bjdonabudget

So I’m stalling, every box I try to pack up hold a treasure- and i want to play with every single one. The hard part of being a pack rat is knowing that amidst the crates and boxes lies my shameful love of stuff. I admit it, I’m in love with stuff, it’s hard for me to part with any of it, even temporarily. My hubby isn’t the same way about things, so we’re coming against a wall- I don’t like packing, because it’s hard. I get distracted, I see a project halfway done and don’t want to pack it away, I want to finish it, right now. At least I’ve gotten most of the yarn tucked away- yarn can kill a day for my like nothing. Same with dolls, I want to dress and comb their hair before I pack them, because it’s like saying ’see ya later’ to my little plastic friends, I don’t like parting on bad terms. While I debate what to pack away next, I do so with a heavy heart, because I know it’s going to be a while until I’ll see it again, and I love to see my stuff- it’s all been carefully selected for my own amusement after all. In the end though, I know it’s worth every harsh good-bye to these overvalued possessions. We’re re-doing our place, to be more practical- and for the first time in a long time, I’ll be able to unpack EVERYTHING I own and enjoy the massive collection of knick-knacks who’ve been tucked away so long that I can’t recall everything that awaits, but at the same time, I’m anxious about it all- it’s going to mean moving into somewhere even smaller than where we are now until it’s done. Oh well, I’ll go out in the yard if I need space.

I’ve been dealing with carpal tunnel for roughly six months now, andmy new interest in knitting small-scale is not agreeing with the crushed nerves in my wrists.  Perhaps I’m not knitting correctly.  Tension problems are common for new needleworkers.  I’ve seen the problems of crocheting too tightly in a couple of the people who have asked me to teach them.  Being a newbie knitter doesn’t go as easily if you don’ know any more skilled knitters to deffer to in times of doubt.  If my mother weren’t so very far away, I’m sure she’s sort it out and tell me just what I was doing wrong that makes knitting so painful.  So, in my aching defeat, I will return to sewing.  It was just a tiny little red cotton scarf I was knitting, simple garter stitch beginner stuff made more challenging by tiny needles and thin cotton yarn, probably nothing that my doll, Loolu, would wear very much, but it was something to keep my hands busy while I watched television.

In other news, there’s a very interesting site I’ve found called Swap-Bot.  While I just did my first organzied swap on the site, I’ve been a member for a while.  The one-on-ones trades message board always got me distracted, it’s quicker than waiting for a organized swap deadlines.  I felt bad, my part of the swap went out a bit late, but it was well-recieved.  I got my package just the other day, some nice stickers and starter bits to nudge me towards some paper crafts,  not my usual tastes, but it’s fun to try new stuff.

As a friend to a resin darling, I’ve found myself wondering if there’s a way to get around shipping costs from Asia, and I’ve found it!  Trading doll items with another collector is a perfect way to keep the doll-budget in line and to get new stuff without spending much.  For example, my doll came with a white wig, which was lovely, but not at all suited to her persona.  On a message board I found someone selling off some of their dolls’ wigs, who just so happened to be in the market for a white wig.  We swapped wigs, I sent off my white one and a few days later got a fabulously soft red and blue tipped blond mohair wig in the mail.  Be warned, certain message boards aren’t moderated to the extent of others, the board I found the wig on is a heavily moderated on which provides an area for member feedback on transactions.  Sometimes I’ll be talking to someone about a trade and get a queasy warning in my gut that they’re not going to follow through and I’ll politely back away, but that’s only acceptable up until the point that the transaction is finalized, ie addresses have been traded and agreements made.  Overall though, I’ve had great experiences in swapping, and it’s a fun way to get to know other collectors.