The Janelle Wind Collection

Thrifty Thursday...

It's been a hugely busy week for me, so as a little reward, I popped into my favourite Op shop yesterday afternoon for a quick look around. I hadn't let myself do anything 'fun' until after my studio move was complete and I was all set up, so I really was looking forward to my little reward.

I was pretty happy when I found this Crossroads jacket hanging on the racks, it is really soft and something I can see myself wearing over jeans and trousers a lot in the cooler months. And with a price tag of $5, I was very happy to bring it home with me.

I also had a good look through the trousers section as I really want to add some trousers to my wardrobe. I seem to be grabbing jeans as my first choice and am kinda getting tired of my same old clothes, so was happy to add a pair of Temt grey coloured trousers to my wardrobe for $4 as well. (I will take a pic of me wearing them for a What I wore Wednesday post soon).

So that is all the Op (Thrift) shopping I could squeeze in this week. I did however, finish the BIG move to my studio and am super excited to tell you all about it. I will be back soon, to share lots of pics of my 'new' workspace. I hope you have had some thrifting goodness this week too. xx Janelle

Feeling very blessed...

This week has been filled with some lovely unexpected blessings. It started with a facebook status update that I posted late last week. I was just sharing with my friends that I was in need of some cute winter clothes and was asking for some suggestions of good shops to visit etc. Well long story short, a few lovely people contacted me and on Monday a beautiful care package arrived from Emma at Ballarat Patchwork. Being the same size as me, Emma had a few pieces she wanted to share with me. To say I was blown away is an understatement.

As I opened the package on Monday, each piece that Emma sent was perfect for me - I just loved them all and was so super excited. All from asking for some suggestions on facebook. Aren't friends just the greatest. Thank you SO much Emma for your kindness and generosity. I am so so grateful.

Emma asked to see some photos of me in my new clothes, so as I wear them I will be sharing them with her. Yesterday I wore a gorgeous dress that she gave me, I just love it so much - and I thought you might like to see it too.

This dress is all lace, so my lovely Mum gave me a vintage petticoat to wear underneath that belonged to a Great Aunty of mine. I felt very vintagy in my new dress and vintage petticoat.

AND then to top off an already fantastic start to my week, I had some great finds at the Op (thrift) shop this week too. I don't have photos of everything but I thought you might like to see a few of the special things I found.

On Monday I found a great jacket from Country Road, a novel to read (for 50c), some cute blue shoes for me, some Mary Jane shoes and tights for Emily (that she LOVES) and a vintage sheet set. Here are some pics.

(Emily took this photo of herself wearing her new shoes and socks she was given by a family friend)

Don't you just ADORE the vintageness of these sheets. I took this photo with my phone of them hanging on my washing line. Oh how I wish this were wallpaper as well!

I was so super excited about my week already that I didn't think it could get any better - but it kinda did. On Wednesday, I headed back to the Op shop, not expecting to find anything and I bumped into the lovely Lisa Pate. She quickly told me of a coat that she saw in the clothing section, that it was gorgeous but too long for her. We hurried to see if it was still there - and it was! Oh my goodness, how excited was I when I tried it on and it fit perfectly.

This beautiful jacket was from Cue (so would have been super expensive new), in perfect condition, fully lined AND $8. What a bargain. My lovely hubby said it was very 'Kate Middleton', so when I wear it I hope I feel very royal LOL. Here it is, what do you think?

While at the Op shop I also found a few skirts that will be great wardrobe pieces for Winter and a cute cream cardigan.

It really was a great week!! I couldn't be happier with all of the goodies that I found this week, plus my care package from Emma - I really honestly do feel very very blessed. I hope you didn't mind my little show and tell from my week. I hope your week has been touched by a little blessing somehow too. xx Janelle

I just had to show you...

Thank you SO SO much for your lovely kind comments about my op (thrift) shop finds. I am so thrilled that you like the pieces I found. For those who aren't familiar with the term 'op shop', it refers to opportunity shop. I quite like that name because it really fits!

Anyway, I am super excited to show you my new favourite outfit. Last night I chopped the top off the red dress and made myself an ultra comfy new skirt.

