Opping again

It has been a long time between op shopping adventures. Moving home and other pressures has kept me away from the shops but I had an opportunity to call into the Salvos and Vinnies stores in Main Street, Mornington. These are really interesting shops with helpful staff and lots of treasures and good quality clothing and homewares.

I was looking for a sunhat to decorate (which I will show you later) and I found one at the Salvos for $6. 

At Vinnies I found an irresistable pendant  for just $4.

Rosanna Children's Protection Society Op Shop

AGE is no barrier to volunteering as two ladies from Rosanna Children’s Protection Society op-shop can prove.

bargain hunting

Hi guys long time no post! but I'm getting into blogging again and thought I'd share with you todays buys from the opshop I volunteer at which is called All sorts opshop and its located in Boronia.

 This five set of cups and plates was just too cute to pass up! I picked it up for $5.

 I then picked up this stag ring which I believe is pewter and only paid $5 for it!

 This amazing chocker I found, for $4

and last but not least this glass jug and tray, tray was $3, and jug $4

loved these bargains!

Jess

stop press: Salvos Stores need your good quality donations

Giving back can take many different forms, be it a monetary donation, your time, or donating goods to assist in generating funds. At Salvos Stores we rely heavily on the generous donations of the public to ensure we can continue to raise funds for the valuable Salvation Army Community Programs.

When a donation is received at Salvos Stores, they are priced and then placed on the shop floor for sale. The monies generated are then provided to The Salvation Army and benefit the wider Australian Community. These donations help many different people, from all walks of life by providing them food, shelter, support with addiction or finding a job, and a little goes a long way.

Donations are vital to ensure we can continue to raise these funds. During the colder winter months, our donation stocks tend to run low as we are unable to keep up with the huge demand for extra winter items such as jumpers, jackets, hat, scarves and gloves. We would love your help in ensuring we have plenty in stock to keep everyone warm this winter by donating your good quality winter woollies to Salvos Stores.

“Donations are vital to Salvos Stores ensuring we can continue to generate funds for the valuable Salvation Army Community Programs. We really appreciate the generosity of the public and encourage them to continue to donate their good quality items to Salvos Stores during opening hours” said Frank Staebe, Chief Operating Officer Salvos Stores.

Good quality donations are accepted at all stores during opening hours and at selected Sunday donation centres. For more information on the opening hours of your local store visit our website www.salvosstores.com.au. Donations are encouraged to be made during opening hours to ensure they are not subject to damage or theft overnight.

If you are unable to make a donation during opening hours, Salvos Stores offers a home collections service by contacting 13 SALVOS (13 72 58).

Salvos Stores Southern Territory operates 215 retail stores in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and Northern Territory. Salvos Stores operates as a fully functioning retail business, recycling pre-loved goods and relying heavily on the generosity of the public. Overall Salvos Stores operates as a thriving business with the added benefit of contributing positively to the excellent work of The Salvation Army.

I really don't need more dressmaking patterns - two drawers of my four drawer filing cabinet are stuffed to the gills with patterns - but how could I resist this one, only 75c at the Salvos in Sandown?

I love it for the envelope art, but it's the hat that really does it for me! The envelope itself is a little worn but, from the look of the pattern tissue and instructions inside, I doubt that it's ever even been unfolded much less used. I have vaguely nefarious ideas on painting or drawing on this image, but I think I'll scan it into a file first.

A friend phoned in high excitement to alert me to a fabric find at Vinnies in Pinewood. It was too late in the day to make it up there, but I was on their doorstep first thing the next morning (even before the shop was open, because I thought opening time was 9.30 rather than 10!)

Look what I found:

A bolt (or perhaps, part bolt) of John Kaldor fabric in a pinky-red and white houndstooth. There's at least 10 metres, maybe more, on there. A mere $10! Enough fabric to make several garments, methinks.

Also:

A metre of quilting cotton featuring cats for $1, a pretty silk scarf with a maple leaf and "Quebec, Canada" (silk and a Canadian association, might have been meant for me) $2, and a glass and faux pearl beaded necklace also $2.

