Unravelled

12 in 12 January Update

2012-02-01T16:00:00.000+11:00

No clothes purchased. None, nil, nada... Doing the happy dance of thrift!

I've been looking as usual, but nothing has presented itself as worthy.

I have made myself a shawl as a layering piece for at home in winter, so while it is new it is exempt as it's handmade and totally from stash.

There has also been more disposal of clothing. I cannot believe there is still stuff I don't wear or don't like in the wardrobe, but it there is.

I'd been holding on to a couple of pairs of three-quarter length jeans for a while but wasn't wearing them because I didn't really like them on. I have one pair that just keeps being worn and washed and worn again and really need two pairs for summer. Problem is, I've not found another pair I like as much so had a bit of a rethink about why I like to wear denim cut offs - they are cooler than jeans but just as durable and work with my tee shirts and tops. So now my long eschewed knee-length denim skirt is back in rotation and the unloved trews have gone back to the op shop.

And while I was at it, some unflattering tops and a couple of sentimentally kept kilts left the house as well.

The black tee-shirts are starting to show definite signs of wear, though. They will last this warm season, but not another. Some have already migrated from the suitable for work pile, to the at home only pile.

Knit Focus is back

2012-01-31T16:04:00.000+11:00

The cosy production is back on track. This set is for the cosy fund raiser.

More free patterns by Paulina Chin for her Speedy Cabled Cowl and matching beret. Here and here on Ravelry.

Knitted in Twilleys of Stamford Freedom Wool from stash. I love this richly coloured single.

Modifications were needed. Both patterns stipulate being knitted flat and frankly but it's far simpler to just knit them in the round. So I did. I also added a cable repeat to each of the items. The beret would be a beanie otherwise, and the cowl would be a little skimpy, too.

I have two and a bit balls of the Freedom wool left and am tempted to knit the beret again with 4 cable repeats before decrease for extra slouch (and maybe keep the beret because I really love this yarn).

Neapolitan Arroyo

2012-01-30T19:41:00.000+11:00

This shawl was going to be for the cosy project (knitting cosy things for work fund-raising raffle), but I like it too much - so it's mine.

In Patons Jet, it is the colours of neapolitan icecream. It won't show the "love sprinkles" from the sheddy Jack Russell, and is light and warm across my back and shoulders. TOF doesn't feel the cold, so layers are an important aspect of maintaining our relationship - I wear them and don't complain at him about the cold so much.

Arroyo is a free pattern 'on the designers' blog and on Ravelry and knits up quickly for normal, non-lace challenged people (not me, obviously). The short rows in garter stitch are totally addictive.

The Jet is totally stash. Despite it being one of my favourite yarns, most of the Jet stash has gone to some charity knitters. A few balls survived the cull and I'm very glad they did.

Sew and Sew

2012-01-29T20:22:00.000+11:00

Mix tip shop bargain, with Tupperware obsession and sewing notions and you get a very happy op shopper.

This large sized, two tiered Tupperware craft organiser is about the size of a large slice container. We picked it up at Tiny's Green Shed on Sunday for about $1.50. I say about because we had 3 things in the bundle for $3. I've never seen one like it before. I several of the small kind, but this one is a really good size.

It's already full of mending notions. Every op shopper needs a decent hand mending kit at the very least.

Bloglovin

2012-01-29T13:08:00.002+11:00

An anchor post for Bloglovin
Follow my blog with Bloglovin

2012-01-28T14:00:00.000+11:00

ABC Radio National rebroadcast a program about yarn bombing from its now defunct Artworks program.

The broadcast date was 25 December so you may have missed it.

Anyway, it's worth a listen.

I don't partake of yarn bombing myself (there isn't enough time to knit "proper" things in nice yarn let alone bother with tags in crap yarn, because who would bother using good yarn for that?) but when I have encountered it in the wild, so to speak, it has delighted me.

ABC Radio National has rejigged a LOT of programs this week. Old favourites have gone for good and been replace by new programs. Unfortuantely, the new programs aren't available on iTunes yet and the old ones are really hard to find on the ABC website. I'm a wee bit frustrated that I'm not getting my RN book and arts fix via my preferred medium this week.

Also, photo pinched from RN website.

Settling in for a clatter

2012-01-27T21:30:00.000+11:00

of keys, that is.

Well, in my case it was cursing at the keyboard of my Android, but that's not very picturesque.

At high noon today, 3 imaginary friends sat down for a cuppa and a natter.

Cindy2paw and Janette came up with the idea of enjoying a simultaneous cup of the new, limited edition Twinings Australian Afternoon Tea. They graciously let me crash the tea party.

We all brewed up a cup of KRudd's blend, took a bite of something sweet and used email to have a chat.

My tea brewed and served in a mug with a dash of soy milk, I ~~shoved down my greedy gob~~ nibbled a slice of the last of the Christmas cakes.

The tea was very pleasant - a blend of Russian Caravan (my second favourite Twinings tea after Queen Mary), Orange Pekoe (third favourite Twinings tea) and Irish Breakfast (my go-to for a good strong brew). It had strength and depth of flavour with a dry finish. Definitely will be buying some. Confession time, I used a free sample we got with a weekend newspaper.

I gave up trying to knit - my hands were too occupied with keying and noshing. There was even some tea left in my mug 45 minutes after we began, so busy was I chatting with Janette and Cindy.

It was thoroughly enjoyable and not long enough - maybe we'll Skype it next time. Note to self. Learn how to use Skype.

Wonky photos courtesy of Blogger, which will recognise a cropped image but restores original orientation.

Jammy

2012-01-26T20:42:00.000+11:00

Op Shopping opportunities on a public holiday are limited, but we managed to get to both the Canberra tip shops today.

Bargains at both, some for us, some for gifts*.

Best buys of the day that we are keeping was a current (6 months to run) Entertainment Book with only the restaurant card and 3 of the vouchers missing.

and my longed for jam kettle.

It's aluminium so I can't use it for anything but jam. Condiments containing vinegar will pit the aluminum, so no chutneys or sauces, but it will do until we can afford a copper preserving pan. When that happens, I can die a happy and fulfilled preserver (shut up - you have a holy grail, too!).

These two items, as well as a few items chucked in (Tupperware wine goblet for our ever-expanding set, china noodle bowl for winter soups and stews at work and a souvenir placemat as a joke gift for a colleague) came to $10.

Speaking of tip shop finds, did you see what Misfits Vintage found at her tip shop recently? Pigeon pair to this find at Tiny's at Mugga Mugga a few years back.

*gifts of op-shopped items go to the cogniscenti only.

Quilt

2012-01-15T19:49:00.000+11:00

I can resist quite a few things, but hand crafted textiles at the tip shop are not among them.

Today's bargain for $3 is this modern quilt. It's machine pieced and quilted and hand-hemmed. It measures about 3m x 2m and is destined for a bed or wall in our next house.

Knit Focus - Socks

2012-01-08T11:47:00.000+11:00

As predicted the neon socks are finished. However a sick dog meant an unplanned trip to my place so I picked up another ball of sock yarn.

Simple socks in Lucy Neatby Celestial Merino Dream sock yarn in the Fiesta colourway.

This yarn has been in stash for a looooong time. Five Ferns brought it on her first trip Down Under in May 2007.

I knitted one skein for myself a few years ago and they are lovely. Not a pleasure in the hand as the yarn is shiny and not very elastic, but they bloom beautifully once knitted. But the colours are unbelievably beguiling and if they fade in a beguiling manner.

Knit Focus - Cosy

2012-01-07T06:51:00.000+11:00

This is the current cosy - a neck cosy. It's a bigger project than most of the cosies will be.

I started it in November in a moment of desperation - I was at TOF's, I'd completed a project and had nothing on the needles with me and a whole Sunday at my disposal.

This is why there is an emergency stash of sock yarn in my undies drawer. What I didn't have were needles of the correct size for socks so this project is a skinny scarf on 3mm needles.

The pattern is Autumn Leaves by Patricia Tan. It is a simple biased lace pattern which gives wonderful colour and movement and breaks up the self-striping sock yarn beautifully. It also looks lovely with the left over christmas sweets. I've knitted it intermittantly between projects or as a car passenger etc. It grows slowly.

I am bored as bat shit by it now and just want it done. It lives in my locker and I work on it for 20 minutes or so at lunch time. It should be finished any month now.

It will be about 3m long when done and as it curls like nothing else. I really hope it blocks flat.

There's more focus knitting this weekend because I forgot to pack an "at home" project for the weekend and only have simple socks with me. Socks last seen here. Yes, I am on the foot of the second sock and no I haven't replenished the emergency sock yarn stash. All that's in my undies drawer at the moment are undies.

Seriously

2012-01-05T18:17:00.002+11:00

Setting aside the abomination of choc chips in hot cross buns it's the 5th of January!

Perhaps they are getting in early for next Christmas?

Stash Focus

2012-01-04T19:55:00.002+11:00

2011 saw a nett reduction of stash. I gave a huge amount away for a variety of charitable and other purposes but there was a fair bit come in, too.

So this year I get to enjoy some of it. So I'm joining Ann at Shades of Shetland (go admire her colourwork and her Westies) in a yarn diet (of sorts).

I'm not going to buy any yarn until I've knitted 2 proper garmentsfrom stash; either vests, jumpers or cardies.

I'm allowed to receive gifts, but not solicit gifts. Swaps are fine.

I'm allowed to buy a pattern if it's in my queue as of 1 January 2011, but not after.

I am allowed to buy necessary equipment but purchases need to be funded from extra income earned because this year's knitting budget is $0 - we have bigger fish to fry than my fibre obsession (I've been sorting out my sewing and knitting patterns - watch this space next week).

I am allowed get out of gaol free cards for the wool and fibre days at the Old Bus Depot Markets and if it's unbeatable op-shop bargain you know it's coming, but it needs to be in a project amount and an equivalent amount of yarn already in stash has to be removed. That should focus my mind a bit.

So what am I going to knit?

OUT AND ABOUT PROJECTS

There is always a pair of standard socks on the needles for muscle-memory knitting. (stash yarn only)
We have a year long fundraiser going on at work. The theme is '"cosy"and my colleagues (many of who are talented artists and crafters) are contributing raffle prizes. I'll be knitting cosies all year. These items will be knitted during lunch hours etc. so my colleagues can watch the progress and feel involved. (stash yarn only)

AT HOME PROJECTS

I have a couple of WIPs to finish including a large blanket for the footy season (it's 50% done) and a shawl and a pair of kilt hose for TOF so they'll get worked on at home and one of those needs to be finished before I cast on a garment
I would like a couple of vests and a cardigan or two and TOF would like a jumper. I'm not saying I'll finish his jumper because the only style we agree on is in a largely unobtainable pattern. I'll work on getting the pattern, then worry about the knitting. (stash yarn only)

Right. I have some knitting to do. Chat later.

Cornstalks

2012-01-03T07:47:00.000+11:00

How was your New Year's Eve? Mine looked like this.

Time was, reading was one of the things that defined me. One of the reasons I knit is because I can knit and read at the same time (rather than cross-stitch, embroidery or some other needlecraft I enjoyed).

Reading dropped off as caring for Mum became more demanding. I didn't have the brainspace or the time for someone else's story. For other carers books become a refuge but for me it wasn't so - there was always something else that needed to be done.

So I am becoming a reader again, or trying to. Over the Christmas break I read the third of Kate Grenville's books about the fictional Thornhill family in colonial Australia.

Sarah Thornhill is both the title and protagonist of the book. Sarah is the youngest child of William Thornhill, a transported convict and his wife, Sarah. She is a currency lass or cornstalk - the first generation of European children born in the colony of NSW. These books have their inception in Grenville's own family history.

When the first of the trilogy, The Secret River, was released, it caused a debate about fiction and history and Grenville has obviously emerged bruised from the engagement.

For me, both The Secret River and Sarah Thornton are obviously fiction (while being based on some family history). It is up to the reader to pursue the history and neither is presented as actual history.
The novel explores the issues of being rootless, of disposession and the disposessed, generational guilt and Reconciliation. The themes are very current and it seems to me rather blugeons the reader - it doesn't feel subtle. There is a definite agenda being pushed.

The book presents some stylistic issues. There is no indication of direct speech which really annoys me. Without quotation marks for speech I find myself having to think about whether the words are spoken or descriptive and it detracts from the meaning of the words if I'm worried about the construction.

Speaking of construction, does anyone know if toe-up sock knitting was current in the 1830s? Knitting appears in the hands of Sarah's sister who is reported as being half way up the leg of a stocking. It niggled but is a minor concern.

The second book of the trilogy, The Lieutenant, is in the pile beside my bed. The books are stand-alone and can be enjoyed singly or in any order. And they are very enjoyable. Grenville continues to be a favourite author. The Idea of Perfection (the 1999 Orange Prize winner) is one of my favourite novels.

Focus 2012

2012-01-01T09:03:00.000+11:00

The theme for this year is FOCUS.

2011 was difficult and focus was split, changed and generally did some weird folk dance I wasn't in control of.

2012 and the focus is back.

I will be focussing on getting back on track financially. 2011 saw budgets get very loose as the time to manage them was sucked up by caring emergencies and savings went to pay Rosies' vet bills etc. I've done the sums for this year. It's scary but we can do it.

I'll be focussing on some health issues. I started hydrotherapy late 2011 to assist with arthritis related pain. It's going well, and I will be spending more time in the pool and later the gym, to help with taking the strain off my joints.

Focus on enjoying what I have more: my miraculous relationship, my challenging family, my fortunate education; my possessions. I don't need more things, I need more focus.

12 in 11 December Update

2011-12-31T09:19:00.001+11:00

It's so unlikely that I'll buy anything today I thought I would get in early.

This month I finally found the dress I needed for the ball back in October. An actual proper formal frock in a daring bright red that fitted very nicely. So I bought it. The next ball is not until April 2013, but for $7 I'm prepared and who knows what fashion emergencies 2012 will bring.

I overspent my clothing allowance by 7 items (more than 50%) 19/12.

Not a brilliant result, but my goodness it was a fascinating experience. While still buying most items second hand (one retail purchase only and that an emergency funeral buy), I learned to focus on quality, cut and colour to make the most out of what was already in the wardrobe.

I really do have a capsule of basics now, at least for the cool weather.

I took the lessons I learned about cut in particular and have culled my sewing pattern library (Ravellers, look for a destash soon) to leave me with a handful of patterns that suit in styles I prefer to wear.

