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Oct 8, 2012

The Universe Provides (one week late) or "In Celebration of Free"



Synchronicity is spooky.  Not one week after blogging about my need for plastic storage containers, look what I found on the street today -- the very same day, in fact, that I dropped off two bags of discards at the Salvation Army.  Coincidence?



These large plastic Sterilite drawer containers are stackable, though I've found that if there's too much weight placed on them, the white plastic frames bend and the drawers don't close completely.   No, I think these are best for lighter, more bulky things -- polyfleece perhaps.  Or crinolines.



These containers were sitting in a neat trash pile outside an apartment building adjacent to the health food store I was exiting.  Obviously the original owner had tried to peel off the paper labels -- a big mistake, I've found from personal experience, unless you're really committed to the task, which takes roughly twenty minutes each.  It's much easier to leave them on.



No doubt you're wondering if this means I'm going to return the plastic containers I bought last week at The Container Store.  The answer is no.  Now that I am living fully the plastic container lifestyle, I am hoping eventually to place everything I own in one -- myself included.   Plastic is so easy to dust and since they're clear, you can see what's inside them without opening them.  I can't say that about my mid-century credenza.  I wouldn't be surprised if my Ken doll collection ends up in one soon.  It's always good to rotate the display pieces occasionally.

Speaking of free: yesterday I received a vintage pattern I'd purchased on eBay, which I'd show you except I promised I wouldn't discuss this particular item again this year; and the seller -- clearly in a state of decluttering dementia -- included three additional patterns at no extra charge!  How nice is that?

Here are the bonus patterns:







The Butterick envelope should look like this.



OK, OK, here's the pattern I actually purchased.  I'm not saying a word about it though, except that next summer we may be reenacting classic scenes from Lover Come Back.





And that's today's excitement, folks.

Oh, I almost forgot: I watched a new(ish) movie I actually enjoyed -- Up in the Air starring George Clooney.  It was intelligent, moving, funny, and extremely well acted.  I couldn't believe it.

OK, I'm off to stuff my containers.  Have a great day, everybody!

20 comments:

  1. I really like the jacket on the first pattern. I love the way the neckline sits. The swimsuit is lovely and I look forward to seeing Lover Come Back reenacted on these pages. Cathy, of course, will be Doris Day but who will be Rock Hudson?

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  2. You are the Karma King, Peter!

    Your notoriety likely is the reason that the ebay seller gifted you the free patterns (and maybe you paid nearly or over $30) for the swimsuit pattern, and he/she was hoping for a linked mention???

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Oops, found a typo. Trying again:

      Aw, don't be so cyncical WallDruggie. Maybe the seller was just a nice person. Selling damaged or imperfect items is often not worth the effort it takes to get them listed, so why not give them away? I do it all the time. I also give away perfect but inexpensive items as thank-you freebies. It's just a gesture of good will.

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  3. I love that swimsuit! It just looks so supportive....

    I never really got the whole George Clooney thing until I saw Up in the Air. A very satisfying combination of humour and pathos.

    And the title sequence is beautiful.

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  4. Hi Peter,
    I sent the extra patterns because I am a fan of your blog. I'm not really a big, or even small ebay seller, I am just auctioning off a few patterns I know I will not use. The extra patterns I sent you might be missing instructions and I did not check to see if they are complete (I did check for the swimsuit). I am a beginner so I thought you might be able to do without the instructions or give them away if you didn't fancy them. Also, I couldn't believe it when I saw your name, I told my husband "I know who this buyer is, I actually follow his blog!!!" I just didn't want to be creepy and be all "hey, i know who you are..." lol Anyway, I hope you enjoy your new to you patterns.

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    1. Arellis, thanks a million. You really made my day!

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    2. Oh, I love it when people meet up like this! How fun!

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  5. Hey Peter I think that movie is great too. And to get the labels off the plastic use eucalyptus oil and just rub over it and leave for a couple of minutes and it will come off. Use a bit more to clean off the residue. If you haven't got eucalyptus oil I have also use olive oil and kero.

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  6. Do you know what gets those sticky labels off? Orange oil. I keep some for cooking, but it is great for getting that sticky stuff off. Don't get it on your clothes, it will stain.

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  7. They have a product for this: Goo Gone. Works like a charm! Actually, pretty much anything greasy will work to dissolve label glue.(vaseline or mineral oil work REALLY well!) But Goo Gone is great because it evaporates and doesn't leave any greasy residue behind. I recommend peeling off as much of the label as possible to remove any plastic film that it may have on it, and then putting a few drops of Goo Gone on to cover. After a minute or two the adhesive will have come loose; I recommend about 5 minutes or more for oil; it works much more slowly. Rubbing alcohol also works to remove labels and gummy left-behind spots in some cases as does nail polish remover, but one has to be careful as finishes can (and usually do!) come off with this stuff as well! Goo Gone seems to not have this problem, but I recommend first testing a hidden spot to make sure you don't ruin whatever it is you are putting it on!

    oh and great pattern score, too, Peter! And gee, looks like you are a serious "sewing CELEBRITY" now! ;-) Sandra Betzina better watch out!

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    1. I second that recommendation - Goo Gone is AWESOME for removing stickers and their residue. Smells pleasant, too.

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  8. That beach jacket looks like a version of the unatractively named Norfolk slop.

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  9. Pick up some goo be gone...great for taking labels off anything!

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  10. Those nice clear containers make it easy to see OUT of too, once you put yourself inside.
    I have 6 of them stacked up with fabric inside as I type. Yes some of the bottom ones are a tiny bit open, but I don't care. I love going through my stored fabric, it's like shopping without having to pay!
    Wish someone would send me a nice pencil skirt pattern.

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  11. For removing glue, labels etc. I cannot recommend enough 'Sticky Stuff Remover'
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000TAT4GM/ref=mp_s_a_3?pi=SL75&qid=1349821537&sr=8-3 :-)

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  12. I'm seriously jealous of your free containers. My plastic container addiction is just barely eclipsed by my fabric addiction! (As my 25 neatly stacked Rubbermaid 18-gallon plastic totes in my basement can attest.)

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    1. Wow and I thought 5 was too many. I feel a lot better.

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  13. That Vogue pattern at the top with the little jacket is scrumptious - lucky you!

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  14. That pattern which must not be named is beautiful. Cathy might need a boob job though. Or some extra padding.

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