Saturday, March 5, 2011

A genetic predisposition...

It's my excuse and I'm sticking to it, ok?

The collecting and hoarding of craft materials, the unending list of projects to make and crafts to try.... it's part of my make-up. I can't fight it - it comes from both sides of the family.

I've mentioned my Dad's crafty sister before, but until now, I hadn't mentioned my mother's super-crafty sister. Before age and illness affected her eyes and hands, my Auntie Wilma clothed her family, made gifts for every baby she knew and could whip up a school fete's worth of crafty goodness in the blink of an eye. She didn't sit still. And she knew how to buy craft materials....

Today she gave most of her stash to me (most....only because my car was too full to take ALL. I've been invited back!).
This afternoon, I sorted through boxes of lace. I now have a super-special box of (handmade?) cotton lace, a box of cute vintage lace, a box of broderie trims and a basket of "free to a good home" lace.
If you come in to visit us in Helen St, you're welcome to have a rummage. My aunt wants the stuff to be used so I'm happy to pass it on to anyone who can make the most of it.
The buttons came pre-sorted! I'm in heaven! (And sorry, these are not going in the free to a good home basket).

I've made a start on sorting through the fabrics.
The yarn stash is tomorrow's job. (Tonight, it's still in the car..... with.... ummmm... Auntie Wilma's knitting machine....).
***
Like I said, it's not my fault.
at

33 comments:

  1. UnknownMarch 5, 2011 at 11:37 PM

    Oh wow - those pre-sorted buttons! I love the button storage too.

    What sort of knitting machine is it?

    I have a knitting machine in the shed. I am waiting for the kids to grow up a bit before I set it up again, I can hide hand knitting from them, but there is no chance of hiding a knitting machine away. I don't think it would be good for any of us if they were to interfere with it.

    Mum knows a fair bit about knitting machines - I know that they are fast and really good exercise for your arms, but it's been a while since I played with mine.

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  2. yardage girlMarch 5, 2011 at 11:39 PM

    So lucky! Enjoy!

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  3. LisaMarch 5, 2011 at 11:47 PM

    Nikki, what a lucky lady you are! What fun to sort through and dream up new projects. I got alot of my granma's stash when she passed away - it's really special to me.

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  4. AnonymousMarch 5, 2011 at 11:47 PM

    oh my goodness, i'd be rolling around in it on the floor. i could squeal with delight for you!

    i sound like a pig don't i?

    oh well.

    oink!

    x

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  5. liberal sprinklesMarch 6, 2011 at 12:08 AM

    wow lucky you! That's a beautiful stash, your aunt has great taste!

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  6. FionaMarch 6, 2011 at 12:11 AM

    How exciting! Sounds like you're in for a fun weekend sorting out all those goodies!

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  7. Vintage GrrlMarch 6, 2011 at 12:25 AM

    It's times like this I loathe living in Sydney! I am a HUGE lace fiend...

    :D

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  8. LeonieMarch 6, 2011 at 12:41 AM

    Yep, it runs in the family alright. Aunty Wilma's stash? Now that's impressive!

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  9. BronMarch 6, 2011 at 1:08 AM

    Wow how lucky are you to inherit such an impressive stash?

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  10. LotusMarch 6, 2011 at 3:08 AM

    Wow!
    You're so lucky! What a wonderful aunt! I tell you, people like her are a lost breed... I mean, whipping stuff up like that! My mom used to sew all our clothes and stuff and I tried to carry that on (til I had to go into the hated work force).
    Enjoy your treasure!
    Lotus

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  11. EtcetorizeMarch 6, 2011 at 3:56 AM

    Wow, so fun and exciting. I'm totally envious. You're going to have a ball for ages~

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  12. KajaMarch 6, 2011 at 4:10 AM

    I got a small bag of buttons from my aunt today, and 2-3 meters of cotton lace, and some silk ribbons. And I was thrilled!

    If I got all that things that you got, I think I would be doing flips and twists for a week!

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  13. A Peppermint PenguinMarch 6, 2011 at 5:21 AM

    And speaking of hereditary, what does the wee girl think of those buttons drawers!?

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  14. seabreezequiltsMarch 6, 2011 at 7:27 AM

    AAAh they are heaven, I use to pick up vintage lace on ebay until all the pieces I wanted were just too expensive to buy so I thought it was better for my health if I didn't look. Mines genetic too, I inherited my mum's stash and my nan's as well.

