Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

vhalla1478

:beer: Thank you, Nursemaggie, you're never too old to learn something new!

silvasava

GQ What a b****r about the watch. Its so irritating to have something with some life left that is virtually unusable - grrr!!
Princess How lovely that someone is willing to pass on their old sewing machine to you. You'll get so much enjoyment & satisfaction from it & as GQ says 25 years old is nothing for a sewing machine - they're very rarely misused - quite the opposite. If there are no destructions you can often get them of the internet - many manufacturers now post their old machines books on line.
I'd also second GQ's advice but add - get a set of new needles as if there are any with it you don't know if they are still sharp. Also something I saw posted by another Forumite is to practice on sheets of paper to get straight lines if you have never used a machine before.

Sam1984

Afternoon everyone!

Great news about the sewing machine Princess! My mum has just got a new one so I will be having her old one and passing my mini one on to dd so everyone is happy!

Will have to try that recipe Vhalla, doesn't seem to expensive, mine love their meat can normally get away with meatless once or twice a week but not normally more, so cheapish recipes are always good!

Caroline you have reminded me I need to go through my seeds and check the dates, see what everyone wants to try growing and put any orders in, hopefully if I let them help choose they will be more inclined to help do the growing!

Bobarella

Hi All
Not too exciting but my make do of today will be cutting up an old pair of OHs fleece lined tracksuit bottoms for rags. He is getting quite good at letting go of things that have reached their end of use (in one form) now. So that will save us a few pennies over time.
Enjoyed catching up with everyones news.
Bob

Herbyme

Just been trying to buy Granny's gift to DS's of premium bonds online (what a hassle! You can't register online even if you already own some, you have to print off a form and post it to them, then they post you a password - seems a bit OTT...) and idly thought I'd check mine. No prizes. I only have about £60 worth (the two million pound winners this month both had £10k+) but I've had them for 21 years! Think it might be time to call it a day... think what I could do with £60!

joedenise

carolinerunner wrote: »

Just been trying to buy Granny's gift to DS's of premium bonds online (what a hassle! You can't register online even if you already own some, you have to print off a form and post it to them, then they post you a password - seems a bit OTT...) and idly thought I'd check mine. No prizes. I only have about £60 worth (the two million pound winners this month both had £10k+) but I've had them for 21 years! Think it might be time to call it a day... think what I could do with £60!

My DD1 has had £14 worth for over 40 years and not won anything! Doesn't seem worth cashing them in as can't buy less than £100 now (or £50 a month if you buy them by SO every month). We currently have £900 so will cash those in soon and buy £1000 in ablock. I'm sure you have more chance of winning if you have a block.

Denise

janb5

silvasava wrote: »

GQ
Princess How lovely that someone is willing to pass on their old sewing machine to you. You'll get so much enjoyment & satisfaction from it & as GQ says 25 years old is nothing for a sewing machine - they're very rarely misused - quite the opposite. If there are no destructions you can often get them of the internet - many manufacturers now post their old machines books on line.
.

Think you meant `instructions rather than 'destructions`!

Herbyme

Just had an idea. I really like the flavoured syrups you can buy to go in coffee but they're about £3 a bottle. Looking at the ingredients, it's mainly sugar and vanilla. Do you t hink I could make something that would be similar? I've just made a lemonade (found out about it during dry January) which starts with a syrup of sugar, water and rosemary, then mixes in freshly squeezed lemon juice. It's surprisingly delicious. I thought vanilla might work the same way, any suggestions very welcome!

savingqueen

I refill 3 hand soap dispensers with cheap bubble bath. They are so old and clogged up inside the pump, I was planning on buying new ....shock horror!! Didn't realise how easy it is to pull it all apart and with the aid of a skewer, a toothbrush and some water they all look good as new again. I had a spare that wouldn't pump, took that apart, repositioned the spring and that's working too. Little things like that please me so much!

silvasava

janb - I always use the word 'destructions' instead of instructions 'cos there's not many that bother to read them & by the time they do its too late & the item has been destructed GQ I believe has a similar train of thought.......!

Been trying to upload my photo from flickr with no success in spite of following the destructions!

Will keep trying as I'm determined to crack it