The Collection to End all Collections

I am currently helping a dear friend with her parent's estate. She's down to the last few boxes and I agreed to help her by listing several items on Etsy.    By several items, I mean about 15 boxes of very fun stuff.

This is only a few of the boxes I have to sort through :)

 As she is going through some of the boxes with me, we get to a bag and she starts laughing. "This is the "toilet paper" collection".  "No really" she said "it's a family joke, but Mom really does have a toilet paper collection".

 Through their extensive travels all over the world, she would grab a sampling of TP and save it as a souvenir.  Some of it had printed writing on it (which I found very interesting) and on some of it, she had hand written where it came from.

 The one marked "Government Property" was from Windsor Castle, So funny!

So there you have one of the strangest collections I've ever run across and as I told my friend. Definitely worth a "blog post".

If you want to follow along with what I'm listing that belonged to my friend. Just type "Bev" in the Etsy search box in my Etsy store. There are some neat items there :)

My Travel Belt-Courtesy of Karla Remixed Stitches

Back during the last Junk Bonanza I fell in love with the great utility aprons that Ki's sister, Karla, makes. I knew I needed one for a future trip, but I just couldn't make up my mind. So Karla and I made arrangements to talk about it after the show.

I had some specific needs. Large enough for iphone, passport, glasses, money, and notepad and pen. But also discrete so I could hide it under my clothing or jacket. After a fun phone call, sorting out the particulars and picking fabrics, Karla knew my needs and got to work.

She's quick and within a week I had my apron. Complete with 4 large pockets, 2 zippers (for security) and lots and lots of room, not to mention some drop dead gorgeous fabric choices. Let me tell you... Karla's work is quality and I can't wait to use my apron on my travels.
But I'll have to wait till April. More on that later.

You can find Karla's aprons on her Etsy store, Remixed Stitches, Along with even more great sewn creations.

Most of her belts have added "junk" objects and trim, but I wanted mine simple and utilitarian


Hop over and take a look at her fabulous shop.

Thank you Karla, I love it it's perfect.

Last day to enter my fabulous give away, click here for info.

Pickin in Abilene Texas

This past weekend Mr Roboto and I went on a little road trip to visit some of his family in Abilene Texas. Abilene is about 3 hrs west of DFW. While there we got to visit his cousin's old family homestead for some (please take my junk away) junking fun.

As we drove up to Jack's "metal pile" I was already chompin-at-the-bit to start digging. But one little bit of instruction first "watch out for rattlers".

Didn't see any snakes but did find some great junk

Jack had "right to refuse" anything that I picked up. He's attached to some of this stuff.

I'm in my element!!! Below are some of my finds from this stash, but I brought more home, from Jack's Garage.

There are some interesting bits and pieces in there that are hard to see.
My favorite piece of junk is below. No not Mr Roboto, but the old car. I didn't bring it home though.

I found some great stuff before we left as well, and I can't wait to show you my Host's fun Western Guest Room. Thanks Jack and MFE for having us, we truly enjoyed our weekend away. Rain followed us all the way home but we made it fine and are glad to have a day of rest before getting back to work.

She's a Bad Influence On Me

That was the montra as Jodi and I visited Canton first Monday trades days this week.

Our goal was to pick up a few of our Arkansas treasures that were being brought to us by one of our Canton dealer friends. He happily agreed to bring these things down to us as our trailer was too FULL at the time.
You can read all about that trip here, but not until you finish this post :)

We had to pick up 3 pieces of metal furniture, a drafting table and an old industrial cart. No small items there!!!!





I just love this old industrial cart, imagine it as one of those industrial coffee tables like was in Restoration Hardware.
It's at Winnie & Tulula's right now, but you might have to ask about it, as it's in the "back room".

So with empty trailer in tow, Jodi and I headed down the road.
And then it happened, the first thing Jodi bought was an 8' table!!!!
Can you believe it? That girl is not afraid of large items at all. But who could blame her, It was a great table, and I can see why she couldn't pass it up. Afterall we have a 10' trailer right. Well we managed to get it all packed and were heading down the isles to the exit and what do we spy? Something else she just has to have, that girl does drive-by shopping :)



Well we found a way to get it all in there and managed to get it where it needed to go.
This is the inside of the truck. Now remember this is my Dh's truck and I've been sworn not to put junk inside it and scratch it up. "I promise, I'll take care of your truck", I always say. Shhh don't tell anyone how much stuff we crammed in there. We were careful afterall.

Now for a whatzit?
do you know what it is and can you possible imagine what I am going to do with it?

More Arkansas Fun

The Trailer was pretty full, when Jodi found this set of lockers. The seller agreed to help us re-pack the trailer. So I think this is the first time we pulled it all out to repack. I think we did this at least 3 or 4 times total.



