Happy Trails!

Austin didn't have school today, so we set out early to have fun.  First we did some errands and then stopped at Starbucks to refuel.  Our favorite place!

We stopped at a sale in Woodstock and found a nice small cedar box with an Indian on the top for $4 and it had Cape May New Jersey on it.  Since I am a Jersey girl, I had to buy it to use as a Christmas present.  We then headed to Hebron for a church rummage sale.  We love that church sale on Main St.  Last year I found a jewelry armoire for $3.  This year, we found a vintage Atari with around 20 games in the original plastic case for $5.  They didn't have it priced, so they asked me to make an offer.  We have been looking for an Atari forever.  What an exciting find.  I hope we can figure out how to plug it in and that it works.  I also found 2 garden books for 50 cents each and some fabric for $1 for all.  That was a fun sale and I saw Ann, one of my rummage sale friends.

We detoured back to Woodstock where I found a hand made metal rooster for $5.  It will be great once I figure out where to put it in my garden.  We did all of these things while on the way to Edwards Apple Orchard.  We love Edwards and it opened last Friday for the season.  We had our cup of apple cider and donut.  This year we also had vanilla ice cream.  We stopped in the barn and bought some jam and more donuts while sampling some of their tasting treats.  Austin and I couldn't find our way out of the maze.  It took us longer than usual.  We must be getting old.

On the way home, we stopped at Twigs and Things in Capron. It is a cute antiques plus other things store.  We didn't find anything, but I would stop in to look again.  They had a nice assortment of things.  We also stopped at Twin Farms between Harvard and Chemung for vegetables.  Our car smelled like cantaloupe on the way home.  I bought 2 stems of sunflowers for $1 and have them on my kitchen table.  They look nice in a vintage white enamel pitcher. 

We were tired once we got home 6 hours later, but we had a nice day.  I love Fall and all that it brings.  This was a nice way of bringing it in.   

It Only Takes A Few Good Sales

There were only a few sales today.  Probably because of the upcoming Labor Day weekend.  I started out in McHenry and stopped at 1 sale.  I found a black iron plant trellis for $1.50 and a brand new pair of Macy's Studio Works orange flowered sandals for $3.  She had lots of brand new shoes, but that was the only pair that fit me.  Next, I was off to Crystal Lake.  I found a doily for 50 cents at the first sale.  At the second sale I found an aluminum flower plate for 50 cents and a lady plate for 50 cents.  At the third sale I found the kids some video games and a game guide for a total of $2.75.  On the way back, I saw a sign for an estate sale.  As it turns out, this lady holds a sale every year and she must have had at least 20 tables plus items all over her yard.  My friend Chris, who is an antique dealer, was already shopping and had her car full.  I still managed to find some things and the lady running the sale gave me a good deal.  I found 3 vintage drinking glasses for $5 (they were the exact ones that I found at an estate sale a few months ago.  Now I have 5 of them).  I also found a vintage tablecloth in perfect condition for $5, a necklace for 25 cents and she threw in a pin for free, a vintage Zoro book for $1, a vintage Pac Man drinking glass for $2, a bag of vintage Christmas ornaments for 75 cents (all because there was a blue Santa in it and I don't have a blue Santa), an aluminum coaster set by Continental for $5, a vintage Japanese fan for $1, and a vintage pink Christmas ball ornament for $1.  I could barely carry it all.  It was a fun sale to find by chance.  Sometimes the best sales are the ones you just come upon.

Speaking of coming upon a sale, my neighbor threw out an almost new snow shovel and a new gas can.  So, of course, I pulled over and took them.  We can always use a snow shovel.  Hopefully not that often this winter.
I spent the rest of the afternoon trying to sell some items on Ebay.  I sold a few video games for the kids today and they made some good money.  They were happy with their earnings.  I put up some more so I hope that they do as well as today.  It's a great way to clean out the house!

Basement Organizing Day

I warned Austin all week that we would be organizing the basement, mostly his things, on Saturday.  Well, today is the day!   I did go to an estate sale in Woodstock and came home empty handed.  Then, on the way to Pokemon, we stopped at 2 garage sales and went away empty handed.  It's ok though.  I really needed to focus on organizing the basement and pulling items to sell on Ebay.

