Yard Sale Finds

Larry & I walked up the road last Saturday to check out a couple of yard sales going on in the neighbourhood. And, of course, I came home with some great finds!

I bought this old milk can...something I've wanted for years ever. It is smaller than I wanted, and has a painting of farmland and animals all around the body, not naturally rusted the way I like them. But, bonus is, the dairy stamp is still visible!  On closer inspection, I found it still has the UPC code! It is made by a company called Houston Harvest Gift Products from Franklin Park IL. The woman told me she could never figure how to get the lid off...probably because it doesn't come off, never meant to. I was so happy to finally find one at a good deal, I didn't check all this when I picked it up. I didn't even barter...then again, I rarely do...I usually just pay the asking price or when I have a few items ask what do you want for all this and then give it to them. lol Yard sale people probably love me. :) I don't go often enough to feel comfortable haggling about price. 

Laurel from The North End Loft posted on how she took a milk can that had been painted red then black and 'restored' it to it's original rusty patina. And all with paint! I was amazed at how natural it looked! I have to look into this...I'm hoping the picture can covered and the can will turn out rustic & old. Using her technique, I'm sure it will turn out to be just the way I want it. This is a project I will post when I finish...hopefully soon. 

The family was also selling a bunch of bird houses. I only bought 2, brought them home and immediately started spraying them with some paint I had left over. 

These need a coat of something or other...

I didn't get rid of all the decor on this one, just touched up a bit of paint here & there. Messed up the front, but hopefully the birds won't mind. Will probably work with this one some more, not happy with it...I was too trigger happy and in a rush! (Oh and the one in the background...dollar store, thinking this one's going to have a paint-job in the near future)

 I do like the way this one turned out! Used a pretty blue and 'splashed' some old ivory on top to give a bit of a worn look. I know the birds will be happy here!

Saw this metal container, now this is a patina I love!!! Didn't need to do anything with this fella, just fill with stones, soil & plants!

A couple of Echeveria and a crassula

I also found this old container that I don't think needs a thing done to it. I did have Larry drill a few drainage holes in it, now all I need to do is figure out which plant I'm going to transplant into it.

The church was having a huge sale. And all I came away with was this small Blue Mountain Pottery gravy boat for 50 cents.

 Potted it up with some succulents and it looks great!

 Off the yard sale topic, but still recycling...a nieghbour was getting rid of some old stairs that led to their porch, once upon a time. They brought them over to burn one night when we were having a bonfire. I really have to keep an eye on Larry and his fires...he loves to burn 'garbage' to get rid of it...I keep digging in his burn pile and rescuing stuff. I rescued these stairs and they make a perfect potting 'stand' for my collection of hibiscus!! And I don't need to do a thing to them! :)

I love finding reusable stuff that is usable as is!! And so much of these are perfect just the way they are. :)