the saturday scrimp: home event

Over this bank holiday weekend M&S and Debenhams have at least 20% off on all their homewares and furnishings. If you spotted something you love but never want to pay out that bit extra, go for it now!


I particularly like there great dinnerware in both stores!

debenhams

patriotic packaging

Morrision's currently have their salad leaves being delieved in union jack cardboard crates and they are letting you help yourself to the crates. So I grabbed 5! I don't want to spend money to pack my things in brown boxes for the move and then have no use for them on the other side. I have no attic to hide ugly things away. Therefor these are perfect for packing plates, cups, books, and bits bobs. 

And once I've unpacked I will use them in my 'studio' to store all my craft things stack up against a wall.
  
10 things to do with a...
Cardboard crate

1. Tidying up an attic, shed or spare room.
2. Making play ships or racing cars for toddlers, just add a pole and a pillow case or cardboard wheels. 
3. Storing toys and games in a kids room.
4. Taking items to a carboot.
5. Under-the-bed pull out storage. 
6. Fill it with jam jar drinks, sandwiches,  cakes, crisps, dips, cover with a tea towel and you have a hamper to take to your favorite park or street party.
7. Turn it upside down and use them as occasional tables.
8. Fill with an old blanket and use as a pet bed.
9. Use it in a greenhouse as a planting organiser, for little seedlings.
10. Reinforce it, fix or lean against a wall and use as a CD/book rack or display for quirky collectibles. 

trip to 2nd hand warehouse

 I say every week I buy a new piece of furniture that I have everything I need for my new flat and then I find something else that I need. But now I really do now have everything (except a bed but that can wait a couple weeks..).

Since I applied for my flat I've been on a furniture binge but today after a splurge in a 2nd hand shop I feel complete. 

Massive mustard yellow area rug

I see this in the living room to cover up the boring laminate flooring. I LOVE mustard yellow shades and this rug seems quite earthy, the colour doesn't show. I have no colour plans in the lounge as everythnig is quite netureal I really think this will work if not it will go to the bedroom.

60s G-plan Sideboard

Also for the living room, I finally have a unit for the T.V and extras. I will have a mid century retro theme going on in there. Everyone who has seen this so far can't understand why on earth I would want this 'dated' piece but I loved it straight away. Especially how the doors just pop and slide.

Studio lamp

To go in my 'studio' perfect for sewing or craft projects. Also for using as a lighting source for taking photos of the things I make. Needs a bit of a clean but works perfectly. Sorry for the all-white background. 

The side board I had seen before but wasn't sure if it was exactly what I needed but I love the fact it is low, with two large sliding doors. It will hide so much away which is essential since I have no storage! The studio lamp and the 3x3m rug had only just been brought in and weren't priced, I don't think she had had a chance to (perfect time to shop). I think I got them for a fair price because she was on the spot £15 each! Other large lamps were £30-50 and small rugs in there weren't even £15.

'ching ching' signage: before and after

Went to a local carboot today. It was a disappointment! Nothing worth getting up for but this was the one of three things I brought home... 

A bit of novelty signage. That got a little girlie makeover. 

Before:

After: 

I went in my tool box and found two of my tester pots which I got for 10p each from the damaged bin! I chose the Coral Flair and Moongold, which is an off-white. I thought painting the sides off-white would really exaggerate the 3D effect when sitting on a white wall. 

Oh and guess how much the £ sign was?...

the saturday scrimp: bills

Now this one is cheeky for a first tip. But I will be moving Monday (woo) and I have really looked at my spending, as running a household gets so expensive. Rent, council tax and bills are basic that you just expect to pay but I think I can reduce them too. 

• First thing, do your inventory. Check all damages no matter how minor you may think. Alway cover your back and I would even take pictures of every hole, scratch or damaged area. Then I would save it, online and or cd if you can. You may not see your deposit for a while but you don't want it disappearing when it comes to moving on.
• Secondly I'll be checking all meters and calling up the utility provider so I'm not paying for anything I didn't incur myself.
• In the summer I don't think the central heating will have to be used anyway. But even on the chillier nights I will be cracking out the hoodies and my quilted blankets to save the pounds later on (student style)
• I have recently joined the gym under a great offer with money back opportunities but other than that I liked there good facilities and they have clean showers with free shower gel! I am planning to use the gym at least four times a week. Thats over half my showers a month saved by using the membership facilities, cutting my water usage right down and I still get to afford the gym and the health benefits. Also means I could spend on a nicer shower gel and have it last longer at home!
• Never cook for one, it is so expensive and you end up with a lot of waste if your not organised. ALWAYS batch cook. You can cook for two, four, six, that spreads the cost and freeze portions for a later date. Plus if the ovens full your wasting less gas! This is also saving you time as well as money and time is more valuable!

new series

picture via mysusiehomemaker.com

 I thought I would start a little series on my blog. I have been inspired by the channel4 series Super Scrimpers. I realised how much I relate to these penny pinchers. Its all about being resourceful with your environment and creative with what you already have and essentially never let anything go to waste! I have learnt some valuable ways to save money and ways to spend a little wiser or not at all. 

  I always say to my friends I rarely (if ever) buy anything full price and thats because you don't have to. You can always find it somewhere else, make it yourself or hold out for the sale to come. 

