Flea Market Finds

I saw a beautiful dress a few weeks back and had visions of emulating it for myself. But, I lacked a pattern. Maybe it is just me, but I find it really hard to find sewing patterns for myself. There are tons of cool ones for kids, but for adults... not so much.  After doing a google image search, I happened upon this vintage butternick pattern on etsy, and so, with the click of a button, it was mine.  

I have already made one dress from this pattern, and have plans for a second. I will show you the first dress soon I promise, I just need to find someone to take a photo of me in it. I would ask my husband but he is the worst photographer ever. So it may take me a few days to suss something out.

Flea Market Finds

This is a slow work in progress, it is my crockery shelf. I have been collecting one piece at a time whenever I spot one in an op shop. I have plates, side plates and bowls from Crown Lynn in this beautiful duck egg blue/green colour. I picked up several more pieces in the last few weeks so my collection is finally big enough that I have been able to dispose of my boring white plates! I think that is the cool thing about thrifting for a collection, it takes a long time to get there but it is so much fun hunting them out! 

Flea Market Finds

I always wonder when I find items in op shops that are obviously vintage, yet in near perfect condition. I wonder why didn't the previous owner use them? Where they a wedding gift that was not to their taste? Did they have so many that they just didn't use them that often? Or did they simply get forgotten, left in the back of a hallway cupboard? 

Twice in recent weeks I have found 2 sets of sheets, both in tip top condition, in 2 different op shops. Which I find baffling myself. But, none the less, I am happy. Someone else's lack of interest in these items has been my gain. 

These 2 sets are destined to be sewn together to make duvet covers for my girls beds. 

Flea Market Finds

6 blue mugs. 

Funny story behind these mugs. I spied them in a charity shop in a town about half an hour away from here. Only when I spotted them, it was a Sunday and the shop was closed. I went home and thought about those mugs all night. The next morning I got up and drove back to the charity shop- an hours return trip. But, I did come back the proud owner of 6 lovely blue mugs.

And how much did they cost me?

Mugs- $6.

 Petrol driving to get them- hate to imagine!

 How stoked I am to finally have some decent coffee mugs- priceless!

Flea Market Finds

2 lovely, warm, pink and cream coloured pure wool blankets. To keep my little girls snuggly and warm next winter. In perfect condition, $5 each from the salvation army store. 

Flea Market Finds

I found this wee gem recently at our local recycling centre. I must admit it was one of those very rare holy grail kind of thrifting moments where you cannot quite believe your eyes. A lovely vintage horn sewing cabinet in near perfect condition, with a price tag of...... $35! I pretty much did a little happy dance there and then before promptly paying for it before they could change their minds.

More lovely finds to be seen here.

Flea Market Finds

I think these two have to be the cheapest finds I have ever come across thrifting. A small rimu plate and bowl. Both only measure about 15cm across, making them the perfect size for little hands. They need to be sanded back but with a coat of beeswax, I am thinking they are going to look lovely. The perfect addition to the girls play kitchen.

So how cheap were they? I paid a grand total of $1.

More flea market finds here.

Flea Market Finds

Lots of baskets this week. How excited I was to find them, all in excellent condition, ranging in size and shape- just perfect for  for this little space-

Play is just so much easier for the little one's when they can find what they are looking for.

Tidying up is so much easier for me when everything has a home.

More Flea market finds here. 

Flea Market Finds-2010's Best

This week is 2010's best Flea market Finds. For me, I feel like I have had so many amazing finds this year, I have been so very lucky. But without a doubt, my best find this year was this rocking horse- 

It was one of those amazing 'oh my gosh' moments when I found it. I still have it hidden away in anticipation of the little one's birthday. 

I also want to give an honorable mention to a few other great finds I had this year.

My 2 little stools-

A doll's highchair-

Crown Lynn tea cups-

A formica dining table-

For More amazing flea Market Finds this year, check out Her Library Adventures and  don't forget to vote for your favorites. 

Flea Market Finds

I found these lovely little stools a couple of weeks back but because of the death of my computer, I have been unable to show them to you until now. They were one of those finds that makes your heart skip a beat and you cannot believe that someone has not snapped them up yet.

And because I am enjoying adding a little duck egg blue into my current colour pallet, I bought this set of Crown Lynn. It is just so much nicer to drink tea from a proper tea cup, don't you think?

Flea Market Finds

I actually found this lovely little dolls high chair a few weeks ago but have had a busy few weeks so have not had a chance to tell you all about it. I found it tucked away in the corner of a local second hand shop, hidden behind a ton of kitchenwares. I was so excited, it was one of those finds that instantly brings a smile to ones face. It will make the perfect christmas present for Holly and will go beautifully with the Waldolf doll I am intending to make for her as part of the Crazy Crafter NZ's- waldolf doll sew along.

For more flea market finds, check out Her Library Adventures

Flea Market Finds

I found this lovely Mesop slip dress in my local op shop this week. It is brand new, still with it's original price tags on, only I got it for about one 10th of its original price. Although it is a summer dress, I have found it looks fab with a merino top underneath and boots. Have a feeling this might become a foundation piece in my wardrobe attire. 

For more flea market finds, check out Her Library Adventures

Flea Market Finds

I found two little lovelies this week. I went out looking for a teapot, I have been on the hunt for one for a while now. Anyway, I stopped in at a junk shop I have never been to before and I am so very pleased I did. This place was like doctor Who's tardis, from the road it looked tiny but inside it went on for miles and was full of all kinds of wonderful. It was here that I found this Staffordshire Midwinter teapot AND coffeepot. The teapot is in a pattern called Mediterranean and the coffee pot is Spanish Garden. I could not choose between them...... so I bought both! 

For more flea market finds, check out Her library adventures.

Flea Market Finds

I found two little gems this week. The first one was actually found by Holly. It is a little metal toy bus. This bus has traveled a long way since we found it, along all the shop windows on the way back to the car, around our lounge, kitchen and over her baby sister. 

The second find is a little side table. I first spied it a couple of weeks back, tucked in the corner of my local junk shop. It kept playing on my mind, so I went back and amazingly it was still there. So, now it is calling the corner of my dining room home.

Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend :-)

A Day Away

I took the little ones on a fun little trip a few days ago to visit my parents at diamond harbor. It is about a 40 minute, winding car trip around the harbor or a very fun, 10 minute ferry ride. So guess which option we picked? Yep, the boat. Holly was literally shaking with excitement as she loves this little trip. For Isla it was her first boat ride. I am not sure if she liked it or hated it, she was very loud. I tend towards dislike but the ferry boat captain assured she was just having fun!

The weather was not great but we had a nice day. We stopped in at the historic Stoddarts cottage, had a hot chocolate at the local cafe and had a poke around the local junk shop. To my absolute delight, I came across this great little stash of vintage cottons.

I also stumbled across the holy grail of vintage fabrics-

Unopened bed sheets! I have heard about them but have never had the luck to come across them before. Aren't they awesome? There are 2 flat single sheets so I am thinking about making them into 2 duvet covers for the bunk beds in Holly's room... if I can bring myself to open the packet.

A Bit Of Vintage Lovely

I bought this lovely little dress off coolcrib, isn't it amazing? I fell in love with the beautiful vintage fabric. I wish I could be lucky enough to find amazing vintage fabrics like this when I go thrifting, but alas I never do.... maybe one day (well I can live in hope!)

But the best thing about this dress.....

It is completely reversible! And as the Mumma of any 2 year old would know, that comes in very handy for hiding things like ice cream stains when you are out.