Thrifted Treasures: Eclectic Estate Sale and Thrift Store Finds

Welcome to the blog today, friends!

Thank you so much for stopping by. I always love sharing my thrifted finds with you, and today’s collection is a wonderfully eclectic one indeed. There’s something especially fun about a mix that doesn’t quite follow a theme but instead tells a little story all its own.

I don’t know how many estate sales you’ve been to, but in my area they’re plentiful—and such a treasure trove if you enjoy the hunt. Most of the sales here are listed on estatesales.net. You simply enter your zip code, and the site pulls up estate sales within about a fifty-mile radius. One of my favorite features is that each listing includes lots of photos, so you can get a good sense of what’s being offered and decide whether it’s worth the drive.

Last week, one particular sale caught my eye because it featured fabrics that had belonged to a crafter who lived in the home. Of course, that was all the invitation I needed to take a look. Fabric, after all, always whispers possibilities—future projects, small details, and creative moments waiting to happen.

So today, I thought I’d share what came home with me. Let’s take a look at these lovely finds together.

I bought a large bin of fabric that included thirty-seven yards of cotton fabric, along with a number of finished pieces in both cross stitch and quilting. Nestled inside were two small quilted angel pieces, each one lovingly stitched and full of charm. There were also several finished Americana-themed pieces, the kind that instantly make you think of simple country homes and handworked traditions.One of my favorite finds was a cross-stitched pillow top with a ruffled edge—so sweet and romantic, and clearly made with care. And just when I thought I’d reached the bottom of the bin, there were still more surprises waiting, tucked between folds of fabric and neatly stacked layers, each piece hinting at the creativity of the hands that made them.

These two heart pieces I framed for Valentine’s Day. One is cross stitch and the other is a quilted piece. But that wasn’t all.

Along with the fabric, I also found a 2′ x 3′ cutting board, barely used, a lovely solid wood embroidery frame from Marie Designs in Arizona, and a nice tub filled with beautiful ribbon. All of this came to $35, and I was one very happy lady walking out of that sale.

When you break it down, the fabric alone worked out to about fifty-five cents a yard—and you definitely can’t beat that. I was able to select the fabrics myself and place them in the tub, even though it was quite crowded in the fabric closet. It took a little patience and some careful digging, but it was well worth the effort.

To make the deal even sweeter, the cutting board sells for around $65 new in this brand, and the tabletop embroidery hoop is priced at about the same. I always love when practical pieces and creative tools come together in one find—it feels like winning twice.

A few days later, my husband and I headed out to visit a couple of our local thrift stores. It seemed this was just our week.

We found this lovely three-piece place setting for four by Lenox in the Garden Mural pattern. This is part of Lenox’s everyday line, which makes it especially nice—it’s both dishwasher and microwave safe, always a plus when beauty and practicality go hand in hand. The pattern itself is quite charming, featuring soft fruit motifs intertwined with delicate gold vines and leaves that sweep gracefully across each piece. It has a fresh, garden-inspired feel that works equally well for casual meals or a prettily styled table.You can see how it might be styled in the photos above. I paired the china with twig flatware, a double napkin, and a round yellow placemat to give you an idea of how easily it comes together in a table setting. It’s cheerful, welcoming, and perfect for everyday use while still feeling just a little bit special.

The next find, at another local thrift store not far away, was a set of Gorham crystal glasses—both waters and wines—in the Juliana Clear pattern. There were nine wine glasses and six water (or tea) glasses, all in lovely condition, and it felt like such a fortunate discovery.

I used them with the Lenox china setting you see in the photos above, and they paired beautifully together. The clean, classic lines of the crystal complement the garden-inspired pattern of the dishes without competing with it, adding just the right amount of sparkle to the table. It’s always satisfying when separate thrifted finds come together so effortlessly, as though they were meant to be used side by side.

Rounding out the day were two sweet little finds that felt like just the right note on which to end. The first was a hand-painted pastel of Santa bringing gifts to a family, with a little toddler peeking out from the staircase, wide-eyed and full of wonder. It’s such a tender scene—one that quietly captures the magic and anticipation of Christmas through a child’s eyes.

The second was a lovely Lenox ornament, featuring an adorable kitty dressed in a Santa hat and sitting in a gift bag. It was impossible to leave it behind. There’s something so charming about these small holiday pieces, and this one felt like it was meant to come home with us.

It really was a lovely way to finish off the day.

Thank you so much for joining me on this combination estate sale and thrift store adventure. I so enjoy sharing these journeys with you, and I hope they inspire you the next time you head out in search of treasures of your own. Wishing you good hunting and happy discoveries on your next thrifting outing.