Frugal fun

good_advice

Love this thread. I have many hobbies and things to fill my time than are free or do not cost me alot.

This winter I have spent many hours knitting ladies cardigans and given them away - as "can you do one for me?". I need to knit one and try and keep it!

Last winter was the same with crochet single blanket. Made x2 and both given away. They did look nice. All 12" squares.

Since February the family have been decluttering the house and trying to improve the look! It was not bad to start with but now looks visitor friendly. Blessed our unloved/unwanted stuff to other homes. We do not need 2/3 of things. When I think we can declutter no more we find a new area! it is the garden and getting ready for out door living at the moment. Cutting plants back and emptying last years pots. Cutting the lawn.

I spring tidied my wardrobe. I have used the cotton clothes I no longer love to do a new hobby for me of patchwork. Using my very old sewing machine. I have made some patchwork bags.

Walking the dog and taking the camera is another free hobby. You can snap the seasons and places as you walk. Then upload onto the computer.

I decluttered most of my books as I have a kindle to read from. I download mostly free books. It has to be something special before I buy one.

Keep fit is another hobby. I put a exercise dvd on and try to follow or do my own thing. Plenty of cheap dvds on fleabay if you do not own any.

An old craft of mine was card making - so have plenty of blank cards.Money is getting tighter so I am making my own cards again for birthdays - as I have the stuff. Cut pictures from cards given or free magazines.

Cooking and baking. I cook every day. Yesterday I baked a birthday cake. A carrot cake with yellow butter icing on the top. Lovely gift.

We have a puzzle book. A gift to Oh a few Christmas's ago. Got it out and do the puzzles. We both like diffrent one's.

I have better stop, as I could suggest many more things...

Leaporlepor

good_advice wrote: »

Using my very old sewing machine. I have made some patchwork bags.

That sounds lovely. I would love to get back into sewing big things but sewing machine is broken and as there is no shop that repoairs them on site nearby I either have to pay £60 to get it sent away (not including getting anything complicated fixed) or travel 1.5 hours either way on buses to drop it off and repeat journey when it is fixed.

But I am sewing some carnival type birds by hand out of scraps. Going to make them fancy air freshners with essential oils and give as presents.

amancalledmartin

mishmogs wrote: »

Am presently doing some extreme crocheting using torn up old sheets to make some cushions for my outside wooden dining chairs!

This sounds really interesting. I'd love to see a photo when you're done. What are you using as an extreme crochet hook?

Finefoot

I would love to get back into sewing big things but sewing machine is broken and as there is no shop that repoairs them on site nearby I either have to pay £60 to get it sent away (not including getting anything complicated fixed) or travel 1.5 hours either way on buses to drop it off and repeat journey when it is fixed.

Have a look on you tube. I have fixed both of mine using videos from there. Figured if I broke it, it was already broken anyway. However, I fixed them and I saved 90 quid!
Good luck!

psso

For those of you who enjoy knitting and crochet, you might be interested in this website.

http://marrineryarns.com/

Acrylic or acrylic with wool from £1.00

Not trying to part you from your pennies, but if you need yarn you might as well get it at reasonable prices.

I have not given in to temptation......YET.

mrsdwhite

I'm surprised no one has mentioned geocaching yet! I love it amd it can be free if you want it to be, otherwise it costs you a few pounds for a phone app and if you drive around to get your caches the petrol costs. I've found over 200 with DH now and we're both hooked!

good_advice

Just had to google "geocaching" to see what it was = treasure hunt game for smart phones.

I am happy with my pink PAYG phone. I do not need a contract phone.
Then that's just me!
I have read about these apps for games and would be worried. They start off free and then you have to buy add on extras.

grannytwice

psso wrote: »

For those of you who enjoy knitting and crochet, you might be interested in this website.

http://marrineryarns.com/

Acrylic or acrylic with wool from £1.00

Not trying to part you from your pennies, but if you need yarn you might as well get it at reasonable prices.

I have not given in to temptation......YET.

Thanks to the link to the knitting website,i do enjoy knitting and am trying to learn how to crochet, but the cost of wool is so expensive. i also like walking, gardening, swimming and will be making the most of my new bus pass to have days out this summer taking my home made packed lunch with me of course

BAGGY

I wanna start Geochaching with the kiddlies. Might try whilst on hols.
I garden and do craft witht the kidlies as a cheap hobby. Recently rediscovered a huge box of knex so we are going to build a mega structure in the school holidays.
I also go car bootsaling and pick up loads of bargains. The boys love it and add to their toy stock. I buy buttons or beads to hide in their part of garden as treasure and they have a day as pirates/archeologists digging them back up.

nefertaya

I too love Geocaching! It's as expensive as you want it to be plus great for exercise and discovering new places. I started out by myself but now when my mates know I'm planning a visit they ask to tag along

I joined the library this year to quash my frightening :eek: spending on books. (I go through at least one a week!)

I also like crafting, I asked my family to gift me bits and bobs for Xmas/birthday (much more appreciated than smelliest and chocs) and
I challenge myself to create cards using only materials I can get for free. Frugal and fun for me :T