  I manage to get some great deals and create something useful out of nothing and from now on the Saturday Scrimp series will share these 'tips'! It may be a current a bargain in a supermarket, a voucher code or all about getting your hands dirty.

the wedding: high tea

 It was my friends mum wedding today. This came around so quickly and only a few days before I realised I hadn't done much for it. The food was all fresh, so it all had to happen on the day or the previous night. Therefore I was just sitting about stressing that nothing will get done. But we arrived early at the church/hall set up and prepared all the food. It went pretty smoothly after that. The wedding and reception started at 3 and was finishing at 6. It was neat and sweet. She opted for a simple Afternoon Tea, cakes, sandwiches and lots of tea.


the Guestbook Table:

The reception was informal so just a few coffee tables scattered around the room but most were standing. We bought the couple a guest book and put it on a table but it looked bare. So I pulled some things out of my box for decorating in hope to bring some warmth. The pics don't capture the feel but everyone seemed to think it really worked with the feel of the wedding. 


the Cake:

We didn't make the cakes, we just had to assemble it which was scary enough. My mum did a good job of cutting the dowels and balancing the cakes. I just added a little ribbon to make everything a little less white. 


the High tea:

The whole family was baking for two days. There were homemade scones, coffee & walnut cake, Victoria sponge, cupcakes and flapjack. We also had lots of cream, clotted too of course and brought lots of mini treats to mix in with the homemade goods. It seemed to go down well. 

the Coffee table:

All the plates I collected over the months was used for placing retro biscuits on the coffee tables to give it a kitsch tea-room feel.


I also made a couple of pinnies for me and my sis to wear. From an old pillow cases I bought weeks ago!

I really enjoyed today and it was really nice being part of someones special day. Also learnt lot of things for future occasions. Congratulations to the newly weds!

new essential literature

Late night on Amazon with saved bank details can get you in trouble. I wanted some new books, so was just making a 'wish list'. However I ended up buying three that I couldn't wait any longer for. Only two have arrived so far but I am so pleased with them and can't stop reading. 

 This is The Handmade Marketplace By Kari Chapin; advice on 'How to sell your crafts locally, globally and online'. Ive read a couple of chapters since yesterday and I think its amazing. Fist of all I find it hard to stay focused on a book and this is a really easy read and precise and full of quotes and tips from other successful and current creatives. 

 My favourite part so far is the chapter on creating your creative space. Even if you have challenges like no budget or a tiny place to make the most out of. I can't wait to move and start creating mine based on these tips. 

 She also has a whole section on blogs, websites and newsletters. I am happy to just stick with and get used to a blog for now but its nice to know the basics and how to get involved in the craft community.  This book is really so inspiring for me, gives me a bit of confidence to sort out my ideas even if its just a little market stall. 

 Now I am beyond excited about this book. I have been wanting to do some textiles printing for months but I do't remember much from school about suitable paints, fabrics and tools for the job. So just wanted a simple 'How to' book to get me started. 'Printing By Hand' by Lena Corwin looked simple enough for me. 

 Its perfectly set out for easy use, working from tips and tools, to material, to how to's and templates. Also its in ring binder format that many will know is essential when you want to lie a book flat out to follow instruction but a regular book usually flips shut. 

 I have plans to make a whole selection of block stamps and stencils for making tea towels, napkins, table cloths, aprons and cushions. 

 This was done using a silk screen that she teaches you to make and use to make your on sheets of textiles. 

But I think I will start with block printing. I like the look and it seems easy enough for me to master. Hopefully. 

the lamps

  I bought this pair of lamps  yesterday from a charity furniture shop. I spent £20 for the pair which in my book, is me splashing out and I don't like to barter with charity. But I just loved them and saw them in the shop window since last Friday and I thought if they are still there when next in the city I have to have them. They are modern but inspired by the angle-poise lamp but has a 'traditional' lampshade, which is easily adaptable so thats another project for the list. 
  I did think bed side table lamps but my room will be fairly small and I think these fairly large lamps could over  power. So they will likely end up on opposite ends of a sideboard.  They are not floor lamps but they may look effective on the floor next to my fairly low neutral sofa. 

I can't wait to be able to starting showing everything in context. Only a couple of weeks to go!

bank holiday carbooting

Today I went to my first carboot of the year and managed to get two in before 10am! I bought stacks of plates and teacups for the wedding I'm catering for next to nothing. Too many to take pics of now, they will be revealed at the wedding. 
Heres some of my other treats. I'm very pleased with them. These items aren't much on their own but effective in context.

 My mum found this little tea shop chalk board and picked it up for me. We thought it would come in handy for the tea party theme occasions we may come across in the future. Only £1!

 These are part of my new tin collection. The big black box is a Victorian Deeds box which families would use store their important documents and money and lock it away in the house. A safe basically. I thought I would line it with fabric and make sections and use it as my new tool box. 

 This woman had a box of tins and I picked out what I thought was the best and these were only 20p each! My favourites are the clotted cream and the red dutch boy tin. I'm thinking of using these in the kitchen and the ones not suitable for food used as little herb planters.

 Vintage Jacobs tin 50p. Not in the best condition in side. I think it may become a little tool box. 

 Glass jar part of a dresser set, 20p! Think it will be my new pin pot. 

 I'm assuming this Quality Street tin was made in 1996 as an 60th anniversary edition in this vintage style . Another potential crafty tin I think as its a bit rusty for sweets. 

This is an embroidery piece done on natural linen. Its kinda hideous but beautiful due to the talent and time that went into it. That was someones hard work, bless! I think It could work in my studio, I do like the eclectic look. Plus its always good to have a frame!

I went to a friends the other week and she had a huge jar on her kitchen top with cereal in. I really loved the idea as cereal boxes and plastic tubs are dull. My mums friend found these huge jars and bought them, then she change her mind thinking it wouldn't suit her style. She thankfully sold them to me, £3 for 2!

Small orange retro style pendant light. Orange is not really in any colour scheme of mine so this wont be a permant fixture in the house. But I liked its style and the fact that is a plug-in so I can hang it as a low pendant celieng light or have it sit on a side table. It says M&S on the plug but I have no idea when, £2!