Saturday Morning Op Shopping

Hello World! So my birthday had some highs and some lows - more about that soon! Although the lows did include locking ourselves out of our apartment and highs including realising just how lucky we are to have such amazing friends.

So it was my birthday last Sunday, but on Saturday I decided I was long overdue for an op shopping adventure so decided to hit up pretty much all of the op shops in Kilbirnie and Newtown. It wasn't an "epic" day of op shopping but I did pick up a few good bargains.

Including this little pink frock - its from New Zealand store Max and still had its original price tag on it! Original price was $139, whoever bought it bought it at half price and I bought it for a whopping $8!

I also picked up a pair of ankle boots, vintage woolen skirt and an pajama top I have no intention of wearing, but its made of the most darling fabric - I MUST be able to find some use for it.

But the main thing I picked up on this shopping trip was patterns - lots of patterns!

Simple A-line skirt pattern, its pretty modern and has patterns for two maxi and two knee length skirts. Seems like a pretty handy kind of pattern to have about.

Rich is a man who likes a good quality and I hope that one day my stitching skills will be able to make him one. So when I found this vintage men's cardi pattern I decided I had to get it so I could one day make him a cardi. Don't all these gents look so dapper? I especially like the guy with elbow patches holding the camera.

Next is another ladies pattern - some rather 1970's looking frocks - I have to admit I especially like the green one.

I also found a pattern for a rather simple frock - I think perhaps I'll try this one in some kind of knit fabric. There's loads on special at Arthur Toye fabrics at the moment.

Finally, I picked up this envelope from an op shop and there's a whole bunch of patterns inside plus detailed pictures of how to make the dresses and a whole lot of variations.

I know it looks super 80's - which is "the decade that taste forgot" as people say (I really don't think the 80's was so bad) but I just know I can make some awesome dresses from this pattern.

Perhaps the big long frock the girl sitting on the chair is wearing is a little bit too "Little House on the Prairie" for me - but I think I can make some of the other styles work, and look.....

The patterns haven't even been cut out yet! It's been waiting to be used since 1984 (that's when it was printed).

I hope you've all had a great week so far.

Have you picked up anything rad that the op shop/thrift store/charity store lately?

My Weekend - The Weather Bomb!

This weekend we had a much talked about "weather bomb" in New Zealand, actually in Wellington we were pretty lucky. Sure the weather was horrible but there was no damage. Up where my parents live there was a lot of damage - people lost the roof off their houses and also saw some photos where the whole hay shed had blown away leaving the hay behind. Crazy stuff.

Anyway onto my weekend, which despite said weather bomb was pretty good. On Saturday morning I went and had my hair coloured and go new extensions at Wildilocks - I now have turquoise extensions.

The I met up with Ria for a spot of lunch and we went to Minerva Books as Ria was looking for a book about Elizabethan costuming for her course. She didn't end up buying anything but I found the Queen of Crafts which is such an amazing craft book and I find it so inspiring! I now want to dye dye, may domino shaped petit fours and my own fondant, make a herb garden, throw and tea party and make jam and chutney. I love craft books that inspire you to try new things - I am going to start this weekend with the petit fours.

Later in the afternoon/evening my friend Emi came over for a crafting night - it was the prefect weather for it! I even finished the dress made from the evil slippy material and I am going to wear it this Friday for a casino night fundraiser we are going too so you will all see it then.

Emi bought over ears for us to wear whilst we crafted - I'm actually a devil though - she's Hello Kitty - yah!

Emi didn't know it when she came over but she was joining us on the most exciting night of all - the night of the green zombie brain jelly mould! I was pretty excited!

Don't I just look as pleased as punch with my zombie brain jelly!

I almost couldn't resist, zombie Trees was coming to the surface, but I held off and shared the zombie brain with Emi and Rich. It was lime flavoured.
Emi also bought me these super rad nail transfer things - I like them a whole lot and can't wait to try them out. The picture isn't so great but they are spider webs!!It was still cold, wet and miserable on Sunday. But we had been planning on attending the Newtown fair for ages (after all it only happens once a year!) and the webpage said that that faitr was going ahead rain or shine so we wrapped up warm and headed along.

There were loads of musicians and other acts at the fair which was a lot of fun - loads of free music and performances.



I loved this band, Rich and I have seen them before but I can't remember the name (oops) . One of the guys in the band was wearing a scarf as a hat and partway through the song it fell over his eyes, the funniest part was the vocalist saw it and looked like he was seconds away from breaking out into fits of hysterical laughter.
There were loads of cute stalls - but I especially loved this one where the girl had made loads of cute Japanese style charms - too cute!

Whenever I go to a market I usually end up buying one accessory - this market was no different, I walked away with a ring! Isn't it awesome!
Animal hats were also very popular at the fair - I liked this unicorn hat. There was also a donkey hat that was pretty cool.
There were loads of places to eat at the fair - but this place wins for the best name. I've actually seen these folks at a few events around town.

Rich bought one of Fritz's Weiners - turns out Fritz has big weiners....

Meanwhile I just tried not to lose my hat to the wind whilst we were watching some music.

Hope you all had a fun weekend too xoxo

Ric Rac Rose Rings

Just a quick post for tonight - on the crafty adventures of Thursday last week. I've previously mentioned a rather lovely store we have in Newtown called Juniper where the owner Mindy holds monthly craft classes.

I have been meaning to attend a class since I arrived home and this past Thursday I FINALLY made it along.