Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Cheap and Free

I never got around to presenting all the goods I came home with for the past couple of weeks as I went hunting for junk. Take a look at what I snagged a couple of Saturdays ago. Forgive the poor image quality on this first shot. I've been trying to resize photos to fit more into the space I have left on my picasaweb account and the quality got sacrificed on this one, so it's coming to you in mini format.
The guy I got the green iron plant stand from said it was from the 20's or 30's. It can stand on either end and you can hang plants off each prong and place one in the middle.





The circular saw for my son (cut off in the pic above) was scored for $5.00. I asked the man I bought it from if he happened to have an edger. I was describing mine and how the blade wouldn't come off and that it seemed cheaper to just find one at a yard sale. He told me to bring it over and he'd get it undone for me. How cool is that! He says he likes to fix things for people. Nice. His wife said people stop over with stuff all the time. When I went back with my edger in tow, he was down the street helping someone else with something so I'll have to stop again another time. Luckily he lives on my normal driving route.

Here are a few other items recently found curbside:



The tool cases came from a curbside trash pile where someone had just moved into a house and seemed to be clearing things out. I found them right before I came upon the circular saw, as if they knew I would be needing them. So now I have a case for the new saw for my son! Case, meet circular saw. Ta, da! Then I used the other two cases to pack up a bunch of the small wood pieces I recently got for free with some metal baskets and gave it all to my friend's son so he could build something with it. Useful and convenient.

Now, this was something I discovered waiting to be picked up by the garbage truck. I went back three or four times before I decided to pick it up.

It's broken and really rusty, but I thought it could be taken apart. One of the baskets was missing, but if I can figure out how to get the other two unattached, I could use those elsewhere, as well as the little hearts. The round part in the middle could be used as a medallion of some sort.

The shutters in the first photo collage above were free from the same curb where I got the tool cases. I also got the books I showed you last week and another bigger more dramatic kitchen island for my brother and sister-in-law at a garage sale for $15.00. Check it out:

$15.00! 

This is so exactly like what she described wanting, I could hardly believe it. Both sides are identical; the cabinet door and the drawer open on both sides. Put wheels on this baby and it's going to be perfect for their multi-use plans for a buffet and island! I've been finding so much great stuff lately that I can hardly keep track of it all or find room for it.

How about this silver, three-tiered tray I got at a yard sale.



I have since cleaned it up a bit, and it's fabulous! Its shape will lend itself well, to among other things, a Christmas display of some sort.

Well, of course, that's not all, but there are some things I haven't even taken pictures of yet. One of them is a rustic beauty, at least I think so. I had to go back three times (are we detecting a pattern here?) before I decided to buy it. Then I sorta had buyer's remorse after spending $15 on it, mainly because it is sort of big and I really do not have a nicely protected place to display it. $15.00 is 3 times my normal single item limit! I'll show you what that is soon along with some other goodies and maybe even that sign I was making that I promised to unveil. First I have to redo part of the lettering.

Will I get to it soon or get buried while cleaning out the bathroom closet? Or maybe I'll end up doing something else altogether, like spend time dealing with another car break down. Speaking of which, I have a damsel in distress who needs a ride home from her class.

So until next time...keep your eye out for treasures. They are everywhere!

Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson




23 comments:

  1. Liz, you found the island/buffet in that condition or you have painted it? It certainly was a buy either way. I love the three tier stand too. It will make a great Christmas display.

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  2. You have got some fantastic things here. Great finds and future projects to make and create. Best to you.

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  3. Liz, you find THE COOLEST stuff!!! EVER. That plant stand is amazing - I'd strip it down to bare metal and clear coat it...but that's me.
    Heck - the shutters, and that ISLAND - so cool it's just what she wanted, and for $15!!! We should hang out, so maybe some of your whatever it is mojo stuff could rub off...Furniture of any kind here is so darned expensive! Really bad furniture is outrageous, and if it is decent - fuggeddaboutit.
    Thanks for sharing your fab finds! Now, I can't wait to see the primitive piece! I love primitive rustic stuff.
    -Revi

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  4. I would love to find an island like that one for the lake house. It would fit perfectly!

    Your finds are always so great! I love seeing them!

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  5. The kitchen island is beautiful, I would love to have it in my home, too. I'll even buy it for $20, lol!

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  6. The island, wow, and for 15 dollars! I am in amazement. I have a small kitchen and that is the only size island I could fit in mine. That one is very pretty and I still can't believe the price.

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  7. Oh my goodness! I love the island, and I'm hoping to have one similar in my home one day as well.

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  8. You are amazing... the eyes of a hawk. $15 island? Gorgeous. Lovin' that silver tiered tray too. Nothing can top the pickle sign yet for me, but the island is darn close. You go girl! :)

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  9. Those are great finds! That kitchen island is fantastic for $15.00! You sounds like me...I never know where the spirit will move me next...will I paint something, organize a closet, build something, tear something apart...you just never know!

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  10. OH wow!
    I think the cases are awesome!
    Don't you think little boys love these sorts of BIG BOY items...to haul their smalls around in? I know my grandson would love one of those fill with cars!
    Secondly...the metal plant stand, oh wow! taken apart would be awesome. You can hang the baskets from swing set chain (note: look for broken swing sets in the trash) and put plants in it. The hearts on the side can be detached (use a sawz-all with a metal cut blade) and mount them on the side of a post and hang your plant baskets. The circle cut out...hang on a patio wall for interest to break up the brick or veneer. All great garden pieces.
    Then!!! that center island? Whoa baby-- your brother is lucky to have you for a sister. ;) Pat

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  11. LIZ DE DEUS,SE MORÁSSEMOS MAIS PROXIMAS UMA DA OUTRA,EU IRIA ME AFOGAR NAS DIVIDAS(RISOS)DE TANTO QUE IRIA COMPRAR,POIS ESSAS VENDAS DE GARAGEM É UM SHOW,ADORO SEM CONHECER.AMEI SUA ILHA DE COZINHA LINDA.BEIJOS.VALÉRIA.

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  12. Liz, you found the most amazing items! How wonderful that the man offered to fix your edger! You have been living right! Your island is absolutely gorgeous and a steal at $15!

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  13. You certainly find some great stuff! Good for you!

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  14. Wow! Great haul. You have a real knack for finding cool stuff.

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  15. Put me on the list to buy that island if your sister doesn't want it after all!

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  16. Holy lucky finds!!!!!!! Love that island and that metal plant stand - can't wait to see what it looks like when you figure out what to do with it.

    Have a great day!

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  17. Oh, great hunter, I must bow to the treasures you have collected. Love, love, love that beat-up, rusty, broken plant stand. I would splash some paint here and there, rub it down with wax, and hang it down the stairwell!

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  18. Hi Liz,
    the island buffet is very interesting item for decoration!!!!!!!!
    Kisses, have a nice weekend!!!!!!!!

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  19. You always find the best stuff curbside. That $15 island is fabulous just the way it is, and both of those plant stands are real treasures even though one is broken. Love that 3-tiered tray!!

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  20. love the island, how could you not get it at only $15?

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  21. Girl you always find such treasures! Cheap and free is fab. Love, love the island! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    Hugs,
    Jann

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