Cook Books and Silk Scarves

This is my first blog post here, hello I'm Erica! You can find me over at Recycled Fashion chatting about all types of upcycled and secondhand fashion, sewing, and ethical fashion.

I love op shopping, but over the past few months haven't had much of an opportunity (!) to do so, as I have a small baby to look after.  My eldest son started school this week and bubs is nearly 3 month old, so I'm slowly starting to get out and about a bit more.

Today I popped into Carrum Uniting Church Opportunity Shop, and two cook books immediately caught my eye.  I've got a small collection of op shop cook books, as I'm always looking for inspiration for evening dinners!  I actually hesitated on these two books because I thought to myself I actually have too many.  One of the op shop volunteers persuaded me to buy them because she said they were only 50c each, and that's a bargain!  

Secondly, a couple of silk scarves took my fancy at $1 each.  I do love a silk scarf, and perhaps have too many of those too, but I'm actually thinking about cutting these two up to make into a top, I'm working on the idea in my head, and hope it works out.

I haven't posted in a looong time - a full time job that involved almost three hours of commuting did not leave much spare time for op shopping. However, the job is now over and I hear the siren call of the op shop summoning me. Here a couple of finds from a trip to the Salvos the week before christmas:

A pair of burgundy ankle boots that fit perfectly. There are a few small scuff marks that should come off with a bit of a brush, but in otherwise good condition. I take a large size and I don't often find shoes to fit while opping. $4.05 (discount day)

A part bolt of cotton fabric (might be polycotton). It took me a while to work out the text (it's upside down in the photo), but it says "inferno" with the O a ball of flame. There's approximately ten metres - a great find for $4. I plan to use this to test some new dressmaking patterns as it's cheaper than calico and I might end up with something wearable.

Christmas Eve at the BSL Eltham.

Our manager opened the shop before 9 am and we closed at 1 pm.  I was surprised at how quiet it was, but as M. said, most people have done all their shopping by Xmas Eve and don't need to be opshopping by then.  I'd made a gingerbread house to take to my husband's family Xmas lunch, but he decided not to go there this year, so I took it to the opshop, thinking people could have a bite of it as they wandered in and out, but the few people that did come in admired it briefly and moved on

Except for one elderly lady who stopped to have a good look.  She said "Oh that is so beautiful.  My four grandchildren will be with me tomorrow, and they would love it - is it for sale?" and I told her the story, and said I may as well sell it because we can't eat it at home.  She asked how much and I asked how much would she pay, and she said "Oh I don't know - $25?"   In the meantime another customer had come up for a look.  This bloke is one of our regulars and can be rather obnoxious.  He said "I'll give you $35" and the lady started to say "I'll pay that much" but I interrupted.  I said "You can have it for $20  - the kit only cost me $12, and I had fun making it, so I'm glad to know it will be enjoyed tomorrow by your grandchildren!"
The man was a bit miffed, and walked out of the shop, but I didn't care!

Here is my bunting decorating the shop.  I took it down when we closed the shop, and it is now hanging around our front verandah.

This will be my last post for the year, as our shop is now closed until January 13th.  So unless I go opshopping anywhere else in the meantime, there won't be anything for me to post here, so I wish you all the best for the New Year ;-)

Last days before Christmas at the Brotherhood of St.L at Eltham.

We are open next Monday and Tuesday, then we close for Christmas and New Year period, to re-open on Monday 13th January.   Our last two days will be frantic, as we want to get rid of as much stock as possible before the donations start arriving in January.  Remember, 50% off everthing in the store except books and the $1 clothing rack.  I got some great bargains today!
Two ties for 70c each.

Italian panty hose, 50cents

Selection of books ranging from 70cents to $1 each.

Back pack with a difference.

It opens up to be a sophisticated four piece picnic setting -plates, cutlery, wine glasses, s and p shakers,mini cheese board and corkscrew.

And in the other side of the back pack, two insulated drink bags.  All for $20.

Pair of sandals, $3.

The total was $24.  With the half price discount, I paid $12.  How good is that?!!

Buy Christmas lunch for someone experiencing homelessness

This Christmas, Sacred Heart Mission op shop customers are being encouraged to think about all the meals that will be dished up over the festive period to people who are homeless.

Customers are being asked to donate $3.80 - the cost of a three course lunch served in the Mission’s St Kilda dining hall - to put a bauble on the Christmas trees displayed in each of its seven op shops.

The initiative was piloted last year at the Mission’s South Melbourne op shop with great success - 1,080 baubles were sold, decorating 24 wire trees hanging from the store’s ceiling.

The baubles represent the meals that Sacred Heart Mission will provide over the festive period as sitting down and sharing a Christmas meal is something that resonates with most people.

Over Christmas Eve and Day, the Mission will serve more than 700 traditional meals with all the trimmings to people experiencing homelessness or disadvantage.

You can make a donation and hang a bauble at any of Sacred Heart Mission’s op shops:

86 Chapel Street, Windsor

1/486 Glenhuntly Road, Elsternwick

86 Riversdale Road (cnr Glenferrie Road), Hawthorn

87a Grey Street, St Kilda

365 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne

415 Inkerman Street, East St Kilda

 We are having the family over for lunch on Christmas day and so we are going to eat in the room downstairs:  it is a big room which is used for storage, sewing or a spare bedroom when the grandkids come to stay.  I am in the midst of painting it so it looks like a building site at present.  

I need to be sure we have enough room and place settings so I have set the tables up and I have spent some time at op shops picking up some crockery and glassware. Tomorrow I will pack all of this up and clean up the room before the big day.

I am using three folding tables, stronger than the usual card tables, which I bought at the Salvos in Tyabb Rd.  Plates and glasses are from Vinnies, Salvos and the Wilson Rd oppy as well as one in Mount Eliza.  

There are lovely bottle bags to hold the soft drink bottles and a soda syphon (also Salvos).

The table cloths are ones I have collected on my many opping trips over the last couple of years.

Santa hats are also from various oppies.

There is also a punch bowl and glasses and serving dishes from Vinnies.

I would love to know if anyone else is decorating their tables with oppy bargains.  It is more economical than plastic/paper plates etc.  After Christmas I shall donate the pieces I don't want to keep so the cupboards will not be cluttered.

50% off nearly everything!

We need to clear our little shop out by Christmas Eve, so everything in the shop (except books which are already very cheap, and the $1 clothing rack out the front of the shop) is half price until Christmas Eve. I'll be working there on the day, and from my past experience, we'll probably close a bit earlier than usual, and will be literally throwing books out for 20c if we still have too many on the shelves! Brotherhood Of St Lawrence Opshop, National Bank Mall, Arthur Street, Eltham.