Make do and Mend

‘Make do and Mend’ That classic and wonderful quote from wartime Britain, rings true… Something my wonderful nan used to say, ‘Mend, Reuse and Love’.  Like that yummy bread pudding she used to make from stale old bread and gorgeous woolly scarves she knitted that were always far to long, but were much loved.

I have always tried to reuse, fix (sometimes with terrible results, namely with super glue) and love old worn out items, that i still treasure and refuse to throw in the bin, like sun bleached t shirts and worn out old shoes.  For some reason they hold precious memories, it’s like thoughts and feelings get absorbed into the fabrics, leather, both happy and sad.

Books with torn edges and flowers pressed between pages, found at old junk shops, adored for years, little notes, handwritten ideas on the back of envelops and scarps of fabric collected ready to use for a rainy day.

My house is full of precious little items that have travelled from place to place, been boxed up, unpacked, boxed up again.  Been with me through childhood, courting, marriage and motherhood.  I always think, i must give them space amongst the clutter, of my everyday mess, but there they sit, happy to just be, a constant reminder of who i am, who i have become and what i will be.


By Deborah Moon aka MoonKo