Ending August with # Fifteen and A New Mantra

Ending August 2014 with fifteen posts is a record here on CollectInTexas Gal.  It's been a week or so of reviewing the last five years of August's posting or lack of.  Not that it's such a big deal or even worth taking up anymore space here in blogland.

However, with the scrutiny of August and this Final August Post, I will take the opportunity to mention a few other 2014 Finale's.  Again, not major events in blogland, but significant and a point of reference for me...since CITexas Gal serves as a record of sorts.

I can hardly believe this happened, but it did and a chapter...no, a novel...in my life was closed with the closing of  Sue's Quilting Services and the sell of QuiltALottie, my longarm quilting machine.  I am amazed to say that after close to twenty years of being in the quilting business with it being such a major part of my everyday life, that 'All is Well'.  I continue to downsize my 'Fabric Stash', and that too, is a 'Good Thing'.

Less of an issue/stash/collection to downsize in 2014 was the 'Knitting-Crochet YarnARama'.   I began to be at my 'Knit's End' when the YarnARama reached the obsessive stage with more yarn, patterns, books, needles, knitting machines, and accessories than ten people could hope to use in a lifetime.

When fireplace weather rolls around, I snuggle in with knitting and crochet, so the spring and summer was a good time to sort and send the 'OverDoneSue' yarn collection.  Last winter I overdid the 'Shawl and Scarf' crocheting and spent the spring and summer in neck and shoulder rehab. 

That bit of info is definitely a reminder to myself that even more downsizing of this Collection is needed.  I tend to forget the negative side of over knitting/crocheting when the creative side is sitting by the fire.

On second thought...maybe this is enough downsizing...for now!

I mean, afterall, August is ending and Fall is in the air!

Before you know it...it will be Fireside Sitting time!

I will Not OverDo...I will Not OverDo...I will Not OverDo!

The Box That Holds My Thinker vs August

Yes, I know it is TILTED, and I am well aware of the impending crash with WISDOM.  It's a Slippery Slope for sure, and one that I have been balancing most of my life.  At least since the time I found out that my THINKER's Box is different.

I have not always avoided the crash between the BOX and WISDOM.  Over the years I have learned to adjust the Slope so that the TWO bump softly together...most of the time.  Oscar Wilde said it best...With age comes wisdom, but sometimes age comes alone.

They say 'Thinking Outside The Box' is a skill and with practice can be developed.

  Creative Solutions....Change your space....Brainstorm...Daydream....etc....and the one we avoid...Consider the worst case scenario.  Fear is what holds back creativity.  When you consider the worst case scenario not only can you plan for it, but you may realize it isn't bad enough that you shouldn't give it a try.

So give it a try...I did. 

Changed my Space...Comment Location. 

 Brainstormed Bloggers Choices...Picked Embedded.

Have Daydreamed about doing this for over a year...Blogger finally allowed by un-blocking Google + Users.

Considered the worst case scenario....Keeping up...Not a problem.

August is almost over!

Will August Never End

Three more days of August!   As reported in the post below, in the five years I have been a blogger, August has not been my best month of posting. 

This August may be the exception...this will make 13 posts.  Here to fore, 9 posts was tops in 2011.

There is a possibility this record breaking August could have as many as 15 posts.  We will see what happens in the next two days.  I won't hold my breath, and please, don't you either. 

This August has been a productive month for me in regards to my '4 R's Bucket List'...Repurpose-Recycle-Renew-Resale.  I have about Buttoned Up and Buttoned Out every possible creative outlet I can think of from Jewelry to Salt N Pepper Shakers.

When I started  this 'Collection Down Sizing' Bucket List, I told myself, "Sue, don't try and MAKE anymore STUFF or put anymore money into what you already have horded accumulated collected.   Those were the words used in the post...Eating My Words Well Seasoned.  

Over a hundred dollars spent, a dozen Blooming Salt and Pepper Shakers and three dozen and growing button jewelry pieces made later...the Resale part of the 4R's begins.   That will be on September 6th when I will pitch my tent at the Chicken Farm Art Center for the First Saturday Event and Sale.

You can see why I am so ready for August to end and September to begin.  So much so, I have already redecorated CollectInTexas Gal for Fall...



