Friday, December 30, 2011

Where are the pictures?

Well, the decorating was finished and the pictures taken, ready to be shared.  Then, all hell breaks loose at my house!  On 12/22, we noticed the freezer wasn't freezing.  By the next day, the refrigerator was kaput.  So, we buy a new refrig with delivery scheduled for 12/24.  Delivery arrives as promised but the deliveryman determines that the refrig won't fit in the space.    Fortunately, we do have another ancient unit in the garage which we put to use.  On 12/26, we return to the appliance store to re-purchase.  Lo and behold (after another set of measurements), the original piece WILL fit in the space- darn those INCORRECT online measurements!  I'm happy to say that the refrig was re-delivered and is working great!

Breakdown #2: yesterday, my washing machine malfunctions (as in water pouring out the door- the sensor didn't tell it to stop filling).  So, off to the appliance store to buy a new washer (which really means a new washer and dryer).  This morning, we became the proud, but poor, owners of a new washing machine and dryer.

My head is spinning, my wallet is empty.  Looking forward to a calamity-free 2012 and wishing you all a wonderful New Year!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Still decorating!

Hi friends, I hope you are getting your decorating done, cards written, presents bought, cookies baked, and ALL the other things that need to get done.  I've procrastinated this year, but the trees (14 this year) are getting done.  Nine are trimmed, five to go.  I am ornament obsessed- thus, the need for multiple (themed) trees.  My autistic son loves Christmas, and I enlisted him to trim 3 small trees ("his" tree, my daughter's tree, and the "cat-themed" tree).  He did a very good job!  I've decorated these themed trees: birds, santas, snowmen, wild animals, winter, patriotic (pictures to follow soon). 

I love seeing all your decorating ideas, thanks for sharing your creativity! 

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Thanksgiving wishes


Wishing you and yours a bountiful Thanksgiving!

(image found on <acelebrationofwomen.org> )

Monday, November 21, 2011

More Pyrex and pottery


I've found more Pyrex in the garage!  
These bowls (#401-403), in excellent condition, are the Butterfly Gold 1 pattern.  
The #404 bowl is missing.  I will use one or two bowls on the Thanksgiving table- the colors are perfect.


This green ashtray was also in the garage.  I am finding so many forgotten treasures!
On the back it says Made in America, but no specific maker.  Although I love this shade of green, I will reluctantly place this in the "sell" pile.


I just love this simple, matte white planter.  It has no identifying marks.  This little piece will stay with me- more white pottery for my collection.


This 6-inch x 3-inch planter was only .49 cents at Goodwill!  I just had to add it to my collection.  It is marked Miramar of California, with the number 150 visible (there is other info that I can't make out).

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Other found treasures


Haeger USA 0303, medium-sized, medium green planter, in great condition.  This goes in the "sell" pile.


Medium green, three-footed planter, 402-USA, no manufacturer, in very nice condition.  
Also, going in the "sell"pile.


Unmarked, deep green, lovely shape- this goes into my collection!


Isn't this a silly piece?  This olive green jalopy planter is marked 532 Floraline USA. 
I am NOT keeping this!


Small, unmarked cream planter with raised floral design.  
This might end up in my white pottery collection.


I must really like this gravy boat because I already have one in my china cabinet- duh!
The emblem reads Veterans Administration 1930.  
On the bottom:  Shenango China, New Castle, PA 


An 8-inch oval plate with gold flowers and leaves.  Marked:  Edwin M. Knowles #477.
Going in the "sell" pile.


And then there were three...  I bought FOUR of these glasses at the flea market.  
Unfortunately, the fourth glass either broke in transit or in my garage pile mess.  The flea market vendor had 7 of these glasses and I picked the most pristine 4 to buy- in hindsight, I wish I had grabbed a fifth glass as an extra.  The design features profiles of all the U.S. Presidents up to Dwight D. Eisenhower- so patriotic!


Here's SOME of my green pottery (using the pool table as a sorting surface).  
I kept most of these, but did part with a few pieces.  

Pyrex bowls

I picked up these 3 pieces of Pyrex from my favorite vendor at the local flea market.  The mixing bowls, which are in great condition, are the "Forest Fancies" pattern, bowls #401/402/403.  Unfortunately, the largest bowl (#404) was not with the set.

This year at Thanksgiving, I am not using my formal china and will set my table with autumn colors.  I plan on using one of the larger bowls for my stuffing.  I was able to pick up 4 stoneware plates in a more seasonal color (brownish-rust) at the local Goodwill.  I'll also use some of my Pyrex casseroles for the other veggies/sides.  I can't wait to see how my table looks!


This one's for me!


When I saw this planter at the flea market, I had to hold myself back.  You see, our basement has a blue and orange color scheme.  The walls are white, the couches are a medium blue ultrasuede and I had the painters add a wide stripe of orange around the whole room for some punch.


This planter originally sold for $6.99 at Montgomery Ward.  It was made in California (Los Angeles).  I'm assuming that the line of the product is "gardenware", not sure who the original manufacturer is, though.

I love this piece!

A confession

I've decided to come clean- this is what my garage looks like.  My treasures are piled high in bags and boxes.  Despite the obvious chaos, I usually remember to drop a detailed note in each bag/box that outlines what I paid for each item.  My husband is gone for the day and I've decided to tackle the mess (if he's home I don't get anything done).  I've opened some bags, cleaned items, decided what to keep for myself/what to sell.  I even went through some plastic tubs that held my pottery and purged some pieces that just weren't the right color green.  Hopefully, I'm on a roll- wish me luck!  

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Thanks!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Thanks for the vote of confidence!

