all my favorite things

BIG WORK TABLE...

2012-01-31T16:59:00.000-08:00

So proud of hubby....He has been creating tables and potting benches and benches and worktables for so many years now...but this one is my favorite...he uses recycled wood whenever possible...and most of this wood came from a neighbors house...
I so love the green wood touches and crackly paint on this one...
and the storage cubby underneath...
and not to forget...its on wheels!

I thought the work table on wheels that we took in to STARS last Saturday (sold the same day!)... was my favorite...
but it is the storage cubby under this one that I love the most...
so proud of him, I am...

hope you all are having a great week!

do you have squirrel love too?

2012-01-29T09:46:00.001-08:00

I am not sure when it started...

maybe when my son was really, really small...

he would see a squirrel in the back yard and I would say...
"there goes Sam the squirrel"...

and pretty soon I would be making up names for all the squirrels that we would see...and they all would be relatives of Sam...

and next thing you know...
I have a collection!

estate sale SATURDAY only...

2012-01-27T08:48:00.000-08:00

If you are in the Lloyd Center area swing by NE 18th and Multnomah...
I am conducting a small estate sale there this Saturday only...
very nice, clean sale...teacup collection, fun tables and chairs, cabinets, vintage secretary (most of the furniture is newer, but the secretary / desk is vintage
there are books, book shelves, some pretty dishes and fun gifty items...
and a bit more...
would love to see you-
we will be open at 8 am...
have a great weekend!

have you ever?

2012-01-20T08:22:00.000-08:00

Have you ever:
1. Laughed so hard you peed just a little (yep, I think last night...dinner/friends/hysterical waiter!)
2. walked in to a room and forgot what you were looking for, stepped on the cat, stepped on your glasses (that you were looking for, while dodging the cat)...then crashed to the floor...(after stepping on cat, glasses, and...)
3. driven your car til it was so empty it started coughing a little bit...
4. wondered why so many people brag about themselves all the time when they blog...(yep, think I have done this, sorry)...
5. relisted something on ebay 5 times before someone bids on the item...
6. gone to the wrong building at school
7. forgotten what day it was...
8. wondered why the heck you can't get that one room in your house clean that you have been talking about for a year! (ok...maybe longer...)
9. wondered if anyone reads your blog
10. wondered if "have you ever" questions make anyone think about their lives...

one of my friends did the "have you ever" conversation with me...
some of her "have you ever questions" are not suitable for publication...
but I think they are kinda fun...
only one of these "have you ever" questions are hers...the rest are mine...

Have you ever?

roses...

2012-01-15T12:00:00.000-08:00

I bought these for my hubby on his birthday on the 5th...I can't believe they still look like this...

roses make me happy!

hope you all have a happy week!

STARS ANTIQUE MALL is having a HUGE sale this weekend!

2012-01-13T14:27:00.000-08:00

I hope that you all can travel over to STARS this weekend for the haggle with the dealer sale!
I will be doing a LARGE percentage off my booth...and I know that lots of other folk are having percentages off their spaces as well.
I will be there for part of the day tomorrow, so that I can "haggle" in person...but the rest of my weekend will be doing homework and purging my studio...
hope to see you!

I know you are watching! Happy 81st birthday, MOM!

2012-01-12T15:39:00.000-08:00

Happy 81st Birthday Mom...I miss you every single day!

new in my ETSY shop...

2012-01-10T17:58:00.000-08:00

to check it out just click on ETSY.com/shop/allmyfavoritethings2
this is all so new to me...
but fun!

thanks for stopping by...hope you are having a great week!

Hedwig...what am I going to do with him?

2012-01-10T16:11:00.000-08:00

I had to have him...

Not sure why...

maybe the Harry Potter fan in me...

but now I own my very own Hedwig...

what was I thinking?

New ETSY listings

2012-01-09T16:22:00.001-08:00

Just a few instant collections that you can peek at...

just hop on over to my ETSY shop...

it is at Etsy.com/shop/allmyfavoritethings2

I am hoping to be more consistent listing fun little items every week!

AND there is a huge sale this weekend at STARS antique mall...the yearly HAGGLE WITH THE DEALERS SALE!
really a fun fun sale with lots of great prices!

drawers, drawers, drawers-another re-do

2012-01-07T12:52:00.001-08:00

another re-do...of course I forgot about taking a before picture...but this came out of a basement, words like "electrical", tools and such were written on each drawer. The drawers were green and wood and cream (sometimes all on one drawer)...and it was a mess.

the hubby made a stand for it all to sit on with wheels, and I started painting. It had wooden knobs that had to go...

so I rounded up every glass knob that I could find, and changed those out.
Used left over paint from another project...
so my only cost was the knobs needed screws and bolts...

still not sure about keeping the cabinet, it is a bit big for my tiny living room...but oh, I could use all those drawers...
so...
we will try it out for awhile...
it just might go to STARS...
happy weekend to you all!

the mantel re-do after Christmas...

2012-01-05T15:24:00.001-08:00

It always saddens me to put Christmas away...

so I thought that a mantel re-do might lighten my spirits...

it just seems as if Christmas comes and goes so very quickly...

and I feel like I just finish decorating, and then it is Christmas day!

so I went with a nature theme...
I am going to rework my living room completely, just with what I have around...
more re-dos to come...

New Year's motto...goes with "I can do it"...

2012-01-05T09:23:00.000-08:00

My parents gave me this necklace (thanks mom and dad!) after I completed my first term back to college (in 30 years!)...

back to school on Monday...

I am so glad that it didn't sell...

2012-01-03T06:13:00.001-08:00

One of my wonderful neighbor dealers at STARS ANTIQUE MALL (thank you Shirley!) gave me this metal rack a couple of weeks ago...it hadn't sold in her booth and she was tired of looking at it...
so, being the "I'll take it" kind of gal, I took it. Then I realized...do I really need a project? (sorry, I forgot the "before" photo).
It really was pretty ugly. It had places to hang bags of goodies, but along the metal top was advertising for an obscure car part company. Really unattractive.
So, deciding I didn't need more to do, I just put it in my booth for $19.
I figured if it sold I would give half to Shirley.
But, of course, it didn't sell.
So, I brought it home where it sat outside for a week.
Since I have been purging so many little things out of my studio, I started bagging them up yesterday.
And I remembered the rack that could hold a lot of bags of goodies.
So...I got out the glue...

Kicking myself for not getting a before photo.
So very glad it didn't sell!
Thank you Shirley!
It is headed back to STARS today...

it's a new dawn...it's a new day...

2012-01-02T07:44:00.001-08:00

...and I'm feeling good...

I am fascinated by the trees behind my house...

especially in the morning sunrise...

as the world turns...

I am grateful for the glory and artistry of God...
and for a new day...

a New Year...

2012-01-01T09:34:00.000-08:00

my New Year's resolution...

no matter which way the wind blows...

I can do it...

ETSY shop...added some vintage French items...

2011-12-28T08:38:00.001-08:00

yep...purging my studio...

love this really old perfume bottle...

ah...Shalimar...perfume from Paris, the city of Love...

so many items in the studio...anyone want to come over and help?

favorite Christmas present...drawers...what else?

2011-12-27T21:20:00.000-08:00

I am working on a complete remodel of the studio before I go back to school...
to make it easier just to jump in and do my favorite projects, I am going to have to purge, purge purge!! (do I detect a studio sale in the near future?) or perhaps more on ETSY?

anyhow...the hubby found this drawer unit at a sale in November, and decided I couldn't live without it!

so, step one, clean off the work table to make room for the new drawer unit...
I do believe tomorrow I will spend the day organizing and purging...

so happy with my "drawers"!
hope your having a relaxing post Christmas week...

candlelight...pretty dishes...and left overs...

2011-12-26T22:13:00.000-08:00

sometimes after Christmas there are lots of left overs...

but it is ok to dress up the table, even for left overs...

so when my sister's family came over tonight to celebrate my mom...

