WOOL HOARDING VERSUS WOOL GATHERING

I love sewing with wool, but it is very expensive to buy new.  So my best source are the thrift stores, where I find 100% wool garments for $2-$3 each.  Admittedly, it is very time consuming to then deconstruct (removing darts, pleats, seams, hems, etc.); and wash in very hot water; and dry in the dryer to felt the fabric.  But, it is that old thing with me --- more time than money!

I just completed the deconstruction process on this stack of skirts; which then necessitated the need to clean and organize the sewing room to make room for my 'new' supply of fabric.  I was positively giddy playing with all of this wool for several days.

I store my largest pieces in these two big drawers.

 The medium size pieces go into baskets along with my small supply of wool felt (purchased new at a quilt store).

  I store the smallest pieces according to color in plastic boxes then in baskets for easy access.

I don't throw away even the smallest of scraps - you never know when you might need a specific color for a tiny piece in a project.

 All this fun led me to think that maybe I am a wool hoarder.  I enjoyed it so much without even starting a project.

But, then again, having it all clean and organized has me thinking of all kinds of projects to make in the future.  So, maybe I could be considered a wool gatherer.

What do you think? --- wool hoarder or wool gatherer?

PS:  I can't help myself as it is in my DNA.  I come from several generations of sheep ranchers.

I'm joining the following:
Pieced Pastimes for Saturday Sparks
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Smiling Sally for Blue Monday
Confessions of a Plate Addict for The Scoop Tuesday
Coastal Charm for Show and Share Tuesday
The Dedicated House for Before and After Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
Common Ground for Share Your Style Thursday
Nancherrow for Fridays Unfolded
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

IN A QUANDARY ---

I crave change -- After all of these years of collecting and changing out stuff, I still want something different to look at in our home.

The problem is that I really do like the things that we have inherited and accumulated over our 56 years of marriage, and hate to pack anything away.

I love my great-grandfather's lamp sitting on a textile I purchased on Portebello Road in London.

Everyone knows I'm crazy over brown transferware, and love looking at it every day.

I'm sold on wool, handwork, plaid, and texture.

And, I can't live without color plus wood that has lived a previous life.

So, I guess I don't really want change -- just would love to add a HUGE addition to the house so that I could look every day at MORE of the stuff I love.

In the meantime, I guess the least I could do is put the Valentines away for another year.And pull out part of another collection that hasn't seen the light of day for awhile --- antique silver.

A sugar bowl with a birdie on top with slots to hold teaspoons.

A spooner with a collection of sugar spoons.

A covered butter dish with a butter-knife holder.

And, a beautiful little creamer.

I remember now why they were hidden away --- they really need polished!!!  A project for another day.
At least, tarnish is something different to look at for awhile.

I'm joining the following:
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Pieced Pastimes for Saturday Sparks
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Smiling Sally for Blue Monday
Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays At Our Home
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Savvy Southern Style for WOW Us Wednesdays
Green Willow Pond for What We Accomplished Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
Common Ground for Share Your Style Thursday

VALENTINE READING PLUS MY SPECIAL HEART TUGGERS

My friend, Marsha, is my personal librarian.  She loans me books to read that she thinks I would enjoy; and she is always right about my literary preferences.  I love that she is my friend in more ways than one!!

Recently, she loaned me two books with locations in Paris.  The last time, 2011, that I was in Paris; Marsha was also there.  She was with her adult daughter, and I was with my adult son.  The 'youngsters' had us running all over with busy schedules, so we were unable to meet up at the time.  But, it is a fun thought that we were sharing so many of the same places at the same time --- just not together.

The first book, "Paris in Love" by Eloisa James is a memoir about her family's year-long sabbatical in Paris.  This book was pure delight.  I loved her take on the schools, sights, and food of Paris.

The second book, "Hidden in Paris" by Corine Gantz is a novel also about Americans living in Paris.  I would have enjoyed this book more without the cuss words and intimacy issues.  Marsha warned me, as I'm a self-professed prude.  The house in the story and the plot were interesting enough to keep me engrossed, however.
If you have ever experienced the magic and love
 of Paris, or wanted to; these two books are fun reads.

My two special heart tuggers --

Wyatt was born late in the day on February 13th, so we have always considered him our Valentine baby.  He has an 'over the top' personality.  So if anyone should turn 13 years old on Friday, the 13th; and have a middle-school Valentine dance on his birthday, this is the boy!!
His sister, Caitlin, hates that he has passed her in height just a little and is now a teenager --- he is still her little baby brother.

Happy Birthday, Wyatt and love to both of you on Valentine's Day.

I'm joining the following:
Nancherrow for Fridays Unfolded
Pieced Pastimes for Saturday Sparks
Confessions of a Plate Addict for The Scoop Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday

FROM WOOL GATHERING TO CARTIER

It was a beautiful weekend in Colorado.  Almost everyone heads to the hills to ski, hike and bike!  But in our usual reverse migration, we head to the city to explore our favorite V.A.T.S. 
(Vintage, Antique, Thrift Stores).

Antiquing was kind of a bust -- maybe because we don't need a thing.  I saw a couple pieces of large, beautiful brown transferware, but they were way out of my budget.  On the other hand, it was a good day at the thrift stores.  I'm always on the lookout for wool garments to cut up, felt, and repurpose in needlework projects.  I found nine (yes, 9) 100% wool skirts for the average price of $3.50 each.

The top three are Pendletons, the fourth is Ralph Lauren, and the rest are other notable designers.  That's a whole lot of beautiful yardage for a cheap price.  Now I just need to come up with some new projects to make, in order to not become labeled as a wool hoarder.

On Sunday, we had tickets for the "Brilliant: Cartier in the 20th Century" exhibit at the Denver Art Museum.  Our son came into the city to meet us at the exhibit and for lunch, so that was an extra bonus.  

The exhibit is magnificent -- not just the jewels (I could look at diamond tiaras forever!!); but the whole presentation was wonderful.  It included the cultural aspect from kings and queens to Elizabeth Taylor and Grace Kelley.  Plus, there were many displays about the making of the jewels including original designs on paper to actual work benches and tools.
If you are in the area, it is well worth the price of admission; and will be on through March 15th.

So, from thrift-store skirts to million-dollar jewels, it was a great weekend.

P.S.: And yes -- one small purchase, a brown transferware bone dish in the same pattern as some other pieces I have!

I'm joining the following:
The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Inspire Me Monday
Coastal Charm for Show and Share Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for WOW Us Wednesday
From My Front Porch To Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday

PURSE PROJECT - PART TWO

In my previous post (here), you can read about my purse issues and what led up to making a purse to test what I need for size and function.

 I have finished my 'test' purse, and it seems to function well.  Still not the prettiest purse, but that will come when I find the PERFECT purse to purchase.

The outside pocket works really well for the two main necessities in my life - chap stick and a cell phone.

Even though I rarely have cash on me, an inside zipper pocket will function when I do.

I made a small pouch to corral all of the little stuff that I do not need everyday.  It fits nicely in the bottom of the purse.

The purse ended up being 9" wide x 7' high x 2" deep, and holds all of this stuff with room to spare.  For aesthetic reasons, I probably should have inserted a 7" zipper instead of a 9" one, and then squared off the top corners of the purse.  Possibly that would have been too small an opening to function well, however.  Good thing I'm not going into purse production!

Now that I am sure of size and function, I'm ready to go out shopping again for that PERFECT purse.  I'm confident enough now that I may even raise my budget to get my forever purse!!

I'm joining the following:

Coastal Charm for Show and Share Tuesday

Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday

Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday

Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Pieced Pastimes for Saturday Sparks