Nostalgic for old typewriters.

Old typewriters are finding their way back into homes and offices. Not always so much for practical use, but for the simple enjoyment of a little typing, or just looking charming on a desk... maybe even for creating art.

______________________________________________________________________

Collecting vintage typewriters is very popular. Did you know Tom Hanks is a collector?

There are collector's associations, clubs and websites dedicated to vintage typewriters.

We have gathered a few ideas for using, displaying and creating art with your typewriter.

______________________________________________________________________

TYPE A BOOK

P.J. O'Rourke (American political satirist and author) still types his columns and books on a IBM Selectric. He said that it works well for him because of his short attention span. 

Author David McCullough uses a secondhand Royal Standard he bought in 1965. "I have written everything I've ever had published on it, and there is nothing wrong with it," he once said.

Bring to your wedding

Have guests type you and your spouse a message.

________________________________________________________________

DISPLAY

a little urban vintage...

Mix with other retro finds....

Create a Christmas vignette...

Source

_________________________________________________________________

TYPING ART

This is from a 1948 Popular Mechanics 

Use a typewriter for a photo prop.....

source

Leave a message on your type writer, take a photo, print to use on a card or to just send the picture.

__________________________________________________________________

Want one? Search garage sales, thrift stores, craigslist, ebay, and antique dealers. If you go to shopgoodwill.com and search "typewriter" you will find dozens of all types up for bid.

Happy Treasure Hunting!

A little lace this summer....

One whole warm month of summer left in Michigan! Create a light and breezy look for your wardrobe and home with a touch of lace. We are bringing together wearable ideas and projects to refashion, DIY and just find and buy.
__________________________________________________________
Refashion:
Add lace to a thrifted t-shirt.

                                             Source & Tutorial

__________________________________________________________

Really nice tutorial for these blue shorts.

                                               Source & Tutorial

__________________________________________________________

Find a dress that fits perfect except it's to short? Add lace, or eyelet lace to the hem.

                                               Source

___________________________________
DIY

 Wrap lace around jars and add a tealight candle. Empty mayo and jelly jars would work perfect!  

__________________________________________________________

Embrodiery hoop mobile...use different size hoops and lace scraps.

____________________________________________________________



Find a straw hat, paint it white and add lace around the brim.  When not wearing it with a pretty sundress, leave it on display on your dresser.

                                                   Source

_________________________________________________________

Find & Buy

Shop Goodwill stores for t-shirts, straw hats and unique jars to transform.

 And here are a few lace items found this week at the Kalamazoo Alcott Store.

July 2013 Alcott Store

There are several lacy items currently up for bid on Shopgoodwill. Shopgoodwill (Search key word LACE)

Here are three!

Link -> Blue Plaid with Lace Shirt

Link ->Chicos Metallic Lace Jacquard Jacket

Link ->Vintage Embroidery/Lace Short Light Robe

More ideas on our Pinterest board Bits of Lace <- Link

Happy Treasure Hunting!



Cat and Dog beds fit for royalty!

 Does your cat think your home is "his/her kingdom"?  Does your dog reign supreme in your house? How about a special place fit for a king or queen? Give your pet the royal treatment with these upcycled end tables.

___________________________________________________________________________

Flip the end tables upside down to make four poster beds.  Inspiration:

___________________________________________________________________________

End tables can be modified by simply removing the doors and/or drawers.

Source

Source

___________________________________________________________________________

Ok, this one is not a end table, but it sure is clever!

Source

____________________________________________________________________________

Look for end tables and night stands that you can convert into royal beds in your basement or garage.  Of course, Goodwill Stores are a great source for inexpensive pieces that just need your creativity to make into a show piece!
Here are two kindly donated tables from this week.

July 2013 Donation Center 

July 2013 Alcott Store

___________________________________________________________________________

Visit our Pinterest Page Must love dogs (and cats!)

Like our Facebook Page! Status updates include store sales, promotions, and DIY inspirations throughout the week. Do you have a special thrift store find or DIY project that you want to share?  Let us know so we can post it on our Facebook page. 

TreasureChestSWMI Facebook Page

Thank you for supporting the Mission of Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan.

Happy Treasure Hunting!

Be a Princess for a Day - Wear a Disney inspired outfit

Every Disney Princess is a rare jewel.  Each one has unique qualities both in her style and her approach to life. Just like each one of us!  Do you have a favorite? Here are some very stylish outfits that are inspired by a princess and a little bit of Disney Princess advice.