I thought that I would cook a one dish meal...while my sister brought a salad and bread...
family...
delightful night, delightful holiday...

lovely Christmas...now it is decision time...

2011-12-26T09:30:00.000-08:00

Resolution and decision time...
Ebay or Etsy?
School or no school?
Blogging or no blogging?
Meat or no meat?
Facebook or no Facebook?

my typical resolutions of exercise more...eat better...be nicer...be more patient...
will be carried over once again...
but the above topics...
ahhh...
lots of things to think about this week...

may your week be wonderful...and delightful and thoughtful...

Christmas memories...

2011-12-24T08:37:00.000-08:00

The slightly crooked tree...the "i can't believe I ran out of wrapping paper"...the ever so slightly burnt cookies...
make me smile...

for all that is truly important to me this season...
is family and friends...

my mom's last gifts to me were these snowmen and nativity set...
memories...

my son's most precious ornament, the one he digs out of his boxes first, is the Jack Frost my mom gave him...
we lost her 5 years ago, the day after Christmas...we miss you Mom!

And the true meaning of Christmas for me...
the love of all...

Merry Christmas my friends...may you create great memories!

ETSY Shop up and running!

2011-12-18T19:38:00.000-08:00

I started an ETSY shop easy.com/shop/allmyfavoritethings2

I am going to be purging my antique and vintage books...

so I thought that I would open an ETSY shop...

so keep checking back for more listings!

and if you are local and see something you would like...

we could always meet up ....
have a great week!

Things I would like to do...

2011-12-16T21:43:00.000-08:00

Read more.
have less clutter
play in my studio more often...
see friends more often
cook more...
play with my grandkids more...
save money...
stress less...
be consistent...
go to school again? (maybe?)

do I detect possible new year's resolutions?

hope you are all well...
I am still fighting this &%^$$$ darn bronchitis...it is winning...
went to the humane society today with my brother...wish I could adopt them all...
(I could be one of those hoarder animal people (my Cinderella keeps me in line...she is a very jealous dog!)

hope you all have a peaceful weekend!

Santa Claus

2011-12-15T08:21:00.000-08:00

just some of the Santas that are around the house...

The one with the scary face was my Grandfather's Santa...he used to ring his bell and his eyes would light up (again, scary reddish glass eyes!) He has special meaning since he was my grandparents, even though he has an old school you've been bad look about him!

I have two roly poly Santas- both given to me by my little brother- I love them both...

and the white group...I also have a collection of deer that will be fodder for another post...
I will be decorating today and tomorrow around the house...and just relaxing to some Christmas tunes and or movies...
oh...
the holidays!

my grades are in...

2011-12-14T08:06:00.000-08:00

Spanish...A
Algebra...A
Sustainability...A minus ( I choose to ignore the minus!)

thank you to all of you (and especially my family) that supported me this term...I am registered for next term but not sure that I will continue on...it was one of the toughest things I have ever done ( I feel like an ancient hag with all those 18 year olds!)...
but not just the age thing...the working and working and studying and studying...just don't know if I can handle it again...(my kids wondered why the fridge was always empty...kept running out of time to go to the store!)
I truly don't know how kids do it these days...working and studying and partying...just not sure I can keep up...but I have a few weeks to dwell on it and think about it before I have to make a decision...
and again, thanks to my friends (Annette...you always had such nice words and I love my gift!)...for the support- you all are the best!
margarita time tonight! 5:30 at the brewhouse...email me for the address if you can make it!

oh happy day!

shiny brites...so pretty...

2011-12-13T08:06:00.001-08:00

I have been collecting vintage shiny brites for years...

even ornament hangers....

when I see them...they just make me smile...

my tree isn't quite done yet....

but it will be this week...

I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday season...

mine will begin tomorrow...after I finish up a couple of jobs...

and I get my grades tomorrow...
then the celebrating (I hope!) begins...

estate sale this weekend in Vancouver!

2011-12-07T22:21:00.001-08:00

lots and lots of fun Asian items- the owner traveled around and bought wonderful things to bring home. This is a really easy house to find- only about 10 minutes from Portland!
lots of Christmas presents here!
and lots more pics at estatesale- finder.com
Go to their web-site and click on all my favorite things for more details- address will be posted on Friday.
dressers, 2 couches, sheet music, books, tons of Christmas decor (and Halloween decor), twin bed, huge dining room table and chairs, lots of garden ornaments, linens, and loads of sushi, china and more from overseas...
really fun sale!
the sale is Saturday 9-4 and Sunday 9-3.
hope to see you!

my favorite boxes...

2011-12-03T11:00:00.001-08:00

I do have a fetish for old boxes...

these are just some of my collection of super old cigar boxes...

as I was shopping a garage sale about 5 years ago...
I realized that I had hit the mother lode of all garage sales...
and there was only 1 other dealer there...
and he liked different things than I ...
so...imagine my surprise when I opened this $2 box...

yep...one of my favorite purchases of ALL TIME!!!

hope you all are well...
have a great weekend

catching up on my reruns...the nicest doctor ever!

2011-12-02T18:23:00.000-08:00

My doc knows I don't like to be sick...
and i haven't seen her for over a year...
been very healthy...
until this week...
every student (might be an exaggeration but I don't think so!) has a cold at PSU...
so did I the beginning of the week...
but it kept getting worse...and worse...
so called the doc today (if you need a GREAT doctor in the Portland Oregon area I will share her name, just email me!)...she squeezed me in...
I asked her for a "magic" pill...(finals, papers, you've heard me before...its almost over !)
and then I coughed for her...
oh...
did not like that look on her face.
Acute bronchitis...
I am supposed to do NOTHING this weekend but rest...
ha ha ha ....
so...I will be napping in between doing papers and studying...
I promised...rest, napping, reruns...
but next weekend I am holding an estate sale that I was going to work on this weekend...
gads...

might have to call in a few favors...:)

rest...rest...rest...
oh, and magic pills...

Just a few treasures found...

2011-11-27T20:53:00.001-08:00

even though I am trying hard not to go shopping and just clean out my storage...

I find it hard to ignore a garage sale sign...

you can't tell..but the filigree around the lampshade of this lamp is green metal...( the green I LOVE!!!)....
so of course I couldn't resist it...(and the price...yee ha!)

and the leather hat box with the cool fabric lining...oh...you don't want to know what a wonderful price it was!!!

the inside of this hat box is gorgeous!!!

and the vintage pottery I couldn't pass up...

and there might be a piece or two that won't leave home...

but sometimes a girl just has to shop...just a little...

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend...
I will need to buckle down and study this week...
this is dead week...and by the end of it ...that might be a perfect description :)...
2 papers due, an oral presentation...a spanish "prequiz" to get ready for the final...
and then the first week of December...finals!!!!
and right after finals? an estate sale!!!
ohhh....
one week at a time...
wish me luck :)

SHOP SMALL BUSINESSES TOMORROW, SATURDAY!

2011-11-25T20:56:00.000-08:00

Keep your favorite small businesses in business...shop them tomorrow, shop local...and keep your favorites open for a long, long, time!
Some of my destinations tomorrow-
1. A great children's book store, A Childrens Place- in the Beaumont Village on NE FREMONT
2. Rerun- a great resale consignment shop on NE Fremont (NE 12th and Fremont)
3. Patti Smith- a consignment shop on NE 42nd street just north of Fremont
4. My absolute favorite place, Bella Flora, also in Beaumont Village on NE Fremont and 44th.

and of course, STARS ANTIQUE MALL....I will be there for a while in the afternoon...
support your local favorites tomorrow and buy local for Christmas...

happy hunting!

who is cuter? The girl or the turkey?

2011-11-24T12:34:00.000-08:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

time for some thanks...

2011-11-23T12:32:00.000-08:00

Time for some thanks...
my family...

