A Garage Sale Treasure
By Shelly Thompson
Publisher and Editor, The Notebook Cafe
Publisher and Editor, The Notebook Cafe
I started going to garage sales with my mom as a young girl. Maybe it's because garage sales hold so many fond memories for me, but...I love garage sales! I’ll travel a far distance to see the treasures people have placed in their garage needing a new home. I absolutely love the fun and unique items people sell, and unlike new items, they usually have a story that comes with them. While in Northfield, Minnesota this past summer my husband and I stopped at a garage sale. If you're familiar with garage sales, you'll understand this next sentence...my heart was pounding as we stopped in front of the garage sale sign because from the street it looked like it was an awesome sale, you know what I mean…the driveway is full, on BOTH sides, and the garage is overflowing. Fellow garage sale shoppers hands are already filled with things that you’ve missed! Well...it was that kind of a sale!
As soon as I began to look at the items I realized this person had my exact taste! So many great vintage items and at a wonderful price. I couldn’t select items quick enough. Soon I had a ‘pile’ of my treasures neatly stacked beside the man in the garage (who I later learned was named Danny). My pile grew…and grew...among other things it contained a half door, an amazing barn wood window, a vintage physician box…and so many other things.
There was this sweet woman who would help me carry things to my pile and show me other things I might like as we chatted. We instantly became friends. That was when I met Terri. She was the owner of all the treasures I was stacking up in her garage beside her husband Danny. She told me about some of the pieces I was buying and we discussed how I might use them. Terri shared so many ideas. We somehow ended up on her front porch where nothing was for sale…and she was telling me about her décor. I swear we were vintage soul sisters! Everything she had on her porch was exactly my taste…no wonder I loved her garage sale items so much, our decorating styles were very similar.
We began discussing and comparing our favorite architectural pieces we had found over the years. You would have thought we had known each other forever. Soon she waved her hand and quietly said, “My house is a mess because I’ve been getting ready for this sale, but come just inside the door and look at just a few of my favorite pieces.” Terri did not have to ask me twice. Soon I had left the garage sale and was standing in her foyer…completely in awe of the amazing pieces she had. Her love of chippy white painted architectural elements was not wasted on me. And, Terri too loved signs. She also loved white buttons. She had several little décor containers filled with white buttons. It was almost too much to take in.
Although I was just going to peek in the foyer at her amazing items, we had soon made our way to her living room…dining room…and kitchen. While the garage sale was being manned by Danny and one of her friends…I was getting a glimpse at an amazing house full of vignettes created from the heart. Many things honored family members who were no longer here. Everything was arranged in a simple yet absolutely stunning manner. I noticed several small vintage alarm clocks set to different times accompanied by hand made tags with names. While the grouping was totally amazing, I asked Terri if she liked clocks. She said that each clock was set to the time one of her grandchildren had been born and she made the tag for the clock with the name of the grandchild. It was a wonderful reminder of the exact moment that a grandchild had been born starting a new legacy.
There was so much to take in…then Terri told me about her lower level and her craft room. I was so impressed with the thoughtfulness of her displays. Each one told a story. Her love of white chippy distressed items, vintage hymnals, and weathered and worn architectural pieces was exactly the same as mine. I’d found my vintage soul sister at a garage sale.
We could have chatted for hours. I told her about my sweet shop named after my grandmother, Millie McKeever’s Vintage & Home Décor in Walnut and my woman’s ministry, The Notebook Cafe. Not only was Terri my vintage soul sister…I learned she was also a sister in Christ. I’ve since learned of her beautiful faith in Jesus.
Before I left the garage sale that day, I retrieved a gift for her from my car…one of our Esther’s Kickin’ Up Your Heels Pumpkin Bread candles. We exchanged numbers so I could visit again and get the full tour of her home and share Terri’s wonderful decorating ideas with our readers. I made the trip back to Northfield several weeks ago to again see my friend Terri and tour her entire home. It was absolutely wonderful. Every nook and cranny was filled with a memory, yet her house is so simplistic. It feels so welcoming and inviting.
Terri and I have become good friends. Just last night we talked on the phone for over an hour planning my next trip back to Northfield, Minnesota for crafting time. I can't wait! I am going to be staying in her beautiful guest room for a few days in November and we are going to craft together in her crafting room, go shopping and thrifting, have a movie night, and just hang out. Terri is the best garage sale treasure I have ever found. When people ask me now what has been my best garage sale find…they’re surprised when I say, “My friend Terri. She was a treasure from God.” We do plan on sharing our crafting times on the Millie McKeever's Vintage & Home Decor page...so stay tuned for inspiration!
