Pippi and her op shop

Cooler Bag for Tupperware lunch boxes

2011-01-13T20:30:00.000-08:00

I must admit, i do like a bit of tupperware. I particularly like these lunch boxes, the ones that have 4 compartments in them so i can pretend that i am organised. I have had these since the kids were very little. One thing i have never had is a small/medium size cooler bag to fit them.
Every one i find is neither long enough, or if it is, it is far too big.

Yesterday, a package arrived in the post of some of that Insulbrite stuff, used to keep stuff hot, or cold, or to use in oven mitts etc... So i grabbed some of the oilcloth that i have, found some binding, and gave it a go.

Was quite happy with the end product, but have decided that it definently needs a zipper, to make the most of the heating/cooling properties of the Insul-brite stuff. Have found one exactly the right length in my mess of a craft box, so it was meant to be. Will do that when the kids go to bed tonight.

It also fits, along with the lunch box, both kids drink bottles in them.

Very happy.... just dont look too close. It has my signature sewing all over it!!!

Ikea, i love you....

2011-01-11T19:46:00.000-08:00

For those that know me, and have been to my house,will know, that i have a lot of "stuff". Most of the "stuff" is not necessary, and just seems to go from one room to the other with no real home. This year i have decided to do something about it.

Yesterday Tom and I went to Ikea,. tom into the ball room, and me armed with my list, a pocketful of cash, and a trolley, and off i went.

I ended up with the Expedit unit below, and bought the extra inserts to make doors and drawers.

I LOVE IT.

I walk into the bedroom and just look at it, then go out again . I truly wish i had taken a before photo. It was appauling.

The only downside is that putting Ikea furniture together, by yourself, is hard work. My hands are really hurting. but its all worth the pain for what i ended up with. Of course now im walking round the house trying to decide where else i can put one of these!!!!.

Hats,... I think i like them.

2010-11-17T20:33:00.000-08:00

Todays hat even has interfacing in it to stiffen it up. Not yet lined,as im still trying to work out what the best way to line a hat is with minimum effort.

The material was from the op shop, $3 for about 3 metres.

I would never buy this for any other reason. Its just not my style. But for a boys hat.. Its cool to the MAX. well so says the 5 year old

Perhaps the next one will be for me?

$47 Dollars. What does that get you at the Op Shop?

2010-11-16T16:30:00.000-08:00

Here we go.

1 pair of leather Mary Jane style shoes.

1 Ben Sherman blue top. (its a size small, but i actually wanted it for the buttons on it. It was 2 dollars.

1 CHarlie Brown black and whitedress.

1 x Red skirt, which i want to use the material to make into a sun hat for me.

Some brown grey black and white cotton material to make some sun hats.

2 x sun hats to use as templates to make into hats (can you tell im on a hat craze)

1 pack of kids coathangers

2 packs of self covering buttons.

3 school shirts

7 pairs of school shorts, (i bought one pair from the school clothing pool and it was $20. These are exactly the same!!!!!

a book with loads of pics of Avoca Beach. Just the thing for the Inlaws coffee table.

Grand Total $47.

The feeling that i get from all that thrifting... Priceless.

Sewing Surge

2010-11-16T01:38:00.001-08:00

Yesterday, when we were leaving Monday Craft, Jo showed me a gorgeous handmade hat that she had bought for her boy. As a lot of handmade things we see, we all thought it was gorgeous, but we all thought, we could probably make that. Most of the time, i dont make them, but today, I thought i would give it a crack.

The material, was a set of curtains, from the op shop, $6. Love the material. Every time i see curtains in an op shop that i love, on further investigation it will be by "Austfield". I have accumulated loads of Austfield material, just waiting for the right project.

my very unwilling model.

My sewing machine is in a bad way at the moment. The pedal is broken, so you have to turn the machine on and off to sew. Tricky,.. also the bit that holds the cotton on, has broken off, so im using an allen key, sticky taped to the back of the machine. Its one of the reasons i havnt sewn much.

I didnt use a pattern, just winged it. Think it worked pretty well. Next time i might even put lining in it.

Monday Craft

2010-11-14T21:54:00.000-08:00

YAY, monday craft has re-started.

Today, there was not a huge amount of crafting going on. Three of us, plus 5 boys, 5 and under. It was fun.

Jo made some bean bags for her boy to play with. Here my boy is giving them a good workout, and contrary to how this photo looks, it didnt hit him in the head.

Of course, Monday craft would not be complete with some 100% healthy and nutritiously sound food. mmmmm

MMM,.. well, i had to include this one.. Here's me out in the rain, testing out the new wrap skirt, that started its life as a vintage tablecloth..a huge tablecloth, its oh so comfy and just the thing for doing a rain dance.

I might be overweight, but look at those leg muscles!!!!

and here is the end product. An extremely comfy wrap skirt. Thanks Cathy for the tip on how to tie it. Button hole and ribbon working a treat.

How difficult is it to take a photo of yourself wearing a skirt. I tried a zillion times.

Op Shop Safari!

