thrifting

How many of you like to visit yard sales or second hand stores for treasures from the past or newer items to re-use?

Not that long ago it wasn't considered "trendy" to re-purpose and re-use items, although I know my parents were quite successful doing it when they were first married!

My great grandfather(L) started out with very little when he came to Canada in 1911.

The great recyclers of our day, I think, were our grandparents and great grandparents, those who lived through World Wars and the Great Depression.  Very little was wasted in day to day living and things were made well so that they would last.

But then somewhere along the way society lost that need to mend worn clothing and repair household goods, people wanted to purchase things new instead.  And now we have reached the tipping point...where it's common to replace your entire home decor "just for a change" or because your cell phone is last year's model!
...sigh...

As a result there are Thrift Stores all over the country full of unwanted items (treasures!) for those who take the time to look for them!

These are some of the items that I brought home last week to re-use in our home and breathe new life into.

The oldest items that I purchased on this particular day were the children's books, most of the items are practically brand new!  How could their previous owners have grown tired of them so soon when they were barely used?!

You may have noticed in photos of our home that we choose to buy items made from natural materials and this lot is almost 100% natural. (one plastic cover on the game and one plastic spine on a book)

pine frame($1), woven mat($1), large roll of kraft paper (for gift wrapping) $2.

Cotton embroidery floss (0.25ea), old embroidery stitch booklet (0.50), clip board ($1)

Children's books:  Where the wild things are ($2), Box cars and one-eyed jacks (math games)($3.00), Yoga with your Children 1973 (0.50), Forest Folk at Work 1953 (0.50), Wood hangers (0.50ea)

I have been looking for this game for the past few years.  It's called Wari, Mancala or a variety of other names depending on which country you are in.  We haven't figured out how to play yet but it will be great for the summer! ($2.50)

And this find nearly made me squeal in the store with delight!  Since my daughter was very young I have admired lap harps and hoped to find one in a Thrift Store as I couldn't justify paying $50 for a new one.  Last week I found this one, like new in the box, complete with pick, tuning fork, and a lifetime guarantee for replacement wires for $2.50!!!

Over the weekend the kids played the new harp for hours and hours.  My daughter said she just couldn't put it down but it also sparked some interest in other instruments in our home...ukeleles were strummed and flutes were tooted as well! 

Do you have a favourite second hand find that turned out to be priceless?! ;o)
~ joey ~ 

Shared with: 
Like Mama~Like Daugther - Eco Kids Tuesday
Natural Suburbia - Creative Friday
Teaching Mama - Tender Moments 
The Magic Onions - Friday's Nature Table
  How The Sun Rose - Creative Learning