Acquisitions. A Box Full of Possibilities.

 Since returning from our holiday I haven't really done much in the way of crafting. Between battling with jet lag (which I am now over, thank goodness!) and, of course, work, work and more work, there really hasn't been a great deal of time. Most evenings have been spent simply relaxing.

∘◦❀◦∘

I did manage to pull out an ugly, scrappy crochet project and make a little progress. I call it ugly because I really don't like the collection of yarns or what I've managed to produce with them so far. The yarns are a heavier weight than the DK yarns I usually work with, so they don't mix well with my stash. There isn't a huge amount of each colour either, probably just enough altogether to make a lap-sized throw. The colours simply aren't friends with one another—they don't seem to play nicely together at all! Still, I shall persevere. It keeps me warm while I crochet on these cold winter evenings, and who knows, perhaps it will grow on me. Maybe I'll show you a photo when it's finished! 

∘◦❀◦∘

One day over the weekend, when I got home from work, Tony was settled playing his game. It was rather loud, so I escaped to the peace and quiet of my sewing room. 

I pulled out some pre-cut I Spy fabrics, rummaged through my stash for suitable sashing, and finally made a small start.

 Not a huge amount was achieved, but it's a start. 

∘◦❀◦∘

While I haven't done a great deal of sewing, I have managed to add to my collection. You all know I enjoy browsing the local Facebook selling pages, and recently I found an English Paper Piecing project that was looking for a new home. 

The previous owner had made a start on these two-sided hexagons, created from diamonds. 

Now I have a decision to make. Her sewing isn't the neatest, but many of the hexagons are already complete, front and back. Do I unpick and start again, or simply continue what she began? I even wondered whether I could disguise some of the untidy seams with decorative embroidery, a little like a crazy quilt. We'll see. It's one to think about.

The bundle also included a small collection of pre-cut elongated hexagons, much longer than the Lucy Boston style long hexagons, along with some squares. 

They might be fun to play with and perhaps even add to one day. You never know where a little bundle like that might lead and happily, she thoughtfully included her templates.

∘◦❀◦∘

Then yesterday, on my way home from work, I stopped at a house just around the corner. I thought I was collecting a bundle of pinwheel blocks. It turned out to be so much more! 

There are enough pinwheel blocks for a lovely throw-sized quilt, along with a generous pile of half-square triangles waiting to be assembled. 

I also came home with a stack of pre-cut charm squares, again enough for a good-sized throw.

 A quilt top already pieced from charms and offcuts.

 It's a little untidy in places, but I think I can work with it. Perhaps some large appliqué would hide a few of the little oopsies. Or maybe I'll just quilt and donate? (At the moment it feels a little like my current crochet project. Maybe if I hang it somewhere and just "wait and see". Then maybe, inspiration will strike). 

The box also contained a collection of cotton offcuts. 

A small table runner that simply needs binding to call it finished

Maybe it was going to be an art piece?

 Ribbons.

 Some velvet-style fabrics 

(I'm not sure whether they'll stay or be passed on).

A huge collection of satin-style fabrics. 

Most are at least fat-quarter sized, with a few much larger pieces. I'm not entirely sure what they are or how I'll use them, but they seem to be talking to me, so they'll be staying for now. (I might take one or two of these to club next weekend and see what the other ladies think).

As we chatted, the lady I was purchasing from told me the fabrics and projects had belonged to her mother. She wasn't really a patchworker, but she loved to craft, making teddy bears and all sorts of other things. She isn't a sewer herself, but she wanted to make sure her mother's treasured stash found its way into the hands of people who would appreciate it and actually use it, rather than simply dropping it all off at an op shop.

What touched me most was hearing that every dollar raised from selling her mother's craft supplies will be put aside for the great-grandchildren. I thought that was such a lovely idea. Her mother's creativity is still bringing joy to others, while at the same time leaving a little gift for the next generation. I don't think she could have wished for a nicer legacy. 

∘◦❀◦∘

It's always exciting bringing home new-to-me fabrics and unfinished projects. They spark ideas, inspire new plans, and sometimes present a challenge that is just too tempting to ignore. Of course, collecting them is the easy part. The real challenge now is to stop admiring them and actually get on with making something!

Today is my only day off this week, so there are plenty of household jobs waiting for me as well as a sewing room that is calling my name. Hopefully, before too long, I'll have a little more progress to share on the I Spy quilt, and perhaps one or two of these rescued treasures will begin their next chapter.

Until next time, happy stitching.

∘◦❀◦∘