Wisconsin treasures

I’m back home in Minnesota. I left my daughter at my sisters in Wisconsin so I hope she is having a good time. I’m sure she is enjoying time with her cousins without me there.


I know a few of you are wondering about all of our garage sale finds that I gave you a sneak peak of. Here they are.  

Our first pick of the day was this big pegboard.    See my lovely sister Gail standing by it so you can get a better idea of the size. 

Oh, did I mention that it was free??   And to think this we drove right by this piece and only noticed it was free when we were getting gasoline at the station across the street.   We were able to take it apart and put most of the pieces to work in another form.   It was mostly wood so not much will be wasted. 

Luckily we were close to here house and were able to drop this off and continue on our shopping trip.

Another large item Gail got was this bakers rack for $15.

Luckily it came apart into two pieces easily.

One funny thing we found was these Sleep Number sheep. 

When my sister and niece were in MN visiting earlier this summer I took my niece garage sale shopping and she found a giant Sleep Number sheep at a garage sale. She didn't buy it and kept talking about it. When we were going out she said if we found a sheep to buy it. What are the chances that we would find Sleep Number Sheep?? I've never seen them before. Three sheep for $1 each but the look on Tory's face when she got three sheep, priceless. And to think I had to just about twist Gail's arm as she only wanted to buy one of them!

I got these three canisters for $.25 each.   I think I'm going to paint the wood tops black.

I picked up a wool sweater for $.25 I think, a spool for $.50, a Stampin Up Stamp set for $6 and Gail got a glass bowl. 

Funny thing about the stamp set.   I happen to have the same set at home that I borrowed from another sister because I liked it.   I thought of ordering it but wanted to wait until the new catalog when I thought it would be available unmounted so it would be cheaper than the regular price of $23.95.   For $6 I was very happy to buy it, wood and all.   

We spotted this headboard on the side of the road for free.   I knew we had to pick it up as I have seen lots of headboard benches.  

Here is an after of the headboard bench we made.

Gail got a couple plant hangers for $1.    They are just a bit too large for her front porch but I'm sure she will get them to work.

We spied this chair along the side of road and while we were putting it in the car the owners came home.   I think they were glad to see it go.  The seat was in one piece when we picked it up but we were able to put it back together.    I forgot to get a good picture of this after it was fixed and painted a bright pink.

Another free find.   We thought it was lockers at first when we spied it alongside the road.   It was sort of disappointing when we saw it was wood with a plexi type material on the side.  It had good bones so we took it.  Gail didn't think it could make it in the car but I proved her wrong!   It just took some creative packing.  

Luckily this came apart into two pieces.  We liked the yellow color so it stayed yellow after it was cleaned up and shelves cut from the free peg board stand.

Gail picked up a nice denim jacket and I got some ball chains for a song. 

Most of the stuff in this picture was free.   All of the pots and the frame were free.  I'll give the pots to my sister for here plant sale in the spring.  The berry baskets for $.25 for all of them.  The record looking things are frames that came with a stand for $.50 and the tool boxes were $1 each.   

A free cosmetic case and a mirror frame. 

A $.50 tea pot.  I think this one might go to another sister to plant in next spring.

Here is an after of a dollar stool.   Blue bottom and a pink top.

Another after of another stool.  The top was in a couple pieces and didn't fit back on correctly but we got it to stay.   It was be a pot holder in the garden somewhere. 

I did a dry brush finish so the texture of the original finish showed through.

Just so you know, it was not all good.  

We, I mean I, had a major oops moment.     Gail saw this when she got home from work. 

Only a few minutes before it was like this.

Yeah, bubbles on a bench are bad new!    I learned a lesson.   Next time let Gail paint her own treasures. Don't let a painted surface dry in direct hot sun.

I think I spent about $13 total and my sister about $30 with the $15 bakers rack. 

The bakers rack got a coat of a bronze paint and will get a mosaic top.   I had to leave some work for Gail to do on her own.... :)  

I had a great time in WI for a week and might try to go garage sale shopping again when I pick up my daughter next week.

Sneak peak of Friday finds

I spent a full day shopping and crafting with my sister here in Wisconsin. What did we find??? Here are some sneak peaks for you. More to follow, maybe tomorrow if we don't spend the whole day shopping again!!

What treasures do you think we can fit in the car when we start garage sale shopping at 10AM and get home at 8:30 PM???   

Well, to be fair we did take a card making class and shop at The Paper Cut Warehouse sale afterwards. 

A peak in the car.

What treasures are in the trunk?

A few close ups.

Another one..

And this...

June and my favorite Wisconsin sister Gail!  

Summer beauty

Ok, I've been lacking in the creative projects lately so here is some of natures beauty.   Well, actually I give most of the credit to my sister Gail.   I'm currently staying at here house for a few days and this is some of the beauty that abounds her yard.   

Out the back door.

Wonderfully rusty display of art. 

Love the ginormous snowball bush.  They are a bit droopy from all the rain lately but beautiful.

Check out what my creative sister can do with a few bicycle wheels.

A closer view of the trellis o' wheels.

Seriously, how creative is my sister..... she can even make a compost area pretty.

Ah, she did like the faux chandelier that we made.  She picked out a perfect spot to hang it up.

A close up of a garden totem that she made.  Luckily she taught me how to make this last fall when I visited.

Another totem.

Gotta love creative uses for Mason jars.

A newly re-purposed wringer-washer made into a beverage holder.

Another not so little nook behind the garage.

A little place to sit if you are inclined.

