Just Ask

Friday was damp and chilly, but this guy looked pretty cozy in his box under a table. 

A prime kitty indeed. He reminded me of this poem by Eleanor Farjeon.

Cats

Cats sleep Anywhere, Any table, Any chair, Top of piano, Window-ledge,

In the middle,
On the edge,
Open drawer,
Empty shoe,
Anybody's
Lap will do,
Fitted in a
Cardboard box,
In the cupboard
With your frocks--
Anywhere!
They don't care!
Cats sleep
Anywhere.
 

Neither KK or I expected it to be as chilly as it was, so one of my first purchases was a couple of pashmina shawls, which we wore the rest of the morning. At fifty cents each, no need to be cold!

Both dogs thought laying them on the floor for picture taking was a great idea. Doesn’t Zoë look like she’s ready for a magic carpet ride? 

Fannie was just ready for a belly rub. 

The rainy morning discouraged all but the more intrepid sellers, but there were a couple of estate sales. At the one in my neighborhood, I picked up this MCM piece.

It was filthy, but seemed to be printed on Masonite so I gambled a dollar that it could be cleaned.

And it could!

An old toothbrush, glass cleaner, a couple of rags and about ten minutes was all it took. What an improvement. I'm glad I saved it.

From the other estate sale I snagged this too-cute embroidery. 

Took it out of its oxy soak this morning. All the spots are gone! 

A moving sale netted a new iron, still in its box, for ten bucks. Next to a Rowenta, this is my favorite brand, and I figure if I go ahead and get a backup, then the one I'm currently using will never die. Such is the perversity of the universe. 

The one thing I kept trying to remember to look for was black sewing thread. I ran out the other day, which is amazing because I have dozens of spools of threads. Evidently I use black more than anything. Even though several sales had sewing stuff, there was no black thread.

Our last stop of the day was the one with this Craigslist ad:

FABRIC. Did I sat FABRIC? Quilter's you need to stop by. Bernina Serger 2000. Don't stay away just because you aren't into fabric. Tools. Did I say TOOLS? Radial Arm saw. Oscillating Sander. Tool Dock. If you don't see what you want, ask. It can probably be found.

The lady running the sale was delightful, funny and warm. Her fabric and yarns were in lidded plastic totes, which were all closed when we got there because it was sprinkling (again). “Wait ten minutes,” she said. “The sun will be back out.”  (She was right.) We didn’t wait to start looking though. KK found a couple of pieces of fun fabric for me right away. 

We talked about our fabric and yarn stashes and how they can run away with you. She had never heard the acronym SABLE (Stash Acquired Beyond Life Expectancy) and loved it. Turns out she quilts professionally. She has a long-arm machine and says she does a couple a month for other people. I was enjoying our conversation so much I almost forgot to inquire about thread. I didn’t see any, but when I mentioned needing black thread she rummaged around in a box and handed me this. 

Not just black thread, but really good quality black thread – thousands of yards of it! And when I asked what she wanted for it, she said to just take it, that us stashers have to stick together!

I've never bought any thread on a cone before, not being sure how I could use it with my sewing machine, which has a horizontal spindle to hold the spool. But I tried just setting the cone in front and a little to the side of my machine and threading it, and it works great. So now I don’t have to pass up any thread bargains that might come my way.

I wanted to try out the thread when I got home, so I played with a bit of her fabric and made a little pin to wear. That's a vintage button for his nose.

The backside fabric is from the bag of free stuff I picked up last week 

and the nonsense word was made from the little letter-beads I found Memorial Day weekend.

I think I'm going to have fun with this! 

Three Day Weekend

Maybe you think I'm referring to last weekend, the one with a Monday holiday. Nope, I'm talking about this weekend, the one that started with an estate sale on Thursday, continued with full-blown garaging on Friday, and finished with one more sale on Saturday. That’s my idea of a three day weekend!

The Thursday sale was on a century farm east of town, which was a good enough excuse for KK and me to take a ride in the country. The old farm house was chock full of interesting stuff and not very many folks were there looking. Unfortunately, the sale was being run by the local estate sale company that prices things the highest of any I've seen. Some pieces had prices marked, but many didn’t, and the woman running around giving prices was…how shall I put this? Probably the rudest person I have encountered in quite a long time. I recognize that I am not everyone’s cup of tea, but most people I meet manage not to lose their tempers when speaking to me. We had quite an unpleasant exchange, which fortunately will never be repeated, because I will never go to another sale run by that company.

