Vintage Chicks

April Flea Market

The Vintage Chicks survived another Flea Market and lived to tell about it.  It was a rather slow weekend with super cold weather on Saturday and a dismal turnout on Sunday.  We did however, have a great time visiting with our loyal return customers and had the chance to meet some new friends as well. We sold a ton of cook books and decorator items as well as a good selection of china and pottery.   Our Big Ass Cookies sold well and it is always gratifying to have return customers tell us how much they like them.  We will be getting a much needed break in May as there is no Flea Market scheduled.  We will keep busy using this time to foof up our booth in Shoshone and if we are lucky maybe attend a few of the upcoming estate sells that are scheduled. Hopefully we will have a ton of new items for you in June. You know the old saying "A man may work from sun to sun but a Vintage Chicks work is never done."

Hot Off The Presses

 As of today, I am an official "Furniture Whisperer."  The newspaper article about my refurbishing efforts is on the front page of the Home and Garden section of my local newspaper.  You can check it out at www.magicvalley.com.  It is a little strange to see snippets of your life so publicly displayed.  I am sure some people will find my junk little more than re-cycled trash but I am proud of my efforts and admit it was fun to be recognized.  It is hard to even talk about it because I was raised in a family that firmly believed that you did not toot your own horn.  In fact, my Grandmother use to say "Self praise stinks and so does dung."  Of course, she didn't use the word dung.  She was a simple farm girl and you know what the plain Anglo-Saxon term for dung is. I am glad I went through the process and I am pleased that the article turned out so well.  If nothing else maybe it will give other people an idea of what can be done with zero dollars and a little elbow grease.  At least I know my Grandmother would approve of that.

New Rose Garden

I am planning on putting in a new rose garden some time this Spring and since our weather has not been cooperating I will admit that the longer I wait the more I dread all the work that will accompany my vision.  I thought I would share some pictures of my blooms from last year and hopefully inspire myself to keep going ahead with my plans.I am not a smancy fancy gardener.  I just plant what appeals to me.  I do love the old floribunda roses that have that heavy smell.  I'm not sure what the name of this rose is, but my sister planted it in honor of my late father and this lovely bush came from a start off the original plant.  We just call it the "Henry" rose.  It is just a beautiful pale pink with just a tinge of yellow around the edge.   This yellow rose has huge blooms.  They measure at least six inches across.  They hold their own against all the more vibrant colors and really last once they are in full bloom.  I hope to plant six more bushes and then fill in underneath with lambs ear and some other small ground cover.  I like a real cottage garden look with lots of plantings.  It looks good all Summer and it really cuts down on the weeding and up keep.  As soon as I get off my lazy butt and get the garden started I will share some pictures of the before and after.  I just hope my back holds out because it will definitely be worth it.  These pictures are all courtesy of Linda.  She does a great job and always captures the moment for me.

Flea Market Weekend

The Vintage Chicks are packing up their junk and heading to the Flea Market this weekend.  It should be a great venue with good weather and lots of vendors.  You can check it out at www.magicvalleyfleamarket.com

We will have lots of smalls, a ton of great aprons and linens and a few pieces of furniture not to mention an entire table of assorted lamps.  We will be the first booth inside the door and will be there 9-5 on Saturday and 10-4 on Sunday. We will also have our famous Big Ass Cookies and everyones favorite Crispy Rice Treats.  Stop by and say hello.  

Yard Sale Etiquette

It is just now getting warm enough for the unofficial opening day of yard sale season.  There have been a few rogue sales in the snow and rain but today the paper is finally beginning to show a full array of sales. I am so excited.  It is like Christmas Eve only better because you can pick out your own gift.  Over the years I have culled a few tips to make your experience a positive one.  You veterans could probably teach me a thing or two but I am all for encouraging the newbie to participate so please bear with me.  The number one rule is "Get there early" not so early that you offend the host but early enough to get in on the first wave of customers.  If you pull up to a sale and  you see people leaving with fabulous treasures you can bet you missed something.  The second rule is "Don't give up." Go in and dig around. Not everyone is looking for the same kinds of things.  Be persistent.  Rule number three " Pick up a basket or box if you see lots of smalls you want."  That way you can carry more without dropping stuff.  And the last and most important rule is "Be Polite."  Yes, you need to be aggressive about picking up your treasures but don't push and shove it only makes you look like a Cretin.  Thank your host when you leave, even if you don't find anything.  This person has opened up their private space to allow you in.  Be considerate.  I always practice a kind of Pay It Forward junking philosophy.  Things will come to you at the right time.If you miss out on something it will show up again when you least expect it. Be patient and most of all have fun.  Enjoy the experience and celebrate the surprises.

