Adding to My Collection

I found another ironstone pitcher this week!  That's 2 this week and both were only $5 each.  I'm keeping both for my new collection.  That's how it all starts.  I can't believe how lucky I was to find them both.

Another thing I have always loved is white enamel pitchers.  I had 1 and was happy with it.  Until I found 2 more and then I found another one at the Cedarburg WI flea market yesterday.  I guess I have another collection!

The white enamel pitchers go so well with the milk glass.  The enamel pitchers have gone up in price since I started buying them.  I bought the one yesterday for $12 but most that I have seen are at least $38 and up.  That's why I grabbed that one.

Even though it rained all the way on our drive to Cedarburg, it stopped just as we got there and we found street parking.  That saved us $10 (the cost to park in the fair ground lot).  There were still vendors to shop from and the crowd was thin so it was really easy to walk around.  The morning was cool so it was enjoyable all around.

I spent a few hours helping out at the Harvard Community Garden as I like to do on Monday mornings, as much as I can.  It's my 9th year as a Master Gardener and it's my 9th year helping out at the garden.

The harvest was over 900 lbs today.  We even had a reporter from the Northwest Herald there to do a story in the near future.  It's so rewarding to know that we are helping families in need.  It's also a great way to learn about vegetable gardening

 In the afternoon, I spent some time reworking my booth at the Carriage House and marking items on sale.  We are getting ready for the sidewalk sales in downtown Crystal Lake next week, July 28-30.  I also brought in some new items so that my space looks refreshed.

Keep cool this week.  Happy treasure hunting!

My Collections

I'm taking advantage of these hot days to go through my hammered aluminum collection.  At the Carriage House, we are doing a display of hammered aluminum so it was time to part with some of mine.  I probably still have at least 100 pieces.  Down from over 300 years ago.  I decided to part with some of the bigger pieces.  I had bought this wonderful wire basket this weekend and it was perfect to hold the aluminum.  (I have such a weakness for wire baskets).

Another weakness I have is towards hammered aluminum pitchers.  I love the detail and look to them.  I dug those out of my stored collection and displayed them in the dining room alongside a few silverplated pitchers that I have started to enjoy.

I have been looking for ironstone pitchers recently.  I love the clean simple look to them.  I really had wanted to find a medium size one, but when I came across this large one (for $5) at a garage sale this weekend, I couldn't pass it up.

This should be a fun week for sales.  The McHenry County Defenders are having another sale starting on Thursday at 9am at the Algonquin Township Office on Rt 14 in Crystal Lake.  The Mukwonago WI flea market is this Saturday and Sunday and the Cedarburg WI flea market is Sunday.

Happy treasure hunting!

Sale Updates

I have added more sales coming up to my favorites page.  Please take a moment to check them out.

Nellies Barn Sale is on Oct 7-8 in Roscoe IL.  I went last year and it was wonderful!  Lots of great treasures.    https://www.facebook.com/NelliesBarnSale/photos/a.205747769451196.65863.205745139451459/1445471585478802/?type=3&theater

Another one is Shop the Shed by SavvyCityFarmer in East Dundee IL on Aug 27.  https://www.facebook.com/events/1018137848304000/  I will be helping out at this sale so make sure to stop by and say "hi".

Tomorrow is the fair at the Historical Society Museum in Union IL.  The white elephant sale starts at 9am.  It's always lots of fun!  You can tour the museum for free tomorrow.  There will be an antique auction plus lots more fun.  Even a magician!  Here Austin and I are in front of the barn for last years fair.

Thursday is a garage sale for the McHenry County Defenders at the Algonquin Township Office on Rt 14 in Cary.  Sale starts at 9am.  

I can't buy any large items for at least another week since my van was rear ended and the trunk was pushed in. It goes into the shop on Monday for a few days and then I will be back out filling it up.  I have caught up with small things at home but I miss treasure hunting.  At least no one was hurt.

I have started marking down outside/garden items at the Carriage House.  Even lots of treasures inside the store.  I'm trying to get ready for the Crystal Lake sidewalk sales July 28-30.  

Austin and I stopped at  Home at Last Chic & Antique 253 Peterson Rd in Libertyville the other day. It is a nice mix of old and new and the day we were there, everything including sale items, was 40% off.  

Happy treasure hunting!

Annual Cheese Trip

Once or twice a year, we take a trip up to Monroe WI for a cheese buying spree.  Most of the cheese, except for cheddar, freeze well.  We stop at Alp and Dell to sample and buy cheese and Swiss Colony where we also buy petite fours and other cakes.  They freeze well also.

