*The Holly and the Ivy* and the You Know What 2013 Chatter Thread.

craftymummy_2

Noodles: for your Aunt & Uncle could you do jams, chutneys, fudge, flavoured booze or Xmas cake as presents? Either all or just a selection in a nice box? Not sure what your budget is for them but these are all relatively cheap and maybe you could use some of them for other people too?

For Cousin 1 - keep an eye on Play.com and Argos as in the summer they both do good clothes sales. Might be able to pick up like a Quicksilver wallet, scarf, hat for not a lot of money. Last year they were all under £5!

Tesco has their clothing sale on at the moment, worth having a look.

Not sure how old cousin 2 & gf are but could you do them a movie hamper or a meal out on groupon? Or for her a pamper hamper from primark or HB? As for him - would need more info re age & hobbies etc.

Don't forget Matalan has good sales too during the summer.

Hope that helped


Ps.: well done on getting the other bits already and being so organised!

FeistyFidget

Julie67 - I think a class sounds like a wonderful idea - I cannot get my head round crochet either Well done to you too on the weight loss - it can be so tricky losing it, you did really well!

04624181 - Can I see some photo's of your plaques? I am craft obsessed and love to see everyones makes! Sometimes I worry I'm boring everyone with my rambles, so would love someone else to join me With regards to knitting, my Nan taught me when I was young, but I had forgotten by the time I wanted to take it up again a few years ago. I used this youtube channel and have never looked back! If you fancy some simple patterns, let me know! I am by no-means an expert, but I can manage easy bits

Freespirit - Same to you, would love to see some of those cards! As if there was any doubt that they would be good enough to sell! You superstar, just think you could have a nice money spinner on your hands

mrsinvisible, I am sure you have already thought of this but a lot of people swear by switching to chunky/large crocheting - I am personally a huge fan of this look as think that blankets, scarfs, hats etc look so cosy and snug!

Ameyturtle I need to see a picture of Harper (adorable name) so I can coo all over him - I'm not nicknamed the crazy dog lady for nothing

Noodles, you are doing really well! You really are an inspiration for me to get my Christmas butt back into gear!

And on a Christmas note, does anyone know of any festive bakes/cakes/biscuits that can be frozen in november and cooked to give out as gifts in December? I really enjoyed giving the Christmas hampers last year, but I do not want a repeat of the full on tears, screams and frustration that went with trying to get everything done so close to Christmas - any advice would be really grateful

Mrs_Cullen

Hi just recovering from the marrillion weekend in Wolverhampton 3 concerts over 3 nights, it was fantastic got right down the front so I could see because being only 5foot tall it's hard to be behind everyone. Xmas front just booked tickets to see black sabbath at the nia on 22 December pre Xmas treat. Think I am reliving my mispent youth. Hi to everyone hope you all have a good week.

freespirit66

Hi everyone, been sorting out the christmas stuff in the garage i want to get rid of, so 3 charity bags are in the hall awaiting to be put out in the morning to be picked up, theres a nice pile that needs to be taken to the dump, i love decluttering
JULIE67 oh what a shame i live down south, you have so many good things going on up north x
04624181 ha thankyou, some of them i think are awful but we are always our own worst critic arent we?? wow you are really doing well on the xmas front x
NANAMIA that is really quite sad, does that mean that her meds could have been reviewed before and she could have got her life back? No wonder you really are so thrilled for her, and you had missed her old self. Good for you, keep it up with SW x
FEISTY wow that was a good baking day doesnt icing sugar get everywhere!! Hope you get on with your iphone, i absolutely love mine, aah thankyou for saying that about my cards, trouble is i made them about 5years ago, and the 'on trend' crafting changes so quickly haha, will have a think about hamper foods, your hampers were beautiful last xmas x
AMEYTURTLE ooh yes please i would love to see a photo of Harper (love love that name)
NOODLES you are so organised, i have some presents bought and wrapped, and put away, but when people post what they have got it is so inspiring x
MRSCULLEN have you got your hearing back yet???:rotfl:there is nothing wrong with reliving your mispent youth

jakesbakescakes

Manchester People!!!!
just spotted this offer for The Creative Crafts Show at the old GMEX £7 for 2 peoples entry. Its on all over the May Bank Hol weekend. Am tempted myself x

http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/manchester/the-creative-crafts-show/20234515?nlp=&CID=UK_CRM_1_0_0_106&a=11

mrsinvisible

Morning, wow, what a lot of pre Christmas activity going on. I think I've done all the 'buying' presents except for the nibs it will just be the hampers and 'bits' to sort out. Boots 75% sale got me loads of smellie sets and their 90% got all my wrapping and tags. Trouble is the nibs change their minds so often, and I have to get the go ahead from parents, and my ddil never wants anything, she is so unaquisitive its unbelievable, but is fussy about what she does want/get and it has to be able to be taken back to china too.
I have taken loads to the charity shop this morning and re-homed some more to dd and her sils, 2 bin bags to go.
peaking of DD her car is goosed, she had to get gree@ flag out last night as it wouldn't start when she came out of drs, so I will no doubt get the full SP before dinner time.
Ameyturtle, tanks for the advice, and I'd love to see the photo.
Feisty yes I tried the outsize crocheting but the weight of the item is too much for my wrists and neck, I just do baby stuff now, even tho it is fine it is light, and I don't do a lot.
I'm doing my friends washing this week as her kitchen has been flooded and its not repaired yet. Will get this load onto the line now, xxx

noodles86

craftymummy wrote: »

Noodles: for your Aunt & Uncle could you do jams, chutneys, fudge, flavoured booze or Xmas cake as presents? Either all or just a selection in a nice box? Not sure what your budget is for them but these are all relatively cheap and maybe you could use some of them for other people too?

For Cousin 1 - keep an eye on Play.com and Argos as in the summer they both do good clothes sales. Might be able to pick up like a Quicksilver wallet, scarf, hat for not a lot of money. Last year they were all under £5!

Tesco has their clothing sale on at the moment, worth having a look.

Not sure how old cousin 2 & gf are but could you do them a movie hamper or a meal out on groupon? Or for her a pamper hamper from primark or HB? As for him - would need more info re age & hobbies etc.

Don't forget Matalan has good sales too during the summer.

Hope that helped


Ps.: well done on getting the other bits already and being so organised!

That's such a fab list, thank you for putting in so much effort!

I love my aunt and uncle dearly, they are more like (fun) parents to me but we just don't have a lot to spend, so we always agree on a token gift (last year was a box of biscuits, bottle of wine and a photo of the kids - which I gave to everyone!) your home made goodies list is amazing however I'm just rubbish at stuff like that! I also worry my attempts are rubbish and look cr4p and then I get stressed! I may have a go at making some fudge again with Nia as I think she will enjoy it but my previous attempts have been disastrous! I would say my budget is prob around £10.

Tip for cousin 1 is fab will defo keep my out for things like that as Im sure he would like any of those quicksilver things you mentioned. i generally always buy him a smellies set (teenage boys smell!) but something other than the usual chocolate to go with would be great!

Had a look at Tesco sale, nothing there this time (got some nice tops for kids for easter instead of an egg) but shall keep an eye out. Would be great if I could find a thomas the tank or disney cars jumper/fleece for around £5 in age 2-3. I've also got some nice clothes from Argos in the past so will have to keep on looking!

Cousin 2 and his gf are both 20. Theres really is just a token gift as I buy for their two children. Budget is probably around £5. I could stretch it for the 'right' gift but not sure what that would be and a movie hamper sounds sweet but no idea on the type of film they would enjoy on my budget! Or what they even have in their dvd collection. I think the last films I know they have been watching is looper and osama bin zombie or something like that! So not really anything I know about or have interest in! not even sure if his gf even likes those types of film but any hoo!

