tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post3009213689880296947..comments2024-03-26T00:26:19.756-07:00Comments on The Bluebirds are Nesting...: The Christmas Challenge. Op shops and thrift stores.Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-32789415690006308092017-06-12T04:01:26.631-07:002017-06-12T04:01:26.631-07:00Thank you Rachel I'm so glad you like it :) on...Thank you Rachel I'm so glad you like it :) one guess what my favourite colour is! LOL Hugs xx<br /><br />Love & hugs to Annabel xoxoxSusan's Perspectivehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11099604830580776565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-28805137492081077952017-06-08T16:38:22.971-07:002017-06-08T16:38:22.971-07:00Wow! That Burberry coat is a real find! Go Chloe! ...Wow! That Burberry coat is a real find! Go Chloe! Mimi xxxMimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189100084557458199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-8271749688825134182017-06-08T04:58:41.062-07:002017-06-08T04:58:41.062-07:00Dear Annabel,
Op shops are my best friend too! I ...Dear Annabel,<br /><br />Op shops are my best friend too! I have found some real bargains over the years. I collect anything vintage, especially kitchenalia which I have found quite a lot in op shops, country ones are better. Also clearing sales and auctions can be a great place to find things. Last weekend we went to a clearing sale and purchased an old 1950's park bench in really good order for $25! Plus two cast iron singer treadle machine footings. Phil is going to put tops on them. They were $10 a pair...bargain! There were lots of things that I could have purchased for gifts but I needed your reminder to remind me lol! Never mind I will keep this in my head for next time. We are going to a market on Sunday so will see what I can pick up.<br /><br />Some wonderful ideas from you and the bluebird ladies. Sorry I haven't been commenting quite as often as I would like. Life has been getting in the way lately. I do pop in to catch up on what everyone is up to though. Some fantastic things happening here ~smiles.<br /><br />Hope everyone is well,<br /><br />Love Tania xxTaniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10176661940614462611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-78815259898798974402017-06-08T03:24:20.722-07:002017-06-08T03:24:20.722-07:00Annabel, do you mean this photo?!!!! (from 31/01/2...<br />Annabel, do you mean this photo?!!!! (from 31/01/2017)<br /><br />http://thebluebirdsarenesting.blogspot.com.au/2017/01/<br /><br />Wouldn't it be funny if we could op shop together?! You could have the Glo Mesh wallets, and I'd be over the moon with bits of cork! Ha ha!!<br /><br />Regards,<br />'Blog secretary'Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-3180115346777232472017-06-08T01:01:51.582-07:002017-06-08T01:01:51.582-07:00Amazing thread , as usual Annabel. Thank you for t...Amazing thread , as usual Annabel. Thank you for this wonderful resource that is such a homely place to visit. All those who comment really add to its value too. Thank you<br />I am hoping to make some sourdough bread on Sat for the first time. Today, I went to Savers( a second hand shop) and found two great quality loaf pans for $13 for the two. I thought that the price was a little high but could see they were quality ones. When I came home and looked up the price the RRP is $34.95 each. So, I am now over the moon with my purchase. They are Anolon Suregrip loaf pans. <br />I also have been collecting jars with good seals for over a year now. My hope is to store most of our food in glass jars rather than plastic bags or containers. I love what you do with painting and putting the little Roses on your jars Annabel. I know that Mimi sent you the Roses but could you tell me if they are stickers or something that is used for pottery? I would love to have a go at doing something similar.<br />I am not very artistic at all, but I would also like to attempt the glass etching that was featured in one of the Friday threads. I was wondering if anyone could tell me if the etching was OK for bake ware that would go in the oven. Do you think the integrity of the glass would be jeopardized by the process at all. I was thinking that putting our names on our glass bake ware would be a great way of ensuring the return of our bake ware. <br />Did anyone watch the War on Waste programs that were on ABC lately? They were a real eye opener to me. I thought that I was OK with recycling but those episodes really showed me there are so many more ways that I can cut down on waste. <br />Thank you<br />Anne<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-91146064624164172752017-06-07T23:42:34.258-07:002017-06-07T23:42:34.258-07:00Dear Kelsey,
