Snippets, The Lonely Heart, and More…

What might this little wad of loveliness be? Why it’s a “Snippet Roll”. A Snippet Roll is a repository for all those little bits we just cannot part with, but that pile up in the sewing room. I first noticed Snippet Rolls on Carole Brungar’s Madness and Mess blog, but now have seen them on many textile blogs, especially those with a vintage theme. They make for a very satisfying hand work project, stitching all those embellishments and trims. Rolled up they are tiny, pretty, and inviting.



Once unrolled, there’s a lot more to look at. This Snippet Roll began when I paid the shipping for a selection of ephemera from Kimberly’s studio at Art Joy Stuff. It arrived in the mail last week, one fully stuffed envelope filled with Valentine-themed trims and ephemera. The photos are below. After adding to the collection, I started the Snippet Roll with a long muslin strip to which I stitched lace and small paper images. Then I hand stitched even more little bits that seemed to go with the theme- handmade beads, yo-yos, buttons, sequins. I added a few pieces of lace to the back side with glue just to cover some of the stitching while keeping it flat and avoiding adding bulk. At the top, I made a fold-over sleeve through which I threaded the baker’s string. That string allows me to tie the roll closed, or hang it on the wall when it’s open.




This tin was one of the containers filled with goodies. I’m a big fan of tins, too, so this fits right into the sewing room collection.




Do you remember Schraft’s chocolates? The other container was this vintage Schraft’s candy box which was also stuffed with paper and fiber bits.



Here’s a peek inside the heart tin. It’s not as if I don’t have bits of lace and other items quite similar to these in my own sewing room. No, it’s just that other peoples’ stuff is better! I always feel that way at a quilt class when I look around the room and see everyone else’s fabrics. Their stuff is just better.



Kimberly had placed a Bingo card neatly wrapped with pink lace, ribbon, and sequins on top in the candy box. And there was more beneath it. I immediately began sifting through and the contents sparked the Snippet Roll. Being pretty spontaneous with projects, everything else got set aside while I jumped in to make the Snippet Roll. And I didn’t stop until it was done. Plus I started another one! They are great fun.



Since we’re discussing good things coming in the mail and ephemera, it’s a good time to mention the very intriguing and thoughtful post on “Ephemera vs. Hoarding” at Creatology. It’s all about sorting, storing, and saving all of the wonderful collectibles and memorabilia we gather. And it’s also good time to  show you the gorgeous bubble wand I received from Creatology, just because she’s generous and surprises her followers with a hand-crafted gift from time to time. It was my time, and this wonderful beaded and wrapped wire bubble wand arrived in the mail. Don’t you love it?




Over the years, I’ve collected things that just cannot be discarded. This Christmas card was made by a woman in her 80s who still did tatting. Those little flowers are so delicate. I’m not sure where I found the hosiery mending kit. Hosiery mending! Imagine. But inside are needle and several colors of thread, along with 5 sticky tabs meant to moisten and apply to a run to stop it. It was an advertising promotional put out by Wonder Bread. And now it’s just a collectible, because who needs to repair hosiery anymore? It’s an anachronism, and lots of people wouldn’t even know what the little kit was intended for. I also strolled by the free table at our guild and saw the lonely heart below lying there. It’s all hand quilted and nobody wanted it. I couldn’t just leave the heart there, now could I? It's too pretty to be lonely. And that’s the story of my burgeoning collection of bits and pieces of this and that. All of it just follows me home!