Re-purposing

Think I am developing a greater and more deeply rooted awareness of and appreciation for re-purposing materials.  I read somewhere once that the true meaning of frugal didn't imply lack or stinginess, but rather, utilizing something to its optimum capacity or ability.  Seeing how you can use something in varying ways. I love this.


I think this propensity has always been strong within my constitution, and I love seeing it begin to develop in Nate. Isn't mindfulness a natural complement to frugality? Being aware of what you have? 


No surprise I love to thrift. We had a couple of plain shades in our den/living area that were in desperate need of color. For $1.56 I picked up a floral print sheet at the thrift:

On first go, there were a few bubbles under the fabric- the cotton is thin and I didn't back it with anything. One of my best friends, JoAnne, recommended using a wrapping paper roll tube to help evenly lay out the fabric. It helped tremendously.  Working with these materials made me desperately miss my sewing machine, to work my hands along that beautiful, old machine. It also reminds me I need to spend more time with my creative self.  As for the machine, anything lost comes around in another form, I suppose. I am just waiting for the other form. 


Though when it comes to re-purposing, I haven't been creative enough to figure out what to do with our stainless steel paper towel stand. I'm not even sure where we inherited it- I think the last time we bought paper towels was a small pack sometime last year. Aside from toilet paper, our home is essentially paper-free. We use cloth napkins, cloth rags to clean, and cloth towels in our kitchen. So the holder is going to the thrift this weekend. More on impact later.