...and started my vigil for September's Full Moon.

About August and Five Years of Blogging

I have been reviewing the previous years August posts, and discovered that I am not an August Blogger.   The pattern seems to have started in August 2009 with just TWO posts...one of them being the FIRST post of this blog entitled A to Z Collecting...Art to Zippers.

Three days later on August 18th a second post was published....Yellow Kitchen Collection...It's Magic.  If I remember correctly, I agonized over the placement of photos and wrote and re-wrote the text...not to mention the learning curve of blogger back in those days.

In September 2009 I must have gained ground with blogger and with the encouragement of a few followers 12 posts were published.  A BIG boost to CollectInTexas Gal was the discovery of Beverly's How Sweet The Sound's Pink Saturday. 

My very first Pink Saturday post was Four Generations of Sewing.  At the end of the day on Saturday, September 12, 2009, 59 Pink Saturday Participants had visited and left comments.  I was blown away, and hooked on Pink Saturday and Blogland.

The next August...2010....was even more sparse as far as posts went.  There was ONE post and it was an attempt to explain the where's, what's and why's of CollectInTexas Gal's  absence in August blogging.  Completely forgot the 'First Blogiversary'....didn't really even know there was such a thing.

By August 2011 I was well into my Texas Family's Genealogy and CollectInTexas Gal was a guide to my Family History Blog....Tracks of My Texas Ancestors.   I was so involved in Tracks, that again the Blogiversary came and went without acknowledgement, however, my August numbers improved greatly from the two previous years with 9 posts.

August 15, 2012....I remembered my Blogiversary!

Blog...Exactly What Is It?

Plus 7 more posts...I was on a Roll...until August 2013 and then I was back to....

Making Up For Lost August

And Missing Another Blogiversary!!!!

 

Here it is August 28th and I missed the Official Blogiversary Day by 13 days!

Better late than never! 

Not really, I have a thing about being on time!

Maybe next August.

Repurposed Dust Bunny Collector...

...AKA Hardback Knife Edged Pleated Lampshade.

Believe it or not there is a history behind pleated lampshades, and insignificant as it may seem, the invention of this illuminating diffuser gives new meaning to 'let there be light...less light...okay, shaded light.   It's an AhHa moment...LAMPSHADE!

I am not a Lampshade Historian...made that up...probably not an official genre of historical study, but the 'Pleated Lampshade' is an official 'Patent Filing' with the US Patent Office in June 1944.

From the accumulation of Dust Bunny droppings between the knife edged pleats, I think this one might have belonged to the inventor.  Not really, his would probably not have been Pink.   Anyway, whoever owned it last probably got tired of dusting it and donated it to Goodwill where I happened to be on the hunt for a non-breakable STAND.

This painted pink metal tubular lamp fit the seven dollar bill perfectly.  The shade not so much, but it came with the stand, so I took it.

After trying several different wire baskets on the lamp stand, the pink pleated shade was a keeper, but the 'Dust Bunnies' were not.

 Those 'Knife Edge Pleats' were Feather Duster and Swiffer resistant. A stiff bristle brush brushed those bunnies right out of the pleats.

 I think it will work as a Display for my 'Button Jewelry'.  Those 'Knife Edge Pleats' make great dividers!

I am practicing my 'Booth Setup' for the September 6th First Saturday Event at

The Chicken Farm Art Center.

Doesn't Modella look pretty in pink?

Wordless Wed...Bring On The Beads and Buttons Bling

 

Running With DMC and Aunt Lydia's Blues

What does DMC stand for and who is Aunt Lydia?

The first thing that comes to mind when one talks about running with DMC is Run DMC, and even though I am not of the HipHop generation, I have heard of this 1980's group.  So, NO, this is not how I 'Run with DMC'.

The next thing to pop up when searching DMC was an 'Action-Adventure Hack and Slash video game.  I won't even go there with the graphics or the name of the Xbox game, but here's a hint on the 'D'...H E double L NO that is not how I run with DMC.

