This trip to Virginia sure has been a fun one! Coincidently, Valita, a friend from Silver Bella last year was going to be in the DC area too. We met up with Robin, a friend I’ve hung out with here before (and who makes the best Play Dough ever), and a new pal, Sue. A non-blog friend wrote to us and was nice enough to take some time away from shopping with her sis to meet up with us too.
We met up at the Big Flea in Chantilly, VA, and although it was more high end than I usually shop, it was fun place to meet and we all managed to find some goodies.
I’m used to paying under 50 cents for vintage greeting cards, but I saw a few that were special enough to be worth the price of 3 for $5 to me.
And of course, I always am on the hunt for old jewels. I found a few, not that there weren’t plenty there, but I limit myself to the $1 price range for old jewelry.
Robin and Sue who have shopped the Big Flea before told us that it is normally 2 buildings full instead of just one, and more bargains can be found.
These little candelabras were a great price, only 50 cents each. Can’t you picture them glittered and sparkly?
I was on the hunt for old mercury glass beads to decorate my bottle brush trees with. The price ranges from booth to booth were really something! I was happy to find three strands in colors I liked, as well as some holiday decor in pretty pastels.
If you ever get an opportunity to get together with blog pals, I highly recommend it! Every time I have met someone whose blog I read, I have had a great time, they are usually people that I have a lot in common with and feel like we are already friends before we even see each other.
I’m really looking forward to having Natasha and Heather as house guests soon. And I am hoping to host a dinner party in their honor the night before we head off to Silver Bella.
Speaking of blog friends, I have been trying to update my blog roll (on my side bar, under "Pretty Places"). I haven’t finished, but have been so busy Leaf Looking, meeting Bloggers, going to movies (Zack and Miri- Kevin Smith always goes too far, but still is funny and I think Seth Rogan is a comic genius), out to dinner, antiquing, and of course watching my shows, (there is no way I can’t spend Sunday night without Vampire Bill) that I haven’t had time to do much to the blog roll like planned.
At least I have space to list more people and promise that I will later on when I can get to it! I may be a TV junkie, but I am also an avid blog reader and my blog roll has never reflected who I actually visit, so I am revamping it as I have time.
Tonight I fly home to my fairy grandbaby, so I’d better go try to smoosh all this junk into my carry on.
PS- I have shut my Etsy shop down until after Silver Bella, it was just too neglected and empty for now. I promise a big restocking and lots of pretties added when I return! Thanks for your support of the shop, I really appreciate it, and HATE to have it looking sad and pitiful, so will open it again when it is worth looking at!!
Looks like a wonderful time with fun ladies.
Sounds like you’ve had a wonderful time with your bloggy pals. Shopping is more fun done with friends.
Welcome home!
Lorrie
Karla.. what fun you had! I am getting SOOOO excited thinking that in about a week we will be flying to your beautiful home. I can’t wait to meet up with you again and I know Natasha is so looking forward to it too! SO sweet of you to think to have a dinner… it is going to be SO much fun!!
xoxo Heather
Aahhh, blogging friends–fun for sure! Love your Big Flea finds:)
The cards and all the little knick knacks are wonderful! And now preparing that dinner in honour of Heather and Natasha, that will be so much fun too. I think it’s great that you still have time to blog and to keep us updated!
Hi Karla,oooohh love that Ballerina card and the candelabras and those old keys!!!!! I can’t believe what wonderful prices you get things for where you live. A piece of vintage jewellery for under $4.00 is unheard of around my collecting corner of the world, you are a queen thrifter that is for sure, can’t wait to see your creations with these lovelies, Kiss Noises Linda Lilly Cottage.
Wow you got heaps of fun looking goodies…
I could have agreat time as I am sure you will crafting away with thta lot!
Big Flea looks like big fun! What a grand time you are having! (Love the little Christmas bits and the cards are great!)
Looks like a fun time!
Love the mercury beads and holiday goodies you picked up.
Can’t wait to hear all about your adventures with N and H 🙂
Oh I love all of the goodies you scooped up Karla 🙂 Looks like you had a good time!
Hugs,
Dena
It sounds like you had a great time at the “Big Flea”. I’ve been a couple of times but like you most things were more than I was willing to pay, cause I am so cheap. Its fun to look though especially if you are with friends.I bet Sugarwings can hardly wait on you to get home. Have a good flight.
Jean in Virginia
How fun to meet more blogging friends! Love all the treasures you found those little candleabras will be so pretty all sparkly. Hope you have a safe trip home! I can’t wait for silver bella! 🙂
you did find good colors on the mercury glass beads, those are really pretty…love the baubles too!!! i’m glad you had such a good time with all the girls!!!
I just wanted to say I had such a fun time at the Flea! I’m so happy that you were here and we got to go….maybe next time it will be Lucketts again! I’m getting ready to go play with all my treasures I bought!
I know you are happy to be home with your family and looking forward to Silver Bella-I can NOT wait to hear every last detail!
Great finds…m..
There is nothing better than friends and thrifting! Looks like you had a great time.
I love all the goodies you found. Can’t wait to see those little candleabras all glittered!!!
Awww, what delicious finds, and I love the little house paper. Is that a card? Giftwrap?
Some great bargains there Karla. I can’t believe how cheap vintage greeting cards are over there. I love them but have to pay up to $5 each here for ones in good condition. Hhmmm…what I need is a trip to the US to shop – I wonder what Hubby would think of that idea??
Hugs,
Kerryanne
All your treasures are just wonderful.I can hardly find things like that at our fles Mahkets.Your site is fab.Thanks for visiting me and leaving such nice comments.Hugs Marie Antionette
Karla, I love that you see the world through glitter eyes! Kevin Smith? I met him when he opened his first shop in Red Bank NJ. My oldest, at the time a young teenager liked to buy comic books there…when I went in to the shop, I would not allow her to go there alone till she was 16 (lol)..I thought that kevin and his friends might be a bad influence. I love his movies though, especially Dogma, but have not gotten to see the new one yet. Susan
What great finds, and a fun day with friends. Looking forward to next weekend in Omaha!
That last pic looks mighty tasty!
I need to get up and take the glitter off and find me a Flea!Wow! What wonderful finds!!! Welcome Home and have a fun filled visit with Heather and Natasha.
So many wonderful treasures and friends!!!
What great things you found! And great prices. Yep, that was one of the funnest (real word?) things about Paper Cowgirl…meeting other like minded gals and the faces behind the blog. Great post.
c
you always have the most wonderful pictures! I love all your treasures- esp. the mercury beads. And earrings.
You always find such wonderful things. However, no matter how nice they are when you buy them you make them even more pretty with what you do with them.
Hugs,
Joanne
Hi Karla: I just love to see all the pictures from Bella. I hope to go one day. I am still trying to figure out how to create a blog. I will, I am determined. Your Granddaughter is so cute. I have a Grandson, Noah I just adore. They sure bring a delight to every new day! Thanks for all the great information on your blog. Martha