From layer cake to lovely.

I haven't done much refashioning lately.  My time has been taken up on many other things, and my wardrobe is getting a little full of vintage frocks, but when I spotted this amazing green dress at the op shop this morning I knew it was there just for me. The bodice fitted like a glove, but I looked a little like a layer cake. This was such a simple refashion, but wow what a difference.

I repaired a little rip at the back with a few sneaky stitches.

It has these clever bra clip things which are awesome. I've never seen them before.

It's fully lined, and the bottom layer was sewn to the lining, so all I did was chop off the bottom.

And here's how it ended up. A very elegant shape, a great fit and an amazing colour.

By Sharon Newth

Cannister crush, and a sign that all is good in the world.

I'm not generally a spiritual person at all, but a few things have happened to me recently that have really made me smile and think that Nan is trying to tell me something. 

We had some friends over for tea and scones on the Sunday before last, to sit in front of the fire at Nan's table and have a vintage afternoon tea. I realised I didn't have a little milk jug. 

Then a new op shop opened in Bendigo two days later, and of course I had to pop in for a look and there it was, a pink 1950s milk/cream jug the same brand as my plates from Nan. I don't know how many op shops I've been in over countless years looking for this 50s crockery like my Nan's but never have I seen a single piece, until after her death. Then I found the whole set of side plates, and now the jug, in the same colour that I happened to get from her. Definitely good op shopping karma. 

More op shop goodies from the Bendigo Baptist Community Care (The new op shop). A vintage paisley dress still with tags on for $2, some coloured pyrex bowls for 50 cents each, a gorgeous orange flowers vintage towel and a parka and bonds jacket for the littlest man in my life for $1 each. Lovely staff and the bargains were running out the door on day 1.

And here's some other awesome new additions to my pantry. Now I must get myself organised to get the pantry sorted. It will look beautiful anyway. 

Shared with http://www.blackbirdhasspoken.com/

My outfit challenge is now complete.

Today is the last day of my outfit challenge, and whilst it's been fun, I can't wait until tomorrow when I'll be wearing something very comfy and daggy and NOT taking a photo of myself. (Complete with bad hair).

Day 26 - Handmade skirt, one of my favourite vintage floral tops and a 1960s mens dinner suit jacket. (complete with padded shoulder glory)

Day 27 - Having a day with my 8yo, just heading off to watching him play u9 footy then hopping on the train to Melbourne and taking him to see AFL footy. Wearing my grandpa's vest, my hippy market pants, and my vintage footy scarf. Yes I've had it since about 1980, when my footy team used to be good. 

Day 28 - I repaired this vintage dress that had worn through to a hole, by sewing on a piece of doily by hand. I think it matches so well with the dress. Worn with op shopped jacket.

And a little something extra.

Sharing a little something from my wardrobe. This vintage leather coat used to belong to my Grandma. She gave it to me when I started refashioning and she was moving into an aged care place and getting rid of lots of stuff. It's a couple of sizes too big for me but I like having it, and knowing she used to wear it. I just found her hanky, 20 cents and a met ticket in the pocket. It makes me smile thinking of her wearing it. She loved bold colours.

Day 29 -  I'm in the sandpit with my boys this morning wearing a vintage mint paisley shirt and op shopped jeans. Loving the winter sunshine.

Day 30 - Thank goodness! It's been fun but tomorrow I'm looking forward to wearing something daggy and NOT taking a photo of myself. I'm wearing a vintage dress which was refashioned a little by me, and an op shopped jacket. And new boots. These are not op shopped, but I do love them. 

Vintage/Handmade/Op shopped outfits days 19 - 25

Day 19 - I bought this vintage dress at Cheltenham Salvos over 2 years ago, but haven't worn it. It seemed a bit out there. I was scared. But now that I'm wearing it, it's kind of awesome. The back of the dress is fabulous. I'll definitely be wearing it more now.

Day 20 - I'm heading off to the Bendigo Community Farmers' Market this morning so it seemed only right to wear my citrus skirt, purchased from Rosebud Vintage, with stuff shared free hand knitted vest and farmers' market bag.

Day 21 - Vintage dress refashioned by me and shawl borrowed from kids dress ups.

