Tick, tock, tick, tock...

MY! MY! Time has certainly been ticking off of the clock! I haven't blogged for a very long time. February 27th was the last one. Alot has happened in that time period. My dad has been ill, hospitalized and now residing with my husband and I. I am the only child (long story). He is 84 and has given up. I told him that it really wasn't up to us and as long as he was here, we were gonna make the best of it. He has been an avid and somewhat possessed collector. Keys, padlocks, safes and every other thing he could drag home. And, if he couldn't drag it, he would go get it with a friend that has a tow truck. No kidding! We celebrated the birth of our fourth grandson. Elliss Keann Fleshman was born on March 7th. He has three big brothers, Easton (7), Emmitt (5) and Eaghan (18 mos). We got to spend six days with them and cherish each moment. So, now that Spring has officially started, (but no one has told Mother Nature) we begin the countdown to the opening of Barntiques. I have gathered many pieces, big and small, over the winter. Wow! It is so full that I am struggling with moving things around to set up displays. The weather lady said tonight that the sun will shine tomorrow and hit sixty on the thermometer! Bring it on! May 7th is the opening day for us and I am still in the painting, sanding and staining mode. All for now, gotta get organized (yeah, right) for the morning. Hopefully I will accomplish alot and even take pix!

What do you think?

Today is Sunday, the typical day spent going to church and spending time with the family. Well, that is how I was raised. I still have a very strong faith, but do not find it necessary to attend a church. Our family is very small. And our sons family do not live close by. We raised our children through Sunday School and confirmation. And they have both found their own churches. I have a dilema. I have gathered several Bibles. They are not from our family. They have no writing to identify any names or family trees. I would like to do some projects using the passages. Do you think that this is sacreligous? I have had them sitting in my project box and really need to use them or pass them on. Let me kno what you think.

Hello SpRiNg!

Ever wonder why 40 degrees in the autumn are sooooo much colder than 40 degrees in the spring? For those of us that live in the midwest can stake claim on this one. In November when the mercury dips down to the 30's and 40's, we are all pulling out our sweatshirts, coats and gloves. In February the mercury hits 40 and we are all grabbing the flip flops and bringing out the capri's. We all know that it is rare and that there are most likely some snow and ice coming before the calendar marks spring...but, we gotta dream! And today is a dream. I went for a long walk when the sun was high and warm on my face. Can't believe it will be in the 60's tomorrow, but like I stated earlier, there is snow in the seven day forecast.
I am patiently (as patient as I can be) waiting for the phone to ring and summon me to our sons house. Our fourth grandbaby (think it is a boy) is expected soon. And when I get the call to come help out, I will be on my way. We live five hours away. And the boys can now tell time, so we are really held to the clock on travel. Our daughter in law is a good woman. Yep, she is in the minority of male to female ratio. Easton is 7, Emmitt is 5 and Eaghan is 17 months. It is a busy household and I am thrilled that they want me to come help.
So, the sand paper is out and in great demand. I have several items painted in red. And it is a very orange red, but you know we will darken it right up. Sand it some more and be great. I am being drawn to the paint lately. I have also been working on some glass totems.
I am hoping to make the trek to the barn tomorrow. Can't wait to see what all we have to work with. Love the change of seasons and I really love the awakening of spring!

Is it blue or is it green?

I have been bitten by the paint bug! I have painted nearly everything that is not nailed down. I started with a little wood piece that will be great for a fun sign. Then I moved onto a little table, two tool boxes, a coffee table, a three drawer dresser with cool industrial handles, a night stand, an old window (frame only), a couple of wall shelves and a dining room chair. I am in love with the color somewhere between the shade of the blue ball jars and a robin's egg. I just have to admit that the chest of drawers will be kept in my dining room. I will fill it up with linens, seasonal decor or just plain old junk.
The current project of the week is trying to come up with a redo for a box of clock works. There are a couple sizes of the actual clock face behind glass. So far, I have opened them up and covered the face with pretty paper. I have also adhered a vinyl letter on the front of the glass. I think I will try to make a couple look like shadow boxes. The front is rounded so it could hold something with a bit of depth.
I have several heart shapes cut out of fabric but I am fighting with the bobbin holder! When I get them sewn and filled I will be putting them on bed springs. I have never met a bedspring I didn't like!
All for today. Keep checking back, with any luck I will get Gale to take and post some photos! Happy junkin!

