I must admit, I find Christmas difficult! It is what it says it is to me...........a Mass for Christ, a celebration of the founder of my faith. So; I find the financial side of it difficult for different reasons. I can't afford it and I wouldn't want to if I could. I suppose I'm answering
Foster Mummy's question "What do you do about Christmas and Birthdays". Well, of course, I give frugal presents. This year is going to be different. I'm going to make every present I give. Yesterday I had fun making bunting and that's now wrapped for Dad's present; he has a sense of humour, lives in
Fowey and will love putting bunting in his garden in regatta week! Today, I will make something for my mum, who has a birthday at the end of August and then I will think of something I can make for her to open at Christmas.
Most of my family and friends would be happy to receive a pot of jam, some homemade chutney or a hand knitted scarf. So, this year my usual budget of £100 will be decimated and you might be receiving something unusual. Oh, BTW...........I saw some gifts, wrapped in colourful pages from old magazines and as Dearly Beloved brings me magazines that he finds on the train, even the wrapping paper will be free, also I will try using garden twine (usually a deep winter green) and I will use some scrap store off cuts to make ribbons and decorations. Now for my challenge!!! Christmas without spending any money.....one gift down and around 10 more to makes! Anyone care to join me in my challenge - what can you make for free?
I am having such fun! Remember my scrapstore haul from yesterday? The material at the bottom of the photo is now bunting, the material to the left of the 'tartan' is silky dress material, it was samples and I had about five sample pieces. Well the photo below is what they became!
I love that French looks of wrapped and knotted and I wear scarves to work with a blouse and it can make a plain suit look colourful and yet remains formal and smart. My mum also loves scarves and accessories and she can make any outfit look so feminine with a slight adjustment! I think the scarf looks quite 'Hermes' and I'm sure she'll love it.
The scarf above is pure freeganism, I found it in the road. All wet and dirty, so I took it home, washed it and put it on the line. I'm also going to wrap that and give it to mum, she'll love the story of it being found in the road.
Here are the scarves again. I sewed the squares together, then cut them in half length ways and repeated the 'pattern' again. Turned it inside out and then turned in the ends and sewed it again. I'll wash it, dry and iron it and wrap it later. That's two presents so far that haven't cost me anything.
