Fall is in the Air

Finally, I can feel it! As I do every morning from March thru October, I take my coffee and go outside to sit in my swing  at about 7:00am, do my Devotional for the day and read for a little while.  I face the sun coming up through the trees.  Usually it is a little too bright, but this morning it is diffused by clouds and is all orange and yellow. Then the clouds cover it up and the breeze is blowing.

Welcome breeze.

Welcome clouds.

More signs of Fall as my friends and I go off to Nipomo again last Saturday for the barn sale called

I did a long post on the spring show, and most of the venders were the same with some new stuff, but  two things impressed me the most.

One of those were these pumpkins that had been carved when they were small and on the vine. As they grow the writing becomes raised almost like scar tissue, I think.

Here were a few of my favorites:

One of the reasons we went back to the Remnants of the past was the quest speaker.

It was Rachel Ashwell of Shabby Chic fame.

My friend Linda and I sat down in the front row (hay bales) for about 1 1/2 hrs saving seats.

I have never been a Shabby Chic decorator, but have always enjoyed her style and use elements of it from time to time.

Here she is holding her newest book.  She has been through a lot of financial ups and downs in the last 2 years and she talked about that and reviewed her book...which is full of beautiful pictures, but her story is also written in it and after hearing her talk, I want to get the book.

She is the sweetest lady and so kind to everyone who wanted pictures.  I loved listening to her British accent too.

After leaving the barn sale, we ran across this place and more signs of fall.

Here we all are (missing Cindi again) Me, Ruth,Linda,Sandi,Gail and Sally.

Cindi, sweet lady that she is let us borrow her van so we could all ride together and still have room for treasures. Thanks Cindi.

I loved this little tractor, brought back memories of my boys and their little John Deere tractor they loved so much.

The gift store had plenty of fall to offer too.

This cookbook came home with me. I have seen it on some of your blogs and thoght it was so cute.

This trip, other than the barn sale was not spent trifting or antiquing as we usually do.  We were off to the outlet mall and TJ Max.

Then another produce barn called Avila Barn.

There I bought all kinds of yummy salad fixin's, as I had to take a salad to a Sunday night dinner.

We got apples, strawberry, peaches, zucinni, bread, and more,  but again my camera was drawn to the "signs" of fall.

Yep...Pumpkins

Orange ones

White ones

Green ones

Small ones and gourds of every size and color

And of course my favorite fall flowers.

Opps!! These aren't signs of fall.

Saltwater taffy in every flavor you can imagine.

Brought back memories of being here this summer with the grandkids.

They love to get a little brown bag and pick out their favorites.

Me too!!

This trip was in celebration of my friend Sandi's and my birthdays.

Our birthday's aren't until next weekend, but we will be doing the Peddlers Faire that weekend, so we got to celebrate early.

Thanks to all my friends for a great day of shopping, eating, laughing and fun.

Go to my friend Gail's blog for more info on the Faire, and I'm sure she will be posting more about our day on Saturday. She and Sally got their picture taken with Rachel Ashwell and had her sign their books.





On the Road Again - Part IV - Treasures

"The greatest treasures are those invisable to the eye but found by the heart." Author Unknown

The real treasure found on this road trip, I have had for a long time, and that is the friendship of the five (6 counting "missing in action", Cindi) women who came along on this trip.  That would be Gail, Sally, Linda, Ruth and Sandi.  They are truly friends of the heart and for more years than I can count, we have shared both happy and sad times, being there for each other, and always ready for shopping, eating, laughing and most importantly, praying.

But before I get too teary eyed, let's see what I found on my road trip.  I don't spend much these days.  It has to be a bargain and something I really want to get me to open my wallet.

I'm not much of a jewelry lover, but the first purchase was this bracelet made from spoon handles.

and this necklace made from a typewriter key.

The two silver chains and the hammered heart, I got for a "steal" at the Ventura swap.

Two blue and white plates for 1.00

8 silverplate iced tea spoons and 2 demi tasse spoons (great for baby feeding)

All the linens I buy usually end up as something else. This towel will be an envelope pillow with big vintage buttons.

Remember I told you, Gail and I found our version of a Grain Sack.

