Vision sometimes only costs $5.00

Today is an amazing and beautiful day in the Pacific Northwest. The flowers are finally starting to bud and the fragrance fills the air. I was up this morning at 5:00 to get ready for Bible Study, and the day was fresh and sweet and I couldn't wait for what was planned.  I picked up my MIL at 6:00 to watch Sam while I went to B. Study and then she had choir rehearsal after that. MIL and I hit a fun Estate Sale while we waiting (picked up a cool white shelf, some vintage patterns, a vintage wire basket, a stool that will be painted, and some other random goodness) and then we happened upon a sweet store in the south part of town. I saw some treasures on the table outside and a woman watering the flowers, so we turned around and stopped - rather than search for yard sales in the half hour we had.  Wow - did we ever hit the jackpot. A sweet woman owned the store and she had some fun treasures inside. Her displays were wonderful with like-colored items and themes together. After finding a wonderful porcelein figurine that will be added to my sweet daughters collection, I asked if she 'happen' to have some vintage ledger books, games with letters or numbers, or flash cards.  She replyed  'hang on - let me go to the back'. OM Goodness ! I love those words ! A yard sale fanatics dream.  She came out with the most unusual shaped flash cards and I had to buy them all. I also purchased some school flash cards with pictures and some sweet old boxes with greeting cards in them. I love the floral graphics the boxes have, and they'll find a great home in my living room. After talking for a while and telling her what I did (collage, altered art, etc) she said she was moving locations during the summer and did I want to have any old papers that she couldn't store any longer.  Um.  . . .yes !  I hope I didn't sound too anxious. She had beautiful sheet music and patterns and paper.  An ephemera lovers dream. I told her that if I couldn't use it all, I had friends who could (That's you Stephanie !) I left my number and we went on our way. Oh how I hope she calls.

After picking up S, we headed down to a small city south ~ in the country ~ about 20 miles away ~ to find an estate sale I wanted to go to. This particular Estate Sale company holds great sales and has fun items. We've gotten to know each other through the years, and she is a delight.  When the ad indicated 'paper items and old photos', I knew I wouldn't be disappointed.  It was a wonderful drive with green all around and then we found it. A HOT pink house in the country. I mean HOT. Like fushia pink on steroids. We stopped at the old barn on the way up the hill, and I found this fun bike. Can you imagine the kids that rode this up and down the gravel path ? Maybe to school. I love the way the basket is on the front.  The label on the seat says Schwinn.  The fenders are all rusty, the paint chipping off and the tires flat as a pancake, but I just couldn't pass it up.

 

Right now, it's sitting in my back yard, along with the mountain of weeds that need to be pulled. (why does new soil always have weed seeds in it ? I'd like them to stop putting them in the bags I buy). Can you also see hiding behind the weeds my fun red bench with a 'future home of my secret garden' sign ?  Well, intentions were great at the end of last summer, and let's just say that time got away from me. Who knows - maybe the weeds have a pretty flower on them and they'll look great back there ?

Anyway - I can't wait to put a coat of light turquoise paint on the fenders and flowers in the basket. Not sure what Mark will say, but hey - it was only $5.00 !

blessings, jill

(After I sort through the ephemera and stuff, I'll post photos. I just don't even know what I have~ so stay tuned !)

Comments

[dana]

Hi Jill: I saw your blog on the Typepad list as being recently updated----and clicked on it---and yippee! I'm certainly glad I did. I just read the first few posts and already know I'll be back. We both love vintage things! I'm not really a scraper or card maker (although I have bought MANY stamps and other items, but just haven't used them like I should), but I love to read about new designs on blogs or magazines. So glad I found you.

[Camille]

Goodness gracious, I can't wait to see the photos of all your amazing finds!
Take me with you next time??!
I *love* the hunt... the picking through of piles, just waiting to see what treasures can be unearthed!
Anxiously awaiting......

[Stephanie T.s]

Oh My Goodness!!
How I wish we had sales like that here...I can only DREAM about finds like that!!What a rush kiddo! I'm doing some serious coveting here!!

2 more days and my number one will be a Mrs...can't say much more, or I'll start crying (again)...details to follow soon

[emily ruth]

so so fun!
good job sale queen:)

[Sharon]

I am in awe over the bike you found. I was 6 years old and lived in Springfield Oregon when I received a bike exactly like this for Christmas. (about 1955). It even had the basket in front. Even the color was just like mine, the wonderful pink color. My brother received one just like it (minus the basket) in black. Please be gentle with the bike for whatever you decide to do with it. I always wondered what happened to it. I rode it from Hayden Bridge Road to Willamalane swimming pool with our neighborhood group for many many years. I know you will treat it well. Please let me know what you decide to do with it.
Thank you, Sharon in Eugene