Monday, April 22, 2013

Busy weekend!

It was not my original intention to attend any auctions this past weekend. However, when my Aunt Fern sent me the sale bill for an auction in Burns, I had to at least take a look. Well, the photos were too tempting, and I spent a bit of my childhood in this part of the state, so I couldn't resist driving out there. I'm glad I did. I didn't buy a lot. There were dealers there with deeper pockets than I. But, I got to see some of my favorite countryside and visit with an old friend.

I purchased a handful of these little advertising cards at the auction. Each one is two-sided and about the size of a playing card. They're amusing, especially if you have ever been to Burns. It's a tiny place! The school that I attended in the early 80s is no longer there. The bank that was there literally fell down. Parts of the movie "Mars Attacks!" were filmed there. But back in the old days it had a newspaper, a "fine City Hall", three churches, a "good catholic school", and was free from cyclones and crop failures! Not to mention that nearly all the farmers had telephones! Quite the progressive place!



I also bought this birdcage and stand. It's filthy! But absolutely fabulous! It needs a very serious hose down. I'm hoping I can get it into shape for the Red Barn Outdoor Market this coming Saturday. I also picked up a box of Christmas decorations, some wooden spinning tops, a pink aluminum canister and breadbox set, some silhouette pictures, tv trays, a toy ironing board and another vintage samsonite suitcase.

More vintage finds at Thriftasaurus!


Sunday afternoon, we went back to work on the trailer. Painting is one of my favorite parts, because the results are so dramatic. Roger won't let me paint. He's way too particular, and frankly, I don't have the steady hand that he does. I am, however, allowed to prime.


I am pretty proud of myself for picking out truly red paint. That is real red. Fire engine red! Cherry red! "Whore's lipstick" red. Thanks, Roger. That primer work on the inside is all me! The inside of the closets will be the same aqua blue as the ceiling. And, we will be putting doors back on them.


Just a reminder of what the closet looked like "before". Black is not an easy color of paint to cover up. But, I bet red won't be easy either!

If you want to see more before and during pictures of our Streamline remodel, you can check it out on Flickr. Here's the link.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Lookin' good!


The flooring is in! This was taken on the weekend. Roger finished the entire floor last night. I'm so excited that the trailer is actually starting to look like a real liveable space. While Roger was finishing the floor, I primed the inside of the closets. Painting is hard work. My arm and shoulder and killing me today! (I feel like a bit of a loser.)


I added some pops of color to the decoupaged wall. I think it makes it a little more interesting. I used some vintage children's book and magazine pages, some vintage pattern envelopes and a few colored encyclopedia pages.


Roger has been replacing bits and pieces on the outside of the trailer. Before he puts the new piece on, he polishes the surrounding area, so he doesn't have to remove them again later. So, we're getting glimpses of what the trailer will look like when it's completely polished. The future looks BRIGHT (and shiny).

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Auction Burn

Finally! An outdoor farm auction full of bargains, treasures, beautiful weather and.....sunburn. When you show up at an auction wearing a long-sleeved t-shirt, a sweatshirt and a vest, sunburn isn't really on your mind. And, then you start to shed the layers, and at about 1:00 in the afternoon, you notice that sizzling sensation on your neck. I came home Saturday with a carload of treasures and burned face and neck. And it was totally worth it.


This cannister set was the highlight of my day. I'm standing next to a trailer full of garage junk, and one of the guys starts pulling these beauties out of their original, ugly, water-stained box. The original plastic was flaking off of them. My heart nearly stopped. I had no idea they were even on that wagon! That color! I've had them for four days and they still give me butterflies!


I love picnic tins. This one is in perfect condition. Definitely a no-brainer.


These little trays are collapsible, and their gridded tops make me think they were meant for being used outdoors. They're rusty, but I'm thinking a can of spray paint would fix them right up!


Not one, but TWO yellow Lustroware cookie cannisters! Perfect condition, just need a bit of cleaning.


If you go to enough auctions, the auctioneers start to know your taste. Saturday's auctioneer is of the opinion that I like the "ugly stuff". Like these beauties! There was a display case full of costume jewelry, a pocket watch, that sort of thing. The bidding was for choice item. I let them first several rounds go, because the bidding was high for the more desireable pieces. Finally, I was the only bidder at $1. The auctioneer looked at me and said, "You want that green one, don't you?" I said, "Can I have the matching earrings, too?"


This is probably my second favorite find from Saturday's auction, and they were free!! This partial box of Kordite Freze Boxes was in a big box full of vintage kitchen utensils. I was bidding, but I'm cheap and the box went for a decent price. I approached the winning bidder and asked if I could buy the boxes from her for a dollar. She told me I could have them! I love the cute graphics and colors.

More vintage goodies at Thriftasaurus!