Antique Market Finds. . .

sorry for poor quality photo but I just wanted to do a quick Flea Market Find to add to Sophie's list.  Yesterday hubby and I went to an antique fair in Mont Albert and i managed to buy a heap of unfinished embroidery, some almost complete, some not even started yet, and a pile of white hankies.  did some washing and ironing in the afternoon, and now I have a pile sitting in the lounge room awaiting my attention to list on eBay.  Just need the good camera to finish its charging!

I have also set myself some Goals for the coming week to get my eBay and Market Stall items sorted, into tubs so I can find what I'm looking for (and so I can find the bed which I think is still in the spare room, but I can't see it!!!)

Hope you all have a great week, and pop over to Flea Market Finds, more things added every day you know.. so much to see.

Rainy Saturday... and my first Camellia

quite a rainy damp Saturday in Melbourne today, but I did spy the first camellia in my garden. I have two out the front, both been there well over 20 years, planted by a previous owner, the pale pink one flowers from about May, and the darker reddish-pink one from around June.. both are full of buds, and today I noticed the first flower.  That makes me happy.  Here it is on the kitchen window sill, in a Melbourne Exhibition 1888 etched glass.

Hubby and I took a drive down to the Rotary Antique Fair at Mont Albert Primary School.  Not that we really want to buy yet more collectables, but it is always good to catch up with some old friends, have a coffee, scones and jam & cream, bring home BBQ sausages for lunch,  and just get out for a while.
I hope you all have a lovely weekend.

a sneek peek . . .

progress report

I have joined in The Hottie Challenge, with 59 others, over at Curly Pops Blog
I am determined to NOT be the last one to finish this Hottie Cover, particularly as all the proceeds are going to a very worthwhile charity.

So, I have cut my vintage table cloth up (no crying please, it had massive HOLES in the main part, I'm saving the good bits).  I have selected a few embellishments, and I am feeling positive...
to  be  continued. . .

Hardanger Embroidery

On my Flea Market Finds post this week I mentioned a Hardanger Embroidery book and someone asked what that was.   The name comes from the region in Norway where this form of counted thread embroidery originated. This delicate type of openwork (and drawn thread work) can be created with only a few basic stitches, and lots of patience!

I do not do any embroidery now, and I must state that I have NEVER attempted Hardanger, but I do love to read craft books and I sell a lot of craft books on eBay, along with lots of other crafty bits.

This recent purchase, a book by Sigrid Bright, published in the USA IN 1978 is a really good  'how to' book, with very clear concise instructions and close up photographs. So before I send it to a new home I thought I'd share a few photos with you, and I hope that answers your question Kylie.

Busy Week, but still some time for Op Shopping

Very busy week this week, lots to get ready for the North Melbourne Market (which was quite a success I am happy to say). I sold lots of my nice clothing, but not all of it, unfortunately, still things to pack away now and empty the car.
We also had a small disaster with the shed in our backyard, and hubby and I had to spend time trying to re-hinge the door so we could close it again.  All's good now, and I'm starting to think it may be a great Storage Studio for my Market items,  needs a bit of a clean out, and some of what's in there could go in the garage..... mmmm.... ideas brewing.

However, I digress, Op Shopping.. one lovely piece of floral bark cloth (only about 1/4meter), and a very cute tea cosie, and a nicely embroidered apron.  Oh, and a book on Hardanger Embroidery, I love to read embroidery books. Not a huge haul this week, maybe next week I'll have more time.  Meanwhile, I'm off to see what everyone else has found this week. Over on Sophies blog, there are some of the best Op Shop,. Garage Sale and Flea Market Finds from around the world.

Progress Report . . .

I really got off to a bad start on this little bolero, had to undo 10 or 12 rows of 150++ stitches, *sigh*, and that sure made me grumpy.
It is all knitted in one piece from the back hem up the back, divide for the neck, knit the fronts.  So..... I have just finished the back and divided for the neck .. hurrah.
I am no so sure about the grey colour now, thinking perhaps it's a little dull, but a cute bright brooch will improve it when (if) its finished.

I will keep you informed..

Be Careful what you Wish for.. .. ..

I have been complaining at home that I have too much stock and no table booked for May or June at North Melbourne Market, but I am on the waiting list.  Well ~~ today I got an email to say there is a spot available for me, in the downstairs corridor, this coming Sunday.  Yay!

Now I'm in panic mode finishing off all that washing, getting it dry, ironing, tagging, cleaning some leather, stitching a few loose buttons back...  busy, busy, busy.

Can't wait. I love doing this indoor market, easy access, nice and warm inside, lovely traders and customers to chat to.  If you are in the North Melbourne area this Sunday 10am to 3pm, why not pop in and say Hi. at 44 Errol Street, in the Lithuanian Club. 2 floors of all kinds of vendors with beautiful crafts and great vintage and retro clothing.

the Hottie Challenge .. Day 1

I have taken up the Challenge >> see I have the button over there.
Today is Day 1, I have my 'pattern' and my instruction sheet.