2010-11-09T18:21:00.000-08:00

What a day we had.
It was great fun.
Here are a few pics of the day, and no i didnt buy that bowling ball, but it was a bargain at $3, thats if you need one.

Photos are not in order, sorry,.. This one, with me and the bowling ball is Berowra Lions

A pair of shoes at Lifeline

Love this. Its a curtain, but i have great plans for it.

Jo, Ben and Mr horsey, who came home with us! at Salvos Hornsby

and best of all Salvos was half price of everthing, all day.

We plan to hit the Blacktown op shops next month. all welcome.! details to follow.

Preparing for Op Shopping en masse.

2010-11-08T21:04:00.000-08:00

Before i start blabbling on, i just had to share this find. It was $1.50. I had no idea what is was, or where it was from, but it does have the name Vera, with a little lady bug in the corner. Actually, i didnt know it said Vera till i was checking out blogs and came across this blog . I felt a bit dizzy, actually finding out about something that i bought from an op shop, so easily, and i wasnt even looking.. Anyway, i love it. Thinking it might make its way onto a bag perhaps?? or a skirt???

Tomorrow, Cathy,Jo, and myself are going on our own Op Shop Tour. First stop Hornsby Salvos. Good op shopping, crap parking.

I was there last week and the shop was not yet opened because someone had emptied the contents of their garage at their front door. The whole lot went in their skip bins. When one young guy asked, if rather than them throwing away two snowboards, could he have them, and was willing to pay for them. Nope.

I was a bit shocked. Surely, rather than throw something away, which they have to pay for to be taken away, they would rather it be sold?????

Anyhow, next stop will be Asquith and two of the three oppies there, stop for a reviving cup of tea at the very child friendly cafe there, then finishing off with Berowra Lions Club. Will be a lovely day of chatting, shopping, and more shopping.

Had to put this pic in. No child dared sit in the pram. Too much op shopping action going on here to actually put a child in the pram.~

On the way back from Salvos, last week, we stopped at Donut King. Both boys watched the doughnut machine for 42 mins. 42 mins!!!! it made for a lovely little break for me.

Oh, and here is a lovely leather shoe i bought for the older boy. Contrary to how they look, they are unworn, and leather... love em. oh and they were $3! Love em even more.

Thursday at the Op Shop.

2010-11-03T17:37:00.000-07:00

This always happens. I get all enthusastic about this blog and go a bit cray for a bit, then don't post for ages...

anyway today, the boys wanted to buy these frogs.. 6 of them. They are actually mens braces clips. Who would want braces with frogs on them??? i have no idea, but we are going to use them to put on the boys bags so they can attach their hats to them when they are not using them. They like the way the googly eyes google about. They are made of metal too. bargain at $1

THis music below is actually material. Cotton material. 10 freakn metres of the stuff. That is a lot of material. Anyone out there need to make music bags or some music folders?? you are more than welcome to some.

Knex. The boys found this one on the shelf. They love it at Kindy. I love it at $3. Its the second lot of Knex ive found from there. Its going in the cuboard for christmas. THis one is actually two sets put together, as i went through the pieces, and there are twice as many as there should be. Oooh,happy days.

Silver Birkenstocks.. size 32. These are in excellent condition, and are destined to go to a girlfriend with a girl. If not, they are going on Ebay, unless someone else wants them?? they were $3.

and to top it all off, the bag that i got my goodies in was a shopping bag, that someone had sewn a tie on the front to cover the logo.

Ithink its quite nifty. Might have to steal that idea.

Melbourne Madness

2010-11-03T12:54:00.000-07:00

Last weekend i went op shopping. Nothing unusual about that except that i went op shopping in Melbourne ... for one day...

Yes peoples, i drove to the airport at an ungodly hour, caught a plane, bus, train to meet up with 9 or so like minded people (well not like minded enough to fly from sydney!) to do a bit of op shop touring.

Beks won a ticket in an op shop tour and being unable to get there herself, and knowing what an op shopping addict i was, asked if i wanted the ticket. Of course i do. Doesnt matter that flying to melbourne totally wipes out any potential savings you make in an op shop..but thats not the point.

Any way i had a FANTASTIC day (exhausting yes, but great).

Our intrepid tour leader erica was wonderful. The op shops were wonderful, and no i didnt come back laden down with bags and bags,.. what i did get, amongst other things was these shoes. I LOVE THEM. Must remember to take my camera next time. took this when i got back.

Also Jo and Cathy, i did a reccie of the Op shops round my way, and although benny and i did them by public transport, which of course he thought was wonderful, we wont be doing it like that. Ill send you an email to let you know where we are going.

any one else. Wednesday starting at Hornsby we are going Op Shop Touring. I have warned my op shop that we are coming.!!!!

I heart this ring...

2010-11-01T18:03:00.000-07:00

Once again, its been AGES since i posted. Lots has happened in meantime as does with life.