Despite failing at 12 in 11 I'm up for it again. Not because I like to fail, but because I like to try. These challenges teach me things about myself and assist in least making me better aware of my shortcomings even when they are not completely overcome. It helps keep me focussed and this year focus is particularly necessary.

There are 3 known items on the 2012 "to buy" list

a pair of replacement Mary Janes. Even by the redoubtable Jhay the Cobbler is unable to repair the last pair.
an outfit for Junior's wedding in December. I may make the frock, but I'm going to keep a couple of items in reserve just in case I need to buy a dress and shoes for the wedding.

The usual rules will apply. A flurry of yarn purchases in December (birthday and Christmas gifts to myself) ensured that I have some truly lovely garment quantities of yarn to use. I also came across a couple of caches of gorgeous fabrics in an op-shops in December and bought several. It is a sign of maturity that most of that cache was left for others to enjoy. I look forward to creating with some of the lovelies that came home.

How I clutter my home

2011-12-06T13:04:00.001+11:00

This spinner doll was in the 50c bin at the Salvation Army shop. Couldn't leave her behind.

Looking Forward

2011-12-05T14:17:00.000+11:00

Just because it's Summer now, doesn't mean I'm happy about it. Apart from stone fruit and skinny dipping, I don't like much about Summer.

While we were at Manuka Oval yesterday we checked out our latest investment. Seats in the members' stand for the three Greater Western Sydney Giants Australian Rules Football matches next year. It's as close as we will get ot a Canberra team in the AFL and we aren't going to miss out.

The Manuka Oval website doesn't have a detailed seating plan, so we had to book our tickets without knowing exactly where they were.

I'm sitting in one of our seats. The bag and hat are on the other.

Am I pleased? See for yourself.

Four rows from the highest point in the stand; on the aisle; only two people to bother us getting up and down; right on the left edge of the centre square; under the roofline. Fabulous!

Bring on Winter.

Signs of Summer

2011-12-04T20:07:00.000+11:00

Despite the coolish day, it is summer. And summer means cricket.

Knitting a Citron with laceweight kid mohair at Manuka Oval.

Tasmania defeated NSW by four runs in a one day match.

Citron requires one more repeat and a ruffle and it, too, will be vanquished.

12 in 11 November Update

2011-12-02T13:24:00.001+11:00

I spent $20 at the St Vincent de Paul garage sale in November.

For me - a pair of new with tags (English brand marked at 30 pounds) $5; a pair of RM Williams riding boots $4; a pair of Kumfs heels $4. The boots and shoes are very lightly worn.

TOF scored a pair of Thomas Cook boots (brand new) $4, and a pair of polar fleece ski pants $3

The helpful ferret is a resident but going cheap.

So I added 3 items to bring my total of purchases to 18 for 2011.

Delighted by crochet

2011-12-02T10:57:00.000+11:00

We saw much sheepy goodness in New Zealand. That was expected.

There's a sculptor living in Omarama who has added larger than life fish and sheep to the town's streetscapes.

There's a crocheter living in Omarama with a sense of humour.

The yarn-bombing was delightfully unexpected and well thought out. Thosed crocheted toes are stuffed with microfibre or similar.

Get 'em while they are young

2011-11-30T14:43:00.000+11:00

Fate?

Dunno about Australia, but I literally rode on the sheep's back!

My nanna and me September? 1967, "Sunnyglee", Jerilderie, NSW.

I was 20 months old. If you look closely, I'm wearing a handknitted bonnet and jumper. The corduroy overalls would have been cut down from a pair of trousers belonging to my grandfather or uncle. The jumper would have been reknitted from one of their old jumpers, too. Mum made all my clothes, mostly from recycled materials.

Mum and I lived with her parents while Dad served in Vietnam. My grandparents raised sheep and wheat at Jerilderie. There are always lambs that are hand-reared. The one I'm sitting on was probably one of the house lambs that year.

Knit Couture?

2011-11-26T07:57:00.000+11:00

Picked this up from the blog Damn You Alexis. It's a D&G apres ski blouse.

Surprisingly - I think this is cute. Certainly not for this little black duck to wear - the shape's all wrong - but cute.

I responded to the colour first, but the whimsy of the fair-isle print is very appealing.

12 in 11 October update

2011-11-06T09:36:00.001+11:00

The temptation to go all out this month because I've blown the challenge already was quite strong.

I resisted. Mostly.

My will power was not so steely as to withstand a pair of as new Birkenstocks for $1.50. I had to look a couple of times in case it was $15. All mine for less than the price of a bus ticket. I've never had Birks before - I may be grateful that the investment was so low.

Quota Used 16/12.

So in answer to Louisa's question - yes, I'll be keeping track.

I've learned that I really do wear 20% of my wardrobe 80% of the time, or at least something approaching it. I was very, very resistant to wearing some of the my clothes. My first instinct was to replace tired favourites with close replicas rather than use the other items. So I'm embracing that. Unused/resisted items during this challenge have been disposed of. The wardrobe is looking a bit minimal, but that's ok.

I've analysed what's left over so have a fair idea of my minimum needs and am developing a succession plan.

As I buy almost all of my clothes second hand, and am a difficult size, I give myself permission to acquire quality garmets to replace the already tatty or soon to be tatty as they are found. The one in one out rule will apply.

Tops for work are knit fabrics in the main. Buying them second hand means they usually only have one or two seasons in them. I will allow myself to buy the better quality tops when I see them in op-shops etc but I will confine purchases to fabrics and cuts which will last longer. In theory, a well-constructed garment in a natural fibre can be maintained for longer than one from a man-made fibre. Certainly fine woollen knit tops with hand-washing and regular depilling last years. It's not possible to successfully depill a standard poly-cotton t-shirt. I've tried.

Ditto, trousers and skirts. Ás I find suitable woollen or linen pants and skirts the synthetic blends will be retired.

Natural fibres are easier to over-dye than synthetics. Black linen and cotton tops which have greyed a little can be resurrected in a dye-bath.

Natural fibres also require less laundering as they "breathe" better than synthtic fibres. Synthetic and synthetic blend garments need washing every wear which increases their environmental impact in terms of electricity, chemical and water load, and they wear out sooner.

I am also committed to maintaining what I have rather than buying replacements. I've found a good cobbler. It isn't cheap to have shoes resoled or boots reinforced but if the item is good quality to begin with, it will stand a few repairs and it's still cheaper than buying the a replacement in an equivalent quality. And much, much more environmentally sustainable.

And if all this sounds a bit controlled and dull - boring black uniform with sturdy shoes - it would be if it weren't for accessories and I can knit or sew my own.

And I'm kind of tempted by trying for 12 in 12.

12 in 11 September Update

2011-10-16T06:58:00.001+11:00

Baby done a bad, bad thing.

Blew out the challenge in September while we were in NZ.

No defence, no excuses, just did.

Quota Used 15/12

Op shopping in a new country is fun. Some of the brands were familiar but not all of the specialist sizings that I look for. It was a bit of a test of my ability to assess quality and cut based on the garment rather than the label.

This challenge has led me to assess what it is I need in clothing and my preferences for colour and shape. If I couldn't just have it, I had to assess each item. It's a good skill to acquire and hone.

So, what did I get that was worth blowing the challenge for?

1 pr Blundstone steel cap boots, new in box from Salvos $10 (we have some major landscaping and gardening ahead of us and these are perfect to protect my tootsies from falling pavers etc.)
1 pr strappy sandally heels to wear to this accursed ball $6 from Salvos.
2 jumpers; one is a tunic style that has seen some wear already and another in a henley style which has replaced my baggy saggy, pre-weightloss winter favourite (already gone to the op shop). Both are in green shades, one a light gumleaf olive, the other a bright kiwi green. Both are medium guage. $23 the pair from Save Mart.
1 moleskin shirt for football and outdoor wear next autumn/winter replacing the way too large pincord shirt I have been wearing for years. $6 Salvos.
1 jacket for work. I am expected to travel more for work in the next couple of years, so I picked up a dressier jacket in non-crushable knit. $20 Vinnies. Yes, a lot more than I usually pay but this is an excellent brand and fit and slips in the my mix and match wardrobe really well. Retail it would be about $200, so I'm pleased.

Exempt

Knickers bought just before we left for NZ. These replace the daggies worn and abandoned in NZ.

Bra, new with tags from Save Mart in Invercargill. $15.

Hosiery - found 5 pairs of new in packets stockings and tights in op shops including electric blue stockings for an average $1.50 a pair. Given one pair of pantihose retail is $12, I'm a happy hosiery freak.

We left most of our travelling clothes and shoes in NZ, returning only with our "new" purchases and a change of shirt and undies. Fate handed us a woman of size at the caravan park the evening before our departure. She was in town to watch her brother play for the Fiji Rugby Team. She gladly took our clothes for her family and we were delighted they went to a welcoming home.

Since we've been back wardrobe culling continues with several bags full off to op shops as new items were washed and put away and the winter wardrobe turned over to spring and summer.

Bonnet

2011-10-07T09:29:00.001+11:00

What 7am looked like yesterday.

Working on a commission to be delivered on Sunday. A soon to be born grandchild is in need of a bonnet and better-than-boottees socks.

The socks will take 6 hours to complete so I'm working on the bonnet first. The design and yarn was left to my discretion, as long as it was white. The vintage Patonyle (60% wool, 40% nylon in 25g balls) has been in stash for some time. It was purchased second-hand and I have 3 balls. The bonnet is going to take just over one ball and I'll get the socks out of the remainder of that ball. A lovely set for 50g of yarn.

The pattern is vintage Patons and written for for 3ply, but using smaller needles in a ribbed/lacy ribbed garment means sizing won't be an issue. This will fit from about 3mos on. As we don't know the gender of the baby, I'm figuring lemon ribbons for the ties. All materials are from stash.

Traditional Fathers' Day

2011-09-06T14:49:00.000+10:00

I nearly burst a pfooffa valve the other night watching an advertisment. Can't remember what it was advertising, but the gist was "don't give Dad socks for Fathers' Day".

I am happy to report that TOF doesn't think socks are a naff present for Fathers' Day.

He loves his handknits and knows how much love they represent and appreciate that the animals cared enough to commission me to make them. He likes his new Wallabies jersey and the bottle of whiskey as well.

12 in 11 August Update

2011-09-01T16:34:00.000+10:00

Quota Used 10/12

I bought a frock for the ball in October. More a maxi than a formal frock, but for $6 from the Salvos it's long and floaty and will do. I need to take it in a bit, but will wait until we return from NZ.

Given the big freeze in NZ a couple of weeks ago, I bit the budgetary bullet and ordered a down jacket from Canada. I can't get one to fit here, and I've tried. Less than $200 including postage and I will be warm.

Exempt Items

The silk thermals I bought to wear in NZ come under the heading of underwear so they don't count.

Treats

2011-08-28T15:07:00.001+10:00

TOF hit the jackpot this week and brought home a lovely book - Simply Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free by Grace Cheetham. It's has some interesting takes on traditional treats and desserts as well as meal recipes. Between us, we can eat neither gluten, dairy, mushrooms nor beef. We don't really have a problem with meals, but treats, oh treats....

Today's treat is our take on Grace's chocolate and fig biscuits. As we couldn't find our stash of dried figs from last year's plunder of public fig trees in Canberra, we subbed dried apricots. The chocolate called for was a 70% cocoa solids, but we used Whittaker's 50% bitter sweet because it was open and is still dairy free.

Total win. The resulting biscuit was moist but not mushy and we got 15 biscuits. A darker chocolate would give a richer result and I can't wait to try it with figs.

12 in 11 July update

2011-08-05T21:37:00.000+10:00

Nothing at all to report this month. Nothing new came in either by purchase or by gift.

QUOTA USED 8/12

Not really wanted much, although we have a ball to go to in October, and I have nothing to wear. I got rid of all the evening wear when I lost weight and it's the last thing to be replaced.

Finding a ball gown is impossible and I haven't the inclination to sew. I suspect it will be cocktail length rather than formal length this time around.

While I was on leave in June I threw a few pale and/or stained items into a dye bath. I now have several indigo coloured revamps - just like new clothes. Hope to turn a few of my navy shoes black this month as I've had to get rid of some old favourites recently and the work shoe situation is getting dire.

12 in 11 May and June Updates

2011-07-01T14:16:00.001+10:00

Shitty couple of months and I did not resort to retail or op-shop therapy.

QUOTA USED:

I bought a pair of fake pony skin leopart print pumps late in May. Brand new Kumfs for $20 at Vinnies.
I followed up with a dress in June to wear to my mother's funeral. Half price but retail.

Quota used 8/12.

EXEMPT ITEMS ACQUIRED:

2 prs pantyhose 30% off at DJs.
2 bras on 30% off at Target. Still looking for another couple and badly need undies.
12 summer t-shirts. New t-shirts cleared from Mum's cupboard.
5 pairs hand-knitted socks. Socks I knitted for Mum which I have now reclaimed.
Jacket for gardening in, gift from TOF.
Cotton cardie/cover up thing for work, gift from TOF.

Packing up

2011-06-08T12:17:00.000+10:00

I am writing this from Mum's hospital room. Yep, again.

This is her third hospitalisation this year. I am waiting for the medical staff to finish their meeting with the nursing, physiotherapy and social work staff who are deciding Mum's fate.

As soon as a place is available she will be moved to respite care, pending a nursing home. It's not going down well with Mum, although she's so sore and tired at the moment the fight isn't really there.

This morning before coming to the hospital, I started looking at the house with an eye to packing it up. Fortunately Mum is a neat freak so it's not going to be a task like on the tv show "Hoarders" as a friend on Facebook imagined. It's just going to be emotionally difficult and physically challenging.

The kitchen and linen cupboard look like the best places to start. Fewer items of sentimental value and I cleared out the extraneous from the linen cupboard in January. I'm going for easy wins in the first few days.

The craft stuff, too, has to be dealt with. Again, I've culled this fairly well in the last six months. Moving things on will be easy enough - I know lots of people who can use craft supplies - but there will be things I want to keep such as the length of tartan in the family pattern bought in Scotland and a gift from a dear family friend (long dead); the Brussels lace bought for me by my grandmother for my wedding dress (poor deluded but well-meaning woman); and the vintage vyellas and batistes. I can't and won't keep it all, but some of it will come home.

