Found Objects are the best objects

Amanda of Soule Mama once posted about being at a rummage sale, looking under the table, and finding a handmade quilt. The price? Uh, one dollar. It was a hold-your-breath moment--she just wanted to hand over the cash, tuck that thing under her arm and escape before anyone figured out what they had. You can read her post here.

Well, I had a similar moment yesterday.

I had to go to the library to re-do my resume and type a cover letter (my brother forgot to add Word to the computer). I opened the door and started the trek to my car, as usual walking past boxes of freebie books that they leave against the wall there. I did a quick glance...
Is that a vintage cookbook? Wait a minute...is that another one?

The ENTIRE BOX was filled with old cooking booklets.

We're talking Found Objects. Free. For the Taking.
Okay, I was almost hyperventilating.
I mean, I'm the type of person who will take one item and leave the rest for other people. But but but...it was vintage booklets people!

My temptation was to grab the entire box and make a mad dash to my car.

Instead, I grabbed the box (uh, one has to call dibs) and calmly (seemingly) walked over the the brick wall to sit with it, and started browsing.

I had to have more than one.

Is that bad?
I mean, someone didn't want them...and I really wanted them...
Hopefully I haven't developed bad cookbook karma.

Anyway, I politely chose 17 booklets and left the rest (a still-full box) where it was.
I can't tell you how many times I thought about driving back over there last night.
Sigh.

Here are just a few pics to whet the palette:

Knox Gelatine...copyright Nineteen friggin' twenty nine!
As Amanda would say, "Oh My".


The New Art, by the General Electric Kitchen Institute, 1936
(click on any of these pics and it will take you to my Flickr page, where you can see additional images)


Carnation Milk booklet for teens, 1967


This ad is from a holiday booklet for a local liquor store, December 1967.

So many more images to post, I'll continue this later this week...
But incredible find, huh?

What do you thrift for?

Fabric is not the only thing I find thrifting.
I post a lot of fabric here, and other linens, because it's easy to scan.
But I find ALL KINDS of goodies.

Like this fun crocheted rug, handmade and basically felted.
The owner must have not liked the outcome, but I love it.


Miscellaneous stuff, like these apple ornaments that match my apple wreath and apple garland (those were full-price deals).
Decorating with fruit, even faux, just feels fresh.


Sewing notions and patterns (duh)
I have paid as low as 10 cents, sometimes 35 or 50 cents, but usually 95 cents.
Rummage sale prices are usually at a quarter.


aprons (detail of the pocket here because it's so precious)
Thrift store price for this apron: $2.50. No, I take that back--I think it was $1.50. And it's in mint condition.


I also love stoneware, and I have a soft spot for canisters and dishes.

I regularly find clothing, and of course supplies for art work.
I've mentioned old games and books, but I also like tins. I am learning about crafting with metal, and these can be cut up and used to make dolls, etc.


I have found toys for kids (the ones who don't care it's second-hand). And every once in a while, I score furniture.

Bookcase that I may eventually mosaic.
Thiftstore price: $7.95.
I have a similar one I found in an alley on trash day.
Nothing wrong with either one.