I Gave In....Now I'm Twittering

I tried hard not to give in to peer pressure as I already have way to many things to keep up with and spend too much time on my computer as is...but everybody's doing it!!! It's nothing much yet as I'm still trying to figure out how to customize it but you can now follow me on Twitter...click here ----------->

If you're on Twitter and share similar interest as me let me know by leaving your twitter address in a comment...I'll be sure to visit!

P.S. Thanks to Cath Holden's free blog buttons for the twitter image. Visit her Just Something I Made blog...it's one of my favs!

Calendar of Antique/Vintage/Handmade Shows in the Pacific NW

If you missed any of the shopping opportunities I posted for March don't you worry April is right around the corner with much to offer!

To kick off the calendar on April 3rd the Farm Chicks are having a book signing. Granted this may not be a bargain hunting event but it does involve the Farm Chicks so I had to include it!

April 4th & 5th is the Mount Vernon Antique, Craft & Flea Market at the Skagit Valley Fair Grounds. I'm most excited about this one as I actually get a chance to go! Woo hoo! Can't wait to see what great items await me and a new dear friend of mine on this outing. I hope to share more later.

Lastly there is the monthly Tarte Event that just started a few months ago. Looks like it's off to a great start and a must visit for fabulous finds!

Feel free to browse around my calendar and click on an event for more info. I update this calendar on a regular basis and will post it on my blog at least once a month. Follow my blog for updates or send me an email address and I can add you to my guest list so you can receive notifications of calendar events.

Do you know of any other events, shows, sales I have missed in the greater Pacific NW area? Let me know and I will add it to the list....totally free promotion for your event! If you are going to be a vendor at a specific show let me know that too and I can leave a link to your blog or website on the listing. You can also log in to my calendar with your google account and add your own comments about any given event.

Happy Bargain Hunting!!!

How To Clean Vintage Embrodiery

I love vintage textiles but in the past I was always very hesitant to purchase any with even a hint of a stain as I rarely was able to get the stain out properly and just ended up banishing them to the hopeless pile. Just recently I came across a product though at Big Lots called Sun Oxygen Cleaner (probably a knock off of OxyClean). It was $3 for a 30oz container so I decided to give it a try. I had a set of delicately crocheted doilies that I had given up on after trying to hand clean them a few times with no success. They had some very dark stains on them that did not want to budge but after a decent soak in this solution I was so impressed with the outcome!!!

So this week when I was at a local thrift store I found this darling little cross-stitch picture.

It had some stain spots and was very dingy but I was feeling confident after my doily experience and decided for a couple dollars I'd buy it.

After removing it from it's frame I laid it in the small side of my sink and sprinkled a thin coat of Sun over the top.

I promptly poured a very thin layer of boiling water over the top. Hot water seems to activate this stuff the best. And the less water you can use the better as the more you add the weaker the solution becomes.

Immediatley the water turned brown! yikes it was dirty! I then let it soak for over an hour. Half way through I agitated it a bit with the bottom of a glass cup. You should see some tiny oxygen bubbles when you do this.

I then rinsed in warm water. It was already looking better! One more soak for about an hour, air dry, a light iron and here it is! What a difference! Notice the clouds!? And the house is now pink, not mauve!

AFTER

BEFORE

Now to decide what to use it for...pillow, patch for a purse, wall hanging, book cover...I'll have to get back to you on that.

Happy Cleaning!

P.S. I found an interesting way of removing stains from linens suggested here at French Cupboard . Ever tried that before?

Favorite Find Friday

Of course you could call all my large quantity of antique and vintage items a collection but I've never really been one to collect things in a specific category. I totally admire those that have beautiful collections and at times would consider collecting one thing or another but the things I like change to quickly and I end up moving on to something else. That is until about a month ago!!!

I began pulling out my springy items from around the house this past month and came to a realization that I actually had been collecting something. It's not been intentional but somehow I have amassed a fair amount of vintage "religious" decor...a cross-stitch sampler, a wall plaque, a piece of art, a huge old bible, an kneeling table, a bible stand, etc. I was so suprised at all the things I had tucked away and realized then and there that my first official collection had begun!!!

So needless to say I was super excited when I found this awesome print at a local thrift store this week!

But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

I love the beautiful bright, yet soft colors, the gold frame and most of all the "religious" theme! What a great new addition to my first official collection.

Friday Flea Market

For more information on the Friday Flea Market click here.

ALL PRICES INCLUDE SHIPPING

Set of Milk Glass Candle Holders

This vintage set of white milk glass candle holders are beautifully detailed with ribbed sides and hobnail edging. The each measure approx 4" across the base and 2" tall and are in excellent condition.

Can now be purchased here at my Etsy

Vintage Oil Cloth Clothing Hanger

Perfect for hanging your treasure vintage clothing. Measures approx 17" long and in very good vintage condition.

Can now be purchased here at my Etsy


1950's Set of 3 Striped Shot Glasses

This set of three vintage shot glasses are striped with multiple colors and are in great vintage condition. A couple VERY light spots of wear on a couple stripes but these glasses are in otherwise excellent vintage condition. Each measures a little over 2" tall.

Can now be purchased here at my Etsy

Make Up Your Own Holiday Day

Did you know that March 26th is National "Make Up Your Own Holiday" Day? Now I highly doubt that your employer has this on your official paid holidays list but I'm up for an excuse to bake cupcakes or even a triple layer chocolate cake like the Farm Chicks made here. Maybe I'll take the day off from typical responsibilities and spend a little time creating some of my Easter themed decor ideas that have been floating around in my head. Then maybe I'll have my parents over for a nice homemade dinner just because I love them and generously share my cake with them so I don't eat it all myself.

So what would you do on your "Make Up Your Own Holiday" day? How about a special dinner for the family, an anonymous gift at a friends door, pay for a strangers coffee, or just a simple do something you've put off doing day? Now don't just think about it, do it...it's a national holiday you know!

Don't believe me? Visit The Hallmark Channel for more holidays I was completely unaware of. Click on the "View Holiday Calendar" to play with their cute interactive day planner full of all kinds of regular and wacky holidays!

Favorite Find Friday

Some people are quick shoppers when it comes to bargain hunting. They browse quickly, grab the items they want and move on to the next location. I on the other hand am a little more methodical and take my time when examining pieces. I look beyond the surface and often have vision for things others don't.

On a recent thrift store trip with a friend, who seems to be a browser like me, we stumbled across a lovely piece of white english ironstone. It was tucked on the bottom shelf and I almost overlooked it but am so glad I didn't. Besides a tiny chip on the underside of the inside lip and a much needed cleaning it was in beautiful condition. It was marked Mason's Ironstone on the base and while I didn't recognize the name it did appear old. So for $13.99 I decided to take a chance.

I do love this piece but I knew it would be a perfect addition to my mom's pretty collection of vintage white ironstone/ceramic pieces. My mom was thrilled with this new piece and after a little research found out it was a late 1800's or early 1900's english ironstone tureen and definetly worth more then I had paid for it. So now I can only hope it becomes a hand me down when she finds a new trend!

So what kind of shopper are you? Do you hit a sale at a fast pace, grabbing every item that catches your eye and knowing immediatley that you are taking it home with you? Are you the type to touch and feel every item looking for the one that puts a smile on your face and a song in your heart? Or do you miss out on all the great finds because you just can't decide if a certain purchase is right for you?

Friday Flea Market

It's been one of those weeks and I'm so behind on everything!!! Please forgive my neglect of posting new items for the Friday Flea Market today. If you need a fix of vintage finds you can check out my etsy where I have added a number of new items this week. Click on any of the images below for details and pricing.

Happy Friday!!!