Saturday, April 10, 2010

The Mother Load - Flea Market Find


My flea market finds are usually discreet little purchases that don't take up too much room and are subtlety added to my collections that even Mr Lycra (husband) doesn't notice.

Oh how the tables have turned!

I got carried away with myself today and bought a number of items that are not so inconspicuous. It was a bit of an 'out of body' experience where I found myself grabbing things before the movement of my hand on my purse and my fingers frantically digging for change, registered with my brain. The brain that usually kicks in and says "great bargain, but where on earth are you going to put that? Take hand off cash and step away slowly".

No, the brain was in school holiday mode, mute button on, suspended in time. Damn Brain!

The little table with those great steel handles are the issue here. Quite frankly, I fell in love with the handles! I have absolutely nowhere to put the table. I've toured my home numerous times and can't imagine where it could go. Hard to hide this one in Mr Lycra's shed as it's already brimming with cycling gear and more bikes than Lance Armstrong could justify! 


The basket is a no-brainer - small enough to blend in. 


The old scales - not too sure where to put them but I ask you - for $4 how could I have walked away?


The Hessian bags are fantastic - bought 2 of them. Plan on turning them into cushion covers. 


So, really, when I take a good hard look, its not that bad. My brain has now at least provided exceptional justification for my purchases that the guilt is now no longer there. Brain, you have redeemed yourself!

and....

Just when I thought I'd exhausted my good luck, I made a sneaky trip to another Oppy and found this delightful material...


Oh how I love to Op shop!

For more Op Shop finds, visit Sophie at Her Library Adventures.

12 comments:

bee said...

Oooh that fabric is indeed very gorgeous! Haha - I can totally understand the whole 'buy before you think' phenomenon :) Sometimes you just gotta DO IT!

moose and bird said...

Great finds! Love the scales, how can you go past $4. xo

Billy Angel said...

Reading/scrolling down your purchases I thought lucky you, then I saw the vintage fabric and I was envious. Can't seem to find that kind of fabric in Brisbane, or maybe I'm not looking in the right places. Love to see what you make out of it.

Christina Lowry said...

All great buys I think too! Love the basket too. It reminds me of the waster paper baskets we had in primary schools. Hope you end up finding a place for the cabinet, it would be great for storing fabric. :)

Cathie said...

wow, you have found gorgeous treasures!
i don't do discreet, most things are just too obvious to just become additions without me telling my partner ALL about them :)
that fabric is gorgeous, I bet you'll have fun with that.

Jennie said...

What great finds! That fabric is just beautiful!

sue said...

Generally I find that if I think about it hard enough I can rationalise any op-shop purchase, so clearly this is a skill we share! TCan't wait to see the hessian bags made up!

Steph said...

Love that fabric! And one can never have too many lovely little cupboards with cute handles :)

Cristin // Simplified Bee said...

What incredible finds! Thanks too for dropping by my blog.

xo,
cristin

Renee said...

Oh how I love to op shop too! Love that fabric - great find!

mel @ loved handmade said...

Brilliant! Love the cabinet (did it happen to have three gorgeous matching dressers? Had to put the brakes on there..) You will find the perfect place for it, it's too nice to be sitting out of sight. Great fabric, too!

Snooze said...

Can I come shopping with you? On my own I have a terrible time ... you obviously have a much better eye than me. I hope you can find a home for the table. It's so sweet.
My Flea Market Find