Yesterday was epic. The sun was shining in all of its warming glory and there wasn't a cloud to be seen. It felt like summer and the radio seemed to be keeping up with an endless wave of feel good, happy music. I opened all of the doors and windows of little shack and let the breeze blow through. In the afternoon I headed out driving with the small person and almost unconsciously found myself in the next town over seeking out op-shops. I am SO happy that I did. One stop had a whole rack of floral sheets hanging out the front, just waiting for me! SERIOUSLY! With the happy price tag of only $2 each. That is just unheard of these days. It has been a long time since I have had such a score.
There was one incident that threatened to ruin my mood. If you are a lover of vintage sheets and you collect them, then you will understand how rare they are becoming. I was heartbroken to discover that the Salvo's in Bussleton has a policy to shred these precious sheets to make rag bags. AS in a plastic bag full of rags. I was looking down at these beautiful, scrumpled patterns all torn and ripped. I took the bag up to the counter to ask the lady behind the counter if it would be possible to save these sheets. She obviously thought that I was mad when I tried to explain that they were collectable (but their just old sheets...??) SO, if you are a local Southwest person PLEASE please please head to the Salvo's in Bussleton and let these ladies know that these sheets are worth more whole than they are as rags.
Distressing as it was, we shook it off and headed to the beach to enjoy the final hours of sunshine. The small person ended up naked and caked with sand. She attracted quite an audience as she frolicked and played. It was a scene of pure joy and it made me so happy. I love this town and its pristine coast.
That's it from me today. Time for coffee and maybe some fruit toast. I hope you are having the most wonderful weekend so far, wherever you may be.
Bec x
Ouch I hear your plea that's a bit sad isn't it. I love the way you bring life back to these gorgeous old sheets. I have decided to keep all my stash for patchwork quilts as they are too precious to part with sometimes, instead I use other old fabrics or some new. Keep up the beautiful work. I love your style :)
ReplyDeleteOh my, the thought of those beautiful sheets being shredded is just horrific! They are so hard to find in op-shops, I've often wondered how many don't make it to the shelves and are just thrown out or used as rags. This confirms my fear! :(
ReplyDeleteKatie x
That story is like one I encountered this week - some people who told me I narrowly avoided them throwing their parents vintage camera collection in the bin! All 12 of them! And they couldn't understand why I'd want them ;)
ReplyDeletex
Ouuuchies! :(
DeleteWhat a lovely day and post! What a score, super envious of that! I believe that horrific behaviour of sheet destroying was ment to be uncovered by you to put it to an end! Save the sheets!
ReplyDeleteHaha, yes I am a crusader!
DeleteOh Bec, that scares me! I too had a similar experience in Wang not long back. I rescued a pile of vintage sheets destined for shredded rag bags and said I would be happy to take them off their hands - whole! In return I was asked for a gold coin donation. Your story confirms my fear it may become a National policy in time. Long live the $2 vintage floral sheet! x
ReplyDeleteIt just makes me so sad!!
DeleteOh no! That's quite distressing indeed! When I find a nice haul of vintage sheets at my local oppy's I get so excited and the lovely old volunteers tend to shake their head and think that I'm strange, drooling over lovely sheets that they just think are "Those old things". But to be honest... I don't want to tell them how valuable they are or they'll start charging through the roof for them :-/
ReplyDeleteWell done on your find though!
Cass
I know! And there are some 'not so lovely' volunteers too who are always grumpy and who charge the most ridiculous prices for things... what a dilemma!
DeleteOh no, that is terrible that all those sheets are being ripped up. I too am noticing the prices are increasing as as you say, they are becoming collectable.
ReplyDeleteOp-shops can be pretty wasteful at times, the amount of stuff that ends up going to the tip because it may be too much trouble to sort through or clean is amazing.
x
Pristine sheets are extremely rare to get hold of around where I live. Maybe if they had the label "Millers" or "Avon" they might be seen to be worth more. Cherrie
ReplyDeleteI have decided not to donate to Salvos anymore, as I find they throw the donations into a skip bin ready for the tip. Breaks my heart knowing usable goods are just thrown away. Vintage sheets are getting harder to come by now. Xx
ReplyDeleteYou're right they are becoming more and more illusive, and to shred them up! Sacralise! Lucky you found the ones you did, and what a bargain! The thing is a lot of the things we hold dear, to others is a load of old tat! Ada :)
ReplyDeleteThat seriously is a drama of epic vintage proportions. I hope you were heard.
ReplyDeleteThat is a punch in the stomach. Although everyone who asks me what I like to sew on thinks I am crazy too. After making fat quarters for the shop I have been looking around and even in a large city they are hard to find.
ReplyDeleteI hope you will come across something that lifts your spirits enough to overlook this.
Have a great week,
Allison
Ally's Lost and Found
Gasp....I hope that is not the story in all Salvo stores...we may have to be a loud noise.
ReplyDeleteLucky girl!! They all look so pretty! What an exciting find!! :) :) Happy Sunday! xo Holly
ReplyDeleteI had an amazing op shopping weekend in the big city. Was amazing. Found so many amazing wood and crystal beads. I bought so much in one
ReplyDeleteI told hubby we didn't need to go to any more after. Ha he was over the moon.
I'm off to some local op shops this week to see what I can find and hopefully not big bags full of lovely vintage scraps to use as rags - would much rather find some for Naughty Shorts dresses :) Janelle B
ReplyDeleteGoodness me that is just horrifying! Clamour loudly Bec. In fact just get them to take your name and number so you can personally rescue those sheets for a better life, maybe even wear in one of your dresses for inspiration. melx
ReplyDeletethat's so horrible that beautiful sheets are being shredded into scraps! I'm glad you made a stand!
ReplyDeleteO.M.G Bec....If I lived in your area I'd PICKET the silly BUGGERS....!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI've CLIMBED into bins at the back of Salvos & Vinnies stores before here in Melbourne & you won't BELIEVE the Treasures I've unearthed....I've met with Managers of said stores & explained they are throwing away VALUABLE MERCHANDISE & that they need to consider as well as lower income earners, dealers & collectors, they are now selling to artisans who use a range of materials in their work....
The irony is these charities now refer to their stores as businesses yet they throw away valuable stock....All I can say to that is CRIKEY....!!!!!
Cheers from Melbourne,
Tamarah :o)
I believe everything said made a lot of sense. However, think on this, suppose you were to create a killer headline?
ReplyDeleteI ain't suggesting your information isn't solid, however suppose you added something that makes people
desire more? I mean "distressing news for lovers of vintage floral..." is kinda vanilla.
You could look at Yahoo's front page and see how they write news titles to grab people interested. You might try adding a video or a related picture or two to grab people excited about what you've
got to say. In my opinion, it would make your blog a little bit more interesting.
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