On the way through Brodhead, there is a home/barn that always decorates the end of their driveway. At Christmastime, there is a red pickup truck with Santa sitting in the drivers seat (I have posted pictures of this before) and in the summertime there is usually a pink bicycle decorated.

In addition to the pink bicycle, there was a baby carriage filled with flowers and a baby doll head sticking up in it.  It was such an awesome display.

The flowers in my garden are looking so beautiful.  The orange tiger lilies next to the purple wildflowers are stunning.

One of my favorites are alliums.  Especially the hairy ones!

The Algonquin Library summer book sale starts on July 7th with a fee for entry.  On Friday thru Sunday there is no fee.  The McHenry County University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners are having their annual Garden Walk on July 9 starting at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake.  The Historical Society Museum in Union IL is having their fest/sale on Sunday July 10 starting at 9am. There's a white elephant sale, auction and pie contest.  The Mukwonago WI flea market is July 16-17, Cedarburg WI flea market is July 17 and sidewalk sales in Crystal Lake IL are July 28-30.  This is only a sampling of events during July.  There is so much to see and do.

Have a safe and fun Fourth of July celebration!

Happy treasure hunting!

So Much......

So much has been going on lately that I have neglected my blog.  I apologize.  Austin keeps warning me that I better not forget to write something.

Ethan graduated from high school last week.

That was all I was focusing on.  I was so happy for him and so proud.  I am sad that he will be leaving the "nest" in the fall for college but so happy for him that his life is wide open before him. So, no sooner then he graduates, but then he left on Tuesday for his summer job as a Recreational Camp Counselor at a video game camp.  He will be gone for 2 months.  He wanted this job so much and he went after it.  Another reason for me to be proud.  Austin is joining him at the camp for the next two weeks but as a camper.  Now I have no excuse to catch up on small projects since I will have lots of time on my hands.

In between all of this, my parents came to stay for the graduation and we fit in a few rummage sales. Of course.  My whole family is addicted to treasure hunting.  With so much going on, I almost missed the alliums blooming.

We did treasure hunt at the flea market in Cedarburg WI.  It was soooo crowded.  I have never seen it like that before.  The parking rate increased to $10 at the main lot.  It is still free to get into the market.  It was very hard to look at anything.  We still had fun though.  Yesterday, we went to the Mukwonago WI flea market.  The weather was perfect and even though it was crowded, we could still find treasures at this one.  I didn't find anything to resell.  I bought a few things for myself though.  I don't buy much to keep anymore but I couldn't resist some vintage bracelets.  We were disappointed though that the C.O.W., our favorite deep fried cheese curds guy, wasn't there any longer.  I thing he is gone permanently.  There was another deep fried cheese curds person there to take his place.

Somewhere in between everything else, I managed to recover a small bench.

It had an ugly blue fabric on top of golden legs.  I didn't do anything fancy.  I just put on a piece of linen fabric and it looked so much better.   A little plain for now until I figure out what I want to put onto it.

A few sales are coming up on Thursday:  St Mary Church in McHenry is having their rummage sale and so is the Lutheran School in Crystal Lake.  Nellies Barn Sale in Roscoe is also that day starting at 4pm.  The Belvidere Flea Market in Belvidere IL is on Saturday and starts at 3pm.  It is a late night one.  I like this one. It's smaller but I always find something there.  

I like the Waterford Unique Antique Market in Waterford WI.  They have a flea market on June 18, July 23, Aug 21, Sept 10 and Oct 8 from 9-3.  I haven't been to the flea market yet, but it's on my list this summer.

Austin was such a great help on Friday when he and I spent the day treasure hunting.  He was happy to find some vintage Transformers and I was happy to have his strength and help.  I warned him that when he gets back from camp, we are treasure hunting all summer.  He is easy to bribe with the promise of a McDonald's lunch.

Happy treasure hunting!

Events

P. Allen Smith is always an amazing speaker.  My friend Mary and I had a wonderful time at the Proven Winners event May 14 at the Chicago Botanic Garden. We ran into a few Master Gardener friends to share the day with.   It was the perfect venue for this event even though it was freezing outside.  The flowers were in bloom so our short walk from the parking lot to the event was breathtaking.

We chased P. Allen Smith down to take this picture.  Kind of like we were his groupies.  He was so accommodating and gracious.

