UPCYCLE for Princess & Pirate Party

In need of a princess dress 1 day before the party I started to think I better do something. As a last resort I would have begrudgingly purchased an overpriced & not so good quality princess dress., thankfully the local op shop had this womens 90's dress.

Perfect for a very quick & simple upcycle into a wearable princess dress. Em was delighted & so was mummy as it came home covered in cake which didn't matter as it had only cost $6 (which went to a great cause anyway!)

As much as I was going to make Liam's pirate outfit, I couldn't go past this set on sale for only $6 also at Target.

Shorts, shorts & more shorts....

Em has decided to be my model - only with bribing - some easter eggs - honestly I would have thought she'd have had enough. I have made all these in 2 smaller sizes too so I have a cupboard full of shorts which I must list on madeit......

All created with recycled vintage fabrics, most aquired from op shops

I am sure Liam however will want to claim a few pairs when he sees them.

More Vintage Favourites....

I apologise - photography is not my forte, at least the pictures aren't blurred I suppose... Here are some more of my favourite non fabric vintage items....these actually are used on a regular basis - my daughters favourite puzzles at present.

I just love the pictures. I am unsure as to how old they are - most likely not too much older than me (so hopefully not that vintage), but the illustrations are beautiful. And their little boxes are so cute - so easy to store. They are made in England, and yes like the majority of my vintage bits n pieces I found them at the thrift store...25c a pop!!

Pyrex....

Well although it is obvious I LOVE my vintage fabric, I also have a secret love of vintage pyrex & my stash of that is almost as big as my fabric one - well not really, but it is decent. The difference is though that I use my pyrex ALL the time - I love it. Here are 2 I picked up the other day to add to my collection. The rectangular one was perfect for a yummy potato bake which I made the night I got it. I must get pictures of the rest of my collection. Are there any other vintage pyrex lovers out there?????

Another thrifty find...

I really did not have any need for bookends, but when I saw these beautiful deer ones at only $3 for the pair how could I resist??? I am sure I can find some books which need proping up somewhere...

Some recent thrifty finds...

I find wonderful things in the opshops or at markets & so often forget to post pics of my finds.

These are a couple of lovely vintage sheets I found the other week.......

Button Haul....

Obviously the title has given away what this photo is of, but I had an amazing button haul recently. Either a collector got rid of some of their stash (highly unlikely I am sure) or some dear old lady donated her sewing things to the local thrift & I was the benefactor of this lot & I even left some behind!!

I can't quite figure which are my favourites...

I am rather partial to the greens , but oh they are all so lovely. Now to be brave & use some

It is such a shame for others not to see them

They are ever so pretty....

Almost like pieces of treasure!

Which are your favourites???

Oh yes & I got some fabulous vintage buckles too...It really was my lucky day!

A.W.O.L

Apologies to anyone who has been checking up on my blog only to find I have been terribly slack for the last month!

It has been one busy & scattered year for us. Mr Spunky has been working away alot (in the Solomon Islands now as we speak) and we have also been away a little & when we haven't I have just been busy or not motivated to craft too much. But I have just had the most wonderful visit with my gorgeous sister in law twolittlefishes and she has got me itching to craft again - Thank you Joely!!!

I madly drove from the sunshine coast to Mackay on my own with the kids - boy were they long drives, but thankfully we had a DVD player - priceless for long trips with 2 small children.

I stopped at a few op shops along the way (couldn't help myself) & got some lovely treasures. Hopefully once all the fabric bits are washed I will share some pics, but I did manage to find some cute Noddy books, together with a beautifully illustrated squirrel one....

I also picked up this cup & saucer set. It isn't what one would call "pretty", but there is something I love about it. It is made in New Zealand. Oh & some cute vintage buttons (can't see the detail very well sorry.

Some beautiful illustrations ....

These are just a couple of illustrations from the book in the previous post. I have been tempted to cut it up & make into cards, but I can't bring myself to do it - I might just scan the pics & do it that way...




It has an inscription for someones birthday & the date 1956. As much as I love to find books not written in, it is rather lovely to get a book that was given a long time ago with love.

Are these Spunky or what????

How spunky is this mens pants pattern?? I think it is more the paisley print on the pants that makes this pattern - Mr Spunky is rather conservative with his dressing & would never in a million years wear these pants - but I just couldn't resist the pattern - they look just so funky - I love them!!

At the same time I picked up this lovely vintage size 5 (perfect for Em) pattern, which I will hopefully get around to making. Terrible really I am supposed to be decreasing my stash drastically, but it isn't .....hmmmmmm, I wonder why?????

I also picked up the kids these gorgeous vintage books - 2 Enid Blyton, which surprisingly only cost 50c & $1 & 'The 3 Friends' book which is rather old & has the most beautiful illustrations. I will have to take a couple of pictures later.

Oh & the little plaque - I just couldn't resist - the little girl & boy are just lovely - this will hang in Ems room when we get back to QLD.