I was at the local op shop, and saw this ring in the window. It was $5 which is an indication that its not a cheaply made ring. I loved it at first sight, but loved it even more when i saw the inscription inside saying. Made in Norway, sterling silver. I love love love it and keep looking down at my hand.

After a very successful time in Melbourne doing at Op Shop tour, ive decided that im going to do my own, with some friends. Let me know if you want to come along.

Bedspread to Backpack

2010-09-08T01:48:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine is taking her two small kids to Germany, and wanted to know if i could make some little backpack for their crafty bits and bobs for the plane.

A trip to the Op Shop resulted in a nice doona cover for $3. Then a morning spent at a girlfriends place doing a bit of sewing, a bit of chatting, even a glass of bubbles, resulted in this.. I was quite happy. Hope she is too.

Hello... anyone still remember me?

2010-07-12T19:11:00.000-07:00

Ive been so slack! Life just seems to rumble on at such a pace/. Op shopping continues. I did go through a bit of a "i must be more frugal " but how can you be at an op shop? anyway, here are some things i have bought recently.

Isnt this the best material. about 3 metres for a whopping $2

i love this material... $1.50

and this $1.50

also got some black boots ., lovely leather ones, that i think i will give to someone who is lovely to me!

I have been really inspired lately by a blog, http://newdressaday.wordpress.com/ sorry, dont know how to make it look nice... but anyway, its excellent. She buys an outfit for $1 and rejigs it for her. and is d0ing this every day for a year... oh, would love to do this if i was her size, and had her ability!

A long time coming.

2010-03-17T17:13:00.000-07:00

My goodness its been a long time between posts. Not that that is any indication of how often i go to the op shop. More probably because my husband was in china for 9 weeks, so to say that it was busy here, would have been an understatement.

Lots has been going on. Lots of buying has been going on.

First up, i needed some new jeans as, thank goodness, i have lost some weight, so off i go to the op shop, hoping they have some in my size, and would you know it, i had 4 to choose from. They are target brand but nearly brand new. v.v. happy

I bought this Perri Cutten winter jacket 100% wool jacket for $5. I know what is not a good colour for me, but what the heck, at that price i can look stylish for at least one day.

This material. There is about 3 metres or so, its very light weight, great for a beach coverup, for next summer $4

These snowboard boots, perfect for the man aboutthe house $5

and here are my boys, very patiently waiting for their biscuits to cool. T is helping them along there, B just looks over it all!

A new year,..

2010-02-02T16:22:00.001-08:00

2010, a new year.

I have been very slack posting this year. It has been very busy and only 0ne month has passed. So much has happened. Our beautiful dog Reg, had to be put down on New Years Day. It was quite traumatic. He was 14, nearly 15. He was around long before the kids. He put up with the kids, he loved us all unconditionally. I miss that dog.

Andrew is away in China at the moment, and has now been for 5 weeks. Its been fairly full on with the two kidsand looking after the house. Things like trying to get the lawnmower going, which andrew woudl fix in 2 seconds, becomes a drama....

anyway its now february, and this is what ive bought today.

Benny checking out the tub of Mobilo, $2. quite a few of the connector pieces have been chewed, but most are fine, and ben is enjoying himself there.

a wooden marble run game, which i know is an Aldi brand... but it was still in the original plastic bag inside $2

pack of nappies... yes i know they are girl nappies, but for day time, who cares particularly when they are $5

a tablecloth in this funky print with dresses and tops all over it . have visions of turning iit into a skirt or a tunic.

and this little shoulder bag which i made at craft morning at Jo's

Trying not to buy? who am i kidding?

2009-12-03T19:04:00.000-08:00

I have been trying to only buy things that i need, rather than things that i want... but i failed. I found this glass bowl, $4 and of course had to have it... will work out later where i will put it. It just makes me happy

then, i found this cot sheet, and turned it into this,

from this pattern.

its one of those cross over dresses, super easy to make, but very difficult to take a decent picture lying flat.

and here are my boys with my gingerbread house... not sure how long it will last in this house.

material madness

2009-12-02T13:07:00.000-08:00

Onceagain, things have been quiet here. Ive been house sitting for the last week or so, so quiet on the op shopping front.

For christmas this year, i have been attempting to make things for people for christmas.
Here is benny holding mums beach/pool bag. Made from oilcloth, and lined with red linen serviettes, from Lions club oppy, i think it looks cool. So cool, that im def going to make one for myself, as i have been using this one non stop to cart all the kids stuff about.

On Tuesday i stopped at Hornsby Salvation Army Oppy and came back with this lot of material. all the small pieces were 50c, and the big piece, which is a curtain was $3.

as you can see i whipped up a pair of shorts for benny. Its lovely and thick cotton material, and i think they are pretty good looking shorts. The sort that i would buy if i saw in a shop. Unfortunately i didnt have any elastic, so they are draw string, or should i say draw shoe lace! at the moment.

My gorgeous model.

and here is another little bag i zipped up with the oil skin, with lining made out of a $2 tablecloth from Berowra.

Today is thursday, today is one of the good days (although every day is a good day) to go to the op shop as the ladies churn out a lot of new stuff into the shop...