We worked for over 2 hours and we managed to combine 2 bins into 1.  That was my goal.  I have a huge container full of toys for the next garage sale.  At this rate, I'll need to have another sale in October.  I designated one corner of the basement to bins of toys that we are keeping.  My basement is lacking in storage space so I make due wherever I can.  At least his Legos and Bionicles look neater and more contained.  (He still has so much though).  All of the loose toys are also in bins and there is more floor space for them to get around.  I'm happy with our finished look.  I have a few vintage toys that I am going to sell on Ebay.  They weren't the kids favorite toys so I'm not keeping them any longer.  I'm hoping to put them up for auction tonight. 

Thursday and Friday Treasures

I spent most of the mornings of Thursday and Friday garage saleing.  Thursday was pretty slow picking, but there were lots of sales in Crystal Lake.  I found a nice green painted tray for 10 cents.  Who could pass that up?  I have always wanted one and this was the ladies great aunt's.  What a deal!  I went to the Sparrows Nest in McHenry also and found a blue/white doilie for 50 cents and an aluminum server with the original glass inserts for $4.  Another good deal!

My first stop on Friday morning was for a sale that I found on the way to taking Austin to school.  It was only down the street from me so I also had a chance to meet my neighbors.  I found a great blue milk glass bowl for $2, an aluminum tray for $1 and a Japanese tin for $1.  I like to put presents in the tins.  It is so much nicer than in just a paper bag.  It is like giving 2 gifts in 1.  I did go to both estate sales listed in the paper on Friday.  One was a Caring Transitions sale in Crystal Lake and the other was a sale in Woodstock.  Both left me empty handed.  That happens sometimes.  There were also a few sales in Ridgefield that I stopped at.  I found some fabric at one for 50 cents to $1 each and vintage hankies for 25 cents.  I spent a whole $3.50 at that one.

I have been spending time putting the vintage video games up for auction on Ebay.  I hope the kids make big money! 

Stuff, Stuff, Stuff

We actually got up and left the house at 7:15 this morning to get to the St John's Church Rummage sale in Johnsburg.  Since it was their first one, we thought that we would find good stuff.  I didn't know where to enter the sale, but all of my rummage sale friends were on line so we just followed them.  It is always so much fun talking to them before a sale.  It makes the time go by.

They had lots of stuff and we found a few things.  Ethan found a book of Pokemon/Yugioh cards for $2 and Austin found 2 older Transformer toys for $1 for one and $2 for the other and 2 Nutcrackers for $3 each.  I found 2 miniature vases for $1 each, a covered dish for 75 cents, a cameo pin for 50 cents and 3 purses (for their handles) for $1 each.  We were happy with our finds.  We were in a hurry to get to a garage sale that listed Pokemon items in McHenry and Ethan had to get to soccer practice by 10am in Woodstock.

The garage sale did have Pokemon items, but most were very expensive.  We did find a few bargains though and brought home a bag full of older Pokemon video games.  We went through all of our video game duplicates this afternoon and we found quite a few to sell on Ebay.  Hopefully the kids will make some good money.

It was a very busy day for us.  I found a spot for the leaf trellis that I bought this week.  I put it behind a green chair stand that is in the garden and it is very subtle.  I like the look.  I'm too tired to work on anything else tonight, but I have a lot of ideas for when the kids are back in school. 

Some Friday Treasures

Austin and I went back to the neighborhood sale in Woodstock today.  My friend Chris wasn't open yesterday, but she was today.  Boy did she have the stuff to sell.  We must have been there for 45 minutes looking and looking.  She kept putting out stuff and we kept looking.  I found a great black iron plant stand for $3, a blue vase for $2, a milk glass basket for $2, a single green depression glass candle holder for $1 that I'm going to use in a craft idea that I have, a Dorothy Wizard of Oz plate for $1 that I'm also going to use in a craft idea and a craft holding bin for $10 that I'm going to put Austin's Legos and Bionicle pieces in.  It should work out fine and I'll post a picture of it when I'm finished and organized.  Austin found a Godzilla book written in Japanese for 50 cents and a free Spongebob beach ball.  We had lots of fun looking. 

We stopped at Joyful Harvest Church rummage sale in Johnsburg this afternoon and found a few pins for 50 cents and $1 to use on my felted bags and a purse for $1 to cut the handle off to also use with my felted bags.  It was late in the afternoon and pretty picked over.  They still had lots left though.

Hopefull tomorrow we can get to the St Johns Church rummage sale in McHenry and the kids sale in Cary.  I don't know if we'll have the time, but I'm sure doing to try.