Ever.

But it caused a bit of a dilemma for me. It is my practice not to buy things from obnoxious people – and there were a couple of things I wanted. But I do think it's okay to buy in that situation if you can convince yourself you are RESCUING the item! Which I was. The things being sold had belonged to people who were witty, humorous and had wide interests (judging by their possessions). Also, another very nice lady was taking money, so I did not have to hand over any cash to Ms. Nasty. I’ve decided whatever commission they got from my purchases went to the crew and not her. So there, nyah nyah nyah.

Now that I've demonstrated my maturity level for you, want to see what I got? Well, the brand-new linen dish towel was a must.

After all, there are relatives of our Millie on it!

And I fell instantly in love with this piece – three blown-glass hens mounted on a pedestal plate. 

Meet Hattie, 

Phoebe, 

and Nell.

They badly needed some love. Quite a lot of dirt was involved 

but we got them cleaned up. Nell’s hat-feathers got a bit wet, but feathers dry again.

I love them a ridiculous amount. Look how the plate has feather-like lines and dots that match their plumes.

I had already paid for The Girls when I noticed a case with some vintage jewelry, and I fell in love with, well, Santa Claus.

There is no maker’s mark on him but he is so nicely made I think he must have been a pretty pricey piece. See how his pink cheek rhinestones are a different shade from his nose rhinestone?

Best of all, he’s articulated. Santa can mo-o-o-ve!

I think the Yard Sale Gods must have felt bad about the unpleasantness though, because on Friday they went all-out to give us absolutely the nicest set of folks you could ever want to meet on a driveway. KK and I went to about 10 sales, and every single one was fun. Cheerful conversations everywhere we went. We both bought a few things, but it was the niceness we really appreciated!

Didn’t find anything at our first stop, but we learned that the sale was to make money for a family backpacking trip…to Seattle. Two parents, four kids ranging from 8 to 13, and part of the mom’s goal is to teach her kids how to handle money. On Saturday the kids were to have a snack booth at the yard sale to earn their spending money. They are taking the train up, using public transportation, etc. Each kid will carry their own pack so they have to be mindful of what they take. I bet it will be one of the most memorable events of their childhoods.

Our next stop was an older couple with a midcentury modern house and a great view. When I mentioned my MCM house, we found out they used to live a few blocks from me. KK was the one who spotted one of my best finds of the day – a wrought iron stand 

for the glass gazing ball I got a few weeks ago. I love it!

We laughed and chatted our way through South Salem, meeting enjoyable folks at every stop. I may even have picked up a new reader or two, for a couple of ladies promised they would look up my books on Amazon.

Our last stop was a sale that had planned to start late, so they were still setting up when we got there. Another great conversation, and we got to hear all about the crazy neighbor across the street who is addicted to the use of his leaf blower – one pine needle on his grass and he’s out there, blowing it to smithereens. He also has a surveillance camera set up; given the peaceful nature of that neighborhood this is definitely overkill. Which is why he was so thrilled when the ladies had a car stolen from their driveway, and he HAD IT ALL ON FILM! I bet he dined out on that for weeks.

Besides the gazing ball stand, I came home with a pendant to use in some kind of upcycle – maybe a jacket fastener?

These oversize rings are now clipped to a wire hanger in my closet and holding scarves. I may finally have found the perfect system.

Yarn, destined to be socks. A noble destiny!

Some garden tools.

And a great big bag o' fabric scraps from a free pile.

I had a ball going through it Friday night. How often do you get to go through someone else’s scrap bag?

Now if you remember (pages ago) I said this was a three day weekend. Had no intention of garaging on Saturday, but there was one sale right in my neighborhood and it started just about the time I headed home from the dog park. All I found to buy was (I know, I'm out of control) another bunny.

A painted rock bunny.