The time has come for your apple gree...Dear Kelsey,<br />The time has come for your apple green fabric! She will love this gift!<br />Your skirt sounds beautiful! Do not ever be put off by anyone who doesnt approve. Imagine their credit card balance compared to yours and smile! (as this is often the case!)<br />Your lace and trims were a lovely find! I know you will use them all! <br />When we head off to the thrift store or a garage sale it is a lot of fun and can be a huge savings. Even if you have to put away some things for latter, i.e. a little boys pair of jeans that will be good in a coulee of years, if you use the system I mentioned to you there they will be when you need them! <br />I hope you are feeling well and glancing resting with doing things! Not long now! With love Annabel.xxx<br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-80008944000412203622017-06-07T23:36:59.022-07:002017-06-07T23:36:59.022-07:00Dear Rachel,
Glo mesh wallets and purses are still...Dear Rachel,<br />Glo mesh wallets and purses are still n my list. They are hard to come by! <br />I thought the wattle was real! It is beautiful! I love that jar and little display! And I love that you have your Grandmothers embroidery and love it. <br />When I was posting this there was another picture you took that I was looking for, it was a collection of fine knitting wool in balls you got from the op shop and I couldnt find it! But what a good thing to have found! <br />I love old baking pans, dishes, loaf tins all of these are lovely when thick, old, handmade... <br />I love pie dishes! And biscuit cutters and tins!<br />Lets go op shopping shall we! With love Annabel.xxx<br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-78567544098088193692017-06-07T23:33:49.108-07:002017-06-07T23:33:49.108-07:00Dear Cath,
I love old china, tea sets, tea pots......Dear Cath,<br />I love old china, tea sets, tea pots... I have a thing about milk jugs being gorgeous... and tiered cake plates! I love it all. It makes ordinary tea and whatever we are eating feel special.<br />Garage sales are a good thing to mention. They can be even better than thrift stores these days. You just never know what you will find! It sounds like you need to find a nice old trunk or something like that for the gift overflow! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-58413336830426020372017-06-07T23:30:43.413-07:002017-06-07T23:30:43.413-07:00Dear Kelley,
What a story! What a good find! What ...Dear Kelley,<br />What a story! What a good find! What a savings! Thats what Im talking about! I think if you buy wide aluminium foil and smoothly cover your ironing board then put the ironing board cover over the top of this... this equals an aluminised ironing board cover! <br />Yes we have Oxyclean or an equivalent at least. You can make that too... I might put a link to how to make it on Mondays blog. I am big on soaking and getting things back to new! The girls send me their fails and I have a good track record of succeeding. This comes from many years of practice!<br />Yes, when someone mentions something they need, love, cant afford or other information I write it down! This is very useful! <br />I loved reading about your op shop! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-34021606171774718402017-06-07T23:08:44.039-07:002017-06-07T23:08:44.039-07:00Dear Jane,
I have seen some op shops that have gon...Dear Jane,<br />I have seen some op shops that have gone crazy and heard of them. Yours sounds like one of them! They used to both make money for charity and provide affordable things for the community. Some have forgotten what they are for! When off in the caravan the op shops might be better.<br />Your cotton washcloths are beautiful plus the soaps to go with them! These are a perfect gift. And trades are the best!<br />I am amazed it is so cold there! Rachel said how cold it was.. she is in QLD also. It is cold here... and raining. Proper winter! With love Annabel.xxx<br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-19322671098834160722017-06-07T23:07:55.769-07:002017-06-07T23:07:55.769-07:00Oh, thank you, Kelsey! In that case, I would like ...Oh, thank you, Kelsey! In that case, I would like for you to have a free life subscription to the magazine! Ha ha!! Yes, op shops -- where needs are met, and dreams come true!!<br />Regards,<br />RachelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-28556093954659901032017-06-07T23:04:43.630-07:002017-06-07T23:04:43.630-07:00Dear Debbie, It is amazing what you can find. What...Dear Debbie, It is amazing what you can find. What lovely gifts! It does take some time to look and find but I enjoy it, its quite exciting! I think overall it is worth putting away really good things as sooner or later someone will have a baby or other occasion! Many thanks with love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-43245854101975117712017-06-07T23:02:07.453-07:002017-06-07T23:02:07.453-07:00Dear Fiona, That is such a nice compliment! Winter...Dear Fiona, That is such a nice compliment! Winter sun is THE BEST. I try and do the same. If the sun is out I want to be in it. It just does you good. <br />You are a good op shopper! I think of all the things you get for the animal shelter and the kangaroo pouches you make! <br />So far so good with the insurance! A few more steps to go and a bit to put up with until then but it is looking like we will get a new kitchen, lounge and dining room floor. (relief!) I hope your week is going well! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-51055129742904765732017-06-07T21:39:47.900-07:002017-06-07T21:39:47.900-07:00Dear Jo,
