Thrify Gifty Santas Challenge 2013,

Anglea

Hi all

I'm back after being awol again due to socialising, relationships etc. Sod's law. Before I started going out I was on my own all the time, now all the people I know tend to be very needy so I have lost my connection to nature, no longer do those really long walks to the woods etc on my own. I do walk a lot in the countryside but only because it's where I live and I am always walking with a purpose across the fields as a shortcut to a shop, pub or house, not because of enjoyment of the moment.

It's only in the past week since I've had more time to myself that I've realised how out of sync life has gone. No time for the Thrifty thread so not organised, no blackberry picking, jam making etc, seasonal crafts.

I need to reconnect with myself.

Any of you found yourself in a similar situation?

Mum2one, I see you are still doing your nice trips away including your local hospital! Can't believe how time flies, Miss Hoodie in the other school.

This evening I went through my Special Occasions box to see what there was in terms of the August Challenge.

Those of you doing book bags, in case you haven't seen this - I spotted another version of this - a bag made from a leather organiser.

mum2one

I finally made the rhubarb and orange marmalade 2ngt - added a magic ingredient - white wine- it was lush (the marmalade and the wine!!). Had 4 small jars ready for the xmas gifties then normal jars - althogether I made 14 jars. I was lucky as the neighbour gave us all the rhubarb.. Miss Hoodie took a jar round to say thank you..

All went well with nanny hoodie - she had her pre-op assesment today, all ok, so she goes in Thurs for the carpol in her hand - shes on evening list, not sure whether there keeping her in or not, as she hasnt got to be at the hospital till 5pm.

hope everyone ok xx

mrs-moneypenny

morning all
hugs Angela, life balance is very difficult sometimes i hope you find a solution that makes you happy, keeps your new friends and still gives you time for yourself.
mum2one, jam sounds delish, hope everything goes well for nanny hoodie on thursday.

finished knitting the baby cardi so just going for a walk up school to find the new owner.

Anglea

Hi all

Yesterday I read about a new book by an Italian woman about cooking in the dishwasher. Immediately thought about this thread and the vodka and toffee ideas, and didn't some of you cook salmon this way?

What colour was the cardi mrs moneypenny?

mum2one, that sounds like a really good combination of ingredients.

Did you read in the papers about that jar of home made pickle that exploded in someone's fridge?

Anything like that ever happen to anyone here?

When I wrote about being involved with very needy people I'd had some space lately so wasn't best pleased to receive 'suicide threats' from a friend very early this morning. They've been like this since we first met.

My actual plan is the arts and crafts club when I finally get going (I'm just having breakfast and it's already open) then I will see the friend afterwards at lunchtime as he's already in the pub (10.15 am hopefully on coffee at this time). I can foretell how the rest of the afternoon will go as he's already sending texts as he's alone in the pub.

He's not the b/f but really likes me a lot and says I'm his best friend. I think since my children both have special needs I can be very patient with people so don't let him affect me too much, it's only when he gets possessive who I talk with that I can get a bit irritated.

Sorry for going on about this on here, I suppose it's just because of his texts this morning right as I'm supposed to be going to the club.

Hope you all have a good day x

mrs-moneypenny

it was pink, she loved it and would like another

mum2one

Angela = hope everything went ok with your friend,

Mrs MoneyPenny - the cardigan is lovely.
xx

EchoDelta

(((anglea))) that sounds hard going. Don't know if it would work for you but I've started blocking out time on the calendar for just us to spend together doing nothing much at all. Then if we're asked to do stuff I say we're already booked up. If there's nothing on the calendar I find it much more difficult to say no.

I'm back to square one for the friend I was going to make a book bag for. She told me about an amazing present her mum gave her "it's a handbag made out of a real book!". On the outside I was all "wow how cool" but inside I was going "noooooooo"! :rotfl:

rufusdog52

Echo thats a real shame isnt it. I have had things like that happen to me too. I have had to change things around before because someone else has bought them something or they have bought it for themselves, its a bit of a big coincidence though that they have got a bag from a book!! I have made 6 of them for my stall now, cant wait to see what the response is to them.

I have finished two of the little houses off for the little girls, nearly finished the ones for the boys too, just need to applique a few bits to the outsides. Will look out for some cars and little dolls to go with them if I can find some cheap enough. I have also got the bags cut out ready, I have appliqued a skull to the fronts of them all, going to add some embroidery to them before sewing them up. Got a few days to get on with that as OH is on nights again until Friday so wont be able to sew upstairs.

Have had someone ask for a cushion to be made so need to start on that too, thats something I can get on with down stairs so will get that cut out later when he gets up.

mrs-moneypenny

rufus which pattern are you using please? ive still not had a gone but looked a a couple of different way to go about it. just wondering if youve found a way thats best yet.

echo sorry to hear someone beat you to giving your friend a bookbag, maybe she would like another from you especially if she knew youd made it for her yourself and as they are all unique yours would be different to the one she already has.

rufusdog52

mrs-moneypenny wrote: »

rufus which pattern are you using please? ive still not had a gone but looked a a couple of different way to go about it. just wondering if youve found a way thats best yet.

echo sorry to hear someone beat you to giving your friend a bookbag, maybe she would like another from you especially if she knew youd made it for her yourself and as they are all unique yours would be different to the one she already has.

Which pattern are you referring to Mrs Moneypenny?