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  15. MyLittleBlueDogMarch 6, 2011 at 7:46 AM

    It looks great! especially love the pink and white circular trim in the fourth photograph. Can't wait to see what you use that for.

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  16. objects of whimsyMarch 6, 2011 at 8:11 AM

    ahhh just wonderful!!!! I am in the process of preserving the craft of handmade in my family too I have my ?Mum and my Aunty Glad over for 3 weeks teaching me crocheting, knitting and sewing techniques.... I too am in heaven. :)

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  17. JodieMarch 6, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    I knew i shouldn't have left craft camp !! I knew those knitting machiners would get to you...
    They are a force to be reckoned with !

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  18. TaniaMarch 6, 2011 at 9:16 AM

    GAH!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Well, I'll be. A knitting machine.

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  19. CurlyPopsMarch 6, 2011 at 10:43 AM

    How amazing are those button containers?

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  20. Sue in MelbourneMarch 6, 2011 at 12:09 PM

    Oh that's my kind of heaven! You lucky thing all that lace...love it.

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  21. AnonymousMarch 6, 2011 at 3:06 PM

    to husband - 'see like I've always said, I am not the only one!'

    Kerry

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  22. JaniceMarch 6, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    Oh wow, you lucky, lucky,lucky, lucky girl. Your aunt knew it would all be going to a good home!

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  23. AnonymousMarch 6, 2011 at 6:12 PM

    SQUEAL! Oh wow - in every way! KNITTING MACHINE! Can I play? Lace - sigh! What a marvellous haul your aunt has provided you with.

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  24. TasMarch 6, 2011 at 7:27 PM

    Oh wow oh wow oh wow oh wow. I want a rellie like that. That is just braeth-taking. I wonder if it is too late to sell my house and move so that I can come and visit you...

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  25. KatherineMarch 7, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    How wonderful! All those frilly bits, the buttons and a knitting machine and fabrics!?!!! I bet it made your aunt happy to give you such treasures to create with.
    I'm amazed at seeing the button collection sorted by colour. Wow. Can't wait to see what fabrics have been gifted to you!

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  26. teacherspet04March 7, 2011 at 9:03 AM

    Oh my GOSH! The buttons (PRESORTED?! SQUEE) made me giddy.

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  27. AnonymousMarch 7, 2011 at 1:02 PM

    That is the single best haul of treasure (and boy do I MEAN treasure) I have ever seen. Enjoy every bit. It's all totally gorgeous, and if anyone can turn it even more gorgeous things, it's you.

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  28. KarenMarch 7, 2011 at 2:34 PM

    Sooo much loveliness Nikki!
    With all that lace you could make one of these dresses - http://thedillspiel.blogspot.com/2011/02/chocolate-delivery.html

    Looks practical doesn't it - and not fiddly at all!

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  29. Leonie @ Cuppa and CakeMarch 8, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    OMG!!! Car full you said....gezz I'd be hoping for a 4wd to move all that!! xx

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  30. Jenny from OhjohMarch 8, 2011 at 9:12 PM

    LOVE it!
    It's a condition that others just don't understand. Crafty hoarders unite.
    Meet you all in therapy!

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  31. FarahMarch 8, 2011 at 9:53 PM

    Oh Nikki.
    I wish I wish may I live near you... Oh God you are a rich girl now... laces buttons oh oh ... absolutely treasure... While watching them hundreds of project start coming in my mind...
    you are lucky ...
    Hope you will enjoy your visit if you can spare a little bit to see some napkin folds
    http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
    Love
    Farah

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  32. Anna BartlettMarch 10, 2011 at 11:41 PM

    I'm actually not a button fan (I feel like that's some sort of confession) but I LOVE the lace! When I read your post I straight away thought of this dress by no big dill - this post here - http://thedillspiel.blogspot.com/2011/02/chocolate-delivery.html - it's amazing and you could do it! Would love to see an adult version!

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  33. AnonymousMarch 11, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    you hit the MOTHER-LODE! Why is that we would rather give our prized posessions away to a good home where it will be used than sell or dump it? I'm the same way.

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I LOVE to read your comments and they brighten my day. I can't respond unless your profile has an email address attached, though... And some days I simply don't have time to respond.... but I respond in a telepathic sort of way to each and every comment.
xxx Nikki