Another speaker we enjoyed was Jack Barnwell from Mackinac Island in Michigan.  He was young and so full of energy that we were fully entertained.  

On my bucket list is a trip to the home of P. Allen Smith in Arkansas.  He opens it up for tours and events.  

This weekend I had a chance to visit the Dane County Farmers Market in Madison Wisconsin.  The weather was amazing!  We came home with some cheese, of course.

One vendor had these amazingly large hanging baskets for only $20.  I didn't buy any but just had to take a picture of them.  The rhubarb and radishes at most of the booths were so large and beautiful. What a good year for both of them.  I love the huge variety of flowers and pastries that are offered at this market.  It's a definite destination that is worth revisiting.

This Sunday, May 29, is the first Cedarburg WI flea market.  Not only is this one of my favorite flea markets, but the town is so charming.  We love to walk around it after our treasure hunting day.  June 4-5 is a really nice event at the Klehm Arboretum in Rockford.  There are so many flowers to choose from at really low prices as well as some garden art.

Happy treasure hunting!

Spring Open House at the Carriage House

Today starts the open house Thinking Out of the "Planter" Box sale at Carriage House Antiques in Crystal Lake. https://www.facebook.com/Carriage-House-Antiques-200034153465752/

We have been busy bringing in new treasures and setting everything up.  It looks great!  The sale runs from Thursday through Sunday.

Other sales:  Northwind Perennial Nursery in Burlington WI is having their Antique Fair on Friday and Saturday.  It's a beautiful setting and filled with treasures. Friday June 3 has 2 church rummage sales that day starting at 9am at the church in Ridgefield and the other is at the church in Crystal Lake on the corner of Crystal Lake Avenue and McHenry Avenue.  Both are really good sales usually.

There are sooooo many listings today for sales.  Enjoy them!

Happy treasure hunting!

Mother's Day Gift of Yard Work

Happy Mother's Day! Hope your day was special in some way.

All I wanted for Mother's Day was to have help with the yard work.  It was the first mowing and there were soooo many weeds to pull and plants to plant.  So, everyone pitched in and the work went fast.  Or maybe it was just easier for me. I don't mind doing the yard work, but the first few times are overwhelming.

I would rather be rearranging vignettes in my yard and enjoying those I created before.

On Saturday, I had visited the market on Pepper Road in Lake Barrington.  I especially loved the booth by Savvycityfarmer. http://savvycityfarmer.com/blog  Joy always has the most wonderful treasures and her displays are amazing.

I purchased a simple rosemary topiary for my yard.

There are some sales this week:  At 9am on Thursday is the Service League of Crystal Lake rummage sale at the Dole Mansion and at 3pm is a rummage sale at Grace Lutheran Church in Woodstock. Friday at 8am is a rummage sale at the church on Walkup in Crystal Lake.(I can't remember the name but if you go, it's closer to Crystal Springs Rd if you are heading towards McHenry.)  Saturday and Sunday is the Pecatonica Flea Market and on Sunday is the first Elkhorn WI flea market of the season.  Saturday at the Chicago Botanic Garden is the Proven Winners event with P. Allen Smith https://www.provenwinners.com/Outdoor-Living-Extravaganza-2016  I'm going to this.  I saw P. Allen Smith before and he is an amazing speaker.  He is so charismatic!  I can't wait.....

Happy treasure hunting!

On a Country Road (Sale Updates)

While driving the back roads to Belvidere, I passed this grazing land with cows on it.  One cow decided to leave the rest to sit down to relax.  I loved how it looked just sitting there looking around. So, I got out of the car to take a picture.  The cow immediately got up and stood there as if he knew I was going to take his picture.  He just posed for me.  I loved how the picture came out.  I didn't mean to disturb him, but maybe he is used to getting his picture taken.

I love driving rural roads.  You never know what beautiful sights you will see.

My garage sale was a little slow.  The weather was cold and the people didn't seem to be buying or coming out for that matter.  Usually this time of year, sales should have been good.  I did sell things and at least I made some money.  Everything that didn't sell was donated to Savers in Crystal Lake. They give out punched cards for a discount on your next purchase with your donation.  They were also giving out wildflower seeds for Earth Day.  (My next garage sale will be in the fall.)

Upcoming rummage sales:  Thursday at 8am is the Presbyterian Church sale in Woodstock.  Friday at 7am is the Linn Church sale in Linn WI and at 9am is the St. Johns church sale in Woodstock.  The Crystal Lake library sale is this Saturday April 30.  The antique stores in Ridgefield IL will be having their garden antique open house on Friday-Sunday April 29-May 1.  

