Show OFF!

Hello? Is anyone there? awww I feel like I've been gone forever. For any of you wondering where I have disappeared to, I've been errr hibernating.

Ok Ok I can't lie. I've actually been very LAZY and have totally put blogging on  the bottom of my priority list. Hence I'm guessing that there are no readers left? Hello?!

On top of being lazy I've also been extremely busy. Who knew that having a 9 month old baby would be a 24/7 job? But there is nothing else I'd rather be doing ;)

Question - Don't you hate it when you do a Before & After job, you post about it in your blog and you get...... *crickets*.....nothing. I know I do!

 Well I  would love to see any of your  Before & After jobs or any second hand BARGAINS. It can be clothing, furniture, DIY,jewellery, accessories, ANYTHING really! Don't be shy send me an email (vintagerfokus@gmail.com) add a link to your post (if you have one) and I'll be sure to comment/post about it. This way I (and other bloggers) can share in your excitement!

What are you waiting for....LET'S SHOW OFF!!!!

Thrift trip

Hi dolls,

Haven't had a chance to do much thrifting lately *BOOOOO*!

Managed to squeeze in a quick trip though at my fave spot - Vinnies Hoppers Crossing. I found these funky print loose pants - gorg with a black singlet, sandals and huge a$$ sunnies. Unfortunately,  they don't fit *curse curse curse* so I will be adding this pair to my ebay shop.

Next item is a cute as a button Sportsgirl summer clutch.

And finally, two timber picture frames. I have a ton of photos that need to be developed and displayed, so I decided to start collecting frames to go up along the hallway at home - I'm naming it my "hall of fRame"!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway - entries close tomorrow!

Thrift trip

Hi dolls!

I have been very slack with my posts of late. My furniture revamps have been put on hold due to the chilly weather, so  I'm saving that for the warmer months. Op shopping trips are few and far between as I don't want to lug bub around in the cold. But in saying that - I have managed to get out a couple of times. Here are some items I've picked up for my ebay shop.

One shoulder hot hot dress. I would keep this if I coud fit into it - damn you fat!

Semi - sheer top with embroided detail around the neck and sleeves

How cool is this neckace? It's a fan with a phoenix painted on it. On the back there is slight embossing but I couldn't get a proper pic - shame really.

Shoes shoes shoes!

Items will be posted on ebay soon. Will keep you dolls updated otherwise save me as a favourite seller!

Thrift trip

I know two posts in one day...what's wrong with me? hehhehe

This post was suppossed to be published last night but as always - ran out of time.

So yesterday I popped into my local Vinnies and found numerous items for me to keep or as stock for my ebay store. Speaking of my ebay store - I have found a model and she is gorg(eous) and is family (by marriage)! Will advise my next ebay sellathon.

Cowl neck knitted jumper

80's knitted jumper/dress

Tan leather tooled clutch

Vintage Country Road  cut out back dress

Baby nursery

During my pregnancy, I was obsessed preparing the nursery – and to make it more challenging- on a tiny budget. Score! I achieved my budget thanks to generous family and lots of hours at op shops and Ebay.

Originally, the nursery was a “junk” room. I know everyone has one – ours is just a little (very) messy. It took me roughly a couple of hours to clear the room on a 30degree day and being five months pregnant.

I wanted a black and white theme, clean and not too “cute”. Does that make sense? I mean I didn’t want the nursery to be too “baby”, I wanted something different.

Here is a list of the items, approximate cost and where it was purchased from:

Curtains - Spotlight $70

A simple black iron rod with approximately 4 metres of sheer white curtain and the first item that went up in Project Nursery.

Hanging pom poms – Made out of tissue paper $6

I found the tutorial in the Martha Stewart website. Gorgeous little trimmings for the room.

Rocking chair – Ebay $22

One of my first finds. Needed a good sanding and varnish. I was considering painting this white but loved the timber so decided to varnish instead.

Throw blanket – IKEA $8

Cot – Hand me down from my uncle and auntie $0.

This needed some t.l.c. as it had been stored in their garage for around 9 years. A lot of scratches and bite marks but came out using the electric sander. Mattress is from Toys r Us as a gift from my brother and his fiancé.

Mosquito net – Op shop $12

I found this on one of my op shop trips. It was practically new, no holes and the stand came with it. A wash and the stand wiped down with disinfectant and I’m over the moon!

