Better than a bag of sweeties

Aye up me ducks. It was raining this morning but I wasn't going to let it spoil my day. The plan was a Scrapstore visit, Sandra hasn't been before so it was a good excuse to go. Three of us went over the Humber Bridge to Hull. I had only intended to fill a basket for a £5 spend, but oh dear, I got carried away. I was like a kid in a sweet shop. The place was bursting with loads of different fabrics. 

Tracey was busy unpacking a new delivery of  wool for felting and asked me if I had done any before. I haven't but fancied giving it a go. She made me up a couple of bags of mixed colours, and then of course I had to buy the gadget to go it with. Linda has already got a gadget so she just bought the wool. Now I've got to look at some yoootooob videos to learn how to do it.   

I've taken a few pictures of some of the fabric I chose. A lot of it was included in the £5 basket, they are different sizes, some small, some large.

These three embroidered flowers are from sample books, they will make nice embellishments.

These five pieces are all one metre lengths off a roll, they are not included in the basket price, but are very cheap at £1 per metre. It's the thick fabric with a rubbery backing, ideal for bags. 

The following pieces are from sample books, I picked up two books, they are included in the basket price.

This book has paper inserts showing the design of the following fabrics. The colourful pages could be used in paper crafts. 

I now need to sort out my own mini Scrapstore in the spare room, the fabric is spilling out over the front of the shelves because I keep diving into it as I search for specific colours. A massive tidy is on the cards.

Thank you all very much for your complimentary comments about my bags. I know that several off you have expressed an interest in owning one, and I am chuffed. I am sorry to disappoint you, but I won't be taking orders. I make them for fun because I enjoy playing with fabric, mixing and matching colours, and creating something from recycled materials. If I make mistakes and they are not perfect then it's not a problem, because I give them away, and someone who gets something for nothing shouldn't be picky. If I were to start  taking orders and charging for them it would take me a lot longer to make them, because they would have to be perfect before I let them go. I don't want to be stressing about if my work was good enough. Also I don't want to be tied to bag making, churning them out would be so so boring. I hope you understand.

What I really would like you to do is make a bag yourself. Have a go, even if you don't have any sewing skills. Look at yoootooob videos for patterns and techniques. Bags can be hand stitched if you don't have a machine. A shopping bag is so simple, a front and back, and two handles. Don't worry if your stitching is not straight, or it looks a bit wonky. The pleasure of using something which you yourself has made is far more satisfying than handing over a few quid and buying one. Every time I use my home made bags I proudly tell everyone. The checkout ladies are well impressed.

Got to go now. Thanks for popping in. Catch up with you soon. Toodle pip.

It's in the bag

Hello. Every day seems to be a race against time at the moment with only eight hours of daylight. Sewing by natural daylight is much easier on the eyes. Housework, what little I do, is easier if you can actually see that  your efforts at keeping the house clean make a difference. Tidying the garden is is much easier in daylight, ha ha. It's so much easier to say stuff it and simply sit on your bum and do nothing. Help, I NEED more daylight.

I've been busy making this bag. Normally I would run them up quickly but I wanted to make a special bag for a very good friend. After faffing about with several ideas, I finally came up with plan xyz, this one. It needed to be sturdy to carry heavy weights, the fabric is heavy duty, thankfully it went through the machine at the point where the handles are attached. I didn't have enough of the same fabric for the whole bag, so I combined two colours. I think they compliment each other very well. Although the blue looks like denim, it isn't. The panel on the front should have been something else, but I think the flower works very well. Simple but effective. 

I put a gusset in it due to the amount of stuff that will be carried in it. 

I added my own name to the bottom, because the space at the front is taken up by the recipients name.

I'm well pleased with that, the effort was worth it. I am often asked if I can make a certain style of bag. Yes, I probably could make just about any bag if I put my mind to it, but it has to be something I want to do, born from an idea in my mind. I mostly make a bag not knowing where it will end up. I hang on to it for a while, then decide who to give it to, or occasionally sell it, waiting for the right moment. I sold the patchwork bag for £5 at the Christmas fair, it was worth a lot more, but I don't do it to make money. I'm just pleased that someone is going to get it for a present.

Must go, racing against time again. Dog to go out. Catch you soon. Toodle pip

Making an effort

Hello. Alright then, I give in, I'll join in this Crimbo Crazyness. I found a few balls in the cupboard upstairs, might as well do something with them. Bit mean to keep them all to myself indoors so I thought I would share them with the whole street. I haven't put them up for a long time, must have had them about 35 years. I did have a smallish artificial tree, can't be bothered with that any more so I gave it to the Age UK charity shop a couple of weeks ago. Hopefully it is brightening up someone else's living room now.

I found a few pieces of tinsel as well, might as well chuck them over a bush or two, I thought. With a bit of luck someone might steal my decorations, then I won't have to take them down and put them back in the cupboard, ha ha.

