New, New Thirfty Gifty for Christmas and All Ocassions 2011..Santas Challenge...

gemini12

mumto0ne I have a head start on the challenge as i defrosted my freezer a couple of weeks ago and did the food cupboards at the same time just the fridge to go.
Birthday presents are more difficult as we buy very few and tend to ask what people would like just before but have granddaughters ready for Feb which is very unusual so getting there. The next birthday isnt until May.

Georgiegirl2012

Good morning people - haven't read or posted for about a week, so no doubt have about 57 pages to catch up on.

I havent bought a huge amount in the sales mainly because I don't have any money, but somehow managed to "invest" in a few crafty items which have taken me way over my budget for the whole year, so am going to have to ebay half the house to recoup the cost - or perhaps sell a few cards.

Rang into work this morning to take a day off, so going to start by blitzing the kitchen. Yes, I am, really. Honest.

i'll start by going in there and making a cup of tea whilst I think about the best plan of attack:rotfl:

rufusdog52

I have put some pics on my blog, there's one of my quilt as it is at the moment, not finished, one of my new top I made and one of my craft desk now I have finished decorating my spare room, Rufus xx

mswan

Looking forward to the challenge, determined to be organised this year thanks to your help

mary-op

Hello all :j
Been waiting for lady from age concern to come -she said lunchtime but still not here:( Mind you she does have other folk to see -must learn to be a bit more patient...............lol
Hate waiting for folk to come though......stops me getting on with anything -not that I can do a lot but I could have got my paints out again or something like that. Oh well............c'est la vie.............lol:)

susan42

rufus - just seen your craft room and quilt, they`re fab, well done you

mum2one - and MISS HOODIE , thank you (i think ) for the challenges, i can find a few things on there to keep me busy.

Georgie girl - know what you mean about craft, i said i`m not spending anymore and bought the wine buffs cd on create and craft, it was money neutral though with my money off vouchers


mary - be patient, i hope she turns up soon though , and dont leave you out all together

thanks tracey - def tell DS food....lol:D

elysia - freebies? chalk me up

Fortune

Jan and Feb birthdays all done. Cards written and alol wrapped. Need to do March now. Big Month for me 6 birthdays!! and my DH is one o them. And he is 40!! Deep Joy!! LOL. Mothers day done. Just need cards.

Hugs to all who need.

Txx[/QUOTE]

My oh is 40th too this year!! Perhaps we could share ideas???

mary-op

Well, lady from age concern never did turn up. So, I had a go at some very tiny knitting on cocktail sticks -saw it on the 'handmade for christmas' thread.............least I've done something.......not a lot but it keeps me feeling positive

twinklekat

Hi ladies, I've come over here (all the way from the sister thread!!) to have a look at the challenges - must say I am quite looking forward to the fun one, not so much the freezer defrost I'd love to have a go at a few handmade items this Christmas, but unfortunately I am not the most creative girl in the world and a lot of my OH's family are the kind that 'don't do' handmade. I hope to glean a few ideas from you all, and I'm sorry if I ask any daft questions in between!

SugarSpun

Challenge:

EASY
Have the lists ready for Birthday, xmas, and other ocassions such as Valentines Day, Mothers Day (2nd April), Fathers Day (usually June time), Easter - we're finishing the christmas sweets and cakes and the supermarkets are selling the eggs already! and have budgets set for them.
Done!

Find a safe hiding place for any presents brought, and make sure you have a spare list of where everything is, and who's been brought what.
My poor wardrobe

I'm going to upload my spreadsheet to Google Docs though so if my lovely laptop finally gives up the ghost (it's about seventy in computer years :eek: I've not lost it).

Sales
Don't need anything, must not shop!

VistaPrint
I want to make a Father's Day card soon and will be very :money: and make one for DH and one for my Dad. I'm undecided on Vistaprint versus home making them but we'll see.

Medium
Ladies we deserve a treat, we've pulled off Christmas, we've hit the sales, we've been bashed, battered, pushed and shoved...so treat time.
I went to a gig on Saturday, does that count or should I have a bath this month?
Actually, I have hair dye sitting waiting for me but it needs bleach before the colour so I need DH to help me.

For those with children, we have half term coming up, the perfect opportunity for them to help tidy and gut their rooms. If you have anything summery kept incase it fits, I find Feb time generally good for summer stuff, whether its 99p for a tshirt - but people start planning hols around them so if they can pick up a bargain - win win all the way round.
I've just packed away Wee Beastie's too-small stuff for Hypothetical Sibling and will be gutting her toys and boxing, wrapping and basementing anything that's too young for her next time she's out for a couple of hours.

HARD BIT
Those who are luckly enough to have a frost free freezer - you get a break....
We're hitting the kitchen / utility / freezer with a vengance, hopefully theres space from all the extras we used at Christmas, so nows the time to get it cleaned and organised.
DH went through it a couple of weeks ago and removed all the unusable stuff. There isn't much room but it's all allegedly essential and we're being very good about trying to eat it all.

The same goes for the fridge, and anywhere food is stored, your not gutting every cupboard
I did the fridge last weekend - and the pantry for that matter. Score!

The oddest meal out of items in the house, will win a prize, Miss Hoodie will choose the meal...
We had Freezer Surprise yesterday, scampi, popcorn shrimp, oven chips and leftover pasta with broccoli and courgette as a "veg".

FUN
Challenge yourself to do something that you may have done before andmaybe never finished
Sewing machine challenge for me too, I need to put darts into a shirt. I can do them by hand but never have with the machine.


I'm now 36% neutral for the year :money: and have taken a pile of ebay photos to plug into Turbo Lister and upload at some point when we're nearly in the UK so I can offer a cheaper postage rate and hopefully attract more bids.