A Vintage Gathering Thank-you!, followed by some rest and relaxation!

It is always such a whirl wind setting up for the flea market, that I never seem to find the time to take some pictures before the masses come through. I really need to work on this! I did remember to take some pictures of my space later in the day though.

This was my best Vintage Gathering flea market yet! I would first like to say thank you to Cathy Foley for hosting us at her awesome place. Without her, there might not be a Vintage Gathering. A big thank you to my sister Jeanna, (whom I could kick myself for not getting a picture!) for helping me. My son Danny, and hubby for loading, unloading, and loading up what was left. And of course thank-you to all my awesome customers, cuz you are why I love to do this! I really, really do love doing these flea markets!

So, what happens after the whirl wind of a flea market?! Of course, we all start planning for the next one, which for me will be in September. I am taking the whole month of August with no flea markets planned, but still very action packed! First up, a much needed break, with alittle camping trip into Oregon.

We were so close to our first camping spot, however the truck decided it was just not meant to be! A good thing ODOT came along, and called us a tow truck. We spent our first night at the Bend Ford parking lot, arriving sometime around midnight. We were up bright and early the next morning begging, asking nicely to please fix us! After squeezing us into their very busy schedule, the prognosis was a broken injector thingy. Of course, the injector thingy was not cheap, but crap happens sooner or later! I think I'm glad it happened on day number one, and now onward with the relaxing vacation! And a big thank you to "Roberson Ford" in Bend, Oregon!

This is a happy camper! We managed to score three nights at the Cove Palisades campground. We always fly by the seat of our pants. Who needs reservations?! Life is more interesting that way! It was 85 degrees plus everyday, and no bugs! All the comforts of home....showers, running water, good book, marshmallows. I'm a happy camper now too!

The campground sits right next to Lake Billy Chinook. That is Mt. Hood in the background. When I go camping, a large mass of water is required for cooling off, and this lake is huge! If you have a boat, this is the place to go.

Since we have no boat (yet), we decided to rent a wave runner and explore the lake. This was our first time here. We'll definitely will be back with a boat next time. (right, honey?!)

On our way home, we stopped at a park next to Eagle Crest, outside of Redmond, Oregon. There were a couple of swans in the creek. I have never seen swans in the wild. They were so beautiful!

For our last night of camping, we headed back to Clear Lake, which was 5 miles from where we broke down the first night. Lucky again! We got the last spot in the campground! Very beautiful, back to where everything is green again.

We took a hike along the McKenzie River to check out a waterfall.

Sahalie Falls was spectacular! As was my vacation! I even got to do some junking on the way home. And with that, I was truly a happy camper!

The Big One!

Almost time!.....And the reason I say the "big one", because we're expecting alot of company to our next Vintage Gathering flea market. Our neighbors up the road, The BarnHouse Boys, are also putting on a really big flea market. Whenever they are open for business, we can expect to be very busy! Like crazy busy!

I still have a couple of birdbath's left from my last flea market in July. I really don't like packing concrete around, so make me an offer I can't refuse!

This statue is one of my new finds. I have been finding some cool concrete pieces lately.

I love this wrought iron bistro set! This will be coming to the flea this Saturday too. So, I have a question. Do I leave the old faded fabric on, or should I recover it with some new fabric? It seems like whatever fabric I use, somebody would rather have another color. Decisions, decisions! What do you think?

Another new concrete find. This is a three piece fountain, and it is adorable! I don't mind packing this one around!

I actually acquired this set with motel chairs, by knocking on the lady's door. I have been driving by them for two years, and they have been sitting in her front yard, through the rain and snow. Poor chairs! They deserve better than that! So, I thought I was rescuing them! It turns out that Edna was planning on selling them anyway. I call it perfect timing! You just never know. These will be coming to the sale too.

My son, Danny is planning on helping me again with the Vintage Gathering flea market. Boy, is he in for a surprise, when he see's how busy we're gonna be! He'll be the one carrying the concrete to your car that you might want to buy!

Time to flea!

Please join me, and Sue from Birdsong, and 10 other vendors this Friday, and Saturday, at our Vintage Gathering flea market. We have been very busy hunting and gathering for you!

I found this sign at a garage sale, and thought it was very appropriate for my dining room, which has become my staging area for each flea market I do. I wonder if I'll be doing any dining in here this summer. Good thing I have a patio table outside to eat on!

This is one of the many projects, that I've done lately. I'm sorry, but I just couldn't leave it this gaudy purple color. I envision a much softer color.

Ah, yes! Repainted with Martha Stewart's "ballet slipper pink'.

I found four of these galvanized metal planters, a very worn green color. Again, I'm seeing a much more classic color. This is nothing that a good spray paint won't fix!

Simply Divine! Just add some boxwood to the planter. The concrete cherub is for sale too!

One more sneak peak, before I go. I love rabbits, don't you? It seems like I'm always picking them up, cuz their so cute! This is just a smidgen of what I'll be bringing to the flea market this week-end, so if you get a chance, please stop by and say hello! We open at 0800 Friday, and Saturday morning, and the coffee will be on!

