Estate Sale Booty: Two Days of Hunting

Wow! It was certainly a wonderful weekend here in the Twin Cities! The weather was gorgeous, and the neighborhood kids (including ours), were outside without coats on! Lots of people walking their dogs, biking and running.

On Saturday morning I left dear hubby at home with the kiddos, and I went in search for an estate sale I saw listed on Craig's List.  I had a difficult time locating it at first, and almost gave up on it. The reason I couldn't find it was that it was a home in a trailer park, and I hadn't seen the access road.  Barbara, the gal at the sale, was handling the estate of her recently deceased mother.  She was a very nice women, and we struck up a friendly conversation while I looked around.  Her mother was a crafter / quilter, and there were piles and piles of quilting fabric.  Lots of quilting books / magazines too.  I spent a total of $18 at the sale, and I purchased the following:

Vintage Linens, Comb, Atomizer, & Doll, Gerber Baby Shoes, Old Keys, Jars of Buttons

 

Jar of Fabric Buttons

 
 

Vintage Valentine Cards

Vintage Childrens Dress / Slip (photographed with the Gerber Baby Shoes & Comb)

After Mass on Sunday we headed to Minneapolis to eat at Amore Victoria Restaurant, an Italian Bistro in Uptown.  I ordered the POLLO de SCARPELLI (Tenderloins of chicken breast sautéed with virgin olive oil, Italian sausage, mushrooms, onions and sweet red peppers in a light yet fragrant herb sauce. Served over pasta). Delish!

Afterwards we were driving through Minneapolis, when I saw a sign for an estate sale.  I was thrilled, to say the least, and I left my hubby, mother-in-law, and the kiddos in the van while I went in to hunt for treasures (My mother-in-law joined me within ten minutes, and was a big help with hauling my 'finds' around as I continued to shop).  The Sunday estate sale yielded the following goodies, all for $25 (the entire sale was 50% off everything):

Found a box of book dust jackets.  I'm thinking of using some of them for collage art.

You need to click on this photo to get a better look at the treasures I found. A few of the items are marked "Occupied Japan."  Animal figurines, Vintage Textiles, and other bric-a-brac!

It's Christmastime in the City!  Vintage Santas, Stuffed Dog, Old Spools (3M) of Christmas Ribbon, Old Box of Mini Christmas Bulbs, a Log Cabin Tin, and a Fruit / Vegatable basket. Ziploc bags in the back are Hallmark Ornaments.

Long, narrow cloth ~ "Champion Clothespin Bag"

And older edition, but still a useful guide.

Well, there you have it!  I have been shopping like crazy, because I am working towards renting a shelf at a local antiques & collectible mall.  Lots to think about and do, but the process is enjoyable!

Linked up with Apron Thrift Girl and Her Library Adventures, two wonderful blogs!!

Ticket Stubs: Jazz Concerts

Howdy readers!  Today I've opened up the old 'paper vault' to share some concert tickets with you.  The tickets are from several jazz concerts my hubby and I attended together in the early years of our marriage.  We have always shared a love of music, and I have fond memories of the events we attended together. 

My musical tastes have changed through the years, and the mid-1980's to the early 1990's were the years of my 'jazz phase' (prior to that I was heavily into R & B).  We saw both David Sanborn & Jean Luc Ponty at the F.M. Kirby Center, in Wilkes-Barre, PA.  We lived in the Wyoming Valley, and it was easy to visit the Kirby Center, a refurbished art deco theater, which is an excellent venue for the performing arts (I was fortunate to also attend the center for concerts by Kenny G, Miles Davis & Mel Torme).

David Sanborn
(note the incorrect spelling of his surname)
F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre, PA
June 22, 1989

Jean Lu Ponty with Stanley Jordan
F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre, PA
July 7, 1990

 By 1991 we had moved to the Philadelphia metro area, and we were still avid jazz fans.  Grover Washington, Jr. at the Valley Forge Music Fair was a night to remember, although it wasn't "Just the Two of Us." 