Here is another look at the red dress - before.

And here is my new outfit. If you look closely you will see that I also made a little headband to match, just for a bit of fun!! And teamed it with my new aqua cardi too.

I am so thrilled with my purchase and know this will be a go-to outfit quite regularly. Do you have a go-to outfit that you love or that you feel just that little bit more special in. These are the kinds of outfits I love!! xx Janelle

All for $32...

On Monday morning I popped into my most favourite and local op shop (thrift shop). I love to just pop in and see if anything super exciting is there. Sometimes there is nothing but excitedly Monday was a great Op shop day.

As I walked into the clothes section I saw the lovely Lisa Pate, another local and a lovely friend. We chatted away and ended up shopping together. It was lovely to have someone else to give their opinion and to help me decide if some things were just granny enough to be good or 'bad granny'!

Lisa and I wandered around, and oohed and ahhed at the goodies we found. Today I had a little photoshoot with Emily to share my new outfits - all for the wonderful price of $32 (for the lot).

First up was a lovely floral dress from temt. This was a few sizes too big and had really long ties that were supposed to tie at the back. This morning before teaching I quickly removed the ties and took it in just a little. I then used one of the ties as a headband = fun! Here is my new temt dress.

Them as an alternative outfit, I teamed my new dress with my very very favourite $5 yellow cardi from crossroads. Now I am looking forward to some cooler weather so I can wear it together!

Next I found a cute little summer dress - this one from Valley Girl. I was super thrilled when trying it on because it fitted me perfectly. This one came home with me too!

Next was another dress, also from temt. This one is silvery and stretchy and perfect for winter over some tights and black boots. Again I am thrilled to have something ready for cooler days.

Next I found another gorgeous dress. I adored the fabric and was really sad when it was too big for me. I decided it needed to come home with me anyway as I was sure I could use the fabric for something. After living with it for a day I have decided to try and make it into a skirt. The leftovers are destined for Blythe doll clothes.

The next little find is my most favourite I think, a gorgeous little aqua cardi. I think this one will work beautifully with my (soon to be) red floral skirt and a white singlet top - that is the plan anyway. Can't wait to try them together.

And lucky last is something that is kinda granny but I have plans for it. This brown vest I think will be cute over a white tee, some favourite necklaces and a pair of jeans. I have a pair recently purchased from the same op shop, so they might be destined to be together I think!

I hope you have enjoyed a little peek into my wardrobe and the shopping that makes me happy! I love buying clothes from op shops, getting bargains, working out new outfits and helping the environment just a little bit too! Have you had any op shop bargains lately??

Tomorrow I am popping back in to my favourite op shop again - I wonder if I will find anything! xx Janelle

Oooh, I forgot something. I also found a highschool winter uniform skirt for Emily for $2 - that was the BEST bargain of them all!

Best spent $5...

Last week my Dad picked up a little dresser type cupboard from our local op (thrift) shop for me - for a whole $5. As soon as we popped it in our hallway, I knew it was just what I was looking for.

I spent a few wakeful nights thinking, planning and working out exactly what I wanted to do to my new little hall dresser.

Here are some before shots. Isn't it cute!

After 'living' with my new hall dresser for a few days, I decided that I wanted to paint it aqua - Dulux 'July Half'. I couldn't WAIT to get started, so this weekend after a quick trip to the hardware store, I came home and began the transormation of my little dresser. I can't begin to tell you how thrilled I am with how it came together and how easy it was too.

Here it is - all finished...

During my parents recent move, I saw Dad had some vintage mirrors hanging in the garage, so I excitedly asked him if I could have them for our home. So they have a new home hanging above my new hall dresser. I am thinking that maybe a third one is needed but for now I will play around with different ideas and see what works best.

I have been spending lots of time adding and taking things off my little dresser trying to find the perfect decorator pieces to finish it off. This is how it looks today...

This is the view from the kitchen doorway...

And the view from the loungeroom...

So there you have my little bargain piece of furniture that makes me happy every time I walk past it. I am now looking around for what else might like a lick of paint LOL.

