The Things We Save Give Us Blatant Hints of Who We Are

It's been another working weekend for me, I know that probably comes as no surprise to you all, right? I spent most of it working on my client's books, but managed to also get in a little bit of sewing time, hit the post office to ship out cat show bags (I'm *almost* finished with those orders, soon to start on NoSoKnit's orders!), and still managed to spend a little time at my KnitIn (Sunday afternoon knitting group) with Lynette! (She's new...keep fingers crossed that winning the doorprize and enjoying so much good company will keep her coming every month?)

In between chores, when I simply had to take a break from the computer or the sewing machine, I've been going thru odds and ends of things, hoping to actually get a fall yard sale together (who am I kidding, I'll end up tossing whatever I can grab onto the driveway apron, and hope I have the presence of mind to toss a price tag on it first - and I'll be lucky if it happens to be even half that organized!)

I came upon a stack of Christmas magazines (those that fairly scream at you that they have hundreds of gifts for less than $10 that you can make in plenty of time to have them wrapped in handmade paper and trims and under the tree before Santa arrives? Yeah. THOSE magazines).

Most of them I was able to say, "nope, you're not staying and cluttering up my space a moment longer."

And then there was this one:
If you can't read it - that's Better Homes & Gardens Christmas 1982!

And it's not going out the door. Nope. It's not.
There is an entire section in this magazine on having a "Prairie Christmas" - granted the patchwork on the sweater is too dated to think of recreating, but I do think the doll furniture made from wooden thread spools is cool (really, I have a granddaughter now, I just might get in the mood to make some of this cute furniture and also stitch up the quilted coverlet and canopy for her, too! I even discovered some wooden spools in my aunt's boxes tonight: ok, I didn't find them, The Tonk did, but still, there's a handful of them, and I know I have more in my mother's things...). And you're right, I'm a packrat. I freely admit it, and was trained by one of the best - my mom! If it might come in handy she kept it, and while I've made a dent in some of the stuff I've hung onto over the years, I've still more than earned my merit badge in "just in case I need it!"

The things we keep say much about who we are...for me? I'm a frustrated minimalist - a packrat who longs for simplicity. Living in a Victoriana-rose-bedecked house and aching for Shaker-styled modern. I am conflicted. Always have been. I need six houses to decorate so I can satisfy every part of who I am!

But frankly, the reason I'm keeping this magazine, is this quilt:
made from wool scraps and embroidered with a feather stitch all along the patches. I've loved it since the day I first saw it back in 1982.

Do you see? In that photo on the right-hand page? A wooden bowl of yarn with bamboo needles! And the multi-colored doily? It's crochet. I LOVE IT. LOVE.IT. And since I want so much to really learn crochet, it makes some sense that I might try to make that...

I can't help it. The weather is turning, it's getting cooler, downright chilly, in fact. And when that happens, I start digging into my stash of stuff: yarn, fabric, magazines...if I had a fireplace, I'd be sitting in front of it, knitting, piecing, learning crochet...

Okay, I'll admit it: if I had a fireplace AND the time!
*wink*

Just as an aside: I'm just beginning the decreases on the second Marsan Watchcap, so I'll be sending Lynne my two hats and some other goodies for the sailors on Shanti's ship. Have you made yours yet?