I snatched this from a free pile over the weekend.
We were returning home-I was tired-We passed a free pile in front of someone's home-One daughter asked if we could turn around-I obliged.
My daughter was after a pair of roller blades in the pile. My other daughter saw some bottles that she thought would make good sketching pieces. I just sat in the car and waited for the two of them to finish fishing through someone's
Besides the fact that the photography in the magazine is truly beautiful, what makes a foreign language magazine or book so suitable for use in crafting, gift wrap or gift tags is that with text in another language, it adds to, rather than distracts from, the decorative aspect.
Do you remember the small, squat canning jars that I picked up on clearance a month ago? I mentioned they would become part of this Christmas's gifting, using some for beeswax candles. I'm thinking that maybe some of those jars would be nice filled with homemade mustard. Pages from this magazine would make nice wrapping for kitchen-inspired gifts.
Even the pages which are mostly text have decorative appeal.
You've trained you daughters well to search for free treasures. I'm glad they were along to coax you out of the car because look what you found. Using the magazines that way is a clever idea.
ReplyDeleteHi live and learn,
DeleteI think scouring free sources for usable "stuff" is something that is "bred" out of us by discouraging parents and peers. I still have a bit of that "oooh, don't touch that, there are germs" reflex. But my daughters don't have that, at least not yet. The funniest thing about that germ-phobic reflex is that after I own the thing for a day, I forget all about how germy I originally thought an item was. I'm looking forward to using the magazine in fun and unique ways! Have a great day, live and learn!
Speaking of germs, I am beginning a collection of silverware found in hedges, parking lots, etc. I first picked up a few pieces and used them for things like gardening because I would never put something that I found in the ground in my mouth. I've gotten over that. I scrub them well with some germ killing stuff and just use them. I've dropped my own silverware on the ground and eaten off of it after I've washed it. It's really all the same. Or maybe not. It may still sound gross to some, but I have a favorite serving spoon that I found in a parking lot.
DeleteOkay, so your collection is an unusual one for me, silverware collected from hedges and parking lots. I have to say, I have never found a piece on non-plastic silverware, outdoors, before. I think the picnickers in your area have classier shindigs than in my area.
DeleteYou bring up a really good point, though. When we eat in restaurants, we don't expect the server to bring us brand new silverware. They wash and reuse it all, and we're perfectly fine with that. Same with sheets and pillows in hotels. And the magazines that I may read while sitting in a waiting room are not exactly pristine, either. Something for me to think about. . .
I love how your brain works so quickly to imagine unique opportunities with just about everything that comes your way. And kudos to your daughters to entice you to "have a look".
ReplyDeleteHi Jayne,
DeleteI know. I was being a stick in the mud, at that moment. I didn't want to deprive my daughters of the fun of a free pile. It's a good thing I was willing to at least let them have a close look. They're good daughters.
I think what makes this find so great is that a French language magazine is not something I can go into a local store and buy.
Have a wonderful day, Jayne!
You are right that there is decorative appeal with foreign language text. Also, at least half a century old, browned text book pages (in our English language) are prized and highly desirable to have on hand for mixed media art. Some people shop thrift stores to look for these ancient treasures. I've been throwing this kind of books away thinking they don't have any value, being so dated.
ReplyDeleteSo nice when young people are frugal. Yesterday, my husband suggested going thrifting to our granddaughter, and much to our surprise her answer was, "sure!". I told her that I regularly scout thrift stores for craft supplies, and recently bought about $20 worth of origami paper for $2. Last year was her first time going to a thrift store, so I was thrilled my intention of introducing her to thrift stores last year has worked. She bought two picture frames and three glass storage jars for her room decor. Our grandchildren will not be strangers to this way of saving. The next stop was Walmart to buy supplies we couldn't find. And we ended up going to the shopping mall and spending some, but at least the seeds of saving are planted and shown how.
Have a great day!!
YHF
Hi YHF,
DeleteI'm so glad that your granddaughter finds thrifting to be a fun activity, too. This is going to be a fun summer for all of you. One of the wonderful things about thrift stores/garage sales/free piles is that you can sometimes find things which are no longer sold, or not sold nearby. My daughters like shopping for their clothes at thrift stores not just for the low prices, but also because they find items, there, that they haven't seen in the regular stores.
Have a great day, yourself, YHF!
For some reason, the French language seems even more "decorative" to me. Those look like beautiful magazines! What a fun way to use them!
ReplyDeleteHi Kris,
DeleteI think I agree about it being French. Italian would also be very nice for kitchen-related gifts. Have a great day.
Bailey and I like to sift thru those kind of piles too, lol. My Dad just picked up the cutest two seater bench as a curb find. I told him he could resell it easily for the extra money.
ReplyDeleteHi Belinda,
DeleteOh what a nice find. I see furniture out for free this time of year and have to remind myself that I have no room for big things. However, selling a free-find is a great idea. Have a lovely day, Belinda.
I like your idea of using those magazine pages in this way...lovely and it is a great way to "reduce, reuse, recycle" which are words I try to live by.
ReplyDeleteMary
Hi Mary,
DeleteI didn't think of it as part of three R's, but you're absolutely right. Using the pages for crafting/wrapping not only finds a new use for something old, but it prevents the manufacture of several sheets of scrapbook or wrapping paper.
Have a lovely day, Mary.