Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Christmas in June


Remember that feeling you used to get as a child on Christmas Eve?  You'd be so excited that you could hardly get to sleep?  That's the feeling I get every Friday night during yard sale season.  I'm usually wide awake by 3 or 4:00 a.m.

Remember how you couldn't wait to open that first present but your parents made you wait until everybody was seated around the Christmas Tree?  That's how I get on my way to the first yard sale of the day.  I'm always the first one there, waiting until things are set up.

Remember how you were so excited that you started tearing through presents and didn't even stop to play with something before you were on to the next present?  That's me too.  I waste no time browsing, selecting and paying, and then I'm off to the next sale.

Remember when you were done opening all of your presents and you were disappointed at how quickly you blew through them?  Uh-huh.  I wait all week for the thrill of the hunt and then just like that, it's over.

Remember Christmas night when you went through your pile and started playing with your new toys, one by one, realizing that you don't even remember opening them?

Only now, I don't have to wait a whole 365 days until the next hunt.  But some weeks, it sure feels like it.

This weekend, being a holiday weekend, there were not a lot of yard sales to be found.  We went to a couple, but for the most part it was a bust.  For the first time I even left a church sale empty handed.
Not a good sign.  I did walk away with a free terra cotta planter.

I bought this awesome book for $2.


I checked out this planter at the same sale and the seller told me I could just take it with me.

All because of this.


No problem, I'll just turn it around!


 Voila!

So it was on to the local flea market where we were much more successful.

I found this little sign for only $3 and it looks perfect in my kitchen.

Hmmm, don't think that's how you spell "Bistro", but who really cares?  Ha!  Maybe they spell it that way in France?

This adorable ceramic bunny serving piece was just $3.50.


So French Country, oui?

I showed these nesting table in a previous post.  I've seen these Florentine Tole nesting tables before, but it's rare to find a complete set.  I have one next to my desk that holds my printer, but it's the smallest one and it's resin.  This set is papier mache tole.  Most of the sets I've seen are resin.  Either way, I love them and I was thrilled to get this set for just $25.  It's very weathered and worn, which makes even beta to me!


I originally purchased them for my Etsy store, but they look so perfect in my Dining Room between my two windows (sorry Denise, I'll make it up to you I promise, and I owe ya fifteen bucks).


These next items are definitely going in the store, and they are all tole pieces, my favorite!

A silent butler with beautiful colors.


A floral tole tray - perfect condition.


And 2 identical florentine tole trays in a rust color.


So all in all, not a bad haul.  And only 3 days and 12 hours to go until the next hunt......

Today I'm linking up to the following parties:

Thrifty Thursday at Tales From Bloggeritaville
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm
Twice Owned Tuesday at Creating a House of Grace
Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest
Frugalicious Friday at Decor Momma
Garage Salen' Sunday at Debbie Doos!  (sorry my sweet friend!)

Thanks to these gracious women for hosting every week.  Be sure to check them out for more great thrifty finds!

xoxo,
Kim

29 comments:

Abramyan Avenue said...

Wow! You found some great deals!!! I love the ceramic bunny! And the kitchen sign is just too cute! I'm going to be in the look out for those Florentine trays!!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Love that bunny! I collect bunnies and am always thrilled to see others that do, too, plus some new pieces {or at least, new to me}.

Kimberly said...

Love your things! always keeping your etsy shop in my mind. Hope to get something one day SOON!

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Great finds, Kim! I just love tole, too!! And the Florentine set is awesome!

Debbiedoos said...

Awesome finds Kim...you just have that eye don't you?!~ Cute bunny, and cute sign too,. who cares how they spell it....

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

Wow! It is so not fair that you find all of the best goodies;)! Love the sign and the bunny! They both look great in your kitchen! I also adore the nesting tables in your dining room...I am glad you decided to keep them!

Enjoy!
Cathy

stephanie said...

I soooooo want to go to a yard sale with YOU!!! You are the QUEEN!! Can I just give you my wish list??!! Love that little french sign!

sweetjeanette said...

