JUNKIN' IN JULY

Love this great PINK vintage trailer set-up at Fredericksburg Trade Days.

Hey, Y'all! Junkin' in July in Texas is not for the faint of heart or those who oppose heat. It's like an endurance test. It takes months (YEARS!) of climatizing, lots of quick JUNK pickin' practice, and gallons of sweet iced tea.

A vintage trailer full up of wonderful
vintage clothing at Sisters Treasures.

However, once you've set your mind to it and have driven your EMPTY SUV to the location of great junkin' very little including triple digit heat and high humidity will keep you from filling that vehicle up! Case in point, a recent venture to Fredericksburg Trade Days at Sunday Farms. I hadn't been to FTD in years and looked forward to catching up with sweet friends from Sisters Treasures as well as Garden Antqs Vintage. So with my sweet Momma along for the ride, we headed over to Fredericksburg to check it all out. 
There was plenty to check out! House Wren sets up at FTD. They're one of my favorite Marburger Farm vendors. They have a unique spin on Farmhouse Industrial Chic. Their display at FTD was no less 

House Wren's space at FTD--a feast for the eyes!

 creative and stunning! I especially love the old blue truck door--it was already sold. 

Also from House Wren's booth--love the cot--what 

good memories of my grandparents lake house that brings back!

Unfortunately, Theresa of Garden Antqs Vintage and her sweet hubby got sick and had to leave FTD early--so sorry they got ill and so sorry we missed seeing them. Just as my mom was beginning 

to melt and my shopping cart was filling up, we found Sisters Treasures. They had a fun vintage wedding display set up in their shop. 

And their lace covered shades are divine!

More great stuff from Sisters Treasures--globes,
springs, frames. Lots of fabulous vintage items!

 One of the BEST parts of junkin' in a place like FTD is meeting other like minded-crazy-to-be-in-the-heat- true-blue-JUNKERS. Betsy and Elaine were kind 

Lots of  farm fresh, crusty, rusty needful
 things at Old Gold Texas's space at FTD.

enough to introduce me to a sister-junker, Patty of Old Gold Texas who shares her spot at FTD 

At Old Gold Texas--where else ya gonna find an antique cash register and a rusty urn full of lavender?

with her daughter, and all of them also have spaces at Vintage Market Home & Garden in Uvalde. I think that means there's another blacktop junkin' adventure in my future...

Until next time, sweet friends--

Some rusted goodness and a Lone Star
feed sack I purchased at Sisters Treasures.

Peace, Love, and All

 the Good Stuff to y'all!

GREAT PACIFIC NW JUNKIN'

Wonderful signage at Stars Antique Mall in Portland, OR.

 Hey, Yall! Ever wish you could get to your destination fast--but also want the ability to haul a load of incredible treasures back home? This was my wish a few weeks ago! We spent July 4th flying to Seattle, WA and arrived just in time to see the sky filled with star-spangled colors streaking from one horizon to the other. Sweet girl thought this was an appropriate beginning to our vacation--I had to agree! 
The next day following a shopping foray through my favorite Bellevue thrift store, we loaded our little Xterra and headed to Camas, WA. 

To our amazement we landed there on their Downtown Association's First Friday featuring a 

vintage car show. I junked at Camas Antiques while Sweet Hubby checked out the vintage rides. I found wonderful treasures 

The incredibly delicious window at Camas Antiques. 

and a lot of cool cars and trucks!

Every time I see an old F-100 I can't help but think...Jimmie Rae is here! 

For dinner, we headed to a Portland landmark and home to the next Plucky Maidens Junk Fest, McMenamins Edgefield.

Saturday we began the day at Voodoo Doughnut--a 

mandatory stop for any serious junker! I have to admit to only indulging on half a doughnut, but we did pick up two nifty t-shirts for our Sweet Son and his adorable girlfriend. Next, on to Monticello  

Antique Marketplace! I have many junkin'   

friends at this inspiring antique mall. I found all 

sorts of things for my booths at Hermann 
Antique Mall and Rusted Gingham Barn Sale coming up in November in Gonzales, TX

(Think Victorian Cowgirl!)

We drove around, through and near Portland after missing a couple of important turns. Fortunately, 

we've traveled so much we enjoy "wrong turns" as it often results in a serendipity or two! At last found in the charming neighborhood of 

Milwaukie Avenue and Stars Antique Malls. I didn't realize Stars is comprised of THREE buildings each unique and wonderful. 

Camp Hollihock is also located along this street. 

Their designs are fresh-vintage-crocheted-t-shirt-comfy-cute. I bought a lovely, lacy hi-low skirt and a 

couple of sweet headbands. 
Saturday afternoon we headed out to one of our

favorite places, Cannon Beach. Unfortunately we arrived too late to catch Liz from The Butler Did It Antiques, but I still got a few nice 

shots of her two locations.

Sunday met us with cool, wonderful sunshine-- 

perfect weather for First Sunday Flea Market 

at Billie Van Guilder's Cottage Vintage Home in Vancouver, WA. Billie and another dear friend, Chris Kuntz of Mack & Momma invited me to sign copies of First Monday Murder A Jimmie Rae Flea Market Mystery. It was such a lovely market--the theme was Glamping--so many vendors took this 

theme and set up accordingly. What a fun day signing FMM books, shopping, and best of all--seeing so many old and new friends! 
A BIG ole TEXAS THANK YOU goes to Billie and Chris for their kind invitation and providing a tent, tables, chairs, and props for me. It was awesome!

The Seattle Space Needle--yep, we did the tourist thing too!

The rest of the week I junked as fast as I could load stuff up! I hit Amy and Kris' Fieldfest, M & M Antiques 

So many beautiful vignettes at M & M Antiques.

One of my favorites--Debi Bock's Vintage Lillie at M & M Antiques.

Sweet chair (and wonderful booth) by M Rose Vintage Goods at M& M.

in Monroe, WA, and Snohomish, WA--Faded 

Faded Elegance has lovely timeless items.

Debi Bock's Vintage Lilli at Faded Elegance.

Elegance and Annie's on First.

A fabulous French piece in Debi Bock's
Vintage Lilli booth at Faded Elegance.

There was even time to meet up with my critique partner, Author Susan Schreyer--Susan just released Shooting to Kill, the fifth book in her Thea Campbell Mystery Series. (Yes, I read a Beta copy and can tell you it's a fast-paced, page turner!--hurry over to Amazon and get a copy!)

Luckily, I was able to make one last stop at Common Folk's new store in Kirkland. This fun boutique recently moved from Bellevue. Owner Kathryn and manager, Kathryn, have done an incredible job of creating a fun place to shop. It's full of all kinds of goodies. You'll especially want to check out the 50,000 pennies they "tiled" the front entry way with! (Wished I had taken a picture...)

As our time in WA came to a close, the reality of getting all my treasures back to Texas hit me. YIKES!!

Three full suitcases and $60 a few days later, we arrived back to Austin. Sweet girl was rolling her eyes at me a lot as she pulled her tiny pink polka dot suitcase and one of my mega-junk filled suitcases. At the end of the day, of course, I'm ready to go again...but maybe I'll take a truck and trailer. 

Until next time, sweet friends,

Peace, Love, and All 

the Good Stuff, y'all!