City-wide rummage sale finds

Rummage sale season is upon us! Here are a few things I found when out-and-about on Saturday! How adorable is this plant stand...chippy green paint and rusty!? I said, "Hello, sweetheart, you're comin' home with me!"Love this casserole dish and holder, especially the handles and little "feet"! Seriously, I've always wanted one. The nice lady that sold it said she'd had it for years.This Hibachi grill is perfectly rusted and has definitely seen better days. It will no longer be a grill when I'm done with it though. I wonder if you'll recognize it after the transformation I have planned when you see it at Junk Fest?

Honestly, I was probably most excited to find myself this nice white Christmas tree for only ten bucks! So, get out there and rummage-it-up! You just never know what you will find!

Let there be light...

Think outside the box when entertaining your guests outdoors this summer. Take normally found indoor objects outside to illuminate a special evening.

This $4 heavy candelabra thrift store find shown here sets the scene for a festive evening on the back patio.

Another idea for additional lighting are candles in old silver jello molds. Sand, pebbles or crystals can be added for more visual interest on the jello mold bottom, but just the reflection of the candlelight off the mold is really all you need. It's actually quite stunning, don't you think?

This white three-tiered candleholder was a Minnesota occassional sale find. I actually purchased two of them. Great finds! Instantly I imagined them warming up my patio on a dark night. They can be easily stuck in a plant like I've done here, in a pail of sand or right into the ground. How fun does this look?!

Six things about me?

My dear friend, Cassie, a/k/a fellow Junk Fest 1/4 partner-in-junk, has tagged me! You darn girl, you! Gosh, I guess I need to come up with SIX people to "tag", mention them here and notify them on their blog, along with revealing six things about me. This is darn hard, people!

Well, first up I'll try and come up with six things about me...hmmmm...

1) I have been happily married for almost 23 years. Holy smokers! I wonder if he's still happily married? I bet he would be if I'd move my junk from his side of our garage! Sorry, dear!

2) The boys. We've got two of them and they are the true joy of our lives. What the heck did we do before they were born? Five years...no idea what we did. We are the type of parents who refuse to re-live our childhoods through them, know what I mean? It is their life and they need to live it; we are just trying to lead them down the right path. (Cross your fingers; it's a work in progress).

3) I am the 6th of seven children, raised on a farm with a strict catholic up-bringing. Even so, we had A LOT of fun! I am especially close to my three sisters and to my youngest bro. He and I played together and got along great, as long as he played what I wanted! Poor guy; dolls and all. I like to think we were preparing ourselves for our futures...me having boys...and he has two girls! We named our second son after him.

4) I have worked for the same company for 24 years! Most days I actually still like it, which also amazes me.

5) I am licensed to sell crop and hail insurance in the State of North Dakota. Sounds like no big deal? Well, picture me with a kid on each hip at the time, trying to study for a test I was told loan officers flunked many times...I must love pressure cause I passed it on the first try! That STILL amazes me.

6) Wow! #6 already? I may just make it! I love wine. Mostly Moscoto's and late harvest Rieslings. Also love Italian food. Fortunately it goes well with wine.

7) Cassie, your family really left you at a rest stop? Ouch.

Alrighty, now MY turn to tag some of my favorite folks! Thanks for being you!

1) Sweet Melissa @ Junk-Fest, my junk sista on this site!
2) Mindy @ rockinm.blogspot.com/

3) Lori @ roundbarnpottingco.blogspot.com/
4) Missy @maluukkonen.blogspot.com/

5) Linda @ funkyjunksisters.blogspot.com/

6) Dixie @ funkyjunksisters.blogspot.com/

Happy blogging!

Tag! I'm it!

Lanette over at Cottage Elements is playing a little game of tag and it seems I'm it! Check out her post "Six Things About Me?" Okay, I'll play along. It's a bit difficult coming up with six things about me because, quite frankly, I'm a bit boring. (does that count as #1?)

Here goes:

1. I married my high-school sweetheart. We've only been married for 12 years, but some days it feels like....well....12 years. Seriously, when I count my blessings, he's on the top of the list.

2. My two daughters mean the world to me. In my opinion, nothing teaches you more about life, unconditional love, heartache, joy, pride, and yes even frustration-than having children...and those two can hands down make me feel each and every one of the afore-mentioned emotions on any given day! But, I wouldn't trade them for anything.

