In my travels...

Hi everyone, well here I am in Las Vegas, and what an experience in a lifetime for me, and the family...

We leave in the morning to LA for a few days before the kids go home, and hubby and I take to the road...then the real fun begins. 

We are hiring a car, vintage hopefully, but with the modcons! So we are heading up the coast to San fransisco, and around surrounding places. To my blogging friends here in the US, Im hoping you can tell me a few junking places to visit over the next couple of weeks near these places???

Our road trip idea across to New York was short-lived as it is just too far with only two and a half weeks up our sleeve, so we will stick to the west coast.

I will leave you with this pic,and if you want to see more, head over to facebook where there are regular updates.

Catcha again soon...

Lost and found...

These got lost in the mounds of junk in my office. I finally had a chance this morning to clean up and sort, and basically make a walkway!

They will be moving down to the studio this weekend, and I will share some more updated photos of the 'Studio Makeover'progress soon, stay tuned!

A purchase that just doesnt stop!!!

With the lack of junking enthusiasm I have had the past few months, it has been hard to create and be inspired by much....that is until last week!

I finished work early, so decided to call into my irish friend's junkshop, for a chat and a look. He wasnt in, but his old time friend, a real character, was happy to fill me in on the happenings of late!

 When I walked in the door, with my trained eyes,lol, I did a quick scan of my surroundings, and spotted alot, no , a truckload of sewing machines, overlockers, signs, tables, etc. Being the big collector of all sewing paraphernalia, my heart started palpitating!!! The story goes like this...

This old man had been collecting for over 60 years, started with the old Antique Singer in the table with the iron legs. As the years followed, he found more and more, and before long he was renting a shed to store them.Some were brand new, timber lids, tables, all new! It became an obsession! Now in his late eighties, he cant afford the rent, so he asked my friend to come and take them away.None were on display, he hadnt looked at them for years....so sad. 

So it is up to hoarders people like me to help him out, see, Im just trying to help!

it is a gorgeous aqua colour

I picked out a cute retro looking machine, so cute, then went down to the back (junky area), and found all of these!There are enough pieces to make three or four tables!

From my last visit, I remembered he had this collection of old jug kettles, and I had decided then, that I didnt need another collection, they would stay....but this time, they were 50% off, so I grabbed a couple or four! I love them for vases and holders of cutlery.

I also found these great timber singer machine covers, though Im not sure what I'll do with them yet, any ideas?

Of course going there that day was unplanned, and I had absolutely no cash, they dont accept cards, so he was happy to hold them for me till payday!

Yesterday was payday, and lucky for me, I grabbed extra cash, just in case. My Irish friend was there, and he found me some more treasures, and at next to nothing prices.

Will share the best find next post, well next payday, when I go back to  pickup and pay!

Mmmm, should I buy more, do I need more?

OMG, now I need to work more, but I feel so much brighter!

Isnt it amazing what a good junkstop will do for the soul? 

Word's out!!!

I think the village has come together to pull me out of this 'junker's block'....

Another visit, in the dark of the night, from the same neighbour who left this, which I turned into this!

Oh this is special!!

Except this one has a lamp base to go with it!

The bugs are cute, but they'll have to go!

Ok, I think I can manage to crawl out of my hole and create with this little project.

Baby steps, baby steps......

Junkstudio appeal....

I was head over heels when I arrived home the other day to this at the front door...

How sweet! Ive had quite a few things left on my verandah, including a big old door, which I will one day do something with, chairs, and packaging, which is always handy!

It is so nice that people are thinking of me, even if it is to discard their junk sometimes, though hubby thinks it is their rubbish! Lol, I'll show him, and actually do something with these things to make them worthy, just you wait!!

While hubby's away...

The wife races down to the nearest 'Vinnies'(thrift store) and loads up the car!

Brings it home, and crams all her junk into any little space left on the verandah!

No, I didnt do that, I wouldnt, because I simply couldnt! There isnt any spare space to fill!

Not many really...

Great files boxes!

Coat stand

Art deco mantle mirror and drawers

Love the frame

quilt hangers

Love these pillars, mmm, not sure what I'll do with them yet,but had to have!

Plate and peg rack, huge!

Im seriously going to have to clean these up and clear them out!

Wish me luck, and head over to here for the before and afters, coming soon!!
(Sorry for the poor quality of photos, it is just that it was so sunny, and such a beautiful day!
Oh, and did I mention how sunny and gorgeous the day is? It really is a lovely autumn day!)

Come and join in!!

The day after tomorrow....junkfix!

Old rustic door, and wine bottle holder.

I confess!! I got a little distracted, and things didnt go to plan. I was going to show you my new and improved studio revamp/cleanup, but there is so much 'junking' to be done in my area, that I couldnt ignore it anymore, it was calling my name!

Stool, male busts,shopping trolleys and a ladder stool.

Cute wooden box

Rustic old stool

Since I dont have a ute anymore, it is quite frustrating to see such wonderful junk by the roadside, and not fit them in my car.So my lovely neighbour came to my rescue, and took me out in her wagon.We had half an hour to do some serious junking!

Ballustrades, tray, ladder and cupboard.

Neighbour: "Im just looking for an old door, and a clothes rack of sorts, what are you after?"

