It's finally garage sale season

This might be kinda long. Garage sale season has finally hit my town. This weekend, there were quite a few in the paper. I only went to one yesterday, and today, I went to a citywide of a neighboring town. Unfortunately, I feel there were less this year than last year.

The one I went to yesterday, has a sale twice a year, and I make it a point to go every time. It starts at 7:30 on Fridays, unfortunately, this year I had to be at work at 8, so I had to wait to go until I got home. When I did, here's what I got:

 A very cute quilted wallhanging for $1.50, a Dr. Seuss book for $1.25, a Pfaltzgraff platter for $2.00. I am loving quilted pieces lately, but they're generally pretty expensive, I understand why, but I can't afford them at that price, this wallhanging was the perfect price, plus it's all ready to be hung up. One of my co-workers just had twin boys and we didn't get to have the baby shower before they were born, so I've been on the lookout for books lately. Though I noticed when I looked at it more carefully at home that someone had written inside the front cover, I'm trying to figure out how to cover that up nicely. And I love the platter, I have Pfaltzgraff for my dinnerware (though it's getting old, so I'm looking for new dinnerware), and this platter was beautiful, I'd love to use it for Thanksgiving.

 A truck book for $.50, a bag of Easter stuff for $1.00, and a bag of butterflies for $.75 The truck book is for my co-worker, though a little old for her boys, I'm sure they'll like it once they reach the age of 3. The Easter pieces are miniature bunnies and eggs, way too cute to pass up. The bag of butterflies, I basically bought for the foamy looking ones, I figured I could use them in my art, I also love the lacy one.
Today, was the date of a city wide garage sale for a neighboring town. This is the third year I've gone, I went with my co worker last year, we had a blast and decided to do it again this year. Again, I think there were less, but I still spent about $25, here's what I got:

 a few packs of burlap tags with paper for $1.00, four hankies for $1.00, a cute wall hanging/plaque for $1.00, some plastic raspberries for $4.00, and a cool tag for $1.50. There's this cute little antique store in this town and it has some wicked cool stuff in it. All the one dollar items, the owner had on a $1 table outside, I bought the hankie pack just for the blue iris one in the corner, it looks to be hand painted.

 Another place, an art studio, the owner was closing and had a bunch of her stuff sitting out for free, and who passes up free? The background piece is actually more pink than it looks here, I don't know why it turned out so coral-y. I have no idea what I'll do with these pieces, but they just jumped out at me.

 The stamps ranged from $.25 to $.50 a piece. The bunny was free, the eyelets were $.25, and the bunny stickers were $.75. I have the hardest time passing up bug stamps, I don't know why, because I sure don't need more stamps. The bunny was from the art studio, again, I just loved it. The eyelets are the same size as I used in my fabric book, I figured if I made another one, they're a nice size. And I just liked the bunny stickers, but I sure don't need any more stickers. I have a ton of art supplies as it is, more than I even use, so I try not to buy more, but if I'm going to, I'm sure not paying new price for them.

 A Splat the Cat Christmas book, a 4th grade activity book, and a squishy fish book with accompanying fish. The fish and the cat book are for my co worker, the other one is for me, I find these fun to do.

 Each of these pieces were $.25 each. I was so excited to find some vintage-y lacy pieces, that I kinda went crazy. Once again, I sure don't need these, but I have a hard time walking away. The bunny hot pad was originally for my mother, but I might keep it, I found something else she'll love today anyway.

The top piece is actually a bib for $.25, the bear was free, the pig on a stick (my favorite purchase of the day) was $.75, the snowman was $.10, the smaller snowman was free and the rocks were $1.00. I couldn't pass up the extremely cute embroidery on the bib, especially for a quarter, I figured if I ever made another fabric book, that was going in it. I couldn't resist the bear, plus free. I love the pig, I don't know why, I just think it's so cute. Once again, I don't need another snowman, but I loved this one and the round one was free. And I can't pass up rocks, though now I think I should have, they're not that cool.
A couple other things that didn't make it in pictures, I got a large metal frog for my mother to put in the garden and some zucchini bread for tomorrow.
Tomorrow the plan is to go to brunch, then our local gardens, and then to the Iowa Arboretum. My parents 40th Anniversary is tomorrow and they got married in the arboretum.

What exciting things did you all find this weekend?

Are you sure it's May?