3. I grew up in the country and I currently live in the country, and that's just fine by me. I've lived in big cities, and while that certainly has its advantages (namely cultural and shopping!) fresh air and wide open spaces (insert Dixie Chicks background music) are where it's at for this junk girl! I could however, do without the wind!

4. I am the youngest of six children. Six children within 10 years. Not a totally huge family really, but big by today's standards. When I ask my mother how she did it (or why) she says "It's all a blur."

5. When I was about 5 0r 6, during a family vacation, my parents left me at a rest area. Not kidding. Picture six kids, plus one or two cousins in a Winnebago for miles on end. We stopped at a rest area to dump some trash. I had to "go." I came out and they were gone. Had my brother not been searching for me (probably to pick a fight) I might still be missing. It may have only been for about 15 minutes, but it was an eternity to me. Mom, is this when the blur started?

6. I cannot snap my fingers. It doesn't make me a bad person. My fingers just refuse to work as a team. I think it has something to do with #5 above.

Now I get to pick 6 people to play along! They are:

1. Anne at Indefinately definite...

2. Andrea...aka "JunkGirl" of Junk-Fest fame!

3. Darcie at Quilting by Darcie

4. Dana at Old Red Barn Co.

5. Janna at Artsy Fartsy Finds

6. Toni at The Tattered Cottage

Okay people, share six things about yourself, pick 6 new people to tag and don't forget to inform them! Please make sure you link back to this post. Isn't it about time we all get to know each other?

Does anybody really know what time it is?

My new favorite collection.....old clocks, time pieces, clock faces...love them all!

What are some of your favorite collections?

A couple cool junk pieces...

I was fortunate to find a couple neat junk pieces a week ago. First up for show is this old rusty scale...I just love it! According to my father-in-law, it was used for weighing grain sacks. It looks pretty neat holding a hanging plant in my front yard.

Okay, I am NOT into old wash tubs, but this is a small one...so petite and perfect for holding a potted plant...I even planted some flowers in the part where the wringer used to be...
And, this could certainly hold drinks and ice at my first back yard party this summer...We junk girls hope you are having a HAPPY and SAFE Memorial Day Weekend!

Rusty repurpose!

First, just let me start by saying: "shame, shame, all over my name!" Those were my first thoughts as I opened the door to my "junk house" today. You see, I'm fortunate enough to live on a farm (been a farm girl all my life) and we have some sweet out buildings. This one in particular is an old homesteader house that was moved to our farm years and years ago, and used for a variety of things...even a granary. After I witnessed it sit empty for sooo long...unclaimed by neither the hubby or the children....I declared this fine old home to be my own! Why the shame? Well, after I cleaned out years of dirt, dust and cobwebs, I had a couple windows put in and a better door, and wired in some flood lights. This was SUPPOSED to be my new workshop. Hahahahahahahahaha. It didn't take the packrat in me long and I had it too full to work in. Come to think of it...I really don't see a problem with that! :) These are just pictures from today...it's been WAY more full at times. My junk sisters just rolled their eyes and made that sound with their tongues (tsk, tsk) and told me I need not shop for any more junk. Hahahahahaha. That's half the fun!

If you notice in the picture with the aqua colored bentwood chair...a tube shaped rusty thingamajig. After I got done laughing at my self for not conquering this overstuffed house of junk, I looked at that rusty piece and had one of those Aha moments.

I rinsed it off and brought it in the house, grabbing a few shoe forms to balance it on.

Do you know what this fine rusty specimen was in it's former life? I'm pretty sure I do (okay, hubby gave me a few hints). After I get a few guesses I'll add my answer to the comments...so check back and see!!

A little Junkin' time!

Ever just had an URGE...to find some junk!? Even finding a few small items is exciting and keeps that junking fever alive. Here are just a few things I've found recently...

I think these are actually glass votive holders for some sconces...so this would be my "mini" cloche repurpose! This appears to me to be a napkin holder. Anyone know for sure? I thought it would work nicely for recipe cards, photos, or even to make those unsightly bills look good while waiting to be paid. OR...a resting place for a fun greeting card.

Now, this one I have some FUN ideas for! Perhaps that clip could hold your mammo appointment reminder!!

