Thrifting

Went thrift shopping with my husband in tow recently, a very bad idea as he "hates all this old shit" as he so charmingly puts it.
He rushed me through the thrift shops but I did manage to grab this divine stool for $2. White, chippy paint with a roses tapestry seat.



The stack of books are old car manuals that my dad gave me to sell on ebay for him. I have more than enough of my own to sell at the moment. We want to put our place on the market so I need to sell all the things I am not in love with anymore in preparation for a house move.



I also bought this huge tray from the 1950's with lovely ballerina decorations.
It is currently on the bottom shelf of this ikea coffee table holding all the remotes and xbox accessories.


I just HAD to paint this coffee table white. It has inserts where you can display things under glass. At the moment I have put in old plates, sea shells, fairy stones and old photos. Even ikea can be made vintage chic!

A teeny finish :)

Here's Bunny Hop over one. It's really teeny and I love how it looks. I hope I can finish both into a pinkeep and scissor fob and have them look nice. Well I spent the morning cleaning up and now I'm off to stitch for a few. Stay cool :)

One Day Finish!

I just started stitching this about 2.5 hours ago and it's done! I don't think I've ever had such a quick finish...granted it's only 23x23 stitches LOL. I'm going to stitch it again but this time over 1 and hope to start it at work. I plan on finishing them into a pinkeep and a scissor fob and they will be gifts so hopefully they come out nice and it won't be too hard to part from them. The pattern is an old Brightneedle freebie that I bought from a freebie book they published called Small Samplings and the pattern itself is called Bunny Hop.

I thought this would be this month's finish but now that I look at it realistically I know it's not. I may not even have a finish for this month, I did order the new Lizzie Kate so I *may* have one who knows. Anyway here's the latest WIP picture of my BBDs piece. On another note, does anyone watch Army Wives? I like it! I didn't think I would but I do :-) I'm going to see if I get some sleep now so I can have a full day tomorrow instead of me waking up at 5pm only to go back to sleep and going back to work the next night. TTFN!

Ebay Auctions This Week 21/6

I went for a job interview today to work at the Markets in an old fashioned toy shop. They had so many of the Russian nesting dolls that I love! I spotted a gorgeous pink and gold one.
This job would be great for me because it is in an affluent area with fantastic thrift stores! Is that an insane reason to want a job? Because of its proximity to my favourite op shops?
I am a bit late as usual posting this weeks auctions. They all finish on Sunday.

Old Carlton Ware tea set in a very dark green. I have never seen this pattern before!


Love the Missoni styling of this top!


Brand new Stella McCartney t-shirt. It has a bird print!


Pink kitchen scales. I used to use these as a display item in my kitchen but I was given another pink set for Christmas. I use my new scales as a fruit bowl and to weigh eBay parcels. As you can surmise, I am NOT a baker!


Pink enamel ware vase from my collection. I put the transfer on myself. It actually looks like a real painted rose!


New floral print shoes. Wish these fit me as they are SO shabby chic!


Pretty pink light weight knit.

Update Time!

Today I did something I haven't done in a long time - I stayed home! Although I've been wanting to stay home for a while can I tell you that I'm bored. I don't know what to do with myself LOL. I did go out for a few hours earlier to run some errands but that's about it. I've been stitching, so that's a plus but really I wish I would have done more before going back to work tomorrow.

I'm finally done with my house on my BBD *yea* I'm working on the roof now, which shouldn't be too tedious - there's only so much stitching with one color that I can stand for! Atleast purple is prettier and the roof isn't as big as the house. Once I'm done with it I'm going to stitch on The Big Zipper for a while. Here's where I'm at with it:

I've been trying to not shop as much as I use to so I can save some money, and I'm actually doing a good job at it. It's amazing how much I saved in a month. I was so proud of myself that I decided to buy myself a "way to go" gift LOL. When it comes in I'll share a picture :-) Hopefully it comes in next week when I need a pick me up, all of my work days are sort of squished together so it'll seem like I'm working a whole lot more, plus I'm seriously thinking of doing some OT so I can save more and pay off my credit cards quicker.

Well I'm off - I need to walk outside or something before I go crazy LOL. TTFN

Belated Wedding Picture & Plates

Lori recently had a wedding week and I meant to show some photos but never got around to it.



Jon and I got married in January 1999. It was a nice day. I am not a big wedding person, really. Funny really when my house is so girly that I have never been into the big white dress and overpriced reception. My Dad offered me $10,000 dollars at the time to elope and I so should have taken it. Mum would have been upset though.
Jon and I are posing here in the grounds of the University Of WA, not in a jungle!




