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!

Monday, April 27, 2015

Some Redecorating

These past few weeks have been extremely busy.  Time is just flying by.  I was going to have a garage sale this weekend, but with so much going on, I just couldn't.  There's prom for Ethan and Austin's birthday.  Way too much to prepare for.

In between everything else, I did some redecorating.  I found the most amazing blue velvet chairs at the Huntley church rummage sale and I just couldn't part with them.  I love them!  I found the perfect spot in my bedroom for them.  The chair I had in my bedroom is now in the basement for extra seating.

I have been looking around for a cabinet for Austin's room to hold all of his collections.  I finally found a metal locker cabinet at an estate sale this past week when it was half price.  $7 seemed like a great price to pay for it.  Yesterday we rearranged his room (and dusted).  It looks so much brighter in there now.  He even likes it.  We used a 3 tiered shelf that we didn't need in his room anymore to hold collectibles in Ethan's room.  It's always fun to move pieces around the house for the perfect fit.  The plus side in all of this is that Austin got rid of some items and we put them in the garage sale bin.  It was a very productive day.  Hopefully I will have the garage sale in May (weather permitting).

On Thursday there is a church rummage sale on Bull Valley Road/Crystal Lake Avenue in McHenry starting at 12 noon.  Also, this Friday, Saturday and Sunday is a vintage garden show at the Waukesha County Expo Center in Waukesha WI.  Keep your eyes open for garage sales and estate sales.  The season is just getting warmed up.

Happy treasure hunting!





Thursday, April 16, 2015

Meeting Melinda Myers

Yesterday I attended a luncheon for the Klehm Arboretum (located in Rockford, IL) at Giovanni's in Rockford.  It is their yearly fundraiser.  Melinda Myers was the speaker.  I have always wanted to hear her speak but could never fit her engagements into my schedule.  Until yesterday.  I am so glad that I went to hear her speak.  She is an amazing speaker and an even nicer person.  We had some time before the event to talk and I felt like we had been friends forever.  She is so down to earth and full of great ideas and tips for the garden.  It's funny how when gardeners get together, it always feels like visiting with a long time friend.  She has a new book out now, Midwest Gardener's Handbook.  See her website at www.MelindaMyers.com. She will be at the Wisconsin State Fair in August and other speaking engagements.

Saturday was Gardenfest 2015 at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake.  It was a long, fun day.  Roy Diblik from Northwind Perennials in Burlington WI was the keynote.  He had some wonderful gardening ideas.  He is such a nice person to talk to and so full of proven techniques to make it easier in the garden.  I taught my class on Flea Market Gardening in the afternoon and had about 35 attendees.  They were just as excited as I was to talk about using flea market treasures in the garden.  I had so much fun teaching it and visiting with the attendees.

Today is the church rummage sale in Huntley starting at 12 noon and at the Methodist Church in Woodstock on South Street starting at 3pm.  Next week are quite a few rummage sales.  1st Congregational Church on Pierson Street in Crystal Lake is on Thursday April 23rd as well as the Presbyterian Church in Woodstock on Route 47.  April 24th is the Lynn, WI church rummage sale right outside of Lake Geneva starting at 7am.  April 24-26 is a Spring Fling at 1106 Millview Drive in Batavia (I have not been to this before) from 8-4 and Blumen Gardens in Sycamore is having an event.  Saturday April 25th-Sun April 26th is a Spring Garden Show at Antiques of Winfield at 27W461 Beecher, Winfield, IL (I haven't been to this either).  What fun and exciting upcoming weeks ahead.

May 9th from 9-5 is a Spring Market on N. Pepper Road in Lake Barrington with a bunch of stores participating.

With so much going on, there is sure to be lots of treasures.  Happy treasure hunting!

Monday, April 6, 2015

Spring is Blooming

The crocus are up, hyacinths are just beginning to open and daffodils are starting their birth.  I love spring with all of the promise of what is to come.  I hope you all had a wonderful Easter and Passover.  We were invited to our first Seder dinner this weekend.  It was a memorable evening.  We celebrate Eastern Orthodox Easter on Sunday April 12th.

This Saturday is Gardenfest at Mchenry County College in Crystal Lake.  My presentation is ready.  I am so excited to share my love of creating gardens with flea market finds.

I have been so busy with finishing up little projects, searching for treasures to bring to Carriage House Antiques and anything else that comes up.  I had this wonderful night stand that was sponge painted a pink/grey color.  I painted it white this weekend and added a glass nob for a more vintage look.  I love how it came out.

The Mchenry Garden Club is having a Container Garden Show on April 28th at Mchenry West High School in Mchenry.  Carriage House Antiques donated a wonderful basket filled with garden related items for the raffle.

Once again, I rearranged my space at the store.  It looks so light and bright.  I love moving things around so that everything looks so new.  I brought in this wonderful bird cage with white chipped/rusty patina.  It looks so awesome hanging from the ceiling.

Next week I'm going to start planting lettuce/spinach/swiss chard.  I can't wait to taste the freshness!


Happy treasure hunting.