Some Hippo Loving

2009-11-08T20:31:00.000-08:00

I certainly go in fits and starts on here dont i. I must admit i have not been to the op shop quite as much as i usually do. Life has been extrodinarily busy lately, and i even went for nearly two weeks without going to an op shop! thats amazing really.

Today at Jo's craft morning, i made these shorts for my boys. They are made out of a curtain that she bought from Hornsby Salvation army and she very kindly gave me half. After she had given me half, i found this fabric on ebay for sale for $45 a metre!!!!! eee gads. I cut very carefully after knowing that fact. I think jo paid about 2 dollars for 6 metres or so! I think my boys look gorgeous.

Hope thats a better pic Rhonda!

Really! would have thunk it?

2009-10-10T14:24:00.000-07:00

Night Nappies? you wouldnt think that they were that hard to buy would you? Both coles and IGA had sold out, and i was not going to buy a whole pack of large nappies, which tom hates wearing, just so i could put a night nappy on him for one night. Can you believe that i got 3/4 pack of night nappies fromthe op shop???? i nearlyfell over when i saw them there.

I made this very cute kids size messenger bag last night. Ben refuses to wear it, but tom does to put his trains in. Very funny sight. What was even better was that i attached the strap using my press machine... aaah i love that thing

some more material

can see a boy bag being made out of this

a pair of lonsdale boys sneakers for $2

and two single racing car sheets.... bliss

Doona cover to tote bag and a little bit dipsy

2009-10-08T13:25:00.001-07:00

Benny loves the Teletubbies,.. I found this Dipsy at the op shop for $3 and he has not let go of it since i gave it to him. You think he likes it?

My friend Kath gave me a pattern for a picnic tote bag. I have started it using an old doona cover, and the pink material is an old sheet. Unfortunately the sheet has a bit too much polyester in it so it makes it "walk" when you sew it, so i will

have to re do the straps before i line it. Ilike it though

More material from the Oppy

2009-10-05T18:05:00.000-07:00

Interesting way to put my pictures... how did i do that?

No matter... Today i got from the Op Shop a Pippi Longstocking video . How could i not??

This lovely blue fabric which will be excellent to use as a lining for one of my bags.
Jo, this picture is particularly for you. My material was SO out of control, shoved here there and everywhere, that i decided to use a picnic basket that tom bought at the op shop once. It now houses some of the material, with the rest organised (for now,) in a plastic container.

And last pic is of my new messenger bag in progress... what do you think?

My first messenger bag sewing adventure

2009-10-03T03:43:00.001-07:00

Here is my first attempt as sewing a messenger style bag.

I made up the pattern by looking at a bag that i already had, then used some ikea kids paper, to cut out a pattern. I have lined it with a co ordinating fabric and put a pocket for pens, a phone, and keys. I am so so so happy with it. I can see a few more being made for christmas presents.

The only thing is that i didnt put wadding or interface in this one, as i just wanted to make it to see how it turned out, and i didnt have any, but i know the Op Shop has a big wadge of fleece wadding which i will buy on tuesday when it opens... oooh i cant wait.

Star Gazing

2009-10-01T20:33:00.000-07:00

Today was a great day at the op shop.
Got this ENORMOUS telescope. $6 ... can you believe it. it is missing the eye piece, but we have a spare one from another smaller telescope that we have, plus it needs a few screws put in the legs to keep them up....

This gorgeous purse, which was 50c and when i opened it, it is a Marimekko original coin purse....

and then this Diana Ferrari dress, which if was my size i would be keeping, but decided that it couldnt stay in the shop... i found a friend who is a size 10 and who loves op shop stuff!!!!

A bit of Ikea loving

2009-09-30T20:50:00.000-07:00

today, my monday craft girls and myself ventured out to Ikea to buy some material. As you know i have an issue with buying material from the regular material shops, as any material that i like usually costs close to $30 a metre. Ikea, between $5 -$10 metre, and its super wide.

It was good fun, and the boys had a great time, andwere very well behaved, well as well behaved as two small kids can be in Ikea.

Shhhhhh

2009-09-28T17:23:00.000-07:00

My mega press setter... any one needs some press studs put in?

My Peter AlexanderSheet

My cot sheet i bought today which i am going to make into another top soaking, of course i didnt think to take a picture till it was already in the nappysan....

Things have been quiet on the Op Shop side of things. Not because there hasnt been things to buy, but more because i have been busy. Busy doing what im not sure, just busy being me. To think of all the bargains that i have missed!

Anyhow,yesterday i went to craft day, and finished my top that i had been making and wore it yesterday. I want to wear it today but its too cold, but was very happy to hear that tomorrow is going to be hot, so it will get another outing.

Today at the op shop i bought, what i thought was a doona cover, but its a queen sheet, but it turns out to be a Peter Alexander sheet, so am going to buy some white, or dark blue sheeting material and turn it into a doona cover.

