It arrived

l could not be more excited to receive the new book and it came yesterday.
The whole family has had alook at it and l now have requests for the badger and a mouse.
With this in mind l tried to felt a jumper from the charity shop- this is a whole new story as it was like hens teeth trying to find a woolly jumper to felt. l went to our 5 local charity shops and came back with 1 to make anything out off. So l started my felting of the precious as it had become jumper and what happened to it? It collapsed full of holes and then just disintegrated into nothing.
So that me scuppered for a few days making any softies.
On the plus side its 15% of at Cath Kidston today so that where l'm off for a friends birthday present.

Spring has sprung a leak

Well what a change to the weather it now out with the wellies and up with the umberellas today, l'm dressed for summer and will now need to go and find some long pants and socks!!!

l have just bought this book from the hands of a fellow blogger her website is http://www.lucykatecrafts.co.uk/ and she makes some stunning items some of which l hope to have a go at.

l know what your going to say not much saving here but as the saying goes 'you have to speculate to accumulate'

This weeks thrify tips are for when buying in Charity Shops or at Car Boots.

1. Always have a plan-Know what you are looking for before you go in as you may end up with something you don't need.

2. Be open minded - things can be altered 4,or maybe passed onto friends and family.

3. Look for quality brands - these always keep and look better.

4. Go often as stock changes

5. Take cash to make you stop and think before buying.

Sunny again

Who would think l was up early on my day off and have actually got 5 alice bands in some stage of construction certainly not Pete whoc thinks l spend these days in bed. l have even had the dog out and had breakfast- phew l need a lie down.

The colours are more vivid than the photo, with the intention that the button should pull together all the colours of the felt and band. l think they work but as with everything it is personal taste

This spate of sunshine makes me want to clean and tidy especially when it shows up all the dust. We are more dusty than normal as they just finished resurfacing both the pavement and road surfaces in our road. So cleaning is the order of the day with all the windows open to let fresh air in which puts a smile on my face.

Another job l may try to address over the next few days is to open a Folksy Shop and a Facebook page which seems to be the way togo to get your products to the masses. Does anyone have any tip on doing either of these?

To Warm the Heart

l had already bought this felt before my cost cutting drive and l thought l would share the colours with you - they are actually brighter in real life. They will now be turned into brooches and hair slides at some point today! Sometimes things just get those creative jucies going and this pile of felt is one of them. As l have been tidying the craft room l have came accross things l had forgot about waiting to be turned into something crafty. A box of handwarmers waiting for covers, 6 hotwater bottles again waiting for covers, mothers day ribbon which l will have to keep until next year now, covered button and fabric l had long forgotten about to give a couple of examples. l am going to put together patchwork packs with some of the fabric l have come accross one way to raise some money and reduce the fabric before l'm found under a pile that has toppled over one day.

Yankee Doodle Dandy

I have made what can only be termed a brave start to my craft room but thought l would share one of my thrifty ideas - l love Yankee Candles from the smell to the shape of the jars. So when they were finished l was loathed to throw them away so now l use them to keep my beads, buttons etc they look lovely and very organised. On the negative side it also shows me how much money l have spent on candles !!!!(these a just a small sample of ones l've saved Anyone else watching the TV programme on spend thrifts? l could do better than them so l may start a weekly thrift tip. This weeks is therefore using candle jars for storage, and as a bonus tip l only buy my candles when they are the months special offer when they are discounted by 20% - saving me £4.00 on a large one. Julie xxx

Day 2 of money making

l have just finished these sandwich bags they have turned out quite well so will be on their way to 'gifted' along with some hair slides and alice bands yet to be finished.

They say your work station reflects the type of person you are well the following picture is not for the faint hearted and is my craft room this morning What does it say about me?

l would say its is saying lots of ideas but not enough time(l will be making a start on it this morning.)

You may just make out my Dotte doll collection which l need to revisit my swapping has gone to pot as well as the crafting.

The door fund will be swelled this afternoon as am doing some extra work hours yeah!

Hope you are all having a good morning

Julie xx

New Front Door Fund

?You may think what a funny title for a post but this is the start of save till you can save no more for a new front door - catchy isn't it.

The crux of the problem is l have seen a new front door - note the I, and it is going to cost over £1000 DH can see no benefit in changing our existing front door as there is nothing wrong with it - mens logic. So he has said if l want one l have to save up!!!!!.

This mornings job is to collect all the neglected change from round the house and put into respective tins, l have a copper tin, a silver tin and a pound a day tin. The pound a day tin is for Christmas. Then at some point in the next few months l will need to count said change, this bit l hate.

l have also decided to up the craft out put and sell sell sell which l will put into the door fund.

Wish me luck.

We have also had a little addition to the Utratny household- Emilys first car - its a 1967 beetle and is what is known as 'Rat Look' she has just started lessons and this was her Birthday present.

The next time you see her she will have 'Fodder' on the top and rope round the bumper this should complete the look.

Need to get on looking for change be back soon

xxxxxx