It's not possible to be sad when you dance!

Holiday Shopping!

BossyGirl and I spent the afternoon at a local shopping centre. 

I found the whole experience ugly and soul destroying.

It felt pointless and a waste of time.

But maybe that was because I had nothing I needed to buy?

Bossy didn't feel that way. She had $10 holiday money

and it had to be spent. 

She came home with a new very fluffy Beanie Kid and is happy. 

I did find something at the end, a bottle of Spiritual Sky Oil in

Strawberry scent and one whiff took me way back to my 

14th year. And a particular trip to Paddy's Markets

when I had my bag stolen off the train. In that bag

were all my 'treasures' including my Spiritual Sky. 

I still miss that bag.

In the toy shop there was a sign that read 

'it's never too late to have a happy childhood' 

So I bought a bottle!

And then later today I added these tiny pieces to the store.

Unearthed recently.

A few of my favourite cuddly toys.

Made by my grandmother.

Very well worn and moth eaten now.

My intention is to repair them.

She was the crafty one in our family.

And I believe where I got my crafty gene.

And this little one.

Made from a kit I'm guessing.

She had a dress that's missing.

I love Mondays!

I love Monday's!
It's when I get down to packing orders from the weekend and if I've been flat out, from Friday.

I turn on the eyeTV and like everyone else who loves vintage fashion
I watch MAD MEN.

 I love loose myself in that show!

And like anyone who loves men then I watch Bear Grils
doing the French Foreign Legion

It's hard to believe these men can be so tough and take so much.

Plus I love bear!!

And like anyone who loves food
 I check in with the kids from
Master Chef.

I'm a day late but since I don't have any water cooler to discuss the weekend by, I don't mind. 

By that time I'm done packing.
I really love Mondays!

Happy Monday to you!
Oh yeah and I got all those images from you know where (google images)

My new toy

Ebay has been good to me and I am very appreciative!!

To celebrate my ten years selling vintage fabric I bought a new toy.

 I think I'm in love!

I don't have to shop for clothes anymore.

Today I had a few hours to kill while my car had it's 'Peace of Mind' service - their term not mine. So I wandered down the town and in and out of shops full of lovely clothes. 

I really wanted to buy something, I love shopping. And these were some of my favourite shops. Great brands, some on sale.

But I just couldn't do it. 

I saw shapes and stitching and unusual trims

I saw fabric and texture and pattern combinations, idea after idea. 

I didn't see just garments hanging on hangers. 

I didn't see one thing I couldn't make myself. 

It was a totally new experience for me and I was really not expecting it. 

So I walked out with plenty of ideas but nothing new to wear! Yet.

The world of sewing has opened up and I'm going in. 

Vintage Fruit and Veg Barkcloth.

Today

Today I played.

It was fun to have the doll's house to myself.

No one telling me where to put things.

I had so much fun I forgot I had so much real housework to do.

And I gave up in the kitchen, as usual!

Lack of storage!

School Holiday Op Shopping Haul

Well the hoards were out today in the op shops, all the holiday crowd! I don't like holiday crowds, unless I'm one of them. Like locusts they are. 

I haven't been out op shopping for so long I think it's been a good six months since I went out for full day of the shops. I don't know how I've lasted as it's one thing I can never get enough of, except for the nine months I was pregnant, could not stand the smell!! I saved so much money!

Anyway I decided this week to hit some old faves. Not much in the way of anything to sell or collect but I did find some cute clothes and shoes, to stuff into that wardrobe!!  

But hey whatever turns you on, is that what the saying is?? and op shopping is my thing.

This is what I found: 

cute gingham Gidget pants, $5, just the right length, cut and kick out at the calves, work perfectly with the pointy toe flats in faux cheater fur $4,(and a both a perfect fit). 

A stunning Veronica Maine dress, hardly worn, in fact I would say never or once worn, lovely details and pockets in the front. (looks better on). $6

This adorable chic-kitsch bedside cupboard. $15

This amazing ethnic inspired 1970s blouse with the biggest puffiest sleeves ever, can't wait to wear that. $5

A red Kitchenaid Fry pan for $4 to wreck in the dishwasher like my others.

Cute Japanese pom pom animal kit for Bossy Girl. $2

Real serious chocolate Easter egg mould, looks like it's a professional one, might get used to mix paint in - maybe. $2

Nice quality chain with plastic stars, the start of my planned 'gumball trinket' bracelet. $3

and last but not least my friend who owns the absolute best second hand shop ever gave me these to make necklaces out of as long as I make her an elephant one.

Fabulous old school opaque plastic beads in an old school chalk box. Do you know how hard it is to find opaque plastic beads in these colours!! it's almost impossible. (though if you can prove me wrong do send me a note and a link to the source). 

There that's the round up, not a bad little haul, I'm happy, relaxed and didn't spend too much money. 

Now back to work!

What's your best find this week??

My Secret Weapon - Meme

My secret weapon is 

the past.

The future is exciting

The present is comfortable 

The past is inspiring.

 It's where I start any creative journey.

 

Want to know more Secret Weapons? Share your own?

Check Pip's Blog

Beside the Bed

Ok here's my unedited bedside, usually a stack of books but at the moment a stack of Dumbo Feather magazines - old ones, I'm determined to read them all before I start something else. Stack of birthday cards I use for book marks, and so on. The usually dust - so glad it didn't show up.  I love my bedside, it always has something comforting there usually a good book or mag and I seriously get excited when I get into bed and have time for a bit of reading. It is the best time of the day.

Want to poke your nose into more bedsides? Check Pip's place.

School Holidays!

Fun and history all at once at The Entrance where we rode the magnificent National Trust Classified Hass Family German built (late 1800's) Carousel! The girls got nice and wet in the fountain and we had lots of fairy floss. It was a lovely day.

Nana's Place - The holidays

My most vivid holiday memories were at my Nana's. I have very strong memories I guess because as well as going there for holidays, we three girls were deposited there about every second weekend while our parents had some time together. Nana lived on the corner of a very busy road 98 Higginbotham Rd, Ryde and at night while sleeping end to end with my bed-wetting sister, I watched as car lights ran hypnotically around the room disappearing into a corner. Often there were car accidents which we slept through but heard the fascinating stories in the morning, how Nana had been there with blankets and cups of tea. Her lounge room was dark and cozy and it was in there that we watched Get Smart, a show forbidden at home and I've since realised this must be one of my first memories. We ate the best brown bread toast in the mornings while Par talked to his little blue canary - 'Pete' I think, and John Laws talked on and on in the background. At bathtime it was all three into the tub in an arrangement that mimicked the three blue ceramic ducks on the bathroom wall. But the absolute best part about Nana's (apart from her) was when she invited us into her mysterious bedroom to perch on the high plump bed and receive a smear of red 'lippy' before going out with her on the bus. Then alighting from the bus it was a short walk to the little store where she bought us each a packet of Jelly Tots. Thanks Pip, I'm so glad you helped me remember my Nana, because I really miss her.