Pop back tomorrow for a little look at my back sunroom - I have had a play with a vintage sheet today and am thrilled with the results there too and can't wait to show you. xx Janelle

P.S. Thanks SO much for your wonderful, kind comments re my photo wall. I am SO thrilled you like it. Please do share any photos of your photo walls if you are inspired by my photo wall - I would LOVE to see your homes too.

I have the BEST blog friends...

THANK YOU doesn't even come close BUT thank you to each of you who took the time to visit, read about our move and to send me words of encouragement and support. You really have NO idea how much it has helped me. I worried about sharing all about our move, the stress leading up to it and how much I should 'put out there' but I needn't have worried. Thank you to EACH of you for being SO wonderful. I am actually starting to get a little excited about sharing this next stage with you all.

So here is a few snapshots from today...

Emily and I took a little visit to our favourite vintage (op) shop and found the cutest boots for Emily. They suit her perfectly and it was the best $3 I spent all day!!

Then while my Dad and I put the finishing touches on the first coat of paint in Jasper's room, Emily went snapping shots with my phone around the old house. I LOVE this shot that she captured of the sunset. It reminded me how much I love looking out the front of our house to the mountain tops peeking about the houses.

And finally, Emily snapped this shot (we didn't know she was taking it) of my parents and I standing in our soon to be lounge room, chatting and planning. If you look carefully you can see a sunroom kind of room beyond us, which is at the front of the house. That is to be my new sewing room. I am REALLY hoping for French doors in the opening very soon. Fingers crossed. I can't WAIT to decorate it and share more with you soon.

Tomorrow our phone gets transferred to the old house - a few days ahead of schedule, so I will be without internet for 2 - 7 days. I am hoping only two, so I have set up a few little blog posts to keep you company while I am internetless :-( I will be back as SOON as I can. Till then, think of me painting and shifting. I hope your week is a good one. xx Janelle

A little decorating and a BIG award...

Just sharing some more snapshots from my every day life...

June 22...

This is a photo that Emily snapped with my phone while I was running through the rain to check my mail. It sums up how we were feeling - cold and miserable but super grateful for the warm car to keep us warm and dry.

June 23...

This is the little yellow desk that Emily and I spotted at the vintage store on Sunday - we both loved it but had to convince Daddy that we NEEDED it. My beautiful parents headed back to the store for us and picked it up. Here it is sitting in their garage waiting for a BIG clean and for us to breath life back into it.

June 24 (today)...   

Emily has been feeling under the weather so today we took things easy. After MUCH scrubbing and scraping we managed to get the stickyness off the top of her new desk and Emily took great delight in setting it up in her room. I even gave her one of my red chairs to use - her smile was SUPER wide, and I think it looks fantastic.

 

Earlier today, Emily had me close my eyes while she gave something to me. I was a little nervous as I didn't know what she had in mind, but when I opened my eyes, I had a HUGE mummy smile. My sweet girl had made a badge for me that said "Best Mum Ever". Now I am FAR from the best mum ever and make mistakes daily BUT it warmed my heart to have such a thoughtful gift made for me. It was the BEST award ever...

Tomorrow I am diving into another stitched project - something I can share more about soon, so I will back with more snapshots of my June to share soon. xx Janelle

New boots and vintage shopping...

Lots more to share from the last few days - so here are some happy snapshots from the last few days...

June 18 and 19...

I was VERY brave and brought myself my first pair of skinny leg jeans yesterday and was even braver when I asked Emily to take a photo of me wearing them.

 

Also on Thursday some cowboy boots arrived for me that I had purchased through ebay at the beginning of the month. I have wanted a pair for AGES so was so excited when they arrived and they fit me perfectly too. I had a great few days wearing them...

June 20 (today)...

Today we decided to have a little escape from our stresses at home and headed to the shops. Not long after we arrived I had a text message from Kim suggesting we have a little meet up so that I could sign some more of my books for her. Of course I jumped at the chance and it was so funny to sit on a seat at the shops and sign my book. I signed some extras as well, so Kim still has some signed copies for sale. It was lovely to see Kim and Capri for a few minutes today too...