Sandwich plates in Alfred Meakin "Elegance." My goal is to one day have one of each of the six different colours. Only three to go!

A Lovely Friend

My friend Jullie from Jullie's World sent me this lovely surprise package recently.




I was overjoyed that she had sent me this sweet little cup that matches the "Elegance" by Alfred Meakin pattern that I collect.


Jullie makes these tags herself. She designed them using some of my favourite photos. You can order these from her by contacting her at her blog. I am using these tags as thank you cards with my auctions. It makes me feel very professional!


Jullie also made this gorgeous glittery tag card about girlfriends and this cute primitive heart. Click on the picture to see what it says, very amusing!

Picture Time

Here are pictures of my two WIPs. The top one is Bent Creek's Big Zipper and the bottom one is Blackbird Designs Awake The Dawning Day. I have to say I like working on both of them and wish I had more time or could work on them at the same time. I worked on Big Zipper today - it stitches up pretty quick, I probably would have had more done but this nasty frog came to visit me and we all know how that goes. I'll probably work on ATDD tomorrow (today) I'm close to finishing the house and then I can work on the roof. I've actually almost used one entire skein of WDW Pebble. Once I get the house done and maybe the top vines around the house I'll start stitching my Calico Cats.

Bookmark Exchange!

I received my bookmark exchange from Lisa today! It was a very nice package. First off she wrapped it in brown wrapping paper - this is something I've always wanted...a package wrapped in the brown paper LOL (I know I'm weird.) Then she stuffed it with lots of goodies! You see the pictures of Ana with her bandana? Well, she made it! How cool is that??? The fabric is also the same fabric of the pillow *and* the backing of the bookmark, also made by Lisa. Everything is sooooo pretty! I really need to do more exchanges! Other things sent are 2 packets of tea, a book (Dead Giveaway,) a packet of needles size 26 (my size) an "M" notepad, a teeny *pink* bag and a cute card, which both Kelly and my cousin loved. After the 15th shot
Ana was nice enough to cooperate and take a decent picture, I guess she had thoroughly inspected everything by then. I really loved everything I received, wish this exchange wasn't over LOL. TTFN I need a nap, I feel like I haven't slept in days!

Pretty Pretty Hearts!

I went to my stitchy date today at my not so LNS and look what they had there waiting for me! Aren't they pretty? Seeing things like this makes me want to stitch faster so I can get more things finished hehe. I don't think I need to mention that I had fun today but I did, Kelly even came with me and sat patiently while I stitched, he even bought me "just because" roses afterwards. He's such a good BF most of the times (he does have his *pish* "men" moments LOL.)

I've been stitching on BBD Awake The Dawning Day and while it seems like I'm getting no where I actually have most of the house (minus the roof) done. I should have taken an update picture to post but I didn't...maybe next time.

While at my nsLNS I bought fabric for the Calico monthly cats. Petra is doing them all on one fabric and they look so pretty that I have to be a copy cat and stitch them :-)

Did I mention I started The Big Zipper? One night I couldn't sleep and I had about enough of stitching with WDW Pebble (the color of the house) that I started it. It doesn't seem that big anymore. I figure I'll stitch on it whenever I get tired of ATDD and go back and forth.

Well I'm off to watch Big Love on Tivo. TTFN!

Ebay Auctions This Week

Thanks for all the comments about my scrapbooks. I really enjoy flicking through magazines at the newsagency to see if they are "scrapbook worthy."
Ikea is having a big clearance sale so my friend and I are off to check it out. I want some of those glass clip frames for my daughters artwork (she loves to paint.)

Below are all the things I am selling on ebay this week. Click here to got to my auctions.

This is a gorgeous eggshell porcelain vintage tea set. In the harlequin style, popular in the 1950's.

The prettiest pinup girl heels! Wish they were my size!


Vintage pin cushion, made of old greeting cards with millinery flower decoration.


Old Italian Florentine tray.


Two "Bollywood Chic" cushion covers!


Gorgeous "Cafe" sign pour La Cuisine!


New black strappy heels.


And more measuring cups for those that missed out :)

My Scapbook and Ugly Betty

My husband picked up an exercise bike for me (on sale at Kmart - 50% off!) which is fantastic as it has been very stormy weather here and it has been difficult to go walking. It has also been challenging getting the washing dry (no dryer, we usually don't need them here) and certain family members, I am ashamed to say, have been forced to go commando!
I was using the exercise bike while watching Ugly Betty and although I love the show, her hair really bugs me. Why can't she tie it back and get that hair out of her eyes?
And another thing; her father seems to be unemployed, is an illegal immigrant, Betty and her sister don't have the best paid jobs but they can afford braces for Betty AND the sister's kid? Call me Cruise, but aren't braces really expensive? Like, thousands of dollars?