Flea Market This Sunday

There is a big flea market in Portland this Sunday, May 30th from 0900-300pm. It is advertised on Craigslist with over 175 tables, inside and outside. It sounds like they have alittle bit of everything! Antiques, collectibles, tools, fishing gear, jewelry, coins, ect. I have decided to join in on the fun as a dealer, and check this place out! Sue of "BirdSong" from our "Vintage Gathering" crew will also be there selling her stuff too. Her and I will have our tables inside, because lately the weather has been so crazy! However, this week-end sounds like it's going to finally be nice and sunny. We are both marking some stuff down, cuz we want to have fresh things for our next Vintage Gathering Sale. I guess breakfast is even served inside the lodge! Sounds like a one stop shopping center. The address is 5401 N Lombard-2 miles off I-5 Exit 305B.

Most everything I own has come from a flea market, thrift shop, estate or yard sale. That is how I choose to decorate my house. I have always decorated my house with my thrifty finds. When I was first married, alot of years ago, I shopped like this because I had too. We were a young family on a shoe string budget. To this day, my daughter loves to shop for clothes at the thrift and consignment stores. However, she still loves Nordstroms on occasion!

See that curvy wrought iron chair on the left? I found two of those at the Rose Bowl flea market in Pasadena. My hubby and I took a road trip a few years ago to see what a big California flea market is all about. That was an extremely fun trip! That flea market is huge! They have anything, and everything! It is just fun to look.

I will never part with my curvy wrought iron chairs from California. Every time I look at them I smile, and remember our fun trip to the big flea market. I don't put cushions on them, cuz they are too beautiful to be covered up.

I also came home with this little wrought iron beauty from the same flea market. She just sits at the end of the bed and looks pretty.

I went to an Estate sale a few weeks ago, ran by the gentleman's daughter. Her dad had very good taste. And believe it or not there were a few things with the Goodwill bin stickers still attached. Of course I bought those things! Her prices were very, very reasonable, as she just wanted to be done with it all. I got some really nice and unusual things, but I'm bummed I found this sale on day two. Anyway, on the side of the yard was piles of stuff she was going to just throw away. I can't tell you how many times I have found good stuff in the throw-away pile! Of course I had to look! I found a rusty 1910 license plate, and this precious little shabby book, "Gift of Prayer". Well, I put my large stash, and two free things in the car and went home. A week later I was busy getting ready for our first Vintage Gathering flea market, and I opened this little book to price it, and this is what I read, "O Lord, Thou knowest how busy I must be this day. If I forget Thee, do not Thou forget me." Oh, my gosh! This book is talking to me! Thank you Lord for speaking to me from this shabby little book, that was just sitting out in the rain! Of course, it is a keeper now!
Hope to see you on Sunday and join me for another adventure at the flea market! You never know what you're gonna find!

A Belated Vintage Gathering report

You're asking yourselves, where the heck have I been? I have been very nearby, and busy, busy, busy! I really started feeling the pressure to start getting ready for our first flea market about three weeks before the big day. Cleaning stuff, pricing everything, painting, and also finding more really good stuff that I knew everyone would just love. {cuz I love it too!} I actually took this picture thinking I had time to do a post before the sale.......a preview.......didn't happen.

Most everything in this picture has found a new home, thanks to my wonderful customers at the Vintage Gathering sale.

My hubby just happened to have a friend with a really big U-haul. Let me tell you, I jumped up and down for joy! Usually we have to make multiple trips to get everything to the sale. That U-haul was filled to the brim! I don't want to even think about how many trips that would had taken! I'm thinking I need to seriously think about buying a big trailer, or something. Then I could do more flea markets too! Not only was the U-haul full, but we filled up the hubby's pickup truck too! When you are gearing up for your first flea market of the year, you are so excited to make a big debut!
I had so many beautiful treasures to share. That tea cart on top of the pile was painted an 70's green when I found it, so of course I painted it white. Surprisingly it did not sell. It will be at the next flea market in June at the Regifting Store.

Well, those are the before shots, and I was so busy at the Vintage Gathering sale, that I totally forgot to take any pictures. My daughter was helping me too, cuz that was mom's day gift from her. I truly could not had done the sale without her help. She said she had so much fun, and everyone was so nice, that she wants to help me at my next sale! Wow! Thanks to all you great people for making such an impression on her! Then after the sale, my mom came and helped with the packing up. Yeah, girl power! I'm glad some other of my blogger friends took pictures, and you can find them at Uncovered Ruby.blogspot.com, Essenses of the Past , and AVintageGathering.
So after the sale, we can go back to living a normal life for awhile until the next sale! First order of business was to get busy on all my planters and pots with some flowers. This year I decided to go with alot of pink and white. Yes, my flowers are even color coordinated! It's just more soothing to me.

So, my hubby and I are sitting in our outdoor living room {as we call it}, and he says's "You should hang your chandelier out here." Ok, now that's all I had to hear! I sprinted upstairs to grab the chandelier from the guest bedroom, and before he could get out of his chair, I was ready for some chandelier hanging! Now put your great idea to work! I'm pretty sure we are the only one in the neighborhood with an outdoor chandelier. And it is gorgeous! When the sun is shining, it is especially beautiful, with the light reflecting off all the prisms. I love it! What do you think? You can enlarge the picture by double clicking to get a better view. If I would had been thinking I would had of turned on the chandelier lights!

