Ecstatic over an Estate Sale

I routinely check in with estatesale.net to find sales in my area. A cute house in Jackson, California was the setting for these finds at Day 2 of the estate sale. In addition to the delightful chalk on board, there were other items $20 for the lot. This little picture was covered in dirt on its glass frame, perhaps forgotten for many years. The estate sales lady even mentioned it at my check-out, a small piece overlooked by the Day 1 attendees. It measures 6"x8" by Courtney L. Miles (1887-1975). An established artist who lived in the California area and was known for his coastal and mountain landscapes. It is a keeper and now resides in my remote/home office. 

I would have given $20 for just the horse-themed duffel bag. The stuffed animal cow will make my money back on this foray. The handmade Christmas-themed plaques will be highlighted on my Countdown to Christmas. Ok, maybe half is for me, and half I will put up for sale. The items in the right corner are going up for sale, the dressed cow doll, the Christmas vest, and the two books. 

Inside the duffel bag were a set of hand painted wooden Christmas plaques, zippers, buttons, an ornament and mug. 

Found the same weekend were two pieces of Bob Mackie clothing, a jacket, and a silk long-sleeved shirt. I will highlight the jacket in another post. There is so much involved to list clothing, since I create an iMovie for each one. 

Gardening update: The plants are all in, we had so much cold weather I had to wait for the first 80 degree day that finally landed on Friday, 4/21. 

Seller update: I am inching closer to my goal of 2,500 eBay listings. Of my newest sewing pattern acquisitions and the ones culled from my personal collection that should put me there.  

Hippy jeans and media access

At $2.50 - who cares if it was mass produced?

Did my route of 4 secondhand shops and found yet another item on my thrift shop bucket list, a pair of embroidered-leg jeans. Coldwater Creek brand, reliable and well-made. Thrown in for good measure was a small painting, a Charter Club Hawaiian print shirt and some quilt blocks. Grand total spent - $12.

Thrifting treasures

I learned through another Sacramento blogger that, as bloggers, we could apply for media badges for early access and entrance into the California State Fair. I was all over that. I am more than curious to know where my quilted wall hanging the-encounter-abstract-in-fabric will be displayed.  

I have a long history with fairs - I can't hide the fact that I love them! I love the smells and the energy. Cotton candy and scones are my foodie downfalls. 

1962 Seattle World's Fair
My mom had this slide marked as "Poodle for Miss Peep Show"
I'm the little gal next petting the poodle, my brother next to me

I may have more of these retro fair images hiding in the next group  of slides I brought home on my last visit with my mom. 

Pattern of the Day is a 1960s Advance pattern.

The sleeveless version is my usual work look for summer days that reach 100 degrees. The forecast calls for heat and more heat in our Northern California climes.  

Are you a fan of the fairs? 

We interrupt this program

Blogger All Out Celebration - my art streak continues!
Granted, at the turn of the New Year, I decided to concentrate my thrifting efforts on finding original artwork. A lofty goal? Yes. Worth every moment of slogging through marginal to downright bad creations (some of which will appear in my Weird and Wacky post in the upcoming April Alternative Challenge).

This 40 year old oil on canvas has some condition issues but who's to complain when the price I paid was $5 (half off day). Even after a good cleaning the frame was stained and the hanging wire falling off, so I removed it. The signature reads "Collins 1978."

The painting could use a good cleaning. It appeared as though it had been stored on the floor because there are tiny mouse scratches on the back of the bottom of the frame. 

I really am in awe of the incredibly amazing artwork I have found. Kisses to the thrift shop volunteers who don't know what they are pricing. If I amass enough of these gems, I may be able to sell them all and cruise around the world in my retirement. *grins* 

Tidbit for leetle quilting friends, at the same shop, my $1 bought some more patchwork pieces. I see another quilted cubicle cover in my future!

When I find artwork that I know I will cherish and enjoy for years to come, it is such a good feeling. It is hard to describe. 

If you are a thrifter, do you experience that happiness when you find something you have been looking for?

Art streak continues

My thrift shop finds of signed artwork do not come without effort. At work, I routinely check 3 within walking distance on a weekly basis. At home, there are 4 more thrift shops. When I visit relatives, there are another 2. One of the largest in the foothills is Snowlinehospice in Placerville, California. That is where this beauty was found, rang up as $3 under "general prints." 

I discovered the lighting was perfect propped in front of my dashboard! This was also in a rolling bin with other framed pictures. This year I have decided to take the time to dig through the frames and pictures. I have been greatly rewarded with a find of an acrylic on canvas and now this print. 

As I do with my clothes, I am going to do the same with my artwork. Rather than think, I have too many pictures already, I will just upgrade. If I tire of it, I can just donate it back to the Great Thrift Shop Beyond. 

Saturday's stops meant running into a donation of silver, plates and platters, all manner of silver. Either an antique store went out of business or it was someone who collected it. I picked up this faux pitcher and am deciding whether to polish it.

Looking back, I realized that I have found quite a few amazing art pieces. Of course, they have to pass the "gotta love it" test. If you don't love it, why buy it? 

New Artwork for the New Year

I was hoping my go-to thrift shop for artwork would come through and I wasn't disappointed. After I had made one pass through the shop, I decided to take one last look at the framed art and saw this piece in the corner. Just $18.50, it is a signed oil on canvas. I cannot make out the artist's name. The paper backing has been torn off so I am unsure who framed the high quality piece. I am totally and deeply in love with it. 

Fabric was also wheeled onto the floor so I swooped onto the bag that contained prints. Amongst the remnants were these contenders for a Pantone 2018 quilted entry. 
We purchased trail cams last month and here are the best images.

Deer nose and eye closeup

Since I love patterns, sharing one from 1970.


2018 holds more quilting and sewing projects, trail cam photos, a couple of blog challenges and continued mischief. Cheers to the New Year!