For the love of (sock) knitting.

I adore knitting-if I'm not sewing, I'm knitting! 

I have been making many a pair of socks for all my family members and finally made my self a pair. 

They were knitted in 100g ball of Lang, Jawoll super wash sock yarn 

They are so snuggle! 

Year Of Thrift...still going strong!

I now Feel so comfortable about doing our year of thrift, it's second nature. 

I needed more fabrics for my students to practice their patchwork pieces on and my first instinct these days is to always always re-use, reclaim, recycle-so ventured to charity shops to find just what I needed. 

And I still love buying all my fruit, veg, meat and dairy groceries at the local indoor market. Not only is it a local treasure, but exellent value for money, great produce and always bought with a smile from the stall holders. 

And this week I am thinking of more ideas that I can add to the Festival of Thrift # SchoolOfThrift google page....thinking jams, a tutorial on Lavendar bags for wedding favors and stash stripping garments for maximum fabric!    

One more pallet planter idea

I now made three individual planters from a pallet to be mounted on outdoor walls.

Filled with a few plants and as a mini herb garden.

Bobbin Shed 21, our 'house' and Thrift.

We had a very special event on Saturday the 12th April. 

Our Open day and Exhibition-it took weeks of organization and planning. 

One thing we wanted to achieve was a 'set' of a house in miniature-Some where we could displey our own items made, that were perfect in anyones own home.

We decided to go with a 1950's theme and set about gathering items. 

I began by surching for furniture, wanting to be as thrifty as possible. I looked on many an auction site-eventually winning most items of furniture for just 99p and I didn't spend any more than £10.00.

Some of the items came from farm buildings that looked quite sad indeed, and now look brand new and extremely happy in their new home.

I was biding my time for a carpet to come up on Freecycle and when it did, it was brand new one! It fitted perfect in to the space and really set the scene.

We were keen to have all aspects of a house, so we made the bed from old palets and rugs that were made by Becky Sunter. 

Vintage China and glassed was sourced from charity shops and the only thing left to do was put it all together.

I can honestly say the entire set was beyond thrifty, not only very satisfying to create but, if I do say so my self, extremely stylish! 

Bobbin Shed 21 on Lingfield Point now has a wonderful show space, brought back to it's 1950's glory with a little of no money, but masses of passion! 

Easter planter from a Pallet

As you will know, I'm veto familiar with making some thing out of nothing & my latest project had me making a flower planter from two old and no longer wanted, old pallet. 

Take two unused pallets. Turn one it on its side to allow you to adding wood to the bottom of what will be the three planters.

You will need a few tools to help you like a saw, scissors, staple gun, nails and crow bar as all as a hammer. 

With the pallet that will be taken apart, leaver the strips of wood with the crow bar and hammer out the old nails. 

The fit in to place to form the bottoms of the planter inserts.

Once all the planters have been formed, you can add strong plastic to the planter holes, thus to keep as much soil in as possible.

Now fill with soil.

Add flowers and enjoy all summer long!

"Do you really need it"?

Thrift isn't about buying or finding a bargain-it's about choosing what you need for the price you are willing to pay and asking your self "do you really need it. 

For example the Next 2day sale...we have been brain washed into believing that we must que up at 5 am to 'bag a bargain!' But do you ever think, "do I really need that bargain?" Do you need that cheaper skirt? Probably not, but the clever tactics of the  conglomerates have is brain washed into thinking we are always needing more. 

Think of M&S, you take a bag of unwanted garments to them, you feel all warm and fuzzy and M&S give you a pat on the back, but what's really happening is, you are in the shop-once they have you in, you spend. 

If you were to take a bag of unwanted clothes to a charity shop, Hands up who drops them off at the back door and not go in or browse? 

Even if you didn't spend much in Marks & Spencer, bread in the food hall or a t-shirt, it's the getting you into the store that is the important thing. 

Psychology of shopping is fascinating. It's now big business, HUGE. 

We don't realize just when we are being duped, duped in the name if a bargain. 

A Year of Thrift and cooking at home.

When at the local indoor market this weekend, we bought our meat from the loveliest friendly butchers. They all have a wealth of knowledge and have now gotten to know as regular customers of theirs. 

This week we bought 1lb of Ox Tail for the very reasonable price of £2.00. The butcher seemed surprised when we asked for it. 

I'm guessing very few people cook with it these days but makes such a hearty and warming meal, it's well worth giving it a go. 

Everything we purchase from them is so much better quality than the Supermarkets and I feel a great sence of pride knowing I'm buying local meat from local butchers. 

And the best part, they have suggestions for money saving meal ideas!