In the universe, there are forces so great that they are impossible to resist. Gravity, the smell of bacon cooking and string.
Those who know me tolerate and pander to this particular foible. Hubs found me a vintage twine cloche just before Christmas, and the string that Monica brought back from Stockholm fits perfectly inside and in my living room.
See, decorative function. Because string is pretty. This spool I made from a piece of driftwood we picked up on holiday, and when I see it, it makes me happy on so many levels. Form and function.
But it doesn't have to look fancy - I am just as content with the utility versions. They seem to hold in their orderly wraps such endless possibilities.
I could show you more - the hairy nutscene stuff that I own in 6 different colours, the big rolls of baker's twine in red and green, the teeny tiny spools of cotton string in ice-cream colours, the Bonne Maman jar in the kitchen jammed with two varieties of indestructible nylon stuff.
When Tess asked recently what we have lots of, but can never resist, I had to think carefully about it. But really, the answer was staring me in the face all the time. Answers are like that sometimes.
* String theory attempts to provide a complete, unified, and consistent description of the fundamental structure of our universe. My theory is simply that you can never have too much string in the house.
u made me laugh (outloud!)
Posted by: mrs button | 02 January 2012 at 19:21
Wow, even more of an addict than I am! Envious now, especially of the cloche! Do you like brown paper too? And, and in the background of your first shot, the box, did you cover it with newspaper? It looks fab.
Posted by: Toffeeapple | 02 January 2012 at 19:30
quite brilliant! stringtastic even!
Posted by: driftwood | 02 January 2012 at 19:32
funny... its addictive that stringy stuff... happy new year
Posted by: suzie sews at Dotty Red | 02 January 2012 at 19:33
Clearly I need more string in my life.
Posted by: Sue | 02 January 2012 at 19:41
Ali You are a woman after my own heart! My grandmother Eva used to save every last scrap of string, she had a deep drawer in her kitchen dresser stuffed with it, salvaged and new. I blame her for my need to always be well supplied with the stuff.
Posted by: Annie | 02 January 2012 at 19:46
I spy galvanised wire and driftwood. With string on. I'm very happy indeed.
A vintage twine cloche? Really? I need one.
Posted by: Emma | 02 January 2012 at 20:54
Well done hubs. I spied that twine cloche during my Christmas gift surfing. For me, it's ribbon - too pretty to use, or share.
Posted by: Cat | 02 January 2012 at 21:15
I just realized all my string is hidden away...I wonder what that says about me? I might have to get it out of the string drawer and into the light.
Posted by: Jodie | 02 January 2012 at 21:27
My goodness.
I didn't think you could outdo that last post and now I read this?!
That cloche! My heart!
Posted by: blackbird | 02 January 2012 at 22:23
I never use string. Do I need to use string?
Posted by: The Coffee Lady | 03 January 2012 at 07:36
Having read the post and the comments I've discovered that it's not only a useful thing, it's a good word too. String!
Posted by: Wendy | 03 January 2012 at 08:49
I can do anything, anything at all, with a big ball of string.
Posted by: Amanda | 03 January 2012 at 10:49
Its scissors with me. Happy New Year. May all your string be knotless.
Posted by: jmcardy@gmail.com | 03 January 2012 at 10:56
I was going to say you're quite bonkers... BUT... I can actually understand.... string is wonderful, you're right.
By fuelling your obsession I remained convinced I'm quite sane whilst enjoying it by proxi.
YOu string away my friend!
Posted by: Monica | 03 January 2012 at 11:25
Um. So I have a secret strong obsession and a secret problem to go along with it. What the heck do you do with it?
Posted by: Megan | 03 January 2012 at 19:48
You stringaholic! But I can see why, it's very covetable.
Posted by: French Knots | 03 January 2012 at 20:33
Well... have never eaten bacon and am left cold by string (though your stripy stuff is pretty). Bits of coloured glass, now...
Posted by: isabelle | 03 January 2012 at 21:14
So its not just me that loves string. My family have been ridiculing me for soooo long. There used to be the most wonderful string shop in Edinburgh just off the Grass Market. I loved to just go in and the smell of all that jute string. Amazing. Sadly, I don't think its there any more.
Posted by: Nicola | 05 January 2012 at 20:14
Ah, string. I too adore it & am very jealous of your cloche. What a well trained husband you have!
Posted by: Victoria | 06 January 2012 at 09:48
I love baker's twine particularly and can totally understand your need to stockpile string! One of my favourite presents I bought for others this year was a little wooden string spool, complete with ball of string and a tiny pair of scissors stowed in the top. The cloche is gorgeous.
Hope you had a lovely Christmas, and wishing you a very happy new year!
Posted by: Helen | 06 January 2012 at 20:31
Oh my goodness, I've found someone else who loves string! I use it to tie up gifts, and I have given it as gifts. I particularly like your blue and white decorative string, very classy!
Posted by: Lynne Kovan | 07 January 2012 at 10:50
I once bought my husband a beautiful ball of string from a specialist hardware shop. I don't think he ever appreciated it but I used it as an ornament for many years.
Posted by: Jennyff | 10 January 2012 at 12:11