Happy Trails!

Austin didn't have school today, so we set out early to have fun.  First we did some errands and then stopped at Starbucks to refuel.  Our favorite place!

We stopped at a sale in Woodstock and found a nice small cedar box with an Indian on the top for $4 and it had Cape May New Jersey on it.  Since I am a Jersey girl, I had to buy it to use as a Christmas present.  We then headed to Hebron for a church rummage sale.  We love that church sale on Main St.  Last year I found a jewelry armoire for $3.  This year, we found a vintage Atari with around 20 games in the original plastic case for $5.  They didn't have it priced, so they asked me to make an offer.  We have been looking for an Atari forever.  What an exciting find.  I hope we can figure out how to plug it in and that it works.  I also found 2 garden books for 50 cents each and some fabric for $1 for all.  That was a fun sale and I saw Ann, one of my rummage sale friends.

We detoured back to Woodstock where I found a hand made metal rooster for $5.  It will be great once I figure out where to put it in my garden.  We did all of these things while on the way to Edwards Apple Orchard.  We love Edwards and it opened last Friday for the season.  We had our cup of apple cider and donut.  This year we also had vanilla ice cream.  We stopped in the barn and bought some jam and more donuts while sampling some of their tasting treats.  Austin and I couldn't find our way out of the maze.  It took us longer than usual.  We must be getting old.

On the way home, we stopped at Twigs and Things in Capron. It is a cute antiques plus other things store.  We didn't find anything, but I would stop in to look again.  They had a nice assortment of things.  We also stopped at Twin Farms between Harvard and Chemung for vegetables.  Our car smelled like cantaloupe on the way home.  I bought 2 stems of sunflowers for $1 and have them on my kitchen table.  They look nice in a vintage white enamel pitcher. 

We were tired once we got home 6 hours later, but we had a nice day.  I love Fall and all that it brings.  This was a nice way of bringing it in.   

It Only Takes A Few Good Sales

There were only a few sales today.  Probably because of the upcoming Labor Day weekend.  I started out in McHenry and stopped at 1 sale.  I found a black iron plant trellis for $1.50 and a brand new pair of Macy's Studio Works orange flowered sandals for $3.  She had lots of brand new shoes, but that was the only pair that fit me.  Next, I was off to Crystal Lake.  I found a doily for 50 cents at the first sale.  At the second sale I found an aluminum flower plate for 50 cents and a lady plate for 50 cents.  At the third sale I found the kids some video games and a game guide for a total of $2.75.  On the way back, I saw a sign for an estate sale.  As it turns out, this lady holds a sale every year and she must have had at least 20 tables plus items all over her yard.  My friend Chris, who is an antique dealer, was already shopping and had her car full.  I still managed to find some things and the lady running the sale gave me a good deal.  I found 3 vintage drinking glasses for $5 (they were the exact ones that I found at an estate sale a few months ago.  Now I have 5 of them).  I also found a vintage tablecloth in perfect condition for $5, a necklace for 25 cents and she threw in a pin for free, a vintage Zoro book for $1, a vintage Pac Man drinking glass for $2, a bag of vintage Christmas ornaments for 75 cents (all because there was a blue Santa in it and I don't have a blue Santa), an aluminum coaster set by Continental for $5, a vintage Japanese fan for $1, and a vintage pink Christmas ball ornament for $1.  I could barely carry it all.  It was a fun sale to find by chance.  Sometimes the best sales are the ones you just come upon.

Speaking of coming upon a sale, my neighbor threw out an almost new snow shovel and a new gas can.  So, of course, I pulled over and took them.  We can always use a snow shovel.  Hopefully not that often this winter.
I spent the rest of the afternoon trying to sell some items on Ebay.  I sold a few video games for the kids today and they made some good money.  They were happy with their earnings.  I put up some more so I hope that they do as well as today.  It's a great way to clean out the house!

Basement Organizing Day

I warned Austin all week that we would be organizing the basement, mostly his things, on Saturday.  Well, today is the day!   I did go to an estate sale in Woodstock and came home empty handed.  Then, on the way to Pokemon, we stopped at 2 garage sales and went away empty handed.  It's ok though.  I really needed to focus on organizing the basement and pulling items to sell on Ebay.

We worked for over 2 hours and we managed to combine 2 bins into 1.  That was my goal.  I have a huge container full of toys for the next garage sale.  At this rate, I'll need to have another sale in October.  I designated one corner of the basement to bins of toys that we are keeping.  My basement is lacking in storage space so I make due wherever I can.  At least his Legos and Bionicles look neater and more contained.  (He still has so much though).  All of the loose toys are also in bins and there is more floor space for them to get around.  I'm happy with our finished look.  I have a few vintage toys that I am going to sell on Ebay.  They weren't the kids favorite toys so I'm not keeping them any longer.  I'm hoping to put them up for auction tonight. 

