Category Archives: thrifting

intricate birdcage

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As promised, here is a preview of something I’ve made for the Shabby Market coming up at a great rate of knots.

Lately I’ve gotten all wired about wire.

I love the stuff. I love the whimsical things you can do with it.

A while ago I made a teeny tiny birdcage as inspired by Pinterest and since then I’ve been feeling the need to make more. So I did. I made more teeny tiny ones. (Pics of those coming later).

I looked through the items I’d collected in my travels thinking they’d make interesting suncatchers or objects d’art. I found two of these little beauties… and I did what any self respecting re-purposer would do:

I made them into bird cages.

Aren’t they cute?

I’m now working on a set of 4 very tarnished silver cups…

Are you as mad about wire as I am?

z

day 29 – rusty horse shoes

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What I did today:
I mowed the lawn.
I went to Fentonbury to have a look at what work needs to be done there, and organise it.
I visited the pacing trainer I bought Ben from and collected some rusty horse shoes. Cause you never know when you’ll need more rusty horse shoes.
I put off folding and putting away clothes. Again.
I groomed half a dog. Or should I say, I half groomed one dog. I put Romeo on the table and clipped the dirt off him. Its amazing how poodles are clean under the top layer of fur. Tomorrow is Montana’s turn. Then they’ll both get a wash. At least that’s the plan.
I bought a baby oak tree. Now to research where to plant it…
I made carbonara with minimum bacon. By necessity, not choice.

What I didn’t do:
Look at my To Do list. Time is ticking, we’re nearing the end of October and I’ve barely scratched the surface of the list.

Basically, I crossed off a couple of items and added 4 more.

z

day 28 – it gets worse before it gets better

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That’s what they say. And let me tell you, its true!

Here is what the office looks like now:

I’ve pilled old suitcases and metal boxes on top of the dresser to hold things in an organised fashion. I added tags to everything so I’d know what went where.

I can  see the desktop. But give me 5 minutes…

And I found a use for a couple of the bedsprings I got from the tip shop a couple of weeks ago.

This is what the office looked like earlier today:

Yep. There’s a desk under there somewhere…

This was yesterday:
This was today:

So, you’ll agree… it did look a lot worse before it got better, right?

Then, cause I loved the whole tag thing, I went a bit crazy and started tagging everything. Including the suitcases in the guest room which act as a bedside table.

I’m pretty happy.

What I did today:
I found my desk. I found the coffee table in the living room. I did 3 loads of washing. I made a cheesecake.

What I didn’t do:
Clip and wash the poodles. Its only been on the list for 3 weeks. Fold the washing and put it away. Cook dinner.

I’m going to go eat some leftovers and watch TV. I think I earned it.

z

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day 21 – insulators

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I collect insulators.
I didn’t used to collect insulators.
What happened was, I went into a tip shop one day and saw the two larger white ones. I hadn’t seen that type before, so I grabbed them… thinking I could do something with them of course.
I had tons of the small white ones – from the electric fence I’d put up in Fentonbury.
Then my friend Diane told me about her insulator collection and showed me photos of some really amazing ones… Who knew insulators were collectable?
So, when I saw those blue ones in a shop recently I had to have them. Firstly cause they’re a nice colour and secondly cause now I have a real collection.
They say having 3 of something makes it a collection. If that’s so, then six is way up there.
For now these guys are sitting on top of the hot water cylinder on our porch but one day I’ll find a better spot for them. When I do I might give them a clean as well…
Anyhow, just thought I’d share my newest collection.

What I did today:
The dishes. Some washing, some hanging out of washing, some bringing in of washing when it rained. Brought up some firewood to light the fire cause it was cold. Groomed dogs. Discovered that my customer database had corrupted and, since I didn’t have a backup, started it all over again. Did the grocery shopping. Made a salad. Entertained visitors. Spent quality time with Ben while the poodles rampaged in the top paddock.

What I didn’t do today:
Work on the website. Pay bills. Work on any suncatchers or chimes. Crossed anything off the list.
Better go finish that database. 
What a pain. I learned my lesson though… from now on I’ll have three copies: the one I use and two backups.
z

day 19 – shabby bustier

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It all started out as an innocent browse through a tip shop.

Then this thing kind of leapt out at me.

A wire bustier thing. Gorgeous. I think its made to hang earrings on… Whatever. It was pretty.

Even prettier when I finished with it!

