Handmade 2012: Monster Bookmarks

I'm moving house next week, and in packing up my books, I found a copy of 'The Island'. Although a thoroughly good read, it isn't actually my book! I borrowed it from my sister in law at least a year ago and had obviously failed to return it (sorry Megan).

As an apology I made her a cute little monster bookmark. I simply cut off the corner of an envelope, raided my son's craft box and decorated! Simple, thrifty and a fun craft for all ages.

Handmade 2012: Cheesecake In A Jar

This week, two of my friends were feeling down in the dumps, so I decided to make them both a 'Chin Up With Cheesecake' gift. My favourite easy-peasy cheesecake recipe is Nigella's Cherry Cheesecake, so I followed this, but slightly adapted the quantities.

I used Ikea jars and sellotaped a spoon to the side, allowing them to dig straight in. This was a very simple, yet creative present to make, and both my friends absolutely loved it!

Thrifty vs Cheap

Ok, ok. I love to boast about my thrifty bargains. Recently, I have been making some bargain buys for our new home including Laura Ashley wallpaper on eBay and a gorgeous antique school desk for my son. Also, I bought a stunning vintage map of Surrey from a charity shop for £1.50 (see photo); and my sister-in-law, for Christmas received from me two beautiful vintage tins, which I haggled heroically on the price of, in an antique shop in Matlock.

However, on seeing 7p Smart Price Valentine's card for sale in Asda, I couldn't help pondering the difference between a thrifty find and being plain cheap. There is defiantly a fine line between the two.

 Ultimately, thrifty is cool. Cheap is not.

Handmade 2012: Playdough

 

A friend of mine (well he's my very good friend's hubby) has been really poorly of late. In and out of hospital (over Christmas and new year), with problem after problem, and now bored at home in recovery. So what better present to make for him but playdough? Thrifty and fun!

I followed a very simple budget busting recipe that was handed down from my mum:

Mix a cup of boiling water with half a cup of salt and 2 tbsp of cooking oil. Give in a good stir then add 2 cups of plain flour, a drop of food colouring. Knead and then leave to cool.

For presentation purposes, I sprayed an empty cat food box black. I also decided to decorate the empty jam jars. Since I had made three different colours of playdough, (blue, yellow and red) I figured I'd stick to this theme and attached three of my son's old plastic cookie cutters to the jam jar lids, in corresponding colours. The result? A lovely (yet inexpensive) present to help pass the time on the road to recovery.

The Cleaning Power of Salt

I was at my parents house last weekend, and was chilling in the kitchen whilst my mum was cooking. She dropped an egg on the floor, and I told her to pour salt onto the egg spillage to make it easier to clean up. She was amazed at how easy it was to get rid of.

Salt can be a very thrifty cleaning method to soak up other spillages and stains as salt absorbs liquids and helps to lift them from the surface (like with the egg). It works well on other greasy spills, such as on hobs or oven floors. Salt can also be rubbed on china cups to remove stubborn tea and coffee stains, or on burnt-on-food in pans.

Poured out too much washing powder? Sprinkle some salt onto it to reduce the froth without spoiling the cleaning power of the detergent. My most common use for salt removing stains, is pouring on a red wine spill (or strawberry daquiri in my case). See YouTube video below:

Handmade 2012: Cupcakes

Over the weekend, my boyfriend celebrated his 29th birthday. But unfortunately, my crazed organisation skills meant I had bought him his birthday present about six months before I decided upon my handmade new year's resolution (tickets to Tim Minchin's Matilda, thoroughly recommend!)

To overcome this, I decided to bake him some cupcakes. For my first attempt I'd say they turned out well, if not a little sweet. He appreciated the gesture and it made me feel better about not making his entire present!

2012 - Year Of The Homemade

I am not usually one for making new years' resolutions, probably because it ordinarily involves giving up something I love. This year however, I've decided to take up something I love: making things (and being thrifty). 2012 is my year of the homemade.

Every present I give, albeit to a six year old or a sixty year old; a get well soon present or a valentine, I am going to make it (and blog about it, obviously). Watch this space...

Meerkovo Village Parade Success

Happy New Year Thrift-Queen Readers!!

This morning I realised I needed pet insurance for my adorable cat, Dizzee. So I decided to CompareTheMarket.com and not only came away with a cracking deal, but also a free Meercat toy. Amazing, thoroughly recommend! Below, is my 'Meerkovo Village Parade Success' for you all to enjoy: