an old thrifted treasure

i thought i would share the life of Audrey, my dress makers manniquin. i found her many moons ago in one of those trashy warehouse style bric-a-brac sheds on the way to the Mornington Pennisula. She cost me a fabulous $12 and needed a little love. Originally she was covered in a purple & white cotton fabric, that was stained and torn, so I removed it all and painted her white. Her insides are completely rusted, which actually makes her not very good for dress making. Her standing pole is lop-sided and spins everytime i try to stand her up. She now sits happily on her base with all her nuts & bolts firmly tightened so as not to tip over. She has served me incredibly well over the years and i think i will keep her forever. She is a permanent fixture in my sewing studio and lovingly displays all my creations for me.

Y Bless your rickety-ness and your off beat hips my dearest friend Audrey Y

pop on over to the lovely Sophies for more thrifty love

winter dress - a thrifty find

a fabulous find indeed! i stumbled across this fabulous tunic style dress at one of my local thrift stores the other day. i looked at it hanging on the rack and thought...geez that looks rather large & interesting, my curiosity did get the better of me and i had a looksy at the label, size 10 (wow big 10) made in Australia (YAY- how often do you ever come across a garment made in oz) made from italian linen (WOWEEE) and made by Veronika Maine. it is like new so i am wondering how old it is. I loved the fabric straight away, very wintery but the cut got me thinking......so i tried it on. and it fits like a glove!!!!! with the most interesting pin-tucks & folds in the front panels, back & sleeves. i think it just needs a good 6inches of hem removed and i will have a divine winter staple dress i can wear with boots & stockings, belted & perhaps a skivvy underneath.

Y pop on over to sophie's for lots more thrifted lovliness Y

thrifted happiness & loss of a friend

villeroy & boch fine china cake stand

i am a complete opshop fanatic, i have 3-4 favorite haunts i like to visit on a rotating basis & they never stop giving. This was a fabulous find (although i would have liked it in geen) made from china with sterling silver flower column & comes apart for easy clean. i love the little posies, maybe i can use it at my next market (in march)

the mice are away today (paul & nina) so today i might keep at my new projects (i will share soon i promise) and then go and collect some goodies from my po box, do an opy run & get something yummi from my fave bakery WHICH has stopped making my favorite donuts by the way. NOT HAPPY!!!! i have survived off these little choci circles of love for almost 25yrs & one day they just decide to stop making them! For my 21st bday i ordered 250 and piled them into a pyramid, they got me through my pregnancy, nurtured every pmt i have ever had, made road trips with me, breakfasts on the run.........you name it they have been there with me. So you see... i am quite upset as i must now find a new vice, yes i am (was) a donut snob! but nothing has ever compared & i dont think ever will. farewell old friends :((

100% thrifted

the recipe:

2 pair thrifted jeans, 1 thrifted jacuard table cloth, 1 vintage lace table cloth, 1 vintage sheet and a bunch of thrifted zippers. there are a couple on madeit, this lot can now be found at a sweet lil boutique named EVE in Pambula.

new dress for nina. this weeks sewing will be making a few more dresses from this gorgous vintage sheeting. hopefully i will have enough made for the get together next saturday.

sew much to do

lots of sewing to do this week. i had an order come in from libby (destination unknown, i'll post it when i know the shop name)

plus i just remembered that Celeste from little waltz has organised a new crafty market in Oakleigh to be held 16th Jan WHOOOOOAAAAA i better get a move on, i havnt been sewing much lately just lots of fun times enjoying the festive season. i feel and look like i have eaten santa. detox in need of i think. this is a bit of a rant, i am going cross eyed from sewing and i am in desperate need of a hot cuppa (and a cookie) x