cran·ber·ry
1. A mat-forming, evergreen shrub (Vaccinium macrocarpum) of eastern North America, having pink flowers and tart, red, edible berries.
2. The berries of this plant, used in sauces, jellies, relishes, and beverages.
cot·tage
1. A small, single-storied house, especially in the country.
2. A small vacation house.
cran·ber·ry cot·tage
1. A tiny house in the woods in the north of Holland.
2. Peace, quiet, paradise.

Monday, August 5, 2013

Old things.....

Old things can be good...like this old piece of stitching I did about 25 years ago. I was working on my bookshelves today. They are being removed to another room to create a separate library. Only one section remains in the living room waiting to be emptied and taken apart. I pulled out a stand and placed the stitching on my dresser in the bedroom. It has a summer feel with this colors.


The verse says...
We never really grow old it seems,
We keep in our hearts our fancies and dreams,
And in a corner all tucked away,
To the child we all were yesterday. 


One old thing I have not shared yet was an old piece of iron fencing I found at a brocante shop. I loved it right away but also found another I loved. In the end, Jos bargained for both of them. This one is laying now on the window sill of our bedroom. This window looks out into our front garden. It fit so perfectly here so I knew it had to be here instead of in the garden which is where the second fence, well actually a high gate, is placed. I like how this allows me to see well into my garden when I open the windows but also allows me a little privacy from the street beyond our hedge.


Here is the bad side of old things...I am in the midst of trying to declutter in a high tempo during the month of August. We have a box in the hall now where we are collecting items to take to the charity shop. But today, I decided to concentrate on old magazines. I tend to keep them far too long so I am looking through them and sorting them to give away to friends. The good thing about this kind of decluttering is that you clean up and make a friend happy by sharing too. Passing on magazines which will then again be passed on is a green way to declutter.


Heidi

23 comments:

  1. A lovely piece of stitching - I love pink and green together. The wrought metal looks super there, and functional too! Have fun with your decluttering. I have been in my sewing room feeling weighed down by too much stuff - want to have a clear out but not sure what I can part with!
    x

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    1. I know how it is to have too much stuff in your sewing room. My quilt studio is stuffed and overflowing into other areas. I find it very difficult to get rid of the things and have been on a stash diet for 5 years to help me use what I have. It has helped but I still have far too much. Good luck if you do start sorting yours.

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  2. Love the saying on your piece! And the wrought iron looks great in your window! If you wish to declutter more ~ I have plenty here!!

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    1. Too funny Catherine. But I do think it is easier to declutter for someone else than yourself. There are no emotions attached when it is someone else's things which makes it easier to choose.

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  3. I love the piece of iron - I pick up the same sort of thing when I find it. I love to find an old bed head board and use them as supports in the garden.

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    1. Oh yes...garden junk is such fun! Do you allow flowers to trail on the headboards?

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  4. Your window looks so elegant, reminds me slightly of Paris!

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  5. Love the window!! And I have been going through my old magazines. I take them to our library here in town and they are sold in the library's Friendship shop for used magazines and books. It helps the library and allows me to go through their stock a few times a year and at 25 cents for a magazine you cannot go wrong!!

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    1. That is great that you can buy old magazines. It is a great way to give them a second life. I am thinking I am going to let my two subscriptions go. If it is not in my house, I do not have to declutter...lol.

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  6. Decluttering not my favorite thing but necessary. Your iron work in the window looks so smart, right out of the decorator magazine and how sweet to put a favorite stitchery out where you can enjoy it everyday.

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    1. I can now see it each morning and evening Betty Lou. I will keep it out until September and then store it away. It helps things look like new again when you change the items often.

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  7. Hi Heidi, thank you for the sweet visit, I love hearing from my blogging sisters. I enjoyed reading this post and agree with everything. I also go through my magazines and give them away. I usually take them to the nursing homes. Most of the elderly live on such a tight budget that they stop subscribing, but still enjoy reading :)
    Staying young in mind and heart is something creative people have in common.
    Your blogging sister,
    Connie :)

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    1. That is the joy of passing them on...people get to read a magazine that they do not buy. I have a friend that gives me her old magazines and I some of mine. This time I am setting aside magazine for various friends who I think will really be interested in certain articles. Good to see you stop by Connie.

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  8. Thanks for sharing the stitching. I love seeing what people have stitched. The styles have changed so much, and so have our tastes.
    Love the fencing in the window.
    Stay cool and good luck with the continued decluttering.

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    1. Yes Chris, styles do change and I would never choose this now. It is such a different style than I lean towards now. But it is full of fond memories of my first years after I immigrated to Holland. I stitched much faster then too...lol.

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  9. If I lived closer, I would come help you declutter. :)

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    1. Oh I would love that Rhonda. I need help as I am keeping far too many magazines again. I have decided that I have to try and sort another 5 tonight. I keep thinking I want to keep this one and then open the next and do the same thing. *sigh* I could use your help.

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  10. I remember this piece you did quite long ago. It is still very pretty. As much as I love to read, I have never been a fan of magazines. They have far to much advertising in them to interest me. I used to get Knitting magazines but found I did very few of the patterns in them. I will stick to books and of course my Nook now. I love my Nook.
    Love you, Mom

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    1. Seeing how many magazines I have makes me think I need to stop getting them. I want to keep them far too long. Not good. I am going to let my two subscriptions run out and not renew them.

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  11. That piece in your window is absolutely perfect - and beautiful, as well. I pass most of my magazines on to my mom and then when she's done, she passes them on to others as well.

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    1. Thanks Melanie. We were busy in the garden with both pieces and I realized I not want either of them there. This one fit just perfectly which I realized while it was in the back garden. So inside Jos carried it. :-)

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  12. Love the fencing! Looks like it was made for your window. Take care and do not overwork while decluttering!

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