On Tuesday, it hit 80+ degrees, I went shopping for shorts, and even got to wear them. Tuesday afternoon, my dad gave me his bucket of change, which turned out to be over $80, so I went shopping. At one of our consignment stores, I found this great apron for eight something, and the cute bunny music box. I LOVE this apron, I have no idea what to do with it, but the moment I saw it, I knew I had to have it. Normally, anything over $5 is too expensive for me, but I just wanted this apron.

Wednesday, the high was in the 50's and we were getting snow that night. Thursday when I woke up, it was snowing very big flakes. I soaked my feet on the way into work. We were supposed to get 3-5 inches with another 1-3 that night. I don't know how much we got, but I am not happy. I had to dig out a second comforter to sleep under last night. When I woke up this morning, it was very pretty out, the snow coating the trees, so they looked like they had been dipped in it. When I got home from work, I had to shovel. I AM NOT HAPPY. It's supposed to rain for the next week or so, so it won't stick around but, snow in May?
So, I'm predicting no garage sales this weekend. I did see a few in the paper, but they weren't close, and it's supposed to rainy and cold, no thanks.

On another note, I need some advice. My parents' 40th anniversary is next weekend and I don't know what to get them. Any ideas?

Venting

My mother said I was in charge of Mother's Day this year. Usually we drive up to see her side of the family, but that's not going to happen this year, anyone have any ideas for me? I thought we might go to some local gardens, and maybe have a picnic somewhere, but that's all I've got. I also bought her this really cool Vogue Sewing Book, it was published in 1975 and it's got some really cool stuff in it. I think I need something more for her present, but I don't know what.
I just realized (ok, I've known it for awhile, but it hit me a little harder) that I don't have a life outside of work. I think that would be OK if I worked all the time, but I don't my average week is 18 hours. I can live on it, but that gives me a lot of free time where I'm doing pretty much nothing. I have 2 regular days off during the week soon, and I have no idea what I'm going to do with myself.
Now that it's warm again, our ground bees have ret'd. I've decided they're not very smart. For the past 3 or so years we've had them and every year we have someone come and spray them so they go away, and then they come back, spreading further every year. Anyone know how to get rid of them for good?
Speaking of bugs, I found a wasp in my bedroom this morning. I was not pleased. I used to fine a few wasps next to my bedroom windows every year. Then I got central air, with the ducts in the attic, and we found a wasp nest up there. We got rid of it, and thought that solved the problem. Last year, I collected 2 hornets and 4 wasps. I'm getting really sick of finding them. I think there's a new nest up there, but I am not climbing up to find out.
I host an ATC group on Yahoo. It used to be so fun. Lately, not so much. Last year, I was going to take a month off, but then no one said they wanted to swap, so I pretty much took off the whole year. I started up again last fall, with a very small percentage of our regular numbers. Then people started not sending me enough postage, so I started paying out of my own pocket, then we lost one of the regular players (oweing me money too). February, we got a new member, but I didn't get the cards until the very last day (our swaps are monthly, I send out a packet of stuff, people make cards and are supposed to have the cards to me by the end of the month. They're also supposed to send a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope with enough postage to get their return cards and next month's packet back to them), and even one the first day of March. This is with 2 people plus me playing. And then I said I needed a month off due to being uninspired. One of my regulars complained, saying it sounded like the players made me uninspired, not that it could have been stuff in my life. But, I put a lot of time into gathering the packets together (every month we have a theme, and I put together a packet with items that go with that theme), and when people don't get things back to me on time, and don't even tell me if their mailed. It makes it a little annoying. Today is the last month of April, I still haven't received any cards. I'm thinking of just giving up. I had two more people join, but I haven't heard much from them, haven't gotten any interest in anyone to play in May. I don't know what to do. I do know that the stress from this group isn't helping me at all, and it might be better to just give up. I don't need extra stress in my life.

No Garage Sale Finds

Strike out at garage sales this weekend. I do have one picture for you though.

I had a neighborhood I wanted to hit yesterday, but I talked myself out of it. It was a pretty far walk, and I think most of the reason I was excited to go to it was that it was the first sale I had seen listed. I got home from work yesterday and pretty much lounged around for the rest of the day. I remember having a short nap in the afternoon, and then falling asleep around 8 or so, and sleeping for an hour. I was just so drained, I have no idea why.

