Tag Archives: Woodstock

Shopping For Something Special

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In my quest to live a greener, simpler life with less stuff I rarely go shopping except for basic foods.  When I do shop it is for a specific purpose such as buying a gift or something I need for a sewing project.

I also buy from op shops where it is feasible and appropriate, as buying second-hand goods stops those things being sent to landfill and there is no additional carbon footprint from the production of new manufactured items.

Whether it is second-hand or new, I do not go browsing and shopping for the sake of it.  I know of people who go op shopping to minimise the cost of their need for a “shopping fix”.  This still tends to result in lots of extra “stuff” being bought.  It can actually be worse in terms of acquiring stuff as op shop goods are generally cheaper, thus enabling more to be bought.

Today I went to an op shop in the city but it was almost like a boutique compared to the basic op shops in the suburbs and country towns.  There are 2 op shops in Maleny so I went there is the hope of finding what I was looking for.  The purpose of my expedition was to find some things I needed for my costume for the themed dinner at a work conference on Thursday evening.  Our table is 1960’s and we have chosen Woodstock as our theme.

Here is what I bought.

A cheesecloth sundress which I am going to turn into a long skirt – $6.50

A single bed doona cover to make into a tablecloth for our table – $8.50

And finally, a top from the Nepalese shop in Maleny – patchwork,tie-dyed and hand-painted.  It even has bell sleeves.

I need to make a shoulder bag and I may make a vest as well.

Now I am off to start re-fashioning.  Next week I will post some photos of my outfit.

 

Weekly Challenge – Week 15

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Week 15 – I have decided to remove all the tasks that have been completed.  The list now will just be the ones I haven’t done from previous weeks 😦 and the 4 new ones that I have added for the coming week.  They will retain their existing numbering so you will be able to gauge how long I have been procrastinating over some of them.  I have put notes in italics by way of explanation below some items.

What I have done so far.  Scroll to the end of the list to so the new additions for this week.

3. Create a spreadsheet for future holiday packing needs

17. Follow up what I need to do to change my superannuation

23. Organise quote to have poinciana tree lopped and mulched

We have almost decided that we can do it ourselves.

25. Clean windows on southern side of house

I have done more than half of these

32. Thin out and re-pot bok choy seedlings

I have planted 12 of the strongest ones in the garden and will stagger planting of the rest.

35. Make a vinyl cover for the newly-created day bed

39.Arrange to close a bank account that is no longer required

44. Defrost small freezer

47. Take glass jars to op shop

I will give them to a specific person who would like them but can’t be done till next month.

51. Add more notes to my Christmas letter draft

54.Search for accommodation for weekend in Sydney next month.

56. Clean and pack away the doll’s house I received through Freecycle (for when the girls are older).

57. Create costume for themed dinner at work conference.

58. Hem a pair of trousers for Missy

59. Finish sorting out my stash of fabric.

60. Refashion and hem 2 pairs of jeans/trousers that I bought at the op-shop.

Re 57.  The theme for our table is Woodstock – any tips or suggestions will be gratefully accepted.  I am trying to make it as cost neutral as possible.  It will be interesting given that the original Woodstock festival was in the summer – hence some participants wore VERY little in the way of clothing.  We will be re-creating the event near Ballarat at the end of August -BBBRRRR!!!!  I am thinking of a long skirt – might buy a floral sheet from the op shop, tie-dyed t-shirt and a long over-sized cardigan.  For warmth I will add tights underneath the skirt and perhaps a crocheted beret.  Off I go to search the internet for a pattern and try to refresh my crocheting skills.

Til next week. 🙂