Plus my friend bought some fabric for me, below - there's about 4m. I'm a lucky crafter :)
These treasures should keep me busy for a while!

kind of Aztec stripe

Oh, I'm on a roll now. It turns out that I have any number of photos on my phone of op shop purchases.  Some of them I bought a while ago so am a bit hazy on the details. This is the lower edge a long straight H&M woollen skirt. I bought it because I really like the trim at the hem, although the skirt itself is a couple of sizes too small. My intention is to cut it off from the top so that it fits me. This would involve putting in the darts anew as well as the zipper. Maybe one day ...

Or maybe a bag ...

DVD/phone/sewing box story

I was going to post too about something that I bought from the Animal Protection Society Op Shop but can't because ... well, it's all a bit of a long story but perhaps encouraging for others out there.

I have been egregiously absent from this blog because time, well, time is the only thing that I don't manage to find at the op shop: although I do lose a lot there. I barely use my camera anymore, just my phone, and when I tried (quite some time ago) to post from my phone, I couldn't get a photo in because ... oh look, it's that long ago that I can't remember.

Anyway, I decided to try it again recently and lo and behold for the small cost of joining google+ (which is free) it is actually possible now to upload photos straight from phone to blog. Hooray!!! But evidently not a photo that you took 5 minutes ago of a Charlie and Lola DVD that you bought at the AAPS op shop. Maybe it takes some time to churn through. Instead, here is a fabulous vintage sewing box that I bought at Sacred Heart Mission in Bentleigh a couple of weeks ago. It was under $10 if I recall rightly.

So, my first phone-to-blog post. Now that I've managed it, I'll try to do many more!

Late last year I scored on a trip to the Australian Animal Protection Society op shop in Centre Road, East Bentleigh. Actually, each of my visits there have yielded treasures :)

A pretty stretch top in pinks and burgundy - I loved the print on this one.

 A striped t shirt to add to my collection of striped tees, destined for refashioning.

 Another stretch top with a great design. It's hard to pick out, but it has gold accents.

 I LOVE using bias binding in all kinds of my sewing, and it's surprising how often unused packages turn up in op shops. I hadn't come across the Nainsook brand before, nor seen such a pretty teal coloured one.

Fish sarong! The background is much more vibrant than this photo shows - I apologise for the poor quality of some of these images, but sometimes it's a case of "get 'er done!" when I can or don't get 'er done at all, and the morning was very changeable weatherwise :)

Necklace of pewter coloured beads, very shiny.

I love old linens. This one has a bit of stain (which has faded after three washes) but as it's destined for making into something else I can likely cut around the mark or cover it with an embellishment.

And another vintage retro tablecloth, no marks, no stains, no rips - perfect. I love the design on this one. I think it wants to be a tunic top.


The whole lot came to the grand total of $20! Made my day.

Super Grovedale Op Shops

If you are down Geelong way head on down the Torquay Rd as far as Grovedale, there are several excellent op shops. Firstly the Brotherhood super store has everything. Recently bought a great red leather retro office chair for my shed/studio, just needs the leather on the arms replacing (2 screws) $10. Then back this week I found a great old preserving pan, no thermometer, so I can have a go at India Flint's special natural dyeing technique Also had a big box of jars and lids for $40, but I selected 6 of the biggest jars from anther box for $2 each. Dress patterns for 20c, mostly 80's, lots of old knitting books. Next Op shop was the salvos, lots of as new designer clothes, some not so cheap, but probably okay by Melbourne standards. Will take the teen daughter here for a browse. There is also a small vinnies, good for odd bibs and bobs.

Bargains in Bentleigh

Happy New Op Shopping Year, op shoppers!

To start the year off, I thought I'd share the goodies I found in my second-last op shopping expedition for 2014, which saw us heading to Bentleigh.  As we happened to be there in that odd time between Christmas and New Year's, many of the smaller op shops were closed.  The Vinnies was open, however, and I found this delight inside:

It's a Nally Ware sugar canister.  I absolutely love Nally Ware and have an entire set of canisters I inherited from my Nan, but now it looks as though I'm adding a new set to my collection.  Finding the rest of the set will be my goal for 2015.

