Sunday, January 17, 2010

First Estate Sale of the Year!

It's been so long since I've been on a true treasure hunt, but yesterday Ben and I finally managed to make it to some estate sales...whoohoo! We didn't find much (we got up late and most of the good stuff was already gone), but we did manage to find a few goodies, including 4 out of 5 of the Dionne Quintuplets. They are porcelain bisque and jointed and are soooo precious! I love their pretty painted eyes.

In the kitchen of one home I opened a drawer to find it full of real silverware with a sign that said "free". I had an enormous handful when Ben came over and reasoned with me. "We have enough!" It was true and I surrendered most of my stash. I did keep all of the butter knives though. Ben has been complaining for years about the rusty handles on the ones we had before.

Sorry rusties...you're going into the mixed media supplies bin. (sniff sniff)

Speaking of rust, I found these two heart shaped pans in the basement of that same house. One is good to go and the other is rather oxidized. I'll see what I can do with some steel wool. Valentine's Day is right around the corner and these two pans just may inspire me to bake!

There were lots of books, but again I had to refrain. I picked up a bunch I won't mind cutting up for crafts. Including a music book, an old spelling book (complete with pencil written notes), a golden book with the back cover ripped off and....

...some sort of old Jewish/Hebrew book! People have been asking me to make Hanukkah ornaments and things for the holidays and this will provide the perfect start!

This cool bottle was the only thing that came home with me from one house. Look at the knobby stopper!

These old baby shoes are for a new idea I have. Stay tuned to see what it is!

An old ladies hat and a bow tie....can't go wrong there!

I've been collecting vintage dresses and with them I'll need vintage belts. This one is perfect!

Sorry for the blur...this what I found in the laundry room. It's a sock/panty hanger thingy. Of course I promptly broke it after I took the photo, so now I plan to snip off the wires, drill holes into a piece of wood, and make a photo clip holder thingy!

It was so refreshing to be searching in old damp basements and in dusty closets for new old treasures! Now I can't wait until next weekend! ;)

5 comments:

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

oh my....I'm feeling so penned in! I want to go to a sale too! Now, this is why I don't bring my husband thrifting with me...so what if you have enough silverware?...it was free! :) You found some great treasure...and had fun!
:) Laura

laurie -magpie ethel said...

Glad you got those estate sale juices flowing...looks like you found some fun stuff. Also loving the Dionne Quintuplets..funny there were only four there (how could one break up the kids?)

ASB said...

Your first estate sale for 2010 - good for you. Even with Chicago weather they're still going strong here. Love the bottle! Some of my personal fav's are pretty clear glass bottles and containers. Nice.

Sammy Girl said...

So enjoyed estate sale shopping with you this weekend! OMG on the free silverware. How often does THAT happen?? FANTASTIC!
Hugs and have a super week ...
Betty :)
ps ... sorry one of the quints was AWOL ...

Back At Ya Babe said...

lOVE your treasures! I can't wait for the sales too. Spring can't come soon enough. Love the idea of reworking the rack into a photo clip.