The Accidental Collector - Rocks

I have always loved rocks. The small smooth tumbled agates found on the beaches of my childhood. The veins of Jasper and Quartz running along the craggy banks of the rivers around my home seemed like treasures to me. So this collection is less of an accident and more of intention.

I would not have such a spectacular collection (only a portion of it is pictured here) were it not for my maternal grandfather. His first career was as an auto dealer; when he retired from that profession he began a second career as a Lapidarist, a person who cuts, polishes and works with precious and semi-precious stones and gems.  He bought and sold stones, gems, minerals, and petrified wood from and to many places around the globe.

As a kid I can remember my grandfather wearing his work coveralls and hauling giant burlap sacks of raw materials to the work room. I can still hear the loud whining of the cutting, grinding and polishing machines. I watched him cut and work with great concentration and precision. I can recall the heavy smell of oil and rock dust.

He worked on small gleaming cabochons and giant slabs of petrified wood that depicted beautiful designs. He cut open geodes and thunder eggs to reveal stunning crystals inside. I was fascinated by it all and grew to have a deep love for these treasures from the earth.

Many of the most prized of my collection came from my grandfather, the rest I have collected over the years. Gathering them on my travels or from Ed's rocks and gems shop up the road. I love giving a small gathering of beautiful rocks and gems as presents, especially to young children who seem to understand what amazing things they are.

As I write this I realize that I have not added a new specimen to my collection in quite a while. Perhaps it is time to go rock hunting!

The Accidental Collector

What makes a collection? How many of a certain type of thing must you have to call it a collection? If you have two of something? Or is it 3? 5?

Truth be told, I am a hapless collector. When I was a young thing, way back when, I did attempt to collect with intent. I had quite a phase with candlesticks, cigar boxes, and postcards. The candlesticks were sold off piece meal over the years to lighten my load over the many moves I have made in my life. I still have a few cigar boxes that house small bits of nostalgia from my past, as well as the postcards. The only thing I seem to collect with intent these days are vinyl records, it is a joint collection though, shared with The Engineer.

When I look around my home, I can see various gatherings of things, small collections (and some not so small... please don't ask weather or not I have more kitchen bowls than I could ever have need of).
Many of these collections have found me, come to me through some strange bit of magic; they are accidental collections. A lot of these assemblages have come to me via my mother and grandmother. I do try to only keep the things that give me joy, that I really love... but you know how it goes sometimes, things can get out of hand if one is not careful.

I'm going to say 3, 3 items of like make for a collection. I have discussed this with my friend Jane, and I think I'm comfortable in saying 3.

I have three tiny antique pill boxes. I do believe I once had a 4th, but the memory is vague and I can't be certain. These beautiful and delicate little things are so lovely and they do give me joy. They don't take up much space at all really, in fact they could all fit in my pocket at the same time. They came to me from my grandmother by way of my mother. One of these is meant for my daughter, I'm just fostering it for awhile, I promise.

I think I may make this a regular feature here. Keep your eyes on this space and The Accidental Collector may strike again!

Oh, and I would love to know, are you a collector? Do tell!

A gathering of sorts - accidental collections

Yes, there are still unpacked boxes at the new house. I wonder when I will stop calling it the new house, when will it stop feeling so new? I do not know. So, every now and then I unpack a box or two and try to find a place to put the stuff. How did we get so much stuff?

As I unpack, I find gatherings of like things that bloom into accidental collections. Things I never set out to collect, things inherited from grandparents, parents, friends...

I never intended to collect Ye Olde Kitchen stuff and yet, the box labeled "Papa" never opened or gone through since it arrived nearly two years ago now from California, held (among other things) a gathering of just that.

My grandmother collected these things. I like them, but then, you all know by now that I like old stuff. I like to think about the lives of old things, the people who touched and used them and the stories of dinners, jars of canned goods, the food that was made. 

I also like the look of them hanging on my kitchen wall. Just a little gathering, an accidental collection...

Now, I'm off to arrange my accidental collection of decorative tins! 

Do you have any accidental collections?

Other People's Wonk

Let's just say I can appreciate a little 'wonk'. Especially if we are talking quilts. I love quilts, different shapes, sizes, colors! I used to make quilts back in the day; in fact I can recall my first truly satisfactory (brimming with pride really) sewing project was the first quilt I ever made, I was 13 at the time. It was full of wonk. The last quilts I made were just before Pony Girl was born, small hand tied crib quilts that now keep her dolls cozy on cold nights.

I have been itching to make full size quilts again for ages, but it seems time, space, and other things get in the way. In the mean time however, I have started a little collection of quilts made by other people. I have a few amazingly beautiful vintage quilts from my grandmother, some she made - some given to her for gifts. I also have another growing collection of quilts made by people unknown and picked up for next to nothing at thrift shops and yard sales.

Some of them are slightly vintage, or at least make use of some vintage fabrics, others are not vintage in any way; but all of them were made with love and care.

Sometimes the colors are a little strange, the stitches uneven, the binding twisted, and there is always an element of wonk. Some are small - odd shaped and sized, some are large and crooked.

When I spy such a quilt in the thrift shop, my heart skips a beat as I go to investigate. Some are a pass, left for someone else to discover. Then there are the sweet few that have made me look around in fear that someone would grab it out of my hands. Those lovelies come home with me to stay.

