Will Work for Food, and garage sales that make your heart skip a beat!

Lawrence, KS is full of beautiful homes, but when I get out of the car at a neighborhood garage sale and the houses look like this, my heart skips a beat.  You just KNOW these people will have cool stuff! 

I bought this mirror (to paint white with roses) for $7.50. Now, don't ask me what I will do with it, the thing is about 4' wide and didn't fit in my car. I have to go back with the truck this afternoon.  I have no place for it, but couldn't resist. That happens to me a lot.

How can I stop myself from buying treasures when I am in such a pretty setting? It makes everything for sell look even better!

Speaking of pretty places, I had to go back to Junker Jo's to see what I missed yesterday (the $20 trunk was sold, too bad)

Jo's husband BUILT THIS PLAYHOUSE FOR HER!! (My husband is a great guy, but far, far from being handy- he'll never build anything like this for me)

She stores inventory in it between sales and uses it for a showroom for the sale dates.

Look at the antique french doors on it!!

This is the 2nd day of the sale. The first day, her lawn was filled with furniture. I'd say she'd had a good weekend. 

The kids were selling ice cold pop for a quarter.

What did I buy from Jo today?  A pink chalk poodle ($2).  Well, it isn't a Dorkie, but she seems to fit in fine with the rest of the collection of vintage dog planters and fiures.

Last night, I went to Blue Plate Dinners, a friend, Lori Johns owns it.  (her husband, Barry Fitzgerald, a professor of illustration at Kansas University, and a fine softball player, did the artwork on the wall)

Before she opened this winter, she hired me to decorate her public restroom. I used the blue plate theme by mosaicing an antique mirror and a child's toy hutch in broken Blue Willow. no, I didn't smash it for the mosaic, I had !eek! dropped a whole box of it. and saved the bits for a project.

My friend, Jen did the faux finish, and I provided the furnishings, custom painted to match.

I added round mirrors from a hobby store to 3 blue plates I found at a garage sale.

A vintage toy stove is a side table. I was glad she let me use these two child's pieces (found at a flea market for about $50 for both). I thought it aded a whimsical touch to the place.

Lori paid for the supplies in cash, then paid for my labor in food!

So, last night, I made up 12 dinners from their menu and now have a fully stocked freezer. I just have to pull out a dinner, thaw and bake.  Her meals have very generous portions and lean meats.  Excellent recipes that I would never bother trying at home, but with all the ingredients out in front of you, organized and ready, it is easy to do at her shop. 

I've bought food from her before and plan on going back again as a customer after we eat our way through this stash.

Lori made us all snacks and we had wine while we worked.  My cooking budding, Shanna, and I had a blast.  Its like a big night out on the town when you go with friends and cook together.  Or am I just getting old?  My "big nights" are a different classification than they used to be.  I know that I prefer Blue Plate Dinners to going out to hear a band and have a cocktail.

Here is a reminder about my give away for June.  A hand painted charm that you can win by leaving a comment or an email. I know that for some reason, some people have trouble leaving a comment with typepad.

And look at how pretty this is!! A little swap from Sonia, how sweet! Thanks, Sonia!!

http://ccraftscollectibles.blogspot.com/

Comments

[Jamie]

I just discovered your blog this morning and I am enchanted with all that I see. Especially sweet Miss Sugarwings. What a sweet girl. You art is beautiful and I would like to link you to my blog if that's ok. I am a collage artist and collector of old things too:) Sincerely, Jamie

[Theresa-Garden Antqs]

You found really great things; pretty houses too and what a pretty playhouse.

[Lori]

Well here are two ideas for the mirror! #1. behind the sofa, #2. as a head board, oops #3 in a dining area? I'm sure I speak for many and can't wait to see what you do!!! Lori

[Rhoda]

Karla, that estate sale place looked like so much fun. I'm a huge yardsaler too & went this a.m. Love all the things you did in your friend's Blue Plate diner...great job with the broken mosiac. I enjoyed seeing all your pics!

Rhoda
Southern Hospitality

[sweetroses&vintagechiq]

Why? Why don't we have estate sales like you have???? Here in Holland we don't have such sales... I would almost hop on a plane and come with you!
Love the mirror you found. And for only $7.50???? Great, great find!
What nice art work you made for your friend. Blue isn't my favourite color but it always seem to make it's way into our home...

Have a nice weekend!

[clarice]

Wow, Karla your blue mirror is wonderful. Good job !!! Clarice

[Vickie Coonfare]

I love the mosaic work Karla! It's terrific. Wow, working for good food, can't beat that. I'm sure you'll find some place for that mirror. Can't wait to see it finished.

[Peta]

You did a fantastic job with that mirror and toy stove, what a fab idea!
That garage sale looked like pure heaven. I too have no room but I would not have been able to stop myself from spending up big!

[The Feathered Nest]

I love that mirror, I would have snapped it up too! Your mosaic mirror looks wonderful. It's nice to have all those meals ready to go in the freezer!

Manuela

[Mizsmoochielips]

Will ya look at how CUTE you are with your contagious smile!!! And such a great decor you did at that with the blue. Love it!
Man, the sales you find!