Yesterday was one of the most gorgeous days this year so far. It was so nice I opted to walk - well that's not the only reason... I need to be more active, it was nice & gas is $3.49 a gallon. I had a blast honestly.
I'm really into the architecture of the old buildings and streets. I have learned that if I take my camera I can cover more ground - makes walking more of an adventure than exercise and believe me I need all the help I can get to get motivated to actually exercise...anyhow....I went walking up to Main Street to go antiquing. I have a great appreciation for antiques and junking. My parents are both antique collectors - I can always remember growing up with some interesting pieces of furniture in our house. We had an old deacons bench in our living room ever since I can
remember. I believe the story goes that my Dad brought it home across the back of his pick up truck because it was too long to fit length wise !?! the thing is like 8 or 9 feet long. Imagine passing that on the road!
There are so many more antique shops in Butler than I had remember, most in walking distance of each other. Here's the ones that are on Main Street or slightly off Main Street that I got to. I love this little shop that is tucked into an alley - Alley Antiques - justly named. I always find something neat in there. I had a conversation with an older man the last time I was there - they were talking about the "odd & ends" collectors - like myself and I spoke up proudly and said "Oh that's me". The man replied "We call people that collect like you bottom feeders". All I could think of was being compared to an algae eating fish in a fish tank - I wasn't offended I pretty much agreed. I'm a thrifty bargain hunter and I'm not ashamed of digging under a table for that box of hidden treasure - treasure to me at least.
Next I went here The Store on Main. This is more of an antique mall / consignment. There are booths set up for individual sellers and they have a bargain basement. Although there hasn't been any bargains added since the last time I was there - I always take a look. There's a little sewing cabinet in there that I've had my eye on. Too big for me to carry on this run - but maybe next time.
I went here next Wm. Smith Antiques. Nice shop, they have beautiful vintage jewelry that I always drool over. They have 2 store mascots - kitties. I forgot about them until I was inside - there's a bench reserved for them with blankets - they have the biggest orange long haired tabby I've ever seen - I'm talking close to 15-20 pounds. We made friends this time when I was there. I was looking through a box of postcards behind the bench and he sat there on the bench staring at me, until finally I gave in and pet him. Yeah I gave in the cat lover...ha ha ha.
Unfortunately, one store was closed and I didn't have time to check the other one out. There's alway next time.
I know you've been waiting - what did I find? Here's my silver platter special. Everything on it
was under $1 each. The blanket binding was only 10 cents. The little book is from 1912 and is a bank book - it has some great pages including the US Presidents - up to the 27th William Taft, domestic postage 2 cents, how to a
dminister 1st aid to the injured, useful information for business men, how to prevent fires, cleaning various substances, maps, calendar....more than just a bank book!
Next I found some cute vintage Valentines for $1 each and some $3 postcards. There was so much more I wanted to bring home. There's always next time.
My mom came home from the hospital yesterday - she is feeling well - just tired. You don't get any rest in the hospital - so I think she probably slept the rest of the day. But before I left she handed me her sewing box
and said go through this - I think you'll find somethings you like. I was puzzled until I got home and took out the two top trays to reveal this: Hundreds of buttons! I guess she had forgotten they were in there until she had needed to sew something. She said she had just collected them throughout the years. So fun!
Well, I'm off - it's a raining morning here. Time for laundry, smoothies and crafts!
My favorite thing next to actually creating - is junkin'! I woke up early this morning and ran to the flea market. The first booth I hit score me some old buttons for 25 cents a card. But the second both I hit gave me the score of the day. It was basically an estate sale at the flea market. I love the sound of "everything $1 or less!" being yelled at a flea market only to find a treasure trove of boxes filled with junk. I love how some of these booths / tables have a story to tell. Apparently, the items at this booth belonged to man's mother Dolly and most were packed away in 1950's. He said his mother was a gatherer. Well bless her heart - I gathered tons at that booth! I had so much to carry I had to go straight
back to the car. I got this box full of old Gerber baby food jars full of sequins and glitter. I gather some other items to like neat old shaker bottles to store some glitter in for easy use, a pretty old vintage velvet purse and vintage 50's dress patterns. 
I fell in love with this little imp of an STSA (Bethanie's abbreviation that I've borrowed the use of), she's sitting on an old tin that I scooped up too. She reminded me of some one I know very well...me!
I didn't realize what a treasure I really did find until I got it home. The man there had guessed it was from the store his family use to run. The ledger beings in 1954 and ends in 1984. The writing is mostly numbers, some random phone numbers and then I found this pressed 
between the pages 2 four leaf clovers - yes indeed this was a lucky book and a lucky day for junkin'.
broken out of about 60, but the broken ones are totally glueable! Yep new word - I just made that up!
