find a few things at a thrift store and a few more at an estate sale in the past week or two. I'll share a peek at both hauls with you here, but if you're interested in seeing it all in more detail, I do have a video (at the bottom of this post).

This first little set was found at a local thrift store.

And, these treasures came from a large estate sale.

Like I said above you can learn more about what all this is in the Thrifty Thursday haul video. 

If you know what some of the questionable items are or have any questions for me about these hauls. just give me a shout!

Thrifty Thursday Haul

 I did just a little shopping over the past couple of weeks and brought home a few thrifty finds. Keep in mind, that for me, thrifty isn't just what I find at thrift stores, estate sales, and yard sales. It's also any deal I find - sales, clearance, dollar stores, whatever! In any case, here's a peek at some of what I scored. 

Estate Sale 1

Estate Sale 2

Gifted items

And, there were a few more items too. You can see it all in the haul video. 

Have you found anything good lately?

Thrifty Thursday Haul

This past week, I did some serious shopping. But, for the most part, it was all "thrifty" - reduced prices, inexpensive items, or actual thrift pieces. It's always fun to share these somewhat unique finds and deals. You'll find a whole video of what I got at the bottom of this post, but here are some peeks.

At a thrift store, I picked up a few grab bags - one with children's books, one with small toys, and one with craft items. I was especially excited about the bezels in the craft bag. I've already used one of them for one of my 100 Day Project mini assemblages that was also part of my Honey Do List reveal. 

I scored this cool lantern at the same thrift store. That rusty top just makes me swoon!

I found that the local Hobby Lobby stores have been marking down some of the jewelry and paper crafting items that I like, so I hit up a couple of them to take advantage of those great clearance deals. 

The first one mostly had more paper crafting items marked down.

At the second one, the jewelry section was full of orange stickers.

The hubs and I went to an estate sale at the home of some creative individuals. 

There were woodworking and art supplies to purchase. We were both interested in this hobby area of the home and found a few things each.

In addition, I picked up several items at Dollar Tree that will aid in my creative endeavors. You'll have to watch the video to see what those were, though. 

Almost everything I picked up feels like a treasure, and I can't wait to use it all. Have you found any thrifty deals lately too?

Thrifty Thursday Haul

 There's a new Thrifty Thursday haul video up on the YouTube now (I'll share it below.) Here are a few peeks at what I've hauled home over the last several weeks. 

First, Pat and I had a bit of a staycation day one Saturday and went down to the beach for lunch before driving over to Pensacola to do some thrifting and antiquing before enjoying another nice meal. I didn't find much, but there were a few scores.

I spent a total of $2.50. And, the tins are pretty and the hammerhead will probably end up in an assemblage. 

I'm always running into Dollar Tree for one thing or another. And, I can't help but poke around to see if there's anything new and interesting. On my latest trip, I came home with this little stash.

The fabric was in the Plus section for $5, but, y'all! These prints were just too cute to pass up.

Then, it was time for a local monthly estate sale. And, I was pretty happy with my treasures from there too. 

I found so many unusual and fun bits. You probably just need to watch the video to see it all!

So, have you found any thrifty treasures lately? I'd love to hear all about it. 

Latest Thrifty Haul

 Usually, I share these posts on Thursday for Thrifty Thursday, but the day got away from me as I was out thrifting. 🤦‍♀️ I did get some fun pieces yesterday that I'll show off next week, and my video did go live. But, if you're one of my hardcore blog readers, you might have missed out on that. Here's a peek at some of what I reveal in the video. 

The pieces I picked up for this haul were from a yard sale, the free bookshelf at the library, and the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. If you want to see everything, here's the video.

Now, I need to start coming up with ideas on how to use these treasures. 

Have you brought home any awesome scores or deals? I mean, it is the season of sales and shopping!! 

Thrifty Thursday

This past week, I helped my mom clean out an old truck of my grandmother's and took a pile of mementos home with me. As well, I visited an estate sale with a friend and made some fun scores.

You can get a better look at everything I brought home in my latest Thrifty Thursday Video on YouTube.

Have you had any luck thrifting lately?

Thrifty Thursday

Although I've been trying to organize and purge the craft room this week, I still hit up the thrift stores and estate sales. WHAT WAS I THINKING!? (And, I've already hauled a few more things home. sigh.) Here's a peek at some of my treasures.

These were from a local charity shop that's often hit-or-miss. 

Speaking of hit-or-miss, Goodwill has been a little bare lately. But, I did stumble on these containers that needed to come home with me. That glass jar is already mostly full of buttons.

On my FIRST trip to the estate sale of a fiber/quilt artist, I picked up these few things.

This is what I brought home after my second trip to her house. There were lots fewer people and a better chance to look around (hence the reason I went back two days later.)

