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 Boys & Girls (well Girls anyway..), have you been finding anything amazing lately in your travels around the oppies & markets? I've had a busy week so I haven't been up to my usual adventures....no tip shop either. But I do have some treasures to show you that I may not have blogged about before. The top photo is of a little doggie, Humphrey, who has been living with us for many years now. He sits on a cushion and is just so sweet. I had a phase of collecting china dogs so I have quite a few but he is a bit special.

Talking of cushions here is a favourite of mine...a kind of patchwork that probably has a name but I'm going with Wonky Scrap Patchwork with overlaid hand stitching.

I'd like to make something similar but I'm not sure how to begin...

As it is Sunday & I have been to church to see some children we know receive the Sacrament of Confirmation it seems appropriate that I also show you this lovely frame that hangs in my bathroom. I've always been drawn to religious images & quotes, which is odd as we were not brought up with any religion. I remember when we moved into our house in Fitzroy as children there was a small frame on the mantlepiece that read "Seek, and ye shall find". I love this thought as it can be applied to so many situations.

Have you seen this little stitched picture before? I can't remember, but hey, it's so lovely you can see it again! I also really like birds and am forever looking at them in the garden, in the sky and listening for their different calls and songs. I love the colours in this and the homemade-ness of it, it's stuck to cardboard with tape at the back and is folky & sweet.

And here is sweet Sunday all dressed up for my dad's wedding last night. Her dress & cardi are both from local oppies and doesn't she look adorable?

More sweetness in these illustrations...loving the colours and the simple joy in them. I found this book at an oppie in Ballarat. Do you look at the children's books in opshops? I can't help it, even though we have a million books already. The illustrations and stories can be so inspiring.

I've had a crazy & at times emotional weekend, not to mention being pulled over by the police & then later locking my keys in the car. More on that later! Hope you had a happy and drama free weekend, I'm off to Sophie's for some distraction! See you soon sweeties xo

My CreativeSpace

It's been a good, productive week here at Dandelion HQ, although there is always alot going on around here, and I never feel like I am ever on top of things (ie housework) I have been really enjoying my creative space.

I'm happy to be working on a few bunnies at the moment. This little girl is finished and I'm just toying with changing her cardi from red to blue.

It's so much fun working with the new alpaca offcuts.

They are a dream to sew with, and each time I finish a bunny I can see little heart shapes in the scraps.

This latest bunny will be hard to part with. She is the softest, sweetest girl ever. I love her op shopped, table runner ears, the pattern has a gorgeous Scandanavian feel. And there is something about her expression that captivates me.

I wasn't sure how the white alpaca would look but I'm loving it. I have some other thrifted fabric, a top & some pj pants, that will also look gorgeous with the white.

There has been some wonderful colour, inspiration and love in my week. Following a very sad and teary phonecall from littlest to biggest, our Charlotte arranged a special trip home to make cupcakes & milkshakes with Rosie on Sunday. It's hard for us all not having Charlotte close by, Rosie misses her alot and was so happy to have her big sister home. I can't wait for the holidays when she will be back for ages and we can hang out together and be silly and chat and have fun.

Also inspiring me is my honey, Mark, who works so hard teaching teenagers all day and is busy correcting work, planning & getting reports done at night. It's not an easy job but he hangs in there and is a fantastic teacher. I don't mention Mark much (because I like to keep him to myself!) but he is such an amazing supportive partner and I love him so much! And he is a good bunny advisor too. Did I also mention he is an wonderful dad? It's not always easy finding kid free time together, but I'm hoping we can sneak away for a weekend soon.

Yesterday I pulled out the die pot for a spot of refashioning. This aqua coloured op shop dress looked a bit like a nightie...

After a good old dunk in some Gun Metal Grey on the stove top it is looking much better, and more wearable.


It will probably not be as dark when totally dry, but with a colourful cardi or scarf I think it will look pretty good!

I have a bit of a thing for taking photo's of clothes hanging on my veranda! The shapes, the shadows and patterns, for some reason I love it.

Can you see the house across the road & the blue sky & clouds through the fabric.

What have you been making lately? Have you had an inspiring week?

See you over at Kirsty's, bye for now sweeties xo