Year in Review

The pretty little Bavarian orchid plate caught my eye 99 cents at thrift. I have it displayed in my orchid-themed half bath. The photobombing flowers are another weekly indulgence of mine now that I am home more to enjoy them. 

My investment in Pinterest continues to pay off as the top referring site to my blog. One of those boards highlight my thrifted fashion and favorite posts of mine. 

https://www.pinterest.com/thriftshpcomndo/top-tami-posts-on-thrift-shop-commando-blog/

I also reactivated my Instagram account at https://www.instagram.com/tamaschen/

AdSense and I parted ways. I noticed they stopped inserting the annoying ads. I closed the account. 

Bought this "bundle of fabric" for $9.99 on my fav online thrift site. It was a Tami crafting treasure trove worth the $29 total paid for the box. 

This is what the box looked like when it arrived. Ouch. 

Bundle image 1 - the curtains and valance I will use in my kitchen window. I will sell the pillow kit. The green mat is for puzzles - that is a keeper. 

Bundle image 2 - I so liked the Poinsettia latch hook rug kit, I bid on a new in package one on eBay. The partial kit I have is missing the white yarn and the canvas for the rug. 

Bundle image 3 - a couple more items to sell, and some beadwork items. 

Back to the partial kit of the latch hook rug tree skirt. I bought blank hook rug canvas and transferred the pattern from the new kit to my blank canvas. In my partial kit was the key to yarn placement. I also bought another partial kit's yarn only $1 at thrift. I like the cream color much better than the white shown in the image. This is my project into the New Year. 

After complaining about thrift shop product offered during this time of year, I have hit on all cylinders for selling on eBay. I bought bags of Barbie clothes and have enough to do listing lots by color. Another fun item for me was this nearly complete figure drawing set for my Drawing and Composition class beginning next month. 

Quilting update: There has been less and less quilting going on. My only finished projects in 2024 were the fan quilt (for myself) and cowboy quilt (for my daughter). 

Fan-quilt-completed

Cowboy-quilt-completed

I have a ton of quilt projects queued up but as my interest wanes, I will put some of those up for sale. One project queued up for 2025 is the completion of 6 Dresden blocks. They just need their centers and then glued onto a black fabric. Next step then is to stitch them down to their fabric squares and add borders and sashing. 

I have one quilt committed to a relative so I plan on making a couple of tops for her to choose from. A major fabric destash is planned. I have tubs of plaid, Hawaiian print, and holiday themed fabric in addition to the fabric stored in a 5-drawer dresser, and two other storage cabinets. It is way - too - much. 😕 

Seller update: When I decide to start listing again on eBay (I am on holiday hiatus), it will begin with the Barbie clothes. Books are queued up after I scan for median listing price. If the median price falls below $8 - $10, I send the publication back to thrift. The ideal listing for books is rare or in demand. One example, the Better Homes and Gardens red plaid cookbooks, while not rare, continue to be in demand. 

My bread and butter are sewing patterns. The ones I consider boring, just a top or skirt or jacket, are the best sellers. 

Categories that were slow movers in the past year were Boy Scout memorabilia, crocheted granny square blankets, and needlekits. At the rate I am going, I will be completing craft kits I currently have up for sale. This past month, I finished one needlepoint and am halfway through another. 

Here's to the New Year. I am still adjusting to retirement. While I enjoy the freedom, and the ability to rest whenever I want, I miss being around other people.