Grover Washington, Jr.
Valley Forge Music Fair, Devon, PA
October 17, 1992

 Jazz greats Stanley Clarke and Larry Carlton were amazing to see in action.  Ed was especially impressed, as he loves guitarists (I have an affinity for jazz saxophonists).

Stanley Clarke & Larry Carlton
w/ Billy Cobham & Najee
Academy of Music, Philadelphia, PA
June 27, 1993

Trading Cards: John F. Kennedy

These vintage trading cards have been in my possession for over twenty years. I recall them being among old family photos when I snatched them up as my own. (I wonder if my siblings remember these cards?)

Topps Chewing Gum Co. printed the John F. Kennedy Card Set in 1964, which was a series of 77 cards.  From time to time, cards from the set are offered on eBay.

Card # 9 - The Kennedy Clan

Card # 66 - JFK'S Varsity Football Team

Objects Inside of Things, Things Inside of Objects

In January, the monthly theme at Haupt's Antieks was organization / storage. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to snap a few pics.  I love the use of  various 'old' things to store collections of objects.

Hang on...I see some wooden clothes pins standing
at attention inside a wooden cheese box.

I'm reeling with envy at this display!
Spools of thread inside an old metal colander.

Another metal colander holds wooden ABC blocks. 

I can spell creative!
Scrabble pieces on a metal tray & inside a strainer.

More letters inside metal!

They've got your number, and mine too!
Wooden box of numbers.

An old metal basket full of alphabet blocks!

I clucked when I saw this display!
Tiny glass jars are loaded into a wicker basket.

What cued me to spy an enamel bowl full of billiard balls?

Would you have taken any of these things home with you?  

Cheeky Humor

Although I haven't been posting regularly, I do have a lot of material to share with you. This photo was taken sometime back in 2010.  I found it on the shelf at our local Goodwill Store, but it didn't end up in my trunk that day.

Quick Stop to the Antique Shop

I only had a few minutes to browse Haupt's Antiek Market yesterday. A couple of thinks at this 'occasional market' caught my eye.

Take a look at this awesome mirror!  Loads of playful things glued on it: ABC blocks, doll house furniture, dolls,  a pack of Dick Tracy (the movie) trading cards, cars and trucks, animals.  It was selling for $95- Didn't realize that I caught the reflection of an unsuspecting shopper.  Hope she found some great items to take home!

I'm drawn to mini campers, and I'm not shy about pulling over the van to take photos of  them. Even with the cracked wheel, this birdhouse is darling.  So, if the chick-a-dees are a rockin', don't come a knockin'! Haha!  

This retro plaid cooler was going for $22- It would make a great accessory for my 2003 yellow and black  Mini Cooper (Bumble Bee Coop)!

Vintage Cake Tin, $15.  I wonder if there is an old cake inside?

Switching Things Up!

Happy Presidents Day, dear people!

It's been a longtime since I've posted (August 2011), and I'm trying to get inspired again! Just spent a day and a half updating the look and feel of things here, and hoping that what you see is pleasing to the eye!  

Here are two blog headers I've used in the past.  I got them from Shabby Blogs, a great team of talented ladies, who offer the "Hottest Blog Couture Around!"  If you haven't already, you need to check it out.  The backgrounds and accessories are so dang pretty, and would you believe that everything on the site is FREE!  

For both headers, I used Fotoflexer.com to customize them.
(Thanks Shabby Blogs for the tutorial.)
 I chose ephemera from my own collection.

Photographs from my various treasure hunting 

trips were used to make the new header.  

Thank you to Sarah at Clover Lane for offering a very useful (and easy) tutorial on making a blog banner with Picasa.

In addition to the face lift, I'm planning on changing the scope of this lil' old blog of mine.  When I first started out in April 2009, my focus was on sharing " ...the numerous things I've accumulated through the years - new and secondhand purchases, handed down treasures, souvenirs and mementos - as well as junk I continue to find for our home, or to add to my various collections (ephemera, brooches and buttons, and books, to name to few)."  