I will be relaxing a bit this weekend...

I will probably look for some fun finds...

along with finals and final papers due and oral spanish presentations...

I am thankful for some "time" to relax with family and friends...

this greeting card I found last week...I bought it when I was 18 and thought my life would look like this...

Instead it is a bit crazy...and I am a city girl!

and I thank you all for reading my blog and for being my friends and family...
Happy Thanksgiving!

new versus old...glitter and gold is wonderful...oh...the holidays!

2011-11-22T22:00:00.000-08:00

yep...most folk think that new is ok in a vintage store...so long as it isn't too much. I, by the way, am just not sure. I love glitter and gold and silver and "pretties" and have been known to fall for new as well as old...
I just love love Christmas in all it glory.
thanks for your input....it was interesting getting different opinions...

Need your opinion...should new Christmas items be...

2011-11-21T11:57:00.000-08:00

should new Christmas items be in an antique mall???

I am having a really hard time with this. Do you think new Christmas items belong in antique malls mixed with the old Christmas stuff?
I know that some of us do some mixed media "art"...obvious created items that have been made using some old items....

but the purist in me comes out when I see dollar store stuff embellished...

am I wrong? Is it weird to see those items in antique stores? Or am I just being crotchity?

I do a bit of my own tags and plaques and things...embellished items...
mostly paper goods embellished with old stamps and glitter...really OBVIOUSLY not old...
but dollar store stuff with added glitter and ribbon?
am I wrong in not liking that?

Would REALLY REALLY like thoughts on this...

Please...let me know what you think????

thank you thank you thank you

2011-11-19T19:26:00.000-08:00

Thank you all for coming to our family holiday show- I had my best family show ever...and since we have never "done" a Friday night before we didn't know what to expect...and so so many of you came...what fun it was. You all made me feel like an artist when you scooped up my home made items...thank you! Makes me want to "play " more in my studio!
again...thank you...you are the best!

hee hee ...I am featured on the STARS blog...check out the picture of us!

2011-11-17T20:52:00.001-08:00

yep, crazy...they featured us on the STARS blog...I dug up a vintage picture of John and I ...24 years ago...
check it out! (kinda funny!)
thanks STARS folk for featuring me!
starsantiqueblog.com

some pretties for the show Friday night 6-8

2011-11-16T09:31:00.000-08:00

these are boxes of mini ornaments...

I have a bunch of vintage tablecloths all ready for entertaining...

this is our 6th annual sale...one time I didn't make my button ornaments...and people were mad at me...

hope you can come...it is Friday night from 6-8 and Saturday from 9am-2pm...
THE ADDRESS IS 2334 NE 48th, 97213 just off Sandy blvd in Portland
this is a tiny sampling of some of my things...plus there will be fused glass created by Bill...fab jewelry from Doris...textile art from jeanne and beautiful cards created by Marsha!
have a great day!

This Friday night and Saturday holiday sale

2011-11-14T07:34:00.001-08:00

this next weekend will be our family holiday sale held annually at my sisters house in NE Portland
My brother in law is a fused glass artist, his sister Jeanne does textile art, friend Doris creates jewelry, creative paper card artist Marcia will be there, and me.
What will I have?
Vintage Christmas. I have saved my prettiest ornaments and trees for this sale plus other holiday treasures as well.
I also have been creating a few mixed media wall hangings, vintage button ornaments, and other treasures from old holiday bits and baubles.
It is a really low key sale. Friday night there will be wine, no extra charge for Friday night. In fact, no charge at all. Just come by and say hi even :)
I guarantee you will be able to find some fun and unique holiday gifts here. Most of these items are all one of a kind.

And just a little FYI...I will be doing a really fun estate sale the beginning of December (right after finals) that will be fun and unique as well...

have a great day!

driving at night when your windshield wipers stop working on the freeway...

2011-11-13T20:09:00.000-08:00

yep- last night I was on I-205, 10 pm, raining cats and dogs, and my wipers stop wiping...

I don't recommend it...

still alive...but still amazed at that...

wowza...
what a week-end...

hope yours was great!

When you are lucky...you are lucky...Paris architecture books from 1864!

2011-11-12T16:54:00.000-08:00

What a funny day...didn't get anything done I had planned to do...
but was on my way back from a quick run to the store and I stopped at my favorite resale shop...

and scored this album...with lovelies on every page...

front and back...

but that cover...with the birds...the picture doesn't do it justice...
so then I got a phone call from STARS ANTIQUE MALL that I had sold a cupboard...
so I filled up my car and headed to STARS...

of course, I had to stop at a moving sale...
and even though I really wanted the baby grand piano,
I settled for 4 very large volumes of 1860's French architecture...

so...
I think tonight I will grab a soft blanket,
settle in to the couch...

and drool over the fabulous 1864 French books that I bought today...

indeed I am a lucky girl...
the books will probably get sold on EBAY...
but they will be a delightful read for this rainy evening...

have a great night!

Being brave...lessons I have learned from college part 1

2011-11-12T07:24:00.000-08:00

1), no matter what Cosmo says, you can't do it all.
2). its much harder to do homework when you are 52.
3). I had no idea how we were raising our beef, chicken, pork and farmed fish...I might be a vegetarian forever.
4). the Occupy people have been there too long. It has become a joke downtown now, rather than a statement.
5). Portland State University has some of the best and smartest professors.
6). My business doesn't run itself.
7). Grocery shopping is very important.
8). Money doesn't buy your happiness, but it sure helps the day to day facts of life.
9). Meeting new people is fun. (from the 18 year olds I have met, to the 40 ish ladies...LOVE YOU ALL...
10). I have wonderful family and friends. (the real ones, the ones that "get" me even when I do crazy things!)

I am so very grateful to those of you that have cut me some slack...especially my family, cuz I have only grocery shopped about 4 times since school started, barely get the laundry in the wash (and you have put it in the dryer and folded, and put away), and have finally vacuumed the large hoards of dust bunnies. And thank God some of you had us over for dinner, the only "real" meals my hubby has had since September! (oh...he gets his wings after living with me this term!)
And to my friends that have understood that I am overwhelmed (oh so very), and supported me all the way, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have really needed those hugs and words of encouragement, and understanding...and although I have enjoyed it most of the time, this has been the hardest, longest 7 weeks of my life. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, I have 4 weeks more and I am done. Pretty sure I really am done, that I won't be going back. But I will make that decision in December, after a week or two of break time. With 2 big papers that will be due the first week of December ( and a 20 minute presentation in front of the whole class), an Algebra final, and an oral Spanish final, these promise to be 4 very busy weeks.

I am participating in our family Christmas craft sale , as I have in the past. It is next weekend.
I will post more details on that later today or tomorrow.

I hope all of you are having a great fall. Our Portland weather has been fabulous, in my opinion. I love the cold sunny days, and have even enjoyed the storms we have had.
And I hope you are being brave. Trying something new. Even if it is hard.
Cuz...its worth it.
Just to say you did...
it.
hope you all have a great weekend!

just for fun...playing in the studio...

2011-11-07T14:06:00.000-08:00

just playing with my stamps between homework assignments...I am so behind- don't even have Christmas out yet...

And I usually do Christmas early in the mall...

but I am really, really late this year...having a hard time getting in to the spirit...

thought maybe some stamping and glitter might get me moving...

soon...really soon...

some pics...

2011-10-29T12:02:00.000-07:00

just some of the fun things at BELLA FLORA on NE Fremont and 44th , 97213, this weekend...
hope you are all having a great weekend!

sale this Saturday and Sunday at Bella Flora...

2011-10-27T20:45:00.000-07:00

Don't forget this weekend is the event at Bella Flora...Elaine and I will have lots of treasures to comb through...

I have officially made it through the first half of the term...this was mid-term week, and so many of us were so stressed out...
I have no idea how I did...but I am glad it is over!
hope to see ya' all this weekend...

will post pics tomorrow...

another collection purged...antique books...

2011-10-25T08:12:00.000-07:00

I am going through my bookshelves all this week...
for the sale at BELLA FLORA this weekend...

I have so many books...

how many does one girl need?

some are tattered and falling apart...

some are perfect...

some have the loveliest pictures...

others the most beautiful etchings...

one thing they have in common?
they are old!
and they have been loved...

hope you are having a great day!

another collection for sale...PENNANTS

2011-10-24T08:26:00.000-07:00

My purging for the sale this weekend with Elaine at Bella Flora continues...

some of these are school pennants, some are travel pennants...

remember- Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 11-4...
hope to see you!
by the way- I will have a couple of pieces of furniture for sale along with lots of other fun stuff...
hope you are having a great Monday!

All my Favorite Things with Bella Flora for ONE whole weekend!!

2011-10-23T09:34:00.001-07:00

I am so excited! Elaine from Bella Flora has agreed to do a fun sale at her store EXPO weekend- this Saturday from 10-5 and Sunday from 11-4 we will be selling our wares!!
her store is located at 4439 NE Fremont in the charming Beaumont neighborhood...
come spend some time with us!
I will be purging a collection a day this week...

this is my antique hanger collection that will be for sale...
I will try to picture a collection a day so that you can get sneak peeks!

and Elaine has the most magical wonderful vintage and antique items in her store...
It will be a wondrous event!!

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

2011-10-22T17:02:00.000-07:00

Went out for coffee around 8:30 this morn...
distracted by the red garage sale sign...
I skipped coffee and followed the sign...
they recognized me from my storefront that I used to own on NE Fremont...
told them I was at STARS now...
they sold me some GREAT stuff for SUPER CHEAP...
3 dressers, birdbath, metal rack, cute shelf...didn't take pics of any of that (what is wrong with me?)
so...
I am driving about an hour later and I get a phone call...
they can't find my check...
they are a bit panicked...
I look...
never gave it to them- there it was, still in my checkbook.

did some homework today.

took a nap today.
needed it.
then I wandered around my backyard, looking at the beauty of it all.

welcome to my world...

hope you all are having a great weekend...

what am I doing?

2011-10-21T16:48:00.000-07:00

As I look around my house, I am struck by the mess. I have boxes of vintage stuff in my tiny living room that needs to be priced. I have to admit, they have been there since I started school.
My tv cabinet is open, and the tv is not on.
My dogs lay next to me on the couch, as I struggle with my spanish homework and as I look around at the chaos that is my house.
I am wondering why am I doing this?
In the midst of my decision to try going back to school, I am halfway through the first term. I feel as if I have gotten nothing done since school started, and I am questioning my decision to go back.
Of course, I had these thoughts that I would go to school on Tuesdays and Thursdays...and that would be the end of it. I would get all my homework done between classes, and the rest of my life would stay the same.
I realize that isn't the reality and now I am wondering..."how much can I do"...
perhaps I am just weary today, but the tasks at hand seem bigger than I can handle.
Ever feel that way?

2 out of 3 isn't bad...right?

2011-10-19T08:29:00.000-07:00

of course, it is just the 4th week in to the semester...

but I have to admit I am happy with my results in Spanish and in Algebra...

but my third class? Sustainability...it is a year long class...and I SUCK at it...
don't use that word very often, but it is the only one to describe my performance...
it requires about 3000 words a week, and I am not, not, not good at analytical writing...
I am a creative writer...
and I am not doing well.
but I am not giving up...

I can not tell you how much I appreciate all of the kind words and support that I have gotten from blog land...
I need all the encouragement that I can get...
(prayers are good, too!)

some of the funny things so far?

1) the toilets scare me...they are those automatic ones that flush if you move a quarter of an inch...
2) yesterday, a homeless man gave me his business card...he is running for president of the USA (not sure this is funny...but odd, yes)
3) my sustainability class is turning me in to a vegetarian (do you KNOW what is in your meat?) ...my boys don't like this class...they hated last nights dinner...
4) I was sick one day...my sustainability professor said he missed me...I think that is because being the OLD LADY in class...he knew I was gone...
5) my math teacher has really really really long red hair and reminds me of someone else and I am not sure who...

there is more...but this post is long enough...
thanks again for all your kind words...
working on STARS today.... (and a 2000 word paper due tomorrow and a Spanish midterm tomorrow...)
lots of love to all of you!

why it takes me longer than most to get my homework done...

2011-10-17T14:09:00.000-07:00

I am sure that it is because I am old that my homework takes so long to do...

but I would rather blame it on Mike...when he sees paper...he has to be near it...
and then his purr is so loud...that it distracts me...
but no matter how many times I move him off the table...
he comes back...

and the winner is....JB! (it was all very scientific)

2011-10-17T08:50:00.000-07:00

as you can see...Mike the cat chose the winner...

it was all very scientific...

I crumple up paper...he comes running...

he lays down on the soft blue blanket...I have to throw them closer because once he is on the blanket...he doesn't want to move for hours...

and he chooses...(the one that he bats and pulls with his paws...)he has evil claws...

congrats JB! Let me know if you want me to send these to you or if you would like to pick them up!!!

GIVEAWAY TIME...antique books for the prizes!

2011-10-14T08:54:00.000-07:00

This is my 450 th blog entry...and it seems as though I should do a giveaway...I can't believe it!
so...just in time for Halloween...one of the books is title Princess and the Goblin...and then 2 classics...

no, you don't have to be a follower...
you don't have to mention this on your blog...
you don't have any hoops to jump through...
just say hi! and comment on this blog...
this is just a big thank you for following along on my journey of life!
drawing will be next Monday...the 17th...

have a great, super, wonderful weekend!

my surprise of the day?

2011-10-11T22:44:00.000-07:00

A 98% grade on my Spanish test...
for a girl that hasn't taken a test in 30 years...
Grab the bottle...pop the cork!!!

digging out the Christmas tomorrow...bagging and tagging all the rest of the week...
(except Thursday...when I have an Algebra and another Spanish test...)

Christmas in the booths next week!!!
Jingle bells...Jingle bells...

updates on school when they happen...just like ya all asked...
and yes, I am a bit crazy!

it is the little things that make me happy...

2011-10-10T19:07:00.000-07:00

the gal I did the estate sale for this weekend gave me this...I love ledgers from the late 1800's...

I find them so fascinating!

old books...

old ribbons...

fun little wood boxes...
When I am out at estate sales...I look for the little things...for me...that make me smile...
what do you look for?

happy hunting out there...
and I LOVE MY NEW LEDGER!!! THANK YOU SUE!

ESTATE SALE Saturday and Sunday 9-2

2011-10-07T18:26:00.000-07:00

small but lovely estate sale... fun and beautiful things...carpets, 8 foot sofa, retro lamps, typewriter and table, velvet chairs (orangeish.) little marble topped tables, dishes , artwork, fab crystal chandelier, and more.
Just this weekend, Saturday and Sunday from 9-2.
nice sale!

Going to college...at 52 years old...

2011-10-03T17:25:00.000-07:00

I didn't graduate from college...
I had to work full time when I was 18 and I lived in an apartment, and tried to take a full load of credits...
flash to the future (now)...
I have to work full time (the vintage business is our livelihood...)
I live in a house (not paid for...)
and I am taking 13 credits...

so...
why?
I keep getting asked...
"why"

last spring as my son applied for school...I thought that I might want to go back...
I would love to be bilingual...
so I applied for financial aid...
I called Portland State University and they told me once a PSU student...always a PSU student...
so that was not an obstacle...
but money was...

Imagine my surprise when i was given a grant...

and then I realized...
no excuses...

I need to try it...
at least try it...

so this semester...
Tuesdays and Thursdays...
I start at 9:30 am (sustainability) ...and my last class ends at 6:30 (Spanish)...

I am by far the oldest in my classes...
I have had more homework than I ever dreamed possible (and that was just the first week)...
and I am conducting an estate sale this weekend...and setting up this week...
re-did Stars booth yesterday...
and a 1000 word essay due Thursday...
along with algebra homework...
Spanish homework...
oh yeah, and a quiz in Spanish on Thursday...

I feel like that little engine...
I think I can...I think I can...

thank you for all the good wishes...
and the encouragement...
I'll keep you posted...

when you go to an estate sale on the second day...you don't expect to find anything good...

2011-10-02T16:17:00.000-07:00

underneath the table...
underneath the bags of funky bows...
4 HUGE books of wallpaper samples...

page after page of glorious colors and patterns...

I can see these as journal covers...
gift tags...

gift wrap...so many different things...

I think I squealed when I found them...

the darling man that was watching the second floor? think he thought I was nuts...

he guarded them for me while I looked around some more...

then I could hear someone trying to take them, and he said, no...these are spoken for...

he was a good man!

( I think it was my "squeal"...

needless to say, I unburied more treasures from that sale, too...

but my favorite were these 4 1933 wallpaper books...

ahhh....

by the way...
the adventure is that I am taking 13 credits at Portland State University this term....
already overwhelmed with homework...
and yes...
I am the oldest in all my classes...

but ...
it is an adventure!

will be on an adventure tomorrow...

2011-09-26T19:53:00.000-07:00

so I need to be brave...
something that I haven't done for 30 years...
when I signed up...I guess I wasn't thinking that the day would really come...
and now it is almost here...

be brave, I keep telling myself...

will let you know what I did...

tomorrow night...

wish me luck...

( I'm a little scared)...

they thought I was crazy...my Sunday estate sale treasures...

2011-09-25T13:36:00.001-07:00

I passed this estate sale sign yesterday...
and I didn't go...
you know, you are on your way...somewhere...and you cringe cuz you really want to but can't stop...

so today I stopped...
really, really picked over...

and then I wandered in to the garage...where there were piles and piles of books...really really picked over...

but then I spotted...way down towards the bottom of a back stack...
some older looking books...

they thought I was crazy getting the ruined, stained, ripped up ones...

my kind of heaven...
and the cost, you ask?

the books...$ 2.75...

am I happy?
oh...so very...

the after photos...

2011-09-20T14:35:00.001-07:00

I chose the easy way out...
wash and wax...
cuz I still have boxes and totes to purge...
and wanted to start putting things away in the cabinet...

but I think I like it...

even if it is a bit rough...
it just seems to "go" with the rest of the room...
thanks for all your input...

I still might end up painting it...
but ...
after the boxes of "stuff" are gone...

to paint or not to paint? newest addition to the studio...

2011-09-19T11:53:00.000-07:00

pretty much everything else is all natural woods in my studio...
so do I paint?
or just clean up and wax?
glass handles are a must...

would love input...

my very own magical house...time for a re-do...

2011-09-15T13:00:00.001-07:00

If you have been following for a while, you know that this used to be my studio...
but then I realized that it really wasn't functional in the winter, that it just wasn't air tight, and no matter how hard I tried to get it warm in there, it just wasn't warm enough to do collages with paper and embellishments...
so...I moved my studio in to the house this spring, and my little house in the backyard became storage this summer...
but I decided that it was time for it to be a greenhouse again...
I missed my funky plantings...
and folks at STARS Antique mall missed them too.
so...
time for the "junk" to come out...
and time to transform...

did I mention that I am having a sale next month? Cuz I have a TON of stuff that is going to be for sale (forgot about ALL THESE BOXES, TOO!)
so...here is the green house partly emptied...

this table ? Where did it come from you ask?
this was my inspiration for the re-do...
I found it 2 weeks ago at a sale...
want to know how much it was?
let's just say I used one bill...
and it had President Jackson on it...
and I fell in love!!!
now if you know me, I am the QUEEN of big tables....
for some reason, they find me...
and they end up at STARS...
but this one?
I looked at my hubby...and said "ITS MINE"!!!!!

and this little glass greenhouse? Found it yesterday at my favorite resale shop...
(you don't really think I am going to give away that little tidbit, do you?)

so now, I am dreaming...trying to figure out what to keep and what to sell...
but I have decided to be brutal...and to really unclutter my life...
so, most things are going to be wearing a price tag...

just not the fairy...
she helps me dream...

just a teaser...save the date...

2011-09-14T22:46:00.000-07:00

going to have a sale October 28,29 and 30th...
yep...that is Expo weekend...
Actually, I will be having 2 sales...
there will be a storewide sale in STARS ANTIQUE MALL...

AND...
I will be selling my wares at BELLA FLORA...the fab store on 47th and NE Fremont, in the Beaumont neighborhood...
for the weekend...
we are going to bring it...
I will have treasures from my studio...yes, I am still purging the studio...AND...

(believe it or not,) I have 18 totes of HOLIDAY merch that I will be purging...
I mean, really, who needs 18 totes of Christmas????
this house is only about 750 square feet!!!

so...
save the dates :)

It is too late...

2011-09-13T19:28:00.000-07:00

It is too late to tell her how much I appreciated her warm smile...
It is too late to tell her she made ME smile...
It is too late to tell her she was one of my very favorites...
It is too late to tell her she was one of the best...
Last time I saw her I told her she was one of the dynamic duo (Kitty you are the other...)
She really was so happy...
I don't remember when she did not work for STARS ANTIQUE MALL...

don't let it be too late for you to tell someone what they mean to you...

Pat... you will be sorely missed...

typewriters...typewriters...typewriters...

2011-09-12T14:01:00.000-07:00

I just can't resist them...

I remember...

2011-09-09T19:32:00.000-07:00

as vividly as if it was this morning...

I remember my 8 year old son asking "why was I crying?"

I remember a church full of people, praying for all of the lost, all of the brave...

I remember telling myself that I will never forget
"our land of the free...home of the brave"

I will remember...

Splendid antique mall REDO...so many treasures...(even giant saw blades...)

2011-09-07T17:17:00.000-07:00

this past weekend I had crazy business at Splendid ...so I thought I would bring a bunch of new stuff in...
well...
I got carried away- literally moved everything out of the mall space, purged the stuff I was tired of looking at...

and started over...

so...
I will let the pictures do the talking...
anyone need giant saw blades ???

antique albums...ahhh...be still my heart...todays finds!

2011-09-02T20:14:00.000-07:00

I cannot resist these albums...

the kinds with the cool graphics and advertising cards...

from the late 1800's...

when I saw the two of these albums side by side...my heart started to race...

would I be able to afford them? would I have enough cash?
when I asked how much???

they are mine...
heaven...I'm in heaven...
happy hunting out there...
hope you are as lucky as I...

Can a girl have too many books?

2011-08-31T18:42:00.000-07:00

this weekend it is predicted to be HOT in Portland...

and since I am not a fan of the heat...I will be hiding at home with the air conditioner...

so...I decided it would be a perfect time to purge through my antique books...

I am so very attached to a lot of my books...but I have too, too, too...many!

I am determined that I will only have my very very favorites left on the shelves by the end of Labor Day Monday...

so that means if you are a book lover...next week there will be an abundance of some of the best old books in STARS and SPLENDID...
I will let you know when I have brought them in...
cuz there are some great old kids books...and just some wonderful ones for reading...and some for collage art...

I sold like 200 items...wowza!!!

2011-08-29T19:46:00.000-07:00

my goal at this last weekend's sale was to sell ALOT...and I did...
not really the "big" stuff...but loads and loads of smalls...
and those $1.00 items in the last 15 minutes...
well...it is just fun to see others like your stuff!!!
I had a blast with Francesca and Amy of Poppy and Ivy fame and Denise (of Junque Soiree fame...
and Francesca has the best photos on her blog beeandmason.blogspot.com
Georgia...you are a doll to help us all out! thank you so much!
I , of course, have misplaced my camera, but when I find it...I have some great photos, too.

what I loved best, besides getting to know these lovely ladies, is that some of my favorite customers came out to see me...
what fun that was!

and so many of my friends that I have not seen this summer, came out to see me!

oh...what a great weekend!
thanks to all that were a part of it...
and to our significant others...
couldn't have done it without you boys!!

more sneak peeks...SALE THIS WEEKEND...linens with roses and old old books...

2011-08-24T13:27:00.000-07:00

sometimes you just have to let go...

I have a stack of linens that is taking over my linen closet...

and if you have seen my bookshelves...

you know they are very very full...

so the purging continues...

even the adorable floral metal bed tray...

back to pricing I go...

hope to see you this weekend at the sale!

vintage sale THIS FRIDAY from 6-8 pm and Saturday 10-4

2011-08-22T09:07:00.001-07:00

some sneak peeks...
some metals...

some papers...

some glass...

I will have gobs of vintage linens, a rustic work table on wheels, just so much...stay tuned for more sneak peeks this week...

the locker basket unit will be for sale!!!

2011-08-21T09:42:00.000-07:00

at some point, I must realize that my cracker box sized house just has no more room...
it was sell my 1800's wood store shelf, or sell the locker basket unit...
so...
the locker baskets that I pictured a couple of blogs ago are going to STARS tomorrow...
sad for me...yep
but...
a girl has to make choices...
so off they go!

happy hunting out there!

Carriage House Vintage Market sneak peeks...

2011-08-19T18:28:00.000-07:00

a week from today, Friday August 26 from 6-8 pm and Saturday August 27 from 10-4 I am joining 3 lovely ladies for a vintage sale...
all this next week I will be sharing peeks at my goods...
and the prices? CHEAP!!!
this is do or die to clean out my basement...

I am certain that there will be an eclectic mix...
and so much fun...
hope you can make it...
stay tuned for more peeks of treasures...

locker basket and drawer heaven...

2011-08-18T15:12:00.001-07:00

Tuesday, my darling hubby came home and said..." I bought you something"...
in the past that has meant jewelry, handbag (ugh...men should not buy handbags)...perfume...

however THIS time...
I am in heaven!
the locker baskets came from a relative of my step daughters...
he didn't "need" them anymore...
be still my heart...

and the drawer unit came from another STARS ANTIQUE MALL dealer...

he had just brought them in...

I may never stop staring at them both...

needless to say, I am having a hard time cleaning out my basement, cuz all I want to do is FILL MY DRAWERS AND BASKETS!!!

oh my...
trust me,
I will have SO MUCH at the sale a week from tomorrow, that you could look both days and see different things...
well. a little secret.
I will hold back some items to have some fresh merchandise for Saturday, just in case you can't make it Friday night...
or...if you want to come both times...
oh...and the wicked witch sign? Came out of a "Free " box last weekend...
ding dong...
the witch is in HEAVEN (drawer and basket heaven that is)!

vintage treasures for sale...

2011-08-17T11:36:00.001-07:00

I am going to have hundreds of items at this vintage sale...

so I thought that I would just start posting photos of some of the curiousities that will be for sale...

so hopefully on a daily basis...I will "tease" you with pics of some of my treasures that I will be parting with...

as I empty box after box...
ohhhh...
did I mention that my prices will be good...(cheapish I believe :)...
stay tuned...

ALL MY FAVORITE THINGS...FIRST SHOW EVER!!!

2011-08-14T07:22:00.001-07:00

So very excited to be joining these ladies for my first "show" ever!
For those of you that have been following my blog, you know that I have been "cleaning" out my basement FOREVER!
so...since I have about 30 more totes/boxes of treasures down there...I will be pricing and bagging up and hauling my items to this show!
I am finishing up an estate sale today and tomorrow, then I am going to bury myself in my basement til its done...
did I mention that I am purging a lot more from my studio, too?
I will be "previewing" some of the items on this very blog as I unbury them...
oh....
it will be a fun show!
I hope you can make it either Friday night or Saturday...
I will have loads to sell...

can you tell I am excited?

ESTATE SALE THIS WEEKEND...

2011-08-12T10:53:00.001-07:00

this Saturday and Sunday I am conducting a small, tidy sale of mostly retro, mid century fun stuff...
estatesale-finder. has all the details...just go to that website and click on All My Favorite Things and you will be able to see pictures...
hope you all have a great weekend!

sometimes...you win...I adopted 3 aunts and an uncle at the beach...

2011-08-08T20:27:00.000-07:00

sometimes a picker will do anything to shop a sale early...
in Manzanita, there is a small area that is gated off...
and they were having a neighborhood sale at 9 am on Saturday...
in Portland...a neighborhood sale that is advertised at 9am...people are setting up by 7:30 am...
Manzanita is NOT PORTLAND...
so...
we were driving around this neighborhood at 7:30...not a soul to be seen...
no shoppers...
no homeowners...
no stuff...
not even any seagulls...
so...
we looked at each other and said
"now what?"
i am persistent...
I kept driving around...
finally...
a garage door opened...
she was from Portland...
staying with her family...
yep, she said...
this is the beach...
they MIGHT all open at 9 am....
she had nothing that we wanted...
gads...
so...as I drove around in circles (this was NOT a big area)...
finally, a door opened...
they had stuff...
they were older (70's or 80's)
my husband went up the drive and asked if they were open, he told them we had cash...
they said come back at 9.
He told me that - I almost cried...
cuz he said they had some black and white photos...

I like black and white photos.
it is only 8:15.
I drove around for 5 more minutes...
I go back to see them.
I go up the driveway.
I tell them that my husband saw stuff that I would like.
I said can I look but not touch.
she saw that I was desperate.
she let me look.
she said I can't buy til 9.
it is 8:20
we come up with a plan.
If anyone else comes to shop early, I am a relative helping with the sale.
this was their idea, not mine (wish I had thought of it)
so we helped.
we moved tables (I shopped but didn't touch)
we moved chairs (still shopping)
and I got to look through the photos...
told them I was staying til 9 to buy them...
started call them Aunt Jan, Aunt Janet, Uncle Jim, and Aunt Sista (really their names, I added the aunt and uncle )...
they brought my husband coffee while we waited and chatted...
Aunt Sista was one of 11 children, she was the last surviving child...
I hugged her.
they were the sweetest people that I have EVER met garage saling...
some time during our "adoption" and hugs, the black and white photos disappeared...
someone pulls up and asks if they are open, they say no, 9 am...(it is only 8:50)...

at 8:55 the local book store owner comes and they all know him, he asks to buy a couple of books...
they decide that 8:55 is close enough...
he buys his books and then leaves...
they bring my black and white photos out of hiding and sell them to me.
I had mentioned that I really, really liked this very old bible that they had wrapped up...
I wondered if it was for sale.
It was great great Aunt Ruths bible.
they gave it to me.

my finds...

my newly adopted family...

I did not buy a lot that day...

but the memory of my newly adopted family will live with me forever.
I never had any aunts and uncles, my parents were only children.
for a brief moment, it really, really felt nice.
I couldn't have chosen nicer relatives...
it was worth the wait...

Manzanita here we come...

2011-08-02T15:21:00.001-07:00

to be serious...I need this vacation...
it has been about 5 years since I have gotten away...
I spent the last 3 days filling my booths...
STARS AND SPLENDID are packed to the gills...

and now I am off...
tomorrow morning we are headed down to Manzanita....
I will be hunting and gathering while I am down there...
some of my very favorite finds have come from some of my very favorite beach haunts...

but most of all- family, fun, sand and surf are the most important things that I am hunting for...
see ya next week...
hope you all have a great week!

antique buttons- EBAY listing

2011-07-27T20:06:00.000-07:00

I decided it was time to purge some of my button collection...

and these are some of the best!

believe it or not- I have been collecting buttons since I was a little girl...

and that, my friends, is over 40 years ago...
so...
if you are interested, my seller name is comehome2me(yep, I used to buy a LOT!)
all you have to do is go to advanced search, and put in my seller name.
for some reason, my computer won't let me link to my listing...
a great collection of buttons!

vintage trunk heaven...