There were a few other DMC icons...for instance 'DeLorean Motor Company'.  I recognized that 'D', and although I could run with a DeLorean, again, not my DMC.  There were other DMC's:  Destination Medical Center, Del Mar College and the entertaining Disney Movie Club.  If you haven't already guessed, my 'Running with DMC' is Fiber related.  Yes, it's Floss, Thread, Yarn and more Needleworks stuff which you can explore on the DMC Website.

 What does DMC stand for, you asked and I wanted to know since I have an inquisitive mind and I suffer from Fiberpsychosis...a disorder of 'OverDoing' Fiber related products.  So here it is...what DMC stands for...

DOLLFUS-MIEG & Compagnie

Now we know, but as usual for Fiberpsychosis sufferers, this was just that one strand

of Blue Floss in the 'Thread Tangle'  that led to untangling the HISTORY 

of a company started in 1746 who's motto remains alive today.

"Tenui Filo Magnum Texitur Opus"

"From one fine thread a work of art is born"

Oh yeah...I definitely 'Run With DMC'!

 

Linking To

Sally's Blue Monday

 

PS...I am still working on 'Who is Aunt Lydia'.  What I know for sure, she is not related to Dollfus Mieg and in all likelihood she and I have at least one thing in common...Fiberpsychosis!

Bohemian Inspired

"Bohemian Inspired"...I see this used as a title/description for much of the brass jewelry on Pinterest , and it intrigues me.  You see I am descended from 'Old World Bohemian' ancestors, and from the photos I have seen of my great great grandparents they were a far cry from today's Urban Dictionary's description of Bohemian.

"Somebody who leads an alternative lifestyle...not hippies...more like Gypsies." There Ya Go!   I sort of identified with hippies as a wannabe flower child of the sixties. 

I say sorta because my parents definitely did not because Cowboys and Iowa Farm Gals did not raise Flower Children...if they did they would be called Magnolia, Petunia or Pansy. 

Still 'I Dug It, Man' and felt somehow tuned in and turned on by the 'Artistic Side' of HippieDom.

"They can have an extremely wide range of 'different' tastes in music, fashion, art, literature etc. and are usually very creative people."  GROOVY!!!  I Got This!!!  Well, parts of it anyway.  I have to opt out of the wide range of music preferences...I'm way stuck in the Sixties with Runaround Sue, Hey Hey Paula, anything by Roy Orbison and the Everly Brothers.  I did stray from the Sixties some for George Straight...afterall what Texas Gal would not buy into his 'Ocean Front Property in Arizona'?  Now  Fashion and Art is where my 'Wide Range' was different...much to the dismay of the Cowboy and Farm Girl. 

So, much of what I attributed to being a 'Wannabe Flower Child' BackInThe Day is today thought of as being Bohemian Inspired.  I'm good with that especially since I now know that I come from Old World Bohemian stock....even if they weren't Gypsies.  Now I know why and where my Bohemian brass necklace's inspiration came from. 

I wonder if the Iowa Farm Girl knew about her Bohemian Great Grandmother. 

Probably not...otherwise she might have understood her oldest child's

wide range of differences in Fashion and Art.  

Wordless Wed...Keep Smiling

We shall never know all the good that a smiple smile can do. 

Mother Teresa

A smile is happiness you'll find right under your nose. 

Tom Wilson

If you smile when no one else is around, you really mean it. 

Andy Rooney

 

You made me smile even when no one else was around.  RIP Robin.

Eating My Words Well Seasoned!

I just hate having to eat my words, but at least this time they are well seasoned.  When I started  this 'Collection Down Sizing' Bucket List, I told myself, "Sue, don't try and MAKE anymore STUFF or put anymore money into what you already have horded accumulated collected. 

 

I was doing pretty good until I started putting YoYo's and Buttons together.   What would it hurt to make up a few examples of what one could make? 

That's what I said to myself when I decided to expand my space next month at the Chicken Farm Art Center First Saturday Sale.  Afterall, I have buttons for sale, as well as other supplies that bargin hunting Crafters will want.  I 'Bartered Buttons' at the last sale.  

All it took was to MAKE one little ole Button Blossom just to see how they would make up, and before I knew it, I had a whole Button Blossom Bouquet blooming all over my Studio.  Then I had to figure out how to display them. 