Rainy Thursday

Boy did it rain this morning.  We were all set to go out treasure hunting until the sky turned black and the rain fell for hours.  It stopped close to 10am and we set out to see who was open.  We went to a subdivision sale in Woodstock.   At the first house, I found a leaf trellis for $1 and a black cast iron water pump with stand for $5.  I was happy!  At the next house I found a box of hundreds of cut up vintage fabric pieces for quilting for $2 and 2 handbags for $4 each.  The one bag is covered in multi colored sequins and labeled Lord and Taylor.  The original price tag is still attached.  The other bag belonged to the woman's mother and was crocheted for her.  It is truly wonderful.  We stopped at the other houses that were open, but didn't find anything else.  Tomorrow we will try again since it is supposed to be a great day.

There is a church rummage sale tomorrow at Joyful Harvest Church in Johnsburg and one in Harvard.  On Saturday, there is a kids garage sale in Cary at Lions Park from 9-12.  Happy hunting!

Lovin' Elkhart Lake Wisconsin

We spent 3 days at Elkhart Lake Wisconsin.  I love that town!  It has so much to offer and to see.  We stayed at the Osthoff Resort (sometimes the rooms are pricey), but you get a campfire smores night on Saturday on the beach (for free). 

We spent Saturday morning at the Farmers Market where we bought cheap but delicious vegetables.  A container of sun gold cherry tomatoes for $1 and a bunch of carrots for $1, muffins for $1.50, the most delicious chocolate scones for $3 each and homemade pecan brittle for $4.  We had a great time.  I also bought a vintage pink stone pin.  They have crafts and antiques mixed in the market.  We bought a Subway lunch and enjoyed it with our vegetables purchase.  It made for a great lunch.

We also explored the great stores that are in the area.  I didn't find any treasures this year, but they had some great items that were tempting the other shoppers. 

We decided to explore the town of Plymouth that is only about 7 miles from Elkhart Lake.  The town has artist painted murals on a lot of the buildings downtown.  The shop owners were so nice.  I especially liked a store called A Vintage Shop on East Mill St.  They have a vast collection of vintage clothing, hats, purses, shoes, jewelry, linens, barkcloth, bakelite, glassware and art pottery from 1850-1980.  It was amazing and a little overwhelming.  You do need some time to shop there.  But, it is a must stop if you are in the area.  The other store I really liked is on the corner of Mill St when you enter town.  (I think it is Fibbers McGee-I forgot to write down the name).   Anyway, it is a nice town to visit.

I always look forward to visiting Elkhart Lake.  Until next year...

Thursday and Friday Rummage Sales

Yes, I did pay the $5 entrance fee to the Elizabeth Ann Seton church rummage sale on Thursday that was from 5-7 that night.  A lot of other people did the same.  I understand that some of my other rummage salers didn't.  A $5 entry fee hits hard when there are more than one in the party.  I only had Austin with me and I only offered to pay for me.

We did find a few things.  I found a doll planter for $1, the 2 latest Janet Evanovich books for $2 each (I love her!) plus some Marvel comic books for 50 cents each, a turtle for $2 for Ethan's every growing turtle collection, a glass jar to hold my nail polish for 50 cents, a cat paperweight for 50 cents, a white wicker toy chest for $12 and a Chuck Norris picture for $1 (Ethan and his friends are obsessed with Chuck Norris so I thought this was a must).  I cleaned out Ethan's Pokemon plus a few other plush figures and put them in the wicker chest.  At least that area of his room is more contained and in order.

On to Friday and the Calvary Church Rummage sale in Crystal Lake on Route 31.  It was to start at 10am but they let us in at 9:30.  They must have felt sorry for us that we were waiting and talking for awhile.  Anyway, we found stuff as usual.  I found a milk glass bowl for $1, another glass jar to hold things for $2, a shell heart shaped box for $2, a vintage rose flowered bowl for $1, a Bill Clinton watch for $1, some Nes video games for 50 cents each and a frame to hold the Chuck Norris picture.  It was fun seeing my rummage sale friends and comparing purchases.

Ann's church rummage sale in Prairie Grove is on Sept 13 at 9am.  Hers is one of my favorite sales.

The Elkhorn Flea Market in Elkhorn Wisconsin is this Sunday.  I can't be there, but I will be treasure hunting in Elkhart Lake Wisconsin.  They have a great farmers market/flea market and some great antique/junk stores.  Should be lots of fun!