Below are some pictures of Danny and Terri’s home…I could not post every amazing in their home…there’s just too much, so I’ve selected what I loved about this warm and cozy home my new friend Terri and her sweet husband have created.
You'd be surprised what you can find at a garage sale...a vintage soul sister!
Grocery Cart from Mom
Years ago when Terri was a young single mom, she saw a grocery cart that she fell in love with...but she didn't have the $12 at the time to buy it. She told her mom about it and her mom purchased it for her as a gift. In the corner of Terri's sweet kitchen the grocery cart sits full of treasured grocery items Terri has collected over the years. This is a very special treasure as Terri's mom is now in heaven. It's the little things like this that make homes so special.
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For the love of SPOONS!
On the old stove that belonged to Terri's grandmother sits a vintage Marshmallow tin (with awesome graphics) of spoons. They are all amazingly organized and look beautiful. Some belonged to Terri's family and other spoons she has collected at garage sales and thrift stores. They are stunning together.
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Grandmother's Biscuit Memory Box
Hanging on the kitchen wall is just the front of a Sunshine Biscuit tin. Terri cleverly placed a backing of gingham and inside she has a photo of her grandmother, her biscuit cutter and recipe. Her grandmother used to make biscuits for extra money. This tiny glass Sunshine Biscuit tin lid tells a story. After seeing this at Terri's house...I spotted one of these lids at a sale...and I bought it to do this for my grandmother and her donuts! Such a great idea and it doesn't take up much space.
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Time for Grandchildren
These small vintage clocks grouped together are quite stunning. The story behind these clocks is one that truly warms the heart. Terri has set each clock to the time of the birth of each grandchild. Then she handmade tags for each one with the grandchild's name. What a great reminder of how quickly time moves on as we pass things to the next generation.
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Keeping Watch
Chippy Collections
Remembering Mom
Painted Piano
This was what I first saw during my quick peek in Terri's house during the garage sale meeting. This piano was beautiful. Terri had got it for free years ago from a church that wanted it removed. She boldly painted it creamy white and distressed it. Her choice of decorations only makes it even better...the chunky white architectural pieces, over layed frames, and vintage clocks make it a show stopper! Notice the books on the piano as well. The piano didn't look like a heavy old piano, but a bright and light accent to the room adding so much character.
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The Best Junkin' Partner
Terri and her sister always went junkin' together. Sadly, her sister got cancer and passed away in 2014, but Terri has the vintage spoons she bought during their last junkin' adventure. She placed them in a painted white hutch with a tag that says 'Sissy Memory' tied to them.
The wall in the Guest Bedroom has the framed stitched piece made by a friend to honor Terri's sister, 'Sissy'. Such sweet remembrances. |
The Guest Room
These photos are Terri's guest room...which I will be staying in for a few days during November to do our crafting! Notice all the details, but so organized. Her mannequin was another treasure she received without paying a fortune. So creative how she hung the twine on the picture frame and small clothes pins are used to hold this grouping of photos and linens. The white chippy headboard is a combination of several pieces she used to create the headboard and shelf. Amazing!
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Lower level and Laundry Room
The use of frames in the lower level and laundry room is so creative! They become holders for many things. I love how she has an eye for collections. I've passed up those little red and white knitted clothes so many times...when I saw the grouping in the frame in her laundry room...I regretted doing that. It would be a treat to do laundry in this room!
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Guest Bathroom
Terri's mother was a beautician...back in the day. The guest bathroom displays amazing vintage beauty shop finds. But the most touching pieces are her mother's graduation diploma from the Wilcox Beauty Academy in 1955, and the photo of her mom under the frame, along with the actual items her mother used as a beautician.
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Random things that are too good not to share!
Meet Terri...the person behind these great vignettes and decorating tips.
Meet my best garage sale treasure ever...my friend Terri. Her home was an inspiration and a treasure. She and her husband, Danny, were so welcoming on my second trip. It's truly wonderful when God blesses you on a garage sale journey with something money could never buy...a new friend and sister in Christ.
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I hope you found lots of inspiration for your own home. There were so many creative ideas in Terri and Danny's home. Nothing felt cluttered, but very organized. Terri's kind heart gives her creativity an extra beauty. You can also find a few of Terri's treasured family recipe's...right on the recipe cards...in Our Favorite Fall Recipes in this issue of 'For your Heart and Home'. We think you'll love the biscuits!
God willing, Terri and I will be doing some crafting time together in November. Stay tuned to our Facebook page Millie McKeever's Vintage & Home Decor Walnut for more tips from Terri and maybe even...a few videos!
God willing, Terri and I will be doing some crafting time together in November. Stay tuned to our Facebook page Millie McKeever's Vintage & Home Decor Walnut for more tips from Terri and maybe even...a few videos!