Green Tomato Sauce

2011-05-21T10:14:00.000+10:00

We were the grateful recipients of several loads of green tomatoes this year. Just as well, our entire tomato yield was 3 ripe tomatoes and a balancing amount of green ones.

I keep forgetting where we get our recipes from so this will be the first in a series of posts recording what we made, where it came from and any deviations from the original recipe. I probably should have recorded yield etc, but I didn't.

RECIPE: Green Tomato Sauce

SOURCE: The Australian Women's Weekly Home Library. The Book of Preserves. Australian Consolidate Press, 1990. p. 106.

DEVIATION 1: used our own red wine vinegar instead of brown vinegar - softer, sweeter, more complex flavour as result.

DEVIATION 2: in second batch added a couple of sliced green chillis.

NEXT TIME: Add more chilli.

12 in 11 April Update

2011-05-05T10:53:00.000+10:00

This month I appreciate, very clearly, the value of thrift.

With one of the dogs requiring several surgeries and associated costs, having savings to fall back on was immensely comforting. Doesn't make parting with more money than I've ever spent on anything apart from real estate any easier, but it is comforting.

I'm also glad of the extra discipline the 12 in 11 challenge has given me. In order to replenish the savings, I'll need to be more careful than ever, and as op-shopped clothing is a particular indulgence of mine, this challenge is now an economic necessity.

QUOTA USED:

1 fine wool black jumper (Maggie T brand for the Aussies). I know I'm a knitter, and that's what makes it possible for me to know that this fine knit in a quality brand was an absolute bargain at $4. Mixes and matches with my work wardrobe for winter layers and cared for properly will see many more seasons.

Quota used 6/12. Half my quota used in 4 months. Sounds a lot but is less than I'd buy on a good op-shopping day normally. I'm happy with my progress.

EXEMPT ITEMS ACQUIRED:

Last year I bought a man's wool and silk blazer at Salvos. It fit well around the hips and was a good length in the body, but the shoulders were too wide and the sleeves too long. I'm a good home dressmaker, but I'm know my limitations and resetting the sleeves in a lined jacket of this quality is beyond them. I had a local tailor recut and reset the sleeves. The jacket cost me $25 plus $85 for the tailoring. $110 for a tailored to fit wool and silk jacket that looks great with jeans and boots to dress up a casual outfit. Love it. Worth it.

Creating has been for other people this month and will continue for a while yet.

Thanks for all the fish

2011-04-20T20:58:00.000+10:00

Thanks to everyone for the kind wishes. Rosie is out of hospital(s) and appears to be on the mend. We are waiting to see what the weekend will bring but are very hopeful.

I won't be around much for a while and the seven things challenge has been put on hold.

Mum's been in hospital and is out now but requires a little more care at the moment and another family member is very unwell and I need to be present for the family and not worrying about inconsequential things like my clutter.

Everything will be fine, I just need to concentrate on the family right now.

Back soon xxx

2011-04-05T22:34:00.000+10:00

This is our lovely Rosie. She's in need of your healing thoughts, prayers and wishes right now, having just had her second lot of abdominal surgery in a fortnight.

Seven Things Week 21

2011-04-04T06:51:00.002+10:00

Calming down on the "ins" after the last couple of weeks.

IN
1 porcupine quill to use as a shawl pin GIFT
2 DVDS. Popped in to buy a gift, ended up with a copy of Don Juan De Marco for $7 and something else for TOF. Johnny Depp films under $10 are part of the collection development policy.
1 book. Went to Lincraft for fabric dye. No dye but ended up with Naughty Needles from the sale table for $8. Impulse buy fail.

OUT
2 cup top coffee filter holders RECYCLING
1 glass coffee flask RECYCLING
1 plastic brooch RECYLING
1 old bag strap BIN
2 back packs OP SHOP
7 video recordings OP SHOP
1 skirt OP SHOP
1 jacket OP SHOP
1 pr jeans OP SHOP
1 shirt OP SHOP
1 riding helment OP SHOP

SIAA
2 pairs socks for gift giving.

IN 4

OUT 19

NETT OUT 15

SIAA 2

12 in 11 March Update

2011-04-01T05:55:00.134+11:00

End of the first quarter and tracking a bit high.

With the change of seasons, though, comes a reckoning in the wardrobe. I'm pretty ok for casual gear, but my work wardrobe was a little low and the going out clothes very patchy. That's fixed now.

Also, the planned sewing didn't happen. I need to get back into a routine with the sewing machine. I'm incredibly proud of my discernment in shopping, though. I've brought home in three months what would have come home in a day previously.

QUOTA USED:

I picked up fine wool blend charcoal grey trousers and skirt. Quality fabric and well designed, cut and made garments. The trousers (Lisa Ho) set me back $5 and the skirt (Basque - the Myer larger sizes label) $2. I couldn't leave either behind at that price. I have also culled a lot of tatty garments from last winter's wardrobe, so no nett gain; a nett loss in fact.

Then there was the black stretch satin evening skirt for $2.50. I was missing a black evening skirt or pants. The purchase of this one skirt means I have five going out outfits. We don't go out much, but it's good to know I have options when we do.

Running total 5/12

EXEMPT ITEMS ACQUIRED:

GIFTS

1 dress. TSS bought it for me on the sly but I was going to buy it anyway. A black and white spotty sun dress in vintage style that fitted for $3, you bet it was coming home with me. Although it's not outstanding quality, it is well designed and matched all the other criteria for inclusion in the wardrobe where there is a lack of fab and fun frocks. I would not have been able to make this - no patterns and the fabric would be difficult to source and certainly not for $3.

CREATED
1 pair socks. Created from the scraps of other hand-knitted socks. C'mon- triple bonus points on this one?
1 pair socks. Yarn recycled from jumper TOF bought at an op shop for $1. (I''ll get at least 6 prs of socks from this jumper).

OTHER EXEMPT
There was an attempt to buy new underwear, but bra shopping when Target had a 30% off sale ended in a mixture of rage and self-loathing. Of course there was nothing left in my size in the one style they sell that I can wear in the colour I wanted (black - not exactly unusual). Plenty of all the other sizes and one to fit in granny beige. What does this tell you Target? OK, not quite calmed down yet. Nothing purchased.

My only pair of summer sandals died in January. I replaced them with a pair from the Vinnies Monster Sale (brand new) for $3 and added a pair of new pair summer sports shoes for another $3. I've decided to exempt these as they are replacements / necessary exercise equipment.

ADDED TO THE SAVINGS JAR
Nothing added and while I came close a couple of times I resisted all but the good quality gear that coordinates with the current wardrobe.

Seven Things Week 20

2011-03-28T19:18:00.000+11:00

20 weeks! Good golly. Another big week for ins thanks to the Lifeline Bookfair and Vinnies Monster Sale.

This week the summer clothes were put away and the cooler weather clothes disinterred.

Naturally I took the opportunity to remove anything not worn over the summer and to reassess the winter stuff. There is a small pile of items ear-marked for wearing in and abandoning in New Zealand and a very small pile for the dyepot to make them useable next season. Not looked at yet - knitwear and accessories.

IN

1 pr fine wool blend trousers for work $5 OP SHOP
1 fine wool blend skirt for work $2 OP SHOP
1 black satin evening skirt $2.50 OP SHOP
2 Tupperware items $3 OP SHOP
1 bags - replacing 6 with 1 is not bad. $6 OP SHOP
1 pr sandals $3
1 pr sports shoes $3
12 vintage patterns/knitting mags $15 LIFELINE BOOK FAIR
10 books - LIFELINE BOOKFAIR

OUT

3 skirts
8 tops/shirts
4 prs trousers/shorts
2 jackets
6 hand bags
1 pr hiking boots
1 Tupperware container

IN 30

OUT 25

NETT OUT -5

Seven Things Week 19

2011-03-21T06:35:00.027+11:00

Hmm, so the cross-border raid on the Goulburn op shops resulted in a few ins.

We did take the advantage of dropping off some outs at the Smith Family, though. Canberra no longer has a Smith Family Op Shop (and I still miss it badly) so we can be assured of not accidentally buying back our own stuff, or buying back an something to present to the original owner (this has happened). On that note, anyone shopping at Vinnies in Dickson - please don't buy me any knitting wool.

Also a week of ferrying dogs to vets, work and a weekend spent in family celebrations and support team for World Naked Bike Ride, Canberra - not much time to identify any outs. TOF locked his wardrobe just in case, though.

IN
5 knitting patterns for the collection OP SHOP
1 battleaxe OP SHOP
1 Bodum coffee plunger OP SHOP
6 items Tupperware OP SHOP
1 dress GIFT
1 ball yarn GIFT
7 lots of buttons OP SHOP
1 scarf (Wallabies official merchandise) OP SHOP
2 shirt for TOF OP SHOP
1 pr trousers for TOF OP SHOP
1 mincer attachment for the Kenwood Chef OP SHOP
1 sausage filling attachement for the Kenwood Chef OP SHOP

28

OUT
1 hand bag

SIAA
1 pr socks

IN 28

OUT 1

NETT OUT - 27

SIAA 1

Seven Things Week 18

2011-03-14T07:22:00.000+11:00

Another odd week. I'm now required to work every second Saturday. The upside is I have every second Monday off. I may have spent rather too much time in op shops last Monday. Then two days in the last weekend at a course in Sydney and no time to shop or cull.

We have a public holiday in Canberra today, so TSS and I are taking Mum and heading over the border to Goulburn who do not have a public holiday today. I'm just the driver, though. Promise to try to be good. ;)

TOF has done the traditional Canberra Day long weekend thing - he's gone to the coast. He will be op shopping the south coast today - look out Bermagui! I suspect there will be a problem with the "ins" in the coming week.

IN
1 Tupperware jug $2
1 cake tin $3
1 pastry container $2
1 hat for TOF $2
1 scarf for TOF $2
1 charm $5
all op shopped.
OUT
100 balls yarn
7 tops

IN 6

OUT 107

NETT OUT 101

Seven Things week 17

2011-03-07T06:43:00.148+11:00

It's all about the yarn again this week. Craft supplies, particularly yarn, cause most of clutter here. If it's not sitting around on chairs like a sulky teenager, it's taking up all the room in cupboards that could be used for other things which also perch on chairs and in corners waiting to pounce on unsuspecting visitors.

I just want to put it all away.

The assessment process for yarn is evolving.

I rarely knit for garments for myself and I prefer lighter weight wool to anything else when I do. Mostly this is thinner wool (5 and 4 ply). It is may also be light as in not heavy - so my beloved Patons Jet with its alpaca content is safe for the moment. Similarly, TOF doesn't feel the cold much, so should I ever knit him a jumper (and I am not saying I will, why tempt fate with the sweater curse?), I'd use a 5 or 4ply.

I went through the 8ply first and took out anything in colours I wouldn't knit for myself or the ones I love, dividing into jumper amounts and smaller amounts. A jumper amount is 20 balls or so. If there was less than 20 balls, most of that went. Some smaller amounts in good colours for accessories for TOF, Mum or I stayed, but most went. All they hand-dyed stayed. Some jumper amounts stayed just because I couldn't bear to part with them yet. That's ok. I'm allowed to keep stuff, I just need to make sure that I love it and/or can actually use it (sometime).

Then I went through the 5 plys and did much the same thing. I was less rigorous with this category because TOF prefers a 5 or 6ply sock, so in this case I got rid of colours I wouldn't use. I know I can overdye, but given the quantity of yarn, I don't really need to. The charity knitters were very happy.

Novelty yarns were next. Some of it was the muppet variety, others were lovely blends and textures. There was an amazing amount of this still hanging around, although I'd obviously kept only certain colours and shades. I think I intended a textured blanket in black, white and greys with this, but as I'd forgotten the exact plan, it was bagged up and taken to the op shop from where it disappeared within days of arrival.

This week the 12 ply and bulky yarns set aside for hats for the homeless etc.was the focus. I've not knitted many of these in recent times but I'm not ready to get rid of all of this particular stash. Other assessments were mostly about colour. This one was about feel. I fondled it all and decided that if I couldn't stand the hand, the yarn went. It's not about softness, so much as whether I could stand to knit with it, some harsher outerwear yarns still feel good. I haven't finished assessing this yarn, but so far it's about 50/50 keep and go. All of this went to the op shop.

I've exhausted my usual, and a couple of new, yarn heirs recently. As most of the yarn came from an op shop, it seems reasonable to send some of it back. Any yarn given to me for charity knitting has been given to other charity knitters.

The cottons and sock yarns are quivering in anticipation. It's their turn next.

IN

1 framed painting. Landscape in oil. $3.30 TIP SHOP
1 metal rack to be repurposed as a mini greenhouse $3.30 TIP SHOP
1 clothes airer, large, new and solid (not small and flimsy like the ones in the clearance shops. $3.30 TIP SHOP
pr gym shorts for TOF

OUT

125 balls wool. OP SHOP
1 leather purse - mouldy BIN

SIAA

1 more pair of green cotton sports socks HAND KNITTED
1 pair of pink and green socks from the scraps of the last 6 pairs HAND KNITTED

IN 4

OUT 126

NETT OUT 122

SIAA 2

Verdant

2011-03-06T10:13:00.000+11:00

Football season has started. We've been to two Brumbies home matches so far. Last night the only thing in the stadium more colourful than these socks in progress was the language of two blokes in front of us.

These are using up the leftovers of the socks I've been making since the beginning of the year.

So far I've made 5 pairs of green and one pair of pink socks. I should finish these today and that will be the last of the pink (from an unravelled scarf) and the last of the the lime.

Almost.

TOF picked up a jumper at Salvos recently. It was completely knitted from lime green Bendigo Harmony. It cost a dollar. There's enough yarn there for exactly 10 pairs of athletic socks. I'm going to try some longer socks and will overdye them. Neither Mum nor TOF will wear the green.

I really do have a great job

2011-03-04T20:27:00.000+11:00

when I can combine my love of knitting with my passion for documenting our community.

12 into 11 February Update

2011-03-01T07:08:00.169+11:00

This month there has been a definite shift in mindset.

Look. Try on. Internally debate colour, fit, quality and usefulness. Sigh with wistful resignation. Return item to rack. And it really is resignation or realisation, not regret.

Early in the month there were a couple of additions to the savings jar but since then it's been quite easy to say "no". Including on a trip to fashion-conscious Sydney. I took the opportunity of the big shops and a free evening to go looking at new clothing. I tried on a several items and left it all behind. Not even close enough to put money in the savings jar.

