Virtues of thrift – keep it in the family!

I’m dedicating this post to my family, especially my late mother, Frances Dalzell and late Grandmother, Kathleen Mulligan who are responsible in large part for the existence of Salvage Sisters! Family readers cue wry smiles!

I’m convinced they would be delighted to see the efforts of my Salvage Baby Lucia, who turned TWO this week.. she certainly has an eye for the antique! I was delighted when i ‘mistakenly’ won (thats what I had to tell the baffled husband who went to pick it up!) this vintage German Sleigh at Ross’s Auction in Belfast. It’s uses have proven unending even convincing said husband of its merits as a household item!

Tv seat


 

Snack time

 

She loves to pull it out from under the table and have a seat, or use it to climb up on the table to dance! It’s a great little coffee table too.

Auntie Doris' pram

Its hard to imagine any of our modern day toys would live to tell the tale, let alone look so charming as this little pram which Lucia took a shine to as we cleared out Tullyroan lately. It belongs to our Aunty Doris who  certainly knows how to hold on to a thing or two! This little beauty is around 70 years old. Doris has a fabulous eye for interiors and I must do a post sometime on her amazing collection of refurbished antique chairs and sofas!


Birthday trike

 

 

Salvage Aunty Lucy has excelled in her shoppping this year and got Lucia this trike for her birthday! We looooove it. I trust it will last to hand on to the next generation too.. 

And finally some words of wisdom from people who know, to hand down to the family.. I especially agree with the first and last one.

“Thrift is not an affair of the pocket, but an affair of character.”  ~S.W. Straus

“I believe that thrift is essential to well-ordered living.”  ~John D. Rockefeller

“Cannot people realize how large an income is thrift?”  ~Cicero


“We are not to judge thrift solely by the test of saving or spending.  If one spends what he should prudently save, that certainly is to be deplored.  But if one saves what he should prudently spend, that is not necessarily to be commended.  A wise balance between the two is the desired end.” ~Owen Young

Road trip, Coffee, Salvage..

The treaty of blogging elevates you to the official position of ‘go-to’ person on your chosen topic!

I got a call from my good friend Vicki lately who needed some Salvaging done, I was her woman!

Her late Grandmother, a prolific seamstress, had an insatiable addiction to haberdashery in all its forms. I have never in my life seen a stash like it, with every description of wool, fabric and fibre imaginable, and for that matter unimaginable! I believe she made almost everything she wore. I would love to see some photos of her in her finery. This lady had an eye for quality, and she makes my hoarding won a minimalists award.

My trustee day tripper Fionna and I set off through the vales of Ards along Strangford Lough, through Balloo to Killinchy. This was to me an uncovered patch in our quilt of scenery here in NI. A grand day out, with beautiful coffee shops along the way, and sheer views over the water here and there.. it feels like you’re driving to the edge of the world.

Fill er up Fi!

We came upon our destination, where Alan, Vicki’s dad was clearing out. After the salvager’s excitement of seeing a few remnants and juicy tit bits, we were baffled as roll upon roll of beautiful material, and balls and balls of the finest wool kept appearing.

roll up

chair makeover sorted

life supply

 

Angora

As many an unconverted salvager would, the builders who were there at the time, were more highly amused and baffled at our delight in filling our car literally to the roof with our ‘treasure’. Much the same as Vicki’s husbands response! Luckily Ivan has given up on noticing my stock-piling.. almost. He uses this skill for the house work too! Hee Hee.

Tweed

Leather! any ideas?

Crocodile Dundee

 

Now, if you have an interest in some remnants, or what to do with rolls of leather.. give me a call, or drop in, it’s looking for a home, there’s only so much my garage can hold. xx

Salvage hi five

I hope Vicki finishes this coat off!

Storage solutions?