Flea Market Fun

Yes, I know today is Father's Day.  Last year was only a month after my Mr.'s Dad had passed away so he was not in the mood to celebrate.  I went and celebrated with my Dad, but he stayed home.  This year Bill said let's go to the flea market.  So, that is what we did.  I had spent Friday with my Dad and gave him some mulch for their flower beds and spread it also.  He was going to my sister's today for a cookout, so I decided to go shopping this morning.  Boy howdy! It sure was HOT! We were there around 9am and the sun was blazing.  We haven't had any rain for quite sometime here in our little part of Ohio.  

They are keeping a close eye on how many people are at the flea market and how many cars can park.  Luckily, we got a place to park right smack dab in the middle.  You know, just in case you need to take stuff to the car.  We have learned the hard way that you don't want to park at one end or the other.  Here it is mid June and I haven't been to one market yet this year.  Granted I am getting very picky with what I want.  I am not buying to sell.  I am buying to decorate and don't want a lot of "stuff" sitting around.  

Anyway, we walk up to the booth directly in front of the car and he has old advertising cans and bottles and stuff then I see them.  Grain sacks to excite any prim person right there.  He had quite a few with words and graphics, but not Bemis ones. He says those are $10 each. They were not my taste so to speak.  Then I see a pile on the ground next to the table.  They are all plain with no advertisements.  There is some writing and marks, but I can see through that.  When I was flipping through them they are crusty, dirty, and musty smelling.  The guy comes over and says he picked them out of an old barn and that those ones were $1 a piece, or if I took them all $10.  I had not counted them, but I figured it was still a great deal.  So, I obliged and paid the man.  I then spotted an old wood box.  I LOVE wood boxes as they have a ton of uses.  Most of them are priced too high and I figured the same of this one.  The Mr. pointed out that it was an Anheuser Busch box.  Of course he would see it was a beer box. LOL.  The man said of that box is $10.  I asked him why he told me that.  He joked and said I needed the box to carry all the grain sacks in when in fact that is the box he picked them in.  Needless, to say the grains sacks were back in their home.  Lucky for me the car was just across the driveway.  Once I got home I counted 16 bags.  Not bad!  That is the box I got too.

Yes there is some red and black paint on them, but the other side is plain.  Even if I only use one side I paid less than $1 for each.

We then meandered our way around to the other booths and of course the normal junk is there.  I was looking for stuff I could put in my flower gardens or planters for some plants I have.  In the midst of looking I saw a larger hide stretcher.  I already have a really big one, but this one was smaller.  I was perfect with no holes or cracks and had a beautiful patina on it.  The guy told me the price of $20.  I was on the fence.  He told me to look around and see if I wanted to bundle some stuff.  He had some boxes, but the bottoms were coming off and they were too expensive for what they were.  I told the Mr. I really wanted the board, but I didn't want to pay $20.  So, I walked away.  We continued to look and all I kept thinking about was that board.  Often times people say you should buy it when you see it if it speaks to you.  So, needless to say it came home with me.  

It just needs cleaned up a bit from the dust and dirt before I bring it inside.  I have no plans to paint on it.  I LOVE it as is.  It is airing out on my porch for now.

Back to the grain sacks.  I have some plans of pillow shams or other crafty things from them.  But, first things first is washing them.  I was looking online and most people suggest soaking them first for up to 24 hours.  So, I decided these 4 would go first.  They are FILTHY and dirty.  

EWWWW!!!

Into my laundry room sink they go.  I added some Arm and Hammer Washing Soda.  I got some of this because I'm on a homemade cleaner and disinfectant kick with essential oils.  In they go...

I turned off the water and swished them around a little and I think I'm going to throw up! LOL

Stay tuned as I plan on changing the water several times and then throwing them in the washing machine.  Let's see how they come out.  

Only 3 more loads to clean! LOL