Some Flea Market Finds

I thought I'd show you some of my recent purchases from the local flea markets.  You know how I love to go in search of 'stuff.'  Now, I never go looking for something in particular because if I did, I'd never find what I was looking for.  I just go to walk around (I call it therapy) and see what finds me.   And, most of the time there is something that calls my name.  Not always, but often.   I did not find all of these things in one trip by the way.  Anyway, I thought I'd share these with you.



First, I must tell you that the two framed pieces in this photo are not stained, as you will see further down.  I was trying to take the photos outdoors in my backyard, as I did last week....and those 'stains' are the reflections of the trees overhead.  So, ok, I'm not a photographer...they'll look better in a minute.

This big frame called my name!  I walked off and left it trying to talk myself out of buying it....but later came back to get it.  Just couldn't get it out of my mind.  It's gorgeous!  I loved the scallops and the circles...and I knew I'd NEVER find another one like it....so, it left with me.  I've no idea what I will do with it...but, whatever I do, you'll see it when it happens.  Luckily for me, I don't put a deadline on such things, so you may have to wait a while.

Then, I found this little cup.  It's really pretty.  I know it HAD a lid, but, of course, it was gone.  No matter to me because at first sight, I thought it would make a really, really cute pincushion.  I paid $1 for it.  Notice the marks on the bottom...Germany.  I think it's special.

 Oh, I'm a fool for the embroidered linens!!!  And this little square tablecloth called my name also.
For $4, I wasn't going to go off and leave it.  I often wonder why vendors put such low prices on this kind of work.  I'm not complaining because a low price helps ME, but I always think of the hands that stitched these beautiful pieces.  All that work for $4.  Somewhere out in the universe,  I think there is some nice lady who KNOWS I have her work and consider it a treasure.

I've shown you three books in a stack in that first photo, but am only showing photos of one of them.  It's a dear little book about Abraham Lincoln and has lovely illustrations in it.  Here are two of them.  I love the cover too!  I have a Kindle.  I could read any book available to purchase on it, however, there is nothing like holding a book in your hand and turning the pages...feeling of it, smelling it (I like the weight of them).  I enjoy seeing stacks of books.  I must, as they are all over my house.  This one will be on TOP of a stack!

 Lincoln's little log cabin home.....I can imagine stitching a little scene using this illustration.  What do you think of that idea?  Oh...yes.  I think that would be a really FUN project!

On one visit to the new flea market in town, I found this illustrated poem.  If you click it to make it larger, maybe you can read it.  I just simply adore these old framed pieces.  Did I say I was a complete sucker for sentimentality?  And the watercolor roses are so sweet..who could possibly resist?

In the next photo, I tried to show you the tiny flowers on the frame, but I'm not sure they show up well enough.  They are a very faded pink and the leaves are green, of course, but the color is nearly gone.  Well, a cleaning might help the color, but on vintage things, I don't like to take a chance on ruining 'that look' so I probably won't try that.
Such a sweet frame it is!























Another $4 item was this 9" x 12" cross stitch sampler.  And isn't it true...we only really rest when we are HOME. 

 I found this iron purely by chance and had been looking for one for YEARS!  If you've ever tried to emboss velvet with a steam iron, then you know why I wanted one...there are no steam holes here!
The handle folds down too, if that should interest you.  I hesitated to buy it ($8), but only because it is electric and I figured at it's age, that might mean it didn't work.  However, the cord looked in really good condition and I figure the old navy man could fix it for me if there was a problem.  Actually, I was afraid to plug it in at first, but he reassured me it would be ok and it was.  Works perfectly!

 I thought you might want to see the name on the iron and also the stand that came with it.  Notice they are two different names, but both pieces work well together.   I'm really going to enjoy using this iron and feel lucky to have found it.

So.  Do you approve of my finds?  I wish you could go hunting and gathering with me...it would be so much fun and I bet we would have lots of laughs......and maybe run across some great flea market finds together.

I'll probably post again next Tuesday or Wednesday....my sister is coming here this Friday for a couple of days and I plan on enjoying her visit.  She lives in Texas (do you know where McGregor is?) and I only get to see her every once in a great while...so we will be talking our heads off this weekend.  Even though I'm ten years older than she....we enjoy our conversations.  The time will go by in a flash!  See you soon...take care out there.  pat