Your op shop is one of my all time favour...Dear Jo,<br />Your op shop is one of my all time favourites! I always have success there! One time, before I met you, I sat on the ground and went through all the tubs out the back... with the half slips and so on... I got so much mostly to use for lace and sewing. I was there fro ages. Also knowing it is all helping such a good charity is wonderful. <br />Andy was only telling someone on the weekend how you figured out who I was by my op shop searches... there I was going through all the sheets! We will get back... normally we would stay at Moonta Bay and we hope to again when the finances are a bit better. I love that whole area I think its glorious. You are surrounded by fresh air and sea. With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-58409898164556761082017-06-07T21:36:04.270-07:002017-06-07T21:36:04.270-07:00Dear Cookie,
I love your Chanel style jackets! Wha...Dear Cookie,<br />I love your Chanel style jackets! What an idea! You are one clever cookie! haha! Wool overall seems very expensive now. The shirt sounds like a great find.<br />You would be a god person to thrift store with! Imagine the fun we could have! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-59880301825400553022017-06-07T21:33:54.307-07:002017-06-07T21:33:54.307-07:00Dear Glenda, Yes they re the same thing I think. A...Dear Glenda, Yes they re the same thing I think. Antique stores here are very expensive but thrift stores are very inexpensive and usually benefit a charity.<br />They are so much fun. I cant even imagine what Ive saved over the years but also the treats Ive had! Many craft supplies that is for sure! Thank you Glenda! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-32614112993703834632017-06-07T21:31:57.066-07:002017-06-07T21:31:57.066-07:00Dear Mimi,
So much in common! Well you have remin...Dear Mimi, <br />So much in common! Well you have reminded me yes... books... Andy gets all his novels from op shops which is a savings of about $18 each or something... and the wedding dresses! yes! I have made cushions with roses and things like that from luscious old dresses. Silk is another one... i.e. a silk robe made into a silk pillowcase. And all the rose sheets I have had! Just so much I have lost track! <br />There is a lot of fun to be had and if retail therapy is needed then this is the way to go! You just never know what you might find. Chloe has a genuine Burberry winter coat for $15. She's happy!<br />I think I need to go op shopping now! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-79198429696478847662017-06-07T21:27:14.660-07:002017-06-07T21:27:14.660-07:00Dear Lynette, I think it is the country op shops t...Dear Lynette, I think it is the country op shops that are mostly the best now but there are a few gems around. Demolition yards are another amazing place to go! Your savings have been huge! Good thing about having a station wagon too! <br />Over the years this must have saved you a fortune! And been quite a bit of fun too! Some of the salvage yards have beautiful things, I love things like wrought iron, old columns, beautiful old doors.... all of that! Right up my alley! Thank you Lynette! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-85446908272639346812017-06-07T21:17:48.656-07:002017-06-07T21:17:48.656-07:00Dear Teresa, IT is the same here, some op shops ha...Dear Teresa, IT is the same here, some op shops have a huge percentage of brand new items! Andy got four brand new shirts last weekend. Still all in packaging etc. Its amazing. One particular shop we like has almost half brand new I would say. Its fantastic! <br />Birds of a feather really do flock together thats true! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-29409781203610524782017-06-07T19:44:48.274-07:002017-06-07T19:44:48.274-07:00Hello everyone, (Blue)birds of a feather sure floc...Hello everyone, (Blue)birds of a feather sure flock together! We all love the topic of buying treasures second hand, don't we?! In the western USA, many retail stores donate seasonal or excess stock to thrift stores. I bought a brand new, in the box fireplace screen for a few dollars at Goodwill. I also routinely buy books, purses, and much of my own wardrobe this way. I sometimes will purchase a gift secondhand, especially if it looks brand new or is something I know the recipient specifically wants.<br /><br />Annabel, those boots sound like they were a much-treasured gift! <br /><br />Have a great day Bluebirds! Teresa Teresanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-53867615390848029882017-06-07T19:19:53.663-07:002017-06-07T19:19:53.663-07:00Fiona, I did the same thing you did: I told mysel...Fiona, I did the same thing you did: I told myself I had to wait to read Annabel's new post until after I did some work around the house (made dinner and cleaned up afterward)! Fun!! TeresaTeresanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-50373121631354489862017-06-07T16:44:19.848-07:002017-06-07T16:44:19.848-07:00I never seem to find a great bargain in the local ...I never seem to find a great bargain in the local op shops - usually when we are away is when I find the bargains and things that I have been looking for.