What's in my mini Scrapstore.

I've sauntered through Saturday, doing a bit of this and a bit of that. Work in the kitchen first, the cooker top and grill needed a deep clean, plus a general wipe down of the worktops, fridge and microwave. With the pots all washed, that cleared the way for a hairwash in the sink, after I had given the top and fringe a trim. I hate it when it gets all floppy and I have to keep running my fingers through it to get it off my face. Didn't cut the back and sides, they are alright for the time being. 

It was a lovely sunny morning so just right for a dog walk. Others had the same idea we chatted while the dogs sniffed around and played. George had already been fed, the curtains opened, and the radio switched on for him, first thing, so when I got back I went in the room to spend some time with him. He is becoming very affectionate, but then attacks my feet when he thinks I am going to leave. It's a good job I have three pairs of socks on. We had another enquiry for him, but again an unsuitable home. We are not being too picky, but after three years of rescuing and re homing we are exercising caution when it comes to checking out a possible home. The right one will come along. 

I have been tidying and de cluttering the spare room bit by bit, that's when George lets me. Some stuff has gone to the hospice shop, and the rest sorted into neat piles. I can't bring myself to throw things away just in case they come in useful. Here are the fabric piles in some sort of order. There's everything from heavy upholstery fabric, to plain and patterned, and lightweight silks and cottons. 

Leather samples.

A sample book taken apart. The labels are difficult to get off.

A few pieces of laminate flooring. It might come in useful for something.

A collection of aluminium drinks cans. I have stopped collecting these now as I have enough.

 I have enough plastics also, but if I spot an unusual colour I will keep it.

Three bags I made using cat food pouches and dry cat food bags. 

And some more dry food bags in case I want to make some more.

You can't have too much tape. The top one is double sided and very sticky, good for artwork, and the rest are useful for parcels and mending things.

I might do something with these one day. Felt tip pens with the innards removed.

Little pots of vinyl silk emulsion paint, assorted colours, bought for 4p each when Woollies were closing down. Most of them are full so still usable. 

 Lots of pieces of vinyl. I have some large rolls as well. I will find a use for them one day.

Enough embroidery silks.

Lace and ribbons.

The wool corner is looking a bit sad, trashed by Heidi cat. I have scaled this down a bit because I don't do much knitting or crochet.

Having a good stash of materials for crafting purposes is a bit like having a full larder to choose from when you want to cook something special. If you haven't got the bits you need then you can't make it. I prefer to get most of my crafting materials free of charge, no need to buy anything more once you have the basics. It will take me a lot more time to use up what I have here, than it will to eat out of my cupboards until they are empty.

My crafting follows the same train of thought as my meal preparations. I look to see what materials I have, then come up with an idea to make something from them. It only takes a bit of imagination, bend the rules a bit, adapt a pattern or make a new pattern, then visualize if it might work, and how it might turn out. I am not very good at following instructions, or recipes, I am a bit bolshie in that way, I want to do it my way. It's more fun. It either works or it doesn't. If I make a yucky meal I either eat it anyway or make it into something else. If my crafting turns out wrong I curse, unpick it, and re design it. If it's a total write off it's no big deal, because I am using recycled materials.

Anyway, what I have shown here is only a small part of it. I have all kinds of bits and bobs which might come in useful. These are my ingredients for my projects, the raw materials. I craft from scratch, do you?

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Eat your heart out :o))

Hello and welcome to some more new readers. A comment from Tina yesterday was quite amusing, I will answer her question.

Your meals always look good, but I was a bit puzzled by you saying there were enough chips for lunch and tea and you were not sure if you need a dinner now, how many meals a day do you have? 

There are so many different words for the meals we have here in the UK, breakfast is simple enough but then there's the midday meal which is known as either lunch or dinner, then some people call their evening meal tea or dinner, yet when some people say tea they mean afternoon tea before the evening dinner!

We have breakfast, lunch, dinner. Although we usually call dinner Supper! 

Oh forgot that there's supper too, so we could be eating all day long, breakfast, elevenses, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, supper.
We'd soon be lardy lumps! Lard, that's what started this comment!


