Beth and I went to our favorite flea market on Thursday and besides some dripping with sweat, soggy photos of friends, this is the only picture I took all day. It was way, way, way too hot.
You know how people in the Midwest say, "it isn’t the heat, it is the humidity"? Well, on this day it was both!
By the way, I won’t be posting the soggy friend photos, not if I wanted to keep the friends, that is! We were all just miserable with the heat, and I felt like the Wicked Witch of the West, melting away. 
I kept saying all day that the heat wasn’t bothering me. I was having fun and doing fine, even though I was a stinky, soaking, mess.
But, when I realized we were too hot to eat and we hadn’t even had to make stops at the nasty port-a-potties, I figured we might be a bit dehydrated. I still thought I was fine, but that night when I got home, I felt like I had been hit by a truck and was sick all the next day.
The day was still a ton of fun. We were finding great stuff at great prices, and even though we left early, I was happy with my haul.
I bought 18 hats. One was over $10, quite a few were only $1, but most were in the $3-$5 range.
See why I was braving the heat??? Some of my regular spots for finding millinery didn’t have any at all! Beth says I have created my own shortage by buying up all the hats in the Kansas area, like Howard Hunt did with the silver market years ago. 
For those of you who were asking me about more Halloween colored flowers for crafting, I was able to get one orange and one black hat. And the orange one was pure velvet, just wonderful!
These are all the flowers off those two hats, so I will be adding maybe some white and purple to the bags and making up bundles to list.
When I am at a flea market, I always scan for hats and old jewels, and usually vintage photos. But as much as I use my flowers and blingies, I rarely use the photos. And yet, they are so plentiful and inexpensive, I keep buying and buying them.
I begged Beth to stop me if I tried to buy cabinet cards. I told her that "friends don’t let friends over spend on photos."
So, when I saw this album, she did her best to try to stop me.
But it was FULL of photos. And not just old guys, it was mostly families, babies and ladies! And those are the pretty kind to find.
Not only that, but half of the mats looked like this!
And did I mention that it had more than 30 photos in it and the whole thing was only $20?
It was definitely bargain day at Sparks and White Cloud, KS.
Darling little plastic critters 2 for a quarter, and a pretty pink runner with a hand crocheted border was $1, so was the vintage doll dress (that maybe one of my dolls waiting to be transformed into a fairy will be wearing soon??)
Pretty trims, and a jar with a great lid were a bit more, but worth it.
I’m not sure what this was meant to be, but I liked it. I think at one time it might have held a glass perfume bottle.
Did I mention that I found some jewels? And this cute as a bug, blue jewelry box was $1.
I’m not a purse person, but when I see one this cute for under $1, I sure am. Apparently the person selling it must have thought that since the fabric was disintegrating, the bag wasn’t worth anything. I felt that just made it more interesting.
And I found a chalk ware DORKY! Dorkies are hard to find. Scottie dogs seem to have the market on dog jewelry and doodads. When I find a little, antique, Yorkshire Terrier, I am always thrilled. And this one was $3. (she is already wearing a tiny crown made by Carol and is sitting on my desk)
Beth and I ran into Carol there at the flea, too. She was there with Deb. Both of them gave up a bit earlier than us, the heat got to them too. But we ran into them again later at a nice, cool, air conditioned antique mall on the way home and got to visit a bit then.
There are quite a bit more things that I bought that are all in "before" condition. Bottles for a project with Carol,, displays to fix up and use for Silver Bella, trophies that will be glittered and foofed, but since I have run on and on for long enough, I’ll wait and show these later after they become something a little less grungy.
Now, some grunge is good, like these two pink cabinets. The tall, wooden one was my most expensive item of the day, it was $30, the doll trunk was only $1. They will both be Silver Bella displays too, because I can actually pack the items to be displayed right inside of them for the trip to Omaha.
My favorite purchase of the day? I’d seen this broken metal lady on Beth’s blog last week and she brought it to me. Here it is in her post. I called her the Lady of the Begonias.
