Garage Sale Finds: Chenille Skunks

I am so envious of Jenny, Karl and Meghan over at Yard Sale Bloodbath and Tom at Yard Sale Addict. They take the most interesting photos at the garage sales they visit. Maybe they can do this because they are in large cities - Seattle, WA and Atlanta, GA. I just don't think I could get away with snapping pictures locally. I can just envision a seller saying to me "What the heck do you think your doing?" I would have to answer "Taking pictures to document your sale so I can write about it on my blog that no one reads". I just don't think that would fly. And when I think about it, no one wants to see pictures of baby clothes and toddler toys anyway. Our local sales are pretty boring and it's a real challenge to actually find a treasure amidst the diaper genies and receiving blankets.

But last week we hit the most incredible estate sale I have ever been to. It was so big it was like a mini flea market came to town. It made me wonder if the owners of all this junk stuff actually sold at flea markets. Or maybe he/they were just crazy pack-rats collectors. It was obvious that quite a bit of the merchandise had been in storage - much was mildewed and musty smelling.

We investigated the garage first. It was overflowing with tools, books, records, and 8 track tapes. A big section of yard held kitchen items - pots, pans, dishes, etc. All along the sidewalk were pictures, odd wall decor and lawn ornaments.

Inside the house there was table after table of assorted junky kitchy knick-knacks. At this point we were without supervision so I whipped out my camera and was able to take two pictures before the help returned to keep an eye on us. After all two senior citizens with grandchildren might abscond with some priceless artifact (yeah right).


There were a lot of "nude" items throughout the sale - this one bottle was typical.


I thought these skull mugs next to the crucifiction plate were unusual - no I didn't buy them.


So, what marvellous treasures did we dig up? Very little becasue I just didn't have the time to really look at everything - grandchildren are very distracting.
I did buy three Wilton cake pans- $3.00. These seem to sell well on Ebay so they were worth taking a chance.



Also for Ebay these Chenille skunks - $1.00. Many older crafters will remember Lee Wards - a catalog outfit in the 60's and 70's that sold everything for sewing, needlework, cake decorating and assorted other crafts.


I couldn't pass up this vintage Bambi mug marked Sango China, Japan - 25 cents.


One room of the house was devoted to toys. There were a lot of dolls and games that were in very bad condition. Beth did find the cute little angel doll for 50 cents.

We got a few other small toys I didn't photograph - Tootsietoy helicopter, new box of watercolor paints, and squirt gun still in package - another 75 cents.

Frugal Grandpa and I looked like true typical grandparents. Everything we bought would be construed as indulgences for the kids. I love NOT looking like an antique/collectible dealer - people are a lot friendlier to you when they don't think you intend to make a profit on your purchases. Thanks to Beth and Wullie for helping us go incognito!


There were three other garage sales in town last weekend. Beth got that purple TY Bear - $2.00. And for baby's Christmas this new pair of Chicago Bears sneakers - $1.00.

We spent very little and had the most interesting outing of the season.

Happy Dance! Happy Dance!