Here's a better look at the buttons I got from her craft room. The jar of buttons was the most expensive thing I bought. I'm pretty sure it was worth it. 

There was at least one other haul I didn't include a picture of, so you may want to watch my Thrifty Thursday Haul Video to get a better look at everything. 

Let me apologize for having two thrifty posts in a row. I've been busy cleaning and working on a new mixed media challenge (of my own design) that will begin on Monday along with handling household responsibilities. I'm trying to balance it all, but I don't think it's working out so great for me. Hopefully, I can get back into the groove of blogging and find a routine soon. Thank you for taking the time to head over here. 

Have you been thrifting lately?

Thrifty Thursday - Estate Sales, thrift stores, dollar store, gifted

 Over the last several weeks, I was fortunate enough to get to pick up a few treasures at reduced to no prices! These thrifty items came from estate sales, thrift stores, the dollar store, and a friend/relative's kindness. 

Here are my thrift store finds.

And, here's a peek at just some of the haul I made at one of the estate sales.

Alright, here's a bit more.

And, my cousin/friend (it's hard to explain - we were raised together like cousins and are sure there's some distant, common relation; but we have no idea what it is) gave me a whole pile of old jewelry she found.

You'll get a better look and explanation of all of the thrifty haul as well as several more items in my Thrifty Thursday Haul Video. 

Now to actually take some time to create something from all (or at least some) of these treasures. Do you see anything that sparks inspiration for you? 

Thrifty Thursday

 Over the course of this week, I was able to pick up and receive quite a few treasures from various thrifty sources. There are some very neat items in this haul as I was able to go to an estate sale, a yard sale, the Dollar Tree, and the craft store. As well, a generous friend sent me a sweet package. You can watch the whole Thrifty Thursday video to see everything. 

So, have you found any treasures lately?

Thrifty Thursday Haul - Estate Sale

I've been fortunate to discover that in my area, there are two antique stores that each do a big "Estate Sale" once a month in the warehouse portion of their locations. I like that it's not all cramped in someone's house, and I try to make a point of checking them out each month. They used to be held on the same weekend so I could hit them up on the same day, but they've since altered their schedules so they're not stacked on top of each other. In any case, this past weekend was one of the sales, and I made a pretty decent haul!

If you don't want to watch my Thrifty Thursday Haul on YouTube, here's a peek at what I brought home from the estate sale. 

There was this lovely Asian tin. It's a bit faded, but I like it!

I got a variety of bits and bobs for my assemblage-making. Oh, and there are some lobster clasps too. I also got a baggie of buttons, but I had them sorted and put away before I could get the pictures taken. Ooops!

This was the big score though.

I actually did a bit of bargaining to get this lot of vintage photos. That type of bartering isn't usually in my nature. But, I really wanted them, went for it, and was rewarded for my efforts!

Now, I've got to find some room in my over-packed craft room to store all these treasures. Eek!

Have you found any treasures lately?

Thrifty Thursday - December Thrifty Haul

A few days before I took a tumble and broke my ankle, I actually got in a little thrifting. Two local antique stores had their monthly estate sales that I was able to visit. Just take a look at some of my scores!

For a better reveal at ALL the treasures I brought home, you can watch my December Thrifty Haul video here or on YouTube. 

So, did you find anything good in December, or were you more focused on the holidays? 

Thrifty Thursday - October Thrifty Haul

I've had a lot more luck with my thrifting as of late, especially since I started receiving emails from EstateSales.net. They send me almost daily notifications of sales in my area. And, most have pictures of what can be found at each sale, so I can decide whether or not it's worth it. This isn't an advertisement for them, but I thought I would mention it in case you've been looking for some thrift opportunities. In any case, I picked up a few things in October.

The best stuff came from a monthly estate sale at a local antique store. 

I'm really enjoying those sales!

Here's a look at everything I picked up this month in my October Thrifty Haul.

Have you found any treasures lately?

Thrifty Thursday - July Thrifty Haul

As a treasure hunter of sorts, I've always got my eyes trained for the unexpected and special. And, what's more special than a good bargain? Each month, I like to share the steals and deals I found in the previous month. Let me tell you, this is a GOOD ONE! (I may have said that last month too, but I'm not teasing about either of them.) I found some fabulous items at a yard sale held by local artist friends. Take a look.

The husband was purging most of the supplies he had collected for his Steampunk artistry. I hate that I couldn't take more than I did. But here's a sample of what I did pick up.

And, here's the rest of it.

My July Thrifty Haul video gives you a better look at most of these pieces as well as a look at what I bought from the Dollar Tree on one trip.

And, that's really all the thrifty bits I picked up in July. I honestly did try to find more. But, it was a busy month with other commitments and activities so that thrifting wasn't at the forefront. 

Tell me, have you scored any great deals lately?