Can You Spell Inspiration?

I have really been scouring for some inspiration. Looked through my own junk in the house. Can't get into the barn yet! Hoping for some warmer temps next week. Yep with temps in the twenties! Been looking at magazines. Checking out Junk Salvation's site. We (Sheri, Vern and I) made the little road trip to Gilbert(about 10 miles!) Went to our favorite shop, JB Knacker! Brenda has the touch! Love the primitive & the glitz together and just the right touch of quirkieness. Not really sure there is such a word, but no matter what,she has it! From the front window with the silver bike with the glitzy seat all the way through the shop and up the stairs, it is totally junk in the trunk! The harvest table, the chandeliers resting in the cement bird baths, typewriter key charms, metal lockers and cookies from the Cupcake Emporium! It was just what I needed. I am now inspired. Thanx Brenda for a fun morning!

BRRR!

It is soooo cold here in Iowa today. And the forecast is for colder and even snow. It usually doesn't snow when the mercury dips down below ten degrees. Windchills predicted at -25*. Yes, MINUS ZERO! So, a good day to warm up with old friends. I sure fell off the seven posts in seven days! Can you tell I have a problem with procrastination? I KNOW! I made a trip to Hobby Lobby today. Lots of sales this week. I bought some pretty paper for seventeen cents a sheet. And, some pretty pink sequin ribbon. Can't pass up pink!
Vern and I are Scentsy consultants. Scentsy is a company that sells a wickless alternative to scented candles. We love it. We have warmers in several styles and sizes. And the scents are out of this world. I pick a new favorite every week. Baked apple pie, Reggae Sunset, sticky cinnamon bun, toasted caramel sugar, Mochadoodle, rustic lodge just to name a few. Can't wait for the spring/summer catalogs next month. We have a website for that so you can go check it out, fleshman.scentsy.us. If you have any questions or want to know more about it, hit me up here or at www.junkinatbarntiques@yahoo.com.
My project for tomorrow is fix the bobbin on my sewing machine! I talked to it nicely this am, but I still failed. I have some hearts cut out of some cute material and need the machine to put together. Then I junk them up with jewelry, skeleton keys, buttons and anything else to jazz them up.
So, for today I will sign off and go read some blogs of some very inspiring people. Thanx for checking us out and I hope you leave me a message!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I seriously cannot believe the last post here on Junkin at Barntiques was August 31st. So, instead of beating myself up, I will just pick it up here and run! The shop was open only on the second Saturday of the month last year and we have decided that we need an extra shopping day for all of our friends. We will open in May and be open on the second and the fourth Saturday through September. We will be having specials each sale. We have had plenty of snow here in Iowa so it has made the barn impossible to gain entry. I have although been working on many ideas and projects in the dining room. I love the fun robin egg blue paint that is really helping me see spring. Speaking of springs, I have two full iron bed frames that will be calling my name to get out the bolt cutters and have my way with it. LOVE, love, love old bed springs and just about EVERYTHING looks fun perched on them. I must say that I have an over abundance of windows that are making their way to the dining table for some fun communication/photo boards. We sold out of our junk necklaces. They were a big hit and we will be having fun with some new ideas from our favorite junker, Sheri. Always on the hunt for new fun junk to share. I am challenging myself to seven days of blogging, starting today. I never really know where I should draw the line between junk blogging and our personal lives. So bear with me on that. There are just so many things to share with our junk family. We have been through the circle of life with Sheri's mom passing away and her daughter giving birth. New babies are the best! Gale had a new grandbaby too and we will have one next month or so. Marriages,loss of friends and family, reconnections with old friends! Here's to a great 2011!

I am going to try to do little blogs about some of the items available at Barntiques. We only have a couple of sales left for the year. Yikes! Gale has been making the cutest burp rags. They are made out of soft flannel. It is similar to my favorite old fashioned bib as it covers the shoulder, but it has a little bit of an addition to protect the shoulder going down the arm. Yep, I just knew I could describe it! About as clear as mud. Anyway, she is going to bring one over so we can have a photo of it. I have already ordered three. They will be priced at $4.00 each or three for $12.00. Great for shower gifts or just a fun part of the layette. A couple of the prints were trucks, baseballs, pink leopard print, yellow and blue. See ya here at the sale, September 11th, 9am-3pm. In honor of 9-11, we will be selling all Americana items for 50% off. Hope you can stop in.