Not long after out little impromptu book signing, we headed on home. On the way we stopped off at a favourite vintage (thrift) store. It was wonderful and Emily ooed and ahhed over so many things and wanted to stay there all day.

We found a gorgeous old yellow desk we would love to go back and get for Emily as well as this vintage type writer - we REALLY wanted to bring it home too but all we came away with today was a vintage postcard for 50c.

 

And more happy snaps - my gorgeous girl with her favourite dolls...

And our poor cat Bella Boy in a mask made by Emily. He didn't tolerate it for very long LOL.

And that is my weekend so far. I hope you are having a wonderful weekend too xx Janelle

NOTE: Most of the photos I am taking for Snapshots of June as taken with my iphone using an app called Hipstamatic. There are so many fun apps for phones but this is a favourite of mine...

Happy happy day...

Today has been a GREAT day. I really enjoyed focusing on the things that make me happy, so much so that I have more than one snapshot from today. I hope you don't mind me sharing more than one...

Firstly while out running errands today, Emily and I popped into a Salvation Army (thrift) store to have a look around. We both couldn't believe our eyes when we spotted a vintage doll house at the back of the store. Emily was screaming with excitement on the inside and I knew we had found something pretty special. We headed off to the counter to have a chat about it and see what price we could arrive at. It was slightly damaged so in the end we were able to purchase it for $50. Now I don't know any of the history of it, but to me that is a bargain.

Here is a view from the front. Look at the beautiful windows and the doors that open and close - just gorgeous.

And on the inside there are lots of rooms, each with their own windows and doors, a proper staircase, wallpaper, a fireplace with a mantle piece. It really is a beautiful piece that was probably once loved by another little girl.

After we brought it home, Emily spent many hours carefully cleaning it, hanging the gorgeous light fittings that came with it and deciding which Blythe doll will have which room. I know one little girl who has gone to bed with a massive smile on her face.

And because today was such a happy happy day, I had to share two more snapshots. This is me signing lots of books for Quilt Fabric Delights. It was such an amazing feeling signing them, there was a little more pinching going on to make sure this really WAS real. Tomorrow I am signing another pile for Kim Archer Workshops@Home - I am feeling VERY blessed, thank you xx

And finally I had a little mummy and son dinner date with my funny little man tonight while Emily was at dancing. We had such a lovely time together. It was hard to find a photo to share from all the funny faces he pulls so here's two...

This 'happy' post is long enough, so tomorrow I will post about the fabrics that I used in my book as well as start the list of those joining me for 'Snapshots of June'. It isn't too late to play along and it is so fun taking pics of happy things throughout the day too. Thanks for sharing about my day...xx

(If anyone knows anything about our doll house, I would love some information like how old it might be etc? I will take some 'real camera' photos tomorrow to share so that you can see the details. Thanks)

Vintage finds...

We have a fantatic op shop (or thrift store) not too far from where we live that has so many great finds. This week, Emily and I headed there to see what goodies were waiting for us and I was thrilled to find a few little things for me.

The first was an aqua beaded necklace - perfect colour for me. So that one went in our little shopping basket for $1. Gotta love vintage finds.

Then we headed in to look at the crocheted blankets as Emily has been using them to lay out in the sun and work on her art journal. Well she spotted one she loved in yellow, white and green for $3, so that came home with us too.

And my last little find, just before we left was a GORGEOUS crocheted cushion. Now with my recent interest in crocheting I had an even greater appreciation for the work that would have gone in to making this cushion, so it just HAD to come home with me. (the paint swatches I grabbed from the hardware store to use in art journaling - I LOVE colour!!)

I just LOVE the colours and think it is so cleverl to have a blue cushion insert inside too, so there are splashes of colours I love, and all for $3. And it looks great on my couch as well...

I did spot a few other lovelies last week that I will be heading back to take a second look at. I love breathing life into something that someone else doesn't want anymore. It is just so much fun...

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Thank you for your lovely words re 'a bluebirds welcome' - I am thrilled you like them. Once I received some patterns I will be sure to do a giveaway so pop back soon if you would like a chance to win a copy for yourself. xx Janelle