I haven’t been making things with scraps this month, in fact almost all my creative time is currently being taken up with Sophie who, although not scrappy, I must show off as a Wednesday WIP (no Working Wednesday post this week, maybe it will be worth doing one next week):
this is Sophie
However, there has been a lot of activity with scraps in the past month or two Chez Snail… starching, pressing, photographing, listing, selling, packing and sending off round the world. I have a large collection of vintage broderie anglaise and lace, all reclaimed from garments or left over from past projects. Most of it was given to me by my mum, who received it years ago from an elderly friend. Much of it is (or was) filthy, having sat around in a box for decades. I have slowly been soaking it and washing it to restore it to something like its former glory. Now fancy trimmings are not really my ‘thing’ so I have been selling it in my etsy shop. It’s not a particularly lucrative business as the preparation to make it saleable takes a long time, not to mention the photographing and listing. However, I love the fact that people actually want to buy and use these scraps… that they are going to new homes around the world to be loved and treasured and turned into new items, and that makes it worthwhile.
Although not scraps, I’ve also got lovingly restored vintage handkerchiefs along with old sewing patterns in my shop – all part of making sure that unwanted sewing and craft supplies find new homes where they will be used and valued.
I’ve been inspired to write this (and future) ScrapHappy posts by Kate, who provides links to other (mostly sewing) ScrapHappy bloggers at Tall Tales from Chiconia on the fifteenth of every month… do check them out.
The Snail of Happiness 
Laurie Graves
/ November 15, 2017Such a wonderful lesson in this post! I found it so moving to read about how you took something old and discolored and then made it lovely.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 15, 2017I’m quite surprise how popular these “scraps” are turning out to be in my little shop.
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Laurie Graves
/ November 15, 2017Lovely, lovely!
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iamsimplyhooked
/ November 15, 2017Sophie is looking gorgeous!
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katechiconi
/ November 15, 2017Now this is a LOVELY ScrapHappy post! You’re making use of scraps that had been long abandoned, you’re lovingly restoring them, and you’re making them available to other people. All in the very best tradition of ScrapHappiness 🙂
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 15, 2017Thank you for pointing out that this counts… I was feeling a bit glum that I hadn’t used any scraps, but you are quite right that it sits perfectly in the tradition. And, it has inspired me to get a few more pieces in soak today.
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katechiconi
/ November 15, 2017Yay! Vintage lace is so lovely, much nicer than modern stuff, and I really like the idea that these pieces have a history behind their new lives 🙂
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nanacathy2
/ November 15, 2017Sophie is stunning and your use of scraps in the recyling and raising cash front is perfect.
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thecontentedcrafter
/ November 15, 2017I’m loving your Sophie. Scraps of lace are very desired in the mixed media world and the rehacked vintage (or just plain used) clothing world too, so you are offering a valuable service 🙂
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 15, 2017Although washing, starching and ironing is not generally my idea of fun, it is good to see all these reclaimed scraps being brought back to life.
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KerryCan
/ November 16, 2017This reclaiming of vintage linen and lace is a very big part of my daily life, as I think you know. I, too, am always so pleased to find a good home for these lovely tidbits! Sophie is gorgeous!
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