Did i mention that i bought myself a press setter. It was cheap, and silly me was checking the letterbox each day for it. I laughed when it arrived... It weighs more than 15kgs, and is very large, but boy does it put in press studs super fast. Now to think of all those things that i can make that have presses on them... oh the possibilities.... i also bought some bamboo material and some PUL and have made tom a night nappy as he wants one that can be put in the wash and used again. Who am i to argue

Boxy Bags

2009-09-24T13:52:00.001-07:00

The house was tidy!!! the kids were asleep, and the husband was out. The TV was off, there was a free dining room table, and the sewing machine was easy to get to. It was meant to be.

I found a tutorial here for these cute and very very ver fast to make bags. They are not lined, and take about 10 mins to make. In the tutorial they pfaff about with sewing the corners, but as you will know thats not me, so i just did it without anyof that and they came out fine. I think next time i will put a lining in them,but they are oh so cute, and it means that i could buy some nice material and get heaps of them out of 1/2 metre.

This blog has been on a bit of a sewing/crafting bend of late. Well, the material still is all from the Op shop,.. and so are the zippers actually, so i think working it out, these bags cost about 50c each to make.! I love it.

The Fast and the Furious, handbag style

2009-09-22T20:51:00.000-07:00

What do you do when you have two super active boys, and the crafting bug strikes... Get them to make capes for their dog, and give me 15 mins to make a handbag. Yep, 15 mins from start to finish.
Its super dodgy, i used upholstery fabric, 20cents worth, the lining cost 15cents, but its definently a bag that i will make again, with different fabric, and take a tad more time.
Ben kept running away with it, so i guess its his ...

what a morning!

2009-09-22T14:18:00.000-07:00

This morning i awoke thinking that the world was coming to an end. The sky at 5.50am was red... I mean red. I have never seen anything like it. I turn onthe TV to see that its a duststorm, the likes of which Sydney have never seen.

This is a picture taken at about 7am out my front window. Its amazing really, apart from the fact that breathing is a bit of an issue!

Op shop loving this week i picked up these Dr Seuss books, all practically brand new, for $1 each. Tom thinks Wacky Wednesday in particular is the most hilarous book he has ever seen. I really enjoy reading that one to him. Also "Put me in the Zoo " was a book i remember reading when i was younger, and he thinks that ones pretty good too..

And lastly, here are some of my choc bikkies that tom cooked for us. He wanted the strawberries because they looked nice, not because he likes them..

Had to include this photo as well. Tom doing some reading. He tells me he's going to be an electrician when he grows up. Wonder why?

Pillowcase style top,

2009-09-20T22:13:00.000-07:00

This is what i made today at Jo's house... Sorry the pics very small, but i cut it from somewhere else. I bought this material from the op shop, its about 8 metres worth, in a bundle of material for $5. i need to tighten the elastic a bit, but it came up surprisingly well. I surprised myself. Jo and i are very much no rules sewers,... i dont like patterns, they take up too much time,. dont like measuring once again takes too much time, so i made this up, and im sure it will be ok!

2009-09-19T15:10:00.001-07:00

head over to http://retromummy.blogspot.com/2009/09/its-another-giveaway.html blog for a chance to win... she does have lovely stuff.

$5

2009-09-17T14:18:00.001-07:00

mmm. i didnt choose for the photos to be centered.. oh well. Here is my benny on the purchase of the year. $5 from the oppy for this climbing frame, with slippery dip, and the two cross pieces, you can attach a hose to and have a bit of sprinkler fun. both kids love it, and its a big hit when friends come over. they attach another slippery dip to it and have races....

Couldnt help but add this one in. Tom in a crocodile suit, which he insisted on wearing on that stinking hot sunday that we just had. Loves it

and one more of my $5 loving...... and benny poking out the top, testing it out.

Op Shop Fun

2009-09-02T18:39:00.000-07:00

All this week there hasnt been much at the Oppy to buy, which i suppose is a good thing, seeing as we have too much stuff, but still i go every day.

First of all here is a pic of my benny on one of the few things i actually bought new, for his birthday,.. He loves it

Here it Tom with a Maisy tea set, which both of them love, and we have already had numerous tea parties.

Here they are washing them clean.

And i also got a wooden farm set, which is a huge hit if you gauge it by the number of fights it has caused over who is going to use the winch next to haul up the hay bales. photo of that to follow.

Pasta Machine

2009-08-27T15:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday i bought a pasta machine from the Op Shop. It was not cheap going on op shop prices, but thats because it was brand new in the box. $10 is cheap for the entertainment it provided for the kids.

I did um and aaah over it a bit because it is one of those things that can sit in the kitchen and take up space,.. but i decided to give it a go, as i have always wanted to try making pasta.

Here is benny in his PJ's with his apron on with the Pasta machine.

and heres tom looking very proud of himself drying his pasta on the coffee machine!.

August 2009

2009-08-20T17:53:00.000-07:00

So much has been happening this month. We have been to the snow and had a great time. THe majority of our ski gear came from the op shop, along with fitting out the other two families that came along with us.

