Fru-Gal Friends

Subject: Second Life..... Fri 15 Feb 2008, 1:26 pm

What items do you have or that you can give a second life to,,for reusing a item for a new purpose..this way saving it from the landfill,,,(green) and not buying something in its place(frugal). idea

Such as,,one of my canisters had a broken lid,,so now I use it to hold the large serving spoons, spatulas on my counter,,looks great! cheers

We also have a large tin,,like the kind those popcorn tins are in stores especially around holidays..we reuse it as a ash bucket when we clean out the wood stove. cheers

I have butter tubs with lids to hold crayons. cheers

I am looking for a trash can for my craft sewing room....Im looking for something now to re-purpose it,,unless I find one at the thrift shops.

I have in with my sewing, Im using old jars that once held olives,,are now holding buttons. cheers

Subject: Re: Second Life..... Fri 15 Feb 2008, 2:58 pm

I reuse lots of jars and containers that items come in. Or I recycle them. I just cleaned out an empty spice bottle to keep a cinnamon and sugar mixture in for the kids as they love that sprinkled on toast. I just had an idea. I will have to keep my swiffer wet containers when empty so I can store the kids markers, crayons and such
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Vicki

Subject: Re: Second Life..... Fri 15 Feb 2008, 3:47 pm

Very clever, Donna & Vicki.

I save alot of butter containers, or sour cream containers, etc to put leftovers in. No matter if I have a small amount or large amount, I've got the perfect size container needed.

I also save glass jars so I can make my sweet & sour pickles.

Not only that, I've been saving everything I can imagine for the "Gifts of Good Taste" ideas that I've been getting.

I think i'm becomging MORE of a pack rat than I was at the other house.

:-)

~M
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"It is not how much money you make - it is how you spend it."

Subject: Re: Second Life..... Fri 15 Feb 2008, 3:49 pm

I have a tablecloth that I used on our old dining room table. It's too small for the new table, so I'm going to cut it up and make the cloths that we wrap the food in for the Easter blessing. Hopefully, next year, I'll be able to hand embroider something on them.

I have an old jar with buttons stored in them. The buttons are the extra buttons you get when you purchase new clothes items.

We re-use old towels and dh's old t-shirts for rags. I use his old socks for dusting the furniture or applying wood stain or for wiping down the outside windowsills.

Subject: Re: Second Life..... Fri 15 Feb 2008, 4:46 pm

I found a great tablecloth recently it just wasnt long enough for the table so I made napklins

I have an old bread box that now used as a snack box
I have button jar and a rag box

I took an old shower liner and folded in into 4th I sewed together
I put under the boot racks it works great and I needed to replace the rug in front of the washer I had DH cut the old office floor mat I have nice large mat ...

I have a small table in the kitchen my DH and I have our devotions at it and usually have our quiet time .. it was had to find table clothes I found that a top single bed sheet is big enough to cover it nice and there enough to make 4 napkins.
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Gayla

"They take great pride in making their dinner cost much; I take my pride in making my dinner cost so little."

---Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Subject: Re: Second Life..... Fri 15 Feb 2008, 6:22 pm

Lots of good ideas ladies.

I keep old bedsheets and use them for drop-cloths (protection) when painting or if DH is sanding, etc. This saves me from buying the plastic ones.

I keep old toothbrushes and use them for scrubbing around the taps in the bathroom.

I converted an empty coffee can into my savings tin Wink

DH uses lots of empty jars for small bits & pieces in the garage, he has attached the lids to the ceiling (so they're up out of the way) and simply screws the jar onto the lid.

I have a few old t-shirts which I love and don't want to part with, but are a little faded, so I retire them to my sleepwear drawer as spare pyjama tops.

I use an old, large, ice-cream container for my sewing box.

I've made curtains from bedsheets and couch-covers.

I'm using old suitcases for extra underbed storage.

I'm sure there's more I can't think of right now Smile

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~ By sowing frugality we reap liberty, a golden harvest. --Agesilaus ~

Subject: Re: Second Life..... Fri 15 Feb 2008, 6:36 pm

Wow Skin you do a lot of this....I do the old toothbrush thing for cleaning around sink fixtures and tile....I use old towels for rags too, and the old t-shirts for sleeping...
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Love is a fruit, in season at all times and within the reach of every hand. Anyone may gather it and no limit is set. ~ Mother Teresa

Subject: Re: Second Life..... Fri 15 Feb 2008, 9:14 pm

These are great tips and points.Right now as things gets used up and emptied I am putting aside for candles.I have scents and wax,,just need to pick up some wicks,I have 3 containers so far.

In my craft room,,I am creating a kids corner..a cabinet that is gonna hold anything and everything for the grandkids to do crafts with,,ribbons paint containers,,papers etc.

Subject: Re: Second Life..... Fri 15 Feb 2008, 9:16 pm

M,,what are the Gifts of good taste,,what kind of things do es this book mention?