A Treasure Chest of Love

Normally I would wait until the next FYS post to share, but I couldn't contain my excitement. I've bought so much yarn lately, I had no place to put it. I outgrew the Ikea wicker chest and the sweater bin. Yarn was piling up on my desk, in boxes under my desk and even downstairs in bins we keep under the coffee table. Projects I've started recently to be "stash busters" didn't really work out. Sure they took up yarn I had in my stash, but they also caused me to buy more to finish them, growing my yarn garden faster than I could crochet.

I talk like it is a problem, something that needs to be solved. Of course, I love having a growing stash of yarn. It's comforting to know that I could start several projects on a whim without having to run to the store for the perfect color/weight/fiber. I love looking at the pretty colors and feeling the soft fibers.

Instead of finding ways to solve my "problem", what did I do? I bought more yarn...that's right, I have 19 skeins coming soon from Smiley's. If you don't mind having a minimum order of $50, I'd highly recommend checking them out. The shipping is a little high, but the yarn prices are so cheap, you still come out ahead compared to normal store prices. The order should arrive at the end of this week or beginning of next, just in time for October's FYS post!

So, what's the point of my post? This BEAUTIFUL new solution to my problem:



My amazing husband didn't protest when I ordered 19 more skeins of yarn, instead he pointed out that I needed something new to hold it all. We talked about going back to Ikea to get a matching basket like the one I already had or try and find something a little different. He had the amazing idea of going to the local antique malls to see if we could find something a little more unique.

We were almost to the end of the antique mall, when I looked up on top of a tall cabinet and saw the chest from above. I could see the tag on it, only $59. It was perfect, or at least it looked like it would be. We got assistance on getting it down, and I opened it. P.E.R.F.E.C.T. Even better? The guy said he would knock of $10 bucks. So, we only paid $49 for a beautifully built, old solid wood chest. Not bad considering we paid $35-40 for the much smaller, flimsy Ikea basket I have currently holding the yarn.

When I got home, I pulled out the Old English and cleaned it up. I noticed, once a few wipes of Old English set in, it has black writing on the top, a name. I can't totally make it out, but it looks like it used to be owned by a Lieutenant. I love how beaten and battered it is on the outside, but how pristine it is inside. Pretty damn cool, isn't it?

Here's more pics! I'll share pics of my yarn inside the chest and it in it's staying place in the next Flash Your Stash post.