Thursday and Friday Treasures

I spent most of the mornings of Thursday and Friday garage saleing.  Thursday was pretty slow picking, but there were lots of sales in Crystal Lake.  I found a nice green painted tray for 10 cents.  Who could pass that up?  I have always wanted one and this was the ladies great aunt's.  What a deal!  I went to the Sparrows Nest in McHenry also and found a blue/white doilie for 50 cents and an aluminum server with the original glass inserts for $4.  Another good deal!

My first stop on Friday morning was for a sale that I found on the way to taking Austin to school.  It was only down the street from me so I also had a chance to meet my neighbors.  I found a great blue milk glass bowl for $2, an aluminum tray for $1 and a Japanese tin for $1.  I like to put presents in the tins.  It is so much nicer than in just a paper bag.  It is like giving 2 gifts in 1.  I did go to both estate sales listed in the paper on Friday.  One was a Caring Transitions sale in Crystal Lake and the other was a sale in Woodstock.  Both left me empty handed.  That happens sometimes.  There were also a few sales in Ridgefield that I stopped at.  I found some fabric at one for 50 cents to $1 each and vintage hankies for 25 cents.  I spent a whole $3.50 at that one.

I have been spending time putting the vintage video games up for auction on Ebay.  I hope the kids make big money! 

Stuff, Stuff, Stuff

We actually got up and left the house at 7:15 this morning to get to the St John's Church Rummage sale in Johnsburg.  Since it was their first one, we thought that we would find good stuff.  I didn't know where to enter the sale, but all of my rummage sale friends were on line so we just followed them.  It is always so much fun talking to them before a sale.  It makes the time go by.

They had lots of stuff and we found a few things.  Ethan found a book of Pokemon/Yugioh cards for $2 and Austin found 2 older Transformer toys for $1 for one and $2 for the other and 2 Nutcrackers for $3 each.  I found 2 miniature vases for $1 each, a covered dish for 75 cents, a cameo pin for 50 cents and 3 purses (for their handles) for $1 each.  We were happy with our finds.  We were in a hurry to get to a garage sale that listed Pokemon items in McHenry and Ethan had to get to soccer practice by 10am in Woodstock.

The garage sale did have Pokemon items, but most were very expensive.  We did find a few bargains though and brought home a bag full of older Pokemon video games.  We went through all of our video game duplicates this afternoon and we found quite a few to sell on Ebay.  Hopefully the kids will make some good money.

It was a very busy day for us.  I found a spot for the leaf trellis that I bought this week.  I put it behind a green chair stand that is in the garden and it is very subtle.  I like the look.  I'm too tired to work on anything else tonight, but I have a lot of ideas for when the kids are back in school. 

Some Friday Treasures

Austin and I went back to the neighborhood sale in Woodstock today.  My friend Chris wasn't open yesterday, but she was today.  Boy did she have the stuff to sell.  We must have been there for 45 minutes looking and looking.  She kept putting out stuff and we kept looking.  I found a great black iron plant stand for $3, a blue vase for $2, a milk glass basket for $2, a single green depression glass candle holder for $1 that I'm going to use in a craft idea that I have, a Dorothy Wizard of Oz plate for $1 that I'm also going to use in a craft idea and a craft holding bin for $10 that I'm going to put Austin's Legos and Bionicle pieces in.  It should work out fine and I'll post a picture of it when I'm finished and organized.  Austin found a Godzilla book written in Japanese for 50 cents and a free Spongebob beach ball.  We had lots of fun looking. 

We stopped at Joyful Harvest Church rummage sale in Johnsburg this afternoon and found a few pins for 50 cents and $1 to use on my felted bags and a purse for $1 to cut the handle off to also use with my felted bags.  It was late in the afternoon and pretty picked over.  They still had lots left though.

Hopefull tomorrow we can get to the St Johns Church rummage sale in McHenry and the kids sale in Cary.  I don't know if we'll have the time, but I'm sure doing to try.

Rainy Thursday

Boy did it rain this morning.  We were all set to go out treasure hunting until the sky turned black and the rain fell for hours.  It stopped close to 10am and we set out to see who was open.  We went to a subdivision sale in Woodstock.   At the first house, I found a leaf trellis for $1 and a black cast iron water pump with stand for $5.  I was happy!  At the next house I found a box of hundreds of cut up vintage fabric pieces for quilting for $2 and 2 handbags for $4 each.  The one bag is covered in multi colored sequins and labeled Lord and Taylor.  The original price tag is still attached.  The other bag belonged to the woman's mother and was crocheted for her.  It is truly wonderful.  We stopped at the other houses that were open, but didn't find anything else.  Tomorrow we will try again since it is supposed to be a great day.

There is a church rummage sale tomorrow at Joyful Harvest Church in Johnsburg and one in Harvard.  On Saturday, there is a kids garage sale in Cary at Lions Park from 9-12.  Happy hunting!

