Fleamarket Finds

It's been a bumper week folks, a happy whirl of treasure hunting for Captain Dandelion. I found this stack of Georgette Heyer reprints, which I knew my mum would like, at the good old MS Oppie. I also picked up a copy of The Boy in the Striped Pyjama's by John Boyne, which I finished last night. An interesting and moving book, have you read it? Give me a yell if you'd like to read it and I'll send it on. I'm thinking of doing a second hand book swap soon..what do you think?

That naughty winter light is playing havoc with my photography...this blanket is the most adorable mossy green, much prettier than it looks above. I have a little project in mind for it which I'll show you when I get around to it. I came across this sweet baby blankie on a trip to Trentham this week.

And also this owl embroidery, it came up quite nicely after a soak.

Now I just need to find the right spot to hang it.

I also found this glass mug, I have a collection now, this is the third.




They all have corny/cute messages on the other side.
I'm guessing they are 70's items?

More excitement at the Anglican Trash & Treasure on Friday. Although it was harder to find treasures this time I still came away with a few beauties. This mirror was $2 and is so heavy and solidly made. It reminds me of a mirror in a church, or some place of business. It has a real feel about it, a sense of history and life.

Just think of all the faces it has seen. The reflections of so many people who stopped to pause for a moment.

I am in love with this fire engine red money box too.

My guess is that is was used in a train, bus or tram. See the ridge along the top?

It looks as if it fitted/slotted into something, and could be detached later.

Or maybe it was used at the footy by ticket sellers? I'd love to know.

Anyway, it's ace and Billy seems to have claimed it.

Yesterday the girls and I headed over to Creswick to check out a church garage sale. The lovely men and women couldn't have been more friendly, down to earth and sweet. It was a cold old day and the wind was blowing into the hall but they were so chatty and kind to my girls. One lady told us how she once rode her pony, Dolly, to school in Dean. Rosie thought that was the best thing she'd ever heard. We found a few bits and pieces which I'll show you next week, along with something extra special! I'm so excited about it and can't wait to show you. (When I get it home)

Hope you had a happy week, I'm off to Sophie's for a sticky beak, see you soon sweeties xo

Fleamarket finds..

Hi Thrill seekers! Do you like the overalls I found for a $1 at the Trentham Op Shop? Perfect for Bill who is planning to be a builder (and author) when he grows up.

I've had this unknown family portrait found at the MS op shop for a while but I finally got around to putting it up today.

Luckily I have a resident handy man who was only too happy to help.

Not a huge amount of time of shop the oppies this week but I did come across this ace basket today at the Tip shop. Perfect for storing firewood. It's definitely fire wood season, freezing & grey today.

Another bonus of heading up to Callawadda this week was stopping in at the Avoca Op Shop. This time I found some spare Swatch bands that will fit my watch..

and a nice pile of vintage linens.

This Australiana tablecloth is so special.

Nice and worn and soft & covered with gorgeous depictions of Australian flora, fauna & cities, it is a definite keeper. No cutting this one up, it's going straight on the table, well after a wash of course! One day I'll show you my whole collection of tablecloths, it's quite an addiction...

Hope you are having a great weekend, this is the last day of my giveaway so do enter if you haven't already. I'll be drawing out three winners tomorrow, how exciting!! In the meantime pop on over to Sophie's for more fleamarket treasures....see you soon xo

Fleamarket Finds

I've had some great op shop adventures lately. So much so that I'm inspired to put together an op shop guide to Victorian Op Shops. Watch this space! This lovely dress was found in Bacchus Marsh, at the Salvo's. They had a great range of vintage dresses and other bits so if you have the time & love vintage it would be well worth the visit.

These rods were only one dollar at the fabulous Trentham Op Shop. Hours of fun, yay!

I've just finished this ace read, picked up at the MS Op shop in downtown Daylesford. A great book, I really enjoyed it.

Finally a pair of 50c Converse from the Uniting Care Oppy in Ballarat, near Big W. They also have a great range of other cheap and fantastic items, definitely worth a visit. Rosie loves her new shoes, she can jump & skip & run so fast in them. Woo hoo!

Have you found any great things lately? Pop over to Sophie's for more treasures...xo

A wonderful day & a book giveaway!

You may know a little about my mum, she is the superstar that knits my Blanket Bunnies beautiful, colourful cardigans. And you probably already know that she is a great inspiration to me. She is also an amazing gardener & intrepid traveller. She volunteers at our local Information Centre and has recently joined a choir & bookclub. She supports and is involved with many arts organisations, such as McClelland Gallery & is an avid fan of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, amongst other things!

Yesterday she also became a Doctor of Letters for the work she did on her amazing book, "Artists Tapestries". As the founding director of the Victorian Tapestry Workshop she lived and breathed the world of tapestry for almost thirty years. All that she absorbed during that time, and much more has been captured in her book which took ten years to come together. Mum has achieved much in her life and this book really is her masterpiece.


I was so happy & proud to be there yesterday, to see her in her gorgeous gown and hat, the colours seemed custom made for her! Her glasses even matched, red & purple.



Mum was glowing and her eyes were shining. It must be a pretty amazing feeling, all the years of work and dedication being acknowledged and celebrated. After cups of tea we headed over to Collingwood where Stuart Purves & his lovely partner, Kerry, were hosting a special dinner in her houour.



Before we headed upstairs I had a sneaky peek at the inside fish pond, the swirling golden fish swam round & round, beneath the sculpture reflectioned in the glass above.

Stuart, who is an old & dear friend of Sue's, made a speech about their friendship, the book and Emeritus Professor Margaret Manion's great support of Mum as her academic supervisor. Margaret really encouraged her to make this book happen and has been there to help all through the writing process.

John Hopkins who is another great friend was also there to share in the celebration, as was Mum's cousin Tracy & Graeme Drendel & Wendy. I discovered that Graeme & Wendy have a house in Trentham, such a pretty local town.

I also had a good chat to John. He is a lovely man, very warm and funny. We all admired his Liberty print tie,apparantly after Charlotte & I left he gave everyone a lesson in conducting, I'm sorry we missed that!

So, you can see, it was a special, special day. In Stuart's speech he spoke about friendship and love. To me these two things are what makes the world go round. It's so important to celebrate, to take the time to talk about and share occasions like this. On the long drive home I thought about the speeches, the dinner and the day. What my mum has achieved in her life so far is so much more than awards and presentations, what she has brought to us all is her great love of life. She really brings colour and adventure into everything she does, she engages us all with her energy and vision, her zest & brightness. She is a doer, she is always thinking and creating, buzzing & living. And while doing all this her love & generosity & caring nature is always there. I couldn't be prouder of my mum, she is simply the best.



I'm so happy to be giving away a signed copy of "Artists Tapestries" to one of you lovely readers. Just leave me a comment telling me your favourite colour & I will pick out a name later in the week.
Hope you re having a happy weekend, see you soon xo

Tip toe, through the tulips...

Trash & Treasure...three of my favourite words.

That's where I found this lovely ukulele this week...isn't it cute?

I love it's sweet handmade cover. It's missing a string but otherwise is in great condition.

Another T & T find was this 70's photo cube. We had one, back then, with all our family in it, looking...well..very 1970's.

How cool is this old checkers box?

Beautiful wooden checkers.

And gorgeous illustrations.

When I was in Trentham on Wednesday I found this adorable vintage dolls dress.

It fits Sunday's doll, Emily, perffectly.

And has the sweetest detail.

Did you find some treasures this week? To see more pop over and visit Sophie xo