Op shop finds: vintage linens

I found some super cute pillow cases and one awesome vintage sheet at an op shop this week. 

I am always rummaging around in the linens. Lets face it I have a seriously great collection of doilies and souvenir tea towels but I never find sheets.

The floral pattern at the back is a single bed sheet in great condition. I think I'll use if as a couch throw rather than cut it up. The pillow cases are pretty nice too. A white one with embroidered detail, vintage flannelette and cotton and some modern, but good quality blue ones. They'll replace some really awful "too much polyester" ones I have.

All washed and ironed now. Good work at 50cents each!

Vintage plant stand thrift find

New to homespunblissblog: 10 things Monday

Today I am starting a new segment for my blog: 10 things Monday.

Every Monday I will post a list of 10 things. I hope you come along and contribute to the lists.

10 things for crafters to buy at Op Shops

1. Clothes
Lets start with the obvious choice. Clothes. This is what most people go to op shops for.  Whether you are in to vintage, quirky, or cheap designer you can usually pick up a bargain at an op shop. Indeed some shops really specilise in this area, even set themselves up like a new retail outlet.

Clothes in op shops also provide an opportunity to upcycle, or seriously alter a piece, or provide great fabric for another project.

2. Picture frames
Op shops are a great place to find cheap picture frames. I have picked up a big pile of beautifully made silk screen frames, timber photo frames and even some antique metal frames. 

These can cut down your costs in framing a piece of art work or work well as a frame for making embroidery.

3. Crockery
Mix and match crockery for a great look at the dining table. Simple white dinner plates really show off a collection of colourful entree plates or bowls. Throw in some quirky salt and pepper shakers and you have a great look.

Alternatively you can break up chipped plates and old saucers to make beautiful mosaics.

4. Furniture
If you are going to make mosaics you will need something to tile onto. Scour local op shops for interesting coffee tables, drinks trays or other small pieces of furniture. A new coat of paint and some beautiful mosaic work will give a boost to the most tired piece of furniture.

5. Doilies, serviettes and tea towels
My favourite! The beautiful handmade doilies I find at op shops get made into new bags for my DarlingBridget label.  Although occasionally I find some that I can't part with and they go into my personal collection.

I collect souvenir tea towels which also get made into gorgeous bags.

6. Buttons
I personally find modern buttons really boring compared to vintage ones. I have a growing collection of vintage buttons that are pretty and colourful. I use these as accents to bags, journal covers and other sewing projects.  Occassionally I even use them as buttons!


7. Fabric and notions
If you are into sewing there are endless treasures in op shops. Sometimes you'll find remnants of brand new fabric. I have a piece of corduroy in brown with yellow flowers: yikes! But often there are beautiful pieces of cotton or other nice fabrics. Then there are the clothes as mentioned above and tablecoths which can be used.

Vintage patterns galore can be found at op shops.  If you want to use them you will need to check that all the pieces are there but otherwise the packets make great art to use in collages.

And then every type of notion from elastic to buckles, hooks and eyes, lace trims and more can be found very cheaply.

8. Books
Some of my favourite craft books have come from op shops. I have some excellent how to sew books, embroidery, gardening and of course my favourite 1977 Australian Women's Weekly biscuit and slice cookbook.

9. Jewellery
All sorts of jewellery can be picked up very cheaply from op shops. I have several 80s plastic bangles that I have bought, just wish I'd kept my own from back then! I have also bought vintage beads, brooches and clip on earrings. These can be worn as is or upcycled into new jewellery pieces or used in various art projects.

10. Over to you
What is your favourite thing to buy at an op shop?

Vintage teatowel finds await their new life as cool bags

 After scouring op shops finally pay dirt a new stash of souvenir tea towels. Washed and ironed they are ready to be made into new bags. One of the things I love about these towels is that they were rarely used so are mostly in pristine condition. As I recall they didn't dry the dishes well!

 They are deliciously kitsch! Check out this koala. Ouch!

 The calendar towels are my favourite and whilst most are vintage these wear their credentials on their sleeve.

 Apparently wattle was in vogue in 1979 along with turquoise and orange, one of my favourite colour combos. Seriously.

 The Aboriginal images are the ultimate kitsch but some are not PC these days. A little piece of our cultural history.

 Placemats - not quite sure how to use these but couldn't resist them.

 More doilies and traycloths. My mum is on the trail and picked up most of these for me.

I find these darling cloths so motivating, can't wait to play with them and make some lovely homespun things from them.

More op shopping fun

We hit the op shops this week. We started with the recycling shop at the Moss Vale tip, my favourite of the op shops. I bought two more little tables to mosaic, a vintage sleeping jacket, doilies. My Mum got magazines and some great clothes.

 
Next we headed off to a couple of Vinnies in Moss Vale and later Bowral. Here we picked up more exciting finds. Mum and I both bought some lovely winter scarves: a  vibrant blue and orange one for me, and a purple, orange and black silk velvet shawl for Mum.


Mum is starting a collection of ginger jars. The larger one appears to be very old.

More embroidered cloths, some buttons and a buckle that intrigued me - is it old or new?

Teatowels.



We stopped for a look around Made by Others in Moss Vale and treated ourselves to a chai and hot chocolate.  This art and design store features lovely bags, jewellery, art and quirky things. Very Frankie.


I love this tray. The wallpaper roses are very retro.

Mum picked up a bright and chirpy table cloth.

We had a great time out. Literally shopped until we dropped. It was such a major shopping spree yet everything came from second hand stores so I don't need to feel guilty. Quite the opposite actually as most of it will be upcycled.  

Early autumn in the Southern Highlands

Its early autumn in the Southern Highlands. Autumn and Spring are by far the best seasons here. I had a day off work today so went for a drive in the country. The roads were quiet so I could stop for photos. I set off from Robertson and drove down country lanes.

Giant tea pots advertise a tea house.

Which way? I chose Bundanoon. Today this cute village was very quiet. In less than a month I'll be back there along with 10 000 or more others for Brigadoon the Highland Gathering.

Benny and Harry outside the Bike Shop Cafe where we had brunch. Life is slow here and the natives are friendly.

Loved the bicycle themed furniture inside.

Bundanoon has a lovely little wool and bric a brac shop. I'd love to know what these green and pink things are for! I was seriously tempted by the blue bakelite canister and the groovy vase but resisted. I just don't know why I didn't get them.

One of the walls sported this fabulous wall paper.

More vintage buttons. I can't resist their shapes and textures. New buttons are so horribly boring. I bought some gems which will turn up in my sewing projects before long.

Bundanoon is a quant picket fence kind of town.

Sculpture on the verandah of the local garden centre.

Memorial to World War One. Most towns around here have a School of Arts but Bundanoon has a different take on it with the Soldiers Memorial Hall. 

Nearby Exeter.

A storybook cottage that needs a thatched roof but they don't exist here.

The first evidence of autumn.