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!

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Treasure Hunting Day

We had so much snow on Monday that I thought what better day to pot some of my bulbs that I just got at Walmart.  I had some decorative angel vessels that I knew would look really good with the flowers in there.  I was right.  They were a perfect fit.  I also needed to plant a few flea market finds with plants for the class that I am teaching at Gardenfest on April 11 at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake on Flea Market Gardening.  I had an enamel colander and a strainer that worked really well as a planter.  Hopefully the hyacinths and tulips will bloom in time for the class.

I visited a really neat resale store in Oregon IL called Rock River Resale.  It's at 404 W. Washington.  They have a great assortment of treasures that are priced from really inexpensive to a little much.  But, there is definitely something for everyone.  Of course Austin didn't want to go in.  He was a little tired from all of my treasure hunting.  But, of course, he was the one who found the treasures.

Happy treasure hunting! 

Friday, March 20, 2015

Garden Finds

Happy Spring!

Spring started for me the other day when I found these wonderful garden treasures.  The rusty patina and chippy paint made them even more awesome.  I don't always come across white wrought iron pieces, so I grabbed them.  So lovely to look at.  They will be great in the garden.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate so I can finish cleaning up the gardens today.

There are a few estate sales this weekend.  On March 26 starting at 5pm is the Methodist Church rummage sale on Crystal Lake Avenue in Crystal Lake.

Happy treasure hunting!

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Cleaning Up the Gardens

Even though today was considerably colder (only around 44 degrees), I still wanted to get outside to work more on cleaning up my gardens.  It always feels so good to be outside after staying in all winter.  The housework can wait for another day!

I worked on raking the leaves out of 2 more beds.  I like to keep the leaves as a groundcover to protect the plants in the winter and I don't deadhead any of the plants until in the spring when I do my cleanup.  It was so nice to see the tulips, hyacinths and crocuses peaking out of the ground.  It's well work the hard work of raking when these surprises are waiting.

The front door area still needs a little tweaking, but for now I'm leaving it.  I added the word "GROW" and love how it plays off the coming of spring.  We all need a little humor after a long winter.

Only 2 more garden beds to cleanup.  I'm going to have the boys help me with working on the raised beds.  I'm going to add more soil to them and would like to plant mostly swiss chard and kohlrabi in them.  Last year the swiss chard grew so large and beautiful and then the deer ate them.  I'll fool them this year and put it behind a fence.

I'll be out tomorrow treasure hunting.  Hope you can too!

Monday, March 16, 2015

Vintage Crates

I was so happy to be out in the wonderful weather this past week.  Even today was beautiful.  I took advantage and started to clean up my gardens.  I'm a little out of shape and my body is a little sore now, but, boy do I feel good.  I accomplished a lot and even put out some of my garden ornaments.  Spring is definitely on its way even though tomorrow is supposed to get really cold again.  I can handle the cold now since I've had a small dose of warmth and sunshine.

On Friday, I stopped at a few sales and was very happy to find some vintage Pepsi crates.  They were really wonderful.  I also found a vintage bottle crate from Boylan Bottling Company in Paterson NJ.  Since I'm from Jersey, I'm going to keep it to use in Ethan's room as a shelf for his turtle collection.  I hope to get to it soon after I finish with outside cleanup.  I put the Pepsi crates in Carriage House and am using them to hold vintage treasures.  It looks really nice.

I was busy restocking my shelves at Carriage House.  I always love to see what I have put away to sell at a later time.  It's like Christmas every day!  Pretty soon I'll be taking over garden items.  I'm still working on that.  I hope to get those treasures in the store by Sunday.

There is a flea market in Wheaton at the DuPage Fairgrounds on Sunday.  I have never  been to it before so maybe I'll take a ride over.

Happy treasure hunting!

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Sales are Starting

The Vintage Shop Hop went so well this past Friday and Saturday.  I hope you all had fun and thank you to those who came and shopped at the Carriage House in Crystal Lake.  We had so much fun doing it.  The weather was cooperative so many people were out and about.

On Sunday, I went to a sale at Elgin High School.  This was its 42nd year.  I went for the first time.  It was sooooo much fun.  Over 200 booths with vintage, antique, new and more.  I found the most adorable handmade plastic Easter eggs.  I had to buy them.  The picture doesn't do them any justice.  I also found a wonderful 25th anniversary framed basket and a vintage photo album filled with newspaper clippings, recipes, pictures etc.  I don't know which item I like more.

We also went to the Algonquin Library book sale on Friday and found some good books on gardening and knitting.  The prices are always great.  The next sale dates are:  July 9-12 and November 12-15.

I found out about 2 sales.  The spring garden show at Antiques of Winfield at 27W461 Beecher, Winfield IL April 25-26 from 10-5.  I have never been to this one, but it looks like fun.  The other sale is a new one this year at:  22029-22049 N. Pepper Road in Lake Barrington on May 9th from 9-5.  It's a spring market with 9 Barrington area shops hosting it.  Another sale that looks like fun.

Remember that this Thursday, March 12th, are 2 church rummage sales.  One in Prairie Grove on Rte 176 and the other in Cary at the Methodist Church on 1st Street.

Happy treasure hunting!

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

It's Almost Here!

Spring is coming (I hope) soon.  I'm starting to get the winter blues.  At least the Vintage Shop Hop will be on Friday and Saturday.  In case you haven't heard, its over 200 vintage shops from IL and WI that are participating.  All of the details are on Facebook at Vintage Shop Hop.  It will be loads of fun.  Treasure hunting always is.  Carriage House Antiques is ready for the day with 10% off the whole store and linens and framed pictures are still 20% off.  I will be there on Friday so stop by and say "hi".

Thursday March 12th is the church rummage sale in Prairie Grove on Route 176 starting at 9am and then at 11am in Cary is the Methodist Church rummage sale on 1st Street.  Yeah!!!!!! The season is beginning.

For the first time in about 10 years, I went to the Kane County Flea Market this past weekend.  I had stopped going because there was so much new junk.  I had heard it had changed so I wanted to see for myself.  There was a nice variety of vendors there and I had a good time.  I would like to go back when the weather is warmer and the dealers are outside.

Happy treasure hunting!