I will, of course, continue to share all of my junk with you; along with some new content:

• ART / PHOTOGRAPHY - I'm not the same person I was three years ago (who in the world is?).  I've always appreciated art, and have come to realize that I'm an artsy person.  I am especially interested in altered art, college and mixed media art. I've amassed a nice collection of arts & crafts books over the past few years.  Photography, scrapbooking & card making are other areas of interest.  
• ADOPTION - particularly older child adoption issues.  My hubby and I are adoptive parents of five children.  Lots of blessings & challenges along the way!
• TREASURE HUNTING - have been doing this for years...estate and garage sales, antique shops, thrift stores, and flea markets!  I'll be sharing my adventures with you! Fun, fun, fun!!
• BAKING - don't do it nearly enough, but love, love, love it!!  I simply adore chocolate!  Look for upcoming recipes!
• VINTAGE MAGAZINE ADS & ARTICLES - I just love pouring through old publications.  It is especially a big hoot to see advertisements that are geared towards women.  We've come along way baby!   
• ANTIQUE DEALING - making plans to rent a booth at a local antique market.  Looking forward to writing about this new adventure!  Stay tuned!
• HUMOR - We all need a good laugh now and then!

Wow!  Sure seems like a tall order to fill!  I've been an on again, off again blogger these past few years, but I'm making a commitment to  rock out this blogspot!  So come along with me, and let's have fun!


ONE LAST NOTE: This project, like me, is a work in progress. I'm open to suggestions and criticism. 

Hair Net: Lorraine # 25

"There is a Lorraine net for every purpose!"

Over the past year, I've found a few hair net packages at estate sales and thrift stores.  I can't recall if I've ever worn a hair net, but I do remember my mother and grandmother having them.

This gal looks like "the cat that ate the canary!"  Her smug smile and telling eyes make us want to be in on the secrets that she keeps.  

This is the Lorraine INVISITEX, "entirely hand made like a real human hair net."  

The Medium Brown, Regular Size, Double Mesh Nylon Hair Net is still intact. 

Lorraine Hair Nets were made exclusively for F. W. Woolworth by Harry Glemby, Inc.  Print advertisements for the hair nets date back to the early 1920's.  

I stumbled upon a post by Chappell Ellison, How the Hairnet Changed American Business.  Upon acquiring Lorraine - Glemby products at a flea market, Ellison decided to find out more about Harry Glemby.  Her article provides the reader with a fascinating look at the history of hair nets, and the life and times of Glemby, and his empire.  It is a must read! 

Gnome Tins

I have a handful of Gnome items in my possession. Featured here, are two Gnome tins from my youth. A love affair with Rien Poortvliet's little creatures  began when I first laid eyes on Wil Huygen's book, THE GNOMES (1977), which  Poortvliet illustrated.


The first tin is round, and approx. 3 inches wide.  The front shows two gnomes rubbing noses.  It is a little worn from getting rattled around in my desk drawer.  I've owned it for over 30 years.

'Greetings, farewells and goodnights are expressed by rubbing noses.'

GNOMES c1980, Unieboek B.V.

Potpourri Press, Greensboro, N.C. 27404
Made in the U.S.A.
3 inches wide

I also have a slider tin with a gnome feeding a rodent.  It measures approx. 2 x 1.  This tin shows little wear, and has been with me for around 30 years too.

'The gnome feeds small rodents during the long, severe winters.'

GNOMES c1980, Unieboek B.V.

Potpourri Press, Greensboro, N.C. 27404
Made in the U.S.A.
2 x 1 inches

Valentine: Love is Blind

I can't help but smile when I read these cards. The puns are corny, but I like them.  Another card that spend time in a scrapbook, as evidenced by the residue from the glue on back...

Even if LOVE is BLIND,

I can 'SEIZE' YOU

MY VALENTINE

To James

From Eunice

1947

Valentine: Old-Fashioned

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, dear readers! I hope you have a day filled with much love and joy!  Here is a vintage Valentine card. Don't you just adore the little blond girl? She peers at her image in the heart-shaped 'mirror.' 

Just an OLD-FASHIONED Valentine Wish for You ~

 Please Be My Valentine!

They may be

OLD-FASHIONED

I'll admit ~

But those words

are still a

"PERFECT FIT!"

DOUBL-GLO

O 817

MADE IN U.S.A.