Now its not just an earring holder. It’s a work of art all on its own. It could hold its own in Marie Antoinette’s boudoir.

Yep. Another thing ticked off the list. Way to go!

What I did today:
I bought a new ironing board cover. I bought a couple of new paintbrushes. I had coffee with friends. I pooperscooped. I weeded. I pulled out a plant I didn’t want and planted some sage in its place. I watered the potted plants. Next I’ll have a shower cause weeding makes me itchy all over, then I’m making bruschetta for dinner. Yum.

What I didn’t do:
Buy chicken for the dogs. Buy black paint. Pay bills.

Tomorrow is another day.

z

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Beyond The Picket Fence

day 18 – suncatchers

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Last night I ended up doing a little more than I expected. I stayed up till way past my bedtime and made two suncatchers. With another two to finish tonight, I’ve made 4 for the lady who ordered them. I figure if I can finish 2-3 more before I see her, she’ll have more to choose from.
These two are made using Wayne’s wire creations. The one above is delicate and pretty, a flower with clear and pinkish crystals. It’d look great hanging in a window.

The one below is centered around a flattened antique spoon which Wayne has added wire embelishments to. This one is about 12in long all together.
The other ones I’m working on are recycled and re-purposed items. Stay tuned.

What I did today:
I finally cleaned up the mess on the guest bed. When I removed the linen closet from the living room I ended up with a huge amount of doonas, sheets and blankets that needed a new home. This is a small house with small rooms and a huge living room. I only have one wardrobe in the guest room and its really small… I’m cutting down on the amount of doonas I have and will get some vacuum bags for underbed storage for what I keep.
In short: one thing ticked off the list – clean up the guest room and sort the bedding.
Actually, that’s two ticks. Yippee!
I also brought the ironing board in from the shed (we don’t iron in this house – its against our religion). That’s one tick off the sub-list in my make cushions and curtains from old flour sacks project.
Of course, before I can do anything I need to buy a new cover for it. The one on it is pretty disgusting… Its not handled the shed very well and I think mice might have been using the top of it as a lover’s lookout…
Yeech.
So one thing crossed off the list, one more added to it.

What I didn’t do:
Go back to the tip shop to pick up a couple of things I saw yesterday which I’m thinking I might need want.
Then again… I’m rethinking it now. Maybe I don’t want need them after all.
z

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day 17 – more junk

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What I did today:
Bought food for the dogs. Bought chaff and pellets for the horses. Went to the tip shop and scored a few things. Went to work, but that doesn’t count on the blog. That’s my ‘other life’.

What I didn’t do:
The night is young. I have plenty of time to not do a ton of stuff on my list.

Till then, here are a few photos of my scores… The hessian sacks I got at an antique shop last week. The other bits and pieces are new.

 

Interesting, no?

I really need to do something about my addiction to junk.

z

day 14 – a collection of scissors

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Today I finally managed to do something creative.
I have actually been doing lots of creative things in bits and pieces, all the time… but I finally managed to do something and finish it all in one go. It feels good.
A long time ago I found these old wooden crate/trays in a tip shop. I grabbed them cause I knew I could use them. One day. Like everything else.
I had plans for them, but they just took up space, got moved from here to there and then to further over for quite a few months.
Over the last few months I’ve found, and collected, a couple of old shears (the ones on either side). When cleaning out some of Wayne’s old horse gear I found these very old, rusty scissors. Perfect.
I now knew exactly what to do with one of the crates.
I drilled holes in the sides, threaded wire through to hold the shears in place. I had to use wire through the back to tie the scissors in place.
I love it. I’m thinking I might use old tools in the other two and make a set to hang on a wall outside somewhere…
Things I did today:
I groomed a dog. I went to a garage sale and bought a ton of printing paper and two printers – one to replace Wayne’s busted one and one for a backup. And a matt cutter. And some almost antique thick cotton sheets. I bought fuel and I whippersnipped the entire yard. 
An observation… no  matter how much care you take to pooperscoop the yard before whippersnipping, there will always be some mines for you to find, which you will hit and scatter. At least the horse pooh is bigger and easier to spot. Though I think I now know what the inside of a horse tastes like. Yeech.
I’ve started a whole heap of projects. I started and finished one (above). I washed dishes.
Things I didn’t do:
I didn’t fold the washing. I didn’t cook dinner. We went out instead. 
Not a bad day overall.
z