If you are up to the challenge, why not pop over to CurlyPops and read about it, grab yourself an entry, and join in the fun.  It is a very worthwhile cause.

I have no idea yet what I will do, the options are wide open... knit, crochet, sew, applique, embroider.... ANYTHING !! as long as it is the size of the pattern and incorporates the hole for hanging!  pretty simple eh?

COME JOIN US

Saturday finds for the Washer Woman!

Found a garage sale quite by accident late on Saturday.  Wandered around, not much left, may have been an OK sale too. Sad.
Spied an old suitcase over in one corner of the garage, went to take a peek,..... no, not old or cute enough to add to my pile of Storage Cases, guy running the sale said 'Oh that's just a lot of Mum's old clothes to go to the Op Shop'
errr..hello... can I take a peek please?  Sure!  Well from first glance lots of clothes but nothing of 'quality' summer dresses from OSTI, cardigans from David Keys. No great labels but I said OK How Much.. ! well I was very pleasantly surprised and brought the lot home.

Sorted them in the Garage at home... mostly very dirty, many torn, worn, useless .. but I did get Two Washing Baskets of mainly polyester dresses and blouses, and cardigans.  It was a very wet day yesterday but I did wash One lot, and don't they look lovely drying in the back room?

yes the orange and brown shirt at the front is GREAT, also a pretty floral blouse with a tie at the neckline

a cute green geometrical

and who could resist a blouse that said DEAR DIARY all over it???

well I'm hoping they will help fill in some stock for me (maybe in the warmer months ahead) at the North Melbourne Market,  when I go back.  I don't have a stall in May or June yet, but I will be there in July!

Today I will tackle washing some of the woollens, a lovely Mohair Cardigan, and who knows once they are washed, pressed and hung nicely maybe I'll love them even more.

I'll be posting over on Sophie's Flea Market Finds again this week, my weekly fix of enjoying all that other readers find!

and yes... I have been working on my knitting, will update you later!

I have been given a Liebster Blog award.. thank you♥

The very lovely Claire has awarded me this..




I thank her so much, that was so nice.  Now I have to pass it on apparently.

My favourite blogs?  well I have so many but I get the most inspiration from....

young 'Grannies' like Nelly
crafty young crafters like Nicole
young business women like Tamarah
those that care for our community, and do a great job fundraising ~ the adorable Jackie
and young Mums like Alison
and of course Sophie for keeping me in touch with dozens of like minded Op Shoppers every Sunday!

just to name a few!.. please do not think that I don't like your blog because your name is not on the list.... I love them all... I only follow blogs that I ♥ ..  thank you to all the bloggers out there in Blog Land, you keep me busy reading every day
[except days like yesterday when we had NO BLOGS!!]

Can't wait for the Shabby Vintage Junk Extravaganza.... only 22 more sleeps

I am really looking forward to this event, particularly as it is so close to 'home' for me, so I'll just call a few friends and we' ll put on our best hats and be off.  . . .

I am not sure really what to expect, but the peeks at some of the 18 Specialist Vendors goodies as they are getting them ready, and blogging about them, has me all fired up.


It is a Vintage Furniture & Homewares Show where the visitors, be they vintage enthusiasts or otherwise would find Vintage Treasures to enhance & adorn their homes, wardrobes & lifestyles, according to the lovely Tamarah, the organizer, and I for one can't wait.

She hopes, as do I,  that the Show will inspire us all to use vintage in ways we may not have considered previously.
Pop over to her blog for all the information, or just click the button on the side of my page.
 
SVJ-X is NOT to be confused with a flea market or trash & treasure event, this is something quite out of the box different 



When - Friday 3rd June & Saturday 4th June 2011

What Time - Friday: 12noon - 1pm (Early Birds ONLY - Bookings Essential)
1pm - 6pm (General entry)
Saturday: 8am - 4pm (General entry)

Where - ASHBURTON SCOUT HALL, 337 High Street, Ashburton, Vic. (Melways ref# 60 E10)

Parking - Ample FREE parking for Customers is available adjacent to the Scout Hall. There is also free parking available in the streets surrounding the hall.

Rain, Hail, Ice..... and it is only May!!

Oh today has been way too cold for a May day, surely?
I am in suburban Melbourne and we have had rain and hail showers all day, even the rain falls thick as slushies, not quite ice but definitely NOT just water.  brrrr.
This was my driveway 10 minutes ago, and I dare not step on the front steps, so icy, so slippery

I did have to go to the post office this morning, managed that between two downpours of rain. I so so wanted to go over to join the Northern Crafters tonight, but it would be madness to go out in this weather..   When did Autumn turn into winter in a day???  or am I just getting old and soft?
back to my knitting....................

buying retail ... oh!

