Something from Nothingby Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger 20 Aug 2008 12:13 PM
Have you seen the children's book, Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback? The story follows a man named Joseph and the adventures of what was once a little overcoat. Through the years, the overcoat is worn down and turned into something else, which gets worn and then turned into something else again, until there is nothing left. Then the nothing is turned into something. It is one of my favorite books for children, since it is all about resourcefulness. The next time you are about to throw something out, just take a moment to contemplate all of the different things it could be used for instead. You might be surprised at how many uses something that seems like nothing actually has. There is very little that can not be turned into something. Do you have some crumbs? Turn them into a casserole topping. Do you have a broken dishwasher? Take off the door and turn it into a shelving unit. Do you have lint? Turn it into stuffing for a toy or a pillow. Do you have an old stuffed animal? Take out the stuffing and turn it into a puppet. Do you have garbage? Turn it into compost. Do you see what I mean? The creative friend I often mention is great at turning nothing into something, and it is usually something quite chic. One of her latest projects involved putting together a large glass jar, some Christmas lights and a marble disc to create a new table. An old dresser top has become and outdoor fireplace, and old bowling balls serve as gazing balls in her yard. What something can you make from nothing? Click here for more articles by Mary Ann Romans. Related Articles HOFF: Real Uses for Dryer Lint Learn more about Mary Ann Romans  Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat. Relevantfrugal tags User Comments  mcmama (51978) 20 Aug 2008 12:40 PMIt's the title of one of my favorite children's stories: Something From Nothing by Phoebe Gilman. Even the cute little mice under the floorboards can use scraps of cloth for things.  Mary Ann Romans (26886) 21 Aug 2008 08:51 AMThat sounds like a great book! Thanks so much for the recommendation. I'm going to seek it out for my kids.  thequeenofthecastle (413) 21 Jan 2009 09:26 AMI saw a really cute idea where you take the stuffing out of a stuffed animal and fill it with gravel to make it heavy and then use them for bookends. It looks really adorable on a child's bookshelf. I think you just re-stuff the body and then sit them upright. Mary Ann Romans (26886) 21 Jan 2009 11:01 AMThat is a great idea! I never know what to do with all of those extra stuffed animals. Community Tags frugal, save money, thrifty Discuss this article
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