My Garage Sale

Well, we finally had our garage sale yesterday.  I had it all set up early (for those early birds) and had my first customer before 7am.  He bought the hand chair that I wanted to get rid of so badly.  I was happy to see it go.  After him though, the customers were few and far between.  We didn't have that many people at the sale.  I was very disappointed.  I did sell some big pieces and other small stuff, so at least we made some money and cleared out some space in the house. 

After the sale, I packed it all up and we took almost everything to the Sparrows Nest in McHenry.  It doesn't pay to hold on to anything that didn't sell since I wanted to get rid of it anyway.  Now my house is clean and almost uncluttered.  I already have a few projects in mind that I need to do.

Blue Ribbons at the Fair

The McHenry County 4H Fair has begun.  It is running from Wed Aug 1 to Sun Aug 5.  All of us have won a few blue ribbons this year.  Even with the few vegetables that we managed to grow, we won a few ribbons.  Ethan won a blue ribbon also on his abstract painting and Austin won a blue ribbon for his Lego creation and his nutcracker collection.   I was thrilled to win a blue ribbon for my felted purse.  There are some beautiful quilts on display this year.

In between getting ready for the fair, I have finished setting up for my garage sale tomorrow.  I don't have as much as past years, but there are still a lot of nice things that need a new home.  The sale will be from 8-2 on Friday. 

I'm glad to have gotten the coffee table out of the basement and I have put the new table and chairs that we bought in Pennsylvania in its place.  It looks great!  It changes the look of the basement.

I Had a Great Time!

Some garage saleing days are more fun than others.  Today was one of those days.  The kids and I went to the Shepherd of the Hills church rummage sale and found some nice things.  I found a needlepoint doily for $3, a Japanese miniature vase for 50 cents, a $2 nutcracker for Austin (he informed me that was his 86th), a pin for $1, a milk glass covered dish chicken for $1, 2 miniature glass paper weights for 50 cents each,  and the kids found a box full of a Nintendo Nes/games, a gameboy with games and a psp carrying case all for $10. 

We then went on to some garage sales and found some video games for $2 each.  In Woodstock, we hit some sales on S. Madison Street and found some nice things.  I found a Pam Duthrie garden book for $1 (she was the keynote speaker for the Master Gardener conference at MCC a few years ago and her books were $50 each), a metal stamp stand for $1 that I will use to hold pictures, and a Statue of Liberty plate for $1. 

Woodstock is having sidewalk sales that will continue on Saturday, so we walked around the square to see what we could find.  At my favorite store, Interiors Anew, I found a wonderful intricately carved coffee table for $38.  I loved it and decided to buy it without knowing exactly where I would put it.  Once I got it home, I put it into the guest room and it looks great.  Seasons by Peg also had some good deals and the upstairs room is 75% off. 

I redecorated the guest room by adding the coffee table that I just bought with a wrought iron stand that I spray painted white yesterday.  I had gotten it at a garage sale a while ago for $3 and finally had time to work on it.  It looks nice holding the metal stamp stand, McCoy planter and scale that I use to weigh my Ebay items up for auction.

Saturday and Sunday is the Gallery in the Garden in Woodstock where artists sell their goods in a garden setting.  It is a really nice event.   Since the weekend is supposed to have nice weather, it will be a perfect setting.  On August 9, Calvary Baptist Church on Rt 31 in Crystal Lake will have their rummage sale.  This is a nice large sale that we love to shop. 

Thursday Sales

Well, we decided to postpone our garage sale until next Friday.  (weather permitting).  The weathermen called for rain today and it only rained in the early morning and not the rest of the day.  It is a good thing that we postponed having our sale because I went through Austin's clothes again and filled up a garbage bag plus 1 winter coat, 2 snowsuits and 1 rain suit.  More to sell!

So instead, we went to a few sales and I found a McCoy pinecone planter for $2.  It has 2 small chips on the edges, but it is really nice anyway.  I found this at the McHenry County Defenders sale at the Algonquin Township office on Rt 14.  The boys found a lot of Pokemon toys 3 for 25 cents.  At another sale, Austin found a bag full of Donkey Kong figures for $3.  I had never seen them before. 

Tomorrow is the Shepherd of the Hills rummage sale in McHenry.  Elizabeth Ann Seton church rummage sale in Crystal Lake on McHenry Ave is Aug 8. 