The first job I did this morning was to dismantle Santa's Grotto in the Village Hall. Everyone was saying what a good Christmas Fair it was. We couldn't decide which of the next two Crafty Club meetings is going to be our Christmas Party, because some members can't get to one of the dates. so we will have two parties. Looking forward to the sherry and mince pies  :o)

I've been out to the shopping centre this afternoon, looking for a piece of fabric with a specific design. Can't find any. It's an idea I have for a special bag. Might have to rethink it. I'll ring up some fabric shops in the morning before I give up and go for plan B.

Dog wants to go for a bimble, then I need to do my power walk. I'm aiming for two miles every night. That's me, not the dog, ha ha.

Thanks for popping in. Catch up with you soon. Toodle pip

Can I have my breakfast now?

Good morning. I trust you have had a wonderfully relaxed start to the day. I'll let you in on my Sunday morning at Tightwad Towers. I was a little bit late up, unusual for me, but as I awoke at 5am I thought that's a bit too early to get up, so I went off back to snoozeland, and after a short trucking dream I finally got up at 8am.

The usual procedure is that I have my coffee first, the kids have to wait. As Rocky was mooching around my feet and Mayze was at her feeding station on the kitchen window sill watching everything that came out of the fridge, I felt the only way I was going to drink my coffee in peace was to feed them first. Plus then I had to give Heidi her tablet followed by a bowl of lip smacking gravyish Sheba cat food. She takes her tablet with a little bit of indignation, but all is forgiven for my man handling of her when she sees what's in the bowl. 

At last, time to relax with the papers and coffee. Well you can see how successful that was. Heidi was determined that she wanted my full attention by parking herself under my nose. I solved the problem. Open two newspapers side by side, and whichever one she wants to lie on, I read the other. An office chair with wheels makes that easy to do. 

Bags dumped from yesterday. First job after breakfast is to unpack and put away.

Half way through my coffee and thinking about breakfast, the familiar sound of a cat retching made me look up. Oh dear, a hiccup, no, a bit more than a hiccup, vomit. Bugsy had scoffed his breakfast so quickly that it had reappeared, in his bed. Gawd, thanks a lot. I removed said bed outside the back door and finished my coffee.

Bugsy moved to the other bed while I cleaned up the mess and replaced mucky bedding with clean. That will have to go in the washer, now, another job. Clean bed put down. Bugsy preferred to stay where he was.

Rocky waiting patiently for me to say the magical word, 'walkies'. Not yet Rocky, I want my breakfast.

My bed needs putting away first, bedding stacked up on the chair in the corner, camp bed and mattress underneath the table. It takes five seconds to get it out and put it away again. People may think I'm daft camping out in my own living room, but it's surprising how comfortable it is. The bed is very cozy and I drop off to sleep immediately, Rocky by my side on the floor and the cats have their favourite places. It's like living in a bedsit.  

I was given this cyclamen yesterday, lovely isn't it. I think I might have a fancy pot for it somewhere, but then I might not, could have given it away. Can't be bothered to look for it, this empty tin will do the job, a perfect fit. Crikey, it must be about five years old, I don't eat fish any more, gave it up over two years ago. Does that make me a hoarder?

I bought a carton of Rice Milk the other day as I was passing the Cash and Carry, (always worth a look). I've been meaning to try it for a long time, but it's quite expensive, and it would be daft to switch from my cheaper Soya Milk which I like, if it's going to cost more. Anyhow, this was 20p, out of date on the 1st December. I'm not sure if it's long life, but worth a try.

Just as I was about to sit down to breakfast, Bugsy realized he had an empty tummy, and demanded food. Blimey, no peace for me round here. I gave him a small portion of chopped chicken. That's all you're getting. 

At last, I can sit down and eat. This is how I have my breakfast, they say you shouldn't eat and look at a screen at the same time, but I don't care. I like it here. The Rice Milk by the way is fine, perfectly acceptable. I will get some more when I am passing. They only have half a pallet though, that's the problem with short dated food, one day it's there, the next it's gone. That's why it pays me to be flexible with my eating. I can chop and change my diet.

Ready to take Rocky out and it's raining. It will pass over, looks like it will be a dodging the showers day today. I'll let you get on with your Sunday and I'll get on with mine. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip

Come along to our Christmas Fair.

Hello. I'ts blowing a gale outside but we have missed the rain which has caused flooding further north. We were all snug inside the Village hall for our Christmas fair. Set up time was from 9am and after I dropped Rocky off with Barry just before nine, I staggered round to the hall carrying umpteen bags. The access isn't very good for cars, it's down a narrow lane, and I knew the High Street would be clogged up so I thought it was best to walk there. Unfortunately I realized I had left one bag behind with the most important item in it, the banner, so I legged it back home to get it. 

