For this week's Show and Tell Sunday, hosted by Heidi, we're showing off our favorite flea market finds. Since my blog pretty much consists of my favorite flea market - auction - yard sale - thrift store treasures, the trick for me was to find something you haven't already seen. So I'm offering my Top 10 list of things I love to look for, starting with number 10 up there: old children's books, particularly counting and alphabet books. In no particular order but saving my favorite for last, here are the rest.
#9 Christmas ornaments
Stencils, indents, figurals, Shiny Brites or made in Germany or Poland: I love them all.
This box was a bargain at $5.
#8 Sewing notions
Nothing makes me happier than sorting through a box of sewing notions, looking for rickrack, seam binding, the occasional scrap of fabric. Almost every box has a tomato pincushion, so this group took no time at all to collect.
#7 Wooden benches
A plant stand, an end table, an extra seat at a campfire, or stacked for shelves: little wooden benches are almost always a bargain.
#6 Scottie dogs
Because everybody needs one collection (or, um, maybe more than one) for no reason.
#5 Birthday cards
New ones can't hold a (birthday) candle to these.
#4, #3, #2 Jadeite, Swanky swigs, old wallpaper
Long-time obsessions. Approaching the dangerous stage where price starts to not matter.
And my absolute flea market favorite?
#1 My dad
Lots of people go to the flea market with their mom or their sister, but believe it or not, my favorite junking
partner is my dad. He is insatiably curious about what things cost and what they might be worth, and he is a serious student of human behavior. Going to a sale with him is endlessly fun.
If we didn't live 300 miles apart, we'd be out every weekend.
p.s. to Mom: Sorry I cropped you out of the picture.
Happy Father's Day, Dad! See you in two weeks!
This is a clever and delightful post! You do such a nice job of photographing all of your wonderful things. I especially like the photo of the Jadeite.
One of my favorite treasure hunting compainions is my dad too. He often surprises me with things that he finds at garage sales too.
Best wishes for a happy Father's Day to your dad!
Posted by: Lena | June 15, 2008 at 03:02 AM
This is a great way to do this type of post, and how cool that your dad is a great junking partner. It made me realize I have never done that with my dad.
Posted by: Sarah | June 15, 2008 at 08:54 AM
Oh, dads are the best to shop with. They always want to buy stuff for their little girls =) I share quite a few of your top 10 favs. Have a great Sunday. Blessings... polly
Posted by: Polly | June 15, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Awwww! I wasn't expecting such a sweet ending to that blog post! I too love going out with my dad, we yard sale and we both have the same method, fast! :)
Posted by: Brooke | June 15, 2008 at 12:03 PM
That is fantastic! Your dad looks so sweet! Mom's always get cropped out.
Posted by: Gail | June 15, 2008 at 12:54 PM
what a cutie your dad is! I like to shop with my dad too.
Posted by: pasha plum | June 15, 2008 at 02:59 PM
I always love to show my stepdad what I find. He was especially interested when I found the pile of feedsacks last summer. I feel the same way about sewing notions. I LOVE to sort through a huge box of them.
Posted by: Vicki | June 15, 2008 at 06:19 PM
Aw, how sweet about your Dad!
Thanks for the wonderful package of goods that you included with the beautiful card for my aunt!!! that was so thoughtful. I love it all, what a cute packaging job you did too.
Posted by: Karla | June 15, 2008 at 07:41 PM
Adorable post today! I especially love that your dad is your fav junkin' partner!!
Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
Posted by: stephanie | June 15, 2008 at 11:21 PM
I love your finds. I like it all too...that's the dangerous part of fleamarketing....
Posted by: LiLi M. | June 16, 2008 at 04:20 AM
Such fabulous finds! What a great "flea" partner you have!~~XXOO, Beth
Posted by: elizabeth holcombe | June 16, 2008 at 02:25 PM
Oww girl, you spoiled us, what a beautiful pictures! And your greatest treasure is definately your dad!
Posted by: Elly | June 16, 2008 at 03:09 PM
lol ok i am laughing my butt off here that you cut your mom out of the pic!! poor mom! hehe
love all your collections and have decided that if your hubby wanted to get rid of you, he could replace you with me and i would be quite happy living amongst your treasures. no. really. hehe.am i scaring you?? heheheh ok, that does sound kind of psycho, huh??
Posted by: susan | June 17, 2008 at 01:20 AM
What a list! I myself like strawberry pin cushions and I have yet found only one! :) LOL
Love the picture of your Dad, he has a great "smirk!" Looks like a fun guy for sure. :)
Posted by: rebecca | June 19, 2008 at 11:12 AM