Smelly Parties!

Our great niece, Kamry used to come to my (Auntie kay's) house while her mom was working. She and I played the day away and then had naps. Her favorite thing in the whole wide world was the Little Mermaid movie and smelly parties. We would dress up and paint our nails, fingers and toes, put on makeup, brush and comb our hair (that is when I had hair!), put on glittery fun and spray ourselves and anyone else that would play with us with body splash! That became known as a "smelly party." Then, Kamry got a baby sister and didn't get to come every day. It was only special days and then she grew up. She is fourteen now. A beautiful young lady. And...she still remembers our smelly party. I painted an old suitcase pink and prettied it all up for my youngest great niece, Nyla. We had smelly parties too. What brought up the smelly parties is, Vern (and I) are going to start selling Scentsy. We have just joined but will get our starter kit and all the necessities within the next 10 days. Lots more on the new Smelly Parties coming soon. The website is fleshman.scentsy.us. Can't wait to share it with all of you. Have a great weekend and try to take time to smell the flowers. Or any other good smelly!

Newly junked items

Here's the scoop...Tin cupola... 2 well worn barn doors... 6 drawer wooden cupboard that is black with white handles... wooden boxes... two cast iron base (white, garden square like for umbrella possibly)... big old trough, no, I mean BIG old trough... rusty tools... tall clear glass bottles, some with lids... keys... vintage, rusty tool (mounted on a board, has a gear on it)...OLD screen door for a shed...baby crib, hopefully to make into a bench...enamel kitchen ware, white and gray...small metal oil can...just to name a few items that I junked this weekend. Last week junkin...three large wooden boxes, one of which is a trunk, one is a very old wooden box with a tray inside...two matching dining chair...one upholstered straight chair...2 wooden ironing boards...baby scale (two pieces)...and lots of other cool stuff. Gonna have to wait till our next sale, Saturday, September 11 from 9-3 at 2000 5th street, Nevada, Iowa. Will mark all items in the Americana theme down in honor of those killed on 9-11.

Where did August go?

Where in the hell is August? Where did the summer go? I just opened my door to hear the birds sing, the sun rise in brilliant color and there is NO HUMIDITY OR RAIN IN THE FIVE DAY FORECAST! And, let me tell you it has been a L-O-N-G time we have been waiting for this day. This day...my oldest grandson, Easton (new 1st grader) and his brother, Emmitt (new Tk student) will board their bus this morning to start the new school year. Easton is a bit nervous and nothing really scares Emmitt. Wish I were there to see them when the bus comes up the long gravel road to pick them up. Last year, Easton asked the bus driver if he could just drop him off at Ma Kay's house. It was not on the route (dammit anyway). He told him, he would just have to go down this road and then turn. How I would love that. We spent this past weekend with them in northwest Iowa. We took my dad, (GG) to see the new place they live in. (new to him) Ate too much as usual, hugged and smooched alot (never enough) and went to a rodeo. The boys did mutton bustin at the intermission. Hysterical to watch these kids hang on for dear life while riding a sheep that had released from a shoot, just like the big guys on the bulls. The youngest one was 2 1/2, oldest was 9. Easton did really well and Emmitt took fourth place. I would almost buy some sheep to watch it again! Love my family. Easton, Emmitt and Eaghan will be big brother to a new baby E, somewhere around March. Hope your day is filled with sunshine and love.

It is a baby girl!

One of our junkers here at the barn will be meeting her brand new grand baby today. Aly Kay was born on 08-09-10! She weighed nine pounds and was 21 1/2"long. Her mom and dad are Stephanie and Jon Bogatzki. They live near the Twin Cities. Mom, dad and baby Aly Kay are doing well. Can't wait to see you little princess! Congratulations to all of them! 143 Oh yes, remind me one day to tell you the importance on the numbers 143!

Long live air conditioners

I am sitting in our house with the air conditioner running. I have decided that I have it pretty good. I CAN NOT believe people lived without air conditioners. I know that we got our central air conditioner the day they walked on the moor. And, some still live without it. I sat with a friend on a porch around lunch time. It was shaded and had a decent breeze. That I could handle. Then I went to the grocery store and it was chilly! Left and came home. I sweat a bucket carrying in groceries and putting them away. I am now praying to the Air Conditioning Gods! I know I need to go work in the barn for our SECOND SATURDAY SALE! But I am giving that a second thought. I will let you know if I really go out and work. For now, I will keep praying to the A/C Gods until October!

