Sunday, June 28, 2009

Free Thrifty Treasures

     I was cash and motivation poor this weekend, but I still managed to pick up a few things that are just begging to be transformed.

     The first was a CraigsList find that taught me a few things about driving around for free stuff.

Friday morning, I caught a listing on CraigsList that said free old windows. Now, you and I know what we mean when we say “old windows”, but I have learned that not everyone does.

So I jumped into the car, as opposed to the truck, thinking that I was going to find some metal framed windows and that I wouldn’t need the truck. As you can see, I was wrong. There were a total of four gorgeous wood frame windows, all the same height, 4 feet or so. Two were 3 feet wide and two about 2 feet.

Okay, now the problem was getting them into my Volvo….I am new at this thrifting stuff, so I wasn’t even sure if the back seats went down. Still, I didn’t want to go home and get the truck because they might be gone when I came back. I had a heck of a time getting these things in there.

Long story short, one large window and the two smaller ones made it home. I did have to pass up on some really nice cabinets that they also had, but oh well. Why be greedy?

My next exciting finds were from a garage sale where everything was free. The couple had a sale last weekend and now just wanted to get rid of everything that was left.

I had my eye on the silliest thing, a huge wood packing crate on wheels. I figured that it was gone, but it was worth a look.

Well, they still had one left and a bunch of other stuff that I wanted. The only problem was that I still had the darn Volvo and the truck went to work with my partner in crime.  

Picture this, red head, still dressed in her sweats that sort of look like PJ’s, pushing this crate that is on really loud wheels up the very bumpy street at 7 AM Saturday morning. They lived close by, thank goodness, but I am sure that I woke all of the neighbors up and I wish that they had lived downhill instead of up! Man, the things I will do to get something for free.

I still have no idea what I am going to do with it, but it is mine!

I also picked up a large ammo box, some spray paint, a cool mini suitcase and some other crap that no one wanted.

I am sure that with some RustOleum and a cushion, this will be cool a cool little bench.

I know that this post has more words than pictures, but please learn from me……always bring the truck if you have one! I looked like a yahoo, couldn’t get as much as I wanted and probably made some enemies with all of my racket pushing that thing up the hill at 7AM.

Any ideas for the crate? I was thinking huge rolling ottoman?

Thanks again Rhoda, for putting Thrifty Treasures together. Make sure you check everyone’s great finds at Southern Hospitality.

signature

30 comments:

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

I'm telling you, you really did well. The windows and the red thingey are especially great finds! Linda

Nicole A. said...

Ohhhh those windows are awesome! I love that tall one and love that ammo box! You founds some awesome things!

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Wow, I love the windows. We just bought an old window and shutters this spring for a wall in the condo. Pretty pricey project. I'm always looking for old windows and shutters for one project or another.

★Carol★ said...

I like that you will go to any lengths to get your treasures home! Atta girl! I love those windows. They look great leaning against that wall!

Joan@anythinggoeshere said...

Good going and great packing. Even when you have been doing this kind of thing for 40 years...like me...sometimes you just don't have the right vehicle. Stuff happens, but you did great. Too bad you didn't get a video of the "push"...you could be a viral video queen.

Kammy said...

Great vision ! Please post when you are finished !
Hugs ~ Kammy

Kathi said...

Love the crate and the ammo box! Great potential! You have a good idea for bargains!
Can't beat free!

Gwen said...

Thanks! You guys make my mortification not feel quite so mortifying.

Sarah Robbins said...

Those windows were a gem of a find! Welcome to the Thrifter's World! You'll love it!

Reid said...

LOVE the old windows!!! Our His House usually has some but not that shape! great find!
And I like the idea about the rolling ottoman for the crate. And it can be storage too....awesome!

Dawn said...

Great finds Gwen. That big box on wheels will be great for storing things! The windows are fabulous! Your story really makes me appreciate my van. It's not the coolest vehicle on the road but it can hold a lot stuff.
Dawn

Unknown said...

Free is so fabulous! Great hunting! I expecially love the window!

Thanks for sharing!

Tina

Susie Q said...

I absolutely adore ammo boxes. My dad had several that he kept tools in and we still have one of them. I'm sure the others went with his other tools that were stolen.

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Gwen! You really found some great stuff for free...especially those windows! Can't wait to see what you do with everything!...Debbie

Nissa said...

Those old wooden windows are great! Can't wait to see what you do with them!

Embellished Bayou said...

Girl, you can't beat free, even if you have to work for it! At least you learned an important lesson, thanks for sharing!

Mary said...

I like your rolling crate, it would be a great ottoman, or coffee table and you can store anything you want to in it! I love extra storage. Your post was really funny too, about rolling it uphill. I would have done the same thing too! :O)

The Tattered Cottage said...

Love the window, I have one similar. I would love to see what you do with it. I'm still looking for ideas for the window I have.
Toni

Sue said...

Free is fabulous! I have a lovely mental picture of a red-haired lady in pj style sweats attempting to load this all in a Volvo. too cute. :-)Sue

JoeyfromSC said...

WOW you are good at this stuff lol

Nice finds & I love your ideas!!

Nice blog! btw, congrats on winning the 5 minutes for moms Hebrew National grand prize!!! May I come over for hotdogs on the 4th?haha:)

JoeyfromSC said...

Oh I see you're in california lol

The opposite coast! MY brothers moved there 4 months ago and live in Van Nuys! They're finding out how expensive it is to live there!

Corn said...

I love the windows....came by to congratulate you on winning the Hebrew National contest...cannot wait to come by again and see how your 4th went. Have fun!!!

Gwen said...

Thank you, we are so excited that we won. My mind is just spinning around like a top!

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

I love the windows!!! And the ammo box.

Suzanne in TX said...

Wow--you scored BIG!!! Those windows have so many possibilities and I love the ammo box. Hope to meet you over at my blog one day soon...

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Nice windows!

Manuela

Christina said...

Love the windows---the shapes are wonderful. Free finds are great.

Quiltpiecer said...

Cheap is good, but free is always better!! I love the old windows! I'll have to post a story about the free OLD windows I had my DH get for me then a few years later, I got rid of them!! I can kick myself for that!! Thanks for sharing!!

RootsAndWingsCo said...

I love finds like these ones! They seem like wherever you do use them, they can double as storage! In my house, you can never have enough storage! Those are some great finds! Stuff you wont find in everyone's homes!

Rebecca

Miss G said...

I would have pushed that crate uphill too! I love the imagery in your post. I think it would be a neat coffee table too and is neat that it can roll around. Will you post what you decide to do with it? Kelly

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin