Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

cheerfulness4

bexster1975 wrote: »

Hi all

Have just posted this on the not buying it thread but it seemed suitable for here too.

I have just downloaded this from Amazon

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crochet-Complete-Comprehensive-Guide-Crocheting-ebook/dp/B00S1GG2Q6/ref=zg_bs_341689031_f_38

Complete set of three books downloaded to kindle ( or tablet) for free! I dont know how to crotchet so thought this would be a good start. The individual books ( that you gave to pay for) have good reviews.

Bexster

Thanks so much for that Bexster. I've grabbed it before I miss out. Much obliged!

IrisViolet

Cheerfulness I taught myself to crochet a year ago with some cheap wool, you tube and a lot of mistakes!! Keep going you will get there.
This year I'm determined to master baking! Today's cake is a tasty but crumbly mess!!

bexster1975

Cheerfulness, I will keep you posted on my progress if you return the favour!
Bexster

savingqueen

IrisViolet wrote: »

This year I'm determined to master baking! Today's cake is a tasty but crumbly mess!!

The taste is what matters, just add custard and its pudding! Well done.

GreyQueen

Before tea, I ran up a drawstring bag to corral some tubes of stickyback plastic which fall around all over the cupboard. Went to my fabric box and got out an offcut from a curtain which an old pal threw out, and it was the perfect size. Made a channel along the top and threaded through a re-purposed ribbon, added a label from a greetings card and that was that done.

I have made drawstring bags from fabric to hold small things which were inclined to fall through my slatted wooden airing cupboard shelves, and this muchly helps the organisation in the tiny cupboard. All using things I already had, so no costs other than my time.

Have minimizied the 'house fat' by several kilos worth of books, textiles and misc which I took to the charity shop in my shopping trolley. I call it Reverse Shopping - you go out laden and come back empty-handed.

nursemaggie

love the waistcoat Cheerfulness. If you are likely to get frustrated with the pattern try putting stitch markers at the end of each pattern repeat. I find loom bands very good for that, thought you might have some. I can now do lacy patterns at last.

Love the crochet books too bexster I may buy the books could be very useful don't have a Kindle. Not crocheted for years need to refresh.

I have had a notebook for tips since I joined MSE you get so many.

cheerfulness4

nursemaggie wrote: »

love the waistcoat Cheerfulness. If you are likely to get frustrated with the pattern try putting stitch markers at the end of each pattern repeat. I find loom bands very good for that, thought you might have some. I can now do lacy patterns at last.

Love the crochet books too bexster I may buy the books could be very useful don't have a Kindle. Not crocheted for years need to refresh.

I have had a notebook for tips since I joined MSE you get so many.

That's a good tip with the loom bands. An easy way of knowing how far back to undo when the pattern goes wonky. Its going in the notebook!

Did you know that you can download the kindle for pc from Amazon? That's how I used to read my books before getting my tablet. Its not everyones up of tea viewing them like that, though.


Iris - I bet you crack the baking before I do the crochet. Bexster and I will have to encourage each other along.


GreyQ- you've just reminded me to get some fabric off my mum for some drawstring bags for the grandkiddies bits.

GreyQueen

I first became an afficianado of the drawstring bag when travelling the world (or the bits of it with first world plumbing, anyway ). For travelling, I have drawstring bags with cords and sprung toggles, all of them salvaged from injured clothes and luggage. Plus a letter chain-stitched by hand in a large scale such as 'T' for trousers, to identify the contents. I got creative with the swimwear bag and put a wave on it.:cool:

In the linen cupboard, which is a titchy 23 inches wide by 19 inches deep (although some of that is lost to the pipework), I have stuff like teatowels and flannels and pillowslips bagged by type. I am presently in the happy position of having more than I need. So I have the spares bagged and a couple of examples of each type un-bagged. I will concentrate the wear-and-tear on those items until they are used up, then bring another two in service etc. It also stops small stuff falling between the slats and getting lost.

If you need fabric, a charity shop duvet cover will provide bountifully for very little ££.

loopy12

Bexster and Cheerfulness i'm sure you'll master the art of crochet. I find it easier and quicker than knitting. Attic 24 blog has some good advice and lovely patterns she taught herself to crochet a few years ago and is doing amazing things.

Grey Queen i have seen a similar idea on pinterest of keeping all of your duvet covers and matching bedding for the set all tucked up in one of the pillowcases. I think i like your idea of the drawstring bags better as i could colour code them so i know the size or bed or which child it belongs to at quick glance. Hopefully helping them all to stack nicely. It wasn't until I had did i understand the need for such a huge amount fo linen!

I got distracted on my mission to finish the cushions and start the trousers today but i have minimised some of my papper clutter on the shelves in the dining room as i needed to find the allotment bill.

The trouble i find is that one thing leads to another and i can not seem to find the time to finish the first. This is mainly because i live at times in chaos and really need to get my organisational act together!

cheerfulness4

When my children were little my mum made me so many drawstring bags, they were invaluable. I had ones for lego, brio, knex, cars. DH put little hooks up so they could hang their toys up and off the floor.

Attic24 is a blog I've loved for years, too. Lucy makes such lovely, bright things. I bought the book that she learnt from herself after she recommended it and I've got the basics of simple stage crochet but my blanket was wonky in the end.
Then I realised my technique was somewhat different for others even though it seemed to give the same results.
No matter. By January 1st 2016 I'll have produced something fabulous in crochet, you wait and see.