Goodness gracious!!! I wish I lived near you! Our flea markets are the pits. You found the perfect place for those tables too! I love it. And I love the Bistro"t" sign!!!
You had a great bargain day!

All That Glitters said...

I love the misspelled sign! lol!

Aimee said...

I like your analogy... Very nice. That is how I get during football season.

You always find the best things. :)

FLOWERSHOPGURL said...

Hi Kim, Great treasure hunting, love it. Your ceramic bunny is adorable And the kitchen sign looks great! I'm loving your trays, I have seen a few trays in the trift stores, I may have to pick up one or two. Thank you for visiting and leaving your kind comment on my “Tabletop Tuesday"...Broad Stripes and Bright Stars...I really enjoyed designing this patriotic table in honor of my dear brother.
Hugz,
Kim

Queenie's Vintage Finds said...

Hey Kim!
Your finds are awesome! I especially Love that black tole tray but it looks like you hit the jackpot with your other treasures too. :)
I tell ya, I didn't come home with anything blog worthy this week, but there's always the next time...and I just never know what I'm gonna find! I think that's what makes it so much fun right?! I can hardly wait to go again...come Friday night....we'll both be like two kids waiting for Christmas Morning, won't we?!
Hope you have a beautiful week and happy treasure hunting to you always :)
Big Hugs,
Queenie

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Kim, great finds. Love the nesting tables, the bunny, the tray!! You are lucky to find so much great stuff!

I just now read where you are planning to join us on the 25th for the Wedding blog party!! YEAH! I'm so excited, can't wait to see what everyone shares!

Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

Anonymous said...

Beautiful finds! I especially like the set of Florentine Tole nesting tables.

- Deborah

Paula@SweetPea said...

Great finds! I especially love the trays and the tables that you kept for your own home. People sell good stuff in your area!

Just Between Us Girls said...

I love the way you describe how you feel about yard sales. I also love everything you purchased. You have a great eye for treasure hunting.
Have a wonderful week and stop over and visit my blog if you have a free moment.
With all good wishes.
Pat

bj said...

Here's another Christmas present...
YOU WON MY GIVEAWAY....WOO HOONESS..

Send me an email and I'll mail you the promo code to use with your $60.00 gift card and you can
START SHOPPING...:);):)
bjconklin@xanadoo.com

Melanie said...

I love the trays. That is my favorite thing that you found. You hit the jackpot though:)

Tina said...

Kim, you manage to keep finding these amazing treasures!! I love your nesting tables:) I really need to go shopping with you sometime, I can only imagine the lovely things I would find. Enjoy your treasures and I hope you are having a wonderful week. Hugs ~ Tina xx

Ronnica said...

Wow. I have no patience for garage sale-ing. I want what I want, and then I want to be done with it.

Anonymous said...

Oh those nesting tables ate to die for!!!! I get that same fuzzy feeling on Fridays too :)
xoxox Susie

Privet and Holly said...

I LOVE your Christmas Eve attitude!
You go, Kim!!!
You are so great at pouncing on the goods....
Happy Friday, sweet girl. Better get to bed early....!
xx Suzanne

Charity said...

I love all that tole! Great finds.

Debbiedoos said...

Hi Kim...thanks for linking up...this was a great one for the party!~ Do you mind adding my name to the party list:)? Thanks hon!~

The Polka Dot Closet said...

I want the bunny!! what a find, I love your blog! I am a new follower. I found you thru Debbiedoos! If you get a chance hop on over and say hi www.thepolkadotcloset.blogspot.com
Carol

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

I LOVED your analogy using Christmas compared to going to yard sales!!! And so true too!!

You have shared some great treasures with us but I really adore the tole tray!! I have a few of those myself!!

Debbie

Diann said...

Fun finds! I really love those trays!

FLOWERSHOPGURL said...

Just popping back in from Debbiedoos Garage Salen Partay!
Hugz,
Kim

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Great Finds. I love the bunny serving piece.