Investment in Button Blossom Bouquet amounts to:

~Using Stash of YoYo's, Buttons, Threads and Wire

~Spending approximately 8 hours getting it all together and figuring out how to MAKE them.

~Another 2-3 hours cleaning up and re-organizing studio.

~Half a tank of gas driving to Thrift Stores in search of bargin Salt and Pepper Shakers.  Finding Zip-NataOne!

~$6 for a dozen shakers.  Found at Dollar Tree...50 cents a piece.

~$3.50 for 'All Temp Glue Sticks'...used my 40% off coupon at HH otherwise $5.99.

~$80 for a Pink Top PopUp Shade Canopy for September's First Saturday at The Chicken Farm.

There's probably more, but I'm out of time, money and ideas for

'How Not To Downsize One's Stash without Making Stuff and Spending More Money'

 

Good thing I like 'Eating My Words' well seasoned!

Yet ANOTHER YoYo Project

Really, Sue, YoYo's! 

What next?  Pin cushions!!

 

It's not that I am burned out on the 4R's...Repurpose-Recycle-Renew-Resale...with Jewelry and Buttons, but I thought you might be.  Afterall, that has  been the focus of just about every post for the last two going on three months.

 

That's just the way I Roll.  Yep, GungHo, UpToMyNeck in what ever project I take on.  It just so happens that I am working through my 'Collections Down Sizing' Bucket List and even though I haven't been going in Alpha Order, it seemed like a good time to tackle the 'Bucket of YoYo's'.

 

That's right, I said Bucket of YoYo's!  Really there are several buckets and more bags than I can count on both hands.  So YoYo time it is!

 

As with the vintage jewelry, I need to know the origin and a bit of history about whatever project I am working on.  So I 'Googled' YoYo's.  Yikes!  There is a lot of YoYo Info out there, but briefly, this is what I found...
~Across the pond in the UK, they call them 'Suffolk Puffs' which they believe originated in Suffolk County.  Although little is known about that origin, examples of quilts using 'Puffs' can be traced back to 1601, and were popular during the Victorian era.
~YoYo's have been popular here in the US since the 1930's when 'Make Do and Mend' found the YoYo being made from worn out clothing and transformed into quilts and used as decorations for clothing and accessories.

What's Next?

YoYo Pink Pins and YoYo Pincushion Pins!

Betcha knew I'd work Pin Cushions in there! 

And more Buttons and Broken Jewelry!

Oh well, that's just the way of The 4R's.

 Linking To

Beverly's How Sweet The Sound Pink Saturday

Wordless Wed...Beads On A Wire

Made with Memory Wire. 

Reminds me of two childhood Memories...The Slinky and Bed Springs!

The Broochability of 'R'#4 or 'R'#5...Resale or Rubbish

No doubt Royal Blue has been one of the most popular colors in the fashion world for decades.  It's probably safe to say shades of blue have been popular for centuries.  In the Spring Fashion world this year 'Dazzling Blue' was declared the most popular, however, for the Year 2014,  Radiant Orchid rules. 

My favorite colors in the Blue Hues areTeal, Turquoise and Aqua.  With that in mind, you can understand how I would be drawn to adding this 'Floral Brooch' to my collection.  Even though it never made it into the 'WearIt' jewelry box, I have admired it often, and until recently had not paid attention to it's 'Marking' or it's excellent condition.  Now that I am on a quest to 'Repurpose-Recycle-Renew-Resale' my vintage jewelry collection, this brooch is getting a closer look and consideration for one of the 4'R's.

Since it is in excellent condition, is a marked piece and a popular color, it is going to R#4...Resale.  With 'Marked' pieces, I like to give as much information as I can about the Marks Designer...plus I really enjoy finding out the history of the piece.   If you are into that sort of thing, too, I think you will enjoy knowing about this 'Floral Brooch'.

GERMANY is stamped on an oval tag and welded to the Pin Bar.  From research, I learned that costume jewelry made in Germany before and through 1948 bears this mark.  After WWII when in 1949, West and East Germany was established, the costume jewelry industry marks reflected the regions of Germany in which they were made.