Hi Tina, 
I usually have three meals a day. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But, sometimes I have two breakfasts, the second one two hours after the first. If I start with bran flakes I am usually hungry again so I have a snack. If I start with porridge that will see me through to lunchtime.  I suppose you could call the second breakfast elevenses. Lunch is something not too filling because I don't want to spend the afternoon stodged up, and doing physical work after stuffing my face makes me feel sick. Mind you, a big salad doesn't take long to go through, no stodge in that. My mum always used to say, 'sit still and let your dinner go down', I was always the first to ask 'please may I leave the table.' Mind you things have changed now, I don't bolt my food any more, like everything else in my life, eating has slowed down to a more leisurely pace. 

I take lunch when my body tells me it's hungry, which could be any time between 11.30am and 1.30pm, depending on how much breakfast and elevenses I have had. I would rather have several small meals than three humungous ones. There was too many chips for one meal, so I split them into two portions. When I got home it was late afternoon so I warmed up the rest in the microwave and had them for tea. Posh folks would call that high tea. 

I knew that was not going to be enough to see me through to bed time. My first thought was to top it up later with rice pudding, but when it got to 7pm I didn't fancy it, so I had some home made carrot soup with a slice of wholemeal bread instead. 

When I was young we had dinner at lunchtime, and tea when we got home from school at 5pm. We never used to have supper, it wasn't really needed because mum always served up big meals, even though they weren't always the healthiest. Lots of bread and potatoes. If we were hungry before bed time we had a sugar sandwich. 

When I was working, driving all day, my meals were very haphazard, snacking most of the time because there was no time to stop and have a sit down meal until after the days work. Even then I couldn't stomach what they served up in transport cafe's, so I made my own on a little camping stove in the cab. 

Right, to the present day. My eating habits have drastically changed for the better since I have stopped driving. Now I know what is good for me, I am able to pick and choose what to eat, and when to eat it. I know if I don't eat for three to four hours I am going to feel lousy, I am going to feel faint. I know if I go out anywhere I need to take a sandwich, a banana, and a drink. I don't rely on getting something from a shop. I don't buy ready made sandwiches, they are prepared in a factory, and shops sell stodgy snacky things, not good. 

Small amounts often are better than whopping big meals, but, I can eat a big plateful of steamed veg or salad, and I know it will not bloat me. So Tina you won't become a lardy lump if you stuff yourself with veg and salad. Lay off the meat, pies, puddings, cakes, flans, pizzas, pasties, and anything bulked up with pastry. Bulk up with pulses, chick peas, any kind of beans though wash the sugar off them, porridge oats, wholemeal rice and wholemeal pasta. Don't snack on biscuits, crisps, fizzy drinks, choccy bars. Snack on nuts and fruit. Only eat when you are hungry, when your stomach is grumbling. When you are full stop. Keep reducing the amount you eat and your stomach will shrink to accommodate smaller meals. 

I hope that has answered your question, what was the question bye the way? ha ha. Thank you for giving me a topic to write about. The sun is shining, the washer has stopped so I need to go and peg the washing out on the line. Things to do, a bit more gardening today, get out while it's nice. I would like to go out for a long walk but I have commitments here, but I can find plenty to do. Goodness, I have just noticed that the dust is almost an inch thick on the mantlepiece, oh well not to bother, another job for another day. The windows need cleaning first. Keep chipping away at things. I am not superwoman, people take me as they find me. My house is full of love, if not that pristine. 
Have a nice Friday. Toodle pip.  

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Crumbs and chips

It's been a good day for pottering in the garden, not my garden though, my friends new garden. She is in charge of the indoor renovations, and I am head gardener. Mind you, there are some jobs which are a bit beyond my capabilities, like putting up new fence panels and taking a chainsaw to a tree which needs cutting back. 

The big tree is that one on the right. The Laurel at the bottom of the garden needs a good pruning as it's overhanging into the next garden, I can do that, I'll take my ladder with me next time I go. I made a start today by chopping back some unruly bushes. My friend is not sure who is responsible for the fence panels, as there are some broken and missing on both sides. She has got to speak to the neighbours about that. Quite a bit of work to do, but no rush, she is hoping it will be ready for new tenants in April. Luckily it's only ten minutes drive away so I can pop over there when we get some nice days.

Another little job I am doing at the moment is sorting the fleecy off-cuts out into colours, it will make it easier when I finish the other cat mat. There are a lot of very small pieces which are no good for sewing, so I am chopping them into tiny crumbs.

My first thought was use them for stuffing, but they are too pretty and there is nothing I want to stuff at the moment. I've got an idea to embellish a bag with them.