Here we are all set up and waiting for customers. Hilary is demonstrating crochet and is on hand to give anyone instruction in this craft. Everything on the table is for sale made by various members, and there are a few items on display which are not for sale to give people ideas of what sort of crafts we do. I think we have made the best use of our space, and made an eye catching display. 

Having a look around the room before it got busy, there were items for sale and various tombolas with exciting prizes to be won.

The ladies from the Hospice Supporters Group were ready for action, and full of smiles.

This is a good opportunity for the village people to get together and have a natter.

Now this is a 'must buy something' kind of stall, the WI ladies always bake a good selection of delicious cakes. I have to confess I did part with a wee bit of cash, the Cinnamon Shortbread caught my eye, and almost jumped into my hand. At 50p for six large biscuits it was a bargain, and it tastes simply delicious. 

This is the tombola and bric a brac stall for our cat rescue. looks like a good selection on offer there.

The Chairman of the Parish Council is on hand to open the event at 11am.

Ah look, Santa has moved into the Grotto I built for him. Ann has added a few more decorations, he looks right at home there.

I took over the microphone and got on stage to do my piece about up cycling, at 12 o clock. I wondered if it was the right place to talk about this when everyone was there for Christmas Shopping. I kept it short and tried to make it upbeat, and was pleased that about 90% of the audience were listening to me. I bet they will all be looking out for me from now on whenever a skip appears in the village, ha ha.

It got really busy in the afternoon when the junior school children arrived with their parents and grandparents in tow. They are very enthusiastic performers when they all get on stage to sing together. This made a lovely finale to the entertainment. Apologies for this photo being out of focus, I took it from the back of the room with my hand held high.

 The Grand Raffle was drawn at 2.45pm and after everyone had claimed their prizes people started to drift away. We did very well for sales on our Crafty stall, Linda, Janet and I all sold quite a few things. I sold 12 of the shopping bags, and when someone bought something for a few pounds I gave them a free bag.  I was able to made a good donation for the cats, which added to what they made it was a good result.

I really enjoyed the day, it was good fun. Now I am scoffing the lovely shortbread. I'm off out in a minute for a power walk. I started doing this on the 1st December and plan to do half an hour of fast walking every night at around 8 or 9pm. Warms me up a treat, though the other night I got soaked as it chucked it down when I was half way round the circuit.

I hope you are enjoying your weekend. Thanks for popping in. Catch up with you soon. Toodle pip.

Festival of Christmas Trees about to start

Hello. First job this morning was to go to the docs to see about this chuffin wart on my face. It's not that noticeable actually, so everyone tells me, but I don't like it, it's like a currant stuck on my cheek. Doc dabbed it with a bit more stuff to freeze it. He said see how it goes. That's the third visit I've had and it's still there. Think I'll paint it multicolours and make a feature of it, ha ha. 

After the docs, I hot footed it straight to the Old Brumby United Church in Ashby Road Scunthorpe, to see how my crafty friends were getting on putting up our hand made tree made from recycled materials. They had almost finished by the time I arrived, and the church was buzzing with people erecting their own  displays. This is our tree, made from a snooker table green baize, decorated with hand made baubles. Carol made the tree, she's made a good job of it. 

Under the tree are wrapped parcels, each one has a letter on it, reading CHAT & CRAFT.

While I was there I took a few more photo's, The church should be full with 80 + trees on display by the end of today, with the opening of the exhibition tomorrow morning. This one was there last year, it's the Lindsey Lodge Hospice tree. All the money collected will be donated to this charity.  

I like this tapestry hanging on a stone wall.

Some trees are decorated by children, I love the smiley faces on this one.

A local quilting group have decorated their tree with felt hearts and stars.

I thought this was a novel idea, baubles made with music manuscripts, by a local a choir. 

Exquisite detail in this wooden tree.

What about a tree decorated with cup cakes? There is a mixture of knitted cakes and real mince pies. 

This one brought a smile to my face, an upside down tree. It looks like it is inspired by Australia, with the koala's around the bottom, or is that the top. After a quick look round I noticed that most people have used conventional artificial trees, but a few are home made like ours.

If anyone is near enough to visit this Annual Festival of Christmas Trees, it's organised by the Rotary Club and is open on these dates. 5th, 6th, 11th, 12th & 13th of December. There is live music as well. So two weekends. Entrance is free, donations welcome in support of the hospice. Are there any more of these decorated tree festivals near you?

While I am talking about places to visit. Now is the time to head to Donna Nook on the Lincolnshire coastline not far from Mablethorpe. The seals come ashore onto the sand dunes to give birth. There are usually plenty to see, and you can get quite close to them. The area is fenced off, but a great opportunity for photo's. I've been twice now, it is a fantastic sight.