Mukwonago Flea Market

We all went to the Mukwonago Flea Market today.  What a beautiful day it was!  Not too hot, but sunny.  There weren't a lot of vendors there, but of course, we found some things.  Or I should say, the kids found things.  Austin is taking an archery class, so he found a bow and Ethan negotiated the price down to $10.  The boys also found some books/magazines for $1, a Simpson comic book for $5 (Austin talked this one down) and I found a piece of fabric with chickens on it for 50 cents.  We ate way too many deep fried cheese curds, but enjoyed every minute of it.  You can't go to this flea market without getting them from C.O.W.  They are the best.

The boys just had to try a deep fried twinkie and deep fried oreo cookies.  I think we had our share of deep fried foods to last a lifetime.  There are 2 more flea markets in Mukwonago this season.  I'm sure we'll go to them.

Shepherd of the Hills Church on Green Street in McHenry is having a rummage sale on Friday at 8:30.  I have never been there for a rummage sale, so I'm looking forward to going there.  I am still planning on having my garage sale on Thursday, but I'm keeping a close look at the weather forecast and may have to postpone it until August.  I hope not because I'm ready to get rid of lots of things.

Friday Hunting

It is so nice to be back at home garage saleing in my area.  The kids and I hit some sales today.  Only found some things at one of the sales, but what fun that was.  I found doilies for $1 each, an old made in Japan miniature vase for $2, and an Arthur Armour casserole dish for $4.  I spotted the lid and when I picked it up and saw his hallmark I was thrilled.  It wasn't on the correct bottom so when I asked about it, the man said that he couldn't find it.  I looked around and found some more aluminum pieces that he was selling and spotted it with the wrong lid.  I solved the mystery for him and he gave it to me for $4.  That's 2 Arthur Armour pieces in a few days.  I hope I'm on a roll.    I spent most of the day soaking my doilies and tablecloths that I purchased recently.  I really got some nice ones.  More items have been added to my garage sale box.  I didn't think I had anything to sell until I really started looking at what I had.  The box is really full at this point and I still have things to go through.

The kids and I went to the Algonquin library sale and bought a bag full of books, dvd's and a video game.  Only spent $32 this time.  Their next sale is Nov 8-11.  We also had our free cookies and lemonade.  Always a nice way to end the sale.

Saturday is a kids sale on the square in Woodstock while the Farmer's Market is going on.  We usually find things there as it is a sale run by kids and only kids stuff is sold.

Saturday and Sunday is the Mukwonago Wisconsin flea market.  We really like this flea market.  We will be going on Sunday.  Can't wait to get the deep fried cheese curds.

Back Again

This has been a summer of travel.  The kids and I just got back from a trip to New Jersey and Pennsylvania to visit my parents.  My brother, who has the Ebay store, took us garage saleing/estate saleing on Friday.  It was fun to see how different estage sales are by him.  The people shopping were like vultures.  Clothes were thrown all over the place.  It was hard to look around.  I only managed to find a vintage white hinged bracelet for $1.  I didn't find much at the garage sales either, but it was fun spending time with him.  One of his finds was a vintage iron hand pump.  As he was bringing it to the truck, I noticed a huge yellow jacket nest inside of it.  Needless to say, it took us awhile to get it out with a hose and water and just pumping it.  It was kind of comical. 

He also took us to a thrift store, Unique.  I found some vintage Howdy Doody hankies for 69 cents.  The Goodwill turned up a blue milk glass compote for $3.99.  My mom gave me a huge bin full of stuff.  Mostly milk glass and aluminum pieces.  It was fun looking at them, but harder to find a place to put them once I got home.  My collection has outgrown my places to put them.

The kids and I went to the Saylorsburg flea market 2 times, separate weekends.  I found an aluminum ice bucket with ships on it for $3, a milk glass bowl for $1 (a woman had picked it up and after she found out it was $1, she put it down.  I then grabbed it), fabric for $1 each and the best item, a card table with leather top and 4 chairs for $30.  All of it folds down.  Good thing since I needed to fit it into my trunk with everything else that I was bringing back.  After I have a garage sale, I will take a picture of it in my basement.    Ethan negotiated the price.  He has become great at negotiating.  The man wanted $35 and said that he originally had it priced at $45.  Ethan offered him $30 and waited.  The man finally threw his hands into the air and said, "Fine, $30."  I was proud of him and of both boys for carrying the chairs to the car.  I also found some doilies for $6 that were hand embroidered by her mother.