These snow cones were a welcomed treat. I love coconut, Jodi got Kiwi strawberry and sported a red tongue all day.

Remember when I said our clothes were Cool and oh so unfashionable. But frankly nothing was cool, but I can only take the heat with 100% cotton. This is a perfect example. And you can see my sunburn in the pic below. By day 3 I found my sunscreen.

Margo, Picking

Jodi found the best place at this stop


This is one of the pieces I got that I didn't actually bring home. The seller sets up at Canton, and will bring it to the next show in September. I also got an industrial floor cart, that would make a great coffee table. Can't wait to get my hands on these.

Be sure to stop by Jodi's blog and leave a comment, she's feeling lonely over there. She's got more pictures of our trip too. Pics of me on her camera, and pics of her are on my camera.

Some lessons learned:
Don't bring dolly, it's not needed, and is always in the way in the trailer.
Bring cardboard boxes instead of rubber tubs. We actually left 2 behind because we couldn't pack them.
Use Sunscreen from day 1
Bring lots of extra undies, they get soaked with sweat.
Bring wash cloths and bandana's soaked in water to keep cool and wipe off the sweat. We were glistening quite nicely.

Margo

First the Finds

I take it from your comments that you wanna see the goods first, so here we go.
click any pic for a larger view

















And this doesn't even show the 2 great industrial pieces I don't have yet, and all the jewelry bits.


This is us trying to fit it all in, and this is just day 1.


Tomorrow pics of the fun, loading unloading, and snow cones

We filled the trailer and we only have half of what we bought!

Just got back from the Bargains Galore on 64, 150 mile yard sale. Can't wait to share pics and stories, and there are lots of em. Here are just a few to get you started. The disk above is an old satellite dish. The sign should say "Big Yard Sale Sign".

We borrowed this wonderful trailer and filled it up. Actually we more than filled it. We have several items that are being brought to us at the next Canton Trades Days. So as I said in the heading, We only have half of what we bought.


there was definitely a lot of material on the road, or at least on the sides of the road.


Not all of it was this cool, most of it was garage sale stuff, but there was lots of it and we found lots of treasures. I'll show those in the next few days. As of right now it's still mostly on that trailer.

It was Hot, Hot, Hot. Jodi said I'm the only friend she had that could endure this kind of a junking trip. Most would have pooped out on the first day. But we both hung in there and it was lots of fun. Can't wait to share more, but I'm dog tired.
Have a great weekend.
Jodi will be blogging about it too this week so pop over there and check out her pics as well. I'll have more soon.

Gone Junkin!!!!

Headed to Arkansas for the hwy 64 sale, can't wait to show you what I find.

Got maps!

.
Llots of water, Trailer, Blankets, and Rope, and of course a dolly!


Comfortable, yet oh so un-stylish clothes
&
of course
Cash!!!!!


See you on the junk pile

Happenings

There is so much happening in my junking world in the next few months, where do I start. My friend Jodi and I have planned to spend 3 days, with trailer on Hwy 64 in Arkansas for..." 160 miles of yard sales and flea markets featuring antiques, collectibles and other great buys all along Highway 64 from Fort Smith to Beebe" We will be looking for great items to bring to you and of course we hope to have fun and take lots of pictures.

Then in September is the Junk Bonanza in Minnesota, I've got my reservations!!!!

I've got a magazine deadline for Sept 3rd, and lots to do before then.
A company BBQ at my house Saturday night.
The Real Job

&

Of course there is always the local junking
&

The Sweet Pea Bistro & Espresso Bar Opening August 11

The Sweet Pea Bistro

&

Espresso Bar

(Offering Organic & Free Trade Coffees)

OPENING AUGUST 11

Gourmet Sandwiches / Soups / Salads / Desserts

110 E Tyler Athens Tx

P 903. 677. 6868
D J Warren/Barista


I found some great stuff last week, but have not had time to take any pictures. I will soon I promise.

Whew, I need a nap!

Arkansas Trip Junky Finds

I've shown you the retro fun from my Arkansas trip, now for the Junk.


By far the best find here is the stainless steel medical stool on the right. Sitting on top of it an old Potato Chips Can, Lots of drawers. The medium sized ones are actually metal fronts and cardboard cases. I've got 10 of those. Hard to see is the metal gate piece, and a metal drinks cart on wheels.


Here's a close up of the metal/cardboard file drawers, and a great sled. The sled rails are actually a robins egg green, so wonderful. Needs a little repair though.



Some more gret stuff, This metal clinic sign, a M from an old letter jacket, Misc smalls and the best lot of old photo's



I think I'm going to do a post soon on using old photo's in home decor'



I picked this old enamel table top up on Thursday, I love that it has rusted star shapes on it.

Those are my junky finds, now off to clean, price and place. Oh and there is one more item that I'll show you later. It's by far the coolest piece of all.