Further up the street, we found the Sacred Heart Op Shop, which was absolutely amazing.  Firstly, this:

My parents had asked me just two days before to look out for one of these on my op shop travels, in order to replace the copy my dad already has (on which the cover is now falling off).  I thought the odds were against it and yet there was a copy, complete with dust jacket, for the princely sum of $4.

Of course, this being me, the remaining space in my bag was filled up with knitting and sewing patterns.

Some rather stunning Vogue patterns in my size.  I found a whole stash of these in another shop recently, but they were too small and, as much as I wanted them, I decided to leave them for another lucky op shopper.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again: I love old knitting patterns.  Plus, people keep having babies and babies need cute clothes.  The Winter Warmers is a duplicate for me, but the other copy I have is in appalling condition and this one is pristine.

And a couple of retro treats with interesting details.

Then there was this one...

This is an example of when I buy something because it is just too unbelievable to pass up.  The patterns inside are... interesting, to say the least (the pattern on the cover there is a pretty tame example, compared with the rest).

I just cannot imagine anyone ever wearing something like that, but you never know.  The designer in question definitely has a style all of her own.

This is why I love op shops - you just never know what you'll discover once you step inside.

Have a fantastic 2015!  I hope it's full of old favourites, new discoveries and many a treasure found in those delightful op shops we love so much.



P.S.  I have a new blog all about my knitting, sewing, photography and roadtripping adventures.  Please drop by and say hello!  katiewritesstuff.wordpress.com

Heathmont Op Shops

Now that I've collected pretty much every knitting pattern I'll ever need, it seems I've turned my attentions to sewing patterns instead.  At least, that's what I had in mind as I headed down to the Heathmont Op Shops yesterday.  Heathmont boasts two lovely op shops: the Heathmont Inter Church Help op shop and the Villa Maria op shop, both of which are packed full of treasures.

This is what I brought home with me yesterday, for the grand total of $11.

Two patterns and the cookery book came from HICH and the remaining two patterns, sewing book and checked fabric came from Villa Maria.

I realised this morning that the McCalls and Butterick patterns are almost the same, but at fifty cents each, I think I can afford to make a mistake like that.  The illustrations on the Style pattern are gorgeous, and the envious look on the girl in the middle amuses me: she's staring at the skirt being worn by the girl on the right as though she wished the illustrator had drawn it on her instead.

Or perhaps I'm reading too much into it.

The Australian Women's Weekly Cookery in Colour was my favourite purchase of the day.  It dates from 1960 and is packed full of extra recipes cut out of magazines (or hand-written), which you can see in the photo above.  The lady at the counter told me it had come from her friend, who had cleaned out her house in preparation for a move.  It is certainly going to a good home with me!

I hope you are all still op shopping when you can and coming across treasures, too.

If I could only visit one brand of op shops it would be the Sacred Heart shops, these are not your average op shops and often the clothes are quite expensive, but  you meet such lovely friendly people working behind the counters. on Wednesday I visited the one in Inkerman street East St Kilda and met a wonderful "lady in a hat". she was so nice and friendly and we had a nice chat. I also regularly visit the Elsterwick and South Melbourne shops and always manage to find a treasure or two.
Is anyone else still op shopping?

Sunday Surprise at Vinnies

Well, what do you know: the Vinnies at Ringwood is now open on Sundays!  We discovered this fact by pure chance when we popped into the bike shop next door to buy a tyre pump.  Once that transaction was complete, our next task was clearly to head into Vinnies and see what was on offer.

Which would be this:

A Sawa 2000 cookie press!  Only the standard model, alas, but it actually seems to be more rare than the deluxe model, if my internet searches are anything to go by.

Everything is still inside, possibly unused.  My nan had one of these (although I'm pretty sure hers was plastic) but I don't remember her ever using it.  I'm planning to use mine, though!  After all, the instruction and recipe book was included in the box.

UPDATE: It turns out my nan's is actually just like this and I was confusing it with something plastic that my mum had.  My nan's was a deluxe one and she used it a lot.  My memory must be having an off day...

I absolutely love finding gems like this.  I hope you're all having just as much fun with your op shopping, too!