Still no shopping, but I have to confess, I had a craving for chips today so I picked some up from a very good chippy, on the way to the house. They were so so good. I don't make chips at home and I rarely buy any, they are a twice a year treat. There was enough for lunch and tea. Not sure if I need a dinner now, I am stuffed. I will have a snack later, probably some rice pudding. It's an amazing sunset tonight, we have a big black cloud over us and way in the distance the sun is disappearing over the horizon. In a few minutes it will be pitch black. I'll catch you tomorrow. Toodle pip.
PS. Someone pointed out to me that we have 700 members. I have just noticed that it's gone over to 701, so welcome to all new people. I hope you enjoy your visits to Tightwad Towers, the place where every penny counts.

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The bag lady strikes again

Hello. I've done some more sewing today, in between dog walking and cat sitting. Busy busy again. I wanted to try another way to put a bag together. I have made this shape bag before, there is a tutorial somewhere on this blog. This is not strictly a tutorial, but I will talk you through it. 

I chose a thick piece of fabric from my Scrapstore stash, I think it is normally used for upholstery. First I cut the back and the front, two pieces the same using the template I made out of wallpaper. Then I put five darts in each piece along the top, to bring it in a bit and give it a more rounded shape. The sort of darts you might put in a skirt if you were making one.  

My usual way of making a bag is to make the bag and the lining separately, then join the two together putting one inside the other and adding the handles before sewing round the top. This time I am going to make it in two halves and then join them. The outer is pinned onto the lining, I am using a yellow pillow case for this, then cut the shape out. The right side is inside facing the lining, so at this stage it's inside out.

The handles I have made out of long strips of fabric, and these are slipped inside with the two ends showing at the top. They need to stick out about 1 - 2 inches. Next I sewed the two pieces together, starting near the bottom and going up one side, along the top, and down the other side. I left a hole at the bottom to pull it through and turn it the right way round.

Now I have half a bag. I have pressed it and machined across the top of it to keep it flat and give the handles extra strength so they won't pull out.

The inside with the lining already sewn in. I closed the hole at the bottom with some hand stitching. 

Then it was a matter of sewing the two halves together. I did it inside out, but because there are now several layers it made it too thick to squeeze underneath the foot of the machine, so I took the foot off and sewed it together without it. Here is the finished article, turned the right way round. The lining is now not a loose piece inside the bag, it is sewn in all the way round.

 The thick side seams which would not go under the foot of the machine.

I found doing it this way was much easier than making the lining separate and dropping it inside, then adding the handles before sewing it up. Much less fiddly to sew something flat rather than sewing around the top of the whole bag, and hoping that the lining is going to fit properly. I will probably use this method again, a lighter fabric might work a bit better, then the seams won't be so bulky.

I've not been shopping yet this week, will try and hold out a bit longer, but might have to go before the weekend. Tomorrow I'm going to go and have a look at my friends new purchase, another buy to let house. I shall be helping her with the garden again. I feel like I need to get stuck in with some more physical activity. We've had no rain today so I hope it stays dry tomorrow.
Toodle pip.

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Kittycat bum warmer finished

Hello. I hope I'm not in any bother, I just didn't find the time to post yesterday. Life is busy at the moment, lots of ideas, lots of projects waiting to get started, and projects to finish. Things buzzing around in my brain, I needed a breathing space. Phew, there is never enough time. Anyway, I'll crack on tonight with this post. First off, something different in my porridge. I bought a Value Fruited Malt Loaf last week (dead cheap) and it's gone out of date. Not to worry, it will still get eaten. Why not chop a couple of slices into cubes and put it in the porridge. Very filling, makes a change from banana. Also added was a handful of sultanas, and a dessertspoon of desiccated coconut. 

It was a Spring like day today and I fancied a salad for lunch. Iceberg lettuce, mushrooms, cucumber, pickled onions, cottage cheese, cheese with cranberries, and grated carrot. I ate this while I watched Mr Selfridge on the catchup tv. Takes me a good 45 minutes to eat this, after carefully chewing every mouthful twenty times before I send it down the hatch, ha ha.

I've been busy with this for two days, wanted to get it finished. The fleecy cat mat made from the offcuts we were given. It's 20 inches by 22 inches, and will be going to our pens where it will keep the kitty's bottoms warm.

For the back I used two pieces of cotton curtain lining that I was given ages ago. 

I ran ran the machine up and down it in a zigzagy pattern. The binding was one leg from my old pair of pyjamas. Machine stitched on the front and hand stitched on the back.

It has George's approval. He likes it.