2011-07-26T19:19:00.000-07:00

I brought in 5 trunks that i have purchased the past few years but I have been hoarding them at home...
I decided that it was time to give them up...
so they have traveled to STARS ANTIQUE mall so that they might find a good home...

in this first photo, there is an amazing child's trunk on top with really awesome paper lining inside (all original)
the trunk that is on its side is a bit shabby, but the small gold label on the outside says that this trunk is from PARIS!
and the larger trunk is still pretty small, and has its original tray inside as well...

this green trunk I have had for years...

I bought it at a yard sale...this lovely man was selling all of his "junk" and moving overseas...he said that his great grandfather built and painted this trunk...
if my house were bigger, I would keep this one for sure...
has a great "feel" about it (is that silly?)

hope you are all having a great week!

where bloggers create 2011

2011-07-14T16:44:00.001-07:00

I really love my teeny, tiny room full of all sorts of collections...bits and bobbles, old wallpaper, antique books...well...all of the photos get larger if you click on them, to see better close up...and,
I have to admit, some of my photos are very strategic...
cuz you know the minute you get the camera out, and are seriously taking pictures, your cat has a hairball...
I did not take a photo of it...
so...
I have a vintage business at 2 antique malls here in Portland.

I love love old books...and all sorts of bits and baubles...

drawers are filled with old hardware, decorative wood pieces, crystals...(a few stray toys and coins...)

old ledgers are a favorite of mine...they seem to hold such mysteries of past lives...one day a page or two will end up in a decoupage project...

I have been creating paper flowers out of my vintage paper ...falling apart books...sheet music...you name it, if it was old...then I probably created a flower out of it...

one never knows when one will need old ribbon or lace...

lately I have been trying my hand at shadow boxes...

I am finding that all of the little bitty treasures that I have been collecting since I was 5 are really coming in handy for the shadowboxes that I love to fill...

I am really enjoying going through all of my jars, to fill up the little tiny cubbies in these type drawers...I am seeing things that I really haven't touched for years!

this is a current project that I am working on...filling all the tiny little cubbies is challenging...but oh so fun!

I hope you enjoyed a peek in to my packed studio...it was really fun to do this!
I am looking forward to checking out everyone else...
Happy browsing!

black black and more black...my newest obsession...

2011-07-10T14:21:00.000-07:00

we will be painting our house starting this next week (doing it ourselves...cuz I didn't win the lottery and can't budget in house painters...)

so I have been trying to decide what colors...

since we have the TINIEST little 2 bedroom cottage, I decided on cream for the overall walls...
with some shade of green for the windows...
but...
I decided on black for the doors and the steps going up to the house...

so since I had some "other" things around the house that we have had FOREVER...I thought that I would spray paint the garden set shiny black...
the trellis we bought years and years ago for $20 at a garage sale-it was already black...so it was perfect already...
and the cushions on the adirondack' s were the absolute ONLY ones that matched the color scheme...I found the first one at a TARGET store for $8...and had to travel to 5 more Target stores to get the other 2...
can't wait to get the cottage painted...
my new obsession...
(by the way, didn't steal the church sign. They had bought a new one and were going to throw it away...I offered to buy it instead!)

Cigar box fetish...

2011-07-05T17:49:00.000-07:00

Not sure why I am attracted to these little boxes...

especially the ones that someone has added something to...like the pixie?

I used to think I would save them all and store things in them...

but I found that I just couldn't label them or write on them...cuz they're so neat just the way they are...

so, since I am purging...my cigar boxes are headed to STARS...

and this weekend, starting Friday...is the HUGE EXPO sale at STARS AND SPLENDID MALLS...I am setting up outside on SATURDAY for sure, with loads of stuff that I have been purging...garden trellises, strawberry planters...crates, and lots of stuff from the basement (yep...it keeps on coming...will it NEVER end...)
hope you can swing by on Saturday!
I'll try to do a preview of some of the bigger stuff I am going to load up for the malls!

the coolest lamps in the world...and...what are they?

2011-07-02T15:34:00.000-07:00

sometimes I try really really hard to find something to buy...I was at a church youth fundraiser today and they really didn't have any (ANY) cool old stuff...so I bought these pretty, sheer scarves for my friend Elaine for her fairy wings...

I headed out to unfamiliar territory yet again today...just for a change of scenery. I ended up at a farm sale, where they, too, had nothing that I would really buy for my business...
and yet, I saw these packaged shiny things, one says made in Japan in really old print...and I wondered and wondered what they were. They finally saw me staring intently at them, and they told me to look up.
ahhhh...so that is what they are. Their uncle worked for JCPenney in the 1960's...and these were left over from the display department.
I bought them all...

somehow, they seemed just magical!

and now...one more sign...way out...I followed this sale sign for a few miles...
and am I glad...
I know they need rewiring, and the metal shades are a bit weary...

but when I saw them...
I think for a brief moment...
I stopped breathing!
ooohhhh....

am I crazy? I really love them...

gym locker baskets, office baskets, wire trees, metal metal metal...

2011-06-30T18:44:00.001-07:00

I use to have a large collection of vintage gym baskets...but now I only let myself keep them if the #1 is on it...

I am trying so hard to purge my studio of unwanted or unneeded objects...

but I find that I just can't let go of the really old wirey things...

the really, really old office wire baskets, a really, really old tall flower frog...and a wire tree that I use at Christmas for the very special ornaments...
so...
as I purge more and more, lots of items are ending up at STARS and SPLENDID antique malls...

happy hunting out there this weekend...
I am on the hunt for that square wash tub...
wish me luck!

what happened to commenting on blogs? I am to blame...

2011-06-30T10:02:00.000-07:00

as I read my favorite blogs, and I do read you all, I do...
I find that I am in a hurry to rush to the next one...
so even though I loved what you pictured or what you have said,
I find that I do not comment any more.
so...
I am sorry.
I am making it my new, New Year's Resolution to comment, to take a breath and tell the blogger that YES, I do really like what they just posted...
it usually takes me this long to get my resolutions working...so I may as well start a resolution in June/July.
so...
we will see how well I can keep this resolution.

by the way, Annie, Fannie and Abigail...
I would keep the vials with the sequins and beads.
And I am on my way back to leave that comment.
cuz I was thinking it before I headed to another blog...

you see...I CAN do this!

I NEED A SQUARE WASH TUB...

2011-06-28T13:50:00.000-07:00

you know the kind I am talking about...not the round wash tubs that you see everywhere...planted and stunning...
I need a square one...
I have one,
I have a stand for two...
and now...
I NEED ONE MORE!!!
I want to use them in my greenhouse for dirt and mulch...
so...
if you live close...
Portland, Salem, Vancouver...Camas...Battleground...
LET me know...
I will come and buy yours...

thanks!

vintage bulk buying...I love to buy junk in bulk!

2011-06-27T10:30:00.001-07:00

there is nothing that makes me happier when I see a bunch of one thing at a garage or estate sale...

whether huge rusty saw blades that will look awesome on a wall...

to a gob of recipe booklets from the early 1900"s...

to what becomes a "bulk" buy when you find white and natural woods everywhere...

some days my junking is very color coordinated...

and I end up looking at the back of my car and it all blends together...

with a little bit of clean up these pieces will all end up in STARS...

but not the saw blades...they will be at STARS with all their rust intact!

hope you all have a happy week!

garage sale Friday...the people you meet...and beer for breakfast?

