Brother Sewing Machine

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I was biking home from work today and I happened upon this free pile that had a working sewing machine that was in the box and everything was accounted for.  I couldn't believe.  I left some other items I had collected behind because I could only fit the sewing machine teetering on the top of my basket and boy was it worth it.  I don't think I have found something I was so excited about in a long time.  Probably the last time was when I found an amazing sewing table!

I had a feeling as I looked out my window this morning that there would be an onslaught of free boxes out today and I was correct.  I hope everyone found something awesome wandering in this lovely fall weather as well!

Permanent Free Box

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I have been meaning to check this free box out for months and I finally did it!  It's located in between SE Holgate and Cora on 25th.  It's pretty nice, very big and the hangers are a nice touch.  There wasn't much there when I stopped by.  It was a very rainy day, but everything was protected in this super cool free box.

Issue 13 Centerfold

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It's always hard to appreciate the photos in the zine due to it being black and white and by the time the zine is finished it's a copy of a copy and the quality isn't always the greatest.  I wanted to share the centerfold photo in color because the dress Sarah found is really pretty and a great score.

And this one didn't make the centerfold, but it's a great photo:

Enjoy~

Alistair Buchanan: International Free Box Correspondent

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I first met Alistair on the Camino walking his heart flag back to Finisterre.  His Camino involved sleeping in abandoned buildings, waking up in the drizzling rain shouting with vigor and running down hills at full speed.  I really liked his company and the tales of Camino quests he would take on.

He's from Cambridge, England.  He told me of a take an item, leave an item shelf in Cambridge that he would frequent and got some great items from and I hope to hear more about that.

Here's his report that I just received yesterday:

It's Alistair, reporting on a great freebox on the beach in Fisterra, at the end of the camino and the end of the world! (See attached picture). It contained some great items- not limited to a water gun, volleyball, sunscreen and towels. It served the beach well.

Super cool! 

Issue 13 Compostela Edition

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Hello, Freeboxers.
I have put out a very special Free Box the Magazine all about the various free boxes that myself and my good friend Sarah Dyer came across on our nearly 500 mile trek across Spain on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.

I did, however, unbelievably forget one person and story that I met on the eve of our adventure and that was Liz from Australia:

She was very excited about the zine.  She said in Australia they didn't really have free boxes, but once a year they have a council cleanup day where everyone puts out their "trash" and a bunch of volunteers go around and clean it up.  Apparently lots of people will cruise around and check out the "rubbish" because you can find lots of good stuff.
If you would like to learn more about Clean Up Australia, here's a website I found about it:
http://www.cleanup.org.au/au/

I can't believe I left this story out.  I will add more detailed stories of people's free box encounters on the blog as a supplement to the zine, so stay tuned and be on the lookout, coming soon to a free box near you:

Another Person's Post About a Free Box

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I found this blog post on the web today.  It's great:

http://www.pantylinepress.com/hyperbole/2011/06/some-things-arent-meant-to-be.php

Plastic Animals

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Look what I found today:  a bin full of amazing plastic animals. 

I am so excited to use them for a project, but what?  Well, the first opportunity presented itself.  It just so happens that I was going to make a postcard of a photo of this small brass bathtub that I found in a free box on Saturday.  Apparently Carye Bye collects bathtub photos every year and this will be the 10th Anniversary.
Here's the official postcard photo:

Here's a few extra because it was so fun taking these photos!

Happy Plastic Animals!