Summer Poundland Bargains

 After the success of the Thrift-Queen's 2011 post 'Winter Poundland Bargains', a summer version seems a must. My favourite seasonal products include:

• Union Flag decorations - for the Queen's jubilee and the olympics
• Kids outdoor summer toys - waterguns, frisbee's etc
• Disoposable BBQ's - *mega bargain*

Thrifty Holidays - Barn Hopping

Looking for a fun yet thrifty holiday? Bored of camping but need a cheap get-away? Look no further. I've stumbled across a holiday concept that will provide a roof over your head in a stuning setting, but for mere tuppence.

In my family, we try to get away for mini weekend breaks as much as possible, but hotels can end up costing a small fortune. Over the past year or so we've opted to camp instead, but this year we've been looking for an alternative. Then I stumbled across Barn Hopping.

Based in the Lake District and Cumbria, Lakeland Camping Barns provides budget busting accomodation, amid beautiful scenery "in buildings all situated on farms and with a distinct, individual character." Winning! Plus it only costs £8.50 per person per night. I know where we will be holidaying this summer...

Handmade 2012: Bunting

I love bunting. Perfect for garden parties, presents for little one's, and we even have it strung up in our bedroom. Plus, it is a fabulously thirfty way to use up scraps of fabric and brightens up any space.

bedroom bunting

My top tip? Don't be too bothered about getting the triangles all the same size, it'll make it look too uniformed. Just judge it as you go.

Petrol Wars

Let the petrol wars commence! This week the UK supermarket giants seem to have gone to war to offer the best price for petrol following the reduction in wholesale prices.

But where should you fill up?

Sainsbury's and Tesco do not publish an average of maximum price, claiming they price locally, but Tesco's are offering their common promotion of spend £50, get 5p off per litre of fuel. This ends Sunday 20th May.

Asda have slashed the cost of their petrol and diesel. With the price of petrol now at 132.7p and diesel at 137.7p.

Not to be outdone Morrisons have also dropped the price of fuel to 132.9p.

Handmade 2012: Bandana Bibs

If like me, you have lots of friends and family with small children, then you have just stumbled across a lovely gift for them. Bandana bibs are stylish yet practical. I always thinks it is a shame to see little ones in beautiful outfits, only to be ruined by an ugly bib. But the best bit? Bandana bibs are really easy to make!

They have two layers, cotton to absorb - ideal for a raid through the offcuts bin in your local haberdashery (hello Cath Kidston); and towelling to prevent anything soaking through to the little one's clothes.

Bandana bib template

I find it easiest to make a template, but after that it's quite straight forward to make. Simply cut to size and sew your chosen cotton to the towelling. Then add a fastening to the ends. Some people use poppers, but I prefer velcro for the ease of sewing.

Velcro fastening

Bandana bibs make ideal presents, albeit to new born babies or toddlers, and they're thrifty to boot!