Recap

It's been a long time since I had time to post. Sorry. So many things happening with only so many hours in the day!

Let's start with the Pepper Road and Friends Vintage Spring Market that I was a part of in Lake Barrington on May 5. I had a great time, met some wonderful people and the weather was perfect for my first time setting up a tent.

The booth behind me was Rusty Anchor Design Co and she put up this wall as part of her display. It enhanced my space so much! Plus it blocked some of the wind that came later in the day.

This was my space before the wall, all set up by 7am!

I finally finished decorating wall space in my room. I had hung two vintage sheep prints and an empty frame that I fell in love with. I was waiting to find the perfect insert for the frame. I found another sheep print (darling but not old, but that's ok) at Simone-Michele Antiques in Ridgefield. The chippy white frame was perfect for the look I was after. I also hung a vintage sheep postcard and a darling felted sheep heart on the frame.

While at The Shops of Ridgefield, I came across this vintage enamel pitcher at Country Church. It was larger then the ones in my collection so I had to have it. Paired with my magazine obsession on the coffee table, it looks so nice.

Even fake flowers when displayed like this, look great!

I have been searching for a vintage yo-yo quilt for so long. I let one go a few years back and it has haunted me ever since. So, when I found this one, I was over the top excited!

I have some free time now until next Friday when my son graduates from high school. My last child to graduate. It's bittersweet. His life is beginning. A whole world to explore. In a way, my life is beginning anew also. I'm trying to grasp that excitement and let life lead me where I need to go. It's definitely a journey, with tears along the way.

It's another fun filled weekend! On Saturday is Main Street Market in Rockord put on by Urban Farmgirl. On Saturday and Sunday is the Pecatonica Flea Market and on Sunday is the opening of the season at the Elkhorn Flea Market in Elkhorn WI. Not to mention the large amount of garage sales listed for this weekend.

Happy treasure hunting!

That Chair

As promised, I'm sharing my chair redo. 

Here it was before:

I liked the fabric pattern but it was getting worn in a few areas. Not bad for a $5 thrift store find many years ago.

Here it is now with another thrift store find. Fabric for less than $6.

I love the floral pattern and that it has a tea stained look. 

I'm lovin it in my hallway. I'm not so sure I'm going to let anyone sit on it!

Saturday is my first outdoor Spring Market. 

I figured out the tent yesterday. That's my biggest stress concern. Everything else will be fun!

There are many garage sales this weekend. It's finally here! On Thursday the Environmental Defenders have their sale in Cary on Route 14 at the Algonquin Township office at 9am and the Tree of Life Church in McHenry has their rummage sale at 9am. 

Happy treasure hunting!

Perfect Spring Day

This was the perfect Spring Weekend! 2 friends joined me in having a three day garage sale. It was fun, tiring and awesome. My best one yet!  I'm glad it's done. Two thrift stores (Savers and Sparrows Nest) got the rest. I feel freer now that I cleaned out my house.

Now my focus is on the May 5 Spring Vendor Market in Lake Barrington at the Pepper Road and Friends Market. 

I'm bringing some cool unique treasures to it. It's going to be so much fun! My friends Becky from Burlap and Boots and Alice from Upsy-doozy will be there too.

Happy Earth Day!

 

Using vintage items is the best way to recycle. Photos were from past displays at the Carriage House.

Happy treasure hunting!

Spring Tea

Yesterday I attended a Spring Tea with the Ladies group from my church. It was cold, rainy and windy, but the company and estate where it was held was amazing!

We had a tour of the 14,000 square foot house before we sat down to eat. Our hostess Debbie had lovingly restored this home to its grandeur. Beautiful chandeliers, swing saloon doors into the bar area and period furniture where appropriate. 

The kitchen had beautiful built in cabinets when you entered and massive refrigerator space. 

The tables were set up in two rooms...

With floral arrangements and different tea cup settings at each place. 

I was one of the lucky door prize winners of 3 scented hand creams. So fun!

We each wore fancy hats, good thing there were extras there so I had a bunch to choose from. 

It was a nice day and then overnight this happens...

I'm hoping that by Friday the weather is more spring like since I'm having a two day garage sale with 2 of my friends. I think this is where lol comes in!

On a warmer note: May 5 I'm selling at the

Pepper Road and Friends Spring Vendor Market in Lake Barrington from 9-4. I have shopped it before but this is the first time I'm selling at it. I am so excited to be selling there! 

Happy treasure hunting!

Redo

I'm in the mood to redo some things in my house. 

For 2 years I have been looking for a cabinet to hold some of the small pieces in my hammered aluminum collection. I never liked the one I was using but it served its purpose until I could find one that I liked. 

So yesterday while I was out delivering a chair to get reupholstered (more on that in a minute) I stumbled upon this cabinet. It was perfect and easy enough for me to move. 

It fits perfectly in the spot. Thank goodness because I left my measurements at home and had to eyeball it for size.

So now to the chair. I found some great fabric that I stashed away until the right project came along.  This chair... 

The fabric was awesome but it was worn on the arms and a few other areas. But for $5 years ago and through 2 kids who loved to sit in it, it was time for a new look. 

Stay tuned in about a month for the change. 

I also have been working on my sunroom and purging my seashell collection. 