Lovin' Elkhart Lake Wisconsin

We spent 3 days at Elkhart Lake Wisconsin.  I love that town!  It has so much to offer and to see.  We stayed at the Osthoff Resort (sometimes the rooms are pricey), but you get a campfire smores night on Saturday on the beach (for free). 

We spent Saturday morning at the Farmers Market where we bought cheap but delicious vegetables.  A container of sun gold cherry tomatoes for $1 and a bunch of carrots for $1, muffins for $1.50, the most delicious chocolate scones for $3 each and homemade pecan brittle for $4.  We had a great time.  I also bought a vintage pink stone pin.  They have crafts and antiques mixed in the market.  We bought a Subway lunch and enjoyed it with our vegetables purchase.  It made for a great lunch.

We also explored the great stores that are in the area.  I didn't find any treasures this year, but they had some great items that were tempting the other shoppers. 

We decided to explore the town of Plymouth that is only about 7 miles from Elkhart Lake.  The town has artist painted murals on a lot of the buildings downtown.  The shop owners were so nice.  I especially liked a store called A Vintage Shop on East Mill St.  They have a vast collection of vintage clothing, hats, purses, shoes, jewelry, linens, barkcloth, bakelite, glassware and art pottery from 1850-1980.  It was amazing and a little overwhelming.  You do need some time to shop there.  But, it is a must stop if you are in the area.  The other store I really liked is on the corner of Mill St when you enter town.  (I think it is Fibbers McGee-I forgot to write down the name).   Anyway, it is a nice town to visit.

I always look forward to visiting Elkhart Lake.  Until next year...

Thursday and Friday Rummage Sales

Yes, I did pay the $5 entrance fee to the Elizabeth Ann Seton church rummage sale on Thursday that was from 5-7 that night.  A lot of other people did the same.  I understand that some of my other rummage salers didn't.  A $5 entry fee hits hard when there are more than one in the party.  I only had Austin with me and I only offered to pay for me.

We did find a few things.  I found a doll planter for $1, the 2 latest Janet Evanovich books for $2 each (I love her!) plus some Marvel comic books for 50 cents each, a turtle for $2 for Ethan's every growing turtle collection, a glass jar to hold my nail polish for 50 cents, a cat paperweight for 50 cents, a white wicker toy chest for $12 and a Chuck Norris picture for $1 (Ethan and his friends are obsessed with Chuck Norris so I thought this was a must).  I cleaned out Ethan's Pokemon plus a few other plush figures and put them in the wicker chest.  At least that area of his room is more contained and in order.

On to Friday and the Calvary Church Rummage sale in Crystal Lake on Route 31.  It was to start at 10am but they let us in at 9:30.  They must have felt sorry for us that we were waiting and talking for awhile.  Anyway, we found stuff as usual.  I found a milk glass bowl for $1, another glass jar to hold things for $2, a shell heart shaped box for $2, a vintage rose flowered bowl for $1, a Bill Clinton watch for $1, some Nes video games for 50 cents each and a frame to hold the Chuck Norris picture.  It was fun seeing my rummage sale friends and comparing purchases.

Ann's church rummage sale in Prairie Grove is on Sept 13 at 9am.  Hers is one of my favorite sales.

The Elkhorn Flea Market in Elkhorn Wisconsin is this Sunday.  I can't be there, but I will be treasure hunting in Elkhart Lake Wisconsin.  They have a great farmers market/flea market and some great antique/junk stores.  Should be lots of fun!

My Garage Sale

Well, we finally had our garage sale yesterday.  I had it all set up early (for those early birds) and had my first customer before 7am.  He bought the hand chair that I wanted to get rid of so badly.  I was happy to see it go.  After him though, the customers were few and far between.  We didn't have that many people at the sale.  I was very disappointed.  I did sell some big pieces and other small stuff, so at least we made some money and cleared out some space in the house. 

After the sale, I packed it all up and we took almost everything to the Sparrows Nest in McHenry.  It doesn't pay to hold on to anything that didn't sell since I wanted to get rid of it anyway.  Now my house is clean and almost uncluttered.  I already have a few projects in mind that I need to do.

Blue Ribbons at the Fair

The McHenry County 4H Fair has begun.  It is running from Wed Aug 1 to Sun Aug 5.  All of us have won a few blue ribbons this year.  Even with the few vegetables that we managed to grow, we won a few ribbons.  Ethan won a blue ribbon also on his abstract painting and Austin won a blue ribbon for his Lego creation and his nutcracker collection.   I was thrilled to win a blue ribbon for my felted purse.  There are some beautiful quilts on display this year.

In between getting ready for the fair, I have finished setting up for my garage sale tomorrow.  I don't have as much as past years, but there are still a lot of nice things that need a new home.  The sale will be from 8-2 on Friday. 

I'm glad to have gotten the coffee table out of the basement and I have put the new table and chairs that we bought in Pennsylvania in its place.  It looks great!  It changes the look of the basement.