Tom and ben have been very busy making their own cardboard kitchen outside with utencils from the Op Shop... they love their kitchen.

Tom cooking

Tom in his op shop gear ready to head out for the afternoon with his dad

Me and Benny enjoying a very snowy day. Tom took this photos with his $5 camera from the Oppy.

So many more bargains have been got from the op shop, obviously im a bit behind to write every one. But yesterday we got a telescope, which the boys both love, and they use it in conjuntion with a globe of the world which was $1.50 and they look through the telecope and then find on the globe where they are looking.... Lovely to watch.

Putting it out there!

2009-07-13T18:14:00.000-07:00

Yesterday i was at the op shop and i asked the girls there if there were any suitcases. I need one to take to the snow with our ski gear in it. I wasnt concerned with the condition as they are to go in the back of the ute, and will get thrown about a bit.

Today i go to the op shop, and what do you know, not one, but two suitcases, so perfect for what i needed. $3 each.

also while i was there, i got a teletubbies and a Kipper video, benny being really into teletubbies, and tom liking Kipper,.. 50c each. A bath mat, $2 perhaps from memory, and a long sleeved collared shirt for $2.

also with the material that i bought from the Salvos a few weeks ago, so far i have lined a bag with it, made a skirt, and then this headband, which is permanently on my head at the moment. obviously my hair needs a trim if its annoying me. I just love these colours.

what ive been up to

2009-07-07T15:06:00.000-07:00

Its been nearly a month since ive updated my blog.

I have been a bit sidetracked with crafting lately, particularly with Jo starting up Monday Craft again. My rules for crafting are though that i cant buy any material new, not that i could afford it anyway, but all material has to come from either the op shop or from existing material that i have.

Tom is desperate for a camera, so he decided to make one! It even has a slot for a memory card

I wish i had taken a picture of the shirt before i chopped it up, but here are the pants that i am making. The material flower things were on the front of the shirt, and i just cut them off, and re=sewed them on.

Cute eh

and here is tom with his Blues Clues apron he was deseperate to make, and the baking that followed.

Bring on winter please

2009-06-03T20:51:00.000-07:00

Im giddy with excitement of this buy.

Its brand new with the tags on it. My size, and oh so so soft. Its a target brand jacket,, but boy its BEAUTIFUL. a steal at $10. Bring on the freezing weather please.

What we have been up to.

2009-05-28T20:39:00.000-07:00

Our mothers group has organised to take our families to the snow this year, to get our kids out on the slopes to learn to ski. My job has been to buy kids ski gear. I have been doing this probably for about 5 months or so, and so when K asked if i had much kids ski gear, i really didnt know. After having a look, we were both laughing as I had bought 8 kids outfits.!! i know its great that the kids have at least 2outfits, but 8 is a bit of overkill! Oh well, better to have too many.

Here is a pair of ski pants i picked up from Epping Vinnies for $5. very happy with that one.
My next mission is to get gloves and hats, as many pairs of gloves as possible, as there is nothing worse than an unhappy child who has wet and very cold hands.

After being at Jo's Tom and i did a bit of craft. Pencil holders, outof old cans, and wrapped in material fromthe op shop. The dark blue spot one is an old dress fromthe op shop that i bought because i loved the material.

Here is a COlombia mens rain Jacket, for andrew $6. Very happy with this one.

and lastly, my benny in a pair of leggings which mum is making for him, with wool bought from the Oppy Shoppy. Cute eh.

The Jo Effect

2009-05-18T18:09:00.000-07:00

After spending a very lovely morning with my friend Jo, and talking about craft, thrifting, the usual, and about how everyone else seems to find the time, so why cant i? I have decided to take action.

I have put both the boys in the one room, which is working really well, which means that we have the study back, but more to the point, it means that i can have my sewing machine up on the table and permanently out..... of course i need to clean the room out and that will take a long time, but for me there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

bearing this all in mind, seeing as i didnt get a mothers day present, i took it upon myself to order some books from the book depository, in england. better and cheaper than amazon, and have ordered two books. One that Jo has called "bend the rules" and the other one called "Zakku" or something like that,whihc i had read about in another magazine. Cant wait for them to arrive, so at least i can read about doing something crafty. One step at a time.

Anyway at the op shop today i got two patterns... both for girls, but i have lots of girlfriends with baby girls, so it gives me an opportunity to fulfil my girly crafty ideas.

and then this wonderful single sheet, which i intend to make some jammie pants for both the boys... so soft but i really like the pattern.

Yeeeeee haaaar

2009-05-14T22:37:00.001-07:00

This is todays buy from the Oppy. a pair of Nine west cowboy boots... $3. Now wheres my trusty steed....

Its been a while...

2009-05-10T17:04:00.000-07:00

I know i know,,... its been ages since i have posted, which is in no way any indication of me going less to the op shop. its just a time thing. How do people find the time. I dont find time do to anything but try to keep the house running, oh and of course going out for coffee with my girlfriends!!! anyway, here are a few things ive found recently.

