This week's great finds

The last two weeks have been fantastic for "junking." Here are the fun things I've picked up at rummage sales, garage sales, antique stores, and thrift stores.

A while back I participated in a church rummage sale. Unfortunately I didn't sell much of my own stuff. I was selling baby gear and the crowd was older. I did found some fun things to take home with me like this green table for $3.
Last Saturday I stopped in at Maltby Antiques and I found this painter's box (which I'll fill with plants after sanding off the paint) for $5.
I found this fun sign for $2 at a garage sale. I'll put it in the boys' bathroom.
I've been looking for just the right coffee table for months and months. I found this super cute one almost by accident. I went to a favourite antique store (hoping to find a table) and in the parking lot there happened to be a rummage sale going on (not affiliated with the store). I spied this table, checked the price, and said "I'll take the table!" How much was it? $39. Pretty good, eh?
I love it and I'm so glad I don't have to paint it. My "to paint" collection is getting a little out of hand. :)

I don't have to paint this beauty either! I bought it for $10 at a private sale at a cottage on Lake Washington on Friday night. What a gorgeous setting! The weather even cooperated. ;) Here is a link to more photos from this sale.

This made my heart go pitter patter.I found it at Value Village for $15, which sounds like a lot but once it is cleaned up and painted white (of course), I think it would sell for much, much more. The photo doesn't do it justice - it is *heavy* and big.

I'm linking up with Today's Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality.
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Creative Containers

I love container gardening. Plants thrive in containers. You give them the very best soil and containers can be moved wherever you like and (most importantly) where they need to be (sun, shade, partial shade, etc). The one problem with container gardening is finding containers that you like that don't cost big bucks. I also like to have something you don't see on every deck in the neighbourhood. Here's my plan.

Step 1 - find something funky at a garage sale, thrift store or flea market for less than five dollars.
Step 2 - paint it (or not), spray with sealer.
Step 3 - drill a few holes in the bottom to allow drainage and prevent root rot.
Step 4 - put potting soil inside
Step 5 - put your plants in.

See how easy that was?

Here is my first creative container. I used a wood basket I found at Goodwill and put some hens and chicks in it. It now sits on a rustic wood chair by my front door.
I'm linking up to Today's Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality.
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Awesome flea markets

Yesterday morning I went to the Tailgate Antique Show held at Craven Farms in Snohomish. I got there around 8:30 am but it started at 8. You have to get up early for these events! It was so cool - outdoors, at a farm, lots of vendors. It felt a little like the great flea markets that I've read about in Country Living magazine or in Rachel Ashwell's book - Shabby Chic Treasure Hunting and Decorating Guide. I was pretty excited to be there. I considered bringing my camera but I feel that I'm either participating *or* taking pictures - I can't do both. Does that make sense?

There was lots of stuff that I like and other stuff that is just fun to look at. I loved this little toy phone in pale pink with a rotary dial but since I hemmed and hawed about buying it - someone else snapped it up! I spent about 90 minutes there. I left with a vintage pillowcase, a rusty iron skeleton key, a beautiful china bowl with roses, an ornate oval-shaped frame, and some decorating magazines for 50 cents each.After I left the farm, I had to stop in at my favourite store nearby - Faded Elegance in historic Snohomish. I picked up the pink-framed roses print seen above. Being Saturday (or any day!), I also had to go to Goodwill - I hit 2 different stores. I found the heavy, iron architectural element shown above - this baby is heavy! I also found this fun wood toolbox that I'm going to use as a planter on my deck. As an aside - did you notice the background? My deck is "shabby chic" aka it hasn't been painted in years! :) At Craven Farms, I saw lots of planters made of old wood boxes filled with sedum and/or flowers. Great idea for me to copy! This is what I'm talking about:

image credit: Junk Market Style (they have a magazine!)

A few weeks ago, I went to 2nd Saturdayz Market at Sandpoint for the first time. It is a Parisian style flea market - not that I know *exactly* what that means! I do know that I enjoyed it. Not too big to be overwhelming but all of the vendors were great. I left with some vintage bark cloth, a vintage pillowcase, a vintage hanky for my collection, and a large ornate gold mirror ($25) that is now the focal point of my living room. Sorry for the very bad photo.

Note to self: don't attempt to take photos of mirrors at night.

2nd Saturdayz takes place once a month at Sandpoint Hangers at Warren Magnuson Park in Seattle. I have a 2 for 1 admission coupon so......who wants to join me on July 10th? Denise? Andrea? :)

I'm feeling very lucky to live in an area with such cool shows to attend. I'm also thankful for my hubby who "lets" me go out on Saturday mornings and go hunting while he spends time with our boys. Thanks, Sweetie!!!

I'm linking to Today's Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality and Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays at Coastal Charm and Treasures and Trinkets Thursdays at My Cottage Charm.
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Score!!

Look what I found at Goodwill on Friday!!!!

NOTE: this is NOT my photo.

I looked on eBay and the shade is selling for over $50 dollars! How much did I pay? $3.00

On Saturday, I found a candlestick lamp base (at Goodwill, of couse) for $4.00 that fits and matches PERFECTLY! Ta da!

A beautiful Shabby Chic lamp for $7.00 that now resides on my bedside table. My table doesn't always look this tidy, btw. :)

I'm linking up to Today's Thrifty Treasures linky party.

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Goodwill Hunting and Painting Perpetually

Every Saturday morning, early, I hit the road in search of garage sales and/or estate sales. I've become pretty savvy about which sales will have the good stuff (antique furniture, picture frames and decor items are on my wish list) and which ones to just skip. I was surprised this morning, while cruising through a community garage sale, how many people had such small amounts of things put out to sell. Why not call it a closet sale instead? Come on people! I'm such a garage sale snob! ;)

Here's a photo of this morning's treasures.
A grand total of $9.25 was spent - my biggest splurge was the bongo drums for $5. They are VERY popular with a certain little boy. The kid chair (sorry, kind of hidden behind the $1 dahlia plant!) was free!

On Memorial Day, I scored big time using CraigsList. I got a dresser in the style I wanted (Queen Anne? I'm not sure) in great shape for $20!!! I plan on painting it white but I'm waiting until the weather stays dry for a week or so before I get my hubby to haul it outside. :)

I painted so many things today - almost all of these items I have found at Goodwill (or other thrift stores) in the last few weeks.
1. wood magazine rack
2. candle sconces
3. tiny wood bench
4. wood chair
5. in/out tray
6. metal magazine rack
7. wood-framed clock
8. silverware box

I have a tip for Goodwill shoppers. Go late Saturday afternoon or evening. If you go then, we will find so many new items being put out on the shelves since Saturday is such a big day for donations. You can get the good stuff this way. It goes without saying that you need to visit your favourite thrift store often to check for new items.

I'll be posting some before and after painting photos soon. Did I mention that I also planted and weeded today? What a day!

I'm linking to Today's Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality.
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