My parents went with us treasure hunting in the Poconos and stopped at a few local sales in parking lots.  I found a vintage ceramic Santa for 10 cents, and 2 vintage tablecloths for $2 each.  We also went to the Blakeslee flea market that is on Saturday and Sunday and held inside and outside.  I found an aluminum tray by Arthur Armour for $20.  I splurged because his stuff is hard to find.  Funny how I found another piece by him last year in New Jersey at Unique.  This tray is great because it is golden and has the world map on it. 

We stopped by the Salvation Army on 940 and I found a milk glass chicken for $2.99 and a milk glass spoon rest for $2.99 and a knittin book for 89 cents.  They remodeled the store and it was easier to shop and much neater.  There was a lot more stuff then in the past.  We had always wanted to go to the used book store on 940 and finally did.  Their prices were 65% off and I found a 3 books for a total of $5. 

We had a lot of fun, but it is good to be home after traveling for about half of the summer.  I spent the day cleaning and putting away things and adding to my garage sale pile.  Even though I still need to find places to display my new items, I'll be going treasure hunting tomorrow.  There are a lot of sales listed in the paper and the Algonquin library is having their book sale.  Can't miss it!

Loose Ends

I spent today and the past week finishing up projects and just cleaning up/organizing around the house.  I finished another knitted felted purse in off white.  I had made a brown one and didn't like how it turned out, so I used that one to cut out flowers to use on the off white bag.  I love how it turned out!  I used 2 vintage buttons on the flowers and as usual, used a handle from a bag I bought at a rummage sale.    I have a red one to finish also, but, I don't have a handle for it.  Guess I have to go to more sales to find the right color.

The shells I found in Florida are finally put away.  I found a clear vase that I put away in the basement to hold the coral.  It now sits on the green wicker table with the other shells.  I reorganized the shell collection and it looks good.  The rest of the large shells are sitting on my fireplace mantle until Fall. 

We stopped in at Savers in Crystal Lake today, but didn't find any treasures.  I'm hoping that there are some garage sales tomorrow.  Austin and I finished going through the toys in the basement and have a box ready for a garage sale.  I'm selling my candle making supplies this time.  I haven't made any candles in a long time and don't think I will be needing the supplies.  I have 2 large slabs of wax to sell also.  I'm hoping to have the sale either July 26 or 27.  I'm not sure yet if I'll have a one or two day sale.  I still have a lot of stuff to go through.

A Stop at Interiors Anew

After seeing Madagascar 3 at the movies in Woodstock, we walked around the corner to Interiors Anew.  I haven't been there for over 1 month.  The store was packed with so much stuff at really good prices.  I hope I didn't miss too much.  I went through the store a few times to make sure that I saw everything.

I bought a flower shaped basket for $4, an aluminum miniature pitcher for $3 and a covered container for $4 to hold all of the coral pieces that I brought back from Florida.  It is a good idea to go to the store at least once a week since the items come and go really quickly.  I almost always find something that I can't live without.  If you go on a Tuesday or Saturday, the farmer's market is going on.  It makes for a nice day trip.   

I spent some time this morning going through my clothes.  I would like to have a garage sale in August and want to get a head start.  I now have a few bags of clothes and some furniture to sell and will definitely have a lot more in the next month.

Thrift Store Treasures Plus Ice Cream

We made a stop at the Goodwill in Huntley today and found some nice items.  The past few times we left empty handed.  Not today.  I found a pink flower with gold trim painted pitcher for $4.99, 2 carnival glass bowls for $1.99 each and the kids found some card game for 99 cents for each pack/action figure.  Then we stopped at Sweet Repeats and I found a cute apron for $4, 4 yards of Raggedy Ann and Andy fabric for $4, a duck planter for $1 and a Donald Duck hankie for 50 cents.

Since the kids were such good sports, we bought ice cream at the Dairy Mart.  They have the best cookie dough "blizzard like" ice cream (say the kids) and I love their peanut butter milk shake.  The place always has a crowd. 

Elkhorn Flea Market

It was another beautiful day at the Elkhorn Flea Market.  Last year it rained for every one.  So far this year it has been sunny and warm for both.  It is fun to just walk around eating a donut and looking at all of the treasures for sale.  We did buy our share of food, as usual.  Ethan always gets a pickle on the stick for $1 for his breakfast at 7:30am.  The cheaper donuts are at the booth under the grand stand.  The donuts are only $1. 

