Last of the Halloween Projects

One thing I know about myself, when it comes to many projects, I'm a 90 percenter.  Meaning I get to the point where it's 90% done and I lose interest.  Or I become obsessed with the final details and think I will find the perfect thing to finish.  A lot of times this works in my favor, I do find a great way to get the project done.  Other times, I settle.  So, here are a few of the Halloween crafts I've been holding onto the past two weeks.

My tree.  It needs a lot of work.  I need to join a swap and get some better ornaments!  This year Kenna asked if we could make a popcorn chain, so how could I say no?  She rarely wants to craft with me.

I am happy with my raven from the Dollar tree.  I added the hat and the sash, of course.

My side hutch.  I had to take this picture before my family ate all the M&M's!

I picked up this skull at Walgreens a few years ago.  It's about as goulish as I will go.  It creeps out my friend, Cathy.  I made the Boo blocks a while back.

These are Pumpkin-On-Stick.  I grew these two years ago and dehydrated them.  They were very bountiful, but prickly!  The stems and leaves had some vicious thorns, so I haven't grown them since!

This is one project I obsessed over.  I wanted an x-ray of a human body to put aside my skeleton keys.  I ended up having the best results printing on vellum paper, using the "slow drying ink" and "fast print" options on my printer.  Before this it was putting down too much ink.  Push came to shove and I needed a way to display it.  I settled on a quickly made frame using paint sticks and tacks.  I would love to change this, but for now, it will do.

 

I had to borrow these skeleton keys from Kenna, she collects such weird stuff for a person of her age!  I stamped out the card, of course.

My mantel is a little bare this year.  I purged a few items after last year.

A photo I embellished.  I struggled for a word add.  Call me strange, but I didn't want to disrespect this lady by using "wicked" or "witchy" so I went with "vexed" and I'm happy with it.

A few jars from an auction box lot.  I found the labels on the internet.  I know the arsenic came from The Graphics Fairy, can't remember where I found the other one!  Notice my spun head girly that I got from Laurie!  Love her!

Last new addition, some cuties from the Dollar Tree!  I like 'em a lot.

That's it.  I probably should have divided this up into at least three posts, but knowing me, it's better to just get it out there!  Hope you all are enjoying this October.  Before we know it, the chill will be here!

Always a Holiday

It's about time I start sharing the auction and garage sale finds found the last two weeks.  The pickin's had been slim up to that point.  Then, I hit two good auctions on consecutive weekends.  Followed by a couple good garage sales just two days ago.  So, I need to start sharing. I've bought lots of holiday decor.  That's a constant theme!

The first box lot looks promising...but it's hard to tell.  The box is FILTHY.  Some pinks, golds, but a couple boxes of patterned ornaments, too.  The bonus?  There's some Halloween items tucked inside.  I don't want to spend too much time looking, I'm trying to play it cool.  I bid $5 and it's mine.

After considerable cleaning and tossing one box top beyond repair, this is what was left.  So-so!

This is the best of the best, I guess you could say.  I still say I got my $5 worth, I love the pinks!

While we are still taking Christmas.  These came from a garage sale this past Thursday.  Thursday used to be THE day to have and go to garage sales around here.  I can't get out of that notion, even though they aren't as good as they used to be!

This little Gurley turkey came from an auction!  It's a horrible story!  I had to lug home SIX boxes of junk to get Mr. Turkey for $1!!!  I know some of you might be tempted to ask, "What was the junk?"  Come on now, you know it's junk if I'm the only bidder of this huge lot.  It was hideous Christmas junk!  I don't even want to think about it.  After winning the bid the auctioneer looked me in the eye and said, "Make sure it all goes home with you."

My flags came from the same July 3rd auction as the Christmas ornaments.  I guess no one was feeling patriotic.  One person got their bid in before me, but after my nod the bidding stopped and they were mine for $4.  They are both 48 stars and the one is a bit unusual.  The stripes are crocheted.  I didn't decorate for the 4th this year...GASP!  I did pull out a few items to take this picture, though.

At the same July 3rd auction I won these vintage postcards.  I pulled out the uninteresting stuff.  What's left is Christmas, Easter, New Years (see the cute horseshoe) and St. Patricks's Day.

I was really happy about the St. Patrick's Day cards.  I don't have much for this holiday!

The auction calendar seems to have dried up, so sales and thifting look to be my only sources for a while.  We may be back to slim pickin's, you never know.  Never fear.  I have more to share, so stay tuned!

I just thought I'd mention.  I am going to my 25th school reunion tonight.  Sunday morning instead of curling up with the paper, I'll be curling up with Google reader.  See ya then!

Auction Finds

The first really good auction of the year was last Saturday. I find I'm a bit over zealous these first few auctions...just so anxious to buy something! This day I walked out with 4 box lots and two individual buys. I probably should have passed on two of the boxes and worst of all, I forgot to bid on a bushel basket that had sewing notions on the bottom!!! I can't rely on my memory when it comes to box lots, I think I need to start taking notes!!! Anyway, here they are....first buys auction buys of the year.This is the "after" picture on my counter. "After" I threw out the really atrocious stuff!The good stuff...Shiny Brites!A little chartreuse Pyrex with the label still in tact.A Jadeite dish.This cute cardinal figurine. Made in Japan.A Whitman's chocolate tin.A fair ribbon. Hawkeye Angus Association Senior Champion Bull.My individual buys were this patriot sheet music for $1. Also, two McCoy flower pots.On the way home I stopped at a home to look at some vintage picnic baskets listed on Craigslist. These babies were $5 each. That capped a perfect day!So, I haven't showed you everything I bought. If you want to get a really good look, click on that first picture, most everything is shown. I did keep a few things aside for posts this week. Yep, there I said it, look for more posts this week!!!