Not that it has been a smooth progression. There was a point mid-month when I really couldn’t be bothered what I wore or how I presented because it’s not like I could buy anything to perk the wardrobe up. Fortunately Nettie’s experience of a similar challenge last year helped me recognise the symptoms early. After a day or two, I gave myself a good hard shake and recalled that the challenge was about valuing what I have. Then I went and polished a couple of pairs of shoes and groomed my eyebrows. Much better.

There are other weapons in my arsenal to meet this challenge. I have sewing skills and equipment. It's not so hard leaving something behind in the shop when there is a pattern and fabric at home to make something close to or better than what's available in the shops.

So I have re-assessed the sewing patterns; removing the ones that no longer fit, or are essentially duplicates of each other or where I said “what was I thinking?”. They have been culled by about a quarter and fit into a drawer of the chest of drawers allocated to the sewing stash. A few goes at the 7 things challenge means the sewing fabric stash is pretty streamlined, but there is enough there to keep me in basics for this year.

That being said, I bought a vintage cotton sheet to make a summer skirt and/or blouses for $2 because I loved the colours and pattern and because the quality of the fabric is great. I am trying not to transfer acquistion of clothing to acquistion of potential clothing in the form of fabric. Sewing will be from stash before buying more fabric.

Enough navel gazing, though - let's see this month's numbers....

QUOTA USED:
None this month. Current tally 2/12.

EXEMPT ITEMS ACQUIRED:

GIFTS

1 pair of black shorts from Mum who finally (we're talking months) got around to trying them on and found them too large
1 nightie GIFT
1 rain jacket GIFT

REPAIRED OR RENEWED

Nothing at all, I'm afraid. Don't know where the time goes.

CREATED

2 pairs of handknitted sports socks

ADDED TO THE SAVINGS

$7 Black voile shirt. Tempting, I carried it around the shop for a while. I don't need shirts to iron, I need cotton knit tops for work.
$4 Black swimsuit - nicer than the cossie I bought in January. Very nearly caved.

Running total - $40

Seven Things Week 16

2011-02-28T07:58:00.001+11:00

Wow, going away for work for a couple of days really puts a dent in this. That and I forgot some of last week's ins.

2 metal bowls to use as double boilers for melting and purifying beeswax. TOF has a heap of beeswax from candlemaking, so I'm going to make some handcream, leather conditioner etc. The price of new double boilers is extreme, particularly as I will only be able to use it for the beeswax, so this seemed like a really good improvisation $2 TIP SHOP
1 Tupperware container (TOF can't help himself when it's in good knick and a bargain at $2.50 from the OP SHOP)
2 thermals for TOF RETAIL SALE
1 pr shorts for TOF RETAIL SALE
1 Tupperware Rice cooker NEW (for the caravan)
1 piece pantry Tupperware NEW (TOF's breaking in a new Tupperware distrubutor so we place a small order to compensate for all the replacements we get)
1 sheet $2 SALVOS
1 pr shoes for TOF $3 SALVOS
1 popcorn maker (for coffee bean roasting - based on experience these will break regularly. We're buying them as we fin them second hand) $5 REVOLVE
1 set sock needles. Sydney business trip souvenir. MORRIS & SONS

OUT

1 bowl - dropped and smashed - BIN
1 glass - dropped and cracked - BIN
9 mismatched socks and gloves (that's all TOF would let me get rid of at his house. I need to work on this resistance) - BIN

SIAA
so close, but nothing finished this week - see going away for work excuse

IN 12

OUT 11

NETT OUT -1

2011-02-26T18:47:00.000+11:00

TOF and I sampled the delights of Queanbeyan's four op-shops today. All but the big Salvos Family Store had half price sales.

Little Salvos had half price on everything; Vinnies, half price on most stuff and Bargain Hunter, half price on summer clothing.

We didn't buy as much as you might expect.

A pair of brogues for TOF and a vintage cotton sheet which may or may not become blouses and/or a skirt next summer.

Still for $5 the lot from the little Salvos, we were happy.

Originally posted to I Op Therefore I am ACT.

Seven Things Week 15

2011-02-21T07:46:00.069+11:00

Freecycle could be my undoing. When someone offered a popcorn maker this week, it was on the proviso we take all the other kitchen stuff they'd decluttered as well.

It was difficult sorting through two large boxes of assorted paraphernalia, much of it new, and getting rid of it. It was nice stuff and it was free! However, we were pretty strong. Some of the mugs are going into work so there is a nice matching set for guests, we've earmarked some items for friends who would like at least first refusal, some we binned and some will make it back to Freecycle and then to the op shop if no one wants them.

We ended up keeping a tea infuser (I have a lot of leaf tea and I can use the infuser for single cups, which is what I make at work so it's really a way of using things up), a pudding basin just because it's a nice thick china, a teatowel because it's a perfectly fine teatowel and, of course, the popcorn maker.

We buy green coffee beans through Coffee Snobs and TOF has killed a few popcorn makers roasting beans.

IN

3 lamb fleeces GIFT
1 rain jacket. TOF got it for me for $1 with the intention of leaving it in NZ later in the year. We're setting aside clothing for NZ with the intention of leaving it in an Auckland op shop so we have space for fibrey souvenirs. The wine and Whittakers chocolate will come back on my hips. GIFT
1 jam funnel $15.90 NEW, RETAIL but not the $38 one local shop is asking. Anyone wanting a stainless steel jam funnel o' bliss go to Butts 'n Brew at Kaleen shops
1 dinner set - TOF's china pattern, a partial setting for 4 (missing two tea cups and saucers) $20 at Vinnies
2 pieces fabric. $11 Vinnies
1 knife. Note to self. Get a footy kit together and put it in one place. We had to buy a small knife to cut up our cooked chook at the footy. $7
1 tea towel FREECYCLE
1 pudding basin FREECYCLE
1 tea infuser FREECYCLE
1 popcorn maker to use for coffee bean roasting. FREECYCLE

OUT

20 old jumpers (from the unravelling and felting stash) GIFTS and DONATIONS
4 bead containers GIFT
16 stencils GIFT
8 bags sequins GIFT
1 bag beads GIFT
1 Tupperware container DONATION

SIAA
another pair of hand-knitted sports socks - but this time in hot pink!

IN 13

OUT 50

NETT OUT 37

SIAA 1

Seven Things Week 14

2011-02-14T08:14:00.053+11:00

Work is back into full swing and full on. While I have fewer temptations, there is also less time for de-cluttering. I'm not home until 7.30pm at the earliest after work and a couple hours of dealing with Mum's needs. Motivation to do even more work can be low when I've been hard at it for 12 hours by then.

I'm countering the temptation to sit on the couch with a cuppa and my knitting by building in decluttering with normal activity. It's slower than but ultimately more sustanable than the "must clear this room tonight" method.

So putting the folding away means removing everything from one shelf or drawer, appraising and following through. I only have to do one container (draw, box, shelf) a night and there is always a cardboard box by the front door ready to receive the outs.

Realistically this means 4 nights a week at the most and most weeks only three nights, but it all adds to up.

This week the camisole and singlet drawer got the treatment, as did the sewing patterns, a box of jars, bottles and vases from under the house and what I optimistically call my "going out"clothes.

IN

1 camel pack (actually last week, but I forgot) $3 GARAGE SALE
1 nightie - GIFT
1 jumper - GIFT (for unravelling and knitting into socks)
2 shirts for TOF $5 OP SHOP
2 tv series on DVD $2 OP SHOP
1 wheat pack $4 OP SHOP
1 cage to protect veggies from possums and my dogs FREECYCLE
1 belt sander GIFT FOR TOF

OUT

2 huge bound volumes of the Sydney Morning Herald (1856 an 1861). These were a gift from an aunt about 30 years ago. They lived under my childhood bed. This week the perfect recipient for something that was really a burden turned up. So tempting to count every issue out - GIFT
2 dinner sets - OP SHOP
22 decorative jars OP SHOP
2 Tupperware containers GIFTS
1 top - body-hugging green stretch satin, never worn in 18 months (wonder why?!) - OP SHOP
1 tapestry frame - OP SHOP
4 old software installation CDs and associated manuals - BIN
16 balls yarn - OP SHOP
19 sewing patterns - OP SHOP
13 singlet tops, singlets and camis - OP SHOP
1 framed print - OP SHOP
3 books - LIFELINE

SIAA

1 pr handknitted sports socks (again)

IN 10

OUT 86

NETT OUT 76

SIAA 1

White Elephant

2011-02-08T09:19:00.000+11:00

This postcard from the Te Papa Museum of New Zealand Picture Library was a gift from The Shopping Sherpa on her last visit home.

It's from the early 1940s and is by Alex McLaren of Canada. Most likely it is fiscal restraint propaganda from World War II.

Perfect.

Seven Things Week 13

2011-02-07T08:13:00.001+11:00

Back at my place for a few nights this week as we're back at work, I've resumed caring duties for Mum and Junior is back at tech.

Yarn destash is at a difficult stage. Firstly, it is hard to let go of stash. Really hard. Secondly, I've lost momentum from not living with it for 5 weeks, and thirdly, I've overloaded my usual recipients of stash. By that I mean people who respect the yarn and whom I trust to do the right thing by it.

To aid the decision making process I dragged several large plastic bins (120 litre bins) from the yarn cellar and left them where they had to be negotiated when I moved almost anywhere in the house. Boxes were opened and closed; opened, partially examined and closed; opened, fully exhumed and closed; and finally opened and decanted into bags and boxes and loaded into the car.

I considered Ravelry destash but couldn't face it hanging around once the decision was made and the thought of having to deal with people over it made me want to cry, so this week I took yarn to the op shop.

I have not completely abandoned stash. As I have found from previous attempts to cull the herd; stash has its own level, resents vicious pruning and has it's own way of getting back at me if I disrespect it. To reassure it that I mean only to rid myself of that which would languish underappreciated and unknit, I have bought (on destash), bamboo blend sock yarn for ToF.

1 ball sock yarn (more bamboo blend for TOF) RAVELRY DESTASH
1 pr boots for TOF (bnwt) replacing the outs from last week $17 OP SHOP
1 Rock 'n Serve $8 OP SHOP a bit pricey but cheaper than new and ALL of ours are currently in use
1 book $3 OP SHOP. TOF is trying out Iain Banks.
2 Brumbies members caps FREE WITH MEMBERSHIP
1 cheese knife. $4 OP SHOP
1 pr shorts - GIFT
2 calendars - GIFTS
2 bookmarks - GIFTS

OUT

1 pr trousers - fiddly and highly crushable. I've worn them once this summer, gone to wear them twice and replaced them with something simpler. OP SHOP
1 bookmark - GIFT
1 magazine - GIFT
51 items of baby clothes that have been hanging around for months - finally off to women's shelter. DONATION
1 drinking glass, smashed in the sink :( BIN
2 cd racks - OP SHOP
272 balls yarn DONATION AND GIFTS

SIAA
Nothing completed this week.

IN 12

OUT 329

NETT OUT 317

SIAA 0

This Challenge is a, well, challenging

2011-02-06T08:10:00.010+11:00

This only buying 12 items of clothing in a year is not an easy challenge. It's building a new habit, while breaking a very old, ingrained and much loved one.

Although the challenge has positive intent it does have the side effect denying the pleasure of immediate gratification. The challenge is about less rather than more.

How do I keep motivated and show results? While the seven things challenge is partially about reduction, there is a cumulative total that helps measure progress. It is the external indicator of inward progress.

Enter the "savings" jar. Each time I overcome the temptation to buy clothing which pre-challenge would have come home, the value of the item goes into a jar. This creates a visual reminder of progress and ensures there will be cash on hand when the perfect garment appears or to pay for repairs I can't make myself or buy materials to transform already owned garments (there are some tops and shoes which need dying).

The money for the three items I only just resisted in January has been thrown in

some Very Silly shoes. $7
a black top in a favoured brand but which had a couple of buttons missing and some signs of wear. $5
an evening frock, BNWT which fitted beautifully and was tempting to have as a standby for the wedding in April as cool weather option. Despite the great fit the colour was not quite right and could not be dyed so after much debate I left it. $17

When I say these were only just resisted I mean cheating was considered. Apart from the evening frock, no-one would have been any the wiser if I chose to purchase and not disclose.

12 into 11 - January Update

2011-02-01T08:13:00.002+11:00

I opted into Louisa's challenge of only buying 12 clothing items in 2011. That makes it roughly one item a month. Given that I'm already de-cluttering, it seemed a reasonable and possibly aspirational thing to say yes to.

I had already purchased a dress to wear to a family wedding in April. So that was the January allowance used up.

I've not stopped looking in op-shops; that would be cowardice, but knowing I can only have 12 things in the year has made me look at the racks differently.

If I'm spending one of my precious items, do I really want it to be a cheap, worn t-shirt or really cute ridiculously high-heeled shoes that would be worn once and relegated to the back of the cupboard and eventually an "outs" bag? The answer is invariably "no", although it was a close run thing with those Very Silly Shoes.

I'm also anticipating purchases. Five Ferns is looking for a down-filled jacket for me (can't get one in my size in Australia), as well as some exempt thermals, and there will inevitably be a t-shirt or jersey purchase as a souvenir of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. So really I only have 9 items left for the next 11 months.

Except that I only have 8. We found two Australian representative grid-iron shirts at the Salvos on half price ($3.50 each). They are perfect to wear to the Australia v Italy World Cup match in September (over the top of our warm clothes). They are unneccessary and frivolous and yet absolutely essential. I was unable to resist.

In January I bought/received/made the following exempt items.

a divine hand-knitted cashmere shawl which will go with the dress, so wedding outfit sorted which was a gift from a clever and lovely friend
2 long sleeved t-shirts and a hoodie from Mum as part of her wardrobe clean out
1 hat for protection of fair skin in great outdoors, gift from Tip Shop
1 hat for the footy. It's a Brumbies bucket hat - I loathe baseball style caps on my head, and won't wear the one that comes with our membership if I can help it. Gift from TOF
1 oversized men's shirt, gift from my brother to be remodelled.
1 pr sports shoes (brand new without tags from op-shop for $8. I priced them in a sports shop, originally $120)
1 pr swimmers (brand new without tags from op-shop for $8. I also priced these - $90)
3 prs hand knitted sports socks. (A) underwear is exempt (2) handmade is exempt. Do I get bonus points for hand-making an already exempt item?