Hanging tea light candle holder – Dusk $15

Desperately searched for a bird cage and couldn’t find one that was 1) small enough 2) in my price range 3)chic. Stumbled across this one on the sale rack at Dusk and loved it.

Toy box – Ebay $20 IKEA Material $8

I did a post on this previously here. Again sanded and painted the box white and fixtures black. Ripped off the foam on top and recovered with IKEA material. What a difference!

Chest of drawers – Ebay $45

This was originally unvarnished pine when I bought it. Did the usual, sanded and repainted white. I also covered the knobs with fabric (see post here)to give the drawers some character.

Lamp – Op shop $3 IKEA material leftover

Had wanted to redo a lamp for some time and had the opportunity to do so when I found this lamp. See full post here.

Kitsch print – Op shop $4.50

See previous post here – how cute!

Stereo –already owned.

Monitor – Hand me down from uncle and auntie $0

Laundry Hamper – Op Shop $13

See previous post here.

Change Table – Op Shop $23

I found the change table the same time I bought the mosquito net at the same op shop. So imagine my excitement that day! The change table is IKEA and untreated pine. Again sanded and repainted to match the furniture.

Cane book shelf – Op shop $10

See previous post here.

Rug – Lincraft $17 Non –slip mat $8
I originally wanted a white shaggy rug but was not prepared to pay hundreds of dollars so needed to improvise. Browed my local Lincraft store and found a piece of remnant throw rug which was – in my opinion – too coarse to use as a throw rug. And then a light bulb went on in my head and I realised this would be great on the nursery floor. I had to buy non slip mats to place underneath to avoid any accidents.

Not bad right? All you need is some disinfectant, an electric sander, paint, varnish and elbow grease! It’s so rewarding seeing the final result and I can’t wait to do it again!

Nursery Update – Kitsch print

I can’t believe its Sunday evening already – where has the weekend gone?

I did a spot of op-shopping this weekend and found this gorgeous retro print of a little boy and his dog standing in the rain. I think it is a “kitsch” type of print but I’m just guessing from what little research I’ve done on the net. It is very “vintage” and I thought it would be a perfect addition to the nursery – not to mention too cute to pass on.

I did a little restoration on the frame – that is I painted it white to lighten the picture up a bit and of course to match the nursery décor.

How cute is it? *giggles*

 

Does anyone know about these types of prints? If you do or have one of your own, please do show and tell!

 

Nursery update – toy box & bird cage (not).

Hello everyone I have returned! I have been so busy the last few weeks with dinners, catching up with mates, birthdays etc , that I have totally neglected my blog. Also, now in my third trimester, I really utterly feel and look pregnant! Been going to bed at 9pm latest and napping when I can over the weekends which can be partly to blame for my absence. Ok enough excuses.

For those who follow me on Twitter and/or Facebook, you might have noticed that I recently won a toy box on ebay. YAY! This was one of the last pieces I needed for the nursery. Luckily enough this toy box/chest doubles as a bench and I didn’t have to drive halfway across Victoria to pick it up. Location was practically down the road, over the bridge, down another road and around the corner! The item was in great condition and I don’t think I would have revamped if it wasn’t going in the nursery – on second thoughts maybe I would have replaced the fabric!

So initially I removed the screw (things) that was holding the fabric in place. The foam was glued to the box and needed to be extremely careful not to damage the foam, unscrewed all the fittings, sanded down with an electric sander (my new best friend) and it was ready to be painted. This time around I used a small roller instead of a brush and it halved the time in painting. I spray painted the fittings in black as I didn’t think the brass would suit. Finally, washed the foam and sewed a cover using the same fabric I used for the lamp shade – you know to provide some continuity around the room!
 
So here it is before and after - in all its revamped glory!

I’ve also been on the hunt for a small decorative bird cage to hang in the nursery. I have searched high and low during my charity store trips, trash and treasure markets and ebay, with no success. So during one very humid lunchtime – I was walking (my current and only form of exercise) around the city and came across a candle store. On the sale table was this gorgeous mesh candle holder. I know it’s not a bird cage but I loved it and instantly visualized hanging in the nursery. Hubby K didn’t see my vision when I showed him but men are hopeless when it comes to ATTENTION TO DETAIL!

Have a great night lovelies!

Lamp & terrarium DIY.