Elmo.... both the boys love this one... He was 5 or even $8... more than my usual budget, but how can you say no to elmo. he dances and laughes... makes us all laugh. thats priceless.

I bought yesterday a Tupperware alfresco jug $2.00and a pair of Micam shoes... possibly for my friend Katie, but she can be very difficult to buy for... if not, anyone else out there want a lovely pair of pale pink low heels.. if they were my size i would be keeping them for sure... They were $2.00 as well

and just because i couldnt help it. My dining room table... Trust me, its in there. Why is it in photos mess looks better than it actually is?

2009-04-14T18:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday i got an email from a friends daughter asking me to see if i could find a boy barbie at the op shop.

Today when i was there, although he not quite Ken, he is a my scene doll, which is the same company as barbie, and there he was with two girlfriends, so of course i had to buy them all.

Got the lot for $9

Are they ok S?

Todays Haul

2009-04-06T19:54:00.001-07:00

Last week Jo came up to the Op Shop, and we had a lovely time,.. a bit frantic as it seems everyone decided to go to the shop at the same time, and there were definently more kids than adults. Nevertheless, Jo got some wonderful bargains. I did too, but i truly cannot remember what they were ! thats what happens when you get bargains everyday.

Today i bought three things. This wonderful pink jacket, $5 which looks really good on, if i say so myself. A pair of shorts for training in and then...

I bought this quilt. I saw it outside the op shop yesterday, where someone had donated it, and thought at the time what a lovely hand made quilt but decided that i didnt need it, which i dont.

All yesterday i couldnt stop thinking about this quilt and how someones nanna had made it and all the love that had gone into it. It is worn, and has been washed many times, but i think its lovely. Jo i bought it with you in mind, so if you would like it, its yours. If you dont, do not worry, i have a few friends who saw me buying it at the op shop, and are very keen to have it themselves.

im back for good now!

2009-03-25T19:02:00.000-07:00

YAY i have my computer back... It was quite dire for a while there. no computer, and apparently it was in a very bad way, but they revived it, ... just as well really, because like a lot of people, ive been a bit slack with the backing up. not any more i say.

Today at the op shop, it was a GOLD day.

1 sportscraft, brand new with tags on it, linen mens shirt, for my brother
1 table eight hot fushia coloured linen shirt for my mother.
1 pair of bike style exercise pants for myself. very timely seeing as i have the personal trainer today.
1 tickle me elmo doll. which both the boys love. This toy was $8 which is a bit above my budget, but i used my winnings frommy stratchie i got for my birthday. AND
the best black had, the sort you wear to the races, but i wore to the supermarket instead, which you do. Lots of looks at that one!!

Now im back into the swing, i will take some pics to add on here too. YAY. im so happy ive got my computer back.

im still here

2009-03-13T18:17:00.000-07:00

just to let you know that i havent fallen off the face of the earth. ive been without a computer for more than a month, and i should get it back tomorrow.

so many wonderful things that i have got fromthe op shop lately, which i will fill you all in when im back on line.

see you soon

More things

2009-01-19T15:49:00.000-08:00

Today i had a lovely day at the Op shop. Only had one child with me which makes things slightly easier to actually have a good look about. For a grand total of $10, i got.

1 rashie/swim vest for me
1 book for tom which has stencils in it of trucks and diggers, something he is right into at the moment.
a set of summer pajamas for tom
a set of overalls for benny. am so into overalls a the moment.
Mouse trap game
a barrel of monkeys
a hi five dvd
a brown jacket for myself (sort of brown denim) a cooler weather jacket, but lovely.
ummmm oh, and a book for myself.

Yesterday, i also took a huge bag of toys back to the op shop, although i had to tell tom that they were clothes, as he is very possesive of his toys, but will not notice when they are gone. am trying to cut down on the amount of plastic toys the boys have. The difficult thing now is that they are going to see their toys at the op shop and will want to buy them again!

Couldnt decide.

2009-01-05T16:40:00.000-08:00

Today i found two excellent zip up hooded jumpers. Just the thing to look for on a 30 degree day. They are size 4 and 5 and i couldnt decide between the red one or the black one, so thought for $2.50 i would buy them both.

Yesterday..

2009-01-04T13:04:00.000-08:00

Shoe laces taken out courtesy of Tom, of course

Yesterday we decided to spend the day up at avoca. It was LOVELY. the boys really like going there, and, along with their mother, certainly have a love of water. I think the boys love it a bit too much.

Before we went i had a quick peek into the op shop, and found a long, light blue, sportscraft skirt, with a small ruffle at the bottom. So perfect for sipping my latte at the beach... well more likely running after kids on the beach, but whatever, it was perfect, and it was $3. Oh also i found a pair of brand new, bright red and grey sneakers, which i have on my feet right now. excellent buy at $3. will post a pic later today when i get a chance.

Off for a walk today to see the gals up there and see what i can find. Should i wear my doona pants???

