Organizing the Sunroom

I spent a good portion of the morning reorganizing my seashell collection in the sunroom.  The sunroom is a 3 season room and tends to get a little "dirty" during the year.  It also collects items that haven't been put back into their places.  So, today was the day to reorganize my shell collection and to pair down.  I had to start by washing each piece of pottery.  I usually display the shells in white vintage pottery pieces.  There were some pieces that I didn't want anymore, so I condensed the shells to put the pieces I didn't want any longer into the garage sale pile.

All of the large common shells, I put into a bucket for now.  I am going to scout out a place in the yard to put the shells.  I have some out there now as a border and I like the look.  Now that I have a bucket full, I can design some more.

Most of the shells are in covered containers now.  Its easier that way to keep them clean and looking nice.  Now that the shells are out of the white pottery pieces, the pieces stand out.  They look nice on their own. 

I'm hoping that we don't have rain everyday this week, as predicted.  I want to get into the yard to find a place for the shells and to pull out the weeds that I can see from my kitchen window.

Busy....busy...busy

Some days, or should I say weeks, are just sooooo busy.  I don't have enough days in the week to accomplish all that I want to do.  I wanted to start weeding my garden and the weeds have already gotten the best of me.  Maybe I'll start next week.

I had a fun 2 days garage saleing/rummage hunting for treasures.  I did find some fabric and little treasures, but was most excited to find a large wrought iron plant stand at a garage sale for $5.  It was filled with old plants that I didn't want, so I was allowed by the owner to dump them in her garden since I was only after the plant stand.  I have seen them for upwards of $45 so I was very excited to find one at a small price.  Before I find a use for it in my garden, I'm going to use it for having a backyard party.  It would be nice holding plates and napkins or something handy like that.  I also found another black iron stand at an estate sale for $10.  I have always been wanting one.  It's funny how that one was more money than the larger one.  I haven't figured out what I will use the smaller one for, but it probably won't be for just holding fruit.  Or it might.....I'm not sure yet.  I haven't had time to play around with ideas for it. 

I just found out that on June 21st is the Belvidere night flea market that is from 4pm to midnight.  I went last year at around 4pm and found some really nice items.  It's on my calendar already.  Thursday is a church rummage sale on Bull Valley Rd close to Crystal Lake Avenue in McHenry.  It starts at 10am.  Friday is a church rummage sale on Walkup Ave in Crystal Lake starting at 8am.  On May 10th is the vintage market in Rockford at the Midway Village Museum.  There are a lot of garden club plant sales coming up.  Be sure to check them out for great prices. 

Happy treasure hunting!  Only about 1 month before the Elkhorn and Cedarburg Wisconsin flea markets.  I'm counting down.

Van's Antiques is Open!

Van's Antiques in Walworth Wisconsin opened last weekend and I just had to visit.  I always find something and today was no exception.  I found some vintage jewelry and a vintage tablecloth still with the original tags on it and only spent $11.  They carry pottery pieces, bottles, rustic items and so much more.  The website is:  www.vansantiques.com While in Walworth, stop by the antique mall in town for some more treasure hunting.

There are 2 church rummage sales on Thursday April 24th.  The Methodist church on South Street in Woodstock starts at 3pm and the First Presbyterian church in Woodstock starts at 8am. 

Happy treasure hunting!

Where Did Spring Go?

As I'm sitting here at my computer, I'm looking at snow coming down in Woodstock.  It's not sticking but it is snowing.  It's cold outside too and I just took my winter coat to the dry cleaners.  The bright note is that it should warm up by the end of the week.

I had so much fun last Thursday with 3 rummage sales.  I found soooooo many wonderful treasures.  Vintage dishes (another treasure for me to collect), a great vintage garbage can, an aluminum tray by Everlast that I have scrubbed down to remove the stains and looks fantastic now, a cigar purse, jewelry box, aprons, fabric, doilies and vintage tablecloths.  I spent about $50 in total that day.  Not bad for all of those treasures.  I like to tell you what I spent on these items so that you can see that really nice pieces don't have to cost a fortune.  I will keep some of these pieces and some I will put up on Ebay.  I just have to find the time.  The days seem to go by quicker than I can stop.  My plan was to put up some for auction today.  Instead, I'm taking my car to the Farm and Fleet to get 2 new tires.  Life sure gets in the way of fun!