So what if the "grain" is good ol' American popcorn seed.

I couldn't wait to get home and make this tablerunner for Gail. She will be doing a tablescape like only Gail can do with this

Found 15 yds(yes, I said 15) of this pearl trim on a pretty braid. Gotta think big here.....lampshades, pillows, purses....can you think of anything else?

Only paid 8.00 for this blue and yellow vintage tablecloth. It is a little faded (but I like that), and has no holes, so I will probably keep this for a tablecloth. I have a whole drawer full of vintage tablecloths and none blue and yellow,  so color and price got me on this one.

Thought these hankies at 3 for 2.00 would be good napkins for tea parties with my 7 granddaughters.

I have talked about making childrens clothing out of vintage linens here before.  I have a collection of doilies, tablerunners, and pillowcases. The next "finds" will be added to that collection. I look for embroidery and trim that is in good shape. I can work around stains and holes.

I can't wait to soak all my vintage linens in Biz, wash them and iron them with " Best Press" (If you haven't used this, you must.) And yes, I love to iron linens.  Crisp and clean.

I didn't buy this at a Vintage sale, antique store, fabric store or Flea Market.

Nope, got these at the Dollar Tree for $1.00 each

Gail saw a blog that showed something like these made into totes. They had just sewn around three sides and put handles on the top.   I can't find it now, but I made mine with a bottom, different handles and pockets inside and out. It took 3 place mats and Strapping....that's all folks.

Watch for a "how to"  on making your own tote like this coming soon. Sew Easy.

Okay, I saved the best for last. And it was my last Vintage find of the trip.

My $4.00 treasure.

Using some of my collection of embroidered treasures, I am going to make this as a jacket. I saw one years ago and fell in "love"  The current pattern books just don't have anything similar and I have been looking since I saw the jacket. Needless to say, I was doing the "happy dance" when I found this at the Ventura Swap on the last row before going to the van. (As tired as this body was by then, I probably imagined the "happy dance") but do you get how excited I was?

END of ROAD TRIP

Next post...my little 2 yr. old granddaughter, Brooke's birthday dress(tu-tu) and purse (puss). Nothing funny going on here. That is Brooke talk.

On the Road Again - Part III

Sunday morning after resting our weary bodies, we load up the van and head to Ventura Swap. I have not been here since I closed down my antique booth and took everything out here to sell. It was the hottest day of the year (seriously, even though it was November).  I don't do well in the heat anymore, so I kinda had a "meltdown" before that day was over. 

However, I am the driver, so here I am.  And it turned out to be a beautiful day. You know what, I found one of my most favorite treasures ever. It only cost $4.00 and you will get to see it when I show all my finds in the next post.

Besides being the driver, I am here because I really want to find some cheap embroirdered linens that I can cut up for projects I have in mind. Sometimes there is a booth where they have tons of linens just spread out on tarps on the ground.....great prices.  On my hands and knees, crawling and searching (what we won't do for that special treasure) I usually leave with a bag full of goodies.

But not on this day.  That vender was no where to be found.

After walking the whole thing, I did find a few things I loved among which has to be a bag of Kettlecorn.

The smell of fresh kettlecorn is enough to get me to the last row (or first depending on which way you are walking)

On to Agoura Hills to an Antique Mall. I haven't been here before, but my traveling buddies have.

I'm sure Gail (click on her name)will have more to share here, but I will just show some pictures from this place.

We were met by the owner who was the sweetest lady we had ran into the day before at McDonalds waiting to use the restroom before going to the "Remnants of the Past"

Loved, loved, loved this store.  It is light and bright and lots of white.  Just being me....I don't care for all the dark colors that are so popular now.  I can appreciate them in other's venues, but for me....give me white anyday.

Anyway, here are a few of the pictures I took here.  Again, mostly soft goods and pillows.

When I found this next area, I had to run and find Gail. She loves anything "shoe" and is fond of black and gold too. This just shouted GAIL.

Sally found me and we went off to see something she found she liked. It was this pillow with a monogram and just made from white muslin. It had a big floppy torn ruffle.  Elegant simplicity.

