Hello Dear Reader,
I’ve had another wonderful day here on planet earth. I haven’t left my own doorstep, I haven’t spent any money and yet, I’ve had a fantastic day. A fellow blogger and her charming husband are on holiday in this area and came to see me for coffee this morning (well a pot of tea actually).
As you would expect, I whizzed up some cherry shortbread biscuits and a few mini-fruit cakes with minutes to spare.
The results proved popular and saved me the trip to the shop for some sweet treats and both took about ten minutes to prepare from scratch and twenty minutes to cook. All ingredients from my fridge and store cupboard. (yes! I know the time is wrong on the oven………..it doesn’t bother me)
If you read my blog on Monday, you’ll remember that I had a charity shop rummage and bought a single bed headboard cover for 50p. I bought it for the sturdy and cheerful fabric.
Today it was up-cycled into a bag. I also finished eighteen table napkins from one of the table clothes I bought from ebay last year - some twenty linen items for 99p! I’ve lots of plans for the rest of them!
Here’s the finished bag, which is lined and the contrasting fabric which I’ve used to decorate and make the straps from, was bought for £1 from a car boot sale last year. I’ve yards of it spare and made an apron last year and I’ve plans for the rest of it.
How was your day on planet earth? How’s your ‘no spending’? I love to hear from you xxxx
Until tomorrow,
Love Froogs xxxx
I have been attacking the punch list of unfinished projects around the house left over from our (not so frugal) home remodel. BUT, I have not spent a penny, since I already have the paint. Finsished painting my off-the-the-shelf unfinished kitchen cabinets, painted 4 sets ofdoorway trim, and getting ready to paint our buit-in shelves that came with the house. Just getting off my a** and get stuff done. I love the sense of accomplishment, knowing I did not pay a contractor. As always. I love reading your blog. All your recent posts have me itching to pick up quilting again after a hiatus of almost 19 years. That will be no cost too, since I already have a stash that I thankfully did not throw away!
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Finishing off the punch list of unfinished home improvement projects from our (not so frugal) home remodel 4 years ago. Finished painting my off-the-shelf kitchen cabinets, 4 sets of doorway trim and paintingthe hallway. Also painted a louvered bi-fold door (a major pain in the a**). Next up, painting the shelving in our library that the privious owners built.
Enjoy your blog as always, and your recent posts have me itching to pick up quilting again after a 19 year hiatus. That wil be free because I still have my stash of fabric. Enjoy your time off!
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The Hubz used to buy ancient, crummy printers at garage sales because they always came with cartridges that we could use on our ancient but functional printer. Sometimes people just gave the printers and the cartridges away.
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That bag is wonderful, I absolutely love it!
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Absolutely gorgeous Froogs. 🙂
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I just love your blog 🙂 Already following a while, but now I think it's time to comment 🙂
I must admit I'm not very frugal, but I try my best to be more frugal in the future - trying to read and convert your tips into my life 🙂 My day wasn't a no spending day, 'cause I was at work and there I'll always find some sweets that I can't resist (I'm working at a small grocery/bakery store). I really tried to stop that, but standing a whole day alone in such a shop with the sweets infront of your eyes is really not helping 😉
lg Betty x
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Could you do a step by step for making the bag as I'd love to try and make one. I have days when I do spend money! Most of the week I manage not to.
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I absolutely LOVE that bag! Good for you, Froogs. : )
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Your baking looks yummy, trying not to do too much baking at the moment as the old waistline is expanding too much. Though I regularly make your lemon drizzle cake as my hubby takes half of it to work to share with fellow workers.
I agree with Hoppy Mum could you possibly do a tutorial to make that fantastic bag it would be great for people like me with very limited sewing skills.
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I love the bag! And the baked goods look soooo yummy! You continue to inspire!!! Thank you!
After droppping kids off at summer camp, I visited with a friend today…. After that had to fill the car tank with gasoline- that was my only expenditure for the day. Dinner is cooking now- all home made- Apricot Glazed chicken, rice and green beans. Smells good!
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I love the bag! And the baked goods look soooo yummy! You continue to inspire!!! Thank you!
After droppping kids off at summer camp, I visited with a friend today…. After that had to fill the car tank with gasoline- that was my only expenditure for the day. Dinner is cooking now- all home made- Apricot Glazed chicken, rice and green beans. Smells good!
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I have been craving shortbread cookies, but it's too hot to put the oven on….your's look yummy,
Gill in Canada
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I love reading about your frugality and inventiveness, FQ! Nice to share tips about economising without becoming a slave to it!
I went fruit picking recently (strawberries and raspberries) and pulped them in the blender then froze that in ice cube trays. I make my own yogurt, so adding a 'cube' of frozen fruit to each pot also keeps the contents cool and will have melted by the time hubby eats his packed lunch. 😉
Any tips for keeping washing machines clear and fresh-smelling without resorting to expensive chemical products?
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Well I nipped into our village co-op about 8.30ish last night just to buy cat food…. I must of been at the right place at the right time cos they were reducing everything with the same day date on it…… so I got 3 loves of nimble bread for just 30p -3 punnets of new baby spuds in herb seasoning for just 30p - 2 posh morocan lamb pizzas for just 10p each - 4 punnets of strawberries (not a mark on them) 10p each - coronation sarnie mix (which my lad has in his sarnies for work today) 10p - square wraps 10p and the list goes on… I spent in total £3.40 on bits that would of cost £45.43 …. all of which is freezable for a later date or I will bake up a storm with today 🙂 - so Im mega chuffed 🙂 x
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That bag is gorgeous and the sweet cakes look delicious. Don't know if you do birthdays and Christmas again or not now that you're debt free (but for the mortgage), but they'd make excellent presents!
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Thanks for visiting my blog . I had to find you fromthe blog of my friend Silver Sewer .
I have to admit I am not frugal . I certainly know how, I was a war child .I do like it when I haven't been out for a few days and haven't spent.
Your biscuits look good , the cakes also.
I shall trawl your blog now to learn more about you . I have added you to my faves.
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Bought lot of mature Irish cheese for 69p 350grms £3.89 originally. Grated it into bags for the freezer to use later on.
Julie xxxxxxx
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Have just been in Cornwall myself but at the Southern end, as my daughter lives in Helston. Would love to visit one day or have a meet up and a charity shop rummage 🙂 I did get into a few whilst there but get a few rolled eyeballs from family members( even though they enjoy the finds afterwards!) After all it is all the thrifting throughout the year that allows us a modest holiday and a few treats. 🙂
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