Doona cover to pajama pants

2008-12-31T18:51:00.000-08:00

A week or so ago i bought from the op shop a double doona cover, for the material. I had no idea what i was going to make from it, until last night a girlfriend said that perhaps a pair of pajama pants would be a good thing... so thats what i did this morning. Talk about super comfy. Found a pattern on the internet and took me about 20 mins. Havent pressed the seams yet, too difficult to get the iron out!

Went to the op shop yesterday and got a lovely new shirt and tom got himself a new bob the builder swimsuit.

Look what i made - booties!

2008-12-25T18:07:00.000-08:00

Ok, so its boxing day and the op shop is shut. what is a girl to do? Get the sewing machine out whilst i have a very rare chance to and make something with the material that i have been getting from there.

I am very excited. I like to sew, but i like instant gratification, and i dont like stuffing around. Here is what i have made this morning, and since the picture i have made the matching pair. I dont have elastic to put in them at the moment, and i couldnt be stuffed getting the iron out to iron the creases, but you get the idea. I am so pleased with the result. What do you think?

Merry Christmas Everyone

2008-12-24T13:47:00.000-08:00

Hope you all have a lovely Christmas, and not eat too much, but have a wonderful, safe, happy time

Christmas Eve

2008-12-23T16:21:00.001-08:00

Today we went for a walk up to the shops via the op shop , of course. We were a bit early so ben and tom entertained themselves by making a train out of the boxes that were outside the shop. Tom even thought that the huntsman spider that was in the box was pretty cool as that was his pet going for a ride.

Only a quick look today, as we had old man reg, who by this stage had had enough of waiting, and was barking a bit, so we got a great big container of marbles, which incidentally are all over toms floor. mmm that might be a bit of a hazard in there. Not game to have a look. We also got a Dr Seuss book and a swimming bubble for benny, still in its wrapper.
total today $3.25!

Should mention that today i am wearing my black shirt, denim pedal pusher jeans, black slide sandles, a christmas brooch. $8.50 outfit.

OK so i went to the op shop twice!.. had to pop back up the street to get some fruit, and seeing as i didnt have the kids, thought i would have another look. Found this wonderful double doona cover, in this fantastic print which i will use to make something with. not sure what but i think its wonderfully groovy. There are the marbles, and just had to post the bag, while not an op shop purchse, i love so much its worthy of a picture in here.

Another day, another bargain.

2008-12-22T14:23:00.000-08:00

Yesterday i went to the op shop without the kids, and had a wonderful hour in the storeroom of the shop rummaging through three huge containers of material, as i was intending to go to a girlfriends house to do some sewing. THe sewing never happened but i did get the most wonderful bit of material, and just the whole having an hour to myself to look was great. It really is the thrill of the hunt isnt it.

I also scored a great pair of shoes. They are old people shoes, homey peds, but the thing with homey peds is i think they can be pretty groovy. Quite a few times when ive been out i have seen some ladies in their 80s wearing shoes that i would wear. These ones are navy blue , never worn with the price of 89.95 still on them.. got the material and the shoes for $6 all up. Now thats a bargain.

10.30 am - 23 December

Just back from the best op shop in Berowra and here is todays bounty.

1 black sussan top.

1 purple sussan top

1 fushia sleevless polo shirt

1 pair of aqua long shorts

1 pink skirt

1 ralph lauren babies body suit

1 gold pair of shoes.

total $17 dollars. Admittedly the pants are a bit small, but i have a long term plan for that. I will post a pic but it very difficult to do the lot justice.

The Op Shop and I

2008-12-19T17:15:00.000-08:00

Ive started this blog mainly because a friend of mine suggested that I do. I am very much into buying most of my clothes, and the family clothes from the Op Shop. I LOVE it. Financially its a really good thing to do, but also i love getting a bargain, and what better way to fulfil your shopping needs, get that wonderful shopping feeling you get when you buy something, but also can do it without spending a fortune.

The Op shop i go to, every day just about on our daily walks, is fantastic. It is only tiny, but it only has really good quality stuff, all washed before they put it out.

This week alone i have managed to buy 7 pairs of shoes, summer sandles/slides for a total of $22. I also buy all the kids clothes from there, plus if i see things that i like in girls clothes, i always buy them, and then give them to my girlfriends who have girls. How could you not when most kids clothes cost $1.50.

Today i am wearing a black button up shirt, a pair of capri style jeans and a pair of blue and white thongs, all from the op shop, all for a total of $7!

This week also i managed to buy for andrew,for $3. a ben sherman shirt, brand new with the tags still on it. Now that was a good buy. It does help that i am there every day doesnt it.

Also i mentioned to them that i wouldnt mind some doilies, mainly with a friend of mine who is very crafty and she can use them for crafting, and the next day they had 40 or so of the things there for me. I also got four bags of tapestry threads , each with about 10 different colours in each bag, so about 40 different colours, for $6 .

Some of my friends get a bit sick of me going on and on and on about my bargains, but truly, its a part of my life now, a part that i really like, and am not going to give it up ..... not while theres still space under this roof . Good thing that we are getting an extensions..