Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

cheerfulness4 · 24 January 2015 at 11:06PM

Just seen that the new Sewing Bee Series starts on 5th February. Yippeee!

Cheapskate · 24 January 2015 at 11:15PM

Hello everyone, please may I join you? It's taken me a while to catch up on the thread, but it speaks out to me!

I'm a slightly lapsed OS-er, need to get my arris back in gear for many reasons (mostly financial of course!), and this thread seems very opportune.

I recently bought a new oil cloth-type tablecloth, by-the-metre stuff, and was rather dear! :eek: I have saved the chunk I cut off (too long), and have a piece 12" X 50", plus a long skinny strip - already have plans for it!

We are planning some major building work on the house this spring/summer, so I MUST become a cheapskate again, in order to save as much as possible, and reduce our outgoings. I have a lot of meat in the freezer, from a purchase of a box from our local farm, so at least 8 meals there, plus LO, all sorts of other stuff in there and a well-kept pantry, so we'll not starve! I have some high street vouchers to use in an emergency, plus a load of nect@r points worth over £100 in sainsbugs - took AGES to save, but used loads of extra points coupons - about a month's food/groceries, or more if I'm tight!

Today I blitzed my fridge and baking cupboard, and was so upset by how much I had to throw - never again! I used to be so good at not wasting, but have fallen by the wayside.

Off to start making lists - how I love doing that, feel like I'm home now! :rotfl:

Thanks so much for the heads up for sewing bee, cheerfulness4!

A xo

HOWMUCH · 24 January 2015 at 11:40PM

Good Evening Ladies!!!! been away reading Attic24 blog from start to finish, I fell in love with her blog. On the make do and mend I've managed to get DGS 4 lovely T shirts from CS for £1.99. Going to collect another 4 off ebay for £1.50 and then collect a large bundle of clothes off local facebook selling site I managed to get for £5. I will give them all a good wash with a cap of vanish and liquid. They are are all good quality labels and just a fraction of original costs and everyone comments on how smart he always looks. Just goes to show you don't have to spend the earth, little ones grow so fast clothes get very little wear. Managed to get his next winter's snowsuit for £7.40 from Debenhams in their 70% sale too original price was £36.
Whilst I was in town had a quick look in M&S for YS stuff managed to get a large £6 chicken for £2.99 with tomorrow date on. I shall cook the crown for lunch tomorrow, so I will get a roast dinner x4, Chicken lasagna x4, Chicken curry x4, then with the legs they will be thigh and drum sticks made into a casserole x4........ so 16 meals for £2.99 and the carcass will be made into soup x6 portions.
Loving this thread reminds me of my childhood brought up to not waste money and reuse items.

cheerfulness4 · 25 January 2015 at 1:05AM

I smile everytime I read your username, howmuch. Those are the two words I remember my Dad saying most growing up, either in bewilderment or outrage.:D

cheapskate, I love nothing better than a good list making session. Motivates me no end. You'll be back to your old ways in no time.

good_advice · 25 January 2015 at 10:11AM

Happy Sunday everyone

Just watching a sewing demo 8am -9am on create and craft TV. They seem to be making a complete hash of it.
Showing a bag with all sorts in and demonstrating how to make bunting.

Yesterday, we as a family did a lot of making do.....
Grand baby was brought round. They forgot his mopping up cloth so a tea towel was used for the dribbling.
A single spare quilt was used for kicking time on the floor. Folded into 4.

Washing almost dried on the line, just needed airing.

2 people and dog went jogging - free exercise
Later for dinner, I cooked toad in the hole in single portion glass dishes. They looked like the supermarket bought one's.

Using the same oven time I baked a Lemon cake.
The cake is made of store cupboard ingredients.
Yellow butter icing and the decoration of little Easter eggs - I had bought for cake toppings last year.
Christmas%202014%20142_zps6impahqw.jpg?t=1422094954

Christmas%202014%20142_zps6impahqw.jpg?t=1422094954

I saw something new I thought I might try for crafting.
Printing large letters out on computer paper. Using as a template to cut a word out of material and then sewing the letters onto your work.
Large tidy bag for me.

This morning, making do = I washed, cut and dried my hair.
Last year, when I went to the hairdresses for a treat it cost £35 for the same.
My hair is long/ past shoulders. Cutting 2" off the bottom is ok. I often put my hair up so know one will tell if it is not hairdresser streaight.

Just printed off my desktop a gorgeous photo of one of my grandbabies.
A4 size. No need to spash the cash using a photo shop.

sistercas · 25 January 2015 at 10:48AM

cheerfulness4 wrote: »

Just seen that the new Sewing Bee Series starts on 5th February. Yippeee!

Yippee :j:j. I love that programme

silvasava · 25 January 2015 at 10:54AM

Oooh Cheapskate - LOVE a list :j AND the Sewing Bee back :T:T do love Claudia presenting and I'm in awe of some of the contestants. Loved the girl in the last series who cut her own patterns & she made some super clothes.
On the subject of lists - I have a 'to do' list that I made up with double spacing between the lines. I printed 2 off & laminated them back to back. I use a fine point marker to write on it & I can just wipe them off whe they've been completed. Sometimes I just use it as a shopping list reminder or as a visual for DH (saves me nagging!) Its surprising how effective its been

I've also made up a meal planner the same way - but I'm not so good at meal planning

LynP - just to echo what everyone else had said - if you enjoy it & can afford it then go. MSE'ing is not about denying yourself its just about being more aware of waste
Have a good day all

vhalla1478 · 25 January 2015 at 10:57AM

Hello again! I should really be sewing but had to get my 'fix' here first! I totally concur with everyone who remarks about having a little treat now and again; actually, I think you appreciate it more when you have to be careful but I'm all for it and believe if at all possible one should have a little indulgence. I'm beginning to think that we're really cohesing (is that a word?) as a group and it's great that all are welcome. The more brain power, the better we'll all do.

A couple more recipes here for when you're really scraping the barrel - but I guarantee they're both tasty and filling.

Eggs in cheese sauce: Tablespoonful of butter, tablespoonful flour, pint of milk, 4oz grated cheese, salt and pepper to taste, nutmeg, mustard, 4 eggs. Make a white sauce, add cheese, then salt, pepper , a dusting of nutmeg and half a teaspoon of mustard for pungency. Leave to simmer . Meanwhile boil eggs, simmer for 4 minutes, leave in the water for a minute or two to cool, then pour off water, run cold water over eggs and remove shells. Halve them and arrange flat side down in a shallow heatproof dish. Pour the sauce over the eggs and brown lightly under a hot grill. Brilliant with spinach but just as nice with curly kale or cabbage.

Spaghetti with lemon

Grated rind and juice of one large lemon, 6 fl ounces/175ml cream or crème fraiche, teaspoon of nutmeg, teaspoon of black pepper, 450grams/1 pound of spaghetti this serves 4, freshly grated parmesan cheese to serve. Cook spaghetti in lightly salted, boiling water. Mix together all the other ingredients apart from the parmesan. Drain spaghetti when cooked and toss in the lemon mixture. serve with plenty of freshly grated parmesan.

The Great British Sewing Bee is back? Yipee!! Will have to sit and sew the marathon that is my rug whilst that's on though

Have a great day, Everyone. Viv x

Prinzessilein · 25 January 2015 at 3:15PM

Hi all!

I have finished my Nightie/PJ Case.......

Prinzessilein · 25 January 2015 at 3:23PM

Aggggh....photo didn't copy....I KNOW I can copy photos...I did it with the picture of my hat!....give me a while and I'll remember and come back and show off my owl!

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

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