I found this vintage dress on trademe late one night. It reminded me of a William Morris print I had seen in an exhibition and loved years ago. Funny how some pieces of design or art stay with you. I … Read More
In our last moving house episode I unearthed this cup. It was mine when I was a girl. It used to be stained on the inside from Ribena – does anyone remember that stuff? We loved it and I remember … Read More
As winter gives way to Spring here I find myself drawn to colour. While in an op shop looking for a gift I came across a pile of these vintage blankets. Seriously. There were about six of them. All in … Read More
Um, yeah, so…non textile lovin’ people might want to meander on and pop back in tomorrow…the rest of you? Feast your eyes! Fabric-a-brac Auckland was yesterday and Grace asked me to take a few photos. Not that I needed an excuse. … Read More
Yep, these photos were taken when the sun was too high and bright and you know what? That’s okay. I can live with it. It was the only way they were going to get done. It has been a mad … Read More
I did bring home some treasures from the Vintage Textile Fair. Despite being a tad skint at the moment, I gave myself a budget and couldn’t believe what I managed to bring home. This amazing hand embroidered purse for one. … Read More
I think it is the third year in a row I have gone to the Auckland Vintage Textile Fair and it is so interesting to observe what I am drawn to. Bright colour, embroidery and hand woven textiles this year. … Read More
There has been need of some sewing therapy lately. With attending Fabric-a-brac and the Vintage Textile Fair in the last few weeks, there has been a healthy dollop of inspiration. And a few beautiful additions to my fabric stash. I … Read More
The blank looks when I told people I was going to Fabric-a-brac gave way to looks of befuddlement when I explained it was a fabric market. That’s one way to tell the textile enthusiasts and crafters from the uninitiated or … Read More
Making stuff is one of the foundations to my happiness. Or my contentedness. I can get by on making good food and good deep conversation or organising for awhile, but really, I need projects. Of the crafting variety. Designing something, … Read More
So, okay, I couldn’t do a road trip without putting the brakes on for a few op shops along the way. This was the extent of the haul though. If I was a dealer I could’ve brought back much more, … Read More
Some of you will remember the big Vintage Sale of Hazel May’s collection I was involved in. One of the pieces I brought home was a stunning piece of vintage 50’s fabric. Once home, I realised it was the skirt … Read More
At the Auckland Vintage Textile fair I was mainly after two things: vintage pillowcases and inspiration. I got a healthy dose of both. Once I got the vintage pillowcases home I realised some weren’t fit to be transformed into my … Read More
I kept an eye out for a tea set for years. It just didn’t happen. I found a blue and white set that was, meh, okaaay…but it didn’t make my heart sing to see it. It did just fine. But, … Read More
I thought I would share my recent acquisitions. Dispel a few myths! People assumed that those of us involved in Hazel May’s Vintage and Retro Sale all had major wardrobe boosts, but the truth is, we were all too busy … Read More
This weekend’s Vintage and Retro Sale was a huge success. And I mean huge. We were on TV 3’s 6 o’clock news! Kelly from the New Zealand Fashion Museum was there and they have a piece up on their homepage. Since … Read More
This is a rare opportunity my vintage loving friends! A lovely friend is helping someone move on a huge original collection gathered over decades by a local woman with a passion for fashion, textiles and dressmaking. I had some of … Read More
Joining in with Blackbird has Spoken and friends for the Op Shop Show off link in: I think I could post a show off every week for two months just from last weeks finds! Er, Is that cheating?! Lucky, lucky … Read More
Joining in with Blackbird has Spoken and friends for the Tuesday Op Shop Show Off. A friend and I spent the morning exploring new territory on Auckland’s North Shore last weekend. I brought home the best op shopping haul I … Read More
Someone said to me today, ‘Wow, great coat, I could never afford to buy a coat like that’. I looked her in the eye and said,’This coat cost $15’. What followed were murmurs along the lines of, ‘ I don’t … Read More
I am linking up with Max of Blackbird has Spoken in her Op Shop Show Off series. Now, I am famously bad at posting regularly at the same time every week, so I can’t promise I’ll be a weekly participant, … Read More
This is a knit with a story. It was given to me by a friend who knows I have a thing for knits. But this is no ordinary knit. a)It is a cape b) it was lovingly crafted by … Read More
Autumn’s welcome chill is seeping into the nights here. I love this time of year. Digging out flannel pyjama;s (why, yes, they ARE made from upcycled vintage sheets!), but still being able to sneak down for a swim in the … Read More
My interest in fabric is such that a friend and i woke at 5.30 to get ourselves and all our fabric into Fabric-a-brac. Are we fabric geeks? Was this our idea of fun? Yes and YES! Unashamedly yes on all … Read More
I had just got back from town and a friend dropped by. Her mouth dropped open when she saw what i’d just found at the thrift store. I unearthed some more goodies i had found secondhand in the past month … Read More
{er, sewing geek-out disclaimer-Come back tomorrow if not that way inclined! xx) I turned up at the Sew Fun retreat with a basketful of vintage fabrics from my stash and a book. No clue what i was going to make. … Read More
It’s been awhile since i hit the vintage sheet bonanza at the op shop. Today was a fleeting visit and i came away with some spring floral loveliness. I came home inspired to sew. Market season fast approaching, eek! I have … Read More
Simple things bring me joy. This vintage woollen patchwork quilt with its original backing…a gift from a friend. I lent my Happy Birthday banner to help commemorate Kraftbomb market’s fourth birthday today. (Excited to offer these for sale and to … Read More
So, Mother’s Day weekend…i couldn’t leave the premises so…what to do, but unearth the fabric stash and get sewing?! I shelved all manner of projects to sew a few things for myself. These two jersey fabrics came from the thrift … Read More
Just ignore the floor that might need a vaccuum and feast your eyes on this dance of colour. Yup, that was my town outfit a few days ago. It is always interesting to see the reactions of others when i … Read More
This is a recent secondhand acquisition. Worn as soon as it arrived in the post and a perfect fit. I may or may not have slept in it – but that would only have been ’cause i loved it so … Read More
Notchka from The Wardrobe ran a Scrap Bag Swap recently and i received a lovely package of scraps from the wonderful woman behind Mushroom Lane. I have a bunch of projects in mind. But y’know, ideas are not my problem, it’s … Read More
Popped into The Bread and Butter Letter store to drop off some GrowMama vintage headbands. It doesn’t look like the same store. It’s version 2.0…the original venue after a makeover. Loveliness! You can visit in real time or in your own … Read More
I’ve gone pretty deep into my retro revival jag lately. This is my latest thrift store find. A fun summer dress for sure. Handmade way back in the seventies…it’s as old as i am! I have been sewing like a … Read More
Oh my. I hit the ‘upgrade to new blogger thingummy’ button yesterday and it’s a bit rocky going as i learn my way around. Bear with me. And block your ears, there’s been a few less than savoury words flying … Read More
So, a more intense week than usual had some interesting results. Namely a bad case of entrenched irritability in the mama. An escape was called for. And enroute, of course, i found time for a little rummaging in our local … Read More
One of the benefits of getting lost is stumbling across places you wouldn’t otherwise. Yesterday took a wrong turn (or three) and found a gem of a op-shop. Hoorah! As well as an armful of fabric we brought home a … Read More