I only spent $1 on a nice pink vase with gold trim and leaves on the sides.  Austin bought a dragon piece for $3 and a Digimon action figure for $3.  We didn't buy anything else today.  I did price some items that I have at home.  I always like to see what my things are worth.  Austin bought a Wolverine telephone at the last flea market for $5.  Today he saw the same thing for $18.  As we were walking away, the guy went down to $10.  Sometimes you don't even need to bargain.  The dealers will bargain for you.  Austin was excited that he got a good deal.

I'm so glad that the boys are learning the value of the dollar and how much they are willing to spend for an item.  The best part is that they are getting to be really good negotiators. 

Woodstock Garage Sales

We had a blast today!  There were a lot of sales in Woodstock that we went to.  We had stopped at one on Lily Pond Road and found so many things.  I found a milk glass pedestal cake plate for $2, fabric for 50 cents each, new in the package Bayblade toys for the kids at $1 each, brand new t'shirts for the boys of video games that they play for $2 each and a Dolce and Gabbana handbag brand new for $2.  I was so excited about the handbag.  It is brown patent leather.  What a find!

I found a glass covered container at another sale for $2 and I put my seashells into it.  I found a lot of shells when I was in Florida and needed another container for them.  Ethan found a handmade wooden turtle for 50 cents to add to his turtle collection.  I also found a vintage Christmas hankie and a Felix the Cat hankie for 50 cents each.  The kids found a Pokemon plush for 50 cents.  Sometimes you have to go to a lot of sales before you find something good.  In the afternoon, we went to some sales in Crystal Lake, but didn't find anything.  That's how it is.

I'm happy with my finds today.  Sunday I will be at the Elkhorn Flea market having more fun.    

St. Mary's/Montini Rummage Sale Today

We had so much fun!  We saw many friends and even made a few new ones.  We did the whole sale in 1 hour and 15 minutes.  Probably a new record.  Each classroom was filled with stuff.  Austin found some Bionicle things for $1 each and a Star Wars toy for $1.  Ethan found some computer games for $1 each and a Nintendo DS game for $1.  I found some needlepoint doilies for 50 cents to $1 and a needlepoint tablecloth for $3, a vintage Santa for 50 cents, decorative trim for $1.50, a book on gnomes for 50 cents and a really nice jacket for $2.  (Even though the kids didn't think the jacket was that great.  I did!)  Before the sale, we had stopped at a garage sale across the street.  We bought a whole box of Pokemon cards (hundreds) for $8, a Nerf gun and bags of bullets for $8, and a vintage light up plastic very large Santa for $4 that will go to my mom.    We had lots of fun even though we bought less than previous years.  You never know what you will find.

We stopped at quite a few sales on the way home.  Austin found another Nerf gun with bullets for $4.  (Notice his obsession with Nerf guns).  Since the Nerf guns are so expensive, this is the way to buy them.  Two of the garage sales were at the homes of people we know either from other sales or from Pokemon.  It is such a small world.  Running into people I know makes the day so much more fun. 

I still have to look in the paper for tomorrow's garage sales to map out our hunt.  I love garage sale days.  Sunday is the Elkhorn Wisconsin Flea Market at the Fairgrounds.  I always look forward to those flea markets.  They don't have one in July and then resume in August and September.

Thrift Store Stops

We took a few detours on our way home from Mount Prospect today.  We stopped at the Goodwill, but only Ethan found a computer game for $3.  Then, we stopped at the Sparrows Nest in Palatine on Route 14.  That is the only Sparrows Nest that I hadn't been to yet.  It is a nice store with a great selection.  Unfortunately, I didn't find anything there either.  Next to Barrington.  I hadn't been to the House of Hope (Rt 59 right off of the downtown) in a while.  Blue tickets were 1/2 off.  I found 2 items, but without blue tags.  I found a seashell box for $6 and an Everlast bamboo aluminum round tray for $4.  Austin found a Nerf gun for 50 cents.  I was happy that our treasure hunt turned up something.  Our last stop was at CatchaPenny in downtown Barrington.  It is around the corner from the House of Hope.  Everything was half off.  But, nothing for us.

We had fun exploring a few new thrift stores.  You never know what you will find.  I can't wait for tomorrow and the St. Mary/Montini rummage sale on Route 31 in McHenry.  We each have our bags ready!

