It's Funny How Things Work Out.

I bought this panel of jungle print quilting blocks when Squealy was a newborn and tucked it away carefully into my stash. Well Squealy is now heading for his 4th birthday in October and it's time to make his very own telly quilt for the lounge room.

While looking through my local Op Shop I was lucky enough to find a stack of quilting magazines and I flicked through and found this pattern in Country Favourites by Natalie Bird.

The best bit is it requires 16 blocks to make the square in a square blocks of which there are in the original fabric purchased!

They also need to measure 3 1/2 inches, which they do!!

Doing the happy dance today. So I figure it is just meant to be. I have a really good feeling about this quilt.

Am now off to equilter to see what I can find in tonal prints to match the fabric I already have. I'll also have to come up with a jungle pattern for the applique in the centre.

Op-travaganza #9

Fuzzy: master treasure finder.

We visited Salvo's Fyshwick today as we were out that way and found lots. But we didn't need it, so I left it for someone else. Upstairs is getting to be expensive, unfortunately :-(

In the bargain basement, downstairs though, we were lucky to score the following:

* Harrods Teddy Bear
* Happy Feet Penguin (brand new with tag)
* Cherry blossom Saki cup (which will look beautiful in my kitchen)
* A Tarot deck (the love tarot hahaha)

Total spend: $2... AWESOME!

Fuzzy Wuzzy always seems to find the good stuff finding both toys.

Op-travaganza #8

I visited the new Salvo's store today in Mitchell (just down the road from the old store) on Hoskins Street.

A much nicer store. Pros include:

*Better lighting
*More logical layout
*Bigger space
*Heaps of stock
*Video's, DVD's and CD's are set up really well
*plenty of room to get around with a pram or stroller.







Cons:

*Books have just been shelved where ever. (The best op shop for book by far is the one next door to Rubee's in Belconnen.)
*Trickier to park the car
*furniture is still a cramped space. Couldn't even get in with a small stroller.


I managed to grab this time:

*gorgeous candle $1
*brand new Christmas t-towel $1
*puppy toy .20c
*Tonka truck for Squealy $3
*brand new Bob the Builder set: $1
*Lord of the Rings book $3 (husband Deluxe was impressed!)
* 3 kids books $1

Total spend: $10.20

Salvo's have 3 kids books for $1 at the moment.

Op-travaganza #7

Another successful op shop at Salvo's Belconnen.

Me:

• white leather sandals $3

• Adidas shirt $3

Husband Deluxe:

• T shirt $3

Free: Beatles for Kids CD. Scratch free!

Total spend: $12.

My thoughts on op shopping: wow I can't get over what people throw out. Now I'm a fuss pot when it comes to shoes but I've managed to score another brand new pair of sandals today. The Adidas shirt is also brand new. I am totally stocked. Admittedly there is a lot of crap in there too, I just don't buy it hahaha.

In lots of ways it is enabling me to re stock my wardrobe for a fraction of the cost that I'd pay retail. Obviously good for the environment too. I've taken to decluttering again and have been donating stock as well.

Op shopping makes me happy :-)

Op-travaganza #6

I was lucky to have a spare 1/2 hour today between a course and racing back to work, so decided to use the time wisely and op shop. I could have bought and eaten lunch, or found somewhere selling a Chai (where do you do that at Coolo?)

Instead I popped into the Salvo's and was again chuffed to get some great finds.

• 1 retro print: $4 (Fuzzy loves it!)
• 1 black, gold and red top: $5 (String Bean has a special dress up day next week and this is perfect!
• 1 dressy top for me: $5

Total spend: $14

Op-travaganza #5

Stringy and I had a bag full of stuff to donate to the Salvos, so decided to do a quick op shop this morning.

We were lucky to score today some more housey treasures and a pair of shoes for me.

Salvos Belconnen:
A pair of Novo flats, white, excellent condition: $5



A gorgeous professionally framed black and white print.

Salvos Belconnen: $10

Photo doesn't do this justice. This is a hand embroidered piece, framed shabby chic style.

Vinnies Belconnen: $5

Total spend $20.

Op-travaganza #4

My latest op shopping treasures.

Salvos Fyshwick:

• pink sandals $3
• skirt (which matches perfectly) $7
• hand carved Indian canister $10 (a bit rich for me BUT I have a matching carved box so had to have it).

Op Shop Scullin:

• bowl and matching plate, Mudgee Pottery $1 for both items.

Total spend: $21.

Op-travaganza #3

I literally had a spare 15 minutes before our NAPLAN training this afternoon. Which was held at Daramalan, so the lovely Steph and I decided to hit the Op shop in Dickson. I was lucky again! Cool huh? After a quick, whirlwind whip around the store I scored the following:

A Jaqui E grey skirt with a gorgeous lace and velvet ribbon trim: $2
A pair of Diana Ferrari knee high, high heeled boots, black: $7.50 (these were half price!)
A Tigger and Pooh bear glass for String Bean: .50c

Total spend: $10

The op shopping was way better than the training ;-)

Op-travaganza #2

Lucky finds again at my two favourite op shops.

Flapper wear for the party:
* actual tap shoes: $15
* black fluffy bag: $4

A new black coat, Tightrope: $12

2 videos that the tots love: $2

Regal dress ups, crown and cape: $4. Great for Book Week dress up day.

Total spend $37.

Plus I also have something very, very special on hold. Will be going in tomorrow at 3 to pay for it. Watch this space.

Update: I had found an antique Wagner piano yesterday. Beautifully carved and very special. Unfortunately it hadn't been tuned since 1977 and my friend, Annette, came to check it out for me. When she played it even *I* could hear how very badly out of tune and tinny it sounded. Sob it is so special, but not for us. Would cost upwards of $9000 to repair, as it would need all of its guts replaced. Hopefully someone who is into repairing antique pianos buys it. $350 at Salvos Mitchell.

Op-travaganza

On a whim yesterday I popped into the local Vinnies and boy did we score. Due to recent weight loss I've basically had to replace 90% of my wardrobe, op shopping making it a cheap and fun experience. I do love Op shopping and have been inspired by E over at Consumption Rebellion and her recent blog post to actually share my Op Shopping treasures and finds.

So we were lucky to score:
Photo 1 for Suzy Boo.

• red paisley skirt with black tulle trim (woot!!!) Picture doesn't do it any justice at all.
• 1 pair Novo flats (BRAND NEW!)
• brown embroidered and beaded skirt
• a replacement denim jacket (I donated my old one as it was falling off me).

Photo 2 for Husband Deluxe.

• well worn but lush jeans
• a pair of grey dress pants
• a pair of black pin stripe dress pants
• a vintage copy of Little Women and a copy of Peter Rabbit for the kids.

Total cost: $40 all up! Bargain... I LOVE Op Shopping.