Treasure Hunting

The day was off to a great start, I was up at 7:00 am on a Saturday.  Crazy right, but see that's the deal when you're treasure hunting.  You have to get up and out early to get to the good stuff.  I know you've heard, 'the early bird gets the worm'.  Well, I got mine today!  Yea me!  First things first, I needed coffee and there's a little bait needed to catch these worms.

I prepared like any good shopper.  I mapped my route the night before, noted the opening times along with what each location had to offer.  I was ready to bargain hunt, the sun was shining and it was warm enough for just a t-shirt!  The adventure had begun, however, my first stop wasn't quite ready for me, what a bummer.  I traveled on down the road to my next location and scored a few books for my grandson, tried yet another but it looked like they hadn't gotten out of bed yet.  It's after 8:00 am people, come one let's go!

My adventure into garage selling in my little town was not really exposing me to the treasure troves I sought but my spirits stayed high and I greeted each new vendor with a strong "Good Morning" and a smile, they hesitently smiled back and stated the same greeting.  Odd I thought.  Suddenly it dawned on me why they were looking at me strangely. I had worn my 'Don't Mess With Texas' t-shirt.  Geez Kimberly! that's a friendly how-do-ya-do isn't.  Oh well! I shrugged it off and carried on.  I love my t-shirt, the weather was finally pretty enough to wear it and I wasn't stopping to go home to change.  It'll be okay, I'm sure.  My next stop scored me these little sweeties.  I haven't decided if I should leave them whole or grunge them up for something altered. hmmmm.

Guess what, my t-shirt actually came in handy at the next stop as an ice-breaker.  I meet a fellow Texan!  YEA!  I'm practically finding family, at least that's how it felt at the time.  She was from the Houston area but being so far from everyone now, she felt like a neighbor from home.  We shared a few memories then I bought some card/scrapbooking stamps I hope to use in an upcoming class. 

Today the sun was shining warm enough to go without a jacket, it was dry, I met a fellow Texan and I was bargain hunting with the car windows down and the tunes turned up loud.  Could it get any better?  Yes!  Absolutely. 

In our little town there is a store called Garage Sale Maniacs, they are only open Friday - Sunday.  This nice couple buys up Estate Sales, Garage Sales etc... and then unloads it in their store front.  When you walk around it's odd, or at least to me, that nothing is priced.  Well, all except big ticket items of course.  I was really put off at first then it became fun, like Mike and Frank on American Pickers, I got to bundle stuff!  This may sound strange to many of you but it's really kind of fun.  I took hubby last week and he got a killer deal on some fishing rods. He told me several times afterward how fun it was to shop there!  Any way, today I grabbed up this arm load of stuff! 

That's a September 14, 1954 train schedule.  SCORE!  It'll be great in a mixed media canvas!  Toot-Toot!  All aboard!  I swear, I think I said that in the store today.  But the killer deal was the one I made when I walked in the door.  On the side walk sat this sweet little gem.

We've been looking for one of these for years.  Oh, we've found them alright.  The seller has always wanted way too much for them.  They either had already had the restoration/modification done, which pushed the price up, or the condition didn't warrant the asking price.  Can you guess what I got this one for?  Come on, play along, take a guess.  Nope, you're way off. 

I got this little sweetie for $3, yep that's right read it and weep, $3 smack-a-roos.  I'll have to invest in a can of spray paint, a piece of foam and about $15 in vinyl then I have the treasure of the year (so far)!

I'm off to play with my treasures now.  It's no good to buy up stuff to have it just sit around.  Today was great~ Hugs of love to you all.

There can only be one first post. Do I get it right? eeek.

Today this journey begins.  Welcome to my world!  I'm taking the plunge into the world of blogging.  I'm happy you've choosen to follow me in this adventure, or at least taking time to peek in on me.  I'm a little nervous right now so please pardon me if I begin to ramble.

I love-love-love to create, I always have.  On my mothers wall there still hangs a roof shingle made of wood that I traced a coloring book page onto and painted as gift for her.  This was something I made as a child, many moons ago, mixed media before it was cool!  I learned to sew as a little girl by sitting at Mom's feet while she made us outfits. I would ask for the fabric scraps and make a dresses for my dolls.  Later, I learned how to make dresses for myself and then my baby girl.

My adventures into scrapbooking began like so many others.  I was researching and documenting the family tree.  I got a bit stumped at about the same time the world of scrapbooking began to open up.  I went to work for the then largest scrapbook store in the country, loved it!  My husband tells me I have enough product in my little scrap nook now to start me own store!  I really don't, but I know others who do.  Besides, can you really have too many supplies?

I was introduced to various other paper crafting techniques my a lovely lady I used to work with in Texas.  From there I have expanded into mixed media, altered objects and have found a new love.  But honestly, I love it all and then some!  I just hope my family is loving it because that's about all they get from me at Christmas and other gift giving occassions.

My intention with this blog endeavor is to share my love of crafting, art, family and various other subjects as they come to mind.  I love to learn new things and share the experience with others.  I hope you like it and follow along.  My little 'klips' of information into this adventure may be silly to some, endearing to others, and of absolutely no interest to many.  That's all well and good as far as I'm concerned.  What a boring world it would be if we all had the exact same interest.

Someday, fairly soon, I would like to expand my horizons again and begin selling my art and abilities.  I've watched many other artist do this with joy and happiness and who couldn't use more of that in their life?

To my family, I love you dearly and miss you greatly.  Hugs of love.  Wish me well as this is supplementing our geographical closeness.  So, here I  go.................<enter>