Yard Sale Finds - Score!

We are in the 'home-buying' process so I am being very strict with myself on spending money.  We never know what unexpected necessary costs will come up that we need to be prepared for.  (and all the fun things I will want to buy for the new house)  So with that in mind, I had decided to hold off on yard sales until we have signed all the final papers (should be around the end of June).  However, there were a few 'whole neighborhood' sales that were a bit too tempting.  So, I did get out for just a little bit this past Saturday.  And boy and I glad I did.

Look at what I came across.  I have always wanted an old trunk.  I have actually bid on several at auctions but they went for higher than I was prepared to pay.  But this little gem was just sitting there waiting for me to come by.  It is in great shape too. 

 I have always loved baskets.  Especially unique ones.  I love this large round one that I found.  I paid only $3 for it and I think it was well worth it.  The rectangle basket will be great for storage in my scrap room or to hold DVD's, CD's or such. 

 Below is an additional storage container, it's metal and very sturdy.  It even has a place for a label on the front so I can tag it as to what is store in there.  To the left (in the large round basket) is a nice apron that they threw in at no charge. 

 Love, love this basket.  I have many ideas and plans for it in our new home. 

I only made purchases at two yard sales.  The trunk was at one and all the other items were at the other one.  Total spent on all items was $56.  Wow - what a deal.  I am very, very please with my finds. 

July 8, 2011 - 'Double Take' becomes a Reality

My twin sister, Terri!, and I have been making plans to open up a retail booth at Olde Salem Merchantile in Salem, VA. Well after many months of planning, purchasing and re-purposing, it is finally here. We decided to go with a larger booth than we had originally planned and we partnered with Regina, a long time friend on this hobby/business venture. She has had a booth for over 7 years at a different location so we are 'learning' the tricks of the trade from her. We went with a 14' X 4' booth space. We were afraid that we didn't have enough stuff to fill it but on the contrary, we enough, if not more. On Friday afternoon, the three of us (with our families there to help move stuff in) began setting up and beautifying our new retail space.

Here is a before photo - this is me, Terri! and Regina...

Everything is moved in, family members are gone, now time to get to work...boy do we have our work cut out for us.

Drum roll please.....Here is the 'After'. Yea! We are so pleased with how it turned out. We only had 3 hours tonight to work on it so there are still a few things to get done and items to be added but we are so pleased with the results. We didn't have any idea that it would turn out looking so good. We are thrilled. Some more 'booth' eye-candy for you......and some more, ...and more, ...more, ...and the last one.

Now on to making us some 'fun' money. This is really more of a hobby for us but the making money part is the 'cherry on top'. Say a prayer for us that we will get some good customers and have to be very busy to keep our booth space filled. Thanks for stopping by and looking at our booth.

Yard Sale Goodies from this Past Weekend

Ok, this summer hasn't really be all that productive when it comes to my yard sales/thrift store finds...that is until this past weekend. I think it was the best ever for things that I found that I just couldn't leave behind.

At our first stop I was able to these three frames for $1 each even though they are marked at $2 a piece. I think she was willing to negotiate because I was buying quite a few things from her. I got a great deal on all of these items. A total of $11 was spent on the following few items and the same stop.

Table Runner was $2 Place Mats were $3 for 6 of them

This lamp was only $3 (I love it)

Another great deal I got (at our last stop) was this rug to go under my Dining Room table. It is at least a 9' X 10' (actually I think it's a little bit bigger but I haven't measured it yet). You won't believe me when I tell you that I only spent $10. Yes, you read correctly....$10. Yea!!!

My daughter is expecting in January so I just couldn't pass up on some awesome baby things. This bouncy seat (in excellent condition) was only $8. And this bassinet was (also in excellent condition) only $20. They originally had it marked for $50 (they started the sale on Thursday night) but came down on Saturday to make sure they moved it. It was a church rummage sales raising money for a mission trip. I didn't mind paying $20 for a good cause and an awesome bassinet for Ashley (and Brooklynn Elaine).

Also at the church rummage sale I snagged these three baskets/tins for .25 a piece.

A great day with my sister and her two daughters. Girls morning out - what fun. I also got a rubbermaid container full of maternity clothes for only $10 and 3 baby lullaby CD's for a buck a piece. I think that is everything that I brought home on Saturday. Needless to say, my husband is thrilled that yard sale season is quickly coming to an end...

Hope you all had a successful 'thrifting' day if you ventured out. I sure did...Have a wonderful week.

Yard Sale Finds

Our local Civic Center had a 'Monster Flea Market' yesteday and my sister and I just 'had' to be there. There was probably 50 different vendors set up for the day. Some professional vendors that were selling antique dishes, toys, books, etc... Other booths had collections of comic books, records, sport memorabilia, hand made jewelry. And then others were locals that just had yard sales stuff. We got there early and were there probably there almost 2 hours. We didn't end up spending a lot of money but I think we got some good deals. There were two things that we 'went back' for but had already been sold. We learned a very valuable lesson...if you are thinking about getting it...then just do it. If you come back it may be gone.

Here is my stuff...


One vendor had a box full of old prints. We went through and picked out 8 of our favorites then we split them. We now wished we have gotten more than eight of them. We fell in love with so many of them but we were trying to keep some money back for the rest of the tables.

I also got a scrapbook for $1. It's a simple one but it will come in handy for a special project or event. I think it was a great deal. It is brand new. I took the wrapping off of it when I got home.

I also got this adorable 'box'. On one side it says 'BLESSINGS' and the other side says 'HOPES'. It will be used to hold some scrapbooking run-ons in my studio. I love it. It was only $2.00. When I first looked at it the vendor had $4 on it. I decided to walk around a bit and when I came back she had marked it at $2. I grabbed it up instantly.

I love little boxes...as you can tell. I found this little box (and another one exactly like it) at another table. They were both marked $2 each and I immediately picked them both up. My sister and I have matching boxes.

When I opened it up I found out that I could use it as a 'file' box for index cards. This might come in handy for my job but it may also end up being used for scrapbook emblishments. I haven't quite decided yet. Who knows...I will figure it out.

I got this picture at a yard sale we stopped at on our way home from the civic center. I just love the look of this picture. I have held it up in three different places in my home. Where it ends up I do not know at this point. I may need my sister's thoughts on the matter...Terri...help!!

I love this little bell. The vendore ended up coming down to only $3. I just fell in love with it and had to have it. I would have paid the $5 she had on it but when I asked if she would take less she said $3. What a blessing...

I have never really decorated with sea shells but out there in blog-land, I see a lot of people have shells all around and I love the look that they give to a room. So when we found a vendor that offered a 'cup' full for only .50 I had to buy some. For this entire bowl I only paid $1.25. Can you believe it? We couldn't. It was a great buy.

Over all Terri and I had a very successful day. We thought it was well worth going. And to top it all off, we had so much fun together. Just being together, no matter what we do, we have a blast. Living in the same area and doing 'life' with my sister and her family is one of my favorite things. Thanks Terri for a wonderful day....