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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: Bama
Date: 03-25-2007, 12:31 AM (1 of 11)
Today I just happened to pass by a house a couple of miles from us that was having a yard sale. I spotted an old wood file cabinet ($2!) and had to stop because it was perfect to put my patterns in. I also got a desk ($4) for DS, a 6' book shelf ($5) for my sewing room, a tilting artist's table ($1!!!), a neat wood bed tray with a tilting top and magazine holders on the sides ($1.50). I thought that would be great for working on quilt blocks while I sit on the bed watching TV. Two country chairs ($5 for both) to put in the dining room for extra seating for company, and a bag full of zippers and hem facing ($1). There was lots of other stuff that I would have gotten if it had fit on the truck.  I hope they set it up again next weekend. I have room for one more book shelf in here.  I've been in here for hours organizing and rearranging.
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User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116 
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From: HeyJudee
Date: 03-25-2007, 02:09 PM (2 of 11)
WOW, Bama...you hit the jackpot. I'm looking forward to the spring here especially May. That is when the snow is gone and the garage sales start. But we don't get good deals like that. 
TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: Sancin
Date: 03-25-2007, 05:10 PM (3 of 11)
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Last year in Toronto where my daughter lives, as they were packing up to move they just put things out on the curb - every night - and they were gone by morning. If not (only once) it went into the garbage. Do other communities function this way? I live in a strata complex and we pay quite a hefty price for dumpster service thus so many things are not allowed in the dumpsters. As I get older and more arthritic I am finding it harder to get rid of things. I had a garage/yard sale last year when many others in the strata did. NEVER AGAIN! We do have a swap shop at our recyling center but I hate to tell you what it has become. Recently the SA moved their center uptown, closer to the recycling center. One almost takes their life in their hands to step out of one's car with a plastic bag, regardless of what is in it.
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: Bama
Date: 03-25-2007, 06:37 PM (4 of 11)
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We have a friend that does gardening work for a ritzy neighborhood. He said people leave furniture out for the garbage pick-up and people pick it up before the garbage truck runs. I usually donate old furniture and things to the Goodwill or other charity here. I was lucky to come across this yard sale when I did. They were about to call it quits and kept offering me cheap prices so they wouldn't have to take it back inside. 
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User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116
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From: allanorah
Date: 03-25-2007, 07:12 PM (5 of 11)
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Sancin: That happens a lot where I live. Then again, I also live in an apartment complex that has lots of college kids in it so when they move, they generally just leave their old stuff that they don't want by the dumpster. It's amazing what you can find in there. I've gotten lamps, bulletin board, looked at some furniture (decided against it), some unopened expensive alcohol, and a sewing machine (I've posted about that elsewhere cus I have lots questions about it). People out here actually look forward to move in/out season (and its coming up in about a month in a half! wee!!!) because of all the random junk we can pick up for free. We're advised by the landlady to leave stuff like that outside the dumpster for people to pick up because we will pick it up. It's fun dumpster diving out here! ~Melissa
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User: allanorah
Member since: 03-25-2007 Total posts: 20 |
From: qltnanny
Date: 03-25-2007, 09:03 PM (6 of 11)
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3 years ago i drove by a woman packing up her yard sale and she had a bag of stuff i thought was fabric. I gave her $2. for it when i opened it there was lots of needlework old hankies, embroidery and the best 30 squares of started quilt squares... from the 40's..... oh my, I was excited I made a quilt and have lots left over.... I will send a pic of my quilt.... so be on the look out..... yard sales are great..... "your trash is my treasure" qltnanny
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User: qltnanny
Member since: 03-19-2007 Total posts: 11 
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 03-25-2007, 10:22 PM (7 of 11)
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I have NEVER been able to find anything good at yardsales (or antique shops). I think it must be ME. I give stuff to GoodWill, at least I know it will be helping people who need it and not the neighbors who don't...(and I know they don't...they all work...and have new/ish cars...) Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 03-26-2007, 07:12 AM (8 of 11)
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Like Kath, my yard sale skills are pretty sad. But I did get my treadle sewing machine at and estate sale, so that was my one lucky find. When we moved we put a bunch of stuff out front. One thing was a big wicker chase lounge that was in almost new condition. Some people stopped to pick it up (he left her there to guard it while he went to get the truck). The guy was funny because he was so embarrassed to be picking stuff up off the curb. But he ended up taking a bunch of furniture. Once he got started he couldn't stop. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: lendube
Date: 03-26-2007, 10:57 AM (9 of 11)
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How terrific for you, Bams! Such deals. You just have to be at the right place at the right time. Haven't been to yard sales in a while. I did realize long ago that the middle class neighborhoods are best. In ritzy neighborhoods the help gets the goods. Dd and I are going thrift store shopping hopefully this week. A town about an hour away has a strip mall with maybe 6 medium sized church shops in a row with a big Goodwill across the street. Treasures are waiting, I'm sure. Haven't been there in a while. Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: PaulineG
Date: 03-26-2007, 01:15 PM (10 of 11)
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I'll always stop if passing by a garage sale (what we call a yard sale). Most of the time I come away empty handed but just occasionally there is a treasure to be found. I usually look in the classifieds if theres something particular I'm looking for that might be found at a garage sale but have most of my "finds" by accident. I do have a lot of luck with thrift shops - one in particular - nearly all of my patterns come from there - at 20-50c each it's a lot more appealing than full price. Nancy - where I live we have what is called hard rubbish collection twice a year. This is where people put out their unwanted furniture and boxes of junk etc. on the naturestrip (curb). There is a contractor who comes to collect it all between specified dates - one neighbourhood at a time. Often during that period of time if you're driving around you need to be careful because people are paying more attention to the sides of the road than the middle. This is in spite of the fact that it is illegal for anybody other than the contractor to remove these items - the contractor makes most of their money from resale or recycling of the goods they collect. There are lots of people who ignore this though. Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: jessie s
Date: 03-26-2007, 11:05 PM (11 of 11)
| I love yard sales. Do a lot of knitting and crocheting and at yard sales can pick wool up very reasonable. Great for Barbie clothes. Also get rolls of ribbon for pennies. Plus material is usually good. We also have a large junk pick up every 2 years but unlike some areas we are encouraged to pick up other peoples junk. Last year got one of those clear plastic drawer units. Great for craft supplies because it is clear. Been to 3 yard sales this year so guess Spring is here. Also visit the Goodwill and Value Village. Lots of good stuff there. Really helps in keeping cost of crafts down. jessie s |
User: jessie s
Member since: 02-26-2007 Total posts: 46 |
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