Buy new fibers? Or use what I have? While on vacation in Arizona, I found a needlepoint store – Old Town Needlework & Framing. Shocking! (If you know me, you know that I always try and find a needlepoint store where I can buy a souvenir). I did get a really cool canvas for my Arizona momento, but I also found some other cool things. One was a frog paperweight/bean bag, one was a heart for my wall-o-hearts. And I got this really cool 3D pear. After I finished stitching, it will be finished in the shape of an actual pear. It’s by Little Shop Canvas Company. Getting back to the subject of this post, do I stitch with what I have (perle cotton) or do I spend some money and get Vineyard Silk? I really, REALLY wanted the Vineyard Silk, but I’m trying to embark on a month (or two) of Use What You Have so it didn’t seem right to buy something new. I shared my dilemma with Bill who is just so sweet and says, “well, I could buy it for you and it would be a gift.” I like how his mind works. Anyhoo, Mom was visiting so we went through my Perle Cotton and my Vineyard Silk and the VS won out. I had the perfect colors in VS but not enough. Believe it or not, I walked into the needlepoint store and only got what I went in for. Probably a first! I started stitching Monday night and Oh Mama! Was it the right decision. The VS is so vibrant and rich. I am loving it.

I am starting a month (actually, going to try for 2 months) of Use What You Have to try and pare down my stash and make some space for storage. Will see how it goes. Of course as soon as I resolve not to buy anything I suddenly realize all these “needs”. It will be a good lesson in figuring out genuine needs from impulse wants. I’m also hoping that it will help me start to live simple, an ongoing goal of mine.

I’m also planning a garage sale for May 10. I guess the blog title applies to this too. We have a rather large stack of stuff for Purple Heart but when my mom saw it, she thought we could make some money. On my slow, rainy drive to work on Monday I decided that a garage sale was the way to go. Then I catch up on my blogs and this post at Creative Organizing made me nervous about my decision. Easy tax deduction vs. work for cold hard cash. And maybe not even a lot of CHC. Still, Bill agreed to help me so the decision has been made. Last night I cleaned out my closet and armoire, and I’m going to go through the stuff to Ebay and will put most of it out. Some stuff will sell better on Ebay. We’ve already identified most of the stuff to sell at the GS though I know I can go through the house and find more. I need to be ruthless with my stuff. I will try to be a little easier on Bill. I’m also trying to be optimistic and think of it as fun! Plus, it’s an excuse to make myself a little apron for holding cash, pens, etc. Of course only using fabric from my stash. Anybody have any tips for having a successful garage sale?