This is what I have on my calendar for May so far:  The stores on Pepper Road in Barrington and vendors are having their second market on May 7, Sandwich flea market in Sandwich IL is on May 8, Pecatonica flea market is on May 14-15, Elkhorn WI flea market is on May 15, Northwind Perennial Antique market in Burlington WI is on May 20-21, the Woodstock IL fair grounds will have a garage sale/market on May 21-22 and Cedarburg WI flea market is on May 29.

Lots of great sales coming up!!!!!  Happy treasure hunting.

I'm Having a Garage Sale!

I'm having a garage sale this Friday from 8-3.  My friend Cecilia and I are having it together at my house.  I spent a good part of yesterday setting it up.  We originally wanted to have it on Thursday, but rain was in the forecast, so we changed it to Friday.  One day only.

I always wonder why I go through all of this work, but after it's over, I know why.  I love the clean feel of my house.  Most of the clutter is gone, until the fall when I do it all over again.

The sale is posted online and in the newspaper.  I'm surprised at how expensive the newspaper has become for garage sales.  You can't even see the listings with the new format.  That's probably why more people are using online sources instead.  Here's a link to one of those sources: http://gsalr.com/2-friends-garage-sale-woodstock-il-26755653.html

Everything will look much better when I get it out of the garage on Friday. I still have lots of fabric to set up on the rack.   Cecilia still has items to bring over.....we are going to have soooo much fun!

Happy treasure hunting!

Catching Up

So much time has past since my last post.  I feel like I have a lot of catching up to do.

The boys and I drove to New Jersey during spring break to see my family.  It was a quick trip but so worth it.  (I'm just about caught up with the little things since we got back).  On the way, we stopped at the Wendell August Forge flagship store in Grove City PA.

 They still hand create hammered aluminum pieces and since I'm a hammered aluminum junkie, I like to stop to see them at work.  This location replaced the old factory that burned down years back. They have a nice museum towards the back of the store before you enter the working area.

I especially loved these pieces.  They even had a baptismal chamber on display.

In the back of the store are shelves loaded with vintage hammered aluminum pieces.  My heart was beating!!! I bought a few of those pieces.  It was funny that I had so many of the pieces that they were selling.  We then toured the work in progress.  I love to watch these craftsmen create.  It is such a wonderful art.

We spent a little bit of time searching out treasures in the Unique Thrift store.  I found a few things but I found the cutest treasure when I returned at the Carriage House.  I was redoing my space when I spied it.

The cutest tin picnic basket with great old graphics of a little girl watering her garden.  I love gardening vintage items.  Now that spring is here (?) it held even more appeal.

Speaking of spring, rummage sales and garage sales have begun.  This Thursday in Huntley, starting at noon, is a rummage sale at the white church in the center of town.  (I can't remember the name of the church)  It is usually a nice one.  On Friday is another church rummage sale in West Dundee at 318 W. Main Street.  The Cary Library and McHenry Library book sales are this weekend.  The Crystal Lake Library sale is on April 30th weekend.

Happy treasure hunting!

"Signs" of Spring

Not only are my tulips and crocus popping up, but so are the sales.

My friend Cecilia and I went on a road trip and discovered Waterford Unique Antique Market at 209 N. Milwaukee St in Waterford Wisconsin.  It was such a fun place and we found loads of treasures. One space that we both loved was Bailey's Blissful Scentsations.  She makes the most wonderful soaps from goats milk.  Each bar has a scalloped edge.  We couldn't resist buying a few bars.  One of her soap displays was a vintage bathroom sink holding the men's bars of soaps.  It was really fabulous!  We especially loved the truck inside the old True Value store.

I lucked out recently when I found a barn sale.  My van was filled in every space available.  I bought some of the most amazing farm items.  I kept a few things (of course) and am putting the rest, little by little, into the Carriage House.  I only find a sale this great a few times a year.  How wonderful that it was so early in the season.

In between all of this treasure hunting, I wanted to create small Easter gifts.  I used terracotta pots and hot glued vintage trim to each of them.  I shredded a French dictionary to use for the filling and added rabbit and chick figurines and some eggs.  For the greeting, I used vintage Easter greeting cards and attached them to wooden sticks.  I think they are pretty cute.

I came across this red truck at the Waterford Unique Antique Market and had to have it.  For now, it's holding one of the Easter pots.  It was too great of a treasure to pass up.

Wishing all of you a wonderful Easter!  May it be blessed with family and friends.

