I had errands to run on Friday and the sales did not look all that great. I decided to get stuff done and was on the tail end of my errands and heading home. Two blocks from my house I saw the sign...ESTATE SALE.
Of course I decided to take a quick detour.
It was a digger sale. At first I only found a few things. I then added a few more. Once I got to the basement I had to find a big box to hold it all. It really was a very good errand detour. The Christmas table cloth and the chenille minty throw were fun finds.
The upstairs had a gather and ask sign. I dug through boxes of holiday...lots of stuff I did not want, but some good treasures.
A set of spun head band angels, old paper umbrellas, vintage wrapping paper and brushes that make good witch brooms for crafting.
The ball of twine will be headed to Plucky Maidens (I will be a vendor there soon), and a pair of candle hugger angels. The flag I had to remove from the basement wall as it was stuck up with thumbtacks. I look everywhere.
I said this was a digger sale. That means you find about anything and stuff has not been sorted through. I was really happy to find this old tube of toothpaste. It will live in my bathroom curiosity cabinet.
A pair of Christmas stockings and a box of old laundry soap. I love this old box. It is huge and the graphics are great. It has a tiny bit of soap left in it. Why it was never tossed is a mystery. 
More digging in the basement. A bubble pipe, a water sprinkler top, an old velvet jewelry box and a tiny chenille chick (with wire feet).
The workshop was full of old cans that held nails and such. I dumped one can into another so I wouldn't have to come home with old nails.
Some old wrapping paper, vintage New Year napkins (to add to my stash) and a red plastic heart box.
This tulip patterned jar was filthy and found in the basement pantry. I had my flashlight looking at each and every shelf. I think it is a jar, but I have not seen this shape before. Light shade? The rubber ring behind I am calling a float ring and it will be used in my someday beach house (a better photo of it in the first shot).
I paid for all my stuff and as I was checking out I asked the woman running the sale about an awning I had seen in the basement. It was in the original box. She hadn't even seen it down there. The box was torn and it looked like there was an awning top and metal legs. It was red and white striped. I didn't pull it out much as it was really dirty. She gave me a price. I decided to gamble on it and took it home.
OH MY! It is a great red and white striped awning. It has a valance that hangs down that is SCALLOPED with FRINGE. I think all the legs and supports are there but have not put it together yet. It is 8 x 16. That is huge. Not quite sure what I will do with it yet, but it may make its debut at my garage sale this year. How cool would that be as an attention getter?
A super fun end to my errand day.
I think the awning is wonderful - it will definitely be handy for yard sales, and maybe even in a booth. re: cans full of hardware - I have a beautiful 100 year old china cabinet in my dining room that was once in my parents' basement full of cans of nails and paint. When I was getting married Mom said I could have it, and it's been holding vintage china for 30+ years! If you find really rusty old nails (esp square heads) or rusty larger screws in a can, bring them home and I'll take them off your hands - I use them for crafting prims!
Posted by: JoyceG | March 07, 2015 at 08:13 AM
I'm so intrigued about that awning. It will definitely grab attention. Lots of fun treasures. Love it all. I'm so anxious for a good estate sale. Always happy to live through you!
Posted by: Musings from Kim K. | March 07, 2015 at 09:41 AM
I think that item you call a float ring is a hemmoroid cushion! Just sayin'....
Posted by: Jane | March 07, 2015 at 10:05 AM
Score! Those are probably the best sales too when you're not really looking forward to one. I'm so getting my fix from you right now.
Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Doreen | March 07, 2015 at 10:17 AM
That awning will be the perfect thing at your garage sale!! Protection from the rain, shade from the sun and SCALLOPS WITH FRINGE. High five!!
Posted by: Kathy | March 07, 2015 at 11:25 AM
It's like the estate sale gods want these vintage treasures to go to a person who will truly value & care for them! I am amazed at what you find (& what people don't discard along the way). Thanks for letting us enjoy it all.
Posted by: mary scott | March 07, 2015 at 05:28 PM
You can officially start your own circus with that great awning! I hope you can put it up and show us it in all it's glory. I love all the old cans and packaging. And I especially liked your sneak peak of today's finds on IG - Skippy is made in Arkansas!
Posted by: Shara | March 07, 2015 at 09:25 PM
Something is always going on with us when you have your annual garage sale. Hopefully this year I will be able to head up! Are you doing Plucky in April down here? It is on Hanna's due date and we also have concert tickets for that night so that baby better either already be here or hold out a little longer for her loving aunt!
See you soon :-)
Erica
Posted by: Erica | March 08, 2015 at 05:57 AM
The awning is awesome! I'm pretty sure your yard sales grab people's attention all by themselves though :)
Posted by: Pam @ House of Hawthornes | March 08, 2015 at 12:51 PM
A real treasure hunt of a sale. A lot of the small things to which I am always attracted. The float looks like those tubes they send women home with after they'd delivered a baby. Can't wait to see the awning in all it's glory. People who call everything 'awesome' make me want to lobotomize myself, but I gotta say, I think the awning is pretty awesome.
Posted by: Susan | March 09, 2015 at 05:43 AM
I love finding unadvertised sales. Those tend to have the best stuff!
Posted by: Melissa's Antiques | March 09, 2015 at 06:16 AM
That wonderful awning will add fun to your yard sale (and maybe future show displays?) for sure! Great find!
Posted by: Eddie Mitchell | March 09, 2015 at 05:20 PM