Confessions

 

have to admit that I tend to be a bit of a magpie really. I end up keeping all sorts of bits and bobs that "will come in really useful one day - honest!" 

It's not just my rubbish either, I even have friends who I have trained very well and they keep things for me too! The obvious things are bubble wrap (if they haven't popped all the bubbles! Harmless and very therapeutic!), interesting wrapping paper, broken jewellery, useful boxes and tubes. The less obvious things are chocolate foils, unusual labels, seeds, dried flowers, the bit of fabric that is left after you have altered something (actually I usually get that anyway as they bring the thing to me to alter anyway! Oh the joys of sewing!) 

One friend who does sew even keeps all her cutting out bits for me to use on my hand made cards - even tiny bits! Now that is recycling gone mad! 

But there is nothing more exciting than taking the lid off a box and re-discovering all those wonderful bits and pieces that you had forgotten that you had! And that's where the creativity starts! What can I make? Which bits do I need? Which book did I see the idea in? How long before the kids want feeding? Who cares?!! And then you put the lid back on and go away happy! 

y husband cannot understand the joy that can be gained from just looking at all those wonderful bits and pieces that you have lovingly collected over the years. I have some wonderful hand dyed silks in a pack, all complimentary colours and really lovely, but I know in my heart of hearts that I will never be able to bring myself to actually open the packet and use them! They are too nice!! How many of you can put your hands up and say that you have not done the same in some way! 

Yes, it can get out of hand if you are not careful. I was making up some peg doll kits for kids and found a jar full of Laura Ashley lace in varying designs, sizes and colours which were perfect for what I needed, but I found myself unwilling to cut them into small strips as it seemed almost a waste! But I had had them there, in that same jar, untouched, for 10 years!!! I eventually pulled myself together, got brave and chopped some up! I couldn't bring myself to use it all!!! 

I have even been known to sell a bag of some craft items to a friend, I hadn't used that item in years, but had to take out a few to keep - just in case! I do get quite a feeling of satisfaction though when someone asks me for some obscure item and I can usually find it somewhere in my collection - eventually! The only draw back to this sometimes is that come the fancy dress disco for the kids, you suddenly become everyone's number one mate! And your own kids can't decide what to go as until the last moment as they know you can knock something up out of thin air in about ten minutes! Oh the joy of creating!! 

Jude