Unfinishable Project at The Knitting and Stitching Show at Harrogate

This project investigated the reasons why we had tucked away unfinished projects. Although many of us could finish what we or someone else had started......we didn't for some reason.....often not understood by ourselves......but through this project have confronted the shadowy spectre and survived.

In the second picture is a tapestry piece to celebrate the birth of my youngest son. I knew he'd be my last child, so, when I saw this Glorafilia kit in an ex-catalogue shop, at a hugely reduced price I bought it and set to work on it..........with a baby, time was one issue.......but also I didn't want to do it.......My friend, Judy, loved doing this kind of thing..... but after six months she gave me it back ....unfinished..... I had thought I'd make a similar one but in the 70s colours for my other two children so they all had one.......My son is now 27yrs old......I couldn't throw it away, thought vaguely about chopping it up and completing the remaining section......but somehow that wasn't an option.
Seeing it at Harrogate, half hiding behind another piece.....the penny dropped.....and now I know why I bought it and why I couldn't finish it. It feels good to know......

upcycling a blind

Neighbours and friends know to ask if I want something before they dump it......often the timing is just right ! it will just what I needed to make something....or it will "speak" to me ....and I know I will be needing it and it will be perfect....just wait and see.....sometimes I think...as all de-clutters tell you....I've had it X amount of time and haven't used it....take it to Scrap Store or dump it..... only to find a day or week later IT WAS PERFECT for what I am about to make...............gerr !

So this wooden Venetian blind ....given to me in an unopened state in (embarrassed...cough..cough)....2009......shouted at me NOW IS THE TIME.........
I love dismantling things.....and I soon had a pile of slats.....  Over the years I have made these stars with drinking straws, lolly sticks, cardboard strips, withies, twigs, bamboo canes, pipecleaners/wire threaded with beads and coffee stirrers and now wooden Venetian blind slats ! I lined up the holes so I could thread the cord through and thread buttons on..... didn't like it.....and couldn't work out how to decorate it. Normally I line up the ends of the sticks.....but the holes were there...and it might have worked. So I chopped off the ends with secateurs and made the smaller star. I wasn't too sure of the wood colour and tried and preferred the wood wash. I am quite pleased with the results. Then I tried making the ends meet and ignoring the cord hole because it could be covered or otherwise disguised, produced the larger star allbeit having wonky points which couldn't be "pointed"  I dismantled an old wreath to get the greenery and the baubles. Only the glue is new and the lime green bows....Lyn and I got a box of 600 for £2...need more ideas for lime green bows......Can't even give them to Scrap Store....they already have been given a couple of boxes!

I could see them being the frame for a "star shaped" Santa or Angel etc.....made some tartan circular wreaths and some raggy ones..... It's the fair tomorrow and I haven't got a lot done....so best try and finish what I've started.......
PS............  the fair was last night................the large star was snapped up as we opened....literally... the lady asked the price and then said to her husband...put your hand in your pocket and snap her hand off.........but not one of the little snowmen stars sold.....nor did any of the other wreaths I made.....strange.....may have been the new venue.....