Karla, Great finds, even in the heat. I looks like it was well worth it. I love the album, it is a fantatic treasure. I love it so much when you and Beth share your days at Flea markets and auctions. It’s almost as good as being there.
Hugs Karen
Oh I’m so glad you put pearls on The Lady of the Begonias- that was how I imagined her being “dressed”
Wow … great flea marketing! Thanks for sharing your pics of the haul.
One word – HYDRATE!!
I, too love when you show your flea market finds. Secretly, I’m extreeeeeeemely envious, but I do love to see what you’ve bought. And I agree with Beth. You are a one woman flower hat shortage! – Kathy
Man what a haul! Love the photo album, and especially the pages the photos go in!! I can see a wonderful “Karla Creation” in the future! Thursday was the hottest day in 2008 in Topeka!
Wow Karla…love your flea market finds. I moved to Nebraska from California a couple years ago and have only found a couple good flea markets…a far cry from the CA markets like the Rose Bowl and Santa Monica. I don’t think flea markets are big thing here in Nebraska…Hmmmm…I might have to try to change that.
You sure came up with some goodies, despite the weather! That is what it is like here much of the time; so hard to breathe in this muggy weather. That pink cabinet is to die for. So is the album with the photos. Since I don’t have relatives (except for my kids; haven’t been able to locate others), I’ve decided to buy “relatives” at the antique malls and I’ll group them and pass them off as a joke!
Brenda
Wow, despite the weather, you guys made quite the haul! Can Kim and I fly back one day and you fleaing with you and Beth? You always seem to find the greatest treasures!
Sweet Karla, as a nurse, do I have to give you the lecture on The Importance of Staying Hydrated???? How can you take care of your family and Adoring Public (that would include me) if you don’t take care of you??? Okay, enough chiding!!! But you surely got a lot of treasures! What fun! And one more thing, what is Silver Bella? I am thinking it must be the mother of all things foofy, but I’m not quite sure how… Your friend, Bobbi
Wow! At least you got some wonderful goodies! I do that, I am not good in the heat but I will push myself and will pay for it later!
You really found some beauties and so many for $1!!! Just in awe!
karen….
My goodness Woman, you’ve got enough there to open your own shop! I LOVE the album… Thanks for sharing 😀
WOW KARLA! You made out like a bandit! Such awesome finds!!
I hear you about that stinky weather, it was 106 here yesterday! Buuut, we don’t have that yukky humidity. I feel for ya!
Good on ya’ for braving that heat! It looks like it was well worth the sweat!
xo
Analise
Whoa Karla!
You girls just don’t know when to quit, do you? You need a water girl behind you keeping you hydrated all day long! Perhaps you can pay her in hats?
Jody
oh my gosh! what a gorgeous selection of HATS karla!!! I am officially jealous of you… haha. I am laughing at the whole “you have created your own shortage”…lol!!
LOvin that pink cabinet! JUST so sweet. GLad to hear you you had fun and by the looks of it you made out like a bandit. xoxo Heather
Beautiful finds! I think you need to foof up an old-fashioned canteen bottle to carry with you on such dehydrating trips! 😉
Oh I want to weep over those hats, I have bought some recently, think I will post about it soon so you can gasp/gag over what I paid for some of them!!!! That’s some haul of goodies you got there. I did see Beth’s lady on her post, I like her!!! Sorry your day out made you sick, too much sun, not enough liquid . . . glad you are better! Rachaelxo
Great finds!!!
Karla I hope you are feeling better. You did it again, What great finds at the flea market. There will soon be nothing but flowerless hats in the USA. You got some great ones though. I got a couple this weekend at yardsales, but not as pretty as yours. I’m glad your trip was good in spite of the heat. I hat humidity and am so looking forward to cooler weather. Have a good rest of the weekend.
