Thrifty Things Friday #112

I want to thank Diann for asking me to co-host this fun party with her.  

I am really enjoying visiting you all each week! 

As a Grandma I try to have fun with Tiger but also teach him things!  

I recently found this cute bank.

I liked that the colors match his bedroom and that it has the digital counter!  I took it to Tiger and we put money in it through the slot.  He can't really 'understand' about the amount yet, but hopefully he will learn to save and then find out he can buy something fun with his savings.

He calls it the money game!  I love it! 

 This was found at the thrift shop for .99, a thrifty find for sure!

I also have been searching for a small table for Tiger.  I had already found a nice wooden chair at the thrift shop for $3 but could not find a table in good condition!

I love this red IKEA kids table.  It is sturdy and not too large and fits in their dining room perfectly!  When I do buy retail I try to find a bargain and this was one for sure!

I also wanted to share with you the wonderful Mid-Century china cabinet that my son in law found for Sara's Mother's Day present.

Used furniture can be a great bargain and this was.  Sara loves it! 

Thanks for joining Diann and I for TTF #112

Be sure to head over to Diann's blog to link up your thrifty posts!

Linda

Features From TTF #111

We had another wonderful week with so many great link ups!  Remember to be featured you must have a link back to the party post at The Thrifty Groove!

Meet Sharon from Blue Willow House

She is a fairly new blogger and so I hope you drop by for a visit.  This week she shared a great vintage item she found at her local Goodwill

This amazing pink depression glass measuring cup from Kellogg's!  

Visit her to get the history of this fabulous find!

My other feature this week is Refresh & Renew

Her Corkboard Vanity Push-pin Makeover is well...

Adorable!

What little girl (and many big girls, me included) wouldn't love this great vanity!  

So clever and pink and well....just go take a look, you will love it!

Thanks ladies for linking up with Thrifty Things Friday.  

Please grab the "I was Featured" button for your blog!

Hope to see you all tomorrow for TTF #112

Be sure to drop by Diann's and see her features this week! 

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

ladies' night!

I have shared with you before that I am a big fan of the author Mary Kay Andrews!  

source

I have read all her books and really enjoy them! 

She publishes a new book each June and I consider it a birthday present to me!!  

This year I was able to attend the new book launch party at Kudzu & Company

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It's a really great vintage inspired home store! 

Tonight's launch party was for her latest book

I was so happy to get a signed copy of her book!

I had a great time with my friends

Sue, MKA, Denise and moi!

We were a little disappointed that there wasn't much in the way of appetizers but I did snag a glass of Watermelon Margarita and it was very tasty!  There were so many people and it was hot so we decided to leave a little early and head to dinner!  We sat on the patio at the restaurant, ate and chatted for several hours, truly a 'ladies' night'

I have had the pleasure of meeting Mary Kay Andrews before 

and you can read about our junking experience HERE

I will be reading my new book soon and I'll let you know how I like it!  

I'm joining

You're Gonna Love It Tue

Tweak It Tue

Share Your Cup

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

2013 Where Do You Keep It All??

If you are a dish-a-holic then you know the issue of where do you keep it all?  Some have more space then others but most bloggers have come up with some creative ways to store their dishes, glassware, flatware and tablescaping accouterments!  Over the past several years my storage has changed as my stash has grown!!

I took over this small walk-in closet to be my dish storage space.  I found closet organizer shelves at the thrift shop (remember I don't like paying retail) and added them to the closet.

I have so many plates now! 

A few vintage sets of dishes, but mostly I have plates in sets of two or four

I had them arranged by color at one time, but looks like the closet needs a good re-organizing

The top shelves store some larger pieces, such as cake plates, pitchers and chargers

These salt and pepper shakers might be moving soon to make room for more plates

A few things waiting to find a home on the shelves

At one time I stored my place mats and napkins in here....then they outgrew this space and I needed the shelves for more dishes...what to do?  

A free curbside 6 drawer Ikea dresser met my needs.  Two drawers are napkins only

Grouped by colors

It has really worked well for me! 

One drawer has table runners only 

and 3 drawers have an assortment of place mats and tablecloths

This has made picking out linens so much easier!

The china cabinet holds mostly glassware

and is full to bursting right now!

Lots of clear glass serving pieces which are an obsession with me!  

A large drawer in the china cabinet holds napkin rings.  I created an easy way to find the napkin rings I want to use on a tablescape

I took a thrifted cutlery tray and put one of each kind of napkin ring I have in it.  I take this out and to the table and play until I find the napkin rings I want to use and retrieve them from the drawer.  I have plans to put all the napkin rings into ziplock bags to make it easier to retrieve.

  It works for me! 

This divided basket has worked as a storage spot for colored handled flatware.  I'm about to outgrow it though so might have to find another basket or even change how I store it completely. 

So there you have it!  Christmas dishes and some seasonal glassware are stored in the top cabinets in the kitchen and some items in the basement in bins.  I may just have to start making some choices about what to edit out of my stash soon! 

Please join Alma at The Tablescaper for her 4th Blog-a-versary and her fun 

Seasonal Sunday party! 

Check out where others keep all their stuff! 

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Heirlooms For My Daughter

When I was a Senior in High School my Dad was in Viet Nam.  While serving there he was able to purchase at an incredible price a set of Noritake china for me.  He sent a brochure and I picked out the pattern I liked.  I tried to keep it simple but classic.  Noritake Montblanc!

This ivory colored china with a silver rim and a small white raised pattern seemed perfect! 

A large box arrived finally and there was my china. 

 It was prettier then I even imagined...and so much of it!

Place settings for 12...yes 12!

Dinner plate, salad plate, bread plate, soup bowl, berry bowl, cup & saucer! Also serving pieces! 2 platters, 2 bowls and a gravy boat! WOW!

Last week this China was passed down to my daughter Sara!  For Mother's Day she received a china cabinet and was finally ready for 'her' dishes!

These have seen many a family holiday dinner and hold many memories.  Now they will make new memories with my sweet daughter and her family!

Last week Ashleigh was visiting from California and we were able to have a family dinner at Sara's. She used her 'new' china!

She still needs a tablecloth and napkins but wants to pick those out herself!  This table was Blake's Grannies and will be refinished soon!

Along with the China I took Sara another heirloom!

This set of silverplate was a wedding gift to my parents and was passed down to me 

and now to Sara!  

It goes so well with the dishes I wanted her to have it also!  The pattern is Rogers and Bros Starlight and is from 1953 and is 60 years old.  The China is a mere 45 years old! 

Two of my very favorite and precious things....now passed down to my daughter! 

Ashleigh was not interested in the china or silver, but there are other family pieces she will receive when she is ready!  

Visit Claudia and see what others are sharing at

A Favorite Thing

Wishing you JOY,

Linda