Retro ribbon

Just a quickie today where I don't even show you the contents of what I bought, only the packaging!

I got some black nylon ribbon at the Lion's Den in Forest Hill a few weeks ago but I think the ribbon has been around for a very long time, judging by what its manufacturers suggest it is used for... fashionable handbags! natty (yes, natty!!) coat hangers! and warm tea cosies.... I'm surprised dolls to cover toilet rolls are not mentioned!
I used some of it to make daisies and pom poms to decorate a racewear outfit, more details and photos here and here if you are interested.

Making it up...

Hi there,

It's Bev from Taccolina and Posted Stitches here - I haven't posted before, as I haven't been opping for a little while, BUT....

Last weekend I went to the Geelong Fibre Arts Forum - did anyone else go, too? And I got to talking to the ladies who went to this class for the week there:


They were making new outfits and embellished costumes from op-shop and back-of-the-closet finds. I talked to several of the students, who were there showing off what they had made, and they were happy for these photos to go out into blogland.

This is a new jacket made out of shirts that weren't being worn - dyed, embellished and printed. I love the new cuffs and the leaves down the front.


Here, one of the students is pointing out the many shirts that were cut and re-sewn to make the flouncy body of this colourful skirt. She had several shirt collars running lengthways down the skirt, like long vertical ruffles. It was gorgeous!

This is by the same student: an ensemble of cut, dyed and embellished items, including op-shop finds.


Feeling inspired? This certainly made me sit up and take notice, and to think more aggressively about what I could do with op shop alterations!

You can find the website of the tutor - India Flint - at www.indiaflint.com - and there are workshops listed on her site.

Happy hunting!

Op Shopping for Craft Materials

Hi there everyone, as you all know, I love an afternoon op shopping, looking for interesting bits and pieces for my crafting and yarning habits. I also love to search for vintage patterns. There's something about looking at vintage stuff whilst listening to "Magic 693" on the overhead radio that is very relaxing. I think its because dad always listens to it at home, and also the music takes you to another place in time.

I was disappointed to not find woolen jumpers (what I actually went for LOL) - I use them for either felting or unravelling. The one or two I did find had gross GROSS colours.

Usually, this (jumpers from an opping trip last month)



becomes this . . . (yarn for dyeing and crocheting) . . .



However I did find some other stuff - see below:

Quilt, its nice and thick, in perfect condition, and all hand stitched with perfect tiny stitches (what patience!): paid $8.50 for this (the tissue box is there for size comparison):



Suede hooded long jacket, fully lined, looks like it was never worn (the mark is from the camera flash):





Patterns of simple stuff for me to make - 50 cents each



Jacket in a gorgeous weave, fully lined. Its a size 10 so I either lose weight or make it into a seriously gorgeous handbag.



I also picked up a full set of Lightning McQueen (my daughter's fave DVD) licenced toys for $3.50, and she also managed to find a never-been-used Lightning McQueen back pack (for $3.75). There's some really great puns on it. "RPM . . . Nighttime Backfire Suppressant" and "Re-Volting . . rebuilt alternative" as well as padded pictures of McQueen and Matey. She loves it.

Hope you enjoyed my trip !

Cristina also blogs at Stramenda, homemaking, craft, life!

Fabbo op-shop finds in Oakleigh and Glen Waverley

Visited Vinnies in Oakleigh, off Warrigal Road; tricky to get to, but oh, what a treasure trove.

I shall start my show and tell with:
a pair of Stunning Italian Leather pumps! Fitting perfectly; they were molded to my feet by little italian cobblers!



Metres of soft printed corduroy; I really think that it may be Liberty - anyone know?

My favourite find of the year: truly I kid you not, but I found a Kaffe Fassett shirt! Excellently made by hand by someone who knew and understood the quality of his material, pattern and colour.

It even came with a Spare Covered Button!

Gorgeously soft and beautifully printed vintage sheet; photo does no justice


MS Shop in Kingsway, Glen Waverley:
Another embroidered toaster cover; how many toasters do I have?
Two facinating Kuglehopf or Bundt molds; sort-of ugly but cute too. I actually saw one in a Antique store in Flinders, speciallising in French antiques, for $40!

( Anyone who loves the 70s era, there was a pair of really true-to-life iconic table lamps - very orange and brown, so ugly they were cool! oh, and also an crockery set with orange/brown pattern. I'm sure someone will love them again.)

I have turned a pretty but naff skirt from local op-shop into a makeshift cushion cover for Retreat Couch (it's becoming rather pink, with oranges and golds, mainly to hide split material on very old handmedown couch)
(Third last post til 100th giveaway - hang in there lurkers @ whippetgood

Crafty Finds

I had to get out of the house yesterday, so I decided that I would go op-shopping with the specific purpose of finding myself a brown shirt to use for my Brown Owls uniform. I found 2 brown shirts, one long sleeve (which looks brand new) and one short sleeve (Jag brand).

I had a search through the craft sections and found some nice fabrics and some more craft books to add to the collection.

I also found some packets of elastic and a little bag full of ribbons and string...........but then I found the piece de resistance for todays litlle outing......The Womans Day Book of Handicrafts from 1978! It was $1.50!

If anyone is on the lookout for craft supplies, St Vinnies in Hoppers Crossing had 3 flower presses, quite a few embroidery hoops, a few different types of dress fabrics, and lots of wool. They also had a Knitting Nelly with a set of instructions (I was really tempted to buy it but I already have one). They also had a few craft books and lots of cook books. The Salvos in Hoppers Crossing didn't have many craft supplies, but they did have a good book section. Lots of craft books, especially knitting and flower type crafts (flower arranging, dried flower crafts etc).