Tagged!

Sharon at secret leaves paperworks has tagged me ~ here are 10 random things about me.....

1. I am an excellent speller.

2. I've been known to do my own plumbing now and then.

3. My first job was a Friendly's waitress.

4. I do not like lima beans in any shape or form.

5. I've broken 5 fingers at different times, broken my nose twice (set it myself once), and chipped my front tooth.

6. I have two scottish terriers ~ Speck (black, age 7.5) and Sprocket (wheaten, age 1.5).

7. I have a dog (Sprocket) that crows like a rooster and a boyfriend who could pass for Colonel Sanders.

8. Power tools are always on my Christmas wish list.

9. I am a hoarder of sorts ~ I hope to avoid an end like this.

10. I am obsessed with organizers ~ or objects I can use as an organizer. I quite possibly have the largest collection of picnic packs in the world! Here, here & here.

Sparks/White Cloud ~ Fall 09 ~ The Trove

At long last, a few photos of some of the things I came home with from Sparks and White Cloud this fall. It always amazes me that I am able to find such wonderful stuff ~ much of it is so old it is a wonder it has survived.

{Arm & Hammer collectible trading cards}

{old marriage certificate}

{glass patterned paperweights}

Below, an exercise workbook of sorts for children from 1923 ~ initially I thought it was a booklet used in school, but after reading the preface, the book was sold for use at home. "These pages were planned with the hope that mothers may be enabled to spend many happy hours with their children..." There are all sorts of activities ~ pages to color, cut out or draw on ~ animals, flowers, birds, paper dolls, mother goose pictures etc. ~ I've just shown a few samples.

{cover and pages from the Juvenile Artist Workbook}

{old & decrepit, but inexpensive music books}

{loved the pattern on this book cover}

{wall registers I plan to use for jewelry display}

{collapsible wire laundry basket to use for display}

{antique crocheted buttons}

Also, a book called Fancy Work for Pleasure and Profit ~ it is filled with all sorts of nice sewing/needlework related graphics and instructions. Unfortunately, the cover was not in the best shape and didn't warrant a photo. I got this book on the way home from my day trip to Sparks and White Cloud ~ at 1/2 Price Books! I'll let you know if there are any really great tips on how to make a profit with fancy work!

{title page and inside pages}

Sparks/White Cloud ~ Fall 09 ~ The Temptations

As promised, some photos of some of the things I saw at Sparks and White Cloud this year. I keep telling myself that I am spending less and buying less since I am taking more photos, but I'm not so sure. The things I am showing on this post I admired, but didn't buy ~ I'll show you what I purchased in tomorrow's post ~ it's sunny today and I am on vacation from my day job, so I ought to be able to get a few decent photos.

I find I am always drawn to sewing items ~ notions, buttons, clasps, pincushions, dress forms, sewing displays.......

{unique advertising pincushion ~ there were five in the series}

{tiny pincushions ~ especially love the mother of pearl disc one}

{great sewing displays from stores}

{loved this graphic and the name}

Another thing I admire is cast iron ~ I love old heating registers and grates, iron rests, fencing etc. ~ basically decorative iron work.

{lovely victorian fencing ~ $950 was probably reasonable, but more than I wanted to spend}

Then there are the drawers, cabinets, organizers etc.... I never come away from a flea market or antique sale without drooling over some of these. Lately, I am only looking ~ unless it is an amazing bargain or something I just cannot resist ~ I have no room in my house anymore ~ unless I get rid of something!

{nice handmade chest of drawers ~ love the handles}

{old mail boxes ~ would make a great organizer for something}

{great cake cabinet ~ this one was pricey ~ $100}

Groups of objects or collections also catch my eye ~ even if it isn't something I collect or am especially interested in. I'm always appreciative of a vendor's efforts to display their wares well.

{great collection of trophies}

{group of old piano rolls}

{advertising buttons}

{nicely organized scrabble tiles}

{nice grouping of games by color}

Of course, a day at a flea market isn't complete without at stop for a funnel cake or corn dog ~ certainly lots to tempt you here too!

Sparks/White Cloud ~ Fall 09 ~ The Scenery

This weekend (starting Friday for me!) has been a good one for flea markets and antique shows! Friday, I took off work and traveled to the twice yearly Sparks and White Cloud Flea Markets ~ about an hour and a half from my home. On the way, I passed through many other small towns ~ places like Troy, Wathena & Fanning ~ many have interesting signs welcoming you to their town.

{signs coming and going}

{Dairy Barn in Wathena}

White Cloud is about 10 miles from Sparks ~ at some point in its history it must have been an up and coming small town ~ there is a main street and surrounding streets, a decent sized school and a giant grain elevator. Now, things seem rather deserted ~ I believe the population is under 100 ~ the school serves as a museum and many of the homes and buildings have fallen into disrepair. Twice a year the flea market brings in many people ~ the main street is lined with vendors, the open field at the top of the hill is usually filled and several buildings house vendors as well ~ you never know what you will find!

{Welcome to White Cloud!}

{Grain elevator}

{White Cloud School/Museum}

{Home along Main Street ~ nice wood shingle pattern!}

Sparks, on the other hand, is even smaller and even less of a town than White Cloud ~ I think the population here is under 30! There are several buildings that look to be the start of a town, but it looks as if it never took off. I guess that when the flea market is not going on, it would be easy to drive by and barely notice the town at all.

A moment of panic as I saw a few raindrops, but lucky for me it never rained while I was shopping at either place! I managed to get a few shots of what the vendors had to offer ~ and my purchases as well ~ I will share those in my next posts!

{bank building at Sparks}

{Sarge & Bonnie welcoming me to Sparks!}