Sunday, July 18, 2010

Everything Old is New Again

It's been an interesting journey going thru old boxes that held items that my parents decided were important enough to save.  Things like keys (and to what do these belong???), eyeglasses (probably my dad's but might have also been my uncle's), religious scapulars, a dance book from Lane Senior Prom, the hospital crib tags when my little brother was born, and a Catholic's pocket manual (Seriously??  A Manual?? Like a manual to fix a car??) 


I also found some class pictures (probably my mom's) and other pictures of people I'm clueless to identify.

All were kept in this very old, very heavy suitcase. 


I suspect this case made its way to the U.S. from Ireland in the hands of my Uncle John when he emigrated to the U.S. and became a citizen in 1935.  Before I came to that conclusion, I was considering getting rid of it.  Now, I have second thoughts. Maybe it's not an antique, but it's a part of my history. 

So today, I've come up with a solution.  It will start a new life.  It will house my scrapbooks.  Now, I could go to Hobby Lobby this week and get 50% off a decorative trunk.  But I've got something better.  Whether or not this case originally lived in Ireland, or whether it started its life here, it's part of my history.  So I'm keeping it!!  And using it!  And remembering! 

And I guess that's my creativity for the day!  So, have you taken something from your past and found a new purpose for it in your life?  I'd love to hear about it!!

8 comments:

Ms. A said...

I haven't found new purpose for any of it, but I've definitely got plenty of things from the past. The stuff in that trunk and the trunk itself, are awesome!

Leanne said...

What a fantastic idea for the suitcase! I love that. I laughed when I read about the Catholic pocket manual - because I have a very similar tiny small book that belong to my Grandma, so I am quite familiar with it. I am trying to think if I have anything taken from my past that I have found a new purpose for - and I'm in a complete blank. I'll have to think more on it and come back if I come up with anything. Great post!

Cindi aka Ericksoc said...

Fantastic! What a great find! I have dreams of finding treasures like this. I love the idea of using the suitcase to hold your amazing scrapbooks. I recently acquired my grandma's jewelry box and some neat costume jewelry...I'm filling all the little drawers with goodies in my scraproom since I have my other grandmother's jewelry box and my own, and have passed on the jewelry to my daughter who is into all things vintage right now. Great post!

Laura said...

Oh Peg, what a great find and a great idea of how to best use it!! And the Cat'lic pocket manual???? Gee, we wonder why we have Cat'lic guilt all the time!!!

Bill said...

I'm old and from the past...maybe I can be re-purposed?? Any ideas?

Peggy K said...

Bill, I'm not ready to admit you're old. Cuz what would that make me????

Laura, you KNOW I thought of you and Leanne when I found the pocket manual!

scrapwordsmom said...

Peggy...this is such a WONDERFUL idea!! I love it! And I am positive I have something like this just lying around taking up space that I could be using!! Thank you for sharing!! I am gonna grab a button, too. Love it:)

Bossy Betty said...

Great idea! I, too, am going through my parents' things! It is time-consuming and stress-filled. I am encouraged by your post here!