______________________________________________________________________________

Snow White - "What do you do when things go wrong? Oh! You sing a song!"

_____________________________________________________

Mulan - "Open your eyes, your heart can tell you no lies."

____________________________________________________

Jasmine - "Sometimes we only see how people are different from us. But if you look hard enough, you can see how much we're all alike."

 

___________________________________________________

Cinderella - "So this is love, So this is what makes life divine."





_______________________________________________________________________________

Rapunzel - "You can take away my dignity, and strip me of everything you see fit, but you can NEVER take away my love for my Kingdom. It is MINE. And I WILL fight!"

_________________________________________________________________________





Ariel - "Watch and you'll see, someday I'll be part of your world."

____________________________________________________________________________

Tiana -"You can't get what you want just by wishing for it."

__________________________________________________________________________



Pocahontas - "You think the only people who are people, are the people who look and think like you. But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you never knew you never knew."

__________________________________________________________________________



Ready to dress like a princess? Goodwill stores are a great place to treasure hunt for solid colored dresses and for shoes. Look for unique pieces of jewelry at Forever 21 which has reasonable prices to create the look.

 

 Here are several solid colored dress that were recently donated to Goodwill.

 

And our fabulous shoe departments!

Benton Harbor Goodwill, MI

 

Three Rivers Goodwill, MI

 

 Our Pinterest board "Dress like a Princess" has more fun and fabulous outfits!

 Link to Board

The Treasure Chest Facebook Page updates throughout the week with new ideas, links, and the latest on store happenings and sales. Like our page to keep up to date!

 

Happy Treasure Hunting!

 



 





Be Ready. Twinkies are hitting the shelves this Monday.

Twinkies are making a big return Monday.  And if you are a Twinkie fan, we want to help you get ready! A little Twinkie humor, a couple "recipes" and some thrift store serving ideas!

TWINKIE FUNNIES

TWINKIE RECIPES

Deep Fried Twinkie - State Fair Copycat. Click for recipe link.

Despicable Me Cupcakes - See the movie, eat the cupcake. Click for instructions link.

Twinkie Cake - Does adding fruit make it healthy? Click for recipe link.

Special occasions require special treatment! 
Here are some DIY thrift store cake and cupcake stands for serving your Twinkies.

These are quite popular on Pinterest because they are pretty and inexpensive to create.  Find four thrifted plates, three dollar store candle sticks and glue together with glue for glass like E6000. Follow the glue instructions for drying time. 

BTW-These are white chocolate dipped strawberries with sprinkles.

These smaller stands are made by gluing water goblets or wine glasses to plates and then spray painting it with fun colors. Click for link about spray painting on glass. 

And finally, a stand using cups and saucers, simple and sweet! Click link for great directions. 

 Happy Treasure Hunting!

Let's Go Glamping!

Glamorous camping = Glamping!

This is a more extreme glampsite. Note the large spacious tent, the raised floor, and a full bed with a real mattress. But glamping can really be just bringing some comforting items to your camp site to make it more luxurious, pampered, and have a few homey touches. Here is our take on glamping- thrift store style.

The Glampsite:
Make the front of the tent the "porch" with an area rug or two, side tables for lanterns and candles, and throw pillows to add comfort to the camp chairs.
Dress up an air mattress with vintage sheets, comfy throws, crochet blankets, and lots of pillows. Continue the pampering by packing scented candles, handmade soaps, flavored coffees, thrifted dishes, linens for the picnic table and pretty vases for wildflowers.

Glamping Food

Skip the hot dogs, potato chips and regular smores and replace with more gourmet recipes.

Campfire Potatoes
Source

Glammed up popcorn with stir-ins!

Campfire Banana Boats
Source

Glamping Activities

Bring a homemade journal for writing, pressing flowers and leave a few empty pages for pictures you print when you get home. Do a Paint-by-number. Read a classic book.

Source for Journal

Glamping does not have to be expensive.  Find treasure around your home to pack, or head to the thrift store for items. Here is a collections of recently donated glamping items that you may find in your local Southwestern Michigan Goodwill.

 

 

Visit our Pinterest Page "Let's Go Glamping".  We've collected more recipes, activities, and backyard glamping ideas. Even glamping weddings!

Pinterest Link

P.S. Thank you for donating your stuff to Goodwill! Your stuff=Jobs!