Where in the world is I.H.E. ??

Did I fall off the Map?  Nah, I'm still here!  I have recently been hired full time at a new Sign Shop and I LOVE IT!  I was very glad to say bon voyage to my old job, where they cut my hours in half and were a buncha cranky pants all day long!  I'm now working just 2 blocks from my house (I walk to work) and have great co-workers, work more hours and make more money!  WOWEE!  But, the new schedule has taken some getting used to and my lil' blog has been scooted to the sidelines...

But I'm here to make a comeback!  If any of you are still out there after my temporary hiatus and also the fact that Google Friend Connect was discontinued (it was removed from my page and I have no evidence of any followers what so ever) then, you lovely folks, please enjoy these pics of my "inspiration board" decked out in a travel theme.  Yessir, I.H.E. is back on the map! 

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 This nice big map is circa 1960's and is dog eared with age.  I love the muted colors and imagery.

 This leather bag is stamped as a "Gadget Bag" and it is used for toting around a camera and collecting field samples.  I found it at the same sale I got the amazing vintage pin-up book at.  It had some small specimen jars with little treasures in it like fools gold, an old marble and a chip of blue glass.  I love the thought of someone picking up these things while out on a hike. 

 Now, speaking of going on hikes, my version of a hike is finding stuff for free on the curb.  I found this metal sign on a pile of discarded books.  Not very welcoming, but the Sign Maker side of me really gets a kick out of it. 

 I also really like this vintage bike patch kit box.  It is about the size of an Altoid tin.  I have been riding my bike a lot too since my car is being overhauled.  (More about that at a later date!)

Lets set sail!  I sold this captain's cap at swap meet a while back.  I hope it's out to sea now!

 My little orange plane, I sold it too but not until I took lots of pics of it.

More Map Details

 I was born on this coast and.....

 ended up on this one!

 I like this old cardboard puzzle too.  It really reminds me of grade school!

So that was my travel theme.  Right now the board is all decked out with Paint By Numbers.  I went out junk hunting several weekends ago and found quite a few.  I'll be back soon to showcase those too.  Till then, happy travels and don't be a stranger! 

Oh, PS...if you could, leave a comment so I know how many people are still reading IHE.  I would really appreciate it! :-)

Treasure Hunting for Vintage Toys

Now that I'm an official junker, it is part of my job description to go out and find new things to sell at the swap meet.  It has given me the opportunity to buy things that I think are really cool but would not buy for myself otherwise.  Like toys for boys! 

I found this amazing hand made balsa wood glider plane at a sale last weekend.  I got to talk with the older gentleman who made it.  He said that he used to make lots of them when he was younger. It is made from the thinnest wood and paper and is very detailed, right down to the pilot & cockpit!

 Cleared for take off!

Have you ever noticed how themes develop when you are out junking?  I found more airplanes at another sale the next day!

I found this box full of great vintage boys toys.  Being a tomboy as a kid (and still today)  I was really attracted to this box.  I purchased it without going through it first.  I really wanted to take it home and sift through it, like a big grab bag!

I was sold on the airplanes and robots alone!  When I got it home and spread it out on the coffee table, there were treasures galore!

The planes are all die cast metal.  Everything in this box has been well loved and played with.  I especially like the Automatic Adding Machine (pre battery powered calulator?) and the wind up robot dog (what movie is he from?) and the Diving Suit Figurine.  This box reminds me of the toy & trinket treasure box from the French movie Amalie.  The main character finds a similar box hidden behind a tile in her bathroom and sets out to find it's original owner.  It is such a feel good movie! 


Hitting the sales on the weekends makes me feel good.  I always take the time to chat with the people having the sales.  Especially if it is an estate sale.  You will get neat stories about the previous owners and the objects you have selected.  It makes them even more special!