It’s summer and that means garage sales!  All over America savvy shoppers are driving just a little bit slower, looking for those all important direction signs posted on the telephone poles.

Then there’s the rush of taking a quick look at everything and deciding if you’ve found another great treasure.  (Heaven knows, we all need a boost in spirits these days as well as a chance to save money, given the state of the economy.)

It is at this point that creativity AND discipline become important.  Don’t buy what you do not have a use for.  If you don’t need a new couch pillow, don’t buy it no matter how cheap or attractive it is.

However, there is an escape clause and that’s where creativity comes in.  You can buy that beautiful pillow if it can be converted into a ring pillow for your niece’s wedding next month.

That’s the real secret of creative purchasing at a garage sale (or any other sale for that matter) – can you alter the use and make an unneeded item useful?

William Morris, the famed English designer from the turn of the 20th Century, said it best: “Buy nothing that is not both useful and beautiful.”  That’s great shopping advice no matter where you shop.

Here’s just a few ways that you can follow Morris’ sage advice at your next garage sale stop:

Grandmother’s old handkerchiefs can be converted into summer napkins or sewn together to make lovely pillows.

Glass ginger jar vases are great for holding cotton balls in the bathroom or as a stylish container for a plain candle.

Single salt shakers can easily be converted into cute Christmas ornaments with the addition of a ribbon hanger.

Magazines with interesting pages can easily be turned into unique envelopes.

Folding French doors can be hinged together to make a striking screen.

Single curtain panels can quickly be transformed into inexpensive seasonal tablecloth.

Just purchase with a purpose and be creative.  Trust your taste and you will not only save money, your home will be an original statement of style.

Reader’s Note:  If linens are your thing, check out Phoebe Ann Erb’s Floral Designs from Traditional Printed Handkerchiefs.  It’s a very interesting book with lots of hard to find information about a treasure often thrown away.  Grandmother will be happy…