...and rainy again!

And it is still raining, with one day out of the next seven that has sun! Starting to get really soggy! And the Iowa humidity? EWWW! I really did do a post on Monday. Don't know where it is, but I did do one. We have just turned another page in the calendar. What? School supplies? Must be true cuz hobby lobby has had their Christmas items out since June!
We are getting busy out in the barn for the next "second Saturday sale! August 14th is quickly approaching. Lots of new (old ) stuff. Metal tables, wooden boxes, tool boxes, furniture that will hopefully get painted. Kitchen wares and mantiques has gotten the most items this month. Hope you all can be here. Saturday, August 14th from 9-3 at BARNTIQUES. We are located at 2000 5th street.
I want to send some comforting prayers to many of my friends. So much suffering. I am sorry for them to be on this path. Please say a quick prayer. I feel so helpless for everyone that are grieving and I worry about those that are ill. We continue to send heartfelt sympathy and continued prayer. From your Barntiques junkin buddies.

Rainy Monday-hmm

It is still July

I had to hurry and post a blog today so it doesn't look like I only had one post for the whole month. Wow! Not real sure where the time went but it is almost time to turn the calendar again. We had a really good time at Briggs Woods. The cabins were so quaint. Great breakfasts cooked over the fire by Michael and Courtnie. We were in charge of dinners. The mosquito's were in charge of entertainment. Sprays on our bodies and several different outside sprays were no challenge to the hungry little blood suckers. It was fun to watch the boys play and sleep. More play than sleep!
We had picked up alot of fun junk right before the July sale. And...lots of it sold quickly. Our August 14th sale will be bigger and better. I have been very fortunate to acquire many new (our new is really old!) pieces. The barnyard is full of doors, iron garden items, well worn tools and great decor,scroll wood from a lovely home here in Nevada. (I will miss my "window guy!") He and his family moved to Florida. Good luck to Tom Peace and his family! We have many new glass/crystal items. If it ever cools off (and I don't mean SNOW!) I am gonna go crazy with white spray paint.
Barntiques will be happy to have Rick Trine back with his willow furniture. What lovely pieces and great prices too! Haven't heard from Mary (the spa girl) and Sara (the jewelry lady) yet. We have got some fun things we are working on. Sure hope they can be here too. Our barn family is growing by leaps and bounds. Here's a shout out to all of our friends that have been having a tough go. Love ya all and know we are praying for you. I will do my best to get back into the blog mode, so be patient with me.

Wow! Gotta play catch up!

Don't know where to start because I have sooooo much to tell you about. My oldest brother lives in Macon, Georgia. Haven't seen him since 2003. Haven't hung with him for many years. He is turning 60 and his class threw a birthday party for themselves and eachother. I forgot how much I love him. He is alot of things and has so many stories. We are 10 years apart and share the same momma. I know she was happy that we got together.
We have just refinished our own hardwood floors. My grampa built this house in 1938. And I think he got his money out of their years. It was ALOT of work, but doing it with my husband and seeing the end product was great. PLEASE DON'T EVER, EVER, EVER ASK ME TO HELP! Well, maybe...but not any time real soon.
I went to the fourth of July parade on the third of July in our hometown. Vern is really not much into parades, so as I was on my way to Lowes, Menards or Home Depot, I stopped and watched. Nothing like Old Glory flying so beautifully. Old timers riding on the veterans float, tractors, emergency units from ours and others hometown. Makes me get weepy. Love Independence Day.
On my way home from any of the MANY hardware stores, I saw a sign for a garage sale. It was a Saturday and I figured with alot of people having the day off, it would be busy! Let me tell you that I started "a pile". And to all of you that know garage sales, gotta have a pile. Started picking out and hauling stuff to "the pile". I bought so much stuff, that the guy said he thought I might need help getting these treasures home. They were selling out their junkyard. Can you say metal tables, rusty milk cans, old steel wheels, garden iron ware, 6 foot metal lockers, great old rakes. So, I called Gale and she and Willie came to the garage sale. It really wasn't as exciting to them than it was to me. By this time, the man having the garage sale had hitched up a horse trailor and brought it out to load up. I have been to alot of sales, I have NEVER had to have it hauled in a horse trailer. I think Gale will be posting some pix! She and Willie shook their heads, but they knew I was in hog heaven. It was the bomb and he still has sheds that he hadn't opened in years. Gonna be sure to give me a call before the next sale!
So, better get off the computer and go do some work for the Second Saturday Sale! Did I mention that it is Gale's birthday, so come on over for some cupcakes!

