Hot enough for ya? The weather has been a real "beast" lately and all the rain has done wonders for the weeds in the garden but it hasn't stopped us when it comes to hunting for great antiques.
RECENT FINDS
Recent finds include a great 12-tin pie safe in old green paint, some amazing early sewing items, early handstitched quilts (and a crib quilt!), decorative iron garden pieces, a mustard comb-painted open cupboard, a group of neat little stools and benches, an adorable white doll bed, a folky dark painted church pew, a group of early doll dresses, two great peg racks, and a couple of white vintage cupboards & shelves (perfect for a vintage kitchen, a shabby chic bedroom or just about anywhere a little cute storage is needed). And that was just some of "the haul" from this past weekend ! Whew! But what fun!
JULY -- TIME FOR OUR SUMMER OPEN HOUSE
We're gearing up for the 20th Annual Bishop Hill Antiques Market (more below) and, of course, our Summer Open House & Sale. The Open House kicks off our third year of business and we're planning on doing so with a bang! Check back later for pictures but, meanwhile, here's a little taste of what's to come...
In addition to plenty of quilts, as always, one area will be devoted to primitives and Americana. A blue painted primitive cupboard, a little lift top desk in red paint, and a great set of painted chairs with woven seats are new additions. Vintage linens, kitchen items and country accessories with a summer theme will fill one of the rooms of the house. We're also planning a group of vintage garden-style pieces with a bit of a French twist -- lots of black, white & old silver, old French grain sacks (perfect for upholstery or as a runner or just an accent), unique painted chairs with toile fabric, bistro chairs, and great French galvanized items. For creative types and lovers of old architecture, we have some really neat old windows with curved tops that have lots of possibilites as well as some cool tin ceiling tiles -- some painted, some already sand blasted -- that could lead to projects galore. At $15 to $20 a piece, the tiles are a bargain AND a great find!
Also new this time are some stylish "flea market bags" sewn from vintage barkcloth fabric. (They're reversible too in case a big floral or tropical barkcloth print clashes with your outfit when you head out to do some shopping.) The bags have nice wide, cushy straps so you can stuff them full of goodies without hurting your shoulder. Pics of those soon -- as well as some scenes from inside the house. Stay tuned...
Meanwhile, if you see something on the website from a prior sale, feel free to drop us an email and we'll let you know if it's still available. One of our friends from Indiana recently came to pick up an awesome little cupboard she'd seen during our early spring open days -- we still had it and now it's found a new home in her garden shed in Indiana. So don't hesitate to ask if you had your eye on something in the past!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Those of you on our mailing list: please forgive the repetition here but I want to share with everyone the events coming up in July & August. So here they are...
July 10
20th Annual Bishop Hill Antiques Market
This great country show is held each year in and around the Colony School in Bishop Hill, IL (30 minutes northeast of Galesburg). The show is a great gathering of 50 proprietors from 8 states showing and selling their antique wares including primitive cupboards, folk art, early country, pottery, textiles and more.
Bishop Hill is a fascinating historic community where you feel like you are taking a step back in time. Many of the homes and all of the town buildings are original to an early 1800s colony. Cheri Campbell, the energetic and super nice lady who runs the antique show with her husband Jim, owns the local bakery with amazing pastries and pies that are "to die for"! Cheri also has Sweet Annie Primitives in the bottom level of her period home. All we can say about that shop is "wow." There are lots of other interesting little shops and plenty to do in Bishop Hill anytime of the year but the weekend of the antique show is definitely the time to make the trip. (Shopping along the way in Peoria and Washington, IL would be fun, too.)
When they ring the bell on the old time fire engine to start the antique show, you'll have to decide whether to dash into the old school or head around the lawn to the booths set up outside. (Look for the ForeverMore booth inside the old Colony School in the back corner.) The show hours are 9:00 until 3:00. Live music adds to the atmosphere and the food cannot be missed! Admission is $5 and proceeds go to the colony fire department. For more details, you can visit
http://bishophillcolonybakery.com/ and
http://www.bishophill.com/.
July 24
Summer Moon Gathering
Friends told us about this happening in Covington, Indiana. It sounds like an interesting event sponsored in part by the Fountain County Art Council, where "music, history, art and gardens come to life".
For more about the non-profit event, see
http://www.summermoongathering.com/ If we weren't going to be busy minding the shop for our Summer Open House, we'd be there for sure!
July 7 thru July 31 (Wednesdays and Saturdays)
Lincoln Hall Salvage for Sale
Those of you who follow Bob Swisher's column in the Champaign News Gazette already know about this one but we thought we would help spread the word. Bob and his friends at PACA (Preservation and Conservation Association of Champaign County,
http://www.pacacc.org/) have organized a sale of used furniture and slate blackboards from the University of Illinois' Lincoln Hall. Sale hours are 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Wed. and 9:30 until 3:00 on Saturdays. There are four semi-trailers full of stuff moved to the sale location at 312 N. Walnut Street in Champaign. Among the interesting things to are oak desks, all sizes of tables, solid oak chairs, school desks with cast-iron bases and the slate blackboards. Anyone who reads any of the country decorating magazines can think of tons of things to do with the slate, which sells for $2 per square foot. Any questions? Call PACA at 217.359-7222.
p.s. If you've never been to PACA's architectural salvage warehouse in downtown Champaign, you MUST go. Great architectural salvage of all shapes and sizes plus a friendly, knowledgeable, volunteer staff to help you out. Everyone is sure to find something they "need" among all the salvaged treasures.
August 21 & 22
30th Skinner Farm Museum and Gas Show Everyone around East Central Illinois and nearby parts of Indiana knows Norm Skinner and his annual farm show in Perrysville, IN. He has amassed an astounding collection of farm artifacts and even moved one of his family's ancestral homes to his property. Old farm equipment is fired up and working and your whole family is sure to have a fun day -- and learn a little history, too! From 8:00 to 6:00 p.m. both days, you can visit 12 historic buildings filled with fascinating displays and period furnishings, a log smithy shop, round barn, print shop, calaboose (jail), threshing, sawing, and many activities, food, and more. Flea markets, crafts, and demonstrations too. Admission, Adults $4, Children under 12 free, Contact Norman Skinner 1850 West SR32 Perrysville, IN 47974, or 765-793-4079. For more info see
http://skinnervillage.eshire.net/.