Salvos Stores comes to Myer

I'm a bit late posting this. Hurry in, there's still time!

Salvos Stores comes to Myer at Eastland for National Op-Shop Week

This year National Op-Shop Week will be taking part between Sunday 24th August and Sunday 31st August 2014. For the first time, Salvos Stores have teamed up with Myer in Eastland Shopping Centre to provide a pop-up shop in-store for the week commencing Monday 25th August. Salvos Stores will bring some amazing pre-loved treasures, in the form of women’s clothing and accessories to Myer.

“Customers have the opportunity to create a unique outfit by combining the old with the new at the Salvos Stores pop-up at Myer Eastland,” said Salvos Stores Chief Executive Officer Allen Dewhirst. “The Salvos Stores pop-up shop at Myer Eastland means customers can shop for their new season look and complement it with a pre-loved item, helping out charity along the way,” said Mr Dewhirst.

In March 2014, Myer teamed up with Salvos Stores to launch the Myer and Salvos Stores Fashion Rescue program, which rewards those who donate their pre-loved clothing at Salvos Stores with a $10 Myer voucher per donation. The program supports the recycling of clothing in the Australian community, whilst also contributing to the valuable community work of the Salvation Army.

“Myer has assisted Salvos Stores divert approximately 93,000 items away from landfill in the past 6 months alone through the Fashion Rescue program. We are excited to continue our support for clothing recycling through working with Salvos Stores to establish a pop-up shop at Myer Eastland for National Op-Shop Week 2014,” said Myer Executive General Manager Store Operations Tony Sutton.

The Salvos Stores pop-up shop at Myer Eastland will be running for a week commencing Monday 25th August.

bag a bargain!

Lame title - sorry! I bought this sweet bag on the weekend. The Skipping Girl bag was $5 at Sacred Heart Mission in Bentleigh. Roll on Spring!

Sunday Op Shopping in Tecoma

As we were driving through Tecoma last weekend, I saw that sign I rarely ever see on a Sunday: Op Shop Open.  Obviously, I wasn't going to pass up an opportunity for unexpected op shopping, so we turned off and headed into the PWP Op Shop in Tecoma, where I unearthed and claimed the following treasures.

Knitting pattern books, of course.  There wasn't much old stuff, but I managed to pick up some classic looking eighties books.

Some splendid sewing books.  The Stretch Fabrics book claims it contains patterns, which equates to patterns drawn on a grid and a folded-up square of grid paper at the end of the book.  So that should be interesting.  The Supercrafts book contains some excellent sock patterns and they are the main reason I bought it.

And then I found one of the best things I've ever discovered in an op shop...

A hem marker, possibly from the seventies, going by the illustration.  It's made in West Germany, so that helps with narrowing down the date.  It's never been used, though - everything is still packed into the box in the inner cardboard frame.  I had no idea how it was actually meant to work until I found the little bottle of powdered chalk.

It's still full!

I'll be testing this out as soon as humanly possible, because it's just brilliant, so do check out my blog (link below) if you'd like to see how that goes.  It turns out I currently have a skirt I'm about to hem, so it's rather timely.

If you ever happen to be in Tecoma, I definitely recommend dropping into the PWP Op Shop.


P.S.  If you'd like to learn more about my knitting, sewing and other adventures, please have a look at my new blog, katiewritesstuff.wordpress.com.

Storehouse Op Shops

The Little Op shop with big ideas - not all op shops are run by large charities.

Has anyone checked out the Storehouse op shops?

http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2014/07/30/4057341.htm

Happy reading

A haul of Charlaine Harris novels from the Salvos at Noble Park = many hours of happily escapist reading.
All between $1.25 and $2.25.

No more regular posts from me.

I haven't had time to post anything here for a while due to the renovations going on here.  I've brought home a few odds and ends from the BSL in Eltham, but I've been donating more stuff than I've been buying!
I have quit working at the opshop every Friday now, as I was getting exhausted by the end of the day, so I have put my name down as an 'emergency' - just to fill in if someone is away sick or on holidays.   I've really enjoyed my stint there, and will continue to drop in now and then to donate stuff or see what is new on the shelves.