Sheri's jewelry

Day 5 of 7! We may have a break in the original goal. We will be refinishing our hardwood floors. They look pretty worn, but they have alot of stories to tell us. Just a reminder that we live in my grampa's house. Love it! So, Vern and I are going to work the holiday weekend. Hope it goes much easier than I have pictured in my head. (We won't go there!)
Junker Sheri is so creative and unlike me, follows the project from start to finish. Well, kinda. We have been gathering old spoons. We will take any and all that you have on hand that are not using. Actually, after you see her new jewelry line, you may want to keep them. As usual, no photos. I have three of them and I can never choose which one to wear, so I wear them all! She takes the spoon, turns them over and flattens them. And, she has a real method. Hammer to spoon! And, then there are a few secrets to the final product. She has two different sizes of letter press. A few of the words she has used is Ma Kay, nana honey, x0x0, junk mama, sew little time, quilt junkie, and alot more. She finishes them off with cute little junk embezzelments. So cute and they are selling like hot cakes!
Guess you will just have to come to BARNTIQUES next Saturday, July 10th. We will be here from 9-3! FuNkY JuNk and JuNkY FuN! WE are located at 2000 5th st, Nevada, Iowa!

Day 4 out of 7! I am over half way there! Today we are going to talk about Gale's lamps. It is pretty straightforward. And as you get more acquainted with Gale, that is just her personality. Don't ask if you don't want her opinion. Willie is her junk husband. He can do ANYTHING that we have asked him to do. Pulled out a set of steps from a garage and re worked them to fit in the barn. So thanx to Willie, Vern and Gale for that addition. We get so many compliments on the steps and upstairs. You all know, well, now you know that I talk out loud and think through, ok partially through projects out loud. Can't do that around Gale and Willie because they are standing,and there they are waiting with their tools to start and finish the job. I can imagine the outcome, but, I am not realistic on how to do it. They are!
Back to the lamps. And, yes I will get Gale to post some pics on here today or tomorrow. They have scoured yard sales, good will stores, neighbors trash (one of my favorite shopping spots). Always a keen eye to old lamps, parts, shades and whatever. Some of the lamps that they made and are gone is a pink melmac coffee cup and saucers piled cutely on top of each other. And just to let you know, I have more of them, so maybe it will be replaced! That one went to a good home Saturday. They have made them out of old lantern, soccer ball, birdhouse, oil can, you name it they will try it. I would try to give a tutorial on it, but can't tutor a subject I don't know. Maybe we can get one of them put their actions in words.
So here's to day four. Hope you enjoy!

Thanx Andrea

Day three of seven postings! I was asked to make a presentation to Bible School kids at the methodist church here in town. I don't really attend church so much, but I do have a history here. I was baptized, confirmed and married in this church. Lots of great memories. My momma has been gone for 22 years and I can still see her sitting in the last pew.
The theme of the week is Survivor. They asked me to speak on the survivorship of cancer. I survived with my co-survivor (husband) three and one half years ago. So, I am trying to prepare something that would be fitting for all four of the age groups. We survived through the faith that we have. I know that God guided my amazing journey so that I could talk about survivorship. Some days I feel terribly guilty that I am a survivor. That is when I have to take the time to pray. I am thankful that I am known as a survivor of breast cancer. I wear as much pink as I can and talk to as many as I can that early detection saved my life. My sister in law had cancer. We had a great conversation over the phone about all kinds of stuff. The last thing she said to me was "get your mammogram". She died five days later. As promised I made my appointment and had the procedure. It was one month to the date of her death that the doctor told me I had breast cancer. We prayed and cried. We had to tell our kids. So hard that was. But I knew that God was with us and I had to be strong. Two months to the date of her death, I had my bilateral mastectomy. I was lucky. They removed the cancer. I know that God was with us in every way. And my sister in law got the last word. Thanx Andrea.