It's day 22. It's a long weekend and I'm staying home today. I'm wearing Yakka overalls that tell a story of a very special relationship. These used to belong to Pa (my grandpa). We had a very special relationship. He called me his 'lovely bubby' from when I was very tiny. He died 19 years ago and my Nan gave me this pair of his overalls. I still like to put them on and feel closer to him sometimes. Grandparents are very special people. Yakka overalls are clearly made to last.

 

Day 23 - Vintage shirt and skirt. More power to the flower!

 

 

Day 24 - Good morning! Cold and rainy here. I'm wearing a tunic made by me from fabric I found at the op shop and op shopped jeans.

 

Day 25  I'm wearing another vintage bodyshirt/shirt. It's hard to tell from the pic but it's covered in yellow and green crosses. With my denim skirt refashion, which keeps popping up because my vintage shirts don't match very well with anything else in my wardrobe. I Love these hill tribe boots.

 Phew! Now what to wear today???

Days 14 and 15 in my vintage/op shop/ handmade challenge.

Here's what I wore.

Day 14 - Tunic made by me from vintage fabric, skirt refashioned from old t shirt and op shopped skull leggings. Winter has arrived in Strathfieldsaye.

Day 15 - Vintage dress, belt and shrug. Shoes refashioned by me. I've got a bit of Monday blues though, so I might pop my pjs back on soon.

A last minute mini break by the sea, and a final visit to my Nanny's house.

We have just been away for a a few days with the family to beautiful Anglesea on the great ocean road in Victoria. Of course we had to visit an op shop or two. 

We found these 2 retro chairs that my brother had been looking for for his outdoor deck. Comfy too. :-)

And I picked out an old crochet and knitting magazine. Knee caps gave me a laugh, and I'm loving the 'Man's tie'.

And while we're on the subject, I was pretty pleased with myself when I finally managed my first line of my next crochet stitch, called double stitch here but I think it's called single in the States.

This time my fur babies came too, and running on that beach, my 11 and 12 year old dogs were like puppies once again. I can't tell you how much joy that gave me, as one of them has been looking very old lately, and has gone almost completely deaf.

On the way back we just happened to drive by the Geelong Vintage Market, and a u turn was necessary to drop in and check out the stock. Many things I loved but I resisted the urge to spend and just enjoy a look around with Ms Juliet, who wanted to buy half the shop.

I adored these old sifters.

 

I'd love to hear the stories this suitcase could tell.

This orange is awesome!

Then we went to my Nanny's house for the last time, to pick up her kitchen table, which has now found a new home at our house. There are many wonderful love filled memories to be found in that table. 

I don't know why, but I salvaged this vinyl from the inside of her kitchen cupboards. It was an impulse. 

Tight squeeze! We almost didn't get it out.

We finally arrived home, and had cheese toasties for dinner, with a memory wrapped up in a whole lot of love. A new home for this table and chairs after 60 odd years.

And this morning, I used an old tile that had been hanging around for years, to make this gorgeous table centre tile (we do lots of big plates in the centre and share our meals) using the salvaged kitchen cupboard vinyl. I'm crazy I know, but it makes me happy.

This afternoon some friends came around and shared scones and jam and cups of tea and coffee at this table, and a new and wonderful memory was created. Back to work and school tomorrow.

30 days of Vintage/op shopped/handmade

So I decided to do 30 days of only wearing vintage/op shopped/handmade. 

Here are my first 12 days. It's been fun getting dressed each day with an extra challenge.

Day 1 was vintage pants, my love shack refashion and my decoupage shoes.

Day 2 was vintage flower power top and denim skirt refashioned from a long maternity skirt. With my handmade boots by the Thai hill tribe ladies.

Next was a vintage dress and jacket, with op shopped skull leggings.

Then homemade pants from op shopped fabric with vintage crochet top and op shopped chocolate top.

Day 5 was a vintage dress I refashioned with darts and taking in at the sides to give it more shape.

Day 6 - Vintage groovy fish body shirt and op shopped pants.

Day 7 - Vintage dress and op shopped coat.

Day 8 - Vintage green body shirt and vintage pants.

Day 9 - Skirt made from a vintage sheet and top free from a stuff sharers group.

Day 10 - Vintage mellow yellow top and op shopped jeans.

Day 11 - Vintage dress.

Day 12 - Vintage tunic refashioned from a mini dress and skirt refashioned from an old t shirt. 

Oh you may notice we've gone away for a couple of days of amazing family time. Yay!!!!