March 30, 2011

An instant collection...

Anyone else buy things off season and tuck them away and then are pleasantly surprised to find them again? OR....raise your hand if you are guilty of buying gifts early and then forgetting where you've stashed them...I swear I had another Christmas gift for Josie's stocking that never surfaced...oops.

I'm especially addicted to buying vintage holiday items off season. Over the summer and then again this fall, I found a few safety-pin baskets. I bought them separate from each other and each one cost less than $2 a piece.

Mary Engelbreit once featured safety pin baskets in her Home Companion magazine and I was smitten. I added my own twist by attaching a decorative rhinestone pin on each basket handle. I also picked up these yellow chicks at a $1 party supply store last spring and added necklaces, lace trim and little hats made of scrapbooking paper and beads.

Even though they might be a tad bit tacky, I can't imagine the hours that went into crafting these baskets. I love my instant collection.

Happy thrifting, friends!

Here's a link to a tutorial for this craft.
Thanks for sharing it, Lee.

Linking up to Vintage Thingie Thursday at Coloradolady
and The Thrifty Groove
and Her Library Adventures - Flea Market Finds
Happy Easter!
XOXO
♥
at

25 comments:

  1. ValerieMarch 30, 2011 at 5:54 AM

    I love what you did with the chicks.
    They look so cute!
    Think I'll be making some very soon.

    Have a nice day.
    valerie

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  2. KJ@letsgoflyakiteMarch 30, 2011 at 6:40 AM

    I learn so much from your blog. I have never heard of a safety pin basket. They are darling.

    PS I am also guilty of buying things off season and forgetting about them!

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  3. Melissa N.March 30, 2011 at 6:45 AM

    I am sooo guilty of buying things early, putting them away and forgetting about them!

    Very cute baskets!

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  4. AmyMarch 30, 2011 at 8:00 AM

    I know what you mean about finding something that took someone a lot of time to make. Everytime I see a crocheted afghan at a thrift store or garage sale I want to pick it up because I think of all the time someone put into it. Your collection is so cute!

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  5. LeeMarch 30, 2011 at 8:46 AM

    Great post-seems we all can relate with you!
    Your chicks are too cute! I am always searching for chicks...perhaps I don't need vintage!

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  6. JodiMarch 30, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    I love your chicks and baskets!!! Sooo cute!!!! Some day I will have those kind of cute things again - but for now I am putting away anything "cute" - I just received a photo of Elijah jumping from his bunk bed! LOL! Ohhh boys!!

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  7. JbooMarch 30, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    So very pretty! Yes, I am very guilty of buying and stashing gifts -- finding them months after the occasion. Just found a cute shirt that was meant for Maddy for Christmas! :)

    Have a great Wednesday!

    Janet

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  8. Amy B.March 30, 2011 at 9:45 AM

    I have searched the internet for patterns for the safety pin baskets, but haven't been able to find. Have you found any?

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  9. Life in RehabMarch 30, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    Tacky? Please. Those add a nice sparkle to the season with vintage flair, and I LOVE how you dressed your chicks. And hey, if ME says they're okay...well...who's going to question HER?

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  10. Home and HeartMarch 30, 2011 at 12:17 PM

    OOoooo! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Mary E. and these baskets look EVEN better with your brooch idea!I have a yellow one "hoarded" away somewhere!

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  11. CindyMarch 30, 2011 at 1:05 PM

    I am raising my hand high on this one! But, I find it delightful when I find things in off season, put it away, forget about it, and find it a second time!

    This is the time of the year I start checking our local paper for the yard and estate sales in our area. We have a mission/thrift store down the street...I am really going to have to check it out more frequently!

    I have seen those safety pin baskets at a relative's house many years ago...I just wish I could remember which one!

    Have a great Wednesday...
    Cindy

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  12. My Vintage MendingMarch 30, 2011 at 3:50 PM

    I am still looking for lost gifts. Thinking I was genius at hiding them...I hid them from myself! I have never seen these. I think they are darling. Reminds me of a girl
    scout craft...smiles renee

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  13. LVMarch 30, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    I rarely buy thing that I do not have a purpose for and remember them. However, I know people like this. Enjoyed visiting your blog.

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  14. ~Lavender Dreamer~March 30, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    These are so cute! I would love to find one! I saw a safety pin lamp shade...very small that a lady was buying at my Thrift store! I took a photo of it! lol !

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  15. Susan FreemanMarch 30, 2011 at 8:06 PM

    Your baskets are wonderful and your chicks are cute too! Happy VTT!!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  16. AnonymousMarch 31, 2011 at 12:42 AM

    Those are really pretty. You sure are talented!

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  17. CindyMarch 31, 2011 at 1:02 AM

    How cute. I've never heard of or seen a safety pin basket. I'll be on the look out now!

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  18. AnonymousMarch 31, 2011 at 7:08 AM

    Such pretty little things, lovely xxx

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  19. Blue Ridge Altered ArtMarch 31, 2011 at 10:47 AM

    You have a great collection. I have found a few in my travels. They are very unique. ~~Sherry~~

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  20. KJ@letsgoflyakiteMarch 31, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    PS I just saw this
    http://www.creaturecomfortsblog.com/home/2011/3/31/diy-springtime-projects.html

    and I think it might be one of those baskets. I only know that thank to you.

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  21. GardenOfDaisiesMarch 31, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    OH My goodness!!! I LOVE these quirky little bead baskets. About 12 years ago I found 6 or 7 of them on e-bay and gave them to my sister, along with a book with instructions on how to make more, because she is really crafty and was big on Easter decor. Imagine how I felt later when I discovered that she had never cared for them and got rid of them. OH NO!! I wish she had given them back to me!! A few years ago Martha Steward did a big article on them, had a bunch of them hanging from a tree branch as an Easter table centerpiece. I have forgiven my sister, but I need to go find more and keep them for myself.

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  22. JocelynMarch 31, 2011 at 11:49 PM

    Wow, too amazing!! How cute.

    Jocelyn
    http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com

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  23. AnonymousApril 1, 2011 at 12:11 PM

    No, not tacky, these are absolutely terrific. Thanks for sharing.

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  24. DiannApril 3, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    I think they are adorable! I so agree with you, I always see something that was handmade and I think of how much time went into making it. Well, now thes have a good home! thank you for joining my first TF party! Have a wonderful day!

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  25. vivianApril 5, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    hi kim! just hopping around your blog a bit. I just watched Josies gotcha day video! omg... how awesome. what a beautiful girl. what a great blessing for all of you.
    ok.. off I go to look around some more!
    xo
    vivian

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Thank you for following our adventures. I always enjoy reading your comments. Happy crafting! Happy thrifting! PS. Ignore that "robot" verification. You can ignore/skip that step since I can't seem to remove it from blogger.