<br /><br />I much prefer demolition yards - I have had great success over the years when doing work on our houses with finding windows and other things for the project. Often we have had quotes for new items in the thousands and I have managed to find what was needed for the whole job for less than a thousand dollars. <br /><br />This house is a prime example - we changed windows out and put in french doors - the quote from the builder was $3,000- per set (we needed 3 sets). We were down the south side of Brisbane for something so we also took the time to search out a couple of demolition yards - found 2 matching sets that just fitted into our station wagon (the reason my husband is looking for a replacement station wagon) and then I found an almost (slightly smaller) set on eBay. The 3 sets came in at under $1,000- and the builder was shocked.<br /><br />We have had 2 previous old houses and I have done similar, only buying new when I could not find what was needed and even then we got those items for the cheapest price we could find. I can remember the builder on the first old place walking in and saying he had a bargain for me - a set of windows for $80-. That was the day I took him to my stash of 7 windows that I had purchased for $50-.<br /><br />I just love a good demolition yard. <br /><br />Hope everyone is having a great week<br /><br /><br /><br />Lynette<br />XXXXXAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-29079763958511369382017-06-07T15:52:50.058-07:002017-06-07T15:52:50.058-07:00Dear Annabel, yes, yes and yes! I'm an op shop...Dear Annabel, yes, yes and yes! I'm an op shopper from waaaaay back as you know, and I've scored so many treasures it makes my head spin sometimes. You're right in being very specific in your treasure hunting when looking for gifts though. It's tempting to grab every 'gift pack' on display after Mothers Day and Christmas, but unless you're going to repackage them somehow, they're not necessarily going to be welcomed any more than they were by the person who donated them...unless the recipient is like me and uses hand cream and body wash like there's no tomorrow! I keep my eye out for very particular items too. For my own husband (who like Andy has a very arty interests), it's music trinkets like old sheet music, ornamental pianos of all kinds, leather journals, unusual pens and penholders, vintage desk calendars (the metal swing/flip over to change the date kind), unusual clocks and music boxes. For my daughter, it's anything dance related. My sister loves thick books for a good long read, and my daughter in law loves chunky candles and candle holders. Another thing is that sheet music makes beautiful wrapping paper (photocopy it so you have an endless supply), as do childrens books and vintage magazines. I remember you wrapping some gifts in Peter Rabbit paper, I think?? Wedding dresses make a fabulous supply of gorgeous silks and satins for pillowcases, sheet trims, soap bags, lingerie bags and lingerie, and I think we all now realise that fabric is fabric, and that vintage or any sheets and quilt covers can be turned into almost anything you like for very little money. Gosh...I think we ALL love this topic! Hope your week is lovely everyone. Love, Mimi xxxMimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189100084557458199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-30468061426601838792017-06-07T14:51:14.791-07:002017-06-07T14:51:14.791-07:00Dear Annabel,
We don't have Op shops around...Dear Annabel,<br /> We don't have Op shops around here. We have thrift stores, but I am not sure that is the same thing. Antique stores might have some of the items you mentioned. All of your finds are lovely. I love those vintage pink parfait glasses, Susan.<br /> I haven't done much for the gift closet this year, so I truly enjoy seeing everyone else's wonderful makes and finds. We've had a rather busy year with health, so I have relaxed what I expect out of myself (LOL). <br />Your suggestions are wonderful as always, Annabel.<br />Love and hugs,<br />GlendaGlendanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-43472244520988104572017-06-07T14:37:02.219-07:002017-06-07T14:37:02.219-07:00Dear Annabel,
I could go on and on forever about ...Dear Annabel,<br /><br />I could go on and on forever about my love affair with op shops/thrift stores. They're fabulous for all of the things that have been mentioned, and I especially love them for art supplies. I like to find extra large men's wool sweaters. In years past I've boiled the sweater and dried it and then made some boiled wool Chanel type jackets out of them. The sweaters $2 at the most. The jackets if bought in an upscale dress shop, hundreds of dollars. <br /><br />In the US the Pendleton Wool brand is very expensive. I just found an extra large man's Black Watch tartan plaid 100 percent Pendleton<br />Wool shirt for $1. I haven't quite decided what to do with it yet, but there's a couple of yards of great wool fabric in the shirt.<br /><br />I think right now, after the last haul, there's enough to keep me busy for a good long time.<br />Blessing,<br />Cookie<br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com