I did debate including the swimmers in my 12 but decided they were exempt because they are (kinda) underwear and definitely fit into the safety clothing category - safety for everyone else in the pool, really. ToF and I do an aqua fitness class once a week, and the tankini rides up and is not much fun when doing strenuous if supported exercise. The new cossie is much more suitable for actually moving in.

ANNUAL ALLOCATION 12

TOTAL USED 2

ITEMS LEFT 10

Seven Things Week 12

2011-01-31T09:08:00.001+11:00

More feeding the freezer and pantry shelves cooking this week but I managed to squeeze in some op-shopping time.

I also picked up new glasses this week, but decided not to bother with the ins and outs of them. How ridiculous is it that it is cheaper to buy new than to get new lenses put in old frames? Ditto, that it's more expensive to repair boots than buy a new pair.

A few more ins than strictly necessary this week, but it's back to work tomorrow so my op-shopping time will be limited. I'll also be living back at my place during the week, so expect more culling to happen. The front room is chokka with yarn looking for a new home, so I'll address that tomorrow and Wednesday.

2 pieces fabric (4m navy cotton lycra for tights and 4m burgundy silk for undies, $5 and $3 respectively) OP SHOP
2 shirts (one each) $3.50 ea OP SHOP
1 footy jersey for TOF OP SHOP
2 leather backpacks (my handbag of choice) $2 each GARAGE SALE
2 DVDs for TOF $3 each TIP SHOP
1 stainless steel square cake tin found by side of road (I kid you not - made TOF let me out at the traffic lights to get it) free
1 ball sock yarn. ToF has discovere the joys of bamboo socks. As the man with the sweatiest feet in Christendom he only ever wears woollen socks. Now he also wears bamboo. Guess which sock yarn I don't have in stash? Have another ball coming. $8 RAVELRY DESTASH

OUT

1 pr TOF's boots. They could be repaired, but it would cost more than buying a new pair and they were dangerous to wear. BIN
1 saucepan - I burnt it senseless in a cherry sauce accident and it's beyond redemption METAL RECYCLING
1 cat scratching post BIN
2 fry pans - scratched and awful teflon METAL RECYLING
60 balls yarn - GIFT

SIAA
1 pr hand-knitted athletic socks

IN 11

OUT 65

NETT OUT 54

SIAA 1

Under Pressure

2011-01-28T09:45:00.001+11:00

When I get gifts of cash I try to use it for something that is substantial and an investment in our future frugality.

The 2009 Christmas cash went towards buying our Fowlers Vacola preserving kit. We love the Fowlers kit. We've bottled lots of fruit and add to our bottle collection as we find them at op-shops and garage sales.

At one garage sale (where we bought a second kit and lots of jars) we heard about pressure canning.

The water bath preserving method as used by the Fowlers Vacola kit, is great for things like fruit, but for low acid and protein foods, pressure canning is the way to go.

So with my last birthday cash, we bought a Presto Pressure Canner via Amazon (for nearly half the price of buying one locally, including postage) and have spent a good deal of January canning soups, curries and casseroles.

With our combined food intolerances, we can shelf store our own dairy free, gluten free meals made from seasonal produce with no additives. It frees up freezer real estate, ensures portion control, and there are no excuses to get a takeaway when fast food is sitting on the shelf. We see it as a win all round for a fairly small investment.

The canner will take ordinary glass jars with screw top lids. We can re-use jars from store bought goods, although it is recommended we buy new lids. We are using a mix of Fowlers jars because we have quite a few and because they make uniform canning and storage easier and larger screw top jars, which are really too big for jam etc.

A Fowlers size 27 bottle contains a smidge more than 3 metric cups of liquid. This equates to two servings. So far we've made about 200 servings of soup, curry, casserole and ragu.

In a jam - again

2011-01-27T10:05:00.000+11:00

Blackberries, this time, and with added bonus and no swimming.

Seven Things Week 11

2011-01-24T08:58:00.001+11:00

The last couple of weeks has been all about cooking summer surplus into winter meals and stocking the freezers with gluten and dairy free bread, rolls and pizza bases. No real time for reflection on the nature of consumerism in general, or mine in particular.

I was sad to take things to the tip for land fill, though. There may have been other uses for the 30 year old three-quarter sized mattress etc, but they were beyond me.

In

1 mattress - gift for the bed in the caravan
1 spinning wheel bobbin. Too big for my wheels but it's beautifully burnished with age and will make a wonderful candle holder - tip shop
1 Akubra hat - free tip shop
1 shirt - gift from my brother. It's too big for him and he was going to give it to Vinnies anyway. Putting aside as remodelling project in Feb.
2 prs trakkie daks, TOF - Op Shop
2 shirts, TOF 1 new, 1 near new, Op Shop
1 jacket, TOF Op Shop
1 Brumbies bucket hat, all clothing from op shops. I am particularly pleased with this hat. I loathe the baseball style caps that come with our annual memberships and have coveted the bucket hat but been unable to justify $25 or so for it. TOF picked this up for me at the Salvos store for $3. Just as well, the club isn't selling them this year.
1 ceramic reusable tea mug with silicon top $5 from YMCA shop. Exactly the same price as in the shopping centre chain shops but it was new and the money went to the Y.
1 knitting magazine - Interweave in newsagents now.
1 Tupperware lunch box, new from op shop $6

Out

1 ironing board, broken LAND FILL
1 mattress - the old one from the caravan - cost us $15 to take it and other hard rubbish to tip - LAND FILL
1 bed head - LAND FILL
1 plastic (and non-recyclable) chair base - LAND FILL
143 balls yarn - GIFTS
1 pr jeans, too big and despite the preference of someone in this house for fally-down trousers, they were driving me mad - OP SHOP
2 books. Actually read two books this year. Amazing what being on holidays will do for letting fiction back into my life - OP SHOP

SIAA
1 pr socks (yep, another pair. Get used to it, I've got a lot of this yarn)

IN 13

OUT 150

NETT OUT 137

SIAA 1

Pegged

2011-01-18T16:04:00.000+11:00

A whole new level of thrift, Chez TOF.

Seven Things Week 10

2011-01-17T08:47:00.001+11:00

1 high visability vest for TOF $7 Vinnies
1 pr swimmers(bnw/ot) $8 Vinnies
1 pr shorts for TOF (bnwt) $2.50 Salvos
1 pr shoes for TOF
1 DVD set. Season 2 of The Cook and the Chef. $14.95 at the Post Office. An impulse buy but nearly as cheap as my late fines on the library copy.
1 Frankie magazine 25c Vinnies

OUT

1 magazine - RECYCLING at the cricket.
1 magazine - GIFT
1 Filofax cover - GIFT
1 book - GIFT
140 balls yarn - DONATIONS/GIFTS to colleague's granddaughter's school's knitting club and fellow knitters
1 baking tin - GIFT
87 lids for Fowlers' jars. Note to self - only buy the stainless steel. The other ones rust in seconds. - RECYCLING
1 pr jeans - OP SHOP

SIAA

mended 1 pr trakkie daks. No need to chuck 'em out, just replace the elastic.
1 pr socks for me. Actually needed.

IN 6

OUT 233

NETT OUT 227

SIAA 2

Sporty

2011-01-16T13:17:00.000+11:00

Wee atheltic socks made from Bendigo Harmony a pattern of my own devising.

These in response to a desperate need for sports socks. I know I can buy 3 prs for $1.80 at Rivers, but they are crap.

Good things about these socks:

soft, squishy, comfy and should be longer wearing that the Made in China rubbish
I can get 5 socks from a 200g ball of Harmony. I'll be looking for Harmony or Heirloom Breeze scraps soon, I reckon, to make a stripy scrappy pair.
they use stash
they are really quick to knit.
while they stretch out worryingly on the foot, the wool and lycra content mean they spring back into shape when washed.
they machine wash in cool water

Mk II already on the needles. This time I'm including knitting-in-elastic for the ankle ribbing and shortening the heel flap a tad.

Seven Things Week 9

2011-01-10T08:00:00.001+11:00

Oh dear heaven!

Finally got to Mum's this week. I was meant to be clearing out under the house storage, but she hijacked me into going through her wardrobes, linen cupboard and craft stash first. I made a start under the house, but it's going to be a longer job than anticipated. None of the stuff from Mum's is being counted. If I stop to enumerate, it will never get done.

I've lost count of the trips to the op-shop. Fortunately the paper recycling centre is located between the two closest op-shops and each trip to Vinnies or Salvos was followed by a trip to the recycling centre to pick up more boxes.

Mum's cupboards are now neat, tidy and adequate to her needs. They are not minimal, however, so I can stop buying her clothes for a wee while. Also, when the time comes to move her, I have a good understanding of what is there.

On one of the op-shop runs I met a woman who is a member of a group that sews and knits for charity. I've dropped off a lot of the sewing fabric and yarns to her. I've been the recipient of much lovely yarn to knit for charity and Mum and I've been slowing working our way through it. But now that Mum can't knit and my time is even more limited it's only right to pass it on when I can. More will go out when I get the chance to really go through my stash. All that's gone is the easily accessed top layers. Also, TOF's Dad will be getting a couple of new jumpers out of stash. Two lots of lovely 8 ply went to TOF's Mum.

Other yarn has gone to the Happy Spider for her school knitting program. I'm always keen to support new knitters. Also we all know how great knitting is for soothing the spirit and what more restless spirits are there than teenagers?

IN

1 shirt for TOF free from Tip Shop
1 pr trousers for TOF - $7 Vinnies
1 pr shoes for TOF - GIFT
1 Tupperware pet dish $3 from Vinnies
2 Tupperware champagne flutes $1 from Salvos
2 knitting patterns $1 from Tip Shop
1 dress to wear to a wedding, Vinnies $10.50
2 knitting magazines (Yarn and Yarn Forward)
1 pr sports shoes - new and never worn $8 YMCA op-shop
2 balls sock yarn - GIFT
1 shawl which goes beautifully with the dress for the wedding - GIFT
1 DVD. TOF got series one of Ghost in the Shell for $5. He's a very happy man just now.
2 Tupperware Rock 'n Serves in TOF's favourite style. They have broken lids which will be replaced at the next party we go to. Vinnies $2
2 prs shoes - TOF
1 pr shorts - TOF

OUT

4 magazines - GIFT
8 board games - OP SHOP
1 lamp shade - OP SHOP
19 sheets - OP SHOP
2 doona covers - OP SHOP
4 pillowcases - OP SHOP
8 lengths dress fabric - GIFT
1 pr tongs - OP SHOP
1 balloon whisk - OP SHOP
340 balls yarn (whole balls only counted, not partials) - GIFTS
12 promotional drink bottles - RECYCLING
1 pr curtains - OP SHOP

SIAA

1 knitted shawlette/scarf - yep, another one
1 knitted beret

IN 21

OUT 401

NETT OUT 380

SIAA 2

Raw

2011-01-07T14:42:00.000+11:00

I finally got under Mum's house today to start clearing away Dad's workshop and 45 years of family life.

I've made two trips to Tiny's Green Shed, the re-use facility at Mugga Way tip, the car dangerously loaded.

Dad's trained as an electrician in the Air Force. He was also a keen gardener and adaptive re-user before it was trendy. It was how he and we grew up. His workshop is full of tools and boxes upon boxes of useful things, or things that might be useful one day. He spent a lot of time fixing things and creating things under the house. Mum can't go in, she keeps seeing him at the bench. I know what she means. He is very present in that place.

It is really hard to dismantle that.

My brother has been slowy removing Dad's tools. As he needs something, he removes it and doesn't return it. My brother, although he lives next door and is currently on leave, is keeping well clear while I deal with the other stuff.

When Dad died, I was the strong one. One of us had to do the organising and holding it together. I didn't do a very good job of holding it together today. I only had to pull off the road twice to howl.

I'm not counting any of the things from under the house as outs. If I stop and think about it long enough to enumerate I will be paralysed.

While this is emotionally horrible, it's necessary. I can also recommend being responsible for getting rid of someone else's shit as an antidote to consumerism.

12 in 11

2011-01-05T15:09:00.000+11:00

Louisa at The Really Good Life, has set herself the challenge of only buying 12 items of clothing in 2011.

I am sooo up for this. I have a lot of clothes. They are mostly op-shopped, but I still have more than is strictly necessary.

I've already bought one item this month, a dress to wear to a wedding in April, so that's January's quota taken care of.

Louisa's exceptions list is very sensible and I see no reason to change it.

Essential footwear – new sports shoes when the old ones die, gumboots or essential footwear for safety, anything else is part of the 12.
Essential underwear – bras and undies are exempt but on a replacement basis only. Hosiery is exempt but purchases will be minimal.
Gifts - gifts of clothing are exempt but I will not solicit clothing as gifts.
Stuff I make myself - I can sew and despite recent decluttering continue to have a good fabric supply. If I need it, I should be able to sew it.

Seven Things week 8

2011-01-03T18:23:00.078+11:00

Traditionally this is a week of cleaning out in order to start fresh in the New Year.

And it's not just me.

The Op Shops are always overloaded during this period. Vinnies even had half-price sales in the fortnight before Christmas in order to clear some space for the influx.