Tomorrow I'm going to greet school kids at the Ag Expo in Woodstock at the fairgrounds.  Every other year, 3rd and 4th graders spend time learning about farms, animals, plants and everything farm related.  Even spinning wool.  It's a lot of fun to see the kids excited.  Especially if there are baby chicks. 

Now that the boys are older, it's harder to put together an Easter basket for them.  I still like to do it though and they do look forward to it.  This year is more comics and video game related.  I still have to get Austin a rabbit/Easter nutcracker. 

Van's Antique store right outside of Walworth Wisconsin has opened.  He is open on Friday 1-5 and on Saturday.  I hope to get there soon.  He always has some wonderful treasures.

Planting Vegetables

It was great to get outside (without a coat) and start planting vegetables.  I found a vintage enamelware bread box (minus the lid) a few years ago for free and have used it for planting spinach and lettuce ever since.  It is so handy to keep in the driveway for easy picking.  That is the best sunny spot in the whole yard so I take advantage of it.  I planted the spinach and lettuce yesterday in the bread box and planted the rest of the spinach, beans, kohlrabi and sugar snap peas in the raised beds today.  I also planted the hyacinths that I bought a few weeks ago at Home Depot.  The major yard cleanup is done, so now I have weeding and more planting to do.

But, not tomorrow. With 3 rummage sales in one day, my day will be spent wonderfully treasure hunting!  Hope yours is full of treasure hunting too.

So Many Things.....

Gardenfest was this weekend.  It was wonderful.  We had 198 total attendees.  Our keynote speaker, Amanda Thomsen, was really good and was so fun to be around.  We had a great time with her.  After it was over, it was time to start raking and cleaning up my flower beds.  What a way to relax after a busy day (and year planning).

I was so excited to get outside to plant some tulips that I purchased a few weeks ago.  I even bought some spinach and lettuce plants at Walmart and planted them in containers like I do every year.  I put the pots in my driveway which is where the sun hits.  Tomorrow, I'm going to plant some more spinach, kohlrabi and beans in my raised beds.  I can't believe spring is finally here.

I finally got to stop in Interiors Anew in Woodstock.  I never stay away as long as I did this time.  I found 2 great needlepoint runners and 1 vintage tablecloth priced from $3-6.  They have lots of nice treasures right now.

3 rummage sales in 1 day on Thursday.  That is heaven to me!  1st Congregational Church on Pierson Street in Crystal Lake starts at 9am, 1st Congregational Church in Huntley starts at 12 noon and the Methodist Church on Crystal Lake Avenue in Crystal Lake starts at 5pm.  Plus, there are garage sales in between.  Couldn't ask for a more perfect day.

I Have Been Treasure Hunting!

I have been treasure hunting, at least a little, the past few weeks.  The Goodwill in Crystal Lake opened up last week and I went the evening of opening day.  I spotted 2 hammered aluminum trays and had to have them.  The boys were with me and we saw a wonderful red metal 5 shelf stand.  I couldn't figure out where I would put it, so we passed on it.  Of course, when we got home I knew instantly that it would be great to hold their video games.  So, the next morning I was at the door at 9am for when they opened.  I dashed in and it was still there.  It came home with me and Ethan and I rearranged the video game area in the basement.  It looks great!  He even got rid of some video games.  Win win all around.  I learned my lesson though early in the treasure hunting season.  When you see something that you love, buy it.  You can always find a place for it later.


Today I went to a family estate sale in McHenry.  They weren't supposed to open until 9am, but when I got there at 8:30, people were already shopping it.  I did find some really great treasures.  I spotted the milk glass cake plate and ran for it.  I have to tell you that I only paid $3.50 for it.  What a bargain for such a wonderful treasure!  I also found 1 doily and a hand embroidered tablecloth that says "Happy Birthday," and has a cake and all kinds of birthday items on it.  Too cute to pass up.  The man was so nice and gave me a bargain of $5 for both. 


Here are a few upcoming sales on Thursday April 10th.  1st Congregational Church on Pierson Street in Crystal Lake at 9am, Huntley church rummage sale at noon and I believe the Methodist Church on Crystal Lake Ave in Crystal Lake.  I don't have the time yet, but it usually starts at 5pm. 

This Saturday is Gardenfest at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake.  I have been spending most of my time working on that.  It is going to be wonderful!  On Saturday is also an indoor garage sale sponsored by the Northwest Herald at Oak Industries on Crystal Lake Avenue/Main Street in Crystal Lake.  They have 91 booths. 


Happy treasure hunting!