Happy treasure hunting!  Start looking for those sales....

Thinking of Spring

We missed the heavy snow that fell in the Chicagoland area yesterday.  I was so happy.  I do love the snow, but at this time of year, especially when we had a warm weekend, I can't wait for spring.  It doesn't help the feeling since I spent some time outside, without a coat, cleaning up the yard of Christmas decorations.  Things were finally thawing out.

Inside was beginning to feel like spring too.  Away went the hearts and out came the Easter decorations.

I rarely find vintage Easter decorations, so when I do, I keep them for my collection.

My mother always makes stuffed cabbage (the best by the way).  So one year, I bought my brothers and her a pottery cabbage bowl.  Some were plain on top, one had some vegetables and a few had a rabbit.  I put mine out every year for Easter.

While shopping at Aldi, I couldn't pass up flowers for $1.50.  The house looks so much brighter with flowers on the kitchen table.

I have been changing them around with this assortment that was a birthday present from my friend Christine.

Since spring means that flea markets/rummage sales/garage sales will be starting soon, my friend Mary gave me a very thoughtful gift.  She filled a mason jar (that has a chalkboard space on it to write on) with items I will need when treasure hunting.  There was a flashlight, tape measure, hand sanitizer, coin purse with a dollar and a penny in it, a small bungee like cord, arrow sticky paper pads, black sharpee and of course, jolly rancher hard candy for sugar energy.  She had it in a great bag with french inspired tissue paper.  I'm going to try to decoupage the paper onto some vintage clip boards.

Which now brings me to the Vintage Shop Hop.  There are now over 270 shops in Illinois and Wisconsin that are participating on March 4-5.  It is sure to be a good day.  I will be at the Carriage House on Saturday March 5 for the Shop Hop.  Stop by to say hi. https://www.facebook.com/VintageShopHopEvent/

Another date you might want to write down is for Gardenfest at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake on April 9.  Every year the University of Illinois Extension McHenry County Master Gardeners hold a full day of gardening classes for beginners to advanced.  This year's keynote is: Kerry Ann Mendez. Registrations is now open. http://www.mchenry.edu/gardenfest/

On May 14 is the Proven Winners event at the Chicago Botanic Garden with P. Allen Smith.  He is an amazing speaker whom I have had the pleasure of seeing before.  I can't wait for this event. https://www.provenwinners.com/Outdoor-Living-Extravaganza-2016

I noticed that a few of my crocus are peaking through the soil.  Spring is definitely on the way!  Keep looking for those sales to find treasures to fill your garden.

Happy treasure hunting!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you.  I hope your day is filled with love and beauty.

I recently made these hearts with vintage trim and small doilies that I have collected over the years. I have an obsession with vintage trim.  I can't pass it up even if its only a tiny piece.  There is always a use for it.

This one made use of a vintage corsage that I just couldn't pass up.

Here are all of the hearts together:

I displayed them on a great silverplated tray that I found for $5 at a garage sale.

My 2016 Favorite Flea Markets page is updated with all of the current dates and websites.  Make sure to put these dates on your calendar.  It will give you something to look forward to, especially since tomorrow is supposed to be brutally cold here in Illinois.

Happy treasure hunting!

Hearts and Wishes

Yesterday was an emotional but fun day for me.  I turned 50.  I know that the number shouldn't matter but for the past 6 months I have been re-examining my life and remembering some childhood experiences and I just can't believe how fast time flies.  (Made even worse by Ethan turning 18 on Saturday). Today, I'm fine.  I thought too much and felt too much.  I have a lot to be thankful for and that's what I should focus on.

My good friend Cecilia spent the day with me treasure hunting.  We always have so much fun together and she made me enjoy my day for what it was.  We went to one of my favorite stores in DeKalb called, My Favorite Things.  It was her first time there and she loved it!  Last time I was there I bought a small heart sewn from vintage quilt pieces so there were some tattered places on it which added to the charm.  This time I found 2 more but slightly larger.

These had even more tattered places on them to add to their charm.

I also found a wonderful green rusted and chipped iron plant stand.  I have sold a few that I had displayed in my sun room and now have it down to three with this one included.  It is fabulous!  

Notice the snow outside of the door?  The sunroom is not insulated so I don't spend much time out there right now.  I have been slowly going through my planter collection and as soon as it warms up, I will be able to find a home for this stand in the sunroom.  For now it looks great on its own.  Like a giant flower.

Happy treasure hunting!