Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

misstara · 18 April 2015 at 12:30PM

Afternoon all, it is a beautiful day here, not a cloud in the sky. So wish I had a wee garden to sit out in. There is a park close by so I think I will go and sit there for a while before work.

I'm continuing to practice my knitting, I finished my first square and it wasn't a pretty sight - misshapen and lots of holes. However, I now know the basics so will try again, this time trying to make sure I end up with the same amount of stitches I started with.

Kitty, ouch. Hope you're being well looked after.

good_advice · 18 April 2015 at 12:36PM

janb5 wrote: »

That`s a very long cycle for a WM. Lovely to get it out in the sunshine. I hate airers being around all over during the winter

Yes, too long. My old washer was a lot quicker.
This is on the bed and bath program. The shortest unless I use quick wash.
I think quick wash is no good for a general full 9kg load.
I wash @ 40C.

IrisViolet · 18 April 2015 at 2:19PM

Hi all
Not logged on for ages but have been reading here and there. I started off the year so well with MMM and NBI but although I haven't been too outrageous or fallen of the wagon too badly, I could have done lots better. I think I do much better if I post daily, so that's what I'm going to try and do now.
Debt have been going steadily down but could have done better. The target is to pay off £9000 by christmas, which so far we have managed £2200. We definitely could have paid off more. I've been keeping spending spreadsheets etc and can see where we have wasted. I've also had to buy a new washing machine and hoover since feb. Using my new mindset though I bought much better quality, a henry hoover and a very good energy efficient wash machine with a huge drum. Needed as baby number four will be here in four months.
Once the £9000 is shifted we should be able to then pay off our final debt which is our car finance by overpaying it.
The MMM will help this but tbh I've got to a stage in life where I'm so sick of consumerism, so sick of throw away culture. I'm starting to see my children getting spoiled which I disike. Now I just spent the week with my niece and it out it into perspective a but as she gets every little thing she wants and is different from mine, but still I do not want to head down that path!

So here I am. I have just mended DH jeans which I've been meaning to do for two months. They were £4 from the charity shop two years ago, should do another two now.
I have my sewing machine in a box staring at me. I've never used a sewing machine. I have the machine, the needles for it and the manual. No idea what to do next. Anyone here who could give me a list of sewing essentials I need to begin??
Was thinking of starting by making some drawstring bags to organise drawers, bedding etc.
I've been minimising and I love it.
Its refreshing.
We have a draw each of clothes now, no need for more.
Been crocheting. Been making longies for over cloth nappies for tiddler and new babe. Will just need lanolising. Going to make some baby cardigans next and some hats. Also need to take apart awful snood in chunky wool and redo into a blanket for sofa for cat.
Also decluttered the garden. Planting starts next week. Must get to b&m.
We have strawberry plants, tomato plants and a raspberry cane, but what to plant much more. Garden is massive so have no excuse at all.

Anyway I am off to continue re reading from the beginning!! Up to page 13!

Iris.

Rose_Wood · 18 April 2015 at 2:43PM

Afternoon All

I've not posted for a while but have been reading along every day. I'm continuing to make do, mend and minimise though.

My DDiL opened her shop and used my life size dolls in one of her window displays. Several people have admired them and a rep asked where she got them as apparently loads of people want something like that and can't get hold of them! I made an extra one for DGD to play with when she is here so have it sitting on the rocking horse in her bedroom at present ( she has her own bedroom here).

I had a very good shopping bargain the other day. On Wednesday I called in at the Co-Op on my way home and found some cream reduced down to 25p per pot. It was getting on for closing time so I offered to take it all if they reduced it more. What I hadn't realised was that there were 16 300ml pots!! I took them all at 10p each and have made loads of butter and a large batch of cream cheese. It's the first time I've made cream cheese and I'm not one hundred percent happy with it as it's a bit tangy (it had some balsamic vinegar in it). So I've given a pot to my friend, turned some into a dessert by blending it with frozen raspberries and a little sugar, and some into smoked mackerel pate. There's still loads left plus at least 8 pats of butter in the freezer. Not bad for £1.60.

I've also sorted out my sewing cupboard and finished off a couple of projects including a knitted matinee jacket and hat in pale green. A colleague at work is having another baby (well his wife is) next month so I shall probably use it as a present. It's going to be a girl so I might put a little white shell edging or embroider some flowers on the jacket and a little flower on the hat.