I can't post without pictures. Here are some of my "Dream Home" scrapbooks. I love adding all the gorgeous, inspiring things I find in magazines.

Today I decided I'd make a change and instead of laying around I'd go jogging, I took Ana with me and I don't think she appreciated it too much. We didn't go far just to the park, did 3 laps around the track (didn't want Ana to over do it) and then sat around while she cooled down and came home. I think we, or atleast I'll do it again tomorrow. I really need to lose weight; I miss being in shape.

I started watching Big Love Season 1 on DVD. It was on sale at Amazon.com and it's something that I've been wanting to watch for a while. It's interesting...

I've abandoned My Country Home by ED and started Awake the Dawning Day by Blackbird Designs. I'm not happy with the way my stitches are laying. I don't know what's wrong...maybe it's just me. I'm going to start The Big Zipper soon, I just don't know when. ED is also going to move to Kelly's house so I have something to stitch. Anyway here are some pictures.

Oh big news I have to share! I cooked! I know what's the big deal, but I don't know how to cook and have been afraid to do it. I figured that this is one of the few things that keep me from moving out so yesterday I defrosted some ribeye steaks, seasoned them, and broiled them and it was good! Last time I tried to cook it was a disaster so I'm really happy about it. Next up is trying to bake a chicken. I told Kelly I'm going to learn even if it kills him in the process LOL.

Well I haven't been to sleep since yesterday and I'm pretty sure I'll crash pretty soon so TTFN!

Ebay Auctions This Week

I have only five auctions this week. I still feel cruddy with this cold I have and am finding it hard to get motivated.
Click here to go to my auctions.


This is a gorgeous enamelware bowl in one of my fave colour combo's, blue and red.


Vintage chenille bedspread. One day I will keep one of these for myself! My husband hates them though, he calls them "granny blankets." Philistine!


Chintz stove burner covers, great for jazzing up what can be an ugly part of the kitchen.


Great book, heaps of projects and inspiration pages.


Vintage Japanese cookie jar. Love the cute mouse on the cats head!

No Pictures...

I feel lazy today, like even hitting the keys on the laptop is just too strenuous LOL.

I went to my not so LNS yesterday - didn't do much damage, mainly just bought stuff for the exchanges I signed up for in my yahoo group. I did buy myself 3 things though :-) The new Loose Feather's Awake the Dawning the Day was a must for me, as well as the fabric and floss. I also got one of those tool thingies that you pull the short threads with (I don't know what it's called) and a package of needles. Oh and I dropped off Summer Snapperland to be framed. I'm not sure how I feel about the frame chosen...it's like I can never choose any framework without Kelly being there.

I haven't stitched much. I may abandon my ED for a while, I'm just not feeling it right now. I went through the stash that I have by my night stand and found other things to stitch. The chance that I start my Loose Feather's is great too. I keep pulling out the Big Zipper but JEEZ! is that thing big!!! I think my 17x 17 Q-Snaps are too small for the fabric. I'd like to start it though because there's no way I'm going to start stitching it once other pieces come out, it will seem too big for me then. I also made some fobs for my exchanges...well one fob and I had to re-string a fob I had already made. Note to those I made fobs for: If they ever fall apart you can send them back and I'll fix them. I forgot to put a crimping bead at the end so they may fall apart if tugged on. If it's too much a hassle (Cheryl) let me know and I'll just send another one made the right way! :-)

Well I'm going to take a nap or just slug around. TTFN!

Another Ebay Blowout

Haven't shown my latest finds on eBay for a while so here goes!


Wooden word "chic". What appealed to me was that the colours are of the palette of my house.


I bought 20 of these chandelier crystal drops as they were such a good price. They are the pink Aurora Borealis type.


Little girl with bouquet figurine.


Robert Gordon cupcake for my cake stacker. This one was discontinued a while ago so I was glad to find it.



Victorian milk jug, in great condition.


The Alfred Meakin pattern I collect. This is a dinner plate.


Have been trying to get one of these for so long. Simply Shabby Chic sage green with roses shower curtain.
I have listed some items to sell today and I will be listing more on Tuesday. I will be posting photos of them all early this week.