Sunday, July 29, 2012

confession time

Yes, it's confession time. I've been quietly posting away here for what feels like forever, and I have never revealed my love of op shopping.*  I know, I find it hard to believe too! No, I'm definitely not ashamed of my addiction, I just don't seem to have found the need to blog it. I've even taken photos of my op shop scores in the past, but never actually got around to sharing them. So in the absence of anything else to blog about I'm going to share "some" of my scores from the last week.


First up we have a 1974 Commonwealth Games calendar. Ooohh I love that logo - it's so styley, and makes the 2012 Olympic logo look amateur - even although it cost 400,000 pounds! The Commonwealth Games were held in Christchurch, and I was a bit young to actually remember the games! Next is a large Maltexo tin, which will be useful for putting stuff in my studio. I did have to laugh at all the ailments that are cured with a good old dose of the stuff. And a cute wee triangular pottery vase, which I have a use for (and will be duly revealed!), and two kitchen utensils. The yellow handled one is for gouging out the stones of peaches etc, and if my memory serves right the green one is for coring pears. My mother was a dedicated preserver of fruit, and had similar tools of the trade. Hopefully I will put them to use this summer.


The lino cutting set will be great for printmaking, although it only has 2 or it's original 5 heads. The tool next to it that looks a bit like an egg beater is actually a hand knitter (see the box!) I can't honestly say I will get around to using it, but for $1 I couldn't leave it behind! Next is a glass jar, yes but look closely at the lid - it used to hold "instant tea", which I can only shudder at the thought of what that might have tasted like!

From the free bin at the St Vinnie's I grabbed Issue 6 of a great wee mag that is no more - World Sweet World. They only ever made 9 issues but they are a real treasure. And lastly is the Talking Map of Australia, from 1970. I love all things to do with Captain Cook, and have a wee collection of things about him and his re-discovery of NZ. But this was the first time I've found anything about Australia, and I brought it with someone in mind! Yes it's for Kylie, a sweet Aussie girl who's sending me a Nelson tea towel. So I thought I'd send her something in return, and when I saw this I knew it might be just fit the bill (just hoping she'll love it!)  Let's take a look inside (Kylie close your eyes if you don't want the surprise ruined!)
Yes the "talking map" is a wee record! And there's a large wall map of Australia, which has allsorts of interesting facts on it.
Now isn't that amazing to see how large Australia is compared with Europe! If I remember right New Zealand is about the same size as England and Scotland (excluding Wales!)

Now that I've got that off my chest (so to speak), I think I'd better link up with Sophie's Flea Market Finds here (another first!)

* op shopping definition:  "op" is an abbreviation of  "opportunity" and seems to be a common name for charity/thrift shops in New Zealand and Australia, which used to be referred to as "opportunity shops".

12 comments:

  1. Hello Sally
    Come on!!!! I thought everyone loved "op " shops!!! Anyhow darling I'll admit to the same and join the club proudly. My daughter gets absolutely disgusted when I stop in front of an op shop here and go and rummage among (what she calls) disgusting second-hand stuff....she's sooo silly I tell her. They are called "2ยบ mano" here and translated its simply second-hand shop.....and in fact I feel the "op shop" bug coming on so I think I'll pop around to a new one thats opened up not far from me recently.
    You've done well lots and lots of interesting goodies.
    Talking about goodies Sally you haven't been in to play in my giveaway yet...please don't miss it! Its open to all the world :-)

    Keep well

    Amanda :-)

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    1. Amanda, yes I will pop over to your giveaway! as much as I love op-shopping I love free things! S:)

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    2. Good! I'd like someone from across the waters to win! All my little bits and bobs landing up thousands of miles away....yep I Like that idea :-)

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  2. There are some great scores among that loot. I don't know why you've been hiding all these fab finds. I love to see what people dig up.

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    1. Yep, no more hiding my scores, I've enjoyed sharing them as much as I love to see what others find!

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  3. I knew you were one of 'us'!!! LOVE the commonwealth games calender, we have some plastic cg mugs with the awesome logo on them. I recon the talking map is right up kylies street-she'll love it!

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    1. yes I am totally an op-shopper! I just wish there were more around here!

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  4. Hi Sally,
    I wondered what op shopping was at the beginning of your post, I haven't heard that term before! I love your Shell map, I was showing it to my son he was quite surprised that they were producing something like this in the 1970's. He has set up his own record company and is always trying to find unique ways of marketing the music. We all amazed how large Australia is compared with Europe, we didn't realise it was that big!
    Sarah x

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    1. Hi Sarah, thought I'd better explain the op-shopping thing! I remember when I was living in the UK I had to use charity shop instead! I have to admit to not listening to the record that comes with the map, as our turntable has been relegated to the shed!

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  5. Ooooh Sally, Max is right, I love it.
    Thanks so much, it's lovely (and completely unecessary btw)
    Can't wait to see it (and hear it!) in the flesh.
    Yours in anticipation x

    p.s.
    I love that little vase and I totally get what your saying about that calendar. I also love your laminate table top.

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    1. Kylie that's so great that you love it! even although I've only "known" you for such a short time, thought it might be up your street! hope you've got a record player handy!! S:)

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  6. LOVE the calendar! That Logo is super awesome! Sure does make the London 2012 one look pretty amateurish. And the talking map is awesome! Great finds!

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