Magpie Ethel

Estate Sale Friday...A Few Things

I hit two sales today.  One was a TOTAL dud.  I bought a couple of things at the other one.

A nice heavy metal stool with adjustable seat.

Four plastic trellises that will be good for crafting.

I wasn't sure what this item was when I picked it up. I liked the color and the floral decoration.  It is a little bigger than a bar of soap. When I flipped it over, the answer was printed on the backside.  A Moth ball case!  It will fit in well with my collection of moth ball tins!

I also got an old Oregon hankie that I thought could be used in Kate's vintage map/vintage Oregon dorm room theme this fall.

I thought I would include a little geography tidbit today.  I live in Portland, Oregon. In case you aren't familiar with where that is in the state of Oregon, I have indicated the spot with an arrow. (Washington state above and the Pacific Ocean to the left)

At least I did not completely strike out today. I am headed to a big antique show tomorrow at our local Expo center. Looking forward to a morning of browsing and treasure hunting!

Happy Weekend.

Summer Camp

My daughter Kate is away at camp. She is a camp counselor for the summer.  Kate has gone to the same camp since elementary school (YWCA Camp Westwind, on the Oregon Coast).  She always wanted to be a camp counselor and this is her third summer doing just that.  She has also been a counselor with our local Outdoor School program. Outdoor School is part of our public school system where middle school students go to camp and high school kids volunteer to be counselors.  It is an awesome program.

With all this camp experience she has gotten quite the collection of wood cookies that campers and counselors make and wear.  PEEP is her camp counselor name.

I always try and send her some goofy care packages while she is away. I was inspired by the project from this post on Happy Loves Rosie blog.

This is my variation.  I used the giant size marshmallows. Food coloring is used to decorate the marshmallows so you can safely eat them. 

I was thinking she could use them for some crazy S'mores fun.  If not they are sure to just make her laugh at my efforts.

Miss that girl when she is away for the summer.

XO Peep.  Love you tons.

Collection Challenge #164 - Vintage Thermos

Rosie challenged me to show my collection of vintage thermoses.  Evidently she has a collection of them and wanted to see mine.  I just let some of mine go in my garage sale as well as selling some at a Plucky Maidens event.  They look awesome all grouped together with their retro colors and designs.

I just can't keep everything.  I seem to collect things for awhile and sometimes it is time to let them go.  HOWEVER, there are some thermoses that I would NOT part with.  These are the jug variety that I love to use for outdoor parties when I need a fun vase.

This pair of thermoses was perfect for my fourth of July decorations. I had flags in the smaller blue thermos.

These jug style thermoses are hands down my favorite.  I love that they come in great colors.

Even if the condition on the outside shows wear, the inside thermos often still holds water and is perfect to display a summer bouquet.

If you have an idea for a future collection challenge, leave me a comment and finish the sentence "Show me your collection of ____." Thanks Rosie for a great suggestion.

Love a summertime bouquet..especially in a vintage jug thermos!

Estate Sale Friday... Time Flies.

Today I hit one sale.  A digger sale. Those are my favorite kind as I really enjoy digging and hunting through boxes and such seeing what I can uncover. the sale I hit today was a big old house with two floors, a basement and a backyard full of stuff. I spent most of my time in the basement, flashlight in hand, digging. 

I got another pair of those galvanized metal sawhorses that I love! I also found a pair of gingham curtains with cute red flowers.

This house had tons of tins with great graphics.  There were some great ones on the main floor of the house that had higher prices than I wanted to pay.  When I went in the basement, there were tons of the same tins there as well.  These tins all still held various nuts and bolts, but the prices were much cheaper.  I bought my tins in the basement and recycled the metal nuts and bolts.

I could not pass up a can with the company name of SUNSHINE JANE. I think that would be a great name for a blog.Some old floral tea towels and a pair of potholders? A glass refrigerator jar with a great lid.

A box of old chalk for my chalk collection.  I did not have this one!

I got just a teeny bit of vintage Christmas.  The glass garland was a good find.

A floral metal wastebasket, galvanized chicken feeders and a jar of jar lids.
The jar lids made me quite happy.

It always amazes me what people have saved over the years.

You may remember a collection challenge I did about jar lids.

I also found an old rack that holds shopping baskets. No shopping baskets, just the rack. (Shara is the one that got the shopping basket haul)

Not a bad haul for a morning. I mentioned I lost track of time. I got in the sale about 9:10 and left about 10:45.  Time sure flies when you are having fun and digging in estate sale land!
Happy day.

Holiday Silly

Put on some patriotic style this Fourth of July.

Wishing you a safe and happy fourth.  For more crazy Fourth of July posts, look here, here, here, or here.  Enjoy your day!

Searching, Saving, Holiday Collecting.

I did my post the other day about my Fourth of July decorations. I had comments about how much I had for the Fourth. I am always collecting. I am always thinking about what I could add to my holiday bins.  I don't do willy nilly collecting, but enjoy finding something special that speaks to me.

Case in point. Newly acquired crepe paper fellow found at local antique mall. He was $4.

I know he is a bit bedraggled and has seen better days. The green of his hat has run a bit onto his sweet face.  The minute I saw him though I knew he must be rescued and become part of my St. Patty's day decorations.

Hello Mr. Leprechaun Man.  I think I have a shamrock in my vintage/crafting stash to have him hold.

He will be put in my bin for the St. Patty's day holiday where he will be sure to bring a smile to my face next March.  Sure glad our paths crossed. Always thinking ahead for a holiday...

Collection Challenge #163 - Vintage Dishware

Sheryl R. challenged me to show my collection of vintage dishware.  I have a stash of it that I use when we have quests over. I don't mind the mis-matched look as you can tell from what I have.

These are more dessert size than dinner plate.

Marking on back of the set of five.  Homer Laughlin.

Marking on the back of the green chintz-ware. These plates were inherited from my grandmother.

A sucker for these rose plates. I love that they are crazed and really show some age.

I don't need a bunch of one design to make it into my stash.

When I serve dessert or a lighter lunch I love the plates all mismatched and stacked up with the different patterns.

Dinner plate size here.

All of my dishware consists of just plates except for this set. I have the complete set with this cheery pattern; cups, bowls, assorted plate sizes and serving dishes. My mom got this at an antique store and then gifted it to me to store. 

One of my favorite sets of dishware is not vintage, just plain old polka dots. 

I like how this new set makes an older pattern look a bit more playful and hip.

The polka dot set also inspired a summer table post way back in 2009.

Thanks for the suggestion Sheryl.  Maybe I will make a fancy dinner for Tom and I tonight since I have my dishes out! If you have an idea for a future collection challenge, leave me a comment and finish the sentence, "Show me your collection of ____.".

Happy Day!