Today, I had 3 sales I wanted to hit, one started early, one listed art supplies in their ad, and the last listed flowers. The first one, I couldn't find, I walked by where I thought it should be, didn't even see the address. The second one was just sad, no one greeted me, and the 'art supplies' were a basket full of spray paint. The third one, I realized I had been to last year, and it was just as exciting. I didn't find any flowers. I was hoping to find some nice flowers to give to my mother, she is getting over something from a few weeks back.

My plan for the afternoon was to go down to Target and Walmart. As I was on my way down there, I saw a sign for the first sale, saying it was in the alley. If it was, they didn't even have signs at the end of the alley to tell you, I didn't go back to find out.

I found a few things to buy at Target, some tights and the deoderant I went for. A month or so ago, I had been there and had seen The Hunger Games for $10, and I have been kicking myself for not buying it. It was still at that price, so I bought it, plus the 10th Kingdom miniseries for $5, I remember watching it on TV when I was a kid, I hope it's as good as I remember it.

I wandered over to Walmart, it's about a block from Target, I generally go to both of them when I go down there. I've been so bored with my clothing lately, I don't know if it's cause it's warmer weather and I want different clothes or what. I picked up this dress:

and 3 brightly colored T-shirts, as well as a nice purple tank top. I also bought some cute plastic cups (I never have enough cups in the right size) for $.87, I had to get a Brave one, a Finding Nemo one, Cookie Monster, and Hawkeye from The Avengers. I LOVE Jeremy Renner, he's become my new fav guy in movies. I also had to pick up some chocolate. I spent way too much money between the two stores and won't be spending more for awhile.
I was very bummed I didn't find anything to spend my garage sale $$$ on. But I'm glad I didn't buy something just to spend money.
On May 11th, one of the close towns is doing their city wide garage sale. My co-worker and I are planning to go. I've done this the past couple years. The first year, I went with my aunts, and while it was fun, I had even more fun last year. My mom said it was probably because my co-worker and I are closer in age than my aunts are. That Friday and Saturday, one of the sales I go to every year is having theirs as well. I plan to stop by on Friday.
I think it's a little weird that these are happening right before Mother's Day.

My plan for the rest of the day is to eat ice cream and watch movies.

Did you guys find anything good?

OOOPS

Hello??? Is anyone still there?
Sorry, didn't know it's almost been a month since I posted. Life had been boring, mostly just working. We did have two arrests at the library last week, that was interesting, and our phones went down for a little while today.
I have been so restless reading people's blogs about the great finds they're getting. There are a couple stores I visit during the winter months, but there wasn't much I wanted to spend my money on, especially since I'm so spoiled with garage sale prices. Plus, the big antique mall closed last year, maybe earlier, that one usually tides me over during the winter months.
Tomorrow, I found some to go to, and even more on Saturday. Granted it will probably be in the 30's at around 8AM like it has been the past few mornings, but I am so ready to get out and hunt.
A few things that are on my list this year:
~Interesting fabric, after making my fabric book, I've been itching to make another one.
~Small plates, the ones I've been using are pretty old and I've noticed lately when I put hot things on them, the cracks become visible. I'm kind of afraid they'll splinter apart soon.
~Pyrex mixing bowls. I bought one a few years ago after reading about all the hype and then didn't know why I bought it, but I've found I really like it's size.
~Other Pyrex pieces, I think it'd be cool to collect the baking dishes with motifs on them, plus they'd be good serving dishes, of which I have none.
~Buttons, of course
~Owls, just to add to my collection
~Glass bundt pan, my coworker asked me to look out for one of these a few years ago, I haven't found one yet
~The Feminine Mystique, I was reading the library's copy the other day, and decided I wanted a copy for myself.
And all the other fun stuff I see. I will still be buying baked goods, I will buy any craft stuff I find. I've been trying not to pay full price on craft stuff. I have enough of it as it is, but if I'm getting more I sure don't need to pay full price. On another note, I'm trying to get rid of some of it, I have boxes full listed on my Etsy store.

Hopefully, I'll have some pictures to show Saturday night.

Happy Easter

Well, it's been awhile since I posted on here. Not much going on, I'm waiting impatiently for garage sale season, and now that it's warmer, it's almost here. I keep reading about people's finds on the blogs I read, and keep wishing I had some fun finds to post. I did go wandering through downtown the other day, but didn't find anything I wanted to spend my money on, especially since things are way cheaper at garage sales. The biggest thing would be my fabric book that I posted the other day, see below.