2011-06-24T21:54:00.000-07:00

Always makes me feel a bit weird and awkward when someone remembers me from "somewhere"...and I have NO clue who they are...
went to garage sales today...did about a 12 block square around my house...
got a late start...
first garage sale...
nothing...
second garage sale...
nothing...(wondering why the heck I couldn't get out of bed sooner!)

about the 4th sale, I drive up and park next to a 10 foot tall cowboy Santa...yep, I said 10 foot tall cowboy Santa...made of wood...
and dang, forgot the camera...
as I walk up the driveway, I am greeted with a friendly hello...then asked what I ended up buying at the estate sale that I went to last weekend...
Who is this guy and why does he remember me?
so...
we chat for a bit as I start a pile...
cool suitcase, fabulous large shelf, absolutely to die for 3 tiered metal cart on wheels...a type shelf that I plan on using for found object art...and about 10 old racks (the kind you put pool balls in)....
as I load up my car...he is still chatting about all the times he has run in to me...at Value Village, estate sales...sees me around the neighborhood...and his wife is there chatting me up too...
And I am just not remembering anything about either of them...
I feel bad.
and I look over to the porch...and I see they are drinking beers...at 10:30 am...
after all ...it is 5 pm somewhere...
not judging...
just getting a kick out of their great memories...and wondering...
maybe I should drink more beer?
they were super nice...and one of these days I will get photos of some of the fun stuff I bought from them...
but not the shelf- it sold already in STARS...
gotta go-
got a beer waiting for me...

garage sale heaven...the adventure...

2011-06-23T21:25:00.001-07:00

ok...last Saturday I took my son to work...he works at a mall about 10 miles from my house...
and I really wanted to garage sale somewhere...well...somewhere away from my usual stomping grounds.
So...I head out to Happy Valley- a town (area) that is not far from where my son worked. And I started just following signs. And they were EVERYWHERE...really...not just a couple - but DOZENS of signs...
so, finally, after finding not too much stuff...I asked a nice lady..."are there always this many garage sales in Happy Valley?"
her reply...NO...this is the annual garage sale event...
ahhhhh....
so...
not wanting quite so much competition (there were shoppers everywhere...)--- I start heading out further...and further...
and I follow an itty bitty sign that says garage sale...
so...
of course by now it is raining...
I get out, waddle through the puddles ( in my flip flops...)
and walk in to this garage...
Did I mention I was pretty far from civilization?

I am greeted by a nice man with a friendly hello...
and I stop breathing...just for a second...
when I realize that I am the only one here.......
and the place is PACKED full of old stuff!!!!
did I mention I was the only one there?

I had no idea where I was...

but I just started gathering things up...

and pretty soon my pile was very very big...

I haven't even gone through all the boxes yet...
so more pictures will be coming as I unpack them...some of the items are already at STARS...

and the old, old books that I bought will be a blog of its own...

but once I was done at this sale?

I had to use the map ap on my phone to get home...
and my car was soooo full, I didn't even stop at any other signs...
I did feel a bit like the pickers on TV when they score!!!
so very happy...
so...
here's hoping this Saturday will be a grand adventure as well!

GARAGE SALE PREVIEW THIS THURSDAY AT 6 PM

2011-06-21T10:58:00.000-07:00

OK...THE BASEMENT AND STUDIO SALE WILL BE THIS SATURDAY...BUT IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SHOPPING IT EARLY, THE PREVIEW WILL BE THIS THURSDAY AT 6 PM...
SO- SHOOT ME AN EMAIL(OR LEAVE A COMMENT HERE- JUST MAKE SURE I CAN FIND YOU!) IF YOU ARE INTERESTED...AND I WILL SEND YOU THE DETAILS...
SHOULD BE LOTS OF STUFF...STILL NOT DONE IN BASEMENT...BUT I AM GOING TO BE!!!
SOME OF THE ITEMS FOR SALE
GARDEN POTS, WHEEL BARRELS, BITS AND PIECES OF FLORAL LINOLEUM (OLD!), WALLPAPER ROLLS(VINTAGE)...VINTAGE LINENS...A RETRO TABLE AND CHAIRS SET, OLD WINDOWS, PARTS OF A STAIR WELL...AND SO MUCH MORE...
LOOKING FORWARD TO PASSING ON TREASURES...
EMAIL ADDRESS IS allmyfavoritethings2@gmail.com
have a great day!

GARAGE SALE FINDS (and this was just Friday!)...the adventure...

2011-06-19T14:31:00.000-07:00

I have to admit...the Tooty Frooty people make me smile...I just love them...

and vintage clocks...fun fun

the set of three mixing bowls...I can't tell you how much they were...it's embarrassing how cheap!

am I the only one that likes silver plate tarnished silverware? cuz I scooped up this boxful...

these huge 3 baskets I scored for $10...(all three!)...they are going to help organize all the paper in the studio...

really not sure why I bought this hanger with the clips hanging from it...I am thinking that I could use it to dry roses?

but my favorite find? Has to be this liddle kiddles klub carrier...

and imagine my surprise when I opened it up and it was full of dolls and accessories!!!
oh...the little girl in me was playing with them for about an hour...
the question is? Do I keep them or sell them?

and all of this? Just Fridays haul...
the adventure story will have to wait until tomorrow- I will tell you about getting lost on Saturday...and my biggest score of the year yet!

tiny lampshade...before and after

2011-06-16T17:03:00.001-07:00

as I am sorting and pricing and purging...I am finding a project or two is calling out to me...
I have 4 of these mini lampshades that I have always meant to do something with...
so...
I got out the vintage wallpaper and the vintage crepe paper...

I really am sorting as I go...

so I am still having the preview sale a week from today, 6 pm...

but I am thinking that I might have to keep these mini shades...

did the "after" turn out cute? Or am I delusional in thinking that it is adorable? Somehow, I am just not sure...
opinions? be honest...I can take it...the lampshade is about 4" tall...I am thinking I went too over the top...
???

don't use the electric sander in the rain...before and after

2011-06-15T18:05:00.000-07:00

I get distracted easily...
while I should be cleaning the basement, I realized that I desperately need furniture in my mall space...
so I dragged this horrid green cabinet out of storage and started sanding...and sanding...
and all of a sudden...I feel tingly...like electricity running up my arm...
in my determination to sand the heck out of this piece, I neglected to realize that it had started drizzling...
hmmm...can you say blonde moment?

so...after pulling the piece back in to the garage, I finished it up under cover, no more tingling...

so...
now that it is done, I guess I will head back down to boxland...

hope you are having a great week!

Basement shame...I swear I am NOT a hoarder!

2011-06-13T11:05:00.001-07:00

I have less than 2 weeks to get this room done...
I know I look like a hoarder, but seriously, here is the story...
2 years ago we moved out of a 3200 square foot house to a tiny 1200 foot cottage...
I couldn't purge everything (ok...a little hoarder?)
so...
as we redid each room, things ended up here...in these photos.
then a year ago we closed our brick and mortar store...
I couldn't purge everything (sound familiar?)...
so things ended up...
here...

I have NO idea what is in these boxes...

It could be the missing salad spinner...(bought a new one)

it could be the missing blender...(someone gave me one)...

it could be the boxes with the Roseville and Mccoy pots...

any way you look at it...our garage sale should be a BIG one the last Saturday of this month...
the pressure is ON!

studio purge 2- garage sale-studio preview sale!

2011-06-12T07:59:00.000-07:00

did I mention in my last post that I will be purging my studio too?
It is so full of items that I don't use, that I will be cleaning out in there, too...
so...
I am going to try my bestest to be done emptying the basement and studio by JUNE 23...so that I can have a garage sale/studio sale on the last Saturday of the month...but the preview sale for friends would be Thursday night the 23rd
let me know if you are interested in coming to the preview sale...
I will keep you posted on my progress...
and pics to come soon!