Friday's sales started out disappointing but picked up steam right at the end. I even ended up bringing home enough stuff to make some color-themed vignettes. This one's red (and this is the last time I'll be announcing the color, because I'm betting you'll figure it out.) The bib apron has never been worn and is about the cutest one I've ever seen. I was happy to find the Dairylea milk bottle because I have a (literally) pint-sized one to go with it. The background fabric is the subject of the fairless useless advice.
The quality of the vignettes will pick up soon. This carrier (is it for half-gallons of milk? I confess I don't know) has a red handle and is hard to photograph.
Again, things hard to arrange: a wood and wicker bathroom shelf, a Hull matte white planter, a little watering can planter and a plate rack. Rubbermaid made these plate racks in the 1950s. I find one or two a year, and they sell almost instantly, I think because they're really good for storing or displaying plates.
The twin of the red striped apron and a three-piece Pyrex set.
Bluebirds sitting in heart-shaped branches and a pair of hatboxes.
The twins of the other hatboxes, except, obviously, in pink, some hats that came with them, and a matching tablecloth. I was happy to find the hatboxes, especially because I had passed on a pink rose one at a lamentable estate sale, and then I wondered if I should have. When I found two for less than the price of one, I felt much better.
I love pink and green together. Even if it's a little preppy. OK, way preppy. I'm also fond of the silky pink hat with the costume jewelry pin, not that I have the slightest idea of what anyone would do with it. (Wear it with something green and go to the country club?)
This tiny plastic advertising bank was probably my best buy of the day, because it was filled with pennies. I pointed this out to the lady who was selling it, but she said she couldn't figure out how to get the pennies out without breaking it. So I paid three dollars for it ...
knowing that, driven by my love for a challenge and cold hard cash, I'd figure out a way to get it open. And I did. And there was $3.45 inside, making an easy profit of 45 cents. As real estate agents like to say, a home is always a good investment. Well, they used to say that.
So here's the fabric - a partial bolt of some reproduction feedsack fabric from a curious sale that was part going-out-of-business, part flea-market. I've been wanting to make some pillows for the chairs on the front porch, but I haven't wanted to spend much on the fabric because there's every chance the neighbor's dog will want to interact with the pillows somehow (sleeping, retrieving, gnawing...) I thought this fabric would be perfect if it was cheap enough, and as luck would have it, the man in charge of the sale seemed absolutely petrified at the thought of measuring and cutting the fabric. He quoted me a completely reasonable price for a length he approximated by holding his hands apart. What if I bought the whole bolt? I asked, and the thought appealed to him so much he said three bucks.
So here's the fairly useless advice: If you're at kind of a weird sale where you can buy fabric by the yard, and there's a guy in charge, and he doesn't seem to know much about sewing, just offer to buy the bolt, because it's bound to be cheap.
I swear, you always fine the greatest stuff! Those hat boxes are to DIE for, LOVE the fabric, and well, basically everything. I love those old Rubbermaid racks. I found three different sizes and types in pink, and can't bear to part with them! And I tried to sell a big yellow one at the shop - no takers for months, so I brought it home too!
Posted by: HeidiAnn | June 13, 2010 at 06:51 PM
Selling fabric by the yard at a rummage sale- that is hilarious.
Ok- want to hear something that will give you goosebumps?- I bought exactly the same hatbox this weekend- but no hats.
Ok- that maybe wasn't goosebump weird, but kind of funny.
Posted by: Beth Leintz | June 13, 2010 at 07:14 PM
So Cool!! Great Finds!!!
Posted by: Donna @ The House on the Corner | June 13, 2010 at 07:21 PM
Wow I think you really got some great finds!!
Love the hat boxes and the red plate rack! I will have to keep an eye out for those!
Posted by: Linda @ A La Carte | June 13, 2010 at 07:38 PM
Oh those delightful finds from yesterday, they never lose their magic, do they.
I never lose my delight at looking at them when you gals find them.
blessings,
glenda
Posted by: Glenda | June 13, 2010 at 07:54 PM
That is a whole bunch of wonderful finds you did great what finds and I like the bargain on the bolt of fabric! Way to go!
Posted by: Diane | June 13, 2010 at 07:54 PM
I love it when there is a man in charge of a sale, because I always get the best deals! Sorry men, but it's true. Amazing finds Barbara, and now I'm on the lookout for one of those carriers, because I can totally picture blue Ball jars full of daisies in it!
Posted by: Carol @ Old Glory Cottage | June 13, 2010 at 08:19 PM
The HOUSE that you made 45 cents on...great, great story! Good for you for figuring out how to get your moneys worth on that one. I am also going to start hunting down the Rubbermaid plate racks...luckily we aren't hunting in the same neck of the woods.
Posted by: laurie magpie ethel | June 13, 2010 at 09:06 PM
Would you please send me some of your Pyrex
Gris gris, or any any good luck for that matter?
I'm coming up with not much of anything lately.
Nice finds.
Posted by: Mary @ Turkey Farm Treasures | June 13, 2010 at 10:33 PM
You have been cracking me up lately! Love that little house bank, it just makes me happy.
I bought a Shawnee bowl and two vintage embroidered pillowcases (with a third thrown in for lagniappe) at the flea market today from a woman who was practically giving her stuff away...I guess I need to take a picture. My pictures never come out as cute as yours, though...
Posted by: Janelle | June 14, 2010 at 12:34 AM
Good and usefull advice as always Barbara :->
That pink beehive hat is just too fab. You must find an occasion to wear it.
xo, suzy
Posted by: georgiapeachez | June 14, 2010 at 06:40 AM
Pretty, pretty stuff! Doesn't get much better than pyrex, jadeite, aprons, and pretty (cheap) fabric. :) I've never found a hatbox, but would love to someday.
Posted by: Lisa | June 14, 2010 at 08:54 AM
Hands down...you find the best stuff!!! Love the pink hat and your advice about the fabric was spot on.
♥, Susan
Posted by: Black Eyed Susans Kitchen | June 14, 2010 at 09:08 AM
I may have to start heading up your way because the yard sales here have been nothing but baby clothes and old ski boots.
Not a hatbox nor bolt(!) of fabric in sight...
Posted by: Into Vintage | June 14, 2010 at 12:14 PM
Yep you are the queen of vintage finds! Love the hatboxes and the hats. We just painted our 'new office room' pink and green and I love it! Are those blue birds on a table cloth?
Posted by: LiLi M. | June 14, 2010 at 03:54 PM
I'd say that this was a pretty good haul. I love the hats themselves. And I love your comment about the house bank!
Posted by: Sandy B | June 15, 2010 at 09:17 AM
The aprons! The APRONS!!!
Posted by: Bette Clair | June 15, 2010 at 11:53 AM
How awesome! I could learn from you! But then I might have to go to jail with you, too! heeheehee! ♥
Posted by: Lavender Dreamer | June 16, 2010 at 10:09 AM
Everyone has their own story! Would you like to write in the blog share with us?
Posted by: Jordans 6 | June 17, 2010 at 09:13 PM
*Sighs,swoons and just faints at seeing so many things I would love to have. Oh my!!!!
The aprons and Pyrex..*sighs and sobs,I want them,I want them..I love them so..and that fabric,,,oh,you lucky girl.
Posted by: CC | June 28, 2010 at 10:44 AM