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day 13 – roadkill furniture and other finds

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Today has been a great day. Mostly. It all started with a great find on the side of the road.
I was on my way to the work garage sale in Hobart when I spotted something on the side of the road. Was it alive? Was it dead? What kind of animal was it?
It wasn’t an animal at all! As I whizzed past I caught a glimpse of something timber with scalloped edges.
I braked so hard I almost sent poor Romeo into the middle of next week. I parked and ran back to find this beauty.
Someone was obviously taking it to the tip. See, the top is missing, broken off, maybe under a pile of rubbish at the tip as we speak.
It was wobbly, nothing tightening up and a bit of glue wont fix. And its got a few scrapes where it hit the asphalt. Just right for a shabby look. It was calling my name, thanking me profusely for rescuing it from a fate worse than death at the tip. Its promised me years of loyalty if I fix it up and give it a new top.
Not a bad way to start the day.
So, I did go to the garage sale, and took Romeo with me. He’s been to work with me a few times and some of the clients met him and ask me about him all the time. It was great to take him there and see some of them and give them a chance to see Romeo all grown up. Both Romeo and the clients loved it.
I got this from the garage sale – its metal but light and over 12in long.
 
From there we walked up the road to a church fair where I bought some home made jam and Romeo got more attention. He’s such a well behaved boy, more focussed on me than anything else. I could have him offlead and he wouldn’t leave my side.
After that I had a toy poodle puppy to do a show groom on, and back at home I had 2 more small mixed breed dogs to do. One a new customer and one a regular.
Then the day went downhill…
Did I mention to you that I have competition in town now? A dog grooming salon has opened in New Norfollk.
Well, to add insult to injury, I heard today that they’ve named the shop VALLEY DOGS.
This is my logo:
Its not a registered name as I have an ABN (Australian Business Number) for my name, not a particular business so I can groom or paint or whatever, but its what’s on my business cards and the name I’ve listed in the local directory!!!
In fact, I got a call on Friday from a lady who wanted me to groom her golden retriever next week. After booking her in she said ‘You’re in Willow Court, aren’t you?’ I said no, I was in Magra…
So… she obviously saw the sign they had out on the road in town and looked ‘them’ up in the local directory and got me. She booked in with me. 
What can I do? Do I have any rights given its not a registered name? I mean, I’ve been using it for 2 years now. Surely that counts for something. If they have registered the name as a business though… what do I do?
Sigh.
I’m not happy.
z

day 12 – treasures

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Today I thought I’d share some treasures I’ve collected over the last few weeks. I just can’t help myself.
I say I won’t buy anything else cause, to quote a wise friend (same wise friend who’s the list making expert), “until you start making/finishing things, its all just clutter”.
But such nice clutter.
Clutter with potential!
Anyway, above are some handles I found which are so tarnished they look gorgeous.
Then there’s the chess board with backgammon on the back. What will I do with that? No idea. It just looked nice at the time!
I loved this bowl. Simple and white. I bought it for no other reason.
 
This light fixture piece. I think the parts might come in handy. One day. For something. Maybe.
A flower press. I don’t press flowers, but I can start!
Or I can use it for something completely different. Who said it has to be a flower press forever?
Two old and rusty metal tool boxes.
Ahhh, the call of rusty metal. Loved these pieces and think they’ll make terrific somethings one day.
Now, how can you say no to this cute little wall shelf? Its gorgeous.
And you know my unhealthy obsession with old tools and rusty bits? Here are a couple of handles, another hand sander and a pair of shears of some sort to add to my collection of shears and old scissors.
Which I’ll put together in some kind of display one day. 

Last but not least… a Noddy book! When I saw it I just had to have it for my Benny boy.
Ben (my horse) was named Noddy by his original owners cause he has this habit of nodding his head when he’s excited.
So, back to business…
What I did today:
I put on a load of washing. Only another 512 to go. It was easier when I had two working washing machines in the laundry.
I posted an important letter.
I finished 2 suncatchers (did that last night, but since I’d already blogged I’m claiming it as an achievement for today).
I pooperscooped the yard. Collected eggs, fed horses and dogs. Washed dishes. That was a feat.
What I didn’t do:
Cook dinner. Put away groceries. Wayne did that. Groom a dog after work. I postponed that till tomorrow. 
Don’t they say ‘Never do today what you can put off till tomorrow?’
No? 
That’s not how it goes?
darn…
z