Rescue, recycle and reuse!I went thrifting on Saturday afternoon with Christmas bits and bobs on my wish list, as luck would have it I found just what I was looking for. Two sets, yes two sets, of crystal look-a-like candle sticks and a very cute crystal jug, perfect for custard or gravy. Last year, you may recall, I hosted Christmas dinner and went for a vintage theme at my table, this year it’s my sisters tern so I only have to decorate the house not the table :( I am however going to continue with the vintage theme as I just love the traditional feel it gives to the house, lots of dark greens, rich reds and little bits of sparkly crystal everywhere.
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While doing my weekly food shop I also picked up a few treats for Christmas. When I was a child we lived in Germany and consequently I just love German food, luckily for me one of our supermarkets has an abundance of German produce. So I just couldn’t resist a box of chocolate coated pretzels, some suger coated gingerbread and chocolate marzipan when I saw them on the shelves while shopping … oh bring on Christmas and the first visitors of the season.
I also got time during the weekend to finish a swap parcel for Islay Girl. These two cuties are now jeting their way to the USA along with a few other treats.Â
 
Last week I got an amazing parcel from Katie, filled with rescued, recycled and reused things which is such a great idea. This got me thinking when it came to wrap my gift, wrapping paper is such a waste, it looks nice then goes in the bin only to end up in landfill. I really wanted my parcel to look pretty and smell nice as well.  I considered using fabric but the frayed edges looked nasty. I looked at making a fabric bag to reuse later but ran out of time. Suddenly I was reminded of my lovely Cath Kidstone draw liners which look great, smell nice and are made from nice thick paper.  Ah Ha! Use the liners as wrapping paper and then they can be reused once the parcel is open. And let me tell you it worked, here take a peek…
Have a wonderful week everyone and if you have any great recycling ideas please drop me a line and tell me all about them.
TTFN
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October 16th, 2007 - 7:12 pm
Oh maddie - your swap doggies are sooooo adorable - just so sweet!!! And what great thrifting finds! I have been itching to do some thrifting lately but just can’t find the time - good to see someone is grabing up some recycled bargains!! =) Thanks for your well wished for Houston, we are getting VERY excited!!
October 23rd, 2007 - 3:26 am
Pressed glass, chocolate covered marzipan and scotty dogs what more could anyone ask for in a post? (Apart from a pic of the adorable Red that is, but I’m not compalining)
November 4th, 2007 - 11:00 pm
Hello Maddy, I love your site and had to reply to your wrapping paper issues. I felt the same way too. Years and years ago I hated all the trash bags full of paper and ribbons that would go into landfills. The solution? I started making flannel pillowcases for everyone. Then, their gifts are “wrapped” in the pillowcases. My family loves them. I thought, perhaps, they’d be overwhelmed with too many pillowcases, but no, they want them every year. It really takes less time to make the pillowcase and wrap tissue (which is recyclable) around the gift than it takes me to wrap all the gifts. It was a chore I hated. Now I buy the flannel after the holiday for the following year. Some years every pillowcase is of the same fabric. Other years I try to find flannel that matches each of their interests (golfing for my men for instance). I just thought I’d share my solution.
Pam - Minnesota, USA
December 9th, 2007 - 6:16 am
Marvelous view about Rescue, recycle and reuse!. I love your blog.