Holey, Holey, Holey

No, I'm not going to burst out singing a hymn (and if you knew how bad my voice is, you'd be grateful to hear it) but am riffing a bit on the old theme of use it up, wear it out. it's economical to not discard everything as soon as the first gloss of new has worn off, rather to wait till it has performed as long as possible. Take things that get a bit worn, like this dishtowel:

Thin and damaged, not so good for drying hands or dishes. However, it does a fine job lining a kitchen drawer. These fittings are made of pressed wood and actually are crumbling with wear, so contact paper or more traditional liners don't work too well, but this does.

I was so excited to find this vintage Vera silk scarf at

Manna on Monday  I completely overlooked the hole near one corner; how annoying is that?

Wrapped and tied around a straw hat, though, it's hidden in the knot and still usable. 

Years ago I bought several old quilts at thrift shops, all in a similar pattern, although that wasn't planned, it just happened. I used them for a while, until they got too fragile to survive messy people and messier cats. Now I keep them stacked on top of the cupboard that our sheets are kept in; they're visible to enjoy but not to be demolished by ongoing use. 

 

So don't think a minor flaw is the death knell to a piece of clothing or household item. A spot or a cigarette burn on an old table runner or doily could be the ideal place to set a vase. The shirt with a stubborn spot might work perfectly well layered under a sweater or the canvas shoe an opportunity to try a new color entirely with fabric paint. Be creative, and you may find an extension to an item's life of service. 

 

 Take it easy!

 

Michele