Back From Vacation in Florida

I am back from my 2 week vacation in sunny Florida.  We were in Palm Beach for about 1 week then a few days at Disney and Universal Studios. 

The first day there, we went to the last day of the Palm Beach Flea Market.  Wow, was it expensive.  I was afraid to walk around and bump something.  Austin found the only deal of the day.  He got a Swiss movement Star Trek Spock watch for $20.  It is in great condition and the dealer gave him a deal because he was a kid.  There were a lot of thrift stores in Palm Beach on Dixie Highway, but I have to tell you, the prices were way too high from what I usually find.  The stores were pretty crowded, and I came home empty handed except for a Pokemon juice glass that I found at Netties on Dixie Highway.  It was surprising to find a great garden area out back with wonderful iron furniture and great pottery.  But again, the prices were too high compared to the thrift stores here in Illinois.  I was pretty disappointed.  I did find a great import store in Lake Worth that had nice jewelry and scarves for reasonable prices, so I did buy some things from there.  A few doors away is a consignment thrift store and I found a nice starfish pin for $4.  The prices there were a lot more reasonable.  It is a nice area to walk around and they have a Kilwins ice cream parlor and a Starbucks. 

On Saturday, after I took the boys to Pokemon, I stopped at a parking lot sale in a park in Cary.  I found 2 video games for $5 each and 2 red doilies and 2 great vintage Mammy aprons for a total of $5.  I was so happy to get back to garage saleing.  I was starting to have withdrawals.

Thursday June 21 is the rummage sale at St. Mary's/Montini School in McHenry.  I love this sale and will definitely be waiting on line.  Come by to say hi and to find some great treasures!

Another Chair!

Since Ethan was off of school yesterday, we went to the Goodwill in Lake Zurich.  We found a great vintage chair for $6.99.  How could anyone pass up a chair for that price?  It has great wooden carved legs with claw feet.  It just needed to have a few spots treated.  I washed those areas and it all came out.  I then let it soak up the sun and heat all day.  It is now Austin's basement chair to sit in while playing the Xbox.  It was Ethan's idea to buy it and I'm glad that we did.  I need to have my own garage sale soon since I have some chairs and bigger items that I need to sell to make room in the basement.  I'm shooting to have a sale in July. 

Today/Thursday:  It has been raining all day and it is only 47 degrees.  But, that didn't stop us from garage saleing before picking up Austin from his last day of school.  We stopped at an estate sale in McHenry and found some turtles and frogs for 50 cents each for the garden.  Then, we tried to do a neighborhood garage sale in McHenry (a yearly sale that I love to go to).  We went to as many as we could before freezing and getting really wet.  We found lots of video games on average of $2-3 each, Star Wars toys for 10 cents to $1, a super soaker for $1, nerf like machine gun with bullets for $3, some more frogs for the garden at 10 cents each, video game accessories, a great silver/turquoise belt buckle with leather belt for $1, a white beaded purse for $2, and lots of vintage jewelry for 50 cents to $3 each.  The jewelry and purse belonged to this women's mother in law so they had to be at least 40 years old.  I love finding this kind of stuff.  I wish the weather was better because there were a lot of houses to still go to and some that were closed and will open tomorrow. 

There are a few good sales this weekend and a rummage sale at St Johns Church in Woodstock on Friday.   Happy treasure hunting!

Savers Thrift Store in Crystal Lake

Well, we were bored this afternoon.  After flea marketing and garage saleing all weekend, we needed something to do.  So, we all went to Savers since they were having a 50% off sale on clothes and accessories.  Only Caldwell bought some clothes.  He bought 3 silk hawaiian like shirts for $9.  Pretty good price. 

I found 2 Wilton aluminum platters.  One has a grape pattern for $5 and the other is a smaller tray for $4.  I also found an Everlast candy dish for $4.  The lid has a fruit pattern on it and the handle is a pear.  The glass dish is extremely heavy with 3 sections.  I also found a sea shell box for $2 that has a fish and seaside scene in the front lid and a blue checked fabric piece for 50 cents.  Austin found 2 Transformers toys for $7 each.  He said the one was at the Cedarburg flea market yesterday for $25.  Ethan only found a Pokemon video for 50 cents. 

It was a lot of fun.  It was crowded with long lines to use the fitting rooms. The kids saw Savannah and Jordan from school.  It's always so much more fun when you see people you know.