The Story Continues

I've been looking at my auction pictures on my computer. There is no way I'll finish posting about this last auction today. It would be one serious "cloginfer" (this is a technical term used my my in-laws.) Basically an overload.

So, I think I'll try and stick to a theme and keep a few things back for random posts.

I have to show you my table, though. I think it's fabulous and it only set me back $4! I think this would make a fine desk. The day I find a decent file cabinet to replace the one in my current desk, that will happen. In the meantime, it will serve as a picnic table and be used during my annual garage sale.
Lots more paper items to show. These are the most unusual cards. I'm not sure I have them figured out just yet. The back flap contains the gummed envelope edge. So, my guess is you fold the card in half? That way the gummed edge is adhered the the back? Somebody smarter than me can set me straight! Anyway, they are very lightweight. I like this bird image.
Here's the mark on one the cards. They all have identifying numbers.
Lots of stickers, and a random card. I imagine there are lots of uses for these.Cats. Now I don't have anything against cats. I just prefer dogs. Although we have neither. Our family lifestyle isn't conducive to animals. We have a parakeet that we take to my mother's whenever we go out of town. Nuff said. I'll be selling these. I need to research the marks. Anyone want to spare me and give me a clue?A couple pieces of glass I am keeping....for now.

A bowl in the "Sandwich" pattern. What an awful name for such a pretty pattern!A cute little jar. I never get tired of canning jars and containers in general!So, I THINK I'm going to attempt my first estate sale in quite a few years. All the goodies my fellow bloggers have been showing off has convinced me to give them another try. I'll keep you posted!

Bigger Than a Breadbox.....Still More Auction Stuff

Well, Halloween is over. My dear daughter loved how her costume turned out. I was less than thrilled, but if she's happy, that's all that matters. It certainly didn't affect her ability to bring in the candy. She came home with ten pounds! Quite an accomplishment for someone only weighing 60! To be honest, she did stop home once to "unload."

That being said, I am now free to continue posting about last weeks auction. As I said, my car was packed full and most things weren't bigger than a breadbox. Well, this one is. I love, love, love this ironing board! I have no idea what I will do with it, but isn't it pretty?Look at the label. In such good condition. And the color? It's perfect!Staying on the laundry theme. Here are some cute little clothespins. Not even big enough for doll clothes. Miniatures with different do-dads attached: mushrooms, flowers, ladybugs, etc.
All these picks (and more) came from one box.

Umbrellas and fruit. I really like the fruit. I will call the orange one a pumpkin, NOT an orange.A group of ladies. Wearing Easter bonnets, don't you think?Assorted minis. The birds are so tiny, maybe 3/8"?
Glass birds. I think I'm going to have to sell some of this stuff. I have no illusions that I will create something with them!Finally, a children's party book from 1923. I fell in love with this.There are illustrations for each holiday with lots of party planning ideas and recipes. (Click on the picture to get a good look.) It's holding together just fine, but the cover along the spine is chewed up a bit. It scares me to handle it too much. I'd like to think of a way to display it.Oh, and I did come home with a breadbox! Nothing too fancy, but I couldn't resist when at the end of the day the auctioneer allowed us to take a pile of left behind items for $1. I grabbed quite a few box lot cast offs for that $1. This being one. Hubby always has a pile of papers next to our phone. I asked him to put them in this. I may jazz it up, somewhere down the road. For now it serves a purpose.
If you can believe it, I still have about a dozen more pictures to share from this one auction. So, stay tuned. I will post them before I go out "hunting" again.

Takin' Hubby to the Auction....a Dangerous Thing!

This is what my kitchen island looked like when hubby and I returned from the auction on Saturday. He never comes with me, just not his thing. I'm sure it will be a LONG time before he comes again! When we left our vehicle was packed tight. I had to keep a couple boxes on my lap! Other than a dresser for my son and a nice primitive table, everything was a box lot. I have so much to show I'm going to break it up into a couple of posts. (And because I didn't post last week, there will be a couple items that I bought last Saturday.)From last Saturday, a pair of Lefton turkey salt & pepper's. I just had to have them!
A few years ago I thought, who collects this stuff? It's so gaudy! I admit it, I like it now! Just for fall, though. It has it's limits!
A celluloid Santa, again from last Saturday, I wasn't going to let him get away either! One more thing from last Saturday, a candy container Santa. I have a hard time buying Santa images usually....not this day!
Lots of garland dispersed among the box lots. Bits and pieces. Which do you think is older? The white or silver? The white is really stiff and it's shedding terribly, so that's my guess. I love 'em both! The gold....OK.
I've recently had an epiphany. I must collect glass bead garland to combat my husbands love a tinsel icicles! Last year I convinced him to let me put glittered hydrangea heads on the tree. It looked great, my daughter loved it, but messy, messy, messy!
This is how I decided to store the bead garland so it doesn't get tangled. Cottage cheese containers! I doubt I will put the lids on, I don't want any moisture to be trapped inside. How do you store yours?
A few ornaments on a plate with a piece of mercury glass in the center. I didn't see the pinecone until I came home and unpacked. I squealed when I saw it! Another fetish, I am so into pink balls right now! (That sounds a little funny?) I don't like pink that much, but not this year!
Now until I started reading Barbara's blog I would have thrown these away! Now I'm starting to see the value. Click on the pic to get a closer look!
This poor little angel! She's lost a wing. The chenille stem is off her base. I have no idea what she is suppose to be holding opposite the tree. I will do a little surgery on her....I hope she's better for it!
Just a cute glass glitter house ornament.

That's it for now! IF I make significant progress on my daughter's Halloween costume you will hear from me again....soon! I won't even bother to tell you her choice! I'd never heard of the guy, yes guy! Some video game character. Maybe I'll share when it's done!