I'm Still Here….

Hello blog friends!  I hope you are still there.  I've done it again- I've abandoned my blog for months.  During those months, I got my Etsy shop off the ground and I sold 5 items.  A mere drop in the bucket considering the amount of items I have in my garage and living room.  With the holidays quickly approaching, I know now's the time to get moving and place more items into JunkStuffTreasures (my Etsy shop).  I'm working on that.

I had bunion surgery in October and that waylaid me a bit.  But, I'm finally driving again and walking with an athletic shoe (no more attractive boot).  Yea!

I hope you are all enjoying the Fall season!

I'm getting organized!

 Do you remember this picture?

Well, this is only 1/3 of the stuff piled in my garage!  I am finally motivated to unwrap/discover all the hidden treasures I have.  So, I moved multiple boxes into my living room (don't judge!)...

 
... and began to sort.

I'm hoping to organize at least half of my stash so I can get to some shelves (currently blocked) that hold more treasures.  I spied a box labelled Pyrex- can't wait to see what's in that box!  My objective is to get organized enough to begin selling on Etsy.  Wish me luck!

Happy 4th of July to everyone!  

Deal of the Century

Hello, friends.  I have been thrifting and buying a lot of treasures.  I will take pictures real soon- I promise!  However, I couldn't resist sharing this one non-vintage purchase with you.

I was at a local Goodwill on Monday and had many items in my cart when I spied brand new, still-in-their-boxes, Threshold fireplace screens from Target (original price $29.99/clearance price $20.98).  I was not looking to purchase a screen (although ours was a bit dated) but for $6.99 I decided to buy it.  Not a bad price, right?  Wait- it gets better...

When I look at my receipt after my purchase, I start doing my happy dance!  After 50% off (pink ticket day) + 25% off (I saved a birthday coupon), this screen cost me........$2.62!  Can you believe it?  If only I could find Pyrex on 1/2 price days- ha!

Happy thrifting!

It's Garage Sale Season!

Hello, friends.  Here in the Midwest we are in the midst of terrible storms.  But, there is good news on the horizon- garage sale season is finally here!  I've tweaked my work schedule to allow me to have Fridays off.  Tomorrow, I plan to visit a town-wide sale, a subdivision sale, and 2 church sales.  I hope to bring home many treasures.  Wish me luck!

Are you finding many garage sales in your neck of the woods?  Happy hunting!

Establishing an Etsy Presence

I am trying to get my act together.  My favorite blog/graphics designer Michelle at  www.shabbycreations.com/ created an Etsy banner and avatar for me.  I just ordered an inexpensive light tent kit to help me take better inventory pictures.  I've been reading articles on Etsy and learned that the quality of your pictures is super important when presenting items for sale (makes sense).  Next, I will begin to unearth my treasures from the black hole that is my garage and get them ready to photograph.  I have spring break vacation soon and plan to make some headway.  Wish me luck!

Happy Spring!    


Judy

Sssshh! Don't tell...

 I'm alive and well and enjoying a day off from work- hooray!  Can you keep a secret?  Please don't tell my hubby.  I spent the day thrifting- four Goodwills and one Salvation Army.  I came home with a few items and some like-new games which I will save for the local Christmas giving tree.  On the 15th of the month, Goodwill has a scratch-off savings card which offers 10%, 15% or 20% off your total.  Can't beat the extra savings.

Did you hear that Google Reader is going bye-bye on July 1?  Last night, I seamlessly transferred my blog reading list to "feedly."  I hope I made a good choice- we'll see....

Happy St. Patrick's Day weekend!     

Older Christmas Greetings

It's time to put the holiday decorations away and that makes me a little sad.  I love the holiday season and I love my decorated house.  Over time, I have collected Christmas greetings from years ago.  I always re-read them before they get packed away.  Here are a few interesting ones:

from- Miss Friday.... How mysterious!!

This unusual greeting (1925) shows an Asian-style lantern and uses a "bamboo" font.

I wonder where Eleanor lives?  This picture shows palm trees, sailboats, and bathing beauties with parasols.

This is almost a tongue-twister! 

I hope that happiness

Happens your way,

And when it does happen,

Happens to stay.

This card mentions the "New Deal" (programs enacted 1933-1936).

Poor Santa, he's lost everything during the New Deal.  He uses an old, crippled donkey to deliver the presents.  Can you read the last two lines?  Santa apologizes in advance that he'll "be out on my ass in the snow!" 

This lovely card was sent by Luella Stafford in 1903.  

Your joys be many- friends be true:

Your troubles like your foes, be few.

Front of the card, above.  Back of the card, below.

Sent in 1922 by Clifton Henderson, Hobart NY

I wonder if Clifton was in WWI?

Hello Harry Old Pal,

Don't you wish you was over in France this Christmas?

"Yes", I do.  "Oh Boy."

Why Don't You ever Write. (Poor Clifton.  I wonder if he ever heard from Harry?)

Well, there's work to be done in this house.  Must get back to taking down some trees.  Have a wonderful week!

Is it Really 12/31?

Well, I've done it again!  I've pushed my blog to the side and let life take over.  I have been reading everyone's posts (I actually read 300+ over the last few weeks- whew!), but haven't found the motivation to share my own words.  Is it too late to say "Merry Christmas"- yes, it is.  But, I'm right on time with a "Happy New Year" to all of you!

Before the Christmas decor comes down, here are a few pictures of my theme trees.  I am such an ornament hoarder that I've had to put up multiple trees to display all my treasures.  Mind you, this is not ALL my trees- just some of them.  I admit it- I have a Christmas "problem."

The "Woodland" tree is filled with forest animals, mushrooms, pinecones, etc... and a sneaky kitty hiding underneath.

New this year- the "Snowman" tree.  I just love how the bright colors look on the silver tree!

The "Patriotic" tree is covered in everything Americana.

The "Winter" tree holds mittens, ice skates, stockings, little gnomes, and more.

The "Santa" tree is filled with Santas of all shapes and sizes.

Also, new this year- a "Garden" tree.  It holds butterflies, garden tools, snails, and more.

One of my first theme trees- the "Bird" tree.  Birds and bird houses of all types.

Our "Cat" tree- in honor of our 2 kitties.  Topped with a cluster of little mice.

The "Under the Sea" tree.  Shells, fish, castles, seahorses, and many more ornaments.  The Santas underneath are part of another collection I have...

I take no credit at all for the BIG tree.  For the past 3 years, my daughter has trimmed the big tree for me.  She has designated it the "Shiny" tree- only shiny ornaments allowed!

Have you made any resolutions?  I hope to better organize my collectibles, start selling stuff, be more faithful to my blog (which, I hope will generate more followers), pick up my genealogy (after 2 years), and make more frequent trips to visit my daughter (in CA), and my parents (in NJ).  Here's hoping!!!  Wishing you a wonderful 2013! 

Saying goodbye to summer vacation

 It's been a busy past month (as evidenced by no post from me in 30 days).  Our extended vacation included a trip to Ann Arbor (Michigan), Canada (Toronto and Montreal), The 1000 Islands (NY), Saratoga Racetrack (NY), and finally NJ for our "Jersey Shore" vacation.  I came home with a Rubbermaid of thrifted treasures- which is still unopened and sitting on my dining room floor!  No sooner did we arrive home, then it was back to school for my son and back to work for me.  I can't wait to open that container and see what I bought.  Maybe, this weekend....

How Funny is This?

 
There'a a fine line between a GARAGE sale and a GARBAGE sale!  I bet we've been to alot of garbage sales in our search for treasures!