More Free Patterns

I love free...  I am not cheap, but I am thrifty, so if I can find a great pattern for free why not share it.

wrap skirt

knit skirt

knit skirt #2

mock wrap skirt

 

simple skirt

 

gore skirt

More...

 

Use it Up.

This is such a good practice.  My dear daughter-in-love and I were talking about this tonight.  How wasteful we can be if we don't make a conscious effort to:

Use it up

Wear it out

Make it do

Or do without

If you are not a leftover person - freeze the leftovers for a quick meal another day or an easy lunch. 

Mend if you get a small tear in a seam.

Patch if the rip isn't in the seam and wear the article of clothing for camping or gardening.

Or completely remake the item into something else.  I've gotten so I look at older items as material.  Can I remake them into something for me, a granddaughter, etc...

So

USE IT UP

Before you throw something out ask yourself if there’s anything else I could use this for??

WEAR IT OUT

Get the full wear out of your things.  Take care and repair .

MAKE IT DO

Clean and pressed makes clothes look like new again in many cases.  If it no longer fits, can you make alterations??  Or repurpose it completely.

  If it still fits and is in good repair that's okay. We don't need to have the newest fad. 

OR DO WITHOUT

Be content.

When you have a need save your money and buy good quality.  You will enjoy it more and have it for a long time.

Being frugal can even be a game.  Did you know most millionaires live well below their means. 

the little bird

1897 The Ladies World

The Ladies World Magazine

I just wanted to share the front covers of these old, 1897, magazines. I have had them for 40 years?? They were in behind the mirror of an old vanity. The mirror was broken - in a move - or something and low and behold these were in behind.

I wish I knew how to preserve them better. I usually keep them wrapped in plastic. I am still cleaning and sorting out so came across them yesterday. They will go back in the wrap and back in the drawer. I just think they're neat and hope you will too.

the little bird

My mom emailed and said that my grandfather made the little dresser/vanity for she and my aunt.    I wish I had a picture.  I remember that we painted it white and pink for my bedroom when I was young.   It then went to my Aunt.  I bet my younger cousin then used it in her room.  Very cool history.

More Sewing Creativity

I wouldn't have thought of this but it sure is cute.

Some Downed Trees

The picture doesn't really show it but this is a big tree.  It snapped at the base - it looks like someone just grabbed it and twisted it off.

You can see a bit how it just twisted off.

These trees are around 100 years old.  They have weathered storms before but this time one went down.

Big Wind - Power Outage

1,400 customers are without power in our tiny little farm town alone. We had a huge wind storm come through, 80 mph winds. We lost many large branches and one tree snapped off. Our son had one of his huge pines snap off and come down on the power lines. Half the town has no power and will be out for at least two more days.

So many people are 'camping out'. Some have generators going to cycle the frig or freezer to keep things cold. Many chain saws are going to clean up the mess.

How to Eat Healthy AND Cheap

Just some good information I thought I would pass along.

I think the biggest 'expenditure' for us can be the grocery store. So having a menu is a great way to stay on target. If you have a plan you can move forward to execute it- but without a plan you can flounder.

I will be working on some menu ideas that are inexpensive as well as healthy.
Have a great day!!

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie....

As is always the case one thing leads to another.  I have cleaned and organized my freezer, yeah!  I went through and inventoried my 'food storage' area.  Now I have started on my sewing room and clothes closet...  Eek.  I haven't gone through and tossed and/or culled for too long and it appears this is the time.  It feels great.  The coat I haven't worn in 5 years.  I think that could go to the thrift store to bless someone else.  The tidbits of material not big enough to make anything into the dumpster.  All those tail ends of candles that I have been saving are now in the double boiler melting in to a store able reusable chunk of wax, etc...

I guess this is spring cleaning time.  I'm just at the end of spring instead of the beginning. : )

the little bird

Inventory the Food Storage

Yesterday was the freezer, today the pantry.  A part of food storage is to inventory.  It let's you know what you still have, what you need, and how much you use of different items.

canned beans - 16
canned fruit - 9
canned chicken - 8
toothpaste - 3
dental floss - 6
fluoride treatment - 2 bottles
candles -
matches -
lamp oil -
etc...
(I try to purchase when items are on sale.  Many times I can purchase enough for the year.  By the time I need it  it's on sale again.)

It would be wasteful and expensive if you didn't use what you have put by or purchased.
One of the rules of food storage is rotate, rotate, rotate.
The best food storage plan is store what you eat and eat what you store. 

Cleaning the Freezer

Once a year I have to defrost my massive chest freezer. It is a big job but always one that when completed leaves a true feeling of accomplishment!

That was today's main plan.
My son - who happened by for a cup of coffee on his way to work this morning - pulled down all the coolers for me.
I take all of the freezer foods out and put it in the coolers. Thankfully my freezer has a flash defrost button. Within 15 minutes the large sheets of frost/ice start sliding to the bottom of the freezer. I get my dust pan out and start flinging the ice out on the patio. Our puppy thought this was wonderful. :-) Then a pan of hot sudsy water and give the interior a good wash-up... Other than almost standing on my head (I'm short and my freezer is huge) this is an easy process.

Now begins the putting back. I have zones in my freezer Jams -- Fruits -- Vegetables -- Meats

Since it is a chest freezer I also have baskets. It makes it easier to keep areas contained. As I put items back in I make an inventory.
Strawberry Jam - 7
Sliced Strawberries - 14
Apricots - 5
etc...

This lets me know what is available for using and how many I need to add when putting by this year. It also reminds me to use out of the freezer before pulling the canned items off the shelf.   Now I need to take that inventory and make some meal plans using what we already have. 

I also make up a schematic.  My dear husband always fussed that he didn't know where anything was - or worse he would start looking - gasp and mess up my arrangement.  :-)  So I draw up a quick map and he knows right where to go to find what he's after.  We are both happier.

Now you know what I've been up to today.  I hope you are having a great day and that a thing or two is getting checked off your to-do list as well.

the little bird