Unplanned School Holiday Adventures!

Well, today could have been a disaster.  My car wouldn't start this morning - the battery was flat.  So instead of worrying about it we walked the few hundred metres down the hill to the local shops for Matilda to get her haircut ready for a new school term.  We were 5 minutes late but they weren't busy and Matilda was happy with her haircut, braid, sparkly hairspray and a couple of chocolate freckles.

Then we went down to the local bakery for a babycino/latte and a little sweet sustainance for our journey home.  But while we were sitting there we decided we didn't fancy the walk back up the hill and caught a bus instead.

Although we could see our house from the bus stop, there is no direct bus home so our trip took an hour and involved two different buses - one of which didn't go the way we thought it would which always adds to the joys of using public transport!

So we then rang the battery man who came and started the car for us and then we had to go for an extra long drive to recharge the battery.  While we were waiting for the battery man Matilda did attempt to find an appropriate sized battery from the stash - that's when I showed her under the bonnet of the car!  And it was lunchtime so we decided on chips from a remote McDonalds (because we could do drive-thru and wouldn't risk the car not starting again).

A trip to Bunnings for some more storage boxes to tidy up the sewing/guest room (as well as something for Trev's upcoming birthday) and a bit of a play on the playgym.  Fortunately the car started again when we got back to it - and if it didn't, I'd have bought myself some jumper leads and begged for a jumpstart from a passing friendly stranger!!

We then dropped off three bags of stuff to the nearby Vinnies.  Matilda had her first real experiance of wandering in the treasure trove that an op-shop can be (I usually go in my lunch hour at work rather than dragging kids around) and we found some amazing stuff.  I convinced her we didn't need the big plastic dolls house but we did find a Barbie motor scooter and two Barbie pushbikes (as well as some great fabric for me).

Altered yellow trousers were dropped off for the skinny cousin/nephew and I managed to score a cuppa and homemade brownies before heading home.

Coles delivered my groceries for the second time today.  I somehow managed to place two online orders for delivery today (I blame placenta brain but it's more likely dyslexia in reading 12pm as midnight not midday but don't tell anyone).   Fortunately we didn't really double up on anything so all is good.  And the big order arrived in plenty of time for me to use it to cook dinner.  In nearly a year of doing my groceries online this is the first time I've stuffed up and I can't recommend it enough - much more pleasant having my groceries delivered to my kitchen bench than dragging kids around the supermarket or having to go out once they are in bed!

All in all, a pretty good day! Just finishing off now with a banana split (thanks to the extra bananas we ended up with) and an evening cuppa.

More Op-shop Goodness

Yes, I missed yesterday in Blogtoberfest but I had nothing to say and the computer was really slow and I was watching Packed to the Rafters!

Anyway, I had a fabulous day at a couple of the op shops near my work today! Got an absolute mass of stuff and change from $20 - I love a good op shop day.

Anyway I ended up with some music books...

A green heart sheet and some other fabrics...

And the very best Atlas from 1961!

And if you can guess which item cost me the most and how much I paid for it I'll send you some of my favourite chocolate truffles from Anvers! First correct is the winner. If there are no correct answers by Monday 25 October then the winner will be the closest to the price paid! I'll post this overseas but can't guarantee that they won't be melted in transit - they'll still taste good though!

If you haven't yet, please enter my other Blogtoberfest giveaway here!

EDITED: This giveaway closed. Correct answer was The Atlas for $6.50, and Teresa guessed it correctly!! The Heart Sheet was the best bargain at $2.50 and everything else was a dollar or less! Thanks for joining in. Blogtoberfest Giveaway still open until next week.

Weirdo Photographs Linen Drying!

That's what my new neighbour must be thinking!!

Who hangs their washing on the line and then gets their camera out of their pocket to photograph it?

(sheets and some great fabric finds from Spotlight - Monaluna, Riley Blake, etc. Who'd've thought!)

Only a blogger!!

(latest op-shop sheets - ready for a swap!)

Thought some of you might be interested to see some of my latest vintage sheet finds - just in time for the Vintage Sheet Fat Quarter Swap (and it's not too late to join in if you're interested - click here).


I'm dreaming about sitting at my sewing machine and there is a window of opportunity opening up! My exam is tomorrow, Matilda's birthday is on Sunday and after that my evenings will be all about sewing and crafting and being creative. I can't wait (for both the exam to be over and the sewing to begin).

Hotter than Sydney!

It was 28 degrees yesterday in Hobart (and forecast for 30 today) - hotter than Sydney!! So the kids had their first go in the paddling pool for the year.

Kelvin was loving it...

...and then decided he'd try to fit into that saucepan - unlikely given those thighs!!

I'm home sick today with the sorest of sore sore throats (can barely swallow) so an email from Amy at Badskirt was a lovely surprise - I won her pre-Japan fat quarters giveaway!! I've only just received some fabric that I bought from Amy. I'm loving the Cogsmo and the duckies are very cute.

I've also been op-shopping again and found some more fabulous vintage linen - thinking pillowcase dresses and lounge pants (aka pyjama bottoms).

Op Shop Finds

A few months back I signed up for Wardrobe Refashion and although I stuck with my pledge (apart from buying a winter jacket) I didn't really get much time for refashioning. However, it did renewed my love of op-shopping and I have discovered that I work in the middle of op-shop central! There is a Vinnies, Salvos, Red Cross and ADRA op-shop within easy walking distance of my office - I could even visit them all in my lunch break if I was so inclined!


I also discovered the Vinnies Furniture and Haby warehouse during the week and found some gorgeous things (including a CurlyPops pillowcase - on the right!)...
...I nearly squealed with delight when I saw these two butterfly single-flat-sheets. I'm definitely making these into some Oliver+S pj's for Tilds!!

...This sheet reminds me of the birdie fabric in this dress (maybe Joel Dewberry?).And they threw these button in for nothing (is it poor-form to enjoy getting a freebie at a charity shop?).