I've also had a couple more buys of dresses from charity shops and been altering them, usually just shortening as I like knee length dresses with black opaque tights for winter. Of course, the sun has started shining now so I shall have to dig out my summer outfits instead.

Hope you are all having a good weekend.

Rose

Floss · 18 April 2015 at 2:51PM

IrisViolet wrote: »

...I have my sewing machine in a box staring at me. I've never used a sewing machine. I have the machine, the needles for it and the manual. No idea what to do next. Anyone here who could give me a list of sewing essentials I need to begin??....

A couple of good quality reels of cotton - black & white - as a start, along with a stitch ripper, tape measure, pins (in a pretty pincushion

), good sharp scissors (long & small). Have a look at Dunelm or speak to the staff in your local haberdashery shop for advice.

For drawstring bags, I have used pretty shirts (mens & ladies!) or sheets or duvets from charity shops. You'll also need either tape or cotton cord to put through the channel.

Good luck!

vhalla1478 · 18 April 2015 at 4:55PM

Here's a recipe to make you forget about dieting!

Strawberry, Peach and Ginger Crumble - Serves 4

3 ripe peaches, 300 grams strawberries, hulled and quartered, 2 pieces of stem ginger in syrup, drained and finely chopped, 2 tbsp. sugar.

Crumble

50 grams toasted hazelnuts, 70 grams plain flour, pinch of ground cinnamon, 25 grams cold butter, cut into small pieces, 50 grams Demerara sugar, 2 tbsp. caster sugar.

Heat the oven to 200 degrees/gas 6. Halve, stone and roughly dice the peaches, then put them into a dry, non-stick pan with the strawberries, ginger, sugar and 2 tbsp. water. cook over a high heat for 2 minutes until the fruit is slightly softened, but not mushy. tip into a bowl and allow to cool.

For the crumble, lightly crush the hazelnuts in a bowl with the end of a rolling pin. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour and the cinnamon. Using the tips of your fingers, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Stir through the crushed hazelnuts and Demerara sugar.

Spoon the softened fruit into wide ramekins or individual baking dishes. Top with the crumble mixture, scattering it evenly and stand the dishes on a baking sheet. bake for 15 minutes until the topping is golden brown and crisp. Leave the crumble to stand for a few minutes before serving with cream or custard.

Have a nice evening, Folks!

Viv xx

DollyDabbler · 18 April 2015 at 6:33PM

I have my sewing machine in a box staring at me. I've never used a sewing machine. I have the machine, the needles for it and the manual. No idea what to do next. Anyone here who could give me a list of sewing essentials I need to begin??
Was thinking of starting by making some drawstring bags to organise drawers, bedding etc.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5104075

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=263

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3074510

Three links on here to lots of good friendly sewing advice

janb5 · 18 April 2015 at 7:25PM

IrisViolet wrote: »

Hi all
Was thinking of starting by making some drawstring bags to organise drawers, bedding etc.
I've been minimising and I love it.
Its refreshing.
We have a draw each of clothes now, no need for more.

Anyway I am off to continue re reading from the beginning!! Up to page 13!

Iris.

Baby steps - in your case literally! Be kind to yourself . It isnt easy trying to do things while you are pregnant AND looking after your other children. It can seem overwhelming so just concentrate on you and the family at the moment and the rest will come in due course.

I have a suggestion about your bed linen which helps to keep it tidy. Put the duvet cover sheet and one pillow case inside the 2nd pillow case. This helps enormously by ensuring you always have a fully set of linen instead of hunting around at silly o`clock when one of the children is sick!

Also ask around your other friends if they have baby equipment you could use/borrow to save buying more?

Hoipolloi · 18 April 2015 at 7:27PM

Decluttered a packet of choc chip cookies :beer:

janb5 · 18 April 2015 at 7:30PM

good_advice wrote: »

Yes, too long. My old washer was a lot quicker.
This is on the bed and bath program. The shortest unless I use quick wash.
I think quick wash is no good for a general full 9kg load.
I wash @ 40C.

I use quick wash all the time and my machine is about 12 years old. Divide the washing into pales and darks and that will help too. Two hours is massive. Unless you have a heavy manual job, do you need a long programme? Hope that doesn't across as patronizing- it isnt meant to be! HTH

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

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