I have to get my stuff ready for the Christmas Fair tomorrow, so I'll say tatty byes and toodle pip. Thanks for popping in. I'll be back tomorrow with pics from the fair.

Pop in when you're passing and nab a bargain

Hello. I've only gone and done it again, haven't I. Don't mean to brag, but if I go past a supermarket, a big one, or even a small one, at around 5 or 6pm I remember my mantra, it's worth a look. I had a vet appointment at 4.30pm  which meant I passed the door of the little Tesco in the next village on the way back at 5.30pm. It was worth a look. Total spend £1.65, full price £9.10p. Chuffin dead good, eh! That creamed spinach is normally £2.60p, a bonkers price when you can buy a bag of spinach for £1, (mine cost 33p on this occasion) add a bit of sauce to it, and bingo, make it yourself for a lot less money. I've got two loaves of granary bread for the freezer, and two bags of spuds. I'll be having microwaved spuds with a topping, that's sorted then. 

Heidi cat had an injection and I have some more tablets for her. They did the trick last time, so lets hope she picks up a bit. It's the same problem as before, she is tired, and not eating very much. It's looking like it's  something she has to learn to live with.

Tonights dinner is the usual veg stew, there is a portion for tomorrow. I've still got two bags of brussels sprouts left from last week, they keep well in the fridge. I did an Aldi shop this morning, I had to go to town to stock up on pet food. Rocky likes Earls tasty cuts and the Supreme Cuisine foils. I picked up a few essentials for me. Bananas, sultanas, natural yogurt, onions, walnuts, eggs, and bran flakes. I did the usual rounds of the discount stores, I needed some more Coffee Mate, £2.19 in Home Bargains.

As I was walking through the Precinct I saw this shop, looks like a posh fashion shop. In fact it is the Hospice Charity shop. It used to be at the top end of the town, now it has moved into bigger premises closer to the centre. There is another Hospice shop which sells more run of the mill stuff, I used to pop in there quite often and pick up a few bits and bobs. Since I have found the Age Uk shop with nearly everything £1, I go there instead. You know me, the cheaper the better.  

 Thank you for your food programme suggestions, I'll tell them at the BBC to have a read of it. I need to email them tomorrow.

It's very windy outside, but I'm going for a power walk. It takes 32 minutes to walk round the whole village. I'm on a mission to walk more, getting very lazy sat on my bum in front of this computer. I'll bid you good night and Toodle pip. Catch you soon.

Bestest shopping bags ever ;o)

Hello. We've had better weather today, no rain  :o) The kids are playing a game of musical beds, all change places. Bugsy has gone from the office chair, to Rocky's cushion, and now he is in Rocky's bed. Rocky Boyo is dead miffed now he can't sleep in his favourite place. I've put another cushion down for him. Mayze can be found on the landing upstairs, she comes down when I get my camp bed out and wants to sleep on my legs but there isn't enough room, so she buries herself in the duvet hanging over the side. Heidi decided she likes to lie on the pile of shopping bags I've made which are on the dining table chair. I've had to remove them and give her a basket with a towel to lie in. Poor Heidi has to go back to see Marian, the nice vet lady, tomorrow, she is tired, not eating much and it looks like her anaemia is back :o(

I've been sewing today, made four shopping bags with some lovely fabric I got at the Scrapstore. This makes a total of 18 to sell at the Christmas fair on Saturday. Aren't they pretty. 

I had a pack of fine green beans which needed eating, yellow sticker 20p, so I added an onion and made some soup. 

Some veg gravy granules and garlic powder, zapped with the stick blender, with a smattering of grated mature cheddar cheese stirred in. It was bloomin lovely. Two portions, one for lunch and one mid afternoon.

Our new Post Office opened today which is good news. It is a pop up one, where the counter clerk comes with a box and sets up shop in the vestry at the church. It's three mornings a week, which I suppose is better than no Post Office at all.

I had a phone call today from them at the BBC, have I got any ideas for another short film they could make about food. I've had a good think about it and nothing springs to mind. I thought I would ask you clever people if you can think of a topic. It could be to do with eating out, buying food, preparing food, growing food, any grumbles about what you buy, where you shop, poor customer service, getting value for money, fast food outlets, inedible food, awful junk food, why you won't go back to a food or eating place again, food on the go. Anything about food. I don't think they would run to filming in America, so the UK only. I think most of it has been covered in the programmes already out there, but you never know there might be a topic that no one has thought of.

Right, I'm off out for a fast walk around the village. Rocky has already had his walk, he did well, went a bit further than usual, now he has crashed out. I'll sneak out for half an hour while he isn't looking.

Catch up with you soon. Toodle pip.
PS, someone asked what Toodle pip means. Cheerio, goodbye, see ya, tatty byes = Toodle pip.