Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

charlies-aunt

Hope all is going well Jackie-O!


Stash busting today - it has taken me all day but I've managed to make loose covers for our 2 and 3 seater sofas from my stock of old curtains/fabric.
Measuring up the sofas, devising a pattern and cutting out took 75% of the time as I had to mix and match patterns and fabrics but the result is surprisingly good (if I do say so myself! ) and time invested in making these will be recouped with not having to adjust and reposition the throws half a dozen times a day.


....and the cost was nil as I was using some of my 'inherited ' stash....going to have a go at making some much needed car seat covers next

meritaten

Charlies-aunt - well done you! I always think that proper preparation for a job saves time and money in the long run. like the old saying 'Measure twice - cut once'.
have you got a photo? would love to see what you have done.

vulpix

well done on recent makes.the phone case could also be enlarged for an ipad.well done on making loose covers,many brownie points for that,any chance of a photo?
i have been awake since 4am,buzzin.Vx

fuddle

You're in for a rail road of a few weeks vulpix but I think you can enjoy it too. Congratulations on acquiring your new home.

I think I am going to have to search the thread for the treacle tart recipe. May have to make such delights next week

MMM yesterday was making a cheese and onion quiche for tea and using up all the salad bits. I shaved off the sprouting bits of the potatoes, boiled them and then cheekily fried them for extra flavour. All used up and ready to be replaced

With the pastry ends I made jam and lemon curd tarts. Still some left so will take them to the allotment with the flask of (I would love to say tea but flask tea is awful!) coffee.

We got corn in a few nights ago and was ever so thankful for the downpours yesterday. Today we are going to dig over the bed earmarked for peas, use a couple of canes for a scarecrow then make the frames for the peas. Plenty of canes over there so should be enough. I will wrap them all in the garden wire that is already there (save my nice green twine for when I really need it) for the peas to grip onto. We'll dig over the kiddies plot for them as they have cleared a lot of the weeds but still needs a grown up touch. They have the patch that already has strawbs in and have done well not to trod on them while working. They are wanting to plant sugar snap peas on their plot.

I have had a chicken in the oven since 7.30 so will wait for that to finish then off to go start my day.

Catch up later MMMers

elona

I have had to bite the bullet and get someone to care for the garden as I have no clue how to do that myself and also get cleaners once a fortnight as the house is too big for me to manage properly. Hoping to get it sold this year and downsize to a bungalow which will be cheaper and easier to manage.

Telling myself that short term spending to keep house and garden
reasonable will hopefully be a long term saving.

Treating DD to cinema later but using my bus pass and going to a cheaper cinema. Was :eek: at the prices when we last visited the fancier cinema.

iamsalt

Good morning.
Off for a walk along the cliffs between Dover and Folkestone today, with geocaching and 2 borrowed dogs included. That is oh's reward for doing lots of jobs around the house. I got a picnic set backpack for my birthday, and will pack that up rather than buy food.
I think I will get 10 mins in the garden first though.

Quick question, not sure if anyone is from the right area, but I am going to stay with my best friend next weekend to teach her little girl how to sew and make clothes. I have quite a bit of fabric, but she has far more taste than me, and so I wanted to take her to get some she could choose herself, as it will be her birthday present . Does anyone know of a cheapish but nice fabric shop near Huntingdon?
I have made her a little sewing kit from my stash, buttons etc, so that is MMM.

Bigjenny

fuddle here is the Treacle Tart recipe
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=68185832&postcount=2025

Most of the recipes from the thread are on the 1st post.

silvasava

:EasterBun Treacle Tart all gone ( sorry - nearest smiley I could find lol)

vhalla1478

Good Afternoon Everyone, very pleased that the treacle tart is proving so popular; I just hope I don't get the blame if anyone puts on weight because of it!

I've had a busy few days shopping, grandchildren etc., AND I've got my ticket booked for Jan's meet, so I'm really looking forward to seeing as many of you who are able to make it as possible.

Will post recipe possibly tomorrow as grandchildren and I are in an epic three day Monopoly battle!

Love Viv xx

charlies-aunt

I will try to get a photo uploaded although I'm not very techno-minded! I've only just given up on my manual sewing machine to move to an electric one


Itching to get started on a pair of car seat covers next!