Jean in Virginia
There is not ONE stinkin’ hat in all of Vegas, I swear I have looked, someone sent them all to Kansas !! lol !! I would brave the heat and a bit of fire for that stash. But not the Port a Potty, You couldn’t give me enough pink vintage millinery for that, No sirreee Bob !! lol !! 🙂
Hi Karla! WOW…OH WOW!!! What a wonderful eye you have for finding beauty! You found some wonderful treasures and I am so glad that YOU found them because I know that you will honor them in a way that they deserve. What treasures!!! Have a wonderful weekend! 🙂 ~ xoxo ~ Joy
So… that’s where all the hats are!!!!! Great finds!! Love the pink cabinet!
Isabel
You always find the best goodies. I really love the Dorky. He’s mighty cute.
Hi Karla! What a haul!! It must have been like delivering a baby…with the result in your hand, you forget the hard work before easily :-D!
You could use that bottle thing, that urn for potpourri. The smell of the leaves and flowers can easily escape out of the bottle.
Have a great sunday!
What a HAUL! Good for you! I love all the things you showed, but that scrapbook is WONDERFUL!
Fabulous day, fabulous finds. I would have been a sucker for that album, too. And the ornaments… I can’t find good hats around here to save my soul! Must be looking in the wrong spots!
You and Beth always find the best stuff! I think the sales in the Midwest are just better than out here! Don’t worry – the heat will be gone before you know it and then we will wish it was back!
Karla
You did it again!! Such goodies!! Love the pearls too. Laurie
Hi Karla,
What great finds! I think it was well worth the melting 🙂
Hugs,
Dena
Hi Karla,
Hope you are well?
We have had a rough time here of late. Our beloved little Yorkie Tilly has passed away, we are all so sad, I know you will understand and your’s is the first blog I thought to come to.
Ive put a little post on mine with some pictures.
Take care
Michelle
xx
Oh Karla,
Thank you so much for your comment.
I cant sleep it’s midnight here and I’d give anything for a hug with her.
Just knew you’d understand.
x x x
Hello Karla,
Wow, what wonderful finds. I love the hats and flowers and the pink dolly trunk and cupboard…I think it was worth putting up with the heat for such treasures thanks for sharing Pinkie
I have enjoyed reading your blog, well not just enjoy, I love reading your blog so you’ve been tagged on my blog. 😉
Just dropped by to wish you a HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SEPTEMBER, it’s 10:20pm here and relaxing after an afternoon and evening at church and the big chili cook off and new this year pie contest -we had some firemen and policemen judge the contests this time (food service didn’t win this year). finishing the two papers I started earlier today and then I think I’ll try and finish watching the sound of music before i go to bed…glad you had fun with the goody buying even though you were melting away. Joy joy to you Karla.
what pretty things to look at! love it all. my favorites…. the christmas bulbs and the little dog.
Oh Karla that is too funny….
Sounds to me like you got yourself a dose of heatstroke/dehydration, laid up the next day feeling lousy and you say “it was a ton of fun”.
Now that’s dedication to treasure hunting at it best – go girl, you rock!!
Hugs,
Kerryanne
SWEET FINDS!!! HAPPY LABOR DAY! (i’m thinking this day is NOT for laboring..so we’ll be taking it easy!)
hugz
wow karla, what wonderful goodies, are those vintage christmas baubles at the top????
WOW…great stuff, Karla! I need to go junking very badly…I can’t wait til Round Top!!! I may have to go out sooner.
You need to be in charge of “hat” decorating the antique hall tree we have in the foyer. You find such amazing things.
Karla, what a haul indeed!!! 18 hats!!! i thought by now you had bought up all the hats in your area:) your title as hat whisperer remains unchallenged for another day…the photos are wonderful, and the mats they are on are just gorgoeus…i have never seen them with color like that, great find indeed…i love the girl that you were gifted by Beth!!!
Hi Karla
I cant’t believe the stuff you find at fleamarkets. There is nothing even close to that on this side of the pond (Denmark) If I am really lucky I find some old maps, photos and maybe some ribbon. That about it. Maybe it is even worth it to take a trip to the States to just do some fleamarkets?
Tina