Me: Mmmm, nothing in particular, I'll know it when I see it!"

Vintage child's kitchen dresser, filthy, but cute!

Apparently, I knew on many occasions, look at all my specials!

I dont want to do 'IT' alone anymore...

'IT', being junking!
I found a sale by accident, and pulled over quickly! Walked extremely fast, almost broke into a jog! Scanned the shop, and went in for the kill, found 4 pieces of furniture! Then I walked extremely fast, almost breaking into a jog, and spoke to the lady behind the counter, pointing out what I wanted to buy.She yelled out to the guy in the back, to help me load them into the car! I was grinning from ear to ear, so happy with my purchases, and all done in a matter of minutes!
But as I backed my car into the drive to load them in, I was almost attacked by a woman, angry with me for taking so much.She said Im greedy, and hadnt left anything for anyone else! She was checking out this bedside table like it was made of gold!

Thankfully, I got away unharmed, this time. I think I need a friend or bodyguard with a get away car next time, I need to be more prepared.....maybe with the economy the way it is, people are getting a little crazy? I felt guilty, maybe she really needed it! Ok, guilt gone!! Here are the great finds I almost died for, I hope they are worth it!

I had to laugh, after reading my last post ,what a difference a week can make. It looks like Autumn has stolen my gorgeous green trees, the place looks deserted! Is there something going on, I dont know about? Hubby's gone away to Adelaide, daughter has gone to Port Maquarie, son has gone to Golbourn, and my other daughter is working on the weekend.So Im home alone...!

Does anyone want to come junking with me ? It's a bit risky, but fun??

Oh, just wanted to share my new additions to the 'Stationery department', on the website, go take a look in my studio items.

Movin' on out, hubby that is!!

I've claimed the whole office space, well it was only a matter of time....Do you remember how much he had anyway? I moved his desk out into the family / dining room. Miss Ris, our 17yr old, is hubby's secretary / sales consultant, and she prefers the desk there, it is closer to the fridge!There's already too much furniture and 'stuff' in there, but it will have to do until we have a better solution. Hubby suggested I throw out some junk, and there would be plenty of room for 5 desks! HOW RUDE!! He's probably right, but I would never admit that to him! ( Im sure a few of you can relate).

So I set to work, and reorganised my mess so I could finally have a work space, and desk. When Im creating indoors, I tend to rummage through fabric, and it rarely gets put back. Im thinking of having shelving in the robe area to store my fabrics so I can see them.The suitcases might look good, but are definitely not practical.I always find what Im looking for in the last one, why is that?

I have been busy cleaning and reorganising everywhere, kind of like a springclean you might say, but in the middle of our summer. I found plenty to put in my ebay store, and Junkstudio. I love clutter, but sometimes I just need to let go of some things, I am sick of cleaning them and fighting for space to cook, and sit, and sleep, truly!

Sue is coming up for the weekend so we are junking, and shopping for chooks! We are heading over the mountains to Little Hartley.It is a cute 'little' town, slower pace, friendly people, and definitely great junkshops!

I havent really been junking for a while, I have so much here, and Im sure, no, hubby is sure it breeds! Though I did come across some gorgeous tablecloths I just had to have.One is embroidered linen, absolutely perfect, the other is vintage, the colours are just devine. I also bought this shabby chic curtain, it is sheer and the roses look so pretty! Ive decide to sell this one, as it doesnt really suit my decor, so it will go into Junkstudio. These timber stands were also a recent purchase which will come in handy in the studio, and at $10 for the two, I cant go wrong!

I managed to throw together a stand for 'Curvy Lady', consisting of a gorgeous piece of turned timber, maybe from a chair or railing(found it in my collection of bits), and the bottom part is from a birdcage stand...so now we are ready to decorate!

Our daughter arrived safely in Ghana, Africa, and after orientation, will meet up with her host family she will live with for the two months. We have spoken a couple of times, it is hard to believe she is there, a wish come true! So keeping busy will help pass the time!

And now , to clean the studio, and prepare for customers!

The heat is on!!!

The weather is extremely warm at the moment, like mid-summer...definitely not good for painting! I had some projects half finished, I did plan to add them to my studio for the sale, but ran out of time.

Ive added this cute frame to my studio, and added the memory board to ebay.

I just finished this gorgeous chair and added it to ebay.

These will get a makeover soon!

I managed to finish this cute hall table and add it to the studio, and it sold.

My next sale is on the 29th November,which falls on the same day as our street's annual sale, so I hope all the locals can make it! Lots of neighbours get involved, and there are great bargains to be had, so mark it in your diary! It will be good timing for Christmas presents........did I just say Christmas? The department stores have already started with the decorations and music, Im so glad I dont work in them anymore!

Well, also this week, I have finally added some studio items to my website. Im sure there will be hiccups, I really dont know what Im doing, there was alot of guess work!

For this long weekend, Im heading down to Sue's, then Sunday, we are off to the Berry markets. On the way home, we will call in to see my parents, and then ,the long drive home! It should be a good weekend of junking and hanging with good friends and family! Hopefully, I will catch up with my hubby and kids on Monday!

Have a great weekend everyone, and I'll post about my 'specials' next week.