Time's on My Side

I have to say decorating on a budget would be exasperating except for the fact I have time on my side.  In a major metropolitan area like where I live there are tons of thrift shop options to review.  There have been eight such stores in my recent past and there hasn't been one I've walked away empty-handed.  However, one needs a good deal of time to make this work.  First there's the time needed to plan, like making decisions about the style, the colour, arrangements etc.  Then one needs time to measure the sizes for the pieces and recording these measurements in a way that is useful when shopping.  Finally, one spends a great deal of time in the shops themselves, speculating about whether something there will work into your now revised plan because they have something like what you have in mind, but not exactly the thing.  Using that intuitive part of my personality, the part that enjoys contemplating possibilities, has been very helpful.  Having a friend, Nancy, willing to join me on many of these adventures has just made the entire experience that much more enjoyable.

A few items of furniture have been purchased brand new, like the bed, the couch, a couple of poufs, but other major items like the chairs and dining room set are used and either purchased or given to me.  The tricky part, at least for me, is having all the measurements for everything I need with me when I'm shopping.  Since these types of purchases are final, one does need to be sure whatever is purchased will work, if not in the first intended place, at least somewhere in the mix.  It seems I finally have all the measurements I need now in one place.  (Yesterday, I purchased a 24 inch X 24 inch picture frame with a white matte hoping it would work to frame a 12 inch X 12 inch photo.  And luckily for me, it did.)

There are still little rats' nests that haven't quite found a solution, like the wireless modem and router sitting in a puddle on the floor, where to keep the laptop and iPad so they are usable but not causing a mess, and proper end and side tables, but by and large most of the big stuff is in place.  Here's photos of a few of my favorite finds:

One of two contemporary $70 chairs

$30 lamp and the photo frame

One of two gifted lamps from my kids

Very affordable and design-perfect kitchen clock

The "J" was a gift but the shelving again, a thrift shop find

So even though decorating my condo continues, the pace has slowed down rather dramatically.  I have to admit it is great to not be on the hunt for a certain piece of furniture each time I leave the building now.  There's enough items in place I can be quite comfortable and bring in other pieces as they appear.  But time's been on my side with this enterprise; retirement allowed me to spend it to help save money.

Knitting, well yes, another one-quarter of my Arches and Columns scarf is complete making it three-quarters finished.  Interesting thing happened as I was winding the last couple of balls of yarn.  One is slightly different from all the rest.  Now normally one needs to be pretty picky about making sure the lot numbers of yarn match, but the five I purchased were bundled together in a plastic bag by the yarn shop so I didn't think to do the check.  Can you see the difference between the ball on top and the one on the bottom?

Yes, there's extra sparkle and more wool on the one on the bottom.  Apparently the thread used to attach the sequins on the more sparkly ball is metallic and the bamboo, a part of the top skein has been replaced with wool on the bottom one. (I know it is harder to tell in the photos; in person, well the difference obviously is also hard to tell too, but more apparent.)   I did not notice this until the two balls were placed side by side, because it is so subtle.  I don't think I'll use this final one skein on Arches and Columns; it will probably be used for something else, unless I decide this scarf needs fringe.  But what fun and an another unexpected find.

My Arches and Columns scarf ever growing

Again, back to Arches and Columns, it is now 48 inches, 122 cm long.  By the time it is complete it should be about 6 feet or just under 2 meters long; and that will only grow as it is blocked.  So I'm happy I purchased the right amount of matching yarn, even if it was by mistake.

Speaking of completing a project, my knit buddy from Greater Vancouver, Pam, sent these photos along.

Pam's completed Notre Dam scarf

They show off Pam's completed Notre Dam scarf knit with Ava yarn by Classic Elite Yarns.  It is even more beautiful now that it's completely blocked; I know her daughter will love it.  Oh, Pam writes she liked doing it so well she plans to knit up another in a different colour for herself.  Thanks, Pam for letting me share your work and to Pam and Tena, I can't wait to get back to town for our Thursday night, Knit Nights!