Lamp redo.

I visited my local Vinnies (Hoppers Crossing) and came home with  a lamp for which I paid a measly $3. I liked the shabby base but definitely not the shade (it doesn’t match the nursery!).


I’ve never attempted to change a shade before or really even considered it but I have been reading some blog posts which have totally inspired me. 

Before

After

Hope you like it!

http://www.vintagefokus.blogspot.com/

Splurging at Savers!

Yesterday, I took a box of unwanted stuff to Savers at Greensborough, and while I was there....2 hours later I'd spent nearly $50, and came home with these:

Aboriginal Art tablecloth for $9.99. Wish I'd found this before our Australia Day party!


I like to have a small bowl handy on the kitchen bench to pour sauces, whisk an egg, and other small jobs. I've had many - they get broken! So this will do nicely for $1.99.


Now this was a bargain - an Arcosteel saucepan with glass lid for $19.99! The last saucepan I had in this size was okay, but the handle was loose and couldn't be fixed. And it wasn't a good quality pan like this!


I've already got one of these Patchwork rules, but it is quite large, so this one which cost 99 cents, will be good for smaller projects.


I don't really need any more platters, but this Maxwell Williams platter ($4.99)matches the two (different sizes) that I already have in this design, so I'll get rid of some of my other platters that don't match anything.


Several people picked this up and looked at it, and put it down again, while I was thinking about it. It is a beautiful leather covered journal, completely unused - $2.99. I don't know what I'll do with it - anyone got some ideas?



This 'Lonely Planet' shoulder bag ($1.99) will be great for the days I only need to carry my wallet, keys and mobile. My larger bag that holds all the extra things that a girl has to have on a day out is too big for a quick trip to the supermarket, and I've been looking around for something like this.


As if I haven't got enough books on Cross Stitch and Calligraphy...but for a couple of dollars each, why not...




When I saw this teatowel for $1.49 I decided it would be perfect to cut up and use for making my Valentine fabric postcards!

$10 tickets for tomorrows Op shop Tour

$10 tickets to anyone who mentions this website at the door tomorrow. 9.30am at the old salvos store 69 Bourke St Melbourne. See you there, lots of great savings including fill a bag for $1. see you there!

Two additions to my wardrobe.

Popped into the Eltham Brotherhood shop yesterday, just to see what they had in stock since they reopened after the holidays. I'd been after a white handbag for ages, but couldn't find anything the right shape or size, until I saw this for $1.


I don't wear skirts very often, but I love the feel of something light and floaty around my legs on a hot day, instead of slacks, even if they are light cotton. This felt great when I tried it on - so comfortable! And only $3.

Lions Garage Sale - 6 February

Blackburn North Lions Club is holding the next trash and treasure sale on Saturday, 6 February 2010. The first for 2010.

Usual location: 1st Vermont Scout Hall, near the corner of Mitcham Rd and Canterbury Rd, Vermont.

Usual time: 8 am to 1 pm.

Nursery purchases, before and after.

I have been on the lookout for a bookshelf and laundry hamper for a while now both on ebay and thrifting. Finally, I found both on my thrift trip over the weekend. Both are cane and in pretty good condition. I get so excited and I love LOVE finding items during my trips. Don’t get me wrong, I usually don’t find anything but sometimes you just get so damn lucky! Items were from Salvo's & Vinnies in Hoppers Crossing.

I wanted these in the nursery so they obviously needed to be repainted white. This is my first “project” with spray paint so I really didn’t know what I was in for. It’s very shabby chic but it works.

 

vintagefokus.blogspot.com

Op Shop Tour This Saturday

hello fellow op Shoppers.

Summer is upon us and its time to live it up and do all the things we wanted to do last year but didn't. An op shop tour of course being one of them. The Next Melbourne Monthly Op shop Tour is this Saturday the 30th of January with lots of great discounts and fun along the way.

Bookings limited so please head to the website for more info www.opshoptoursaustralia.com or book now at
http://www.greentix.com.au/events/62031/Op-Shop-Tour-of-Melbourne

Tell your friends and neighbours and invite others.

Thanks so much and see you Saturday,
Jo

Amazing sofas

About a week a go I was at the Brotherhood in Moonee Ponds and saw two chesterfield sofas, fabric covered, both three seaters for only $40.00 each. The upholstery was a sort of beige in a tasteful pattern but there were stains along the back edge which you could cover with a throw. Otherwise, they were well made and in good nick. Would have cost over $2000.00 each new. A rare find. They might still be there as they'd been in the shop a few weeks.

The New year is off to a good start!

I was in Ringwood last Saturday with my Other Half, killing time while he was looking at motorcycles. I didn't expect any of the opshops to be open this early in the year, but the new Salvos shop on Maroondah Highway was open and doing a roaring trade.
I found these goodies:
I love trays, and this cutie with teacups and coffee mugs for $3 was priced just right for me.
This shop always has heaps of craft magazines, and there is a chair conveniently close to that shelf, so I spent a happy half hour going through them all to find the ones that I like. $1 each.
This bolt of calico was unbelievably priced at $3.99! Even the cashier commented that it was a bargain.

Oakleigh Opping

These were my finds on a trip the op shop in Station Street, Oakleigh in December. Above is a photograph album, $3. On my next visit, I may mention that masking tape does not make a great substitute for sticky labels - despite my best efforts the tape pulled off a chunk of the cover and made an unsightly mark. Sigh.

A set of gouache paints from China, barely used, $5. I'd say maybe three of the tubes have been opened. Gouache makes lovely colours :)

And lastly, a batik square from the 50 cent box. I'm not sure if it's a very small tablecloth or a scarf, but its intended purpose in my hands is fabric yardage - it will be part of a tunic top, I think.

I've just been to St Vinnies in Maribynong Rd, Ascot Vale and saw a vintage, full length, long sleeved, shirt waist dress with pointy 70's collar in a lovely floral georgette about size 10-12. Looks Australian made by the tag. If I wasn't so fat I'd have snagged it then and there and got so excited I forgot to check the price but it's unlikely to be outrageous. The lovely ladies discounted a few of my other purchases. There's also a solid wood round topped occasional table in the Arts and Crafts style for $30 - very well made this one.
Brucie