Mile high junking

I had *so much fun* yesterday when I convinced my family to take a drive to Denver with me, with only junking on the agenda!

Honestly -- the planets must have been lined up perfectly for them to agree to come with me!  That almost never happens.  It was a beautiful day and we just had so much fun.

First stop, the Mile High flea market in Henderson, just east of Denver.  It was our first time there.  Now, the reason I didn't go before is that I've never heard anything good about the market, and I must say that overall it wasn't much to write home about...

there were a couple of cavernous "permanent" shops on what they call Antique Alley, like this one, A Paris Apartment -- which sounded a LOT better than it was!

I saw a few noteworthy things in a vintage shop...but they were not at "flea market" prices (the pretty blue lamp above was $140!)  Still, I did manage to find some of the cheap, fun stuff that I get excited about!

For instance: the buttons sorted in the divided dish above were all from a little button jar that a lady was selling for $1.  We had a pleasant conversation about the uniqueness of buttons, so, between that and the joy of sorting them, I really enjoyed my little purchase!

A different vendor sold me the button bracelet shown above, sitting on top of a fun old piece of fabric with a texture that I just love.  The buttons are all sewn onto a crocheted band, and I could look at all the different realistic shapes and patterns all day -- couldn't you?

Some more of my favorite finds: an old SF postcard, a little round box full of fountain pen nibs, and two beautiful old books -- one of them is Cranford, and it seems I will be amassing a collection of that title as it's the second, ornately-bound copy I've found!

Those books and the lace, above, came from a vendor who was liquidating her mother's estate.  Her mother liked a lot of the same things I do...

like old lace...

and quirky sewing notions.  The little wooden lady above has a head that lifts off to reveal...

a needle case!

I was more delighted to find old glass ornaments, instead of pecans, in this candy box!

And I scooped up this pretty old hat with its velvet-y millinery for $1 at another stall.

So as not to annoy my men, we made it a quick flea-ing trip, and then drove back towards home to Littleton, which was celebrating Western Welcome Week with a street fair!

After an awesome lunch, we did a little bit more shopping for nifty things.

Check out the ephemera from the 1940s, above: it came from a bride's book, which her friends signed with their lips and their John Hancocks!

I splurged on a roll of wallpaper -- the heavy, linen kind from the 1950s, from my friend Amy's store, Pink Attic Cat.

I just LOVE the colors, and the leafy motif!

It was such a beautiful day...

the first Saturday in several weeks that my son has had "free"...

I'm so glad we spent it together!  Next, I'll show you some fun paper ephemera I picked up at the flea market, too!