Friday 22 April 2011

Objets trouve

...... vitnage mahogany tool box complete with tools; set of new power tools; big basket for logs; chicken carrier; boxes of wine bottles; stored food for emergency (experiment, will elaborate later); mini antique cloches; Sarah Raven handblown glass tealight holders; frame full with brand new combs for hive, ready to go on; enamel bread bin; various baskets; lots of storage/containers etc amassed over the years from scrap store; hand mower(need refurb, coming up); various hanging metal decorations for trees in the garden; bundle of home grown straw from my wheat, waiting to be made into a dolly for new home;  goats' foot shears (knew they were in there somewhere lol); smaller sized brewing bucket, complete with stash of nice jam jars; good sized cream and green enamel saucepan.............

Yes folks, I'm still in the Shed Of Useful Stuff lol

Wednesday 20 April 2011

Great new word I found on the net


HOPETIMISM

Can there be such a thing as 'too much stuff'?

I've started clearing out my seond shed, with a view to using it for main storage whilst in the cabin. Glorious day here, so I'm able to make a good start, and sit the stuff outside. There's a lot of stuff........... lol
However, I've only really just started, but I can see now that my hoarding 'too much stuff' is going to come in so useful now.So far, I've got for the cabin - beautiful curved wooden bookcase/shelf (needs fixing up, but basically sound) - I might put it on top of the potting table and move it in as a sort of dresser/worktop arrangement if there's room; my other meat safe, needs a bit of work too, but in good condition; wheelie baskets for wooding/foraging; all sorts of useful storage boxes; various enamel saucepans and stainless saucepans; my cauldron; enamel washing up bowl (useful); beautiful vintage tool box complete with tools I'd forgotten about; a wooden slatted blind ideal for cutting into plant labels; a really good stainless steel urn, could be used for drinking water, complete with tap on the bottom; fruit press; even a very nice old wirework soap dish lol Most of what I've been keeping has come from the tip for pennies.
As I'm aiming to furnish the cabin as much as humanly possible with re-used/recycled stuff, this had been a great boost to my  plans - you know when you really think about something for a while, all sorts of doubts creep in, but I know now that I can do it, and do it by myself. I raided the textile recycling bag that Bean had got ready, and  now have a stash of nice fabrics for cutting down to make patchwork curtains for the windows. I have window baskets, I have lots of bird feeders for around the cabin, and have procured a nice small plastic crate for making into a tiny pond for by the door.
When the shed is empty, I'll get hold of some shelving or similar and install it, then empty the cabin, sort the stuff from there and store it in the shed. The cabin at the moment is full of fleece, textiles, couple of looms, wool, all sorts of eminently usable and valuable things.
So, the upshot of this is - if you've got the room to store it sensibly then get it, keep, it, look after it. You really never know what life's going to throw at you that will have your running for your shed lol

ps I've even found there is enough of the blue stain left to probably give both sheds another coat :)

Monday 18 April 2011

If I need it, I'll make it

 - as far as humanly possible! Thinking ahead to the winter, I've started on the first of the blankets for the bed. I'm hoping to have enough in my stash and scrounged from Bean ( who appropriated a large part of it anyway lol) to make the first blanket without having to buy any yarn/wool at all. This is the start of it, got quite a few done since yesterday, taking it to and from the town and the tip in the car, and sitting outside in the warm sunshine today. I have to say I find the repetitiveness of the round and round of granny squares very restful and therapeutic, whilst being able to make plans and schemes in my head and drink tea!