Saturday, April 4, 2009

FINALLY some GREAT Goodwill Finds

I went to the Goodwill store last night and I normally never find any goodies however I found some great deals last night and all for a total of $7.00 for everything! Heck, I was just happy with the items that I found. Let me first of all tell you how it all started. My husband just let me run in because quite frankly there are never any items that I can't live without so I end up getting in and out in a matter of minutes. Last night was not like any other night. I walked in and they first of all had 2 carts full of stuff that they were getting ready to put out. There was a lady with a cart in front of the other carts and quite frankly, I walked past it at first and then noticed something that caught my eye. So, I backed up and stood there waiting for her to move. Of course she was looking through all the junky trunky stuff so I politely said "excuse me" and reached in to grab my candle holder. There were two on the bottom of the cart so I grabbed the better of the two. I then headed over to the shelves and that is when I noticed this beauty just staring right at me. I saw it and once again had to wait for some woman to get out of my way. Well, I didn't wait, I couldn't wait, there was NO WAY I was going to let her take the firkin so I reached down in front of her......I practically took her off at the knees and grabbed the firkin. Oh, there must have been many people around that heard me squeal because I was thrilled that I had it in my hands and NO ONE was going to take it from me!! OMGosh, do you all know how long I have wanted one of those darn things? Well, I look and look for great items, but I never have any luck and last night - I hit the goldmine. I was beaming from ear to ear and I had my hands full of goodies. Ok, let's not wait any longer...... please take a look at MY firkin. Do you love it or what? I don't know about you, but I am totally in love with it and can't wait to prim it up. The inside stinks terribly, but it is nice outside today so I will give it a chance to air out and then try to work some magic in a few days. Stay Tuned!!
Here is the candle holder that I found on that cart that I was talking about. I have big plans for it so stay tuned for upcoming pictures. I have been wanting one of these for some time too!!
I got this bowl and thought...... oh, who couldn't use another wood bowl!?! Well, someone thought that they were being all creative by painting this hideous artwork on it, but it will soon disappear and it will get a whole new look. Just watch, wait and see y'all.
Lastly, they had about a billion of these on the carts waiting to be put out. I just grabbed one for .49 cents and thought it would be great for pantry cakes. Definitely will give me another look when I try out a new pantry cake recipe. Hey, you can't beat .49 cents - right?
Well, that was all that I bought during my OH SO SUCCESSFUL trip to the GW Store last night. I am currently working on my fly screen covers and they should be completed later today. I already have the ring/handle off them and now it is time to paint and prim them up. So, stay tuned for pictures of those on my next post. In the meantime, alot of you gals have sent me e-mail about the recipe for my soap balls so I thought I would attach that today. Here you are ladies. Have fun, but remember it can be messy!!
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HOMEMADE SOAP BALLS
These bars have the look and feel of old soap. For a more grungy looking soap ball roll them in spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg or apple pie spice before they are completely set up. Once rolled in spices, they are for display only!

Ingredients:
1 cup of instant or regular Quaker oatmeal
1 bar of ivory or dove soap (I used a generic dove soap - just make sure it is white)
1/4 cup of water

-Grind up the oatmeal in a food processor until finely milled but do not grind to flour, you want it chopped up enough to break up the oatmeal flakes but still be visible.
-Grate the bar of soap into small slivers. Place the soap and water into a large microwavable bowl and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes. Stir the mixture once or twice making sure it does not bubble over.
-When the soap is dissolved remove from the microwave and add the ground oatmeal slowly, stirring constantly.
-Let cool enough to touch, then form into balls or bars and place on wax paper to set and dry. It will take about 2 hours for them to set.
- To give them a more prim look - roll them in spices such as cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice

Oatmeal soap balls/bars have a great old fashion look and can be displayed in old soap dishes, vintage jars, wooden bowls and baskets in primitive or country bathrooms or kitchens. If you make the soap bars, they look really cute tied with homespun!
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Recipe is courtesy of A Primitive Place - If you get a chance, be sure to check out this great site. You won't be disappointed that you stopped by for a visit. It is a great place for crafting ideas, decorating tips and a whole lot more!!

14 comments:

carolyn@simple~primitive~devotion said...

What nice finds you got! I love them all! I never find firkins. Someone else found one recently too! Oh, I'm jealous! LOL! Just kidding! I'm happy when my friends find such wonderful things.
Can't wait to see how you prim them up! And thanks for posting the soap recipe!
Enjoy your day!

Unknown said...

I CAN'T NEVER FIND A FIRKIN!...lucky you!...love the goodies...can't wait to see the shoo fly cover!

Janene said...

Oh My! I am excited as you are about your finds!
We can NEVER go thrifting together...You will destroy me on your quest! LOL LOL
And we both love the same things...who would get what?
I stopped at the GW in Norwalk today and they were packed...with great finds AND people!
I am so glad that the shelves are being filled once again!
Have a great weekend...It is suppose to rain tomorrow night...Poo!

Susie@YLP said...

I want a firkin TOOOOOOOO!
You did fantastic on that GW trip.

Have you ever tried the same soap recipe but smooshed into a pan and then cut into rough bars?

I really like the look of the cut bars of soaps with a strip of homespun or cheesecloth tied around them.

Patti said...

I'd love to find a firkin like yours. That was a great find! Thanks for posting the recipe for the soap balls. I made a batch of them today and put them in a glass jar with my own handmade prim label. You've given me so many wonderful ideas.

Jody said...

What wonderful finds! Nothing like a good bargain to make a prim person's heart go pitty pat! Looking forward to seeing what you do with them!
Jody

AJ said...

I can never find anything good at Goodwill. So glad you were luckier than I ever am! Love your finds!

Something Nice and Pretty said...

Love your firkin Lisa...I found mine for $5.00 years ago at a yardsale and finally after blogging for a while painted and primmed it up...what a difference!

Would love to try the soap balls but don't have a food processer!
I'll be waiting to see all your projects completed:)
Rondell

Stacey said...

YOU GO GIRL! I am so happy for you that you finally got the chance to get some really great goodies at the GW. I absolutely love all of them! Would love to find a firkin and especially one of those candle holders. :) Can't wait to see the pictures of what your crafty hands do in making them over. :)

Love and hugs,
Stacey

Anonymous said...

Hi Lisa,
Great finds that you got at our GW...thanks for leaving one of the candle holders for me. I picked it up this afternoon. I also picked up an old rolling pin.
Can't wait to see how you prim up the firkin, the bowl, and the candle holder.
hugs, Cindy

Something Nice and Pretty said...

Thanks Lisa...now I have to get the bar of soap but I sure am going to try this:)
Rondell

Country Acres Primitives said...

Wow girl you did great! Glad no one was injured in the acquiring of your goodies! lol
Jennifer

•♦•©The Olde Weeping Cedar •♦• said...

Looks like your day did turn out better than it started! ;)
You found some real treasures!!! Good for you!
Have fun workin your "prim magic" on your new finds!

Have a beautiful day, Lisa.
hugs-Kath

My Colonial Home said...

Such wonderful finds Lisa...aren't those Jello molds great...my sister in-law gave me 5 last month so I'm set!

Karen