I was full of plans for my own clear-out but a gardening induced injury on Christmas Eve jarred my bad hip and I've been unable to do very much at all. Resentful+

ToF has been marvellous and entered the spirit of Seven Things on my behalf. He has cleared out several pairs of skis and stocks and let me declutter some of the flat surfaces at his house in lieu of the big clear out at mine. He also let me tidy the linen cupboard as long as I promised not to throw things away. I'm sure it's been bloody annoying for him and he's borne it with good humour and patience. I'm also sure he's checking this to see if I've sneaked anything out on him. ;)

IN

7 magazines from op shop for browsing and passing on $4
1 knitting magazine (a weakness, but it was the Fall Vogue)
1 pr moleskins for TOF Salvos $1
1 polar fleece ski shirt for TOF Salvos $3.50
1 cast iron baking dish GIFT for TOF
1 set serving dishes GIFT

OUT

4 prs skis. Not worth salvaging, I'm afraid. We'd sell them if we could - BIN
2 prs stocks - OP SHOP
1 kitchen scale OP SHOP
2 watches, unfixable - METAL RECYCLING
1 steamer insert for saucepan - METAL RECYCLING
1 plastic sewing box - RECYCLING
1 bag marbles and decorative stones - OP SHOP
1 glasses case - OP SHOP
2 boxes bottle tops, failed craft project - RECYCLING
1 cat scratching post, destroyed - BIN
1 pr ski boots - OP SHOP
5 books - RECYCLING
1 pr jeans - OP SHOP
2 jumpers - OP SHOP/GIFT
1 pram net - OP SHOP
4 shirts - OP SHOP
2 skirts - OP SHOP
1 jumper - OP SHOP
5 storage jars - OP SHOP
1 pr shoes - BIN
12 odd socks - BIN
1 pr dead cotton socks - BIN
1 bathrobe, threadbare and stained - BIN
1 doona cover - OP SHOP
3 lengths furnishing fabric - OP SHOP
1 book - OP SHOP
1 aluminium baking dish - OP SHOP
7 hand towels - BIN
1 oven mitt - BIN
1 lace curtain - OP SHOP
5 items of microwave plastic stuff - OP SHOP
1 casserole dish - OP SHOP
1 coffee mug - OP SHOP
1 set outsized playing cards - GIFT

SIAA
1 shawlette/scarf

IN 12

OUT 74

NETT OUT 62

SIAA 1

Passioknit

2011-01-02T12:00:00.000+11:00

TOF has set this as the wallpaper on his computer.

I'm a multitasker, but even I'm not that good (and TOF's just pointed out that my arms aren't that long)!

Better Cowl

2010-12-31T16:48:00.000+11:00

We're off to New Zealand in September for the Rugby World Cup. A cowl that keeps my neck and head warm will be of more use than a scarf and hat and it needs to be light weight as luggage weights are tight.

As the alpaca cowl didn't meet all of those requirements, I looked for another pattern. The Imagination Cowl from Knitpicks was just the thing.

Knitted in Moda Vera Noir sock yarn (bought for less than $6 a ball at Scablight last Christmas sales), it took all of two x 100 gram balls.

I mistook the pattern initially but the flared lower edge works brilliantly and sits over my shoulders, while the ruching pattern keeps it close enough to the neck and face for warmth without strangulation.

This one is a winner.

The pattern is free. It is Ravelled here and on the Knitpicks website here.

Mulberry scrumping

2010-12-31T08:02:00.001+11:00

We went to a very special birthday morning tea for an old friend at the beginning of December.

Held at Canberra's oldest and quite posh hotel, we raced in a little late and breathless. I apologised for our tardiness, but explained we'd spotted a ripe mulberry tree on the way in. We were forgiven - our host and hostess had also seen it and fully understood the call of free and unattended fruit and were anticipating a visit on the way out.

We popped back in the early evening and collected a kilo of the very small but tasty fruit. It became a mulberry and (donated) loquat crumble that evening. Tonight we eat the last of it from the freezer.

Since then, a colleague of TOF's invited us around to help clear up her mulberry tree. From that we made about 20 jars of the most delicious jam. It's our first time with mulberries, but it won't be the last.

Alpaca Cowl

2010-12-29T08:07:00.000+11:00

Knitted while we were up north with Mum this year. It's a very easy pattern, but I am universally acknowledged as lace challenged and spent a good deal of time tinking this.

Starting it in the car was not the best decision.

I used stash 5ply pure alpaca. The ends curl and could have done with a few more rows of garter stitch. Also it's not long enough to adequately cover the back of the neck while simultaneously keeping the ears warm. Really needs another pattern repeat. As it is, it will make a lovely neckwarmer. and fulfills my other requirements - lightweight and warm.

The pattern is the Fresco Basket Whip Cowl. It is Ravelled here and free online here.

Seven Things - Week 7

2010-12-27T17:40:00.001+11:00

Christmas.

I will not complain about gifts. They are tokens of appreciation and love and are treasured as such. It would be churlish to resent thoughtful gifts just because I'm limiting my acquisitiveness. Giving gifts is a joy and so is receiving them.

Most of the gifts we gave this year were consumables or gift certificates. The kids are of an age where cash or iTunes vouchers etc. are best received, and most of the adults have enough stuff or prefer to buy their own but enjoy a bottle of something special be it alcohol, perfume or preserves.

Is this a cop out with gift giving? I don't think so. The people I love get gifts throughout the year. When I find something I think they'll like I buy it or make it for them. The thought that goes into giving a gift, goes on all year. I find it really difficult to buy on demand, particularly at Christmas, so the Christmas gifts are nods to the season more than anything else.

IN

1 pr shoes - Rocket Dog Mary Janes from Vinnies just in time to replace my old ones which died. It's this sort of coincidence that helps me keep going with the challenge. The universe really will provide when I need something, I do not need to keep unused items "just in case".
1 knitting accessory - Vinnies
1 pr boots - GIFT
1 Tupperware container - GIFT
1 washing machine
1 hand trolley (to deal with washing machine as I've stuffed my hip gardening - an extreme sport in my book)
1 TV/DVD player for the caravan
2 hand towels - GIFT

OUT

5 Tupperware playdough stamps- GIFT
2 cook books - OP SHOP/GIFT
2 bars handmade soap - GIFT
3 decorative items - GIFTS
2 Tupperware containers - GIFT
5 prs jeans - OP SHOP/GIFT
3 prs dress pants - OP SHOP
6 blouses. For work I wear a uniform (well a prescribed shirt or cardie which go best over black) so a plain dress or separates is my working week uniform with either jeans or cut-offs and a couple of shirts on the weekend. I think I can be much more rigorous in the clothes culling and just keep a few things for "good". - OP SHOP
1 pin tray - OP SHOP
1 glass jar (almost done with the buttons) - OP SHOP
2 folders - OP SHOP
2 prs handknitted socks - GIFTS
2 boxes copy sheet protectors. We go through these at work like I would go through chocolate if I had a different metabolism. DONATION
1 stapler. I don't need so many of these in the house. This is a nice big heavy one and it's going to work - DONATION
4 triangular bandages. Remnants of my time with St John Ambulance. Was going to use the fabric for pocket linings etc, but haven't and they are just hanging around - OP SHOP.
12 reusable plastic cups - OP SHOP
40 plastic sandwich boxes - OP SHOP
17 baby-sized plastic coathangers - OP SHOP
1 pr vintage leather gloves, lovely but too small - OP SHOP
1 sketchograph - OP SHOP
1 canasta set - OP SHOP
1 book - OP SHOP
3 Tupperware containers - OP SHOP
1 sleeping bag liner, too small - OP SHOP
9 crochet patterns - OP SHOP
4 lengths fabric - OP SHOP
5 embroidery transfers - OP SHOP
1 Tupperware lid - OP SHOP
8 crochet hooks - GIFT
2 magazines - OP SHOP
1 pillowcase - OP SHOP
1 apron - OP SHOP
1 plastic coat hanger - RECYCLING
1 singlet, beyond redemption - BIN
2 notebooks - OP SHOP
1 scrubbie - GIFT
6 polo shirts - OP SHOP
8 old jumpers that would not felt - BIN
1 washing machine - METAL RECYCLERS
1 bench top grill. We decided to take these to the METAL RECYCLERS and see what we could get for them. At $0.05, a large washing machine and the grill fetched the grand total of $1.25. Would have cost more in petrol to get it there.
1 pr shoes- BIN. My Mary Janes died but the karma bank replaced them immediately from Vinnies.
1 pr shoes, navy loafers that pinch - OP SHOP
1 satellite navigation unit. TOF's old one given to my brother GIFT
1 biscuit tin - OP SHOP
1 hanging organiser for wardrobe - OP SHOP
2 jumpers - OP SHOP

SIAA

1 knitted scrubbie
2 knitted cowls (these were knitted, but now they are blocked)

IN 9

OUT 176

NETT OUT 167

SIAA 3

The Sort Out Starts

2010-12-23T20:16:00.000+11:00

I won't check in every day on how I'm going with this challenge, but I need to celebrate my achievements and keep myself accountable. A cheer squad might help in a couple of weeks' time when my enthusiasm wanes.

Half the ironing backlog done
washing up to date
Kitchen sink discovered under load of coffee mugs and cereal bowls
Pork, turkey and lamb cooked for tomorrow
6 jars of old and runny plum jam turned into 5 jars chilli plum sauce
2 cowls blocked
Jam and chutney under Mum's house sorted by type and date
Jars and bottles under Mum's house sorted into size and unusable jars disposed of - ready to come home once my storage is sorted
Outs to op shop with only two ins in exchange
Presents wrapped

Sort-it-out Summer

2010-12-23T10:20:00.001+11:00

I'm on leave from my paid job until 1 February. Nearly 6 weeks to get stuff done.

My peripatetic lifestyle (weeknights at Taph Towers, weekends Chez TOF with morning and evening sessions at Mum's to do whatever needs doing) has meant that I don't seem to have the time to do all the things I want to do, or if I have the time, the tools I need are somewhere else. And housework - once I've done Mum's I'm not all that bothered about it elsewhere. So there's a backlog of things to do. And now is the time to get my house in order - quite literally.

Here's a cut-down list of what I'd like to achieve. I don't expect it will all get done, but I do aim to advance all of it. The priorities are organising the storage under my house and clearing out some of Mum's, paving at TOF'S and curtain making.

CURTAINS
• TOF’s lounge room cut and paste
• Caravan nets
• Caravan wovens cut down and remade
• Taph Towers linen for master bedroom
• Taph Towers hang lounge room
• Taph Towers cut down cream from lounge room for other two bedrooms

TAPH TOWERS
• Clean and tidy inside (constant)
• Tupperware cupboard reorganisation
• Pantry reorganisation
• Under house storage complete organisation
• Reorganise studio

MUM’S
• Clear out under house (well get rid of the obvious stuff at least)
• Recook jams
• Reclaim jars
• Fabric sort
• Yarn sort

CRAFT
• Set up priorities for next 6 months
• Fleeces to be cleaned and carded
• Finish off stuff (constant)
• Make "yarn" for braided rugs for van
• Make recycled wool rugs for bedroom

MENDING
• all of it

COOKING
• Preserves as and when
• rotate deep freeze

GARDEN
• Weed
• Prune
• Fertilise

PAVERS CHEZ TOF
• Sort
• Clean
• Lay

Seven Things - Week 6

2010-12-20T21:51:00.000+11:00

The arrival of the pavers has shifted my focus somewhat.

We have to sort the pavers into the clean and the to-be-cleaned (ie have concrete smashed off them), and stack them in orderly piles not too far from where they will be laid and leave enough room for the bobcat to come in and dig us a spot to lay them.

It's bloody hard yakka and TOF's doing the lion's share. When we're done it will double the size of the "living area" of the house by giving us a very substatial outdoor space. We're discussing the relative merits of pergolas, raised garden beds and colourbond fencing and whether we'll create proper parking space for the car etc.

IN
we were doing well until Vinnies had a half-price sale

1 pr shoes - TOF $3.50
1 all-weather jacket - TOF $5
1 black skirt (new with tags) $3.50
1 summer dress $2.50
2 books (spending my birthday cash) bought retail but at 40% reduction.
1 project bag - GIFT
1 notions pouch - GIFT
2 hair clips - GIFT

OUT

2 plastic coat hangers - the type that come with purchase - RECYCLING
1 dress. Standing in front of the mirror, lovely. Sitting down however, poorly filled sausage. - OP SHOP
2 cake tins. The snowman cake tin and the Humphrey B Bear cake tin have been lying idle for at least a year. I've not ever used either and am unlikely to. OP SHOP
1 skirt - OP SHOP
1 tank top - when do I ever where pale pink? I know why I bought it. It was $5 and it was new. I am getting better at not buying stuff just because it fits and is cheap, but there is the occasional lapse.
1 pr socks. Do you remember slouch socks in the 1980s? Well these were the last captive pair and the elastic went. BIN
1 pr trousers. Grey velour - why???? giving these to Mum. GIFT
2 blue tooth headseats. Like penguins and swans they mate for life and their mates have departed - took out the magnets for creative re-use but otherwise - BIN
5 books selected from the overflowing piles at TOF's. I said if he could correctly identify the ones I'd removed he could keep them. OP SHOP
3 bags - OP SHOP

SIAA
Nothing finished but several things at blocking stage although just when the ironing board will go up is anyone's guess.

Does moving and cleaning hundreds of pavers count? Not yet, but when the paving is finished, it is sooo counted!

IN 9

OUT 19

NETT OUT 10

Crumbs oh heck

2010-12-16T19:23:00.000+11:00

OK, another exclusion - building supplies. I can't control them coming in and we're using them fairly quickly, so it's not a stockpile of the useless and/or unused items.

These arrived free from a neighbour today. Don't know how many jars of jam they'll cost, but I suspect a few.

TOF sent me the image with the message "Crumbs oh heck". Can't disagree. Guess we're paving this weekend.

Tip for Commenters

2010-12-16T06:14:00.000+11:00

Please, if you leave a comment asking a question, put an email address in your profile or give some indication of how to contact you - a Rav name perhaps?

It's much easier to reply if I have some actual way of contacting you. I don't assume that you subscribe to comments (I never do), and it's a really cumbersome way of assisting you.

Also, I am on the move a lot. I answer most of my email (comments come to me as email) from my phone. I don't have ready access to the blog from my phone, so a way of emailing you means you'll get a reply quicker. I have not replied to some questions because it has been logistically impossible to reply to an anonymous commenter with no return address.

Or if you have a question about a pattern, for example, email me - my email address is in my profile.

Thanks.

Seven Things Week 5

2010-12-13T19:21:00.000+11:00

Note to self: This is hard when it's your birthday. That aside, I am enormously grateful to my lovely family and friends for all their gifts. They were without exception thoughtful and appropriate. I love that you all "get" me.

Also, I've decided that the counting of jam jars and sauce bottles is just too hard. If this challenge is about getting rid of the unused stuff, then preserving stuff is excluded. We use them all the time and there's a constant ebb and flow. Definitely keeping the SIAA component though - a lot of creative energy goes into transforming a piece of fruit into a gift or deep winter treat.

