some thrifty goodness

 I admit to loving thrift shops. I like to see all the old stuff people have gotten rid of, those things that were all the rage (like the singing bass fish), the funky old tupperware, books, toys, clothes, picture frames (some with pics still in them), and all sorts of goodies. So my latest finds have been a wind up alarm clock which I thought about taking apart but it’s so fun to have that ticking in my kitchen! 


 Then I found my Royal Portable Typewriter complete with case. Needs a new ribbon, but after taking the air hose to it, it’s in terrific shape.

And now my very latest find. It’s a metal spinney thing. I got it for a buck. It reminded me of those cool 7 gypsies atc card spinners so I thought I could use it in a similar fashion. Or make it into a revolving scrapbook. I’m sorry to admit that it took me a week to remember what it was used for: holding stamps like in a office or courthouse. Still cool to me, still going to scrap it somehow!

But in the meantime I’ve used it to display some of my favorite mini books. How clever is that? This kind of silly, simple thing, is the thing that just makes me really happy. Simple minds and all that goes along.

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making kits

In praise of the New Year, I’ve made some resolutions I mean goals. Things I’d like to work on for the upcoming year. Here’s a partial list: lose weight, get healthy (duh), get organized (sort of), be more productive, make better use of my time, buy less craft stuff (or not as much), and use up the stuff that I’ve been holding onto for way too long. After reading several boards and blogs I know that my hoarding and collecting of craft stuff is not unique to me. Many others suffer from this affliction. I had found a blog where many posters were talking about building their own kits for scraping. Did a bit of brainstorming and came up with a plan and started shopping in my stuff.  Yes, I have lots of stuff, but I know that many others have more stuff than me, and that helps me not feel as guilty. So I started with some funky cardstock that had no apparent use.  I also included leftovers from 12×12 sheets that looked approximately 8.5 x 11. Then I added 3-4 patterened papers (some where full sheets, some scraps), then I choose an alpha type (sticker, rub ons, chipboard, or stamps), I added a card or tag (something that I could use for journaling or something), ribbons (at least 3), chipboard, flowers, buttons, brads, or similar embellishments. I also included things that I have collected or held on for a long time. I put all of the kits in big baggies that I’ve saved–yes, I’m a huge packrat! Part of the goal I have is using things that I’ve waited to use on the “perfect” project.I also wanted to use some of the non-scrappy things I’ve collected. One of the kits has a paint chip sample that is part of a larger pile that I always meant to do something with someday. Well, someday is now.My other thought with these kits is time saving. Like a lot of scrappers, I would love more time to scrap. As a SAHM to nearly 2 year old boy/girl twins I really am limited in time. As if that isn’t enough I also work out of my home with a couple of businesses. So, if I have a few kits made up ahead of time I can do a bit of scrapping when the kiddies are taking a nap. I also think that down the road it might be fun to swap page kits with other crafters online. Maybe. When I first tried this I was feeling restricted by using only the stuff in my bag. But I made myself stick it out and now it’s become a fun and easy way to craft. Plus, now if I go to a crop of a friends house I can just grab a few kits and head out the door instead of packing half of the stuff I own! 

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