Take one box ...

which my dear sis bought for me as a present when my son Ben was born 11 1/2 years ago.  It was a luxury to have such a fabulous box to hold all those wonderful baby bits and bobs in one place.  Previously, for my daughter Katie, I'd used a large cardboard box.  It was perfectly adequate for the job, but this one was far nicer and probably sturdier too.  I told my sis that it wouldn't go to waste, and would always be used for something or other.

Well, that seems to have been the case.  In it's 11 year life not only has it been used for storing nappies, but it's been a toy box for the car, an art box for the kids, a storage box for materials (before my collection grew out of hand), a collage bits and bobs box again for the kids, a grooming box for the horse and finally (and I have to add after a triple thorough clean), a box to hold all my sewing paraphernalia.

It was perfect for holding the horses's grooming kit, but after some slightly rough treatment from horse and continuous rough treatment from the resident dogs the lid decided to part company with the box.  This was actually quite a sad moment for me as it has stood up to so much until then!  Black duct tape did done a fabulous job of holding the two together, but it refused to keep any rain out and any stray dogs hoping for a quick nose inside!  At Christmas, I receive a specially designed grooming box which doubles as a mounting block so this box needed a new home and boy did I know what it would be used for.

Now, it proudly holds a shoe box of ribbons, a box of buttons, two tin boxes of brooch catches and keyrings, another box of lovely charm gems and special buttons, a set of drawers containing beads of various sizes, glue, scissors, applicators and an assortment of current sewing makes that require finishing - all in one convenient place.  No more hopping back to the work room to fetch this or that, I just lug this box and my actual sewing box to wherever I need to be.  It's pretty darn heavy too, so it's also giving my arm muscles a good work out too every day!

I wonder what it'll be used for next?