Estate Sale Alert Email Service...

Found a vintage aluminum cake server/carrier while thrifting on Tuesday.  They do not seem to be selling for much over $5 so I get to keep this one. :)

Also... while looking for estate sales in my area last night I came upon a website that will email you information on estate sales, auctions, moving sales, etc. that are happening in your area.  You can click for further details for a listing of items to be sold. Just sign up, give your preferences and a day before the sales they will pop you out an email with all the details.  Here's the site:  http://www.estatesales.net/ .  Happy Thrifting!  Get out there an find some treasures now! :)

Darling, Thrifty Baby Quilt...

Hit a few thrift stores today with one of my dear daughters.  Found this sweet baby quilt where I used to rent booth space.  Quilts take so much time and love, so when I see one like this I snatch it up.  It is hand quilted and so lovely...





Cost was $12.00, which to me was well worth it.  My baby is 14 now so will either give it to someone else or... hang on to it for grandbabies, maybe... no pressure, dear daughter. :)











By the way, I am on the lookout for a 50's McCoy cookie jar that looks like this...

Grew up with on like it, but my sister has it now.  This one is for sale on Ebay for $35.99 plus $25 shipping (ouch!).  If you see one for less, please let me know. Thanks and Happy Thrifting. Oh,  I'll be joining Selena and all over at http://apronthriftgirl.typepad.com/apron_thrift_girl/ for Thrift  Share Mondays.  Come on over and check out everyone's great and thrifty finds. :)

Trip to DC & Museums...

Honey had another conference in the D.C. area this fall.  I joined him at the end and we trekked around the mall area for two days.  First up was the Smithsonian Museum of American History... so interesting.  Sorry I did not get photos of the First Ladies lovely gowns, which was probably my favorite display.  Next we visited the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, which is grand. My favorite display here were the gems.  It is amazing the beautiful colors found in plain old rock.  Can't believe the only photo I took in this section was of this blue diamond necklace. It was quite crowded and hard to shoot.  Amazingly enough, I thought the beautiful colors still captive in the rocks were more lovely than those cut.

Two museums that day was our limit, plus we had to walk back to the hotel in the rain (9 blocks or so). Honey told me it was futile to duck in a shop till it stopped as rain showers in D.C. were not short as in FL.  It stopped raining half way back to the hotel and we entered the beautiful lobby looking like two drowned rats. Hmmm... I was right. :)

Second day we first took photos in front of the capital and then toured the beautiful Botanical Gardens next door.  So lovely...










 Sorry I cannot share all of my botanical photos here...

 Next we visited the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum... Honey's favorite site.  It is pretty amazing and... large.  I was feeling a little old-ladyish after walking so much.  I plopped down on a bench to rest and met a sweet lady from Wales.  Her husband joined us later and we had a nice chat.  Quite an unexpected treat. :)

Last stop was at one of the Art Museums, do not remember the name, but, oh my....  beautiful art and lots of it.  We ran out of time before completing this tour, but did see most of it and took quite a few pics.

Isn't she lovely..










Loved this painting...

 Aren't these two young ladies sweet...

...and one vivid still life.




It was a wonderful time, but think I won't be walking too far real soon.  Hope you are having a great September! :)

Boutique For A Week....

In an earlier post on saving I shared about sales where individuals brought their gently used items to sell or trade.  If you live in the Orlando area one of these sales is coming up soon.  Here is the link: http://www.boutiqueforaweek.net/ .  Looks promising. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Gnomes and Such...

A couple of weeks ago a friend and I visited an Estate Sale... the kind where you have to take a number.  I don't usually attend this type, but decided to try it out.  The home was gorgeous, probably 7000 square feet, three stories and beautifully decorated .  The bottom floor looked like it had been outfitted for housing children and grandchildren with multiple daybeds, couches, etc. along with an outdoor patio kitchen/screen porch that looked out over a lake.  It was in this area that I found a closet full of games and puzzles.  Only two caught my attention, one titled Scallop Shells with a picture of various sea shells and a 1978 Uniebock, BV 4 puzzle box titled A Family of Gnomes Jigsaw Puzzle Box.  Artwork by Rien Poortvliet.  The large 500 piece puzzle is two sided, plus there are two smaller, 60 piece puzzles for children.  I have put them all together and all pieces are present.

I have thought of listing it on Ebay, but can find nothing like it from which to get pricing ideas.  When this happens I want to list it as RARE, but always a little reluctant to do so.  What do you think?  Any ideas?  Ohhh... I'll be linking up with Selena's Monday Thriftshare at http://apronthriftgirl.typepad.com/apron_thrift_girl/.  Join us... it's tons of fun! :)

This sweet puzzle found a new home.  Emma from Sweden, one of my blog readers, now has it.  She had one like it growing up.  Enjoy, Emma! :)