An Unexpected Journey

My morning started with a text message from my junking buddy, Bargain Hunter:  "Can you be dressed and meet me in an hour?"  When I asked where we were going, she just said, "Not telling...but you'll really like it!"

Never mind cleaning the bathrooms...or watering the garden...or working in the barn -- I was going on an adventure!

We'd talked a lot about how the sales always seemed better in the older neighborhoods around Detroit than they are by us and that we wanted to go to some garage sales there.  That's what we did today!  Bargain Hunter had four sales mapped out and ready to go.

The first sale was advertised as 'Pyrex and Vintage'.  I felt sure the Pyrex would be all gone, but it wasn't -- there was a lot there, plus some other good stuff.  I got a few things for my collection and a birthday gift for someone (I can't tell, in case she sees this post)

This Bluebirds casserole and Apple Tree carafe will look great in my kitchen!

Gold spattered Fire King baking dish in a white metal cradle

 Sale #2 was a real frog.  Advertised as 'vintage', but the oldest thing there was from the late 90s -- not my idea of old (I have kids older than most of the stuff at that sale)!

Next stop was an estate sale and it was a Prince (with a capital P)!  The basement was packed.  I got so much Christmas and fun kids' stuff there that I could hardly claim it fast enough.  I filled a plastic salad bowl with Christmas kitsch AND got a Santa & sleigh for just $4!

Santa & his sleigh have the original box.  The spaghetti Santa has blue rhinestone eyes (just a little creepy)

Gurley candles and Hong Kong nativities are always popular

Love this Japanese stocking face pose doll 

I also picked up 2 partial rolls of vintage Christmas wrap and a big roll of commercial Christmas paper.  I think I'll use it to wrap my Etsy orders this holiday season.   Today was the second day of the sale, so everything was 25% off, too!  The estate sale company was a new one to me, but one I'll watch for in the future --  the people running it were really nice and VERY organized (always a plus).

The chalkware puppy will have to stay here, I think...I've really become attached to him

Fun kids' books

I think the paper dolls go with the Betsy McCall set...they have mohair doll hair

Embroidered tea towels

Of course, there had to be a pennant there somewhere!

The last place we went to was another estate sale with lots of fishing stuff.  I got a few lures for my son and a Pyrex percolator.  Bargain Hunter found a live catch basket and an anchor for her son...the guys made out pretty well at that sale!

Cowboy and western glasses are so cool!

So a big thank you to Bargain Hunter and her spur-of-the-moment invitation!  This adventure was a happy end to a long week of work.  I'll be up for an unexpected journey any time.

Hope you have a great weekend!

How Fast Can I Shop?

There were some good shopping opportunities this weekend and almost no time to take them in, which left the question, "How fast can I shop?"

On Saturday, Williamston Antique Market had their annual Summer Sale & Outdoor Market.  My shopping buddy Bargain Hunter couldn't go with me and I had so much to do I didn't think I'd get away.  I was so surprised (and happy) when Mr. KV volunteered to go with me!  We had a fun time on the short outing, sandwiched in between household chores and errands.

The weather was beautiful -- sunny and 70s and there were more vendors outside than there had been in past years.

I didn't buy a lot, but got some good stuff.  Everything inside the mall was 20% off, too, but all of my bargains came from the outside.

Hoenig of California covered pumpkin dish

Barkcloth covered sewing box

Paper advertising fans -- including some unusual ones (Iwo Jima, Mahalia Jackson and Will Rogers)

These western themed tin trays are so cool!

An army of birthday angels...

These are for me...Commodore Christmas candleholders with unused candles in the original box and all in mint condition!

 On Sunday, Mr. KV and I were going to watch little Gracie overnight so our son and daughter-in-law could get away for their anniversary.  Before she came, though, I wanted to go to Mega Mall's Flea Market -- Bargain Hunter's talked about it a lot and I've never been.  So I went for a quick trip there with Bargain Hunter and she agreed to speed-shop so that I could get back for Little Miss G.

The flea market filled Mega Mall's parking lot, but was less vintage and more 'tube socks' than I expected.  There were lots of booths that were easy to skip because you could tell at a glance that there was nothing in them that was more than 2 years old or that wasn't made in China.  Regardless, I found a couple of things (don't I always?)!

This TV lamp was so dirty and 'unloved' -- the owner said she was tired of looking at it.  Her loss is my gain...

Here it is after a good cleaning

...and lit up

I thought these were fun -- Judy Jewelette sets.  They were a mid-century version of the Bedazzler, complete with 'rubies, diamonds, emeralds and pearls'

An extra-large -- 10 cup -- Pyrex stovetop percolator, complete with insides

I think this dark green and chartreuse plastic pitcher is pretty cool

This is the star of the day -- a mid-century wood and woodgrained formica drinks cart -- rolling bar.  I'm trying to figure out a way to ship it so I can list it on Etsy

We were only gone a little over 3 hours and that included 1-1/2 hours drive time!  That was some serious speed shopping!