Five Dollar Footstool

I have been trying to get some work done on items for the upcoming Flea.  This is a footstool project I have been procrastinating on because I couldn't find the right material for the re-cover.  Well, it so happens that the other day I finally found a piece that was the right price and had the look I wanted.  It was a toile skirt for seventy-five cents out of the daily special bin at one of my local haunts.  This is the before look.  The poor thing is covered in a really worn and dirty piece of Velveteen.  I cut the skirt down the seam and had double the amount of fabric I needed.  I removed the top and put my staple gun to work.
Of course, I got about half way through and ran out of staples and then spent thirty minutes looking for the right size.But that says more about my organizational skills than I might want to share with you today.  After the staple debacle it took about ten more minutes and I had the top back on and the look was almost complete.  I added some vintage trim I bought for a quarter and the results were good.  I just need to oil and buff up the legs a little and I think it will be ready to go.  I love projects like this.  They are relatively easy and the total cost including the footstool was a little less than five dollars.  My only problem is once I complete a piece I feel like the furniture and I  have bonded.(kind of like giving away puppies)  Once you play with them you want to keep them.  I promise to find a good home for this footstool and in the meantime I have willed myself not to name it.

Holiday Box

I stopped by a yard sale for a quick visit on Saturday and this is the one item I found.  The box didn't feel very heavy and I liked the graphics so I just grabbed it and didn't look inside.  When I got to the car, this is what I found.
Little spun head Santa's and matching napkin rings made out of toilet paper rolls. 
 
 Two little sweet angels and a whole passel of pilgrims.  I was a very happy girl.
  

Happy Easter

The Vintage Chicks would like to extend a Happy Easter to all of our readers.  We appreciate the support you have given us and hope you have a wonderful day with your family and friends.  We will be enjoying our day with some relaxation and a wonderful meal.  In our neck of the woods Easter can either be Sunny and Spring-like or just as likely snowing and dismal.  Either way it will be a good chance to sit back and plan for some coming Spring projects and maybe eat a chocolate rabbit or two.  My preferred favorite is the Bunny Binks and I can assure you they are already in the pantry waiting for my after dinner attack. I hope you enjoy your day.  

Easter Parade

One of my favorite Easter traditions is watching the old Fred Astaire and Judy Garland movie "Easter Parade."  Usually it occurs on Saturday evening while I am finishing up my baking and working on my Easter baskets.  It provides a nice cozy background while I am busily fussing and foofing in the kitchen.  My favorite part is the end when they walk down Fifth Avenue for the New York City Easter parade.  The entire scene is about three minutes long. I always fantasized about being there and when I visited New York a few years ago I was sure to take a picture of the Fifth Avenue sign.  I love that picture and it always reminds me of my vacation and my fantasy vacation that includes actually taking part in the Easter parade.  In this fantasy I would be dressed in vintage garb, of course it would fit beautifully because I would look like a mature Audrey Hepburn instead of the more realistic Kathy Bates.  My hat would be spectacular and all the scions of fashion would be jealous of how great I looked. Maybe the Easter bunny will bring me a First Class ticket to New York. If not I can always just include it on my bucket list and make it happen.  Eat your hearts out New York fashionista's, some day this Idaho spud is coming to town.

Let There Be Light

This week I am channeling Ernest Hemingway.  One of my favorite passages in one of his short works refers to "A clean well lighted place."  I have taken that sentence and gone a little Mad.  I have been trying to get some things together for the next flea and since I recently purchased a couple of lamps I thought I would drag out all the lamps I have stashed and put them altogether and try my luck.  I really had no  idea how many I had stored away and how varied a selection I had collected.  My most recent purchases were the Siamese cat T.V. lamp, just like the one my Aunt Ruth had, and the little green portable lamp with the enamel shade.  They are all sweet in their own way but when they all come together it is a rather schizophrenic accumulation.  I think I will display them all lit up on one table.  That way no matter what my customers are looking for I will surely have it.  Let there be light!