Hoping to Score Some Points with this one!

Amy over at Junkologie is hosting a party -- A Junk Potluck Party! Well, actually, she already hosted one last weekend in Oronoco, Minnesota. But some of us just weren't able to RSVP to such an event. And being the gracious hostess that she is, she provided a way for us to particiapte too -- virtually! Not only that, our party doesn't end until Friday. So I thought that I had PLENTY of time, until I realized that I'm leaving in the morning and will be away from a computer for 4 days. So....it's time for me to party!

This is what I'm bringing to the party (again, virtually of course). Since I'm in a bit of a time crunch, I went to my go-to standby procrastinator's potluck dish -- Taco Salad. And did I mention that this is a JUNK potluck? That means that there's not junk food, but the food IS served up junk style. And for me (again taking the quick and easy route as I head out of town) that meant making a little Scrabble board platform to set my taco salad bowl on. Very easy to "construct" (okay, I didn't even attach together, but don't tell the judges that), I found a simple metal thingy and set a Scrabble board on top. It's not only easy, but fun and informative. You can spell out words on the board itself or on the letter stand. So there you have it!
But....beep....beep....beep......back up a second. Did I say "judges"? Why yes I did! You see this virtual potluck is also a contest, with prizes awarded to the top 3 entries. And word on the street is that these are some super cool ones.
So...what do you think? Who doesn't like a good potluck! And junk?....Even better! To participate, all you have to do is link up your blog or JunkMarketStyle post. Visit Junkologie to check it out.
Junk appetit!
Midge

I'm linking this up to Becky's Under $100 linky party.

Have you met Alice?

Have You Met Alice?

Does this look familiar?



Well, if it does, you've probably already stopped by Alice's blog at yesteryearsjewels. And if not, you need to get on over there and check out this and her other great posts.

Who, you might ask, is Alice? Well, Alice is a dear friend of mine, which seems funny since I've never even met her. But I've gotten to know her through JunkMartketStyle, our blogs, and Facebook. So I guess I shouldn't have been surprised to discover her the winner of my little challenge a couple weeks ago -- she KNOWS how cheap I am. The challenge: to guess the total amount spent on my trip to the Goodwill. The prize: a feature post on this blog. So here goes!

This post will be presented interview style based on Alice answers to questions I asked her. Sit back and enjoy getting to know Alice just a little bit better, then go check out her blog.

Midge: I know you live in Texas, but tell me a little more about where you live, why, how long, etc.
Alice: Very Boring. Born, raised, and always lived in Ft. Worth. Thirty-three years ago we moved to the burbs which has now become the city of Benbrook. So to sum it up -- 60 (YIKES) years!

Midge: Are you married? If so tell me a little about your husband. Do you have children/grandchildren?
Alice: My husband Darrell is from Austin, MN, home of Spam! He took me to the Museum -- WAY too much fun!! He says once he learned there were warmer places he never looked back. He has 2 children. I have 1 daughter. My/our daugher is always looking out for us. She has the most adorable son. Hunter is six. He has his own room at our house. We have lived in the same house for 33 years. Hunter calls me "Ghee" and calls Darell "Pops". In his room we have an antique four poster bed. He wanted a tent so we have clamps with a green sheet attached to the posters with an eye hook in the ceiling. We have Christmas lights around his mirror. We really enjoy him!!!!
Our oldest granddaughter, Sarah, is graduating from A & M this year (the week before the big event with Sue ). Sarah's brother, Spencer, is 16 and in high school. He got his drivers license this year -- YIKES! He is raising a pig at his school. We have 4 more grandchildren that we don't have the chance to see very much.

Midge: Besides junking, do you or did you have a job? What kind of work do/did you do?
Alice: I worked a real job for 2 years in an office. It was NOT me! In '78 my mother and I opened an antique store -- Yesteryear's Leftovers. Darrell was so supportive. In '79 we went to the Dallas Market with old quilt bears. That was a wild ride for sure. We were in every major store in NYC. We were featured in numerous magazines -- Country Living, Smithsonian, etc.
When Darrell retired he wanted me to, too. So in January of 2001 we did. I also did patterns for Butterick. That was really fun!

Midge: When you're not junking, what kinds of things would I find you doing?
Alice: Having my grandson Hunter, reading, making jewelry, blogging, painting, working at my church.

Midge: If I bumped into you in the grocery store, what would you be dressed like?
Alice: Summer -- crop jeans, flip flops, t-shirt. Winter -- jeans, sweats, tennis shoes.

Midge: What is your favorite restaurant or food?
Alice: Italian or Mexican.

Midge: Tell me about your upcoming trip to NYC?
Alice: My friend's son lives there. My friend's husband died sudenly in November so we started planning a trip. We are really going just for pleasure.

Midge: Where else have you traveled to? If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Alice: I've traveled to the Carribean (E., W., & S.), Baltic countries, South Pacific, Canada, Alaska, England, Europe (Italy, France, Luxembourg, Germany), and Mexico. I think I would like to explore New Zealand. Of course, I really want to go back to Italy and stay another 3 weeks!

Midge: Tell me about any of your favorite books, music, movies, or t.v.
Alice: Right now I am reading Susan Wiggs. I enjoy country music. I like the movies Blind Side, Sound of Music, South Pacific, and Miracle on 34th St. I also like the t.v. shows NCIS, Mentalist, and American Pickers.

And now the good stuff.....
Midge: What is your junk "specialty"?
Alice: Good question! I really enjoy the architectural pieces, can't see to get enough of them. I like making different things with them.

Midge: How long have you been junking?
Alice: Well, off and on (mostly on) 50 years.

Midge: Do you junk for yourself, or as a money-making venture?
Alice: I wish I was making money because I could buy more junk! I do sell some of my creations -- it's my jewelry that sells (some ot the time anyway). But I junk mostly for pleasure and fun with my chums.

Midge: What was your favorite junk find or purchase?
Alice: There are so many I will have to think a bit. The kitchen sink! We got it at a salvage store. It is 52" including the drain boards. And all my architectural pieces.

Midge: What was the project of yours you were most pleased with?
Alice: My red cabinet.

Midge: Do you have any junk goals for 2010?
Alice: I would like to go to Oronco Gold Days. I would really like to organize my studio. We have a 30x50 barn FULL. It would be really good to clean and organize it.

Midge: What is your favorite tool?
Alice: Well, it depends on what I am doing. My hand sander for wood. Otherwise the drill press and all my jewelry tools.

Midge: Since you've been junking, what has surprised you the most in some way?
Alice: What people will throw away, what they charge for the "Uglies/New", and how cheap the good cruddy stuff is (Yea).

Midge: What's your favorite thing about junking?
Alice: Meeting new people. That is what to me is so great about blogging and JMS!

And there you have it! I hope you enjoyed the chance to know Alice a little better as much as I did.
Midge

"Blog People -- COME ON DOWN!! It's time to play the Price is Right!"

I haven't been junk shopping in a LONG time. Mostly because right now I have too much stuff. But yesterday I had a junk itch that I just had to scratch and I'm so glad I did.

For several years, every Friday I would visit my favorite Goodwill outlet, the area warehouse service center where all junk (good and much bad) goes to die. The prices were great, but so was the chaos -- but I loved to go. About a year ago, they changed buildings and the pricing system and it no longer seemed worth my time, so I stopped going. And then that itch yesterday....so I thought I'd give it another try. Good thing I did! Apparently they've changed the system again and it's even better than the "old days".

SO...I'm issusing a little challenge to see who can guess how much I spent at the Goodwill yesterday (before tax)!

Here are all my treasures, in no particular order.



I believe this is a log holder of some sort, made of quite heavy metal. I don't like the finish or details, but that can be dealt with -- love the base.

Your basic cutely shaped lampshade -- a staple for any junker.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Do I really need another suitcase? (maybe, I think my count has fallen below 80). But the price was SO right.

A bag of wooden acorns and pears, ummm, sure. But I knew it's one of those things that if I didn't grab it, I'd think of a use as soon as I got home and would be kicking myself.

Looks like a little Goldilocks chair. Cute as can be. Slight damage on front corner of thatching but other than that in great shape.

Nothing too exciting here, but again, for the price I couldn't pass it up -- it's pretty good size rustic basket.

Yes, a pair of scissors -- but the good kind! It will be put to good use at one of my workshops.

Ahhh, yes. The REAL prize of the day. Totally cool birdcage. Quite large as you could see (could it become the world's biggest cloche?). It's wire and painted white and just a little rusty.

The handle on top IS plastic but wouldn't be for long.

Wooden folk art chicken. It needs a little doctoring in the beak and tail areas.

So weird! I had just been thinking to myself "Wouldn't it be cool if I found a hamster wheel" and soon after, there one was! Why would I want a hamster wheel? Check out Amy's post at her blog, All Things Home, and you'll know why.

I don't know. I saw metal -- I grabbed. They might just be angel wings in the future.

Metal box -- nuff said.

Vintage potty chair. Sweeeet! (I think.)

I'm assuming it's some sort of breakfast tray or laptop desk. Hey, you can't go wrong with white wicker, some things never go out of style.

And lastly, some glassware. I don't think I need to tell you the possibilities here.

So what do you think? Do you want to play along and guess how much I paid for my pile?

I'll leave a few days for replies and then announce the grand total. Whoever comes CLOSEST (you can go over) will be declared the winner! And what does the winner get? Well not much, afterall I'm very cheap (hint, hint), but I will plan something fun on my blog for the winner.

Slight hint: The total amount could be paid with just bills or quarters.

Have fun! And maybe I'll do more junking games in the future. (And maybe someday I'll do a REAL giveaway. Yeah, right, maybe.)

Midge

WE HAVE A WINNER!

We have a winner for the "I heart junk" T-shirt.

Congratulations to ......

PRIM & PROPER!

She wrote the cutest post about the contest, too. Be sure to check it out on her blog, offer your congrats, and see her posts about what she does with old furniture. She's got the trash to treasure thing down.

If you aren't prim & proper but you so wanted a shirt, don't fret. I'll be hosting another t-shirt giveaway very soon. Check back in.

Midge

MY FIRST GIVEAWAY! -- Hope it fits you to a Tee

MY FIRST GIVEAWAY! WooHoo!
Okay, so it's not an awesome prize, it's just a simple T-shirt. But it is a fun one. And who wouldn't want a way to announce to the world how we feel about our beloved junk. If it looks familiar it's because I'm wearing one just like it in my profile photo. I have several and I always get smiles and usually comments (good ones) when I wear it.

Why do I have several? Well, I was experimenting with making some to sell. None came out "perfect", so I've decided to try a different printing method. I kept the Oops'. I have several more sellable ones, but thought it'd be more fun to offer them in giveaways -- much easier to mail than other giveaway options, too.

SO.....

What do you have to do to be entered to win this fine prize?

Since it's my first giveaway, I'm sticking to the program I see offered by most other bloggers:

1 Entry -- for commenting on this post

2 Entries -- if you are one of my followers

3 Entries -- if you post about this giveaway on your blog (please let me know in a comment)

For a grand total of 6 entry possibilities!

YOU HAVE UNTIL THIS FRIDAY NIGHT, JULY 10, AT 8:00P.M. EST. The winner will be announced on this blog shortly after that.

Don't fret if you don't win this time, it won't be my last T-shirt giveaway.

Good luck, Midge