IN

1 stash bag (ie plastic blanket bag with zip) - GIFT
2 books (long term loan, possible rehoming, better count them in) - SORTA GIFT
1 GPS unit (shhhh, it's TOF's Christmas Present) - GIFT
1 compost bin - GIFT
8 pieces Tupperware $8 garage sale
1 apple corer/peeler/slicer - preparing for apple season and full on preserving mode $2 garage sale
2 books, 1 for TOF, 1 for me (AWW Biscuits and Slice book - always handy to have and I keep giving them away) $2
1 hand-knitted hand towel - GIFT
1 pkt cards - GIFT
1 Blue Willow trivet - GIFT
1 Blue Willow trinket box - GIFT
1 Blue Willow tea bag holder - GIFT
4 Tupperware spice containers - GIFT
1 framed photo - GIFT
1 gift bag homemade soap - GIFT
1 wooden toy - GIFT
1 set decorative candles - GIFT
2 reusable bags - GIFT
1 decorative hanging - GIFT
1 x 20l water container for verjuice making $3 TIP SHOP
1 nutcracker $2 GARAGE SALE

OUT

2 cds - OP SHOP
1 dvd - OP SHOP
1 diary cover - OP SHOP
1 Tupperware soup cup - OP SHOP
1 magazine - OP SHOP
1 strainer - OP SHOP
28 men's shirts. I collected a huge number of beautiful cotton men's shirts when Tiny's Green Shed was having a clothing clearout. Originally it was going to be just a few for hankies, then I thought I'd patch myself some peasant style tops, then I was going to turn the fabric into yarn and knit or plait a rag rug. Then I met a quilter who was looking for men's shirts for a very special quilt for her brother. Her need was greater than mine (and more immediate). I still have plenty for all the other projects I have in mind and I'd already removed all the buttons. - GIFT
3 rolls knitting nylon - GIFT
1 piece plastic ware - RECYLING
1 baseball - OP SHOP
1 wooden toy - OP SHOP

SHAKE IT ALL ABOUT
20 jars of mulberry jam
17 jars/containers preserved nectarines

IN 34

OUT 41

NETT OUT 7

SIAA 37

Button It

2010-12-08T17:33:00.006+11:00

And now you've heard about the history of dressmaking - cast your eyes over this blog post on dress fastenings by a volunteer with the Australian Dress Register.

So my button obsession is not so much compulsive collecting as amassing a research resource.

Is so, too!

Image shamelessly pinched from The Shopping Sherpa because her pics are always excellent and mine suck.

Women's Work

2010-12-07T17:45:00.006+11:00

Finally got around to listening to "A stitch in time: dressmaking in Australia" a recent broadcast on Radio National's Hindsight program.

To quote from the website:
Before the advent of cheap ready-to-wear clothing mass-produced in offshore factories, dressmaking was an essential and versatile skill in women's lives, something they could deploy to feel like a million dollars, or use to earn a dollar or two. This feature probes the role of dressmaking in the lives of Australian women across the generations, as a domestic economic strategy, a female accomplishment, an aspect of technical education, a livelihood.

Seriously, do yourself a favour, it's both fascinating and extremely well done. It surveys the history from colonial Australia to contemporary bloggers. Excellent.

The image is of Patricia Lee in the dressmaking class at the Canberra Technical College, courtesy of the ever fabulous ACT Heritage Library.

Seven Things Week 4

2010-12-06T19:37:00.001+11:00

So last week was a nett gain. A tempting way of coping with such weeks is to save things up for when not much is happening, tossing-wise or like last week, when I was just too busy to concentrate on decluttering.

The beauty of only having to find 7 things as a goal - one per day (where ever I am) is totally doable. I usually do more because I'm weird that way and very hard on myself, but if last week was 100 and this week is 7, that's fin e - it only has to be 7.

I can't hold off deliberately, that way madness lies. Sometimes I'm delayed by circumstance - just can't get to the op shop or other intended recipient of my ~~junk~~ largesse, and so they aren't counted until they are gone. If I waited until the end of the week, though, I'd be paralysed. Once the decision is made, I really want it gone. This is one of the reasons a lot goes to charity rather than being sold online or through the newspaper or even freecycled.

Sometimes, though, I look at things and think I really should get rid of it, but I shy away. These things go eventually, but I find I need time to let go. Regrets come from letting go to soon and often result in an influx of unneccessary things to fill the emotional gap - it's a bit like starvation dieting followed by a binge. Often it's because I really want to find the right home for it. If I rehome it rather than just give it to the op shop etc, I feel I have done the right thing by it. This is not the same as saving things to get rid of on a rainy day.

IN

1 Tupperware container (fits Collection Development Policy) GIFT from Tip Shop (the love us there)
1 George Foreman grill (ours had an accient last week, we were going to get a new one but we got an as new one from the Tip Shop for $20)
2 paper patterns 50c each OP SHOP
1 Liz Jordan cardigan $4.50 OP SHOP
1 negligee BNWT $3.50 OP SHOP
1 shirt for TOF $1.75
1 bag SECRET SANTA
1 DVD (Ed Wood with Johnny Depp - I do collect JD on DV) $2 GARAGE SALE
1 pr bespoke down ski pants for TOF - Mont - we love local manufacturer Mont who will make to fit.

OUT

2 glass cannisters (more buttons rehoused) - OP SHOP
2 tops - GIFT
3 books -my vintage Billabong books with original dust jackets; gift to my niece who loves old books (can't imagine where that comes from!) - GIFT
1 decorative bottle. Merely decorative and never used as a vase etc. - OP SHOP
1 casserole dish - GIFT
2 Tupperware chopping bowls, one I bought, one was a gift. Only used twice, I prefer a good knife- OP SHOP
1 Tupperware sandwich box - OP SHOP
2 glass jars unsuitable for preserves - RECYCLING
2 novels, read and not going to be read again - OP SHOP
1 Tupperware jelly mould (small) - OP SHOP
1 electric kettle. I bought this at Bing Lee Marrickville for a silly amount of money (or so I thought at the time). I remember arguing with myself that I was allowed to have a sleek stainless steel look kettle rather than a ceramic jug left over from work or a plasticky nasty from the supermarket. It took over a week to allow myself to buy it. It's done me well, but it's too small at just a litre and I picked up a 1.7 litre jobby at a garage sale for a few dollars (between 1 and 5, can't remember) and can't justify keeping the old one as a spare. Yes, I am aware how silly it is to tell the story of an electric kettle, but it's part of the release process. - OP SHOP.
2 plastic containers - OP SHOP
2 glass biscuit barrels (rarely cook and when I do, there's vintage tins and Tupperware) - OP SHOP
8 golf umbrellas. We bought these for Happy Spider's wedding last year because it was a drizzly day. They were used and then we stored them. Spidey needed them for another purpose this week, so now they are hers. - GIFT
1 Tupperware sandwich box - OP SHOP
6 prs pantyhose. I stockpile hosiery, but these are too small - GIFTS
1 calculator - OP SHOP
1 Bodum pear-shaped thing - OP SHOP
2 Tupperware vases - OP SHOP
1 Tupperware soup container - OP SHOP
1 bag - GIFT
1 plastic mug, damaged and unrecyclable - BIN

SHAKE IT ALL ABOUT
Work has been brutal so no finished things this week

IN 10

OUT 47

NETT OUT 37

SIAA 0

Little Scrubber

2010-11-30T17:42:00.001+11:00

In the quest to be more and more self-sufficient, including the use of discarded materials, I never thought I'd come to this point.

Knitting pot-scrubbers.

It's right up there with washing out zip lock bags. Wait, I do that, too - often rescuing them from work colleagues as they stand poised over the garbage bin. *sigh*

Anyway, these are great little scrubbers - harsh enough to move cooked on stuff, but kind on enamel and non-stick pans. We still use steel wool on the cast-iron if it needs it, though.

The pattern is Ravelled and appears on Berlin Whimsy's blog. She gives instructions for repurposing tulle into yarn for this project.

I've modified it a bit. I use smaller needles to get a firmer scrubbie, knit it an inch shorter and use up the ends of rolls of knitting nylon that appear cheaply in op shops rather than cutting up tulle (although there's some mosquito netting just begging to be repurposed lying around here somewhere).

Using two strands of the knitting nylon and one strand of 8ply (or thereabouts) cotton and 5mm needles, cast on 15 stitches. Garter stitch until work measures 10cm. Cast off. Sewing in the ends one strand at a time.

Not pleasant knitting, but quick and practical. I use up little ends of reels and don't worry too much about colour matching - they scrub pots, they aren't art.

As a rule of thumb, you'll need three - one on, one in the wash and one in the drawer.

Oh, and don't knit them in public and wax lyrical about them if you don't want to spend the rest of your life knitting them in quantity for everyone you know and their Mums. If you make that mistake, the going rate is a large soy latte and/or the sugar free berry muffin from that little shop around the corner - just so's you know.

Seven Things Week 3

2010-11-29T18:57:00.001+11:00

I've been thinking about appraisal criteria this week. As an archivist, appraisal for collection is part of my job and is ingrained. In archives there are a few guidelines for keeping things - legal reasons, administrative reasons and the nebulous "historical" category. The historical category is a bit of a catchall because not everything is necessary to keep, but the unecessary can be useful. I tell my clients that apart from the legal and administrative records, you need to keep just enough to tell your story.

So what is my story? It's largely pragmatic with a smidge and a half of sentiment thrown in.

TSS uses the William Morris "is it useful and/or beautiful" criteria. We both agree that if we don't feel joy when looking at it, holding it or thinking about it, it is probably ripe for decluttering. So keepers fill me joy, intense sentimentality or wry remembering or are just useful. It would be great if all my stuff filled me with joy etc., but I don't feel that way about the breadmaker. It's just useful.

Sometimes the useless and hideous are kept for sentimental reasons and that's fine. I don't have a souvenir box as some declutterers do, but I do acknowledge that some things are just awful but meaningful. As we move through the weeks of the challenge, though, I know that I'll have to assess some "sentimental" things more harshly and develop some other criteria for retention.

I'm beginning this process even now by applying an economic formula - if I had to pay to store it or move it would it be worth it? and a bit of emotional blackmail - If I hang on to it "just-in-case" am I depriving someone else of something they could use or need? Would it bring more joy to someone else?

We've had a very bus.y week, with several unexpected family commitments (and the jam), so outs are not greater than ins, but we're still on track

16 jars - donations from a colleague of TOF's who know we be jammin' - GIFT
10 Tupperware lids - ordered to fit some bargain buys without seals - PURCHASE
1 DVD - TOF got a TV series at a garage sale $6
1 pair boots - new Blundstone safety boots for TOF at garage saled $10

OUT

1 book, novella bought last week read and released - OP SHOP
1 pair jeans with truly scary sparkly bits on - OP SHOP
1 lipstick holder - OP SHOP
2 glass jars (nearly done with rehousing the buttons) - OP SHOP
1 bottle (contained our red wine vinegar) - GIFT
1 deceased watch band - BIN
1 ex-battery pack thing - BIN
2 vases - GIFT

SHAKE IT ALL ABOUT

39 jars cherry sauce and jam
7 bottles preserved cherries

IN 28

OUT 10

NETT OUT -18

SIAA 46

Cherry on top

2010-11-28T22:59:00.000+11:00

A family funeral in Harden this week was an unexpected bonus.

"Hard-hearted wench", I hear you cry - but not so. It was a sad occasion but it was also a chance for the family to catch up and that's not bad at all.

And, as Bob Hudson so memorably said in the Aussie classic, The Newcastle Song, "Don't you ever let a chance go by, O Lord, don't you ever let a chance go by".*

So we left early and overshot Harden by less than 10 minutes to make it to Petal Falls Orchard and load the car with cherries. When I say load, I mean 30 kilos of first quality at $5 a kilo for family and friends, and 10k of second quality at $2 for us for jam and sauce. And a cherry pie for Junior.

It is still early in the season, so the fruit isn't quite at íts best, but we weren't sure we'd have time for another cherry run this year. We spent two evenings pitting the 10 kilos of seconds in preparation for jam and sauce and we Friday night and most of Saturday performing the alchemy of preservation.

4 kilos went to jam and 5 kilos went to sauce, the other kilo mysteriously disappeared (some spoilage, some noms). We also processed another 4 kilos in preserving jars, poached some for breakfast and had some with icecream.

Any basic jam recipe is fine, such as this from Taste.com.au. I doubled the mix each time and added the juice of a lime and a teaspoon of powdered cinnamon. I also forgot to double the Jam Setta, so it took a couple of hours to reach setting point, but that's ok. For cherries, you really do need the added pectin.

The sauce recipe is one we trialled last year. I call it Cherry Christmas Sauce. Also from Taste.com.au, we substituted cherries for cranberries. While the recipe is billed as a jam, this stuff won't set and we've found it great as a saucy ingredient in main meals. I'll write up what we've done with pork belly, lamb mince and kangaroo fillets another time, but it's well worth the cherries.

And jewels for the store cupboard - 5 small jars of preserved cherries, 1 large jar of preserved cherries in port and another of preserved cherries in brandy. We've got dessert for Chrismas sorted, anyway.

*if anyone has access to the album this appears on, it also has a song "Librarian Lady" - would love to hear it!

Thursday we can knit - my favourite

2010-11-25T07:50:00.000+11:00

Wednesday is mending day

2010-11-24T07:50:00.003+11:00

Tuesday we iron

2010-11-23T07:54:00.001+11:00

Seven Things Week 2

2010-11-22T21:37:00.003+11:00

It didn't take long for the seven-thing agonising to kick in.

Last time, there were many looooong conversations with TSS about what constitutes an in or an out and just how creative counting could be.

Last week, was my diary insert an in? If it is, then the old one is an out. What about the bonus note paper that came with the insert, and the little plastic stamp holdery thing and the lovely leather bookmark? - all bonus gifts.

It doesn't really do to overthink these things. The spirit of the challenge is to acquire less and let go of more. I need the diary insert, it's definitely consumable and it cancels out anyway - it's not counted. I don't need the note paper, the plastic stamp holdery thing or the book mark and if I did need them I could have made or readily improvised them from materials around the house- they are counted in.

Although TOF agreed that "hiding" things at his house or at the caravan would be wrong, he thought if he bought it, I didn't have to count it. Nope, that's just sleight of hand.

Stuff that either TOF or I buy for joint use are definitely ins. The fact that we operate separately and together out of three houses and a caravan (actually 2 caravans but that's another story) makes it logistically difficult but the principle is the same.