Also, right before the flea market I decided to take on more space at Uncovered Ruby. Goodness knows I have enough stuff to fill a barn! So, if you have not been to Uncovered Ruby lately, I suggest you come visit! Our shop has expanded, and we have alot of new dealers with alot of neat things. My new space has allowed me to bring in some more furniture, which is exciting, cuz I am always finding some nice pieces.

I currently have a french looking dresser that is just darling. If I had the room I would probably keep it. I also have a really cute hutch, that looks so pretty with all the white dishes displayed.

However, the white dishes aren't selling. What's up with that? They are priced very low. Any lower would be free. Is anyone else having that problem? I am just afraid to buy any dishes anymore. I passed up a whole set of old china, complete with casserole, etc for $20, cuz I just didn't think it would sell. It takes up alot of valuable space, when it doesn't move.

Thanks for reading my lengthy post, and I promise I'll be more timely with my blogs.

And once again, so many thanks to everyone who came out to our first "Vintage Gathering".

You made the sun shine so much brighter!

Michelle

My Spring Trip..(Paradise Revisited !)

Six years ago, I married this man in St. Lucia, West Indies. It was a barefoot wedding on the beach, at sunset. He planned the entire trip, wedding, and honeymoon himself. All I had to do was find myself a dress...... easy enough...... and wonder where he was taking me!? I was more than happy to find myself on a beautiful island in the Caribbean, with the man I love.

Six years later, we decided to revisit our little paradise for our spring trip. Don't I still look like a blushing bride?! (or maybe, that could be my sunburn!)

We found an all inclusive resort with a nice big pool, and swim up bar.

Ah, who needs a swim-up bar when you already have a pool boy?! Thanks, honey!

We took a boat excursion around the island. St Lucia is famous for this view of the Pitons. Don't let the clouds fool you. It was 85-88 degrees each day, and very humid, so it was great to cool off, and do some snorkeling on this boat trip too.

This is the town of Soufriere, as we were coming back from a trip up to the volcano. Isn't it beautiful? Most locals I talked to, have never left the island. St. Lucia is only 43 miles long, and 15 miles wide, although it seems bigger, because of all the windy roads.

Gotta love the road side stands, selling their local wares. I wanted to buy some locally made viagra rum, and pass it around our group, but no one was "up" for that!


We also went into the town of Castries, where they have an open air market everyday, but Sunday. I was more interested in the rusty wrought iron table holding their fruit!

Rather than fly all the way home in one day, we decided to take a break in Miami for a few days. What's the deal with the rain?! I'm trying to keep my tan here! We actually had to buy sweatshirts, and an umbrella. With no sun to bask in, I guess we'll have to go shopping! This store window pulled both of us in........Look at all the old sewing machines! How cool! Must see more! (of course the hubby knew this was a trick!) Proceed with caution.....


All the props in this store had come out of an old sewing factory in London. All the clothes were displayed on old work benches, and old steel pipes. This is a European store! So now I'm thinking I must buy at least one thing in here! I'd rather not tell you how much I spent on one cute little t-shirt, but it's a souvenir, right?!

I guess they have a store in Los Angeles too. It's just fun to look.......and maybe buy a souvenir.

Hop on over..

to Uncovered Ruby this Saturday, March 13 1030-4, for some spring inspiration! We are having a progressive vintage garden sale with three other awesome places to visit, and shop. Uncovered Ruby will be serving up some tea and scones for everyone. Sounds very British!...(insert vintage British flag here).

Oh, yes! I'm feeling very royal here! We have all the makings for a fantastic Spring tea! Teapots, teacups, vintage silver, and dishes. I don't know about you, but I love to invite my girlfriends over for alittle "Spring Fling!" Don't forget your proper attire...vintage hat, gloves, and maybe a pretty vintage apron to catch all those crumbs!

The Easter bunny has already been here..... I would much rather find some "vintage love "in my Easter basket , than a big ol' hunk of chocolate! (well, maybe just a little chocolate..)

There is your coffee server, ready to serve up your guests in style! Sometimes things just taste better when you have a beautiful visual in front of you. I'm sure your friends will agree.

Cubbie love......Don't forget to check in all the nooks and crannies!

I love to look in Pottery Barn. Do you know why? To see what the latest and greatest things they have copied from us....what we have been doing for years....using what we have, looking for the unique piece to make a statement, reusing grandma's tea set, bringing that birdcage inside, with maybe a real nest with some faux eggs. And then I look at the Pottery barn prices..... Holy Cow!

I can find the real McCoy at Uncovered Ruby's for a whole lot less! I do have a space here folks, but I also love to shop here too! What is great about this shop, is that all the dealers have a different look, and we all love different things, just like you.

I'm praying for a sunny day March 13th, so I can bring some of my new spring inspiraton, and park it outside the shop on the sidewalk. Don't cha love this bench? So, what cha waitin' for? Hop on over!