When I paid for her, I asked if they knew who had painted it. “Oh yes, that was my Aunt Imo,” said the gentleman. He launched into the story of Aunt Imo, his mother’s sister, who evidently would put paint on anything that didn’t move fast enough to avoid it. The two sisters grew up in East Texas on a dairy farm, where they milked the cows every morning before school, and delivered the milk cans on their way to town. During World War 2 they went to Oakland to help build Liberty Ships, and Imo learned the trade of lens grinding there, which became her profession. I heard how she met her husband, who was a salesman of lens-grinding supplies, and how they came to live in Oregon. I love it when something like a painted rock opens up these floodgates of memories.

As I left, we talked for a minute about retirement. He had just retired from his work (hence the many, many long sleeved button front shirts for sale). I told him how much he’s going to love it, based on my own experience, and asked if he had any special plans. His face lit up with his smile, and he said, “I bought a pickup, and a boat. I’m going fishing!”

Shirt-Bunnies and Craft Supplies

The four ladies in the rug hooking room at the textile museum were in the middle of a conversation about service animals and exactly what is considered one. (KK & I were in Tillamook and had already roamed through the quilt exhibit and the weaving room. I was eavesdropping obviously enjoying listening in. 

One lady said it was amazing what some people claim as service animals, and another exclaimed, “When I worked at the visitor center at the cheese factory, people would try to sneak anything in. One day this woman came in with a big rabbit inside her shirt. Guess she thought I wouldn’t notice.”

Excuse me, madam, is that a bunny in your shirt or are you just glad to see me?

We were in Tillamook Friday on our way home from a few days at the beach, at my SIL’s family beach house. (Linda, you ARE the best!) Three women lazing around and eating the fabulous food we all brought…even better than garaging! We were the complete tourists and visited a peony garden on our way to the coast. Gorgeous flowers! It was decided that the jacket I was wearing depicts peonies instead of poppies as I had assumed. 

Whoever planned this garden really knew how to combine plants and colors. 

Of course my favorite peony was one that must be rare – a single bush will set you back $204. Sheesh!  

The blooming fields were beautiful

as was the field of red clover being grown for seed next to the parking area.

I’m so used to garaging on Fridays that I felt a bit off-kilter this week, not being able to do that. But on my way to the dog park Saturday morning I noticed a sign pointing to a sale in my neighborhood. I heaved a sigh of relief when I headed to that one.

I think I'm more addicted to the fun of poking through other people’s stuff than the stuff itself.

The Craigslist ad mentioned furniture and kid stuff which are not on my wanted list, but one of the teen daughters (according to her mother) has recently moved on from her expensive hobby of crafting greeting cards to the expensive hobby of photography. I reaped the benefit. For a total of $7 I brought home a kit with 3 dozen Spectrum Noir dual-tip pens, 

a bunch of beads including green Czech glass ones 

some jewelry findings 

various cording materials 

and a carved wooden pendant. (I'm trying to broaden my thinking on ways to upcycle fabric.) 

Poking around in other people’s stuff can be worthwhile. Of course any burglar would tell you that, but they face jail time and all I need is to keep a little cash on hand!

If There Were No Gifts, There Would Be No Garage Sales

Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against gifts. A thoughtful and unexpected gift is a delight.

I do struggle with enforced gift-giving occasions though, because they lead to ads like this one in our local Craigslist last Friday. I give it to you in its entirety, leaving out only the company name and address. I hope their moms enjoy whatever gifts they received!

ESTATE SALE- ——— IS HOSTING A PERFECT MOTHERS DAY SALE 

Ryobi walk behind Tiller
radial arm saw
hand planers
hand tools
chop saws
fishing reels
muzzle loading tools 
vintage leather gun holsters
vintage metal toys
shovels, ax, splitter maul
levels, contracting gear 
shelving
chainsaw (2)
metal toolboxes 
planters, garden equip timers
air compressor 
pressure washer Troy built 
seed spreader 
brunswick pool table
chains, host puller, pulleys
electric, gas weed eater
lawnmower 
vintage metal lawn chair
red wagon, kids toys
red Skelton oil painting and plate
lenox collection 
ceramic lights antique 
mirrored cabinet antique
leafed table over 75 years old
nordic track treadmill
fine linens
(3) modern bar stools
Barbie vintage with house x 7 
piano
Oil lamps 
African decor including a collection of beautiful elephants and wildlife
two beautiful microfiber chairs 
old lamps beautiful art deco
record player and over 300 records  
cds, dvds 
speaker system Harmon kardon AVR 120
Breyer horse collection
Red Skelton sculpture collection
Rock Old jukebox converted into liquor cabinet
various antique and vintage trunks and hope chests
Lord of the Rings collection 
Harry Potter books 
antique old old books.   Some valuables
pflatzgraff collection in great condition 
berry Christmas dishes set 
three bookshelves 
room divider 
(3) headboards and bed frames 
dresser tall one 