I am very pleased with this, it's a great example of recycling, making something out of rubbish. It didn't cost anything at all except time. I've got a smaller one of these to make, still lots of pieces to use up. Still working on the rag rug. There's another idea I want to try for a making a bag with a lining. Shopping bags to make. The list is never ending. Thank you for calling in. I will try and keep up, ha ha. Toodle pip.

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Super Good News Sunday

What a Super Sunday we have had, the weather has been glorious. Kath asked for more pics of George, so here they are. He is getting more confident each day. Now he climbs onto my knee and rubs his nose on my face. He loves cuddles. 

 Plenty of room to play, he wasn't at all bothered by his own reflection in the mirror.

Food is served on a tray. I like this one mum.

 Yum, that was nice, now lets play.

Ooooh, I wonder what's up here?

Look, did you see that bird fly past the window?

I like this new mat you're making, can I keep it? I can see right across the road from here, this is such a good view.

We had a phone call today from someone wanting to adopt. Trouble is they are a very busy household, small children and dogs, people coming and going all the time, it wouldn't be suitable for George, given the bad experience he had with a dog at his last home. Never mind, we will hold out for the right person. At least people are finding us, we are getting the calls. 

Told you it was sunny today, just right for a dark load in the washer. It's dried a treat. 

I called in to see a friend this afternoon, while out and about in the village. She tells me that there are plans for the council to open a Scrapstore in the town. Oooh, I am so excited about this good news, and of course I immediately volunteered my services. There is still some groundwork to be done, a grant to be applied for, and a fact finding mission to the Hull branch, but I will be invited to a meeting once they are ready to start. I am hoping to take on the job of visiting businesses and collecting all their unwanted materials, a job I loved doing for the old Scrapstore, which unfortunately had to close. Not sure when all this is going to happen, sometime this year was mentioned, but I'm ready, count me in :o))
Thank you for reading my blog, glad you could drop by. Catch you tomorrow, Toodle pip.

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Saturday Scribblings

Reading the news this morning whilst drinking my coffee, I saw that Simon Cowell has become a dad for the first time. I'm not a fan of his, neither like or dislike him, but I suppose along with millions of others, I wondered what they are going to name the little fella. I thought it's bound to be something really odd and immediately felt sorry for the little mite being saddled with a crazy name. But no, when I read that they are calling it Eric, after his dad, I thought brilliant, fantastic choice. I laughed out loud, it really cheered me up. A good strong and solid name. Welcome Eric.

Something else made me smile this morning, while driving through the village to go to town. Mums with toddlers in push chairs are often seen around here. My friend up the road walks past every day with her small child, and Dexter the beagle pulling them along. Today was different, Dexter was out pulling daddy and the pushchair along, accompanied by another daddy also with a small child in a pushchair. It's nice to see the chaps doing their duty and giving the mum's a rest. Made me smile, one up for equality, YAY. I wonder if we are going to see Mr Cowell pushing little Eric about, ha ha.

I picked up a few items from Aldi, as a top up shop for this week. Walnuts, I need to eat more nuts. Broccoli, lettuce, button mushrooms, eggs, crispbread, chicken for Bugsy, and I had a 23p packet of rich tea biscuits as a treat. Junk I know but I haven't had any for months. After dropping a bag of stuff at the Hospice Shop, I had a look at the prices in the Asian shop. To buy 12 tins of chick peas would have saved me 50p compared to the 3 tins for �1 at Home Bargains. As I didn't fancy carrying them from one end of town to the other back to my car, I didn't bother. Instead I bought couscous, bulgur wheat, and garlic powder.

I haven't put any petrol in my car since the beginning of the year, so it's lasting well. The gauge has just dipped below the quarter full, so I'll need to get some soon. I paid the refund I received from British Gas, into the bank, and when I got home I found yet another final bill. How many flippin final's do I need? It says I have nothing to pay. Hallelujah, at last the account is closed.

Another nice surprise in the post this morning, a donation towards George's food. Thank you so much Liz, your kindness is much appreciated. I will be checking Sainsbury's web site for the special offers. George was very pleased to see me this morning. He is gaining more confidence as he gets to know me. Janet came round to see him while I was in town, and she reports that he was pleased to see her as well. He did show a little bit of aggression, but I think that was because he had a bad time with the dog he was living with. Now he knows that that threat is no longer there, he has relaxed a bit and let his guard down.

Right, things to do, must get on. Catch you tomorrow. Have a nice weekend. Toodle pip

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