Thrifting’s Like a Box of Chocolates…

by | Feb 15, 2010 | Miscellaneus | 30 comments

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All together, “…you never know what you’re gonna get.”  I bought a few dark wood frames from Goodwill this past weekend to add to my “family wall” in the living room.  Behind two 1970’s raccoon and squirrel prints were these antique French prints.
Who would’ve thought?  And who thought the little critters made better art work than these ladies?
So, I matted and framed up a storm tonight while watching the Olympics.  Can you spot my faux wood frame among the real ones?
I have really enjoyed framing my family pictures.  Every time I pull them out to work on , though, I cry or at least get a little misty, especially when I’m working on pictures of my Opa.  He passed away last September and I was very close to him. 
I also matted a free bird’s egg print from Vintage Printables in a gold leafed frame.  More snow is falling tonight and I’m off to bed…
Miss Mustard Seed

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    30 Comments

    1. Anne

      By the by, I haven't forgotten about the bunny … I'm just way behind schedule. 😉

    2. Prior

      wow, a hidden treasure! Love the prints. Lezlee

    3. Anne

      Hey! The first part of my comment got cut off! Anyway, I said your matting and framing is coming along nicely.

    4. Dayka (Life +Style)

      I actually like the vintage ladies . . . crazy, huh? Pretty frames.

    5. Low Tide High Style

      Wow, what a lucky find, those french prints are beautiful! And I can't spot the faux wood frame at all!

      I understand getting misty looking at old family photos of loved ones who are no longer with us, I do the same thing.

      We only had rain tonight, thank goodness!

      Kat 🙂

    6. Tales From My Empty Nest

      I love all your pictures that you have framed. Thanks for the tip on the website where you printed off the egg picture. Love & blessings from NC!

    7. Blondie's Journal

      I like the French prints. Are you going to keep them? What a surprise!!

      My problem with looking at family pictures is that I have so many and it turns into a huge project as I walk down memory lane. I am talking boxes and boxes of pictures. I try to avoid them!

      xoxo
      Janie

    8. Jessica @ Sunny Tuesday

      I cannot believe those two prints! I saw the EXACT same squirrel and raccoon prints at an Estate sale this weekend – though in different frames. That's crazy. My Grandma passed away about a year and a half ago and it still hurts. I think maybe it'll get easier one of these days. You hang in there and I will, too!

    9. ~ Regan

      Oh, how I love vintage photos, and your wall of photos is amazing! Love those thrifty finds- you always have all the luck! 😉

    10. Katie@LeBeauPaonVictorien

      Lovely find! I also have several tinted prints from La Mode Illustree' that are similar to yours. I love them! (Mine were already framed and didn't have any pictures over the top though.) 🙂

    11. Jaana

      Love, love LOVE your blog. First time I came here and have to say love at first sight. Have to become a reader, so I can come visit more often!

      Greetings from Finland!
      – Jaana

    12. Marianne@Songbird

      Now that is a lucky find! Lucky you. I LOVE those old fashion prints. And btw no your faux frame looks as good as the real ones.

    13. Molly @ A Bit O' Shine

      I've seen that raccoon print before, haha! Well I suppose it's nice to get a two-fer.

      Your family photo project is looking lovely.

    14. The Little Red Shop

      What a sweet surprise! I was gifted several of those years ago…possibly including one just like the one on the left.

      Happy framing!

      : )

      Julie M.

    15. SueAnn

      Love the frames and the prints!! Your wall looks terrific.
      Hugs
      SueAnn

    16. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions

      How funny that someone put a racoon and a squirrel {of all things} over such pretty vintage prints! The frames look great and your egg print came out lovely!

    17. Jen C.

      Opa. The wonderful memories of that word. My Opa took his trip heavenward too, several years ago. You must be German! Probst!

    18. The White Farmhouse

      Oh the fun of being snowed in. I wish that I got as much done as you did though. Love your picture arrangement!

    19. Michelle@ A Full Cottage

      Thrifting is like a box of chocolates!!! You never know what diamond in the rough you are going to find. Itis also so wonderful to have pictures of family to suround yourself with and the thrift store is such a great way to get inexpensive frames. Also love the way the egg print turned out I am going to have to checkout their site.:)

    20. Ms. Bake-it

      Great finds! The frames look great. I cannot spot the faux wood frame among the real ones.

      ~ Tracy

    21. Marianne

      What a find! Vintage Printables is great side. I love the print of the eggs.
      BTW was your grandfather Dutch? I am asking because of the word opa you used.

    22. Ellen

      Good for you! Getting your photos on the wall, or at least in a frame is so satisfying….smiles.

    23. a little bit of everything

      I feel like I have gone in the opposite direction – after years of a wall of photos, I decided to put them in albums when we painted the wall! I did love displaying them at the time though. [http://robertapm28.blogspot.com/2008/12/housekeeping-up-hall.html]

    24. Dreams of Perfection

      I love your faux wood frame. You did such a good job. And your family portraits are displayed beautifully. FREE print, luvs it. I have this think for bird prints, bird's nests and egg displays. I know it sounds silly, right!?

    25. Kimmie

      LOVE it. Always love it over here at your fancy blog. xo

    26. Anonymous

      I recently found your blog by accident – a happy accident! I have loved re-doing thrift shop finds for years (mainly because my budget insisted on it) and even now with no more room in the house for 'bargains' – I still love it and can't resist looking for 'just one more thing.' I have a few finished pieces I'm kind of proud of and always a project in the works – either just in my head or something you can actually see!
      Your blog is inspiring – thanks!

    27. Stari

      I realize that I am a year late, but those French Ladies are prints from Godey's Lady's Book. My mom has several of them that she got from her mom. I remember them hanging in my childhood home.

      Here is some information about them that you may or may not find interesting!

      "The magazine was published by Louis A. Godey from Philadelphia for 48 years (1830–1878) (it was published by someone else after Godey died), and each issue contained poetry, articles, and engravings created by prominent writers and other artists of the time. Sarah Josepha Hale (author of "Mary Had a Little Lamb") was its editor from 1837 until 1877 and only published original, American manuscripts. Although the magazine contained work by both males and females, Hale published three special issues which only included work done by women. In 1845, Louis Godey began copyrighting each issue of the magazine to prevent other magazine and newspaper editors from pirating their texts. This move, a first in America, was criticized by editors at the Baltimore Saturday Visiter. They called it a "narrowly selfish course" and that Godey would "rue it bitterly."[1] The magazine was expensive; subscribers paid $3 per year (for comparison, The Saturday Evening Post was only $2 per year).[2] Even so, it was the most popular journal in its day.[3] It is best known for the hand-tinted fashion plate that appeared at the start of each issue, which provide a record of the progression of women's dress. Publisher Louis Godey showed off that in 1859, it cost $105,200 to produce the Lady's Book, with the coloring of the fashion-plates costing $8,000.[4] Almost every issue also included an illustration and pattern with measurements for a garment to be sewn at home."

      Take care,
      Shaunie (your neighbor in Chester County, PA)

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