I've kept the really large ones but only one container of small ones. And you know what has happened? The past few sales I've been to have had lots of shells and I have closed my eyes and walked away from them. It wasn't easy!

Love this vintage green wicker table that I found over 20 years ago. It looks nicer with some of my green pottery collection.

Even my patio table and chairs looks fresher. 

I just wanted to show you my cute finds today.

I'm definitely keeping the cow creamer. He's already in the barn with the others. 

Happy treasure hunting!

Feeling Spring

I love the change in seasons because then I can change my decor. Inside and out. I keep this chippy door on my front porch so that I can change the wreath. 

It's at this time of year that I get the urge to plant something. Aldi has tulips and hyacinths right now for $3.99. Recently I bought a vintage tureen with soft pink flowers on it for $2. I knew right away what I wanted to do with it so I headed out to Aldi this morning and bought some pink hyacinths. 

It looks really nice on my Easter table. I can't wait for the hyacinths to open so that beautiful smell can fill my house.

Speaking of flowers, I came across this cute cow planter and think I may have inadvertently started a new collection. 

I also just found a large wire flower frog that I added to my collection. It was a super exciting find for 50 cents!

There were a few estate sales these last few weeks where I found some great garden items.

The Zion Lutheran Church rummage sale is 8am on April 5. The rummage sale in Huntley is at noon on April 12 and the Presbyterian church on Route 47 in Woodstock is the same day but starts at 8am. In Cary, the church rummage sale is at 9am on April 19.

If the weather cooperates on April 20-21, my 2 friends are joining me to have a huge garage sale at my house. I have been purging daily! I even purged my sea shell collection that I have collected for over 20 years. It feels right now to let them go. Someone else can enjoy them as much as I have. 

Happy treasure hunting!

Happy Easter!

May you have a glorious and blessed Easter! 

Recap

The Elgin High School Flea Market was such a success and so much fun! My friend Cecilia and I had booths side by side so it was easier to help each other out. Last year we were back to back and it was too difficult to help each other. We are getting into a routine now for selling at this flea market.

Here's the work in progress....

Here's the completed booth space....with Cecilia in the booth next to me.

some more pictures of my booth...

and more.....

and one more....

I have gotten so good at cramming in the treasures. Christmas was the first to go. Each year is so different for what people are looking for. Now that the flea market is over, I'm planning my garage sale for sometime in April. I'm energized to clean out. I just purged more from my collections of Hull pottery and seashell boxes. So much lighter and brighter in my home. (and heart)

One collection I didn't pair down (yet) is my flower frog collection. At the Elgin flea market I found this vintage yellow metal flower frog. I had never seen one like it and just couldn't walk away from it. I fits in well with the yellow pig planter.

While pairing down some of my collections, I rearranged my milk glass collection in the pantry.

On April 5 starting at 8am is the Zion Lutheran Church rummage sale on Route 120 in McHenry.

Happy treasure hunting!

Busy.....Busy....

It's been busy around here. First the Vintage Shop Hop was a blast. Busy, but fun! I spent a few hours yesterday restocking my space.

The weather was perfect both days. And now its snowing. That's Chicago weather for you.

I'm just about finished getting ready for the Elgin High School Flea Market on Sunday. Remember to set your clocks ahead. I'm in booth 180 in the gym. Doors open at 8am for the early bird shoppers and then at 9am for everyone else.

Karen and Di recently gifted me with this awesome chandelier that I have wanted for a while. How truly generous and kind they are to me! I love it!!!!! I hung it in my room. The chandelier isn't electric but has holders for candles. I just love the crystals on it. So me!

Here's another view of it....

and an even better of view it....

Lovin' it!

Large snowflakes are coming down right now. I'm skipping ahead to Thursday for the first rummage sale of the season at Faith Community Church on Route 176 in Prairie Grove. It opens at 9am. The season has begun!

Happy treasure hunting!

Spring Has Sprung!

Spring has arrived in my house! I couldn't wait any longer to lighten it up.

I just love adding whimsical vintage Easter decorations around the house. They are so hard to find anymore.

How cute are they?

Someone handmade those awesome eggs. I usually use doilies with an Easter/spring color theme now. Something with pastel purple and pinks like this crochet doily.

I also like to bring out the pale pottery vases to blend in with the pastel colors of the vintage decorations.

A pastel spring vignette in my living room. Even the tray has a spring theme with butterflies. I found that at a garage sale a few years ago.  Loved it too much and had to keep it!

Here's a close up of that darling vintage Easter piece.

Some nostalgia is in order. That rabbit candle was from when I was a kid. The basket holds an egg collection with some from when I was a kid to ones that I found recently. They fit in a vintage egg basket. Except I don't think anymore will!

The rabbit cabbage pottery piece always gets center attention.

I even redid the gumball machine to reflect an Easter scene. It's fun changing it around for the holidays.

In the summer, I found this really cute bunny pillow at a garage sale. It was never opened! Too cute to pass up.

 I saw this last week peaking out of my garden,

It's rainy and gray today, but at least the snow has been washed away.

I am busy preparing for the Vintage Shop Hop on March 2-3 and added spring to my space at the Carriage House.

Here's another side...

Here's a reminder of the Elgin High School Flea Market coming up on March 11. I'm in booth 180 in the gym. There are 170 vendors, new items and vintage treasures, set up throughout the school.

Happy treasure hunting!