Some are worn, most have small stains, and some need repairing. I almost whisper to them, "You are coming home with me and I am going to take good care of you." The first thing I do when I get them home, is to give them a good once over. If I determine they are tough enough for a hot soak and a trip through the washing machine and dryer, down they go to the laundry. Once they come through looking brighter and smelling daisy fresh, I thread my needle for any repairs. During my repairs I get to spend some quality time with my new wonky quilt, getting to know it better - acquainting myself with it's personality and quirks.

Once any repairs are complete, I lay out the quilt on the big bed, I run my hands over the stitches, I stand back and admire the big picture, and I am happy. I think about all of the time and care that went into making these quilts. The cutting, the piecing, the sewing, the hand quilting! Hours of time and love! I wonder about the maker, the recipients of these quilts...sometimes I tell myself a story about them. I always wonder how they landed in the thrift shop or the yard sale; certainly I would never give up these beautiful wonky treasures. Though I will admit I am a little happy that someone did give them up so that they could come home with me.

Another really great thing about these quilts - I am not afraid to use them. They make our beds cozy, get thrown on the ground for a picnic, wrapped around us on cold nights, and they make the most spectacular dens and forts! From time to time they cover 'the couch that mocks me' for a burst of extra bright and cheerful.

Thank you to the makers of these happy quilts, your work is appreciated and fills me with joy.

Art Appreciation

Everyone, I would like you to meet Earl.

Earl is my wonderful new art work from artist Christina Muse. I stumbled across her work on Flickr and was smitten! Also known as Artsy Muse, Christina creates amazing pieces; working in collage, altered art, and assemblage. I love the pieces she finds, and the way she puts her items together tell a story. Her attention to detail and unique perspective have charmed me completely. I knew I had to have one of her pieces in my home.

So, now Earl has come from across the country to stay at the little green cottage. He has moved around a bit, looking for a comfortable and commanding spot. Currently, he seems at home on the "O.K." wall.

I think indulging in a little art now and then is very good for the soul. I know that Earl and I are very happy with the way things have turned out. Thank you for the beautiful addition to my art collection Christina!

If you would like to see more art from Christina Muse, she has been kind enough to allow me to link to her Flickr Photostream HERE

Please know that all of the images on the artists photostream belong to her. Both the artist and myself ask that you be respectful of her images (as well as my images of her artwork) and do not use, copy, or distribute her photos in any way. Thank you for playing nice!

This is how it all starts

First, you build a hen house in your back yard. Not just any hen house mind you, but a fancy chook palace. Then you get yourself a few fuzzy little chicks that really are the sweetest and you make a great big fuss about it.

You name them, raise them, the chicks turn into 3 lovely lady chickens, and you fancy yourself a sort of glamorous yet earthy urban flock tender. You do your best mother hen taking good care of your feathered family; often whilst wearing a vintage apron, and you make a great big fuss about it.

When one of your chooks lays the very first egg, you do a little song and dance number, you take lots of photos, tell all your friends, and generally make a Great Big Fuss about it.

Inspired by your back yard farm, you whip up some happy chicken themed projects, you make slightly less of a fuss about it but you do show it off a little.

You know, I have often wondered how people with large collections of a particular animal say, got started on their collections. I once had a neighbor who's house was filled with pigs; piggy banks, piggy towels, piggy salt and pepper shakers, paintings of pigs, softie pigs, and so on. I never asked her how she came to own so many pig items. Did she set out with a passion for pigs, collecting every pig she came across? Or did the collection find her? Perhaps one day she mentioned to a friend that she thought pigs were cute, and that friend bought her a little porcelain pig for her birthday, then because she liked pigs and it was a present from a friend, she went on to make a great big fuss about it...then all her other friends thought, 'Ooh, I know what I'll get her for Christmas!' and it just grew from there.

I do see how that could happen; it does appear that a few friends and family members have noted my making a Great Big Fuss over chickens and have thought to themselves, 'Ooh, that Lola really likes those chooks!' So, over the last couple of years a wee flock of vintage chickens have arrived at the little green cottage.

It is a sweet little collection, just manageable without seeming like too much an obsession. But before it gets out of hand, maybe, just maybe I should start making a Great Big Fuss over something else... like chocolate.
my favorite is the little vintage hen and chick bank from my mom

Box of Happy

Another tale from a 'big box of happy'...coming from my mum. You see, from time to time my mother gathers up bits and baubles that she thinks I might like. Perhaps a yard sale, a neighbor's uncluttering, ebay, or even her own stash of goodness.

When she has enough things to fill a box, she then sends them off to me. I receive them with a little happy dance and then savor the process of going through the box of delights.

I thought I would share the latest. I wish we could get some decent light around here. We had a sun break yesterday but, I used the opportunity to work in the garden instead of photographing.

A whole lovely mess of vintage linens, pot holders and some much desired vintage wooden hangars!

And then this treat...

I love this little Japanese tray and coaster set in mint vintage condition along with those bright red knitting needles with wee wooden tops! Both of these items are from my mother's own collection and I am just pleased as punch that she wanted to share them with me.

The linens need a good soaking and washing before I decide their fate, but I look forward to that kind of laundry.

Speaking of my dear mum, she is coming to visit later this week and we are quite excited to see her!

I will be back tomorrow to hopefully show you what me and my machine have been getting up to.