I visited my local charity stores and the only item I came home with was a lamp for which I paid a measly $3. I liked the shabby base but definitely not the shade (it doesn’t match the nursery!).

I’ve never attempted to change a shade before or really even considered it but I have been reading some blog posts which have totally inspired me.

I removed the existing shade, which peeled off rather easily and used that as a guide to cut the new fabric. Craft glue in one hand and shade on the other and I was off. Turned out ok and looks super cute in the nursery.

I also have an old fish bowl which has been sitting waterless and fishless in our bathroom for a few years now. So since we recently cleaned up the back yard, I thought I’d put together a terrarium for the outdoor table. I kept the pebbles in there, a layer of carbon (the ones used to filter a fish tank), soil and then plants. I chose succulents only because they are so easy to grow and needs little TLC. A great little project for those who are green thumb challenged!

What did you do this weekend?

Nursery purchases, before and after.

I haven’t mentioned much about the progress of the nursery. Don’t be fooled I have been like an insane woman scouting, sanding or painting furniture for the nursery.

I have been on the lookout for a bookshelf and laundry hamper for a while now both on ebay and thrifting. Finally, I found both on my thrift trip over the weekend. Both are cane and in pretty good condition. I get so excited and I love LOVE finding items during my trips. Don’t get me wrong, I usually don’t find anything but sometimes you just get so damn lucky!

I wanted these in the nursery so they obviously needed to be repainted white. This is my first “project” with spray paint so I really didn’t know what I was in for. I found spray paint by White Knights which is lead free and has non chroming properties. A great find given I’m six months pregnant!

Firstly I cleaned the hamper and bookshelf. And then I put my gear on, shorts/tshirt/thongs a.k.a. workwear, goggles, mask and spray painted my heart away. I didn’t realise that spray painting was so difficult! Ok not difficult but…awkward?! In hindsight, I maybe should have used a brush instead. Has anyone else tried to paint cane furniture? Did you have any issues?

Took a few hours to dry and once ok I had to put it in the nursery immediately. It’s very shabby chic but i think it works!

I started to paint the shelf before I realised I hadn’t taken a picture! So the before shot of the shelf should really be titled “in progress”.

 

 
I forgot to mention  the lid on the hamper wasn't attached so I used black ribbons to keep it in place and allow for opening and closing.
 
The nursery is almost finished. I am just waiting on a toy box, which I'm not sure I will get *sigh*.
 
The room smells like paint so I had to move some plants in there to filter the air. I *heart* indoor plants .... but I'll save that for another post.
 
Until next time!

Nesting.

Today is my second last day of holidays then back to work. Oh how time flies when you’re having fun!

I’ve heard that “nesting” instincts in women start to kick in around five months and mine was right on time. These holidays I have cleaned out the nursery, house and almost finished the back yard (with the help of K naturally). Also, I’ve been on the hunt for nursery furniture. Christmas is always a bad time financially so I don’t really have the funds to purchase any new furniture. Hence, I’ve needed to think of alternative ways to furnish the baby room on the thrift. K doesn’t believe me when I say I can do up the nursery on a budget. So – here is my challenge.

Absolute must items are as follows:

1. Cot

2. Change Table

3. Chest of drawers

4. Rocking Chair

5. Toy Chest

6. Bookshelf

7. Rug (preferably a thick white shaggy one)

Can you believe I have the first four! Ok so they are not in the best condition but with a bit of elbow grease and new paint they will be good as new. By the way, on top of my “nesting” instincts on hard drive, my DIY impulse has also taken over.

Here are pictures of the items I have been successful in purchasing. These are “before” shots and I will definitely show you “after” shots once the nursery is complete.

Cot – hand me down thanks to Aunt D & Uncle R

Needs to be stripped, repainted and of course, assembled.

Change Table – Salvo’s

Needs to be sanded lightly and repainted.

Chest of drawers – Ebay

Needs to be sanded and painted.

Rocking Chair – Ebay (see previous post)

To be sanded and varnished.

I got these items at absolute bargain prices, except for the cot which was free!

I am considering painting the furniture white except for the rocking chair. Haven’t really decided on the décor yet, but I have another 3+ months to think about that.

Dad said he will help us out. I swear Dad and Uncle D don’t stop when it comes to handyman things. Here’s a picture of them today downsizing a vanity unit for another Uncle who is renovating his entire house!