Last weekend we visited family in the South Island, so I thought I’d share a few pics – plus my op-shop finds!
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Early morning fog over Middlemarch, Otago.
We drove right up that valley to Ranfurly and Naseby, then up over the Pigroot to the coast. |
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| On to Hyde, with it’s old hotel – if you ever cycle the Otago Central Rail Trail, you’ll probably want a refreshment break here! |
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| The next stop was Ranfurly, which has some lovely Art Deco architecture. The railway refreshment rooms are being refurbished at the moment, but there was an awesome Art Deco exhibition on – I really wanted to take some photos of the gorgeous clothes and accessories to share with you, but photography wasn’t allowed 😦 |
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At Naseby, a lot of the old historic buildings have been renovated – isn’t this watchmakers cute?
That’s me wearing my Juliette Dress! |
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| Next door is the drapers, where you’d by your fabrics and haberdashery in the 1880’s… |
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| It would have been nice to quench our thirst in this historic hotel, but we still had miles to travel… |
I managed to sneak into three op-shops enroute – a five minute dash through each one yielded these:
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| From the Salvation Army Store in Oamaru, I found an old tablecloth and some sheets that I might turn into a dress – the cat obviously approves! |
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| Plus, a couple of patterns – I remember the skirt from the old Simplicity Sewing Book, and the dress is very familiar too – I am sure my Mum owned that pattern in it’s day. |
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| I found this belt kit in The Old Curiosity Shoppe in Ranfurly – it was 50c, the original cover price! |
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| From the Salvation Army Family Store in Mosgiel, I found an old handknit in a pretty colour, destined for unravelling…. |
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| and a coral and grey souvenir scarf , that I hope will brighten up some grey outfits that I never wear because they look blah. |
I also spent time in my parents garage – although it is not exactly an op-shop, it is looking rather close as Mum is planning a garage sale!
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| These fur pieces were destined to be turned into teddy bears by my mother, they are now destined for more exciting things – like sitting in my stash, lol! |
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| There were some fabrics that needed a new home too – sage silk organza, plum and brown embroidered organza, blue velvet, and a kitschy sunset print. |
The three organza’s, the leopard and cheetah were originally mine – in fact the embroidered organza was part of my first advertising campaign way back in 1997!
That seems so long ago now…
Right – time to get stuck into some sewing, I have a blue dress to finish! What are you making at the moment?
pattern scissors cloth 
I'm always so jealous to see other people's op shop finds, as I don't have any good ones where I live! But funnily enough, I'm working on a pattern I got at an op shop right now! And I got it on holiday, just like you! 🙂
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Nice haul. Thanks for the Otago pics. We'll be cycling there one day.
This weekend I'm altering some mid season clothes while I reignite my vintage sewing projects
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Fabulous pics!!! NZ really is so diverse and interesting!! Great purchases – wow!
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Love the organzas! I, currently, am frustrated as seeing these sweet little indie. patters & not buying them because they only go up to 2 sizes to small for me…& I don't really have the confidence to figure out how to enlarge the pattern!
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what a lot of eye candy, thanks for posting! I just love seeing the South Island.
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Your original campaign still looks fresh!! And NZ is the most gorgeous place on the planet, I suspect.
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Great snaps! That's the sort of beach my husband calls a “cricket beach”. I love the colour of the sweater you found.
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Beautiful vacation pics. I would have bought that buckle kit too. thanks for sharing.
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I have that Simplicity long sleeved dress pattern! I got it in an op shop in Whitianga for about 20c. I get most of my patterns from op shops.
Right now, I'm working on a Minoru Jacket from Sewaholic (not one of my op shop finds!). It's blue corduroy with a yellow and gold floral cotton lining – will be great in a few weeks when the weather cools down.
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I love these photos, the old fashioned shops always fascinate me! You found some treasures, adding fabric to the stash is always a bonus!
I've just started making my Mad Men dress challenge dress which I need to rock and roll on in order to get it finished for this week!
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Love the photos. Moeraki Boulders are amazing. I MUST get searching the op shops here in Wellington – if I get the chance!!
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I love the Danish scarf! My father was born in Denmark, so I have a soft spot for The Little Mermaid 🙂
Pearl
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My kids really want to do the Otago Rail Trail but I am not sure I am up to Central Otago heat on a bicycle in the middle of summer. I would love the scenery though! We did the train trip through to Middlemarch from Dunedin a couple of years ago and it was stunning. The Moeraki Boulders are a picture as well.
I like your great finds as well.
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Yes, right up there with Canada!
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Ranfurly doesn't appear to have changed since I was there in 1975!
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Aww, I miss the beautiful blue skies of NZ… Gorgeous pictures! And great op shop finds!
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Wauw! Amazing photos and great finds! If you're ever in northern Europe, I'll be happy to show you The Little Mermaid irl (I'm danish.)
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