Monday, November 12, 2007

Treasures



The weekend's over. Here in the US, we have the Veteran's Day observance on Monday, but my office is open and we're all working. No mail service. The courts are closed. But we're working. So sad! Aren't you sorry for me?

I'd be really sorry for me except that this has been a really nice weekend. Why? Well, I'm not quite sure. With all the cleaning and organizing I did on Saturday, you'd think I'd feel I needed another day off, but I don't. By the time I went to bed Saturday night, I felt like I had accomplished a lot, and it felt really good. I even managed to hook up my printer.

On Sunday, a good friend and I went out to the local flea market/farmers' market, hunting for treasures. I wrote a week or so ago about the Somerset Home magazine I had found at the bookstore; since then, I've gotten a couple more of their publications, and I'm terribly fascinated by some of these "altered art" techniques. In fact, over the past week, I've been shopping and collecting all kinds of "art" stuff, like scrapbook papers and various other miscellaneous items. We took the trip to the flea market today to see what I could find that might be interesting to incorporate into some of the projects I'd like to work on.



It rained all day Saturday and we were afraid we might get rained on. The clouds were threatening when we first started out (photo at the top), but the sky soon cleared and the day was pretty nice. Our local flea market is huge, and many of the vendors have permanent booths, selling cheap, plastic, imported junk. There is a section of day vendors though--people who come to sell at the flea market instead of having a garage sale at home. Then there are a few vendors who fall somewhere in between--they don't have the commercial, cheap "junk" but they do have a nicer quality of used "treasures," and those are the ones we headed for, although we did browse a few "garage sale" booths.

Here are some of the "treasures" I brought home.



I think those flasks will look pretty neat covered with decorative paper and images and "stuff." And who could resist the Mona Lisa? Especially when she was only $1? I don't know what I'll do with her, but I like the strong graphics. There are several projects I've seen that use plated flatware, so I picked up a few items. Then there's a little metal tray and sitting on that is a perfume bottle--something I also thought would look pretty neat if it was decorated.



We found one booth that had all sorts of little things--coins, keys, pins, dice, nails, etc. I bought several things from that guy--these can all be added to creations such as journals and random "art" projects. The metal stars are new items that I purchased from another vendor.



Then the books. The same guy who had the coins and things had this dues book from the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America dated from the mid 40s. My friend talked him down to $2 for the book--a piece of history that may well turn up in a project one day. We moved on, and at another booth, for another couple dollars I got a McGuffey "Third Eclectic Reader." There's no publishing date on it, but I know they were used in schools when my parents were kids and even before. It's pretty tattered and beat up, but the pages will make a great background for a few projects. At a large used book booth, I found a song book and two art history books, all of which can be incorporated into whatever I make.



Finally, before we left, we visited the farmers' market located on the other side of the flea market grounds. I was surprised at how many fruits and vegetables are still available as we're approaching the winter months.



Good prices too! We both left with several bags of produce. We had a little mishap, though, when my friend dropped her bag of avocados. Actually, she dropped them twice! I sure hope she made a batch of guacamole, 'cause those babies are going to be mush!

We ended our trip by going out to lunch and having salads and sandwiches. Oh, and did I mention we started out at Starbucks before the flea market? But you probably figured that out, right? In my world, every adventure starts at Starbucks!

After I returned home, the rest of the day was spent making a big pot of homemade chicken and veggie soup and working on that tree skirt I didn't get to on Saturday. I've finished piecing the top but I still need to add some applique.

Now it's bed time and the weekend's over, but I've enjoyed it. I think that facing the work week isn't quite so bad when you've had a nice weekend, don't you? I hope you've enjoyed yours!

13 comments:

Unknown said...

Sounds a lot better than my lazy weekend with a blown football game in the Nation's Capital.

Oh, for those days of walking the flea markets.Will be anxious to see what you create out of your junk.

We've had some much needed rain.

Pat said...

I'm happy to see your grumpy mood passed quickly. You must have let Pat take over the medicating...lol.

Interesting treasures! We have a local architectural salvage yard that I've wanted to revisit. I know exactly what I'm looking for but fear if I don't find it, who knows what I'll end up with?!?

Bummer that you have to go to work.

SuBee said...

You've got a great eye for 'treasures'! Love the flasks and coins, in fact all your finds are cool.
BTW - I believe that in California dropping avacados is a felony, yikes! I'll be working Monday too -- why?? There's not too many others working for us to play with! Gonna be a slow quiet day.......

Thimbleanna said...

I'll feel sorry for you if you'll feel sorry for me -- I'm right there with you working today. BooHoo! Love all the goodies you got. It sounds like you had a great productive weekend! Love the applique block that you'll be taking to work!

Anonymous said...

I love flea markets. We used to go to the big one in San Jose years ago. My dad was transferred to that area with his job when I was in high school and it was a treat to go there.
And I do feel soooo sorry for you. Why do you have to work when everythng is closed? It's just not fair damn it!! LOL Who can I call?
Love all your goodies you bought. Glad you started out with a Starbucks. You just gotta.

Darlene said...

I'm sorry you have to work today! At least you had a wonderful week end! :-)

I wasn't feeling well on Friday and Saturday, as you already know. Yesterday I enjoyed a wonderful Veteran's Day ceremony that my DH and other fellow Vets put on for our community. Really made me feel very proud.

Laurie Ann said...

Sounds like a great weekend!

I have to work today too. :(

Erin said...

I am glad you had a wonderful weekend! I hope your day at work is slow and you can kick back some how! thanks for sharing your treasures with us!

Paula, the quilter said...

Uh, oh. Watch out! Altered art is addictive. I did exactly what you are doing now: I collected stuff. I made a few altered books and I still have 'stuff'. It is slowly being dispersed to other people and what can be used in quilting is being moved into the sewing room. I found it took too much time away from sewing and it took up waaaay too much space.

Tracey @ozcountryquiltingmum said...

Thought you were going to tell me you bought the white rabbit and became a pot boiler...who needs chicken!!!
Great flea market , did you have to hide the treasure at home? Tracey

Carole said...

Sounds like a wonderful day! I love walking through a flea market. Well,,,,, okay, I like looking at treasures! Hope your back feels better!

The Chicken Lady said...

Oh, that flea market looks so fun! I'm glad the weather held out for you.

Nan said...

Great pics from the flea market and farmers' market! Your finds are amazing. I can't wait to see what you do with all these treasures! I agree - every adventure is always better with a trip to Starbucks - LOL!