I very rarely shop retail.  Sure, electricals, some clothing, underwear, food of course!, but generally if I need something I can find it in an Op Shop.
Like this cute Knitting pattern Book from the 1950s, and the tortoise shell knitting needles, but I did need some wool, and although there are lots of bits of wool at the oppies, I needed something special, as a dear friend has requested this bolero.  Original pattern was in Patons Fuzzy Wuzzy, an angora, but my friend wanted something less 'fluffy', and Patons have not sold Fuzzy Wuzzy for decades!

So off to a real wool shop, to find some nice 4 ply wool,.. it is not black, it is a very dark steel grey, quite lovely, 100% wool and very soft.  I have been putting off starting this for 3 or 4 weeks now, so after lunch I went out, bought the wool, and sat in the sunshine (it is very cold in Melbourne today, but the sun thru my window is perfect).  I managed 20 rows in an hour, so I am pretty pleased with myself. Knitting in 4 ply is slower than I remembered.

I thought if I don't photograph this and put it on my blog I will never finish it, but if I 'blog' it I will be shamed into showing my 'progress' ..   so here's DAY 1

I had to stop to start preparing our evening meal, and check my eBay sales, but I will definitely do more after dinner.

more Finds for the week.. ..

I have already reported on some of my finds this week. I was out and about quite a lot, and did quite well finding things.  I particularly liked this hand crocheted 6-sided piece, just the right size to pop on my lap while I type without dragging on the floor, and catching in the wheels of my typing chair. 
Then there was a counted cross stitch kit, almost completed of  an  Angel, she was sweet and I'm sure I will find someone to finish her off, especially as she came with a heap of cottons (probably from other unfinished cross stitching projects).  I'm always sad when I find things like that in Op Shops,  who started and then didn't finish them, and why?

Snowman Teacosy.. a brown snowman? mmmm bit different, but he is rather cute don't you think?
I'll link this over to Sophie's Flea Market Finds, my favourite place to visit to catch up on what everyone has been finding this week.

Hope you all find dozens of wonderful things next week. I have plans to visit at least 2 areas I don't usually get to, and a few I visit every week.

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day to you all

This was made by me, for Mothers Day in about 1954 . Mum always had it on her dressing table.  She's in a nursing home now, with Alzheimer's, hardly ever recognizes me when I visit, but she's still my Mum.
I cut the roses (with Dad's help) off a birthday card, the piece of paper was torn from one of Dad's accounting books.  Mum framed it straight away, and as I grew up I was embarrassed by the poor choice of paper, with red lines down the side.

Fortunately, she lives close and I can pop in and see her frequently. I'll go around later today, after lunch is usually a good time for her.

No other family around me today, Son, Daughter-in-Law and Grand daughter all phoned this morning from Sydney.

Yesterday I made a yummy Lamb Casserole for tonight, so no cooking today.  yay!  Vic and I will enjoy that and a movie on the TV.   Life is Good !

Tuesday blues . . . in the nicest way !

NO, I am not blue or sad, in fact I am happy, happy, happy.  Today I stopped off at the local op shop to actually make a donation!! yes, I do occasionally have a clear out of the spare room!
I found not ONE but TWO wonderful blue fabric finds.
First up a pair of short curtains, hand made with just rings attached at top, no pleats, gathering or anything, in this amazing pattern called  ~~  ACANTHUS

I just love the colours and the pattern, don't you?  I hung them on the line to photograph them just for you all to see

I also found an amazing piece of flocked nylon, over 7½meters of it, in white with lovely little flock-velvet blue roses.

I wrote about it over on the I op therefore I am blog  pop over to see how amazing it looked on the washing line too!

So I left the house intent on clearing just ONE shopping bag of unwanteds from here and came home with ONE shopping bag of fabric.  I think I did well ! 
oh, and I donated a bunch of my duplicates knitting needles and managed to buy a pair for a dollar in a size I didn't have any of!

Decluttering by buying stuff..... I LIKE IT !!!♥

my FleaMarket / Op shop finds .. embroidery ~ a little Bird Told Me

yes, a little bird told me about some embroidery things recently donated to a local Op Shop, so off I went, and was certainly NOT disappointed.

a great Readers Digest book of Needlecraft, this is a huge volume and full of treasures, a Creative Embroidery book, with 48 project cards, each one with full instructions on the back, and 2 almost completed SEMCO small doilies.

There was also an interesting book, (I haven't read it yet) about how to convert your knitting patterns to crochet patterns!

Added to the huge stash I had in my car, from some recent Op shopping where I didn't have time to unload -- I certainly had lots to find new spots for in the Spare Room today.

And I am sure Sophie's friends over at  Her Library Adventures, Flea Market Finds will also have lots of unpacking to do this week.  If you are into Op Shopping and Garage Sales you will be in good company over there.