Feisty your hampers are lovely. the boxes and tags are so gorgeous! Could I ask, when did you make the items, to when did you give them out? So basically how long do things last!? Also luuuurve the mad hatters word cut out

Mrs Cullen - Maririllion weeknd sounds like you had a great time. My best friend was named after Kayleigh, love hearing it

frespirit - well done on the decluttering

Mrs Invisible - I worry I am that kind of dil! I never want anything but if someone insists i find it really hard and cant help feeling please dont waste your money on me! I do normally end up with vouchers! Maybe you should just get her nothing, just once! I would actually find it a relief! Or just giver her a tenner or the equivalent for china!

Went through the present stash for the kids last night - Mali does not, I repeat does not need nothing else for xmas! More than enough for a one year old. Will concentrate on stocking and xmas eve hamper for her. Found more than I thought for Nia (though not loads) and something I bought years ago cheap which now I know she wont want! But they can go in the present box so not wasted.

Booked Nia's party last night (its not until November but I like to be organised!) nothing needs to be paid until the day :j so that's helped out. Thinking of making cupcakes and her cake in September and freezing them so will be chilled nearer the time. This is the cake she wants http://therufffarm.wordpress.com/2013/02/21/5042/ thinking of making a small cake (which we and family will have) and a chocolate cup cake each for the kids to take home with them. Oh was also thinking of buying books from the book people (£1 a book) and wrapping them up as a lucky dip as an alternative to lucky bags but dh thinks this is a rubbish idea - any thoughts?

PoppyGirl

Hello everyone, again sorry I'm not able to respond to you all personally but I'm just checking in to say hello and that I'm here!

Feisty I love your craft projects on your blog - do you do your papercuts by hand or on your cameo machine?

I need to make this Christmas extra money saving and I plan to work hard to do a couple more craft fairs because my partner and I got engaged over the weekend! So saving for the wedding commences and some serious DIY and crafty projects will be in the pipeline for me - exciting times ahead!

So far for Christmas I only have two people completed:

The dog (haha she comes first!) I bought her some toys and treats in the pet shop sale

My friend's daugther (11) - got her things from the dotcomgiftshop sale when I was buying for Christmas last year.

I also have a box of 'bits' picked up in the sales as I've seen them that can go in hampers, or as stocking fillers.

I also have plenty in my craft stash to make cards, and an infinate supply of wrapping paper bought when it's been 90% off.

Over the next couple of bits I need to get somethings for my friend's daughter's 1st birthday in November, then her Christmas. They are coming up in July so I plan to give them the gifts then!!! They will think I'm nuts but will save on postage, and means I don't have to be restrained in what I buy size/weight wise!

I also have two of my lovely friends expecting babies over the summer so I'd appreciate anybody giving me a heads up on gifts for them when they are born and for their Christmas! (I'm going to buy The Night Before Christmas book as suggested by someone on here, thank you.)

Hope you are all well, hugs to those who need them!

x

Julie67

Jakesbakescakes, thank you for the link I shall definitely be going to that:D

moneysavingmumofone

Hello all! We had a fabulous holiday, the weather was great (well for England lol) all week except for rain on the last 2 days which didnt dampen our spirits at all! The cottage was amazing, so much space and history and it was so peaceful. Met up with my best friend on the last day, not for long enough but we accidentally booked hols in the same week (she lives where I went) so was the only day we could do! Kids had a great time and was lovely to see her DS as he was only a few weeks old when I saw him last in October and now he's a very cheeky and cute 6 month old! Had a worrying time the day after we got back as he was very poorly and was rushed to hospital in an ambulance so I couldnt sleep all night worrying about them at the hospital but he is getting better now.
Have to dash to get DS from school but will catch up properly when I get back. Bought a few christmas presents when we were away, my christmas brain never stops ticking!