Butterflies. Fairies. Pink. Purple. And so on.

A long time ago I stitched both the boys their own pillow cases. I love embroidering pillow cases. I could do it 'til the cows come home, alas I don't seem to get much time these days.

Last week I decided to start making time to do some stitching. I love the routine of unwinding. Of detaching from technology and colouring in using floss. I picked up a pillow case that I had started for Tiny forever ago, and asked her what she'd like.

Butterflies. Fairies. Puppies. Catties. Cakes. Ice creams. Pink. Purple. Water (blue).

And so it is that I find myself stitching in the most girlie palette ever - which, by the way, suits me fine. I love me some pinks.

To Fill Or Not To Fill

Just in case you were wondering how that pillowcase was going, well, it's on the home straight. It's been a whole lotta love and a whole lotta work, but it's almost there. Phew!

I've strayed away from the pink petals for a little - I get sidetracked and need the distraction of a new colour, one big petal takes me a looooong time. There's certainly no chance of their being two pillowcases. Squeak and eek!

Anyway, do you think I need to fill the petal? Or leave it as is? I made it a chunkier split-stitch so it might be ok on its own. Matt digs it like this, doesn't need filling he says, but what say you dear reader?

PS - Heading off on holidays tomorrow. House is in a state of chaos. We have a million things we have to do (well I have to do) before we actually get in the ready-packed car. I hate those stupid last minute things. Anyway, tomorrow we drive off into the countryside. Yeeehaaaaa. I can't wait.

Happy travels - and happy shopping - what's with all the rude people that seem to have left their manners at home?!

Those Who Thrift Together, Stay Together (How to Manage a Husband When Op Shopping)

So our first full day here. What did it hold in store for us? For me? Well, given I missed the bin, I decided to hit the oppies hard. I left the kidlins with their adoring Ollie (my Mum) which was rare. I love being able to go op shopping without the smalls, for the simple reason, it's easier to go fast without going crazy!

First stop and before midday, I sent the cash registers spinning with a grand total of $11 spent. Whoa Nelly. I am a crazy cat. Two awesome blouses for $2 each - and they both fit perfectly. Totally, absolutely, 100% perfectly. Can you feel the joy? Two small water karafes for a phenomenal $3. Some pillowcases. A chocolate brown clutch.. Oh gosh, it was like opening Pandora's Box if she'd been into vintage goodies instead of wreaking havoc on people.

After lunch I hit the shops again. This time I had my husband in tow. What kind of husband wants to come to the op-shops? Mine! I had to manage this, so I gave us a maximum of five minutes in each shop. I didn't feel the heat. No siree. I'm a seasoned op shopper and know which sections will hold the most fruit. So many vintage sheets, pillowcases, and aprons to pick up.

Matt came out empty handed, disbelieving that I had managed to pick up so much in such a short amount of time. He was also scoffing out how we were actually going to get all this stuff home, in light of the fact that our car was completely chockers driving up.

Am I the only one talented enough to completely fill the car with absolutely everything before heading off? I'm guessing it's a Mum thing. Gosh I am hoping it is, otherwise I have no explanation (other than it must be hereditary). Every trip away I can guarantee I get hassled by Matt for how much stuff we're taking. Hmph.

Third op shop and this one is usually the banana in Carmen Miranda's hat. While I did find a cool piece of fabric and a sweet little crochet piece, there wasn't that much fruit to be eaten here. Maybe it had been harvested already. Who knows, but it wasn't like I was disappointed. We still had one to go - so off we trot, Matt still hoping he was going to find something exciting.

We rolled up to the final oppy for the day. We got out. I still was optimistic. There's nothing like the quiet thrill of country op shops. No. Nothing. All that pre-loved goodness just waiting to go to a new home. Hmm. We walk up to the door - and boooooom! A big fat sign tells us they close at 2:50pm. A big fat reminder that we're not in the city anymore Toto. We had arrived at 3:05pm. Oh the pain. The heart ache. It was almost as bad as fretting for my bin.

Fear not. It's open at 8:30am tomorrow. And guess who's going to be staking it out.

Tomorrow more pics of the loot.