The Compact Challenge 2010 (formally "Need help for a challenge")

MrsMoo2U

Sorry I havent posted but I have lurked. I am ashamed to say that I have not been anywhere near as good as you all have been. Although I have not bought anything new at all. I have been decluttering and finding things that can be used for other things. I am planning to ebay some things this weekend because it is free listing on Sunday. Does this kind of thing count? I have also got some things to be listed on freecycle - I like the idea that somebody who can make use of things can have my "obsolete" stuff.

Pink Numbers - Well done to you. That is definitely allowed! I wish I could crochet I am going to check out that you tube link. Only problem is I dont have any yarn or a hook. I will check with my sister as she may have kept my Mums things when clearing the house out. I would definitely go with the wire for the curtains they are very easy to use and will create the least damage to shelves. How are you getting on without a tv. I have been without one for 12 months now and I dont miss it at all.

San Fran. How are you making the placemats. I am intrigued.

I did some beach combing at the weekend and have some lovely shells with which I am planning to put onto an old wooden box to turn into a gift for somebody. It will take me some time to gather enough but it is an enjoyable couple of hours away from the shops et.

pink_numbers

Aril wrote: »

Well done Pink Numbers on finding such a good solution:jMy gut instinct would have probably been to get a replacement ball if I didn't give myself time to think about it rationally. Interestingly my son has AS..it comes in from my husband's side but I definitely recognise elements of it in my behaviours aswell at times.
I have received a few items that are new to me this year but either from a couple of unexpected gifts or via some jumble bits my parents have passed onto me and which they've given me free rein to keep any bits from [that's how I've ahem ended up with 2 more paperbacks but I shall pass them onto the charity shop as soon as I've read them] Other than that it's just been food so far- I'm sure however, that I shall have a splurge at the jumble sale I'm helping at next week if anything catches my eye. I know me!
I've never tried crochet- is it easy? Another of my favourite blog haunts is the one by Attic 24- I find the originality and the bright colours she uses inspiring. I've never got beyond knitting fluffy scarves in gorgeous yarns which I really enjoy wearing.
My next frugal project is to finish the blind that I started back in the summer before I was ill. I'm making it out of the back of a cream duvet cover which had a nasty tea stain on the front and overlaying it with a sumptious sari remnant that I bought on a whim years ago. My Mum suggested that I embellish it further with rows of running stitch in gold thread and she has very kindly been helping me as my sewing skills are basic to say the least:o
Arilx

Hi Aril :hello:
ohhhh I loooooooooove attic 24!!! She is the goddess of crochet! I have been trying out several of her projects, I'm on my second ripple blanket, made two of her stripy bags, and I have my eyes on the hexagons soon.

I personally found crochet to be easier, because you are dealing with two things (a thread and a hook) with your two hands, as oppose to three things (a thread and two needles) with two hands as in knitting. I have poor coordination and can't handle more things than I have hands for! :rotfl: It's more satisfying, as your project will build up very quickly. I made my first ripple blanket in three weeks, which you just can't do in knitting! Crochet is also very flexible. There are several ways of doing the same thing, and you pick the one that suits you best. If you look at crochet on youtube, you will notice that there are several ways of holding the yarn!

Your blind sounds divine, and it will probably feel really good to finish something you started before you got ill. You will have to show it off to us when it's done How about putting some beads along the bottom to go with the fanciness of the sari fabric?

You are doing so much better than me at this buy nothing new thing!!

pink_numbers

Hi cherisong, welcome to the thread :hello: It's so lovely to hear from you.

cherisong wrote: »

I am ashamed to say that I have not been anywhere near as good as you all have been. Although I have not bought anything new at all. I have been decluttering and finding things that can be used for other things. I am planning to ebay some things this weekend because it is free listing on Sunday. Does this kind of thing count?

of course it counts, you are doing BETTER than I am!! Well done! :T I too am finding myself decluttering a lot, now that stuff stopped coming into the house, it seems that I have time & energy to take a good look at the stuff I do have.

cherisong wrote: »

Pink Numbers - Well done to you. That is definitely allowed! I wish I could crochet I am going to check out that you tube link. Only problem is I dont have any yarn or a hook. I will check with my sister as she may have kept my Mums things when clearing the house out.

Also, try your local charity shops (you're allowed to buy second hand as much as you want! ). Many have yarns and hooks available, although I read somewhere that you have to ask for crochet hooks and knitting needles, as due to crazy health and safety, they now can't have them left out in the shops for children to poke their eyes with. :rolleyes:

Having no TV has been amazing. I am getting on with so much more stuff now, and I'm not dictated by the TV as to when I can do things. I am so glad we got rid of that thing.

Beach combing in January? Wasn't it freezing? You are braver than I am. I am sure the beautiful shells are worth the effort though

pink_numbers

Went to a big shopping centre today for the first time since the challenge, and it was surprisingly easy! I bought my friend and I a coffee each as she drove us there, but other than that, I didn't buy anything. I wasn't even tempted... well, one thing tempted me, a scarf that had these bubbles that were so autistically-satisfying to fiddle with, but I just wanted the bubbles not the scarf!

Alison_Funnell

Too be honest I'm not too upset as most of the worrying was done in the past few months. He had a few strokes and odd events. It has been hard dealing with the odd way he laid out his will and how his remaining sisiter who did a lot for him has been hurt.

I wil try to take a piccie of the hat - if I can find the cables to upload either from the phone or camera.

As for the 6 cats, well they sort of sneek up on you!

Social Sciences atm, enroute to Psychology but tbh I am not very good at keeping up with the work and am finding it boring.

pink_numbers wrote: »

Awwww I'm so sorry to hear about your great uncle *big hugs* Well done for taking on his things to turn into things for others to use, I am sure your great uncle will be happy to know that you are making them useful (ok that didn't come out well, but you know what I mean...)

You have 6 kitties!!! wow! Well done for finishing the hat, I hope you can put up a photo of it here so we can all ooooogle at your handy work

What OU course are you doing?

pink_numbers

Alison_Funnell wrote: »

Social Sciences atm, enroute to Psychology but tbh I am not very good at keeping up with the work and am finding it boring.

I can understand how it's difficult to keep yourself motivated to keep up with the schedule of study, especially when you are on your own. (*mutters something about taking years to writer her thesis*)

Alison_Funnell

What did you study? I am very close to quitting. Somehow I find life is far more in need of my attention atm raher than studies.

pink_numbers

I'm doing computer science... but very psychology based. I really must get my thesis written. Don't quite now, I know it seems like life keeps getting in the way, but it will be worth it in the end. Plus, OU fees are so high & you'd lose all that investment if you quit. Have you had a chat with your tutor?

Alison_Funnell

Tried to but he is wuite new tutor. To be honest I think I need the break. Lots of things have happen IRL, back probs, work, etc. Sometimes you realise that you have to look at it realistic and that the wasted OU course is probably another symptom not the cause.

Now if I could find the cause it would be easy! lol

How are you coping with your challenge? I thought I was failing with a few of mine but then realised that everyone stumbles when they first learn to walk - or in my case undergo rehabilitation.

Aril

Hello:D
How's everyone getting on then?
Have so far only managed to buy essentials but then I have been benefitting from my Mum's decluttering so ahem a few different items may have crossed the threshold la la la!!
The blind is going well [more to do on it tonight] and my next project will be to see if I can make a Valentine's card from my stash.
What was the decision regarding the catalogue:D [I'm just being plain nosy now!!]
Arilx