And these poor silver goblets got caught in the middle of a "junk" scandal. You see, one junk girl saw them at the thrift store, was in a hurry and forgot to grab them on the way to the till. Well, said junk girl mentioned them to friend junk girl on the phone the next day....then panicked that they would be gone at the end of the day...so called the thrift store and had them put behind the counter. Said junk girl had no ill intention of keeping them from junk sista by doing this, just a junk fever, you see. Then...friend junk girl brought said junk girl a bag of fresh baked monster cookies. NOW I FEEL GUILTY.

Another Repurpose...

I was looking around in the thrift store this week and came upon this interesting looking old thing. The owner said in the "olden days" it used to hold bread for toasting...really?

Okay, that seems logical. So, I married this new find (by the way, it cost a mere $1), with my glass cake plate to give it height...
...and came up with a new picture holder, for displaying old photo's.

The little girl is my grandmother! Story is she swallowed a straight pin when she was two and her parents thought she would die from it, so they took her to a photographer and had her picture taken (this one) to remember her by! Well, the good news is the pin passed (yikes) and she lived to be 91!I love this! What do you think?

Picture Perfect

Just had to show you one fun find (of many) I managed to load up on at The Round Barn Potting Co. in Andover, MN owned by Lori Miller. We didn't get a chance to meet Lori in person, but man alive we loved her store! Holy cats, it was great! It was EYE CANDY galore! Lori is obviously one talented lady and has an eye for the "good" stuff and displaying it so stupendously!

I found these blocks at her store and just HAD to buy them. Since they're numbered, immediately I thought of my two baby boys! Ha! So, here is #1 born son and #2 born son...no longer my "baby boys", but teenagers. The blocks hold a small photo of each one participating in their favorite sport...sitting right next to their school picture. Aren't these blocks just perfect for adding another photo layer?Or, these versatile cuties would be neat holding a favorite recipe. I took a few recipe cards of my mother-in-law's when her daughter and I went through her belongings (Joyce passed away nearly 20 years ago). So, another option for the blocks is shown here in our kitchen; a photo of Joyce and me at my bridal shower, along with one of her handwritten recipe cards.So, make the most of your keepsake photo memories and display them! Happy Monday!

It's genetics!

Thrift stores, rummage sales, auctions, so on and so forth. I just can't get enough of them! But how does one acquire the appeal for these things that "some" might think is just ODD fun. From my earliest memories my Mom was always a fan of all of these. My siblings and I grew up in second hand clothes...and loved them (well, most of them). Many of our "treasures" were found in the bottom of the box. You know...the one more box they just had to throw in with the item she was bidding on at an auction. But, jeesh, who could turn that box down...you never know what goodies it might hold.

We were at her side at many of those sales. I do have to admit there was a short time in my life that I rolled my eyes when she'd mention going to another thrift shop. I just didn't "get" it. But thank goodness I came to my senses!!

So here's to you, Mom. Cheers to the fun times, to the lessons learned, the shoulder offered.

Your hands so strong, but yet such a gentle touch.

I'm so glad you passed the "junkin" gene on! And when that Sweet Man-O-Mine says "You've become your Mother." I simply say THANK YOU.

Out with the old...in with the old!

Have you ever had one of those moments when you look at something like you're seeing it for the very first time? You know, you really SEE it. Well, I had one of those light bulb moments the other day. When I was married in 1986 I received many fine bridal shower gifts. I was thrilled and excited with everything I received and was eager to put them all to good use. This recipe holder was one of them. I really liked it at the time and frankly, I really needed one.

I know what you're thinking...holy crap is THAT thing ugly! I know! But it JUST hit me like a slap in the face! Why in the world am I still using this outdated (much used) box? It's finish is worn (and not in a good way), plus the fact it's too small and doesn't even close tightly anymore. HELLO! Who the heck lives in this house and why is she still living in the 80's?! So, I went searching in my garage junk stash in hopes that some grand idea for a new recipe box would just come to me. Then I remembered I had this...a rusty old tool chest...My recipe cards actually fit inside! Okay, this could be kinda cool looking...what do you think?The other drawers can hold my wine stoppers, wine charms and other stuff...Yep, I think it's a keeper! Time to go spray a coat or two of poly on it and put it to good use!

Man, I love it when that happens...

So, rest in peace my beloved old recipe box...you've been replaced by something that may actually be older than you are...but way cooler!