♥♥ MSE Organised For Christmas 2009 ♥♥

paddingtondoo

We have rhubarb in our garden but none of us eat it - I give it away at work - orrid stuff :rotfl:.

Thanks for your lovely comments about my bags - the first one was just an experiment from an idea I spotted on last years crafty for xmas thread (or maybe some other thread )

The bags are all slightly different but the bangle handle ones are basically the same but it depends on the yarn as they have a slightly different tension so come up different sizes.
I have experimented just recently but haven't taken any pics of the new ones yet.

I really need to get a website for them or maybe a separate blog and start selling them from there like some of the rubber stamp and paper people do - something else for my to do list :eek:

Lucy_Lu_4

flourgirl wrote: »

Think I ought to join in getting organized for christmas, I always start off with good intentions then end up panicking by December.
I'm planning hampers for this year for everyone, so I should be able to pick things up with the normal shopping each week and take advantage of any offers. I need you all to help me keep the momentum going

Hi Flourgirl,

When I do hampers I get quite a few bits in Poundland, a lot of what they do they sell mutliples of in one pack, for example if you are doing a pamper hamper they sell a set of four nail buffers, which works out at 25p each. They have four sides, one for file, buff, smooth and shine. I have seen these on sale in other shops for an awful lot more.

If you are doing baking hampers, they sell sets of multiple utensils, eg a set of three wooden spoons and a set of three whisks. Can't think of anything else off the top of my head but I can't rave about Poundland enough!

I also buy hamper bits from M&S outlets, they have decent discounts on everything except food. They do some nice toiletry bits and gifts.

I also get some great finds in charity shops and I've started going to boot sales when I can.

If I have any freebies I include them in hampers too.

Hope that helps,

Lucy

flourgirl

Hi lucy Thank-you for the tips. I have done a few hampers this year and really enjoyed making them up I think they are very addictive don't you. As for the freebies we went away for a few days and there was tea and coffee in the room, I had taken our favourite coffee with us but still snaffled the freebies. They were used in a gardening hamper inside a coffee mug, my DH thought I was being tight giving them in a present We ate the free biscutes though

Lucy_Lu_4

He he, I would've eaten the biscuits too! I put a free coffee sachet in a hamper and I have some free gardening seeds that I'm saving for a gardening themed one.

Yes I think hampers are addictive, I did a few for Christmas and have done a couple so far already this year.

Your DH won't be complaining come Christmas when he sees how much money you've saved!

Here are a couple of pictures of a hamper I made for my Aunt for her birthday and what I put in it (apologies if some people have seen it on another thread)...







I included; a house book from M&S that was reduced to £3.50, a shortbread scented candle, a mini toblerone that was 25p, a gold nail file that was £1, a small wooden mirror, a luxury body puff from the Body Shop that was about £2, a mini hairbrush, a gold make up brush set from Poundland, a pedicure set that was an unwanted present, a Santuary set, a free coffee sachet and quite a few other bits that I can't remember! I also sprinkled it with Werthers orginal sweets to match the gold theme.

I wish I'd remembered to take photos of my other ones too. Oh well, just gives me an excuse to make more!

mhagster

For last Chrismas, I made all my kids a special hamper. Grumpy son had a curry themed one and made the most amazing turkey curry for boxing day. It was a large stainlesss steel stock pot with nan bread, curry paste ,poppidums ,spices, etc. For dd1, I had got 2 lovely red polka dot ovenware dishes and filled them with cake mix's, hundreds & thousands and other tubs like that, baking cases, spoon etc. DD2 got a large cream Mason and Cash Christmas bowl filled with similar stuff. They said that was one of their best presents.

Anyway, hope everyone has a good day, need to get a move on to pop into M&S before work.....if I can

Anglea

What a beautiful and attractive hamper Lucy Lu, and the contents sound great.

I have a confession to make, I don't think I'd ever heard of Cathy Kitson before I read your messages. And yesterday in the newsagent I discovered you could get a free CK bag with one of the mags - in case any of you are interested. Can't remember the name of the publication however :mad:

aurora_14

Anglea wrote: »

What a beautiful and attractive hamper Lucy Lu, and the contents sound great.

I have a confession to make, I don't think I'd ever heard of Cathy Kitson before I read your messages. And yesterday in the newsagent I discovered you could get a free CK bag with one of the mags - in case any of you are interested. Can't remember the name of the publication however :mad:

Don't worry about that... :-) The magazine is called Easy Living - the one with Nicole Kidman on the front cover - June issue, it contains Cath Kidston wash bag and the CK catalogue. Also, you can order the same mag for free (no postage either) from her website but I think you need to register first. Here it is:

http://www.cathkidston.co.uk/s-10-request-a-catalogue.aspx

HTH. xxx

EagerLearner

Hi all, love this idea and would like to join pretty please!
I am constantly experimenting with new ideas for gifts and homemade stuff, as anyone who'd had a peek at my blog will know :rotfl:My latest one on there is the £0.10p homemade soap :T
Aaaanyway, count me in - I started my silvers pot ages ago, looking forward to opening it with everyone in October and see what we've achieved :j

mary43

Hello all and welcome Eager learner.................loving the sound of hand made soap especially the price ! Never tried anything like that before

Well all I've done today is mess about making gift tags and trying to get them to either match or at least blend in/tone with the shoe boxes I've covered so far.........daren't mention how little I've done but the fingers on one hand should do it..........:rotfl:
Spending half my time sitting fretting about doctors appt. tonight -result of blood test then full medical:eek: Don't why I'm worrying cos it won't make it any better will it...............oh I am daft !:rotfl:

cbsexec

Hi all
Welcome EagerLearner
I will try to make your soap - it looks great and fairly easy!! I will add it to my long list of things to do (I must admit the list is very very long!!) I, unfortunately, am not a good model for this thread as I would class myself as a failure on most challenges (more a talker than a doer!) Must do better is my motto! anyway - welcome