Follow me on my pathtojunkentreasure as I hunt for treasures at flea markets, garage sales, rummage sales, thrift stores, estate sales and even on the side of the road. I'll share my love of ironstone, hammered aluminum, vintage Christmas, vintage jewelry, doilies and tablecloths, flower frogs, garden items and anything rusty and chippy. You can find me at Carriage House Antiques in Crystal Lake Illinois. Please join me on my pathtojunkentreasure!

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas!

On our way up to Monroe Wisconsin last weekend for our bi-annual cheese run, we were driving through Brodhead and came upon a truck outside of someone's driveway that was a perfect Christmas card picture.  We just had to stop.  I thought it was a wonderful image to use to wish each and every one of you a joyous holiday season whether you celebrate Christmas on December 25th, Hanukkah or Christmas on January 7th.  Hope you have a wonderful time with friends and family and that the new year brings you good health, love and lots of time to enjoy life.



Tuesday, December 9, 2014

An Unexpected Gift

I got such a nice surprise today from my friend Cecilia.  I had just finished cleaning up a mess from a toilet that overflowed and was pleasantly surprised to find a holiday gift waiting for me.  My friend Cecilia loves vintage Christmas items probably as much as I do.  She had wrapped up a candle that is sold at Anew Interiors Anew in Woodstock and tied on a vintage snowman ornament.  I have never seen an ornament like it.  It is beautiful!  I am touched and so excited.  I hung it on my silver tinsel tree where it belongs.  Most of the ornaments on that tree were purchased from Cecilia.  It was so nice of her to think of me.  She is my friend that I go treasure hunting with.

On another note:  I found this vintage Santa bank today.  I love it.  Santa is winking.  It will be for sale at Carriage House Antiques on Thursday for $26.99.  I am tempted to keep him......

I love to just sit and look at my decorated Christmas tree.  All of the tall trees at Menards were sold, but we did manage to find a blue spruce for $12.  It is so full and beautiful.  This year I chose to put on homemade/crafted ornaments and other favorites.  Every year its a new look.

Hope you find some time to treasure hunt!



Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Decorating for Christmas

As soon as the Thanksgiving dishes are put away, decorating for Christmas in my house begins.  Since I worked at the Carriage House Antiques on Friday, I started as soon as I got home.  I just love to bring out the vintage ornaments where I am always in awe of their beauty.  Vintage Santa and elves are my favorite.  I put up my 3 vintage tinsel silver trees where each have a theme.  The smallest one is for Santa only.  One is for vintage figures that I purchased on my treasure hunts this year and the other one is for vintage ball ornaments that I also purchased sometime this year on my treasure hunts.  I did bring out some old favorites.  I had to!

I like to set up the vintage decorations first before I set up the tree.  It's nice to spend time on each so that I can savor the moment.  We will probably put up the tree this weekend.  We usually put up a real tree.  We don't go far.  Usually just to Menards where they have a nice selection for a good price.  It has become our tradition.

Enjoy making memories this holiday season!