Since Central New York lacks a good flea market, I talked Mr. Oodles into getting up early Sunday and going on a little trip. Mr. Oodles is not a big fan of getting up early on Sundays or flea markets, but he is a big fan of a hearty breakfast, and that was part of the deal. (Going out for a hearty breakfast, that is. I was not preparing one for him. Perhaps you mistook this for a food blog.)
The market was a lot of fun. The people were friendly, the prices were fair, and there were a lot of fans. There were twice as many on this display just minutes before I took this photo. By the way, I want to mention that Mr. Oodles does not appear in any of these photos. I did not want you to think he's the guy with the beer belly in the background.
Nor is he the person in a less than flattering position, wearing less than flattering striped knee socks. I did not notice that individual while I was taking the photo, which otherwise kind of captured the upbeat nature of the market.
I was quite taken with this raincoat, in perfect condition.
However, I have come to realize that while I may be a person who wishes she could pull off wearing this raincoat, I really am not the person who would be comfortable doing that. Flea markets are good for insights like that.
I also came to realize that even though I have sworn off buying patterns, I really can't resist them sometimes and probably shouldn't even try. However, in my defense, I did not buy the entire box.
Only the really pretty ones.
And some really old ones.
And one really cute one. (That panda? The mask? It almost makes me wish for a size 4 child. Almost.)
I also purchased a pile of buttons, which I am looking forward to sorting.
And this children's book ("The Animals of Farmer Jones"), which I have been looking for ever since Heidi discovered that it has illustrations of floral feedsacks. Italics are entirely deserved in this case.
We're backing up in time momentarily to Saturday to review that day's purchases. Which were fine, just not very plentiful. This sampler has many virtues, chief among them houses with pink roofs. The fabric in the background is a feedsack. I found it Saturday, and it was a little upsetting, because I found it at the sale I had been to Friday. (A return trip was not out of my way, so I went again.) Yes, I overlooked a feedsack. Very unsettling. Since it was the second day of the sale, it was half price, but still. It was enough to make me wonder whether my feedsack picker was broken.
I also found a very nice McCoy pot and a scrapbook chockablock full of old baby cards.
Back to Sunday and the flea market. The very first booth I stopped at had feedsack. I bought nine of 'em. I even left behind some I didn't like all that much. So not only did it turn out to be an 11-feedsack weekend, I got proof that my feedsack picker wasn't broken after all. I was relieved. And also left to wonder: if I found 11 feedsacks every weekend, how many would that be?
(The answer is 572. Or, almost enough to satisfy me. Almost.)
Your commentary always cracks me up. Thanks for bringing your camera along on your flea market adventures. That panda Halloween costume pattern is just adorable. Josie has quite the collection of pandas in her bedroom. I can just see her in a panda costume. Carry on with the feedsack mission!!
Posted by: Kim K. | May 20, 2013 at 06:23 AM
ooohhhh B - lovin on the patterns. I thought the gentleman's stripped socks DID show the upbeat nature of the market LOL...nice haul and I think your feedsack GSP is just fine....(cute book!)
Posted by: Jewels Oman | May 20, 2013 at 06:33 AM
I couldn't resist those patterns either! And there's something about sorting buttons that is so relaxing....
Posted by: Mitzi Curi | May 20, 2013 at 09:55 AM
What a fun adventure! I would not have been able to resist those patterns - especially not at 50 cents - I would have bought every one so kudos to you for restraint!
Posted by: kathy | May 20, 2013 at 09:55 AM
Sounds like you had fun!!! Love the patterns and and feed sacks!! Wishing you a great week! xo Heather
Posted by: Heather | May 20, 2013 at 10:45 AM
Oh Barbara you crack me up....just the perfect post to read with morning coffee. :)
I swear, if I ever find any feedsacks, I'm gonna send them straight to you!
Posted by: Maria (Magia Mia) | May 20, 2013 at 12:22 PM
Now I'm jealous ! I'm going to make Mr. Lisa W. go with me to a flea market whether he likes it or not !! Thanks for sharing ... and for making me laugh !
Posted by: Lisa W. | May 21, 2013 at 12:25 AM
When do you know that you really, reeeally love something? When you buy a book because it has illustrations of the thing that you love! I'm still waiting to find some vintage radio ads to go along with my vintage radio addiction....
Posted by: Carol @ Old Glory Cottage | May 21, 2013 at 11:28 AM
Looks Like Fun . . . . but the guy with the knee socks is just cracking me up :)
Posted by: Patrice | May 22, 2013 at 07:57 AM
Looks like a fun one! I don't know where in NY state you are but are you close enough to go to the Elephant's Trunk in New Milford Connecticut? I'm in NYC and it's a little over an hour north of us straight up the CT/NY state border. It's a good one I think! www.etflea.com
Posted by: Rebecca | May 22, 2013 at 02:05 PM
Maybe the fact you went back to the sale the next day shows your feedsack picker is dead on ... it detected a feedsack that had not been available the previous day. Or maybe your picker's batteries were low.
Have a wonderful holiday weekend!
Posted by: Into Vintage | May 24, 2013 at 11:56 AM
Love your blog!
Posted by: cindy | May 31, 2013 at 02:26 PM