Magpie Monday - Small but Beautiful

I had a couple of conversations on Twitter last night and I thought it was time to clarify again what Magpie Monday is all about.

When I started this feature, the idea was that this would be a place where people could share their 2nd hand finds - whatever they may be.  I want this to be a celebration of anti-consumerism. To show people that purchases can be made without having to buy new, without using up valuable resources and energy, by reusing objects that others have finished with.  Items that would otherwise end up in landfill.

You don't have to share something worthy of a slot on the Antiques Roadshow.  Buying a book from a charity shop rather than new, saves materials and energy and that's to be celebrated.  Equally if you've bought an appliance on eBay or a computer from the classified section of your paper, then I'd love to hear about it.  I want Magpie Monday to inspire others, that we don't need to purchase new all the time.
I'm really hoping that there's lots of lovely link-ups today because my finds have been thin on the ground.  Trying to abide by my 'only if it fits in my handbag' rule and the dearth of 'normal working days' has resulted in slim pickings.  On the whole I have stuck to the handbag rule - with the exception of the Laura Ashley occasional table I bought at a car boot yesterday - whoops!  But that's ok because the old man was with me and knew all about it - in fact he got the pleasure of carrying it home!  I'm not showing it this week because its a 'doer-upper' and I have big plans for it.  We'll see if it comes off...

I got a couple of bits in a charity shop the other week which seemed to be screaming my name.  They didn't fit with last week's post, but as I was queueing up paying for a plastic dinosaur, I was idly picking over a basket of bits and bobs on the counter.  I spotted some stamps for £1 each.  I know these are really expensive in art and craft shops, and these were clearly intended for me.

A decorative initial 'R' (for Ruby) and a Labrador (just like Ella).  There was also a little silver ink pad for 50p so I had that too.  What are the chances? They were the only stamps in the basket, and they were just perfect.  Ruby's been having fun using them to sign cards from herself and Ella.

Of course, in the week I did get some crochet doilies which I dyed and made bowls with in a moment of craftiness.  You can click here and find out how to make them.

The only other finds this week came from yesterday's car boot sale.  A very odd affair. On one of the hottest days of the year, it was indoors, with about 6 manky trestle tables and a whole lot of tat.  With the exception of the rule-breaking table, I managed to find this little carved wooden box for 50p:

It's very tactile and I like the fact that it's heart shaped.  Ruby also likes to keep opening it up and sniffing inside - it has the aroma of pencil shavings!  It's going to make a jewellery box - either for me or her, depending who wins the fight.

Speaking of jewellery, my final purchase was this cute little necklace.  It looked very incongruous on the stall and leapt out at me.  It's a handpainted wooden Russian Doll pendant and mine for a quid!  I love it.

So, what thriftiness have you all been up to?  Please do grab the badge below and add it to your post, then link up below.  Or, you can join in on Twitter by posting a picture with the hashtag #MagpieMonday.




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