Recycling

Several years ago we purchased a paper shredder.  We wanted to get rid of private papers without throwing them in the garbage where dumpster diving might occur.


After we shredded the paper...what to do with it?  At about the same time a friend of mine told me about putting shredded paper in flower beds.  She said you can put the pieces of paper where you don't want weeds to grow and then you can cover up the shredded paper with soil.


We did that.  We have a rose garden with paper under the soil.  Same for our oval garden.  By now it has decayed along with the saw dust.  I have dug in the rose garden to take out the invasive clover, and all I can find is crumbly soil.  After all paper is organic so that it should enrich the soil, and that will make our plants thrive.

Negotiate

I read an inspirational book by Herb Cohen, You Can Negotiate Anything.
In the book Cohen says that we negotiate daily: babies cry to get what they want; some women nag to get what they desire, etc.


He spoke of negotiations between countries, also.  I found the book to be fascinating, informative, and certainly of use to anyone and everyone.


Therefore, we-I-you-  can do the same thing.  We may use more sophisticated means, but we can get what we want.  After I finished the book I decided to try my skills.  I went to a store, not a high end department store, but a good store nonetheless.  This was in March-and I saw two winter jackets, which would fit my boys.  I told the clerk to allow me to speak to her supervisor.


I said something like this to the supervisor: "Winter is over and you are not likely to sell these coats for the $15 you are asking.  (This was 30 years ago.)  Why don't I buy them from you for $10 each?"


The supervisor said, "Great!"  And I walked off having saved $10, and my boys had new coats.  You can do the same thing.  First of all, read the book because it is important you understand several approaches and positions you must take, and, above all, you need to know the other person's position.


A very important component of Negotiating is realizing that each party must get something out of the negotiating.  Both parties must end up happy, not cheated.  If you cheat someone that person will never deal with you again, so what have you gained?

Bargains

Bargains

I needed some pots and pans to distribute to two of my children who were going to live in apartments.  I went into a store and found a shelf with clearance items.  Lo and behold there was a box which held a large set of pots and pans originally for $120 on sale for $30.  It turns out only a lid was missing.  I bought the set, and then I went to a hardware store and bought a lid.  Those two children, now grown, are still using the pots and pans.

Then I found out that other stores have similar shelves or corners where they place items at a clearance price.  Sometimes it is a rack they keep in a certain place.   One store with such a rack had two pajama bottoms reduced by 50%.  I took a coupon they had sent me that offered 40% off.  After using the coupon the pajama bottoms were $6 each.  Great gifts for two of my granddaughters.

A bookstore I frequent has Clearance Shelves.  That, too, is a great source for books which might interest a person.  I’ve bought former bestsellers and hobby books there for $1 each.

Once I went to a restaurant supply store looking for thick coffee cups which interested my husband.  The sales clerk told me the store was not open to regular customers; however, it did have a table in the back where they sold odds and ends.  I found coffee cups for $.25 each, cups which thrilled my husband.

Those are examples of bargains I took advantage of.  The main thing is to identify the places-corners, shelves, racks-where certain stores place their bargains.  Then check them out from time to time.   Good hunting!

Denim

 

Denim, recognized as a most durable fabric, originated in France but came to be used by men working the mines in California.  In time denim became a fashion statement.  It is still one of the most popular fabrics used to dress people of all ages.  And it almost never wears out.

And that is where a resourceful person comes in.  If you cut up an old pair of jeans, you will still find really good pieces from which you can make useful items, i.e., cushions, aprons, hot pads, quilts, etc.
I cut out all the heavy seams because most of our sewing machines were not made to sew over those heavy layers.  The factories making denim clothes, especially blue jeans, have heavy duty machines which are used for sewing those heavy fabrics.  Even so, I buy denim needles for sewing denim.  They are very strong and effective.

When I join two denim seams I just overlap them and cover the seam with a colorful trim.  No bulk.  No mess.  There are various web sites which will show you the many items you can make with denim.

Don’t throw away your old blue jeans.  Upcycle them with something you or someone else can enjoy.  Good sewing!

Doilies and Such

About seventy or eighty years ago when my mother did a favor for a neighbor she was usually rewarded with a doily or some sort of handwork.  She died and left many doilies, a tribute to her kindnesses.  And now the question: what to do with so many doilies.

Since I consider myself a thrifty and resourceful person I pondered over this question and came up with various ideas.  The most gorgeous pieces you can frame and give to grandchildren.  Others you can use as appliques on cushions you make, or if they are round, they can be one side of the cushion .  I took some rectangular crocheted pieces and made bathroom linens by sewing up a rectangular piece of white fabric and then placing the crocheted piece on one end.  Pretty.

Other crocheted pieces I placed under objects which might scratch coffee tables.  When I made a vest I used some of mother’s crocheted pieces.  Also, I took a denim jacket and embellished it with appliques and small crocheted pieces.  The contrast is interesting and striking.

Not only did I enjoy Mother’s work, I now buy crocheted pieces wherever I see them and then use them creatively.  Long live handwork made by dedicated folks!

About seventy or eighty years ago when my mother did a favor for a neighbor she was usually rewarded with a doily or some sort of handwork.  She died and left many doilies, a tribute to her kindnesses.  And now the question: what to do with so many doilies.

Since I consider myself a thrifty and resourceful person I pondered over this question and came up with various ideas.  The most gorgeous pieces you can frame and give to grandchildren.  Others you can use as appliques on cushions you make, or if they are round, they can be one side of the cushion .  I took some rectangular crocheted pieces and made bathroom linens by sewing up a rectangular piece of white fabric and then placing the crocheted piece on one end.  Pretty.

Other crocheted pieces I placed under objects which might scratch coffee tables.  When I made a vest I used some of mother’s crocheted pieces.  Also, I took a denim jacket and embellished it with appliques and small crocheted pieces.  The contrast is interesting and striking.

Not only did I enjoy Mother’s work, I now buy crocheted pieces wherever I see them and then use them creatively.  Long live handwork made by dedicated folks!

Cushions for Couches

I saw an ad in the newspaper in which cushions for couches were reduced by seventy-five percent.  Wow!  I ran to the store.  Yes, the cushions were reduced from $80. to $20.  I went back home.  I like cushions whose covers I can remove because I like to nap on the couch with our cushions and so does my family.  Well, the type of cushions on sale cost too much, and the fabric didn’t lend itself for removal and certainly not washing in a machine.  Perhaps they required dry-cleaning and who wants to sleep on a cushion that smells like chemicals.  No way.

I took out fabrics I already had and scraps of my husband’s old blue jeans.  Voila!  I combined all sorts of fabrics and came up with an assortment of cushions for my couch.  I mixed faded denim with regular colorful cottons; floral prints with eyelet; denim with lace; and a previously embroidered University of Texas logo on white fabric with a western print.  All were colorful and practical and most important of all, they suited my kind of life.

And I bought my filler cushions on sale at the local fabric store.  Savings?  Lots of money.