Lucky, lucky moms – after you plow the south forty with a walk-behind tiller and catch dinner with that fishing reel having cleared the river bank with your chop saws and ax and maul then maybe, just maybe, you can spend a few minutes in your microfiber chair playing with a Breyer horse.

Won’t that be fun?

The Good, The Bad…and the Smelly

The fun started on Thursday last week, when I stopped at an estate sale on my way to the grocery store. The ad on Craigslist showed a lot of interesting items. However, there was no mention of the, um, well, very strong smell of cat pee in the house. Which didn’t seem to stop anyone (including me!) though I admit I hurried through more than I would otherwise have done. 

A quick perusal turned up only a couple of items that I thought looked fun, one being a very nicely framed print of a watercolor by Valerie Pfeiffer, called “Budgies Galore.” I thought Millie might especially enjoy it.

Her kitty box lives in the bathtub in an alcove of our master bathroom. We never take tub baths, just showers. So it’s the perfect spot for the box, containing all the inevitable litter that gets tracked outside the box. Now Millie has art in ‘her’ bathroom.

I also grabbed a couple of baggies with kitchen linens, which turned out to include some interesting vintage tea towels.

My favorite of the lot is this small towel hand appliqued with a farmer picking apples. I think.

Friday morning’s adventure began with another estate sale which mentioned art supplies in the ad. But again, the ad left out that the house had evidently been occupied by a chain smoker for the past umpty years. And while the kitty smell from Thursday’s sale was unpleasant, I’m actually quite sensitive to smoke, which gives me joint and muscle pains like having the flu. Normally I would have taken one quick peek and left, but this house was full of whimsical items that I could not resist looking at.

KK got a great deal on a bunch of oil paints and brushes. I was stopped in my tracks in the first room by…bunnies! I didn’t have my camera with me, darn it. This could well have been the best bunny collection I've encountered. But I was very, very restrained, being mindful of how many bunnies have already come home with me. But this little glass bunny won't take up much room, right? And he didn't cost much more than the dime I used for scale.

And what could possibly be more practical than a set of bunny tablecloth weights?

Which are at this very moment keeping the tablecloth out on my deck from flying away in the breeze.

I admit the first thing I did when I got home was give them a good scrub. You can see from this before-and-after shot that they needed it!

My favorite find was this fabulous bronze candle holder. Even though it was marked $10 (a huge amount for me!) I grabbed it.

Seriously, you couldn’t have left without these faces either, right? And the nice lady running the sale seemed happy to take a fiver for them when I assured her they’d have a good home.

They appear to be from the same maker as the bunny paddling a canoe I showed you a couple of posts ago. As always I did some online digging to try to establish value and where they might have come from. Didn’t find out much, but I was amazed to see a very similar pair on Pinterest, which led me to Etsy, where I saw that they had sold. And the asking price had been $110!

Plus, amid the bunnies I spotted something else that’s hard to resist, an acorn item. (What is it about acorns?)

A hand-painted trinket box, about two inches high. Which is now on my acorn shelf, holding – that’s right – a real acorn.

Bunnies turned out to be The Item of the Day. We saw them at every other sale throughout the morning. But none were tempting, and in fact neither of us bought anything else even though we stopped at about a dozen sales. I've noticed this phenomenon before; seems like if you get a really good score at the first stop you might as well go home because that’s all you get that day. But of course you never know, and garaging is a form of gambling after all!

So we were done with buying, but it turned out not with smells. Yet another estate sale, and the house was fine…but evidently the smoker in the family had gone out to the garage to partake. For years. And being a much smaller space the residue was even more intense. I really did have to leave that one quite quickly.

But it was the usual garage collection of tools and miscellany. No bunnies, no problem!