Yep, that's right... .a typewriter along with inspiration.

A lovely fountain.

I love these pink and green plant in the old canning pot.   Yes, me the somewhat reluctant gardener does not know the name of this plant.   Luckily I don't think my master gardener sisters are too ashamed that I don't know much about gardening but do enjoy theirs.    

 

This backyard has many hidden gems.

Is that a bird hiding behind the flowers?   

This is just a few of the wonders of my sisters garden.  I hope you enjoyed a peek in her garden.  Thanks Gail for all your hard work!

Hopefully while I am visiting Wisconsin I'll get some great creative ideas to share.   As you can see I'm in the company of a very creative person.  I'm sure we will get some creative energy going. 

Tomorrow we are taking a card making class with acetate.  I have not been working on cards for a while but I'm sure I'll get lots of ideas at this class to get me in the paper crafting spirit.    

June

Happy Friday

Is everyone as ready for a long weekend as I am? I guess I really should not complain since I'm still looking for full time employment but it is nice to look forward to a holiday weekend none the less.

This morning before I had lunch with one of my sisters I decided to go to a few garage sales. There was not too many but I did find some great frames to revamp. I spent $1.95 including $.50 for Kool-Aid at one sale.  Here is a picture of the frames I picked up. 

Look at the detail of the two frames.  The one of the left isn't wood but the one on the right is. 

I also got some priceless art  - Maybe Mackezy Tasto will become a artist?  At this sale not too many things were marked and I offered $1 for the 3 frames since of the frames in the box, one was marked $.25 and one was marked $.50, these were all unmarked.   She took my offer after asking if I meant $1 for each frame.  I might have paid $1 for the top two frames but I'm glad she took $1 for all.  My deal and she doesn't have to pack them back up.    

She was a very nice elderly lady and I found out talking to her that she had already spent the money she hadn't earned yet on a Yorkie dog from someone who stopped by earlier.   I might go back tomorrow and see if a couple other things I liked are still there and are now marked with her prices. 

This is the largest of the 3 small frames.  This one is just over 6" x 7".

Yep, look at that...... 5 cents each for these 3 small wood frames!!

I really can't believe that some people price things that inexpensive, but hey, I'll buy it at that price.  :) 

Oh, I didn't get any of these frames at the sale with the Kool-Aid.   Funny thing about the Kool-Aid, I didn't even drink it. I try to support young kids when they are trying to make a little money. In today's case the sign said $.25 but I paid $.50 thinking there would be a nice reaction to the additional money but no. That's OK, I did it because I wanted to give the extra money.

Why didn't I drink the Kool-Aid?? While the parents were telling the young girl to make sure to use the cup to scoop out the ice she dug her hand right in and put the ice in the cup! I could just see her parents and brothers cringing.

I said it was OK when the girl looks at her hands and says they they are clean. Sure they looked clean after dipping them in water with a few ice cubes! I can only imagine what really was on her hands.

Then the Dad says that she should fill up the cup fuller as it was about 1" from the top. Again I said that is OK as I really didn't need her to pour any more into the cup.

Well I took my cup and while walking back to my car I looked in and could see two rather large pieces of something on the bottom of the cup! I took the cup all the way to the car before I discreetly poured it on the ground and put the cup in my cup holder.   Ahh, money well spent on encouraging the entrepreneurial  spirit of the youth! 

Oh, and I'm so excited to share this..... Check out my friend Maryann at Domestically Speaking.    She saw my Framed Alphabet art when I linked up to her Power of Paint Party on Wednesday and said it will be showcased tomorrow on her Power of Paint Party Spotlight tomorrow!  

Wow, thanks again Maryann.  My second features on this project.  I'm so happy others are enjoying my creations.   It keeps me creating and sharing with you.  Please check out her site for more great ideas.    




 Happy 4th to everyone.  Please have a happy and safe holiday.   June
Linking to Today's Thrifty Treasures @ Southern Hospitality

Great garage sale finds

Today was a great garage sale day.   I went out for a bit and picked up all this great stuff.   I spent less than $15 for all of these goodies.    

Check out the detail of this large wood frame.

This one is not quite as detailed but still a nice find. 

I picked up all these games at one sale.  I think I'll make magnets and pins with the pieces.   The best part is this guy bought out a game store for the inventory and said he has lots of dice and game pieces at another location and he will call me later to check them out.  

Also these games and some free flower pots for my gardening sister.  

Wait did you see the owl beauty leaning agains a Samsomite suite case?  I don't know what I was happier to snag for free.   The suitcase is the same as one I already have that was one my parents used.  

I got her for free.  I think I'll call her Hootie.  I know owls are all the rage so I had to bring her home with me.   She is in very rough condition.   Missing some sunflower seeds here on her wing.  

And lots of insect holes, especially on her face.   I brought Hottie inside but not before putting her in a bag to keep any bug and whatnot all together.

Check out the old pop top hanger.   Some free game pieces that were thrown into my box with the other games.

Now to decide what to do with the owl.  My first instinct was to paint all but the eyes white.   Any ideas welcome on what I should do with her. 

Last week I picked up this Radio Flyer wagon for her to make a small garden in for her plant sale next year. 

At that sale I picked up three of these containers.   I'm guessing they are drawerws of some sort but I don't know for sure.   I was going to give them to my sister but I think I might have to find a use for these myself.

They remind me of drawers from old hospital carts.   

I'll let you know where this stuff ends up in my house.  I see lots of memo boards in my future with game piece pins. 

June