Popular materials of this period were Sterling silver, silver-tone, gold-tone, rhodium, brass and other base metals along with imitation stones, multicolored crystals and rhinestones.  This piece is a combination of gold-tone base metal and brass with rhinestones and a prong mounted faux pearl. A search for a similar pin is needed before this brooch will be listed on ETSY.  'R'#4...RESALE is the hardest of the 4R's for me.  I want it to go to a good home. 

Thank goodness it's not a puppy!

Is It Rubbish?  Let's let the 'Rubbish Experts' decide!

Linking To:

Rubbish Tuesday #14



The Modella Files Revealed At First Saturday Event

The Modella Files.

Sometimes I outsmart myself!  Such is the case for the Modella Files which were born out of two proverbs.  First...'Necessity  is the Mother of Invention' and secondly, 'Make Do and Mend'.   So successful were the recycled file folders, skirt hangers, and scrapbook papers in catching the attention of folks at 'First Saturday at The Chicken Farm Art Center, that the Jewelry became secondary. 

 That's okay!  It was a great conversation starter. I am always pleasantly surprised how many people are into recycling and making do with what they have.  Talking about the Modella Files was a great opener for sharing how my 'Vintage To Vogue' jewelry is made, where it comes from, and that it is also 'Recycled-Renewed-Repurposed'.

It is always a challenge to figure out how to get the most out of what you have when setting up a booth space at a show.  For the last three 'First Saturdays' my space has been on the porch of Sims Fiber Arts Studio in a space about 6x8 feet.  An ironing board that is NOT used for ironing clothes makes a great table/counter.

 A Christmas Ornament Tree makes a perfect hanging display for jewelry

 and a Lazy Susan makes it viewable all around.  

I have to say though, that my favorite and most attention catching display is my

 'Dressmaker Form/Jewelry Model'...Jewel Modella!

She never said a word about standing in the hot August Sun all day long.

She is a Jewel!

Announcing...A Jewelry Affair In August

I'd like you to meet my 'VintageToVogue' Jewelry Model...Jewel Modella.

She is about as perfect a model as there is.  She has a lovely wrinkle free neck and her posture is perfect.  I'm telling you those shoulders are straight as can be.  I never have to tell her to stand up straight.  She also never complains when I stick her with pins or ask her to turn this way or that way for better lighting during a jewelry photo shoot.  Just so you know, she's the one on the right...the one wearing white.  The other model in pink has a long history of not standing up straight...talked about that HERE...and my neck has wrinkles.

 

I have set August as the month to OverDo Listing Jewelry on ETSY, and in the process share some Repurposing Techniques, References/Books and Designers of the vintage jewelry from my Vintage Jewelry Collection.  I shared a 'Repurposing Technique' on the post below...1940's Bow Broach Repair and Repurpose... and introduced you to a 'Paint Pen' that works well on repairing gold plating on base metal. 

 

To kick off the month of August's Jewelry Affair I would like to share a book that has been not only inspirational but informative about working with vintage jewelry.

Shown here with one of my latest rejuvenated jewels, this book is full of beautiful and inspirational photos of vintage jewelry rejuvenated by designer Amy Hanna.  One of the most helpful things I learned from this book was to make use of  'every' part of the vintage piece in the process of restoring and remaking.

For example the double leaf section salvaged   from a larger beyond repair pin.  With careful cutting and shaping two stems became chain connectors behind the leaves, and the stem below the prong set royal blue rhinestone received a creative wire design connector.

The Tassled Pendant was a Brass Filigred Button of the perfect size to be repurposed with the two brass jeweled pins.  In her book, Amy has included detailed illustrations on working with wire and a section on making findings, clasps, closures and connectors out of found objects and jewelry parts.

When I need a 'Fresh Inspiration' for a new piece, I browse through the pages of this beautifully illustrated and User Friendly book.  It always inspires and gives me ideas on how to 'Rejuvenated and Repurpose' pieces from my collection...like this new piece...'Sophia's Sapphire'.  Sophia was my Great Grandmother's name...I think it fits this piece of rejuvenated jewels.

Sophia's Sapphire will be listed on ETSY if she doesn't sell August 2nd at

The Chicken Farm Art Center's First Saturday Event

Rejuvenated JEWELS

New Designs from Vintage Treasures

Amazon Link

Linking To

Beverly's How Sweet The Sound Pink Saturday