I love church rummage sales

I love church rummage sales, and the one last weekend lived up to all expectations. Let's just say that I am a regular customer at their annual Fall & Spring Sales. I got lots of treasures, dishes, linens, lamps, wooden hangers, and lots of glassware. A pair of victorian women salt and pepper shakers that I bought for $.10 cents I sold within the hour of purchasing them for $5.00 and a charming 1960's Red Wing bulb planter that I bought for a quarter I have already sold for $5.00. I could have sold them for more on e-bay but they were purchased by friends. I felt a little quilty about that, because I paid so little, but they both assured me that they were pleased with thier purchase amounts as they knew what these items could really have sold for on-line. Many times I have brought an item of value to the woman directing the church sale to advise her that the displayed price was far too low and what they should be charging, urging her to reprice.....and she does....and it sells. The church wants to raise money but is also afraid to be stuck with a lot of stuff to dispose of after the sale, if things haven't sold. So I guess in the end it is a good day for both the church and customer.


In an earlier post, I showed what dishes I am putting together for my Thanksgiving table....an amber glass theme this year. I scored on amber glassware at the church sale. I got 12 little glasses for ten cents each, a pair of amber glass salt and pepper shakers from the 70's also for a dime, a chip and dip bowl for $1.00 and 2 large glass bowls for a quarter each. I also found a couple of candles that will match as well as two amber glass candle garland rings. I can't wait to show you what my finished table will look like with all my finds....a whole new table design for under $20.

Long time in the making

For years friends and family have asked why I don't write a blog about decorating and party giving. I am always willing to share my ideas but never thought about writing them down. With a career change hopefully in the near future (leaving the corporate world), I decided it was time to put pen to paper.

My catering and special event planning business "A Matter of Taste" has always been a sideline to my corporate job, as an important creative release "safety valve". I now find that I enjoy that more and would like to bring those talents to the non-profit sector. At this time in my life, I would like to make a difference rather than just make money.

I grew up in a family of 6. Dad worked and mom stayed home to take care of the 4 kids. I didn't realize until I was a little older just how poor we had been. My mom was and still is an amazing seamstress. She would make us beautiful dresses and winter coats that would rival anything the department stores offered. My father was a skilled carpenter. I cherish the pieces he built for me....each lovingly handcrafted with a custom created stain, his own special formula. So it is no surprise that I grew up with needle and thread in one hand and hammer and nail in the other. I built my first set of shelves at age 10 and by 13, was sewing all my own clothes, often reconstructing hand-me-downs from my older sister and cousins for one-of-a-kind creations.

When it was time to go off to college, my aunt took me to a mill store where you could buy their fabric remnants by the pound. The factory made high -end bedding. For under $20 dollars I was able to make 2 complete sets of sheets and pillowcases, 2 twin size blankets and a comforter. My friends at the dorm could not believe that I had made them.

Over the years, I have made countless sets of curtains, pillows,, tablecloths and napkins, as well as reupholstered chairs. Honestly, I don't know how anyone can survive without knowing how to sew. This is what I would like to use my blog to do....to share my decorating ideas, whether it is interior decorating, tree decorating or theme party decorating......to share garden and landscape design tips as well as tips for your tablescape. I want to show that you don't need a lot of money just imagination. I hope that you will join me.