dilemma - to felt or not to felt and other "altered art"

Sort of. I actually agree about the sweaters - unless it looks already starting to be threadbare, or wonky. Then you can felt it, make a pillow, a purse, put it to some use - thinking of it as recycling. We've been donating a lot of clothes the past couple of years, and honestly, when I do that, especially things that are really just fine, fit, etc - I do it thinking of helping someone who needs that.

No problem with razoring a book when the part is to be used for something. When I was a little kid, my mom actually bought a 2nd set of the kiddie encyclopedia (like 1st grade) and I was able to cut it up to use in doing projects. I loved that, and it started some great arts/crafts things. But, I would freak if I saw someone damaging a library book. Also, will say, that since I was about 9 in painting lessons started collecting reference images. So, I am a remover of photos from mags (and recipes) then will recycle the unneeded remainder.

That said - being a hard core lots of science/math person, I started writing in my textbooks that were my own. Even in high school for some classes (back in the not quite dark ages) I had to buy some texts at the local college (like chem, physics workbooks, 2ndary texts, and my math texts for special stats course) - and I found that writing in the margins, or in those missing math derivation steps, helped. So, it continued, and I have always used highlighter in texts, and written formula/worked out missing steps. I think my thermo texts are full of arrows in margins to show the order of what is happening (hey, it's an esoteric subject anyhow).

I kind of like a little pencil in a margin if you're thinking about something when you're reading - even if it's a definition of some tough term. Have upon occasion done in a novel (especially Saul Bellow books) - shows the reader was into the book. OTOH, nothing crude. I do tend to keep my books, so....

As you can see, yes on the sweaters, not so much on the books. Would hate if someone razored just a page and then put the book back for others, or just wasted it.

Ellice

I love books - nearly worship them. I couldn't destroy a Danielle Steele book and I can't stand her as a writer. I suppose if I found one with most of the pages already missing.

I guess the search for a junked sweater continues

If I can find the citron green one that I accidently felted in washing, I can send it to you - if you want it.....

Ellice

Change to e-readers, no probs then. I am now accumulating without totally filling my space lol

YES!!!!!

LOL

Okie dokie - I think I may actually know where it is.....

Ellice

LOL - it's a miracle!!!!

Too true. However, in general, it's not that I don't know where things are, but rather if I can get to them. As DH has been doing his own version of "puttering" that means while I tend to go thru and put things either where they're going in the house, to be donated, or to the trash - he seems to just make new piles... Maybe it's a guy thing. And then there's my fear of the dust bunnies.....

Anyhow - I'm getting close to visiting the po - so I'll try to go & unbury the felted sweater and send it with whatever else.

Ellice

Why not find a local sheep farmer and buy raw wool for felting? Often time the 'tag' wool is tossed due to manure content. But I have run some of it through the washer and found it fine for use in felting or stuffing quilts.

I would - but the project I've been interested in starts with a sweater for felting.

I can get my hands on raw wool - the neighbor up the street has connections with the local ag school

Cheryl