Upcycled, recycled and freecycled!

Well, OK, I didn't do all those things at once, but I did recently pick up a couple freecycled wood picture frames. The person giving them away promised one frame with no glass and a collage frame with glass. I jumped on both, mostly for the college frame, and picked them up on Friday night. Unfortunately, the glass that the collage frame had was actually broken, so I only ended up with two wood frames, one quite boring, if you want to know the truth.
Then, I saw this on Pinterest and I knew I had to replicate it. When Geoff and I were dating long distance, I insisted that we take a picture of ourselves kissing every visit. I printed these pictures out and stuck them on the wall right next to my bed, and I loved looking at them and remembering exactly where we were when each kiss happened. It was the perfect theme for my project.
I have to be honest, however. Those nails were difficult to stick in, so Geoff had to help. He also helped tie the cording, because I couldn't get them tight enough. Basically all I did in this project was collect supplies. However, I love it, and I love the fact that all I bought was cording for about $4 and nails for about $4...both of which we will reuse around here.
The pictures cover about 3 years worth of dating, and I remember which visit each kiss took place. Though the very first picture wasn't our first visit, the last one is from our wedding day, kissing in the basement of the church where we got married. I thought it was the perfect last picture in my wall of kisses.

What do you think?

Freecycle 101

So, you know how I love Freecycle? Well, I have had a couple people ask me about Freecycle, how it works and how I score such awesome things (they don't say it that way, but that's what they mean, of course.)

I first heard about Freecycle a couple years ago from a friend who mentioned it in passing. I didn't think much of it, and didn't really get into using Freecycle until I was in Alabama and had to furnish an apartment with stuff I didn't plan on keeping, since I knew I was moving again. Anyway, I managed to find a few things on Freecycle (some of which I turned around and sold on Craigslist, score!) and thus my love of Freecycle was born. Or fed. Whatever.

How to join Freecycle

So! Freecycle 101. How does it work? Well, I'm glad you asked! Freecycle is a resource where everything that is offered is free. Hence the name. The first step to finding a Freecycle group in your area is to go to the Freecycle website and enter your city. Depending on the area you live in, a Freecycle group may be set up differently. For example, in a small area like Paul, Idaho, you will find that there is one group for several nearby cities. In Seattle, there are several groups for the different areas of Seattle. In my case, I'm involved in the East and Central King County Freecycle groups. You just want to choose the one that is closest to you.

Once you've determined which group to join, click the link that Freecycle will provide. For all the groups I've been part of, it's as simple as joining a Yahoo group. You can set the email up so you can get a daily digest, an email every time something new is posted or no email, and just check the site. I recommend the daily digest, personally.

Receiving free items

Now, because this is free, I must warn you, it's sometimes difficult to find something good. Often, posts requesting random items or offering random things (recently I saw one for broken bathroom tiles!) come through. Sometimes there will be something good, but often if you don't jump on it quickly, it will be taken before you get a chance. Also, keep in mind that you will often have to travel to get your items. As a rule, I will only drive about 30 minutes to get something (it is free, after all!) but I will try to schedule a pick-up while I'm already in the area. The nice thing about both collecting and giving things away on Freecycle is that you don't have to meet the person, so I often find that they will leave it outside with a sign and I can just grab it and go. I did this with a free litter box a couple weeks ago! (A nice, covered one, too!)

Asking for items

So when you see something good on Freecycle, email about it, but don't be too disappointed if it doesn't work out. What I've discovered works best, is asking for items. When I was down in Alabama I wanted a coffee table. I scoured Freecycle for a bit, but hadn't found anything yet, so I took a chance and asked. What I have discovered, is that people may have a coffee table lying around that they don't think to put up on Freecycle. When I posted that ad I was able to get a fairly decent wicker coffee table (that the kitty decided she needed to sharpen her claws on).

When I asked for my free couch, I had several responses, most of which included pictures. I was able to sort through the pictures and emails and choose the couch I wanted. This was much better than just waiting for a couch to come up on Freecycle...I had my pick!

My newest Freecycle request (which I haven't heard back from yet) is a microwave. I've had one offer already, for a small, working microwave that won't be ready for a couple weeks (the owners are redoing their kitchen).

Of course, you can't be too picky, and it's important to remember that these items are free. I saw a request for an iPhone the other day, and I had to laugh at it. When I think about putting things on Freecycle it's usually after I have attempted to sell it on Craigslist (hey, I'm poor!)

Giving items away on Freecycle

Freecycle is an excellent way to give items away that you can't sell. For example, the other day I was trying to sell the extra comforter and extra twin-sized "bed in a bag" we had lying around. I just didn't want to move it, and I knew we wouldn't need the twin sheet set. I put it on Freecycle and it was gone within hours of moderator approval! I was shocked! Best of all, I left it on my doorstep and headed out...by the time I came home, it was gone! People can't pass up free, plus it made me feel good helping someone out.

The most important thing to remember is, don't be picky, and don't expect a lot. These things are free, after all, but with a little luck and a lot of weeding, you should be able to find some half-way decent items. Our couch will work very well until we can afford another one, be it in a year or 5 years. When I'm through with the microwave or first Freecycle couch, I will put it up on Freecycle for another person to use. Ahh, the circle of life.

My new love

We have a nice, big family room in the new house, and I love it. Unfortunately, I don't love the fact that we have seating for about three people. We did inherit a futon from Geoff's mom, which is currently residing in the office, but I wanted something that looked a little more formal than a futon, even if it is just for the family room.

Since we had a truck rented for moving anyway, I decided to look on craigslist for a suitable couch.  I also posted a request on Freecycle, hoping to get a free couch instead of having to buy one.
We were in luck! I was able to find this sectional which also includes a sleeper section, so we have more than enough room to have parties and guests, which is always nice.

The best part is, this couch is very comfortable for napping on! Don't worry, I've tested it out already. The couch may not be a color I would have picked, but it was free, and it will work for us until we have they money to buy new furniture! In the meantime, my other Freecycle couch resides in the front room! As for the black futon that the first couch replaced...I sold it on Craigslist yesterday!

The usefulness of Freecycle

I definitely underestimate what a great resource I have in Freecycle. When I was in Alabama I got a few things from Freecycle and got rid of more, though most of my large furniture I was trying to tell on Craigslist. But I don't think I use Freecycle as often as I could!

Geoff and I are trying to save up for a new couch and loveseat set, but we just haven't made it yet. I don't like the couch he had when I moved in; it's from Target and flattens down to a twin bed. Unfortunately it also has a bar right down the middle that hurts when you both lie and sit on it! It's perfect for the office/guest room, but I wanted it OUT of the living room!

So when a love seat appeared on Freecycle, I jumped right on it! Since they were right around the corner from us, the owners even offered to deliver it, because neither of our cars were big enough to get it. I was thrilled, to say the least. This new one, which even the cat loves, will serve to hold us off from getting a new couch for just a little longer.

I even tested it's nap-ability out. I had an excellent nap on it yesterday!