anticipation

I have been a long time collector of stuff. Not just any stuff (OK well I collect that stuff too), but stuff that when I see it, makes me feel inspired. Stuff that I intend to someday turn into other, wonderful things.

I had a DI silver spoon collection in college that Anne will recall. I have several other little collections that my husband will recall.

And this stuff just makes me swoon. I get a euphoric high from just imagining all of the possibilities. The junky frames that could be painted in funky colors, the old sweaters that could become a quilt, or a toy, the lace that could adorn a slip and would look so cute peeking out the bottom, garage sale costume jewelry that will adorn Christmas gifts perfectly with some velvet ribbon. Little pieces of everyday life that just make my imagination come alive.

The problem is that I don't always get around to completing my projects. Partly because there is only so much time.

But partly because sometimes the anticipation of what the treasured item will become is so fun, that if I actually do something with it, I won't be able to dream about all of the other things it could have become. There is also the chance that what I end up making won't be quite as great as it is in my imagination.

Actually, I once dated someone who posed that same scenario about relationships. Deep.

I got this dress at a huge warehouse clearance sale that my friend Kate invited me to. It's from J.Crew, and I am seriously in love with it. I am giddy with possibilities. All of those yards and yards of soft orange linen... I can hardly contain myself. I love you Orange Dress.

But what will you become.... A dust ruffle? An autumn table cloth? A refashioned skirt? Pillow shams? An ottoman slipcover? You'd go perfectly with some fabric I have been spying.

And if my bosoms weren't so (I am trying to think of a more eloquent word for big here), and I could fit them beneath the 3 inches of fabric they were allowed by your design...I think that I would just put you on and wear you around...maybe to the grocery store, because why not? Or out for a walk so I could swish your wonderfully excessive ruffles in the wind.

Sigh.

If you wonder what I do with my spare time...It's this.

Stay tuned for the "after".