The next one was in an area of folded linen towels and a basket or two of grain sacks. Not the French Grain sack, but good ole American ones. This is one made into a pillow. Gail and I both bought another one that had held 50 lbs. of popcorn and you will see what I did with one of those in my next post.

If you have been following my blog, you have seen some pictures around my home showing my love of faux food, so naturally these would catch my eye. I didn't purchase either because frankly, I think Mr. SS would kill me.  These are two of his favorite things.

Can you believe how real and yummy that looks?

All of the above pictures came from The Agoura Antique Mart and if you click on it you will be taken to their website and from there to their blog.  There is a lot more to see.....

Well, from here we go to Simi Valley to a couple of our favorite retail stores

Decor Store

Homegoods

Then off  to Valencia to Homegoods, dinner and home.

I wish I had grabbed my camera for a picture before we un loaded the van, but guess I was too tired by then. Did get these though  as the others were unloading and loading to take there treasures home.

Gailwho spent the weekend searching for boat related things for Vacation Bible School week at her church.  You'll see all about that on her blog. Just click on her name.

David, Gail's husband snapped this one as we were loading up Ruth's car.

A tired, but happy group of friends, from left to right:

Sandi, Ruth, Linda, Gail, Beverly and Sally.

Missing is Cindi.....We missed you Cindi!!

On the Road Again

I'm going to post about our weekend in 3 parts because there is so much to share.

Saturday morning at 5:30, six of us (usually seven) set off on a road trip to Nipomo, Ca. and beyond for a Barn Sale called "Remnants of the Past"  We rented a 12 passenger van to hold us and all of our "findings". (The rental of the van could be a post of it's own.)

I am blessed with so many wonderful girlfriends, but this group consists of:Gail, Sally, Sandi, Ruth Linda and I. (Due to a family obligation, Cindi is missing on this trip)

We have been hearing about this event for some time, but just couldn't get together  to make it until now.

It is a twice a year event. Once in October and this one in April.

Along the walk to the barn. We were early, of course, and were only 2nd in line, but had to wait over 1/2 hr.

Along the walkway to the entrance and also throughout the show were these fresh flowers. Aren't they pretty?

The Barn. There were venders set up in the barn and all around it too. About 50 in all, I think. It was very crowded and hard to get around at times, but that is all in the fun of the hunt for treasures.

Loved the flags hanging from this umbrella. This booth had the most yummy frosted cupcakes and other tempting goodies too, along with the aprons you see hanging in the background.

My first purchase came from this booth.  I will show my "finds" on another post.

Sally, making her first purchase at "Pink and Peonies"

Next are just a few of the pictures I took of "soft goods" as that is where I look first. I don't want to overlap too much what my friend Gail @ Victorian at Heart will post about our trip.

French grain sacks, which I have really taken a love for, but after looking at the prices starting at $350.00 ea., I decided, I need to find a new love.  I would make a pillow out of one of these....Oh well, a girl can dream, can's she.

One of my favorite booths was the vegetable stand. I didn't purchase any because we would be traveling, but the display was so pretty and colorful. My favorite was the 2nd picture with the vintage trucks filled with snap peas.

I only made 3 purchases at this show, but I will share more about them on another post.

As we were walking out, we saw this perfect place for a picture and Gail hopped in there to model for us.

As we were driving off, we were directed out a different way than we came in. I found myself driving a 12 passenger van with 6 passengers and all our "stuff" facing this.

As cute and rustic and  perfect as this is for a "photo op", would you want to drive over it?

There were many people trying to leave behind me, as I came to a quick halt here. Not only did I stop to ponder the situation, but also because Gail wanted to get out and take a picture. There was  a couple walking across and of course we had to wait for them to cross.

Horns started honking and someone came from nowhere and buzzed around me, but I was still feeling a little queasy about crossing.  Hearing the impatience of the people behind me, I closed my eyes (yes, I did) and went for it. Oh.....I left Gail behind.....so after safely making it across, I had to pull over and wait for her to catch up.

More honking. Okay people, we are out here to enjoy a day of relaxing fun, reminescent of days gone by when there were only horses and buggys....I think the bridge got to me.

We are off to another part of our adventure and I will share more of it tomorrow.