Thanks to bargainhuntingandtreasureseeking for nominating me for the Liebster Award.  I have grand illusions of creating an interesting and timely blog.  I will try to be more attentive to my junk AND blog and truly earn this award.  This pretty, informative and creative blog was one of the first that I found, and I loved it immediately!  If only I could be so efficient and creative with my blog. Sigh.....

Monday, October 31, 2011

SOOOO Behind in Everything

I've been in California for the past 6 days.  My daughter, who graduated from USC in May, got a full-time job in Los Angeles.  Being employed is a great thing in this economy; knowing my daughter will be far away is difficult.  Can't wait until Thanksgiving to see my girl again!

Planning on the flea market this weekend.  Also, planning to catch up on photographing my mountain of treasures and sharing them with you in the near future.  Don't give up on me, my promises will eventually become reality!

Happy Halloween! 

    

Friday, October 21, 2011

Finds!!!

I had a fun time looking for and buying treasures yesterday and today!  Last night, I supported a church sale.  Today, I visited 2 Goodwill stores and a Savers store.  In total, I bought 25 items (18 for the to-be-sold pile, 7 for me).  I am happy to say that my wallet is only a tiny bit lighter- prices were very reasonable. Pictures to follow- hopefully, tomorrow. 

How has your thrifting been this week?  Any thrifting plans for tomorrow? 

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Goodies from the garage

I've made a a pact with myself to get my JunkStuffTreasures organized.  So, the back of my minivan is filled with things for Goodwill.  I've decided that I don't want to host any more garage sales if the merchandise is family/kids/household stuff.  I really want to concentrate on the collectibles which I feel compelled to purchase.  Goodwill is the lucky(?) recipient of my junk! 



Here are a few goodies I unearthed in the garage: 2 lovely glass dishes and 2 shot glasses (Gilley's of Pasadena Texas, and Mike's Bar of Minneapolis- with an old format phone number).

It's Autumn!

The weather has been lovely here in northern Illinois.  For the last week, we've been treated to an Indian summer.  I started my outdoor decorating.  Lovely mums, a pumpkin, and potted helenium (a tall orange-yellow perennial- not yet blooming) sit on both sides of the front entrance.  I'm still working on filling an old wooden cart with a variety of pumpkins, gourds, grasses, and mums.  I love this time of year- the weather and the colors make me happy!   

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Excited about these finds!

Found all these great items last weekend!  My haul includes: a never used New Mexico tablecloth (card table size), a handkerchief (my weakness), a "Vera" scarf, 8 Kentucky Derby glasses (all different years), a "Sands Las Vegas" ashtray, a small pressed-glass dish, a pencil-by-number fishing picture, and 4 flowerpots (another weakness) labeled Brush, Haegar, Shawnee and UP Co.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Flea Market Goodies!

What a beautiful day it was today!  Full sunshine, fall temperatures- perfect for a flea market outing.  I bought alot of items- some to keep, some to re-sell (whenever I get that started).  In total, I bought 33 items for a total of $34.50!!!  I'll keep the 5 pieces of pottery, 2 Kentucky Derby glasses, 2 calendar towels, and 11 hankies. 

These items will go into the "to be sold" pile: eight ashtrays (2 plastic, 3 glass, and 3 pottery), a wooden "wife" sign, a hammered aluminum serving dish, a divided glass dish, a syrup(?)/milk pitcher (clear with eagles around the bottom), and one Derby glass.

Can't believe I actually photographed and posted today's finds.  More treasures to share...I promise to get them cleaned/photographed/posted!  Have a great week, friends!


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Friday, September 9, 2011

I am a Bad Blogger!

I admit it- I'm bad at blogging.  First, my design is terrible.  I am considering paying someone to jazz up my blog.  Second, I need to find time to keep you current with all my finds.  How do you bloggers do it?

Anyway, thrifting while on vacation was not good.  I did find one Vera scarf and a nice pair of old glass pedestal dishes (pictures to follow).  Upon returning home, I visited an estate sale (3 visits over two days) and took home a lot of items!  I was like a kid in a candy store.  I promise to post some pics for you to see.

A visit to the local flea market also proved to be a success.  Just a few more things to add to the ever-growing pile in the garage.  What I need is for my husband and young-adult daughter (they are NOT fans of my junking endeavors) to go away for a few days so I can work with my treasures.  Anyone else in the same boat?  

Have a great weekend!  

Monday, August 8, 2011

New Jersey thrifting

Visiting my parents in NJ for a few days.  Hoping to fit in some garage sales and thrift store shopping!

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Last week's finds!

This past week, I picked up quite a few items.  I'll keep some and put others in my "sell" pile.  I have got to make selling a priority!  New treasures include: a print with Asian signature (artist?), a large white New England Pottery flower pot, a nice green planter, a United Nations graphic ashtray, pair of ladies gloves (beige), a small very dark teal dish, a 60s/70s recipe box,  heavy pottery ashtray (made in USA on bottom) and 3 glass dishes.

I also found a 50X52 floral tablecloth in very nice condition, and 4 pieces of silver/silverplate.  The 2 pieces on the left (serving dish, loving cup dated 1957) and the larger of the two bowls (by Gorham, dated 1957) on the right have not been cleaned.  I did clean the smaller bowl (by Wallace, dated 1956) on the right- look how great it looks!        

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Friday, July 29, 2011

Did you notice?

Did you notice that it took me almost ONE HOUR to figure out how to add a picture to a post?  It is a slow and painful learning process.  I finally downloaded Picasa- hope I remember the steps next time!

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Sunday, July 17, 2011

Inspired by Other great Blogs!

New to blogging, but LOVE so many vintage blogs I've seen!  Things I love: green pottery, white pottery, handkerchiefs, Christmas calling cards, aprons, barware, so many other things.... Visits to garage sales, estate sales, flea markets and thrift stores just make my day!