I hope everyone's having a great Easter, here's what I got myself this year:

I tried filling my basket with something other than candy, but I couldn't find anything I really wanted to spend my money on, now I should have enough candy to last me awhile.

Big Project

I have been working on a big project lately, now that it's finished, I'm so proud of it, I'm sharing it with everyone. I've been reading on other people's blogs about them making fabric books, so I decided to try my own. I laid out the pictures as they appear in the book. I can tell you where some of the pieces came from, but most of them I don't know and just found in my stash.

I love this piece, I don't know where it came from, but it's so cool. The heart trim I got in a swap.

On the back of the first page, I have a sheer green piece and then a piece I bought at a garage sale. You'll see that only the fronts have trim hanging down. The second page, the background piece is from a store I used to work at, the three smaller pieces went together very well. I still feel this is missing something, but I couldn't find the right piece to add. The trim on the bottom is from a dresser scarf.

The back of the second page is a piece of fabric I've wanted to use on something for awhile, it's very bright, the girl is from a dish towel. The third page, the creamer and teapot are from another dish towel, the background came from a fabric packet with the piece in the background of the second page.

On the back of the third page, I used a sheer pink scarf, overlaid with another sheer piece that's shimmery, and then added a felt cupcake pin I bought here. You can also see some trim, it's hard to see, but there are peach pearls added to the middle of it. The fourth page, the top is a scarf, part I used in this project, the bottom is a knit shiny purple piece. The middle is part of a larger piece I bought at a garage sale.

On the back of the fourth page, is another piece from the fabric packet used on pages 2 and 3, I added a leafy piece, and a fabric leaf, I might have to go in and glue on a plaster acorn. The fifth page, the background is a piece I got in a swap, the leaf is from a dresser scarf that was edged with the trim used on page two (I got it in Okoboji), the trim is from Hobby Lobby.

On the back of the fifth page, the background is from a store I used to work at, then I just added some ribbon/trim pieces. The bottom piece isn't quite ribbon, it felt more papery, I was afraid it would fall apart when I sewed it on. The sixth page has strips of material, the turquoise is wove with black thread, the green is a piece I used in this project and this project, the brown is a shiny soft material. The hearts are something my mother gave me.

On the back of the sixth page, I have a flowery piece and some lace. The seventh page is a knit sparkly piece, with a doily.

On the back of the seventh piece, I used a vintage flowery pattern, some felt and a motif from a hot pad. The eighth page is a burgundy shiny piece and a vintage doily. The piece next to it was on the back, it reads: "Doilie from box of Linens - Ives - Late 1800's To 1910 Probably older". I got the trim in a swap.

The back of the eighth page is strips of suede, and a piece of sheer snowflake fabric. The ninth page is two purply pieces, the bottom is velvet. I used some shiny pieces for the top and bottom, a doily for the middle and some big flower trim for the bottom.

The back of the ninth page is a sheer piece of burgundy fabric, I added some metallic pieces to. The top piece is a gold sheerish fabric with embroidery. The tenth page is very shiny, I wish you could see it in the picture, it's also very soft. The bottom is a piece of fabric that I trimmed the flowers out of.

The back of the tenth piece was very hard to sew. It is a green ribbon that's extremely soft, but frays very easily. The circle piece I got at a sale. The eleventh piece is backed with very bright pink shiny piece, the "Love" piece I got at my grandma's, I added the trim since I posted before.

The back of the eleventh page is a olive green scarf with a piece cut from a hanky. The twelfth page is a thick piece with a doily and a felt alien from Hobby Lobby, I also added the trim, gotten from a swap, after taking the other scan.

The back of the twelfth page is a blue fabric with a corner of a hanky.

All the fronts of the pages are backed with quilt batting, when deciding on how to finish the book, I decided to add backs to the existing pages, rather than sewing them together. I also found out that all my pages seem to not be the same size. I added eyelets in the sides of all pages and have tied them together with ribbon, because of this, I can change the order of the pages any time I want to. I thought this layout looked pretty good together, but I may change my mind.
As I've mentioned above, some of the colors don't come out well in the scans, but I also wish you all could feel the book, it's a great mixture of textures.