" W E  A R E  S H A P E D
A N D  F A S H I O N E D
B Y  W H A T  W E  L O V E. "
Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

" O U R  L I F E  I S
F R I T T E R E D  A W A Y
B Y  D E T A I L .
S I M P L I F Y,  S I M P L I F Y."
Henry David Thoreau

" T H R E E  R U L E S  O F  W O R K:

1. O U T  O F  C L U T T E R
F I N D  S I M P L I C I T Y;

2. F R O M  D I S C O R D
F I N D  H A R M O N Y;

3. I N  T H E  M I D D L E  O F
D I F F I C U L T Y  L I E S
O P P O R T U N I T Y."
Albert Einstein

" S O M E T I M E S
H O L D I N G  O N  M A K E S
Y O U  S T R O N G E R;
S O M E T I M E S  I T  I S
L E T T I N G  G O."
Unknown

I come from a family of collectors. My parents dreamed of owning an antique store when my father retired. They collected antique furniture and dishes throughout their lives. They had many treasures and a lot of junk.

When my father moved into a retirement community I brought home 42 boxes of antique dishes. My brothers were ruthless. They did not want antique dishes and they said so. But I looked in my father's eyes and I could not say no.

I clung to those dishes for many years. Some I genuinely wanted because they held wonderful memories, but most were a burden. However, disposing of them felt like a rejection of my family. I was relieved when Gary offered to help me get rid of the things I actually did not want. I really needed his support in a process that was as much grieving the loss of my parents as it was clearing out the dishes.

It is interesting that I have never viewed myself as an accumulator. Most often when I am finished with something I sell it or give it away. I don't want to be weighed down by "stuff."

I usually don't hang on to clothing that I no longer wear. I don't want the clutter in my closet or my life. I believe it is better to pass clothes on to someone who might use them. However, once in a while I do keep garments when there is no clear reason to do so.

This month in a closet purge I discovered an old broom skirt that I had not worn in several years. It was tucked away in a drawer awaiting its destiny. When I discovered it I knew right away that it would become a part of my "Inside the Dress" project.

Now this skirt was never particularly flattering. Could we honestly say that any broom skirt was flattering? It was a relic from a frumpier time. Yet the colours were beautiful and the pattern was bold. I loved it.

As I picked it up I recalled thinking that there would be a use for it some day. It is fascinating to me that it reappeared at just the right time.

I am excited to have found that old skirt. I washed and ironed it then I cut it apart. Now it is ready to become the central fabric in what I imagine will be my final piece for the exhibition. I know exactly what I will do with it.

It is my goal to travel lightly through the world. I don't need to accumulate many things to make myself happy. In fact, I relish the idea of having less rather than more. And yet I derive so much pleasure from my things that are imbued with precious memories. I am certainly not ready to renounce all my worldly possessions. As in most things it is a matter of striking a balance. May we all have a few old treasures to connect us to our past.