1 electric BBQ hotplate from some caravanning friends who didn't need it anymore - GIFT
17 books (we went to the local church fete. Only 4 are really for me, but them's the breaks) - FETE
1 food thermos. It will fit pies for the footy or soup or stew. At $10 it will make it's purchase price back in two uses - ONLINE AUCTION
1 knitting magazine - Can't resist Yarn Forward
1 bucket. Actually it's an old 20 litre paint tin we picked up by the side of the road. It's better than the little plakky bucket we were using for waste water at the van. - FOUND
1 copper based frying pan which matches the saucepans we took out to the van. I bought the saucepans at DJs nearly 30 years ago and they've done me proud. $3 TIP SHOP
gift (no peeking) $2 TIP SHOP

OUT

20 cuddly toys collected for my favourite Westie breeder and slackly not sent. Sent now. - GIFT
4 precious Fowlers' jars lost in an avalanche in the storage area under my house - BIN
13 empty jars/bottles unsuitable for jams or chutneys - BIN
1 mixing bowl another jaralanche casualty - BIN
1 audio book - OP SHOP
1 camera case - OP SHOP
1 CD - OP SHOP
1 man's belt left by the previous owner of our caravan - OP SHOP
6 home decorating books - OP SHOP
1 cheap plastic container that probably arrived in a bulk lot of something else - OP SHOP
1 vintage Tupperware milkshake maker (we don't need 3) - OP SHOP
1 computer mouse (dead) - BIN
1 telephone headset (dead) - BIN
12 tshirts and shirts. The summer stuff came out of the bag and these didn't make it into the wardrobe. They were hand-me-downs or ill thought out bargain purchases from the op shop, so they can return - OP SHOP
2 Tupperware sandwich boxes - OP SHOP
1 thermos, came as freebie and is replaced by our schmick new food thermos - OP SHOP
3 cheapo measuring cups - OP SHOP
2 "green bags" - OP SHOP
1 glass jar - the button boodle continues its migration to Tupperware as suitable sizes are unearthed - OP SHOP
22 cook books. - OP SHOP
4 lots wool and fibre - GIFT
2 prs trousers - 1 to the bin, 1 to the OP SHOP
2 shirts - wrong size for TOF, wrong fabric for repurposing - OP SHOP
1 coffee pot and 1 tea pot. Even though I love these vintage Crown Corning pieces, they are totally unnecessary. - OP SHOP
2 Tupperware salt/pepper shakers. We have enough and prefer the grinders anyway. OP SHOP
3 novels. Read and not part of the permanent collection - OP SHOP

SHAKE IT ALL ABOUT

2 pairs socks - all knitted and the ends sewn in - will blog them later.
2 knitted pot scrubbers - ditto

IN 23
OUT 111
NETT OUT 88

SIAA 4

Monday is washing day

2010-11-22T07:50:00.002+11:00

Sunday we play

2010-11-21T07:50:00.000+11:00

Saturday is cooking day

2010-11-20T07:48:00.002+11:00

Friday is cleaning day

2010-11-19T07:47:00.002+11:00

Terriers Toil on Tea Towels

2010-11-18T07:47:00.000+11:00

It's no secret that I'm a sucker for vintage linens, hand-embroidery, second-hand bargains and Westies (and Scotties).

It would take a woman of more will-power than I to resist a combination of all of them.

Last Sunday at the R-Shop (Mitchell Waste Transfer Station), I spied this in a rummage box.

Sweet vintage hand-embroidered and cro***ed tea towel. It's 30 inches wide and 28 inches long. Crocheted on the bottom long edge only.

The worker of this was not an expert needle-woman. The towel is selvedge to selvedge and machine hemmed on the top and bottom. I assume she cut a 30 inch square of the fabric which is lightweight and unevenly woven. Mum says she'd seen nappies made out of it in her childhood. You'd be constantly changing nappies made of this stuff, it's so thin. The scalloped cro***et on the bottom is, even to my eye, unevenly executed. The back of the embroidery is reasonably neat (always a test of needle-skill according to my mother when she repeatedly had me unpick mine at an early age).

I was delighted to find it and clutched it to my chest. All TOF would say was "you know you want it". He's a lovely man, but does nothing for my won't-power.

Imagine, then, my glee, when another browser said "Here, lady" and thrust a further 6 of them into my hands. "Dunno what they are, but you seem to like them" he continued gruffly.

Sweet frugalling angels! It was a Monday-Sunday set of hand worked teatowels and mine for the princely sum of $5 which included all our other purchases (Bodum ice bucket, Tupperware, jam jar, cricket ball for the kids).

I spent the evening wondering if I could transform them into anything. Skirts, cushions, summer frock? Then, laying them out together, it struck me - the most perfect cafe curtain, ever.

So each day for the next week, I'll post the toiling terriers and show you the finished curtain (eventually).

Seven Things Week 1

2010-11-15T19:57:00.003+11:00

Thanks for the encouraging comments, emails and 'phone calls. Apparently some people find other people's junk fascinating - hang on, I find othe people's junk fascinating, that's the problem. Ah well, entertainment coming and going. For those of you joining in - GOOD LUCK!

The first week of the challenge is always easy. There's a top layer of stuff that's begging for decluttering. The only difficulty in the first week or so is getting it out of the house quickly enough and finding containers to put them in.

The stash of shop bags etc. went early in the last challenge and as we don't buy much retail and most groceries and op-shop items go into re-usable shopping bags, there's always a scramble to find suitable receptacles. I'm starting with the so-called "green" bags that are inconveniently shaped for grocery shopping. If we need more shopping bags, I can make them from fabric in the stash.

Also, even after the post about the pavers and the trailer during the week, I didn't reckon on the effect equipping and improving the caravan will have on this challenge.

We spent yesterday writing Very Long Lists (fear my lists!) of our immediate, short, medium and long-term plans for the van and what that would require. I'm going to have to be particularly tough on the "outs" to accommodate the "ins" for the van.

IN

1 leather bookmark, 1 plastic stamp holder thing and 1 set note paper for my diary - I won a giveaway of a PocoProfile diary refill off TSS's blog. The lovely Victoria included these things as bonuses. - GIFT
15 besser blocks (for work at the caravan) - TIP SHOP
1 Bodum ice bucket (for the caravan - wine gets warm too quickly) - TIP SHOP
1 jar (for this season's jams and preserves) - TIP SHOP
1 Tupperware container and extra seal - TIP SHOP
1 set vintage hand-embroidered tea towels, totally unnecessary, but wait until you see them! - TIP SHOP

OUT

1 vintage letter holder - OP SHOP
6 glass jars - these held some of the buttons boodle. The buttons they contained are now in Tupperware which nest better, take up less space and break with less disastrous results when dropped on timber floors. *sigh* - OP SHOP
1 bowl - OP SHOP
1 Tupperware mixing jug (we don't need 3) - OP SHOP
7 books - OP SHOP
13 specimen vases. Collection of tiny cut glass and crystal vases - OP SHOP
2 "green" bags - OP SHOP
8 teaspoons - GIFT
5 knives - GIFT
6 forks - GIFT
4 dessert spoons (all cutlery donated to our workplace tea-room. There are never enough clean spoons or forks - the knives are a bonus) - GIFT
1 teabag holder (my brother's MIL collects Royal Albert Old Country Roses - she gets this melamine teabag holder I picked up at Vinnies' a while back) - GIFT
1 three-hole punch (new in box and has been for 16 years. It's going to work where it will be used) - GIFT
1 large bundle copy sheet protectors going to work, we use a lot of them and the budget is tight - GIFT
1 ream copy paper, also going to work - GIFT
1 microwave oven (not needed in the caravan) - DONATION
4 headbands uncovered in an avalanche from TOF's bookcase - we don't really know how they got their either - OP SHOP

SHAKE IT ALL ABOUT

6 padded coathangers - STASH

IN 23
OUT 63
NETT OUT 40

SIAA 6

Warm reception

2010-11-14T11:42:00.000+11:00

We have internet access out at the carvan - the mobile dongle thing works. Woot!

We've spent our first night at the van and I've spent the whole morning writing lists of things we need to do and equipment we need to have.

Most of the equipment etc. we can bring from home. Some of the things we need to do will take more time and more resources. If anyone has a good double mattress they don't need, for example, do get in touch.

As usual, we are re-using as much as possible (see previous post on pavers). No photos today, but I'll be documenting our progress. Stay tuned.

Hang 'em high

2010-11-13T06:33:00.000+11:00

Sometime in the late 1980s I started padding coathangers. Not the nylon lace knitted covers so beloved of my grandmother, but an improvisation on what was to hand.

I needed a wider hanger as my clothes were wider than most. I needed a way to avoid the horrid "angel wing" effect of coathangers on clothes, I wanted delicate fabrics to maintain their shape and I needed to be able to do it for nothing or next to nothing.

So not much has changed, really.

I came up with a way of using materials readily available - wire coathangers available for free from clothes shops and the shoulder pads that were on the wane fashion-wise and available cheaply (or occasionally free) from op-shops.

The best shoulder pads to use are the fat, shoulder-shaped raglan pads. If there is velcro attached, so much the better for gripability.

A pad is folded over the end of the wire coathanger and whip stitched into placed. For extra width allow the padding to extend the hanger 1/4 to 1/3 the length of the pad.

To help the pad stay in place, stitch through the pad around the metal end.

On these hangers, I can hang wet shirts in woven or jersey fabrics to dry in small spaces and after ironing, rehang them to preserve the shape - no "angel wings" on my tops.

This week, I found a bag of raglan shoulder pads rescued from an op-shop. I whipped up six padded hangers using the last of the shoulder pad stash.

Timing

2010-11-11T13:49:00.000+11:00

Just as well I started seven things on Monday or we'd have had to count these.

Something like 500-600 pavers we bought and moved in a storm on Saturday and in warm weather on Sunday.

Did I tell you we bought a caravan? No? Well, we bought a secondhand van in June. It's on site outside town on a bush block. We want to pave around the van to make a kind of patio and as the budget is non-existent, we're picking up second-hand materials when and where we can.

The two trailer loads on the weekend, and a load a few weeks back, came from Tiny's Green Shed at the Mugga Lane Tip. We love Tiny's. It's a second-hand shopper's delight.

A casualty of the second load, though, was a tyre on the trailer. Once we'd unloaded, TOF unbolted the wheel and we left the trailer with the van.

We have a summer of paving to look forward to.

De ja vu

2010-11-09T08:07:00.002+11:00

The clutter has been creeping back in. OK, it's been arriving by the gleeful armload up the front stairs and I'm not all that sorry.

Earthchick (blog now non-existent) started the Seven Things Project in July 2006. Her goal was to try and live more simply - to have less and more importantly to want less; to rid herself of the clutter that overwhelms and paralyses. Her method was to rid her life of seven things each week.

I'm not paralysed yet, but getting a little overwhelmed so the de-clutter bug has re-introduced into my system. Also, I have clean out under Mum's house. We never got around to it after Dad died, but this summer is the go.

So we're seven-thinging again at Taph Towers. TOF will keep me honest - I'm not allowed to hide anything at his place or in our caravan. Of course, that means anything I cull in those places counts to the total, so it's all good. :)

For the uninitiated, I did two Seven Things Challenges in 2007. 6 weeks in Winter 2007, then 78 weeks from 1 Sept 2007-Feb 2009. 5,126 items (nett) left the house in those two challenges.

As before items will be thoughtfully dealt with. Just throwing stuff out isn't part of the deal. Mindful consumption and thoughtful disposal are tenets of this particular faith.

I will report each Monday in three categories :"In", "Out" and"Shake-it-All-About". The aim is that "Out" minus "In" will be greater than or equal to 7. I'll keep it up through Summer and see how we go from there.

In
The stuff I bring in to our homes. This includes:

stash items of ANY kind
other forms of entertainment such as books, magazines, cds etc.
items received by subscription, for example, magazines
clothes and accessories
homewares
gifts received

Exempt are consumables such as food and other groceries and items borrowed from the library (but not items borrowed from the library and copied for keeping because that is (a) illegal and (b) not in the spirit of the challenge).

Out
Items deliberately weeded from the houses. Consumables do not count. Completely worn out and non-fixable/transformable clothing, household items etc do. I will try and repurpose before I give it away, but in the main, if it's clothing that is still wearable, just too big/small etc, I'll give it to the women's refuge or op-shop rather than cut it up.

Shake-it-All-About

This category is about transformation. After the first challenge I realised it is important to acknowledge the creative transformation of items already in the home. It might be as simple as the use of stash buttons on an old blouse to revamp it instead of buying a new blouse or other transformation of clothes. It might be the creation of something new for ourselves or others from stash. I have much sewing to do just now, mending and curtain making being the most pressing. Some items from this category will become "outs" which is perfectly fine. Maybe I'll include a "use it up" section to account for stash. Dunno, I'll think about it.

So check back next Monday for an update.

Squee

2010-11-05T07:26:00.000+11:00

Got my invitation to the Craft ACT Christmas event.

Went squee to see Olivia's baubles featured on the invitations.

Double squee then, that they are on the website, too.

Truly local yarn soon

2010-11-04T14:22:00.000+11:00

Lifted from the latest Poacher's Way newsletter, Spring 2010.

Eco sustainable wool mill on horizon for Bowning - Crisp Galleries

These are exciting times for the Crisp family, with the recent announcement that their historic ‘Gwandoban’ shearing shed (circa 1856 and moved from Harden to Binalong in 1914, then to Bowning eight years ago) will be rebuilt to house the new Yass Valley Woollen Mill, in conjunction with the Armour family, of Bookham.

With a majority of Australia’s woollen mills closed, and China now processing 82% of the world’s wool production, the Yass Valley Woollen Mill is set to become Australia’s premier processor of superfine wool.

The ‘mission’ of The Yass Valley Woollen Mill is to produce an Australian grown and made, eco sustainable yarn and fabric that can be totally transparent along the supply chain.

Between them, the Crisps and the Armours have a vision to create not only a productive and sustainable mill but also a valuable tourist and educational facility. The ‘great hall’ which runs the length of the 50m building will be transformed into a viewing room, with retail space selling products created with Yass Valley yarn.

The Yass Valley Woollen Mill is a serious commitment to the wool industry to ensure its sustainability into the future.

CAN'T WAIT! - Read the full press release on the Crisp Galleries website.

More Improvisations

2010-08-22T18:14:00.002+10:00

Now THAT'S a campervan!

Snogging

2010-08-21T06:12:00.000+10:00

Reflections in water (and pelicans)

2010-08-20T06:19:00.002+10:00