Getting it Sorted - Healthwise!

 Okay, it's been a while - there's reasons for that  - I won't go into all of them. suffice to say that just when I thought I was back on track and ready to go into what the doctor has agreed to (no pills for a while - hooray!) I got shingles so was derailed a bit.

Anyway, I've only got a short (3 month) window to get my blood pressure and cholesterol in check or I've got to seriously consider the doctor's request to take medication. 

It's easier said and done as stress is apparently playing a big role, but I'm going to give it my best shot!

Obviously the first port of call is my weight. Don't get me wrong. I'm not humungously (is that a word) in trouble here. I had been doing well, dropping a stone and a half, when the doctor first put me onto blood pressure tablets. The weight then stopped dead and exercising got more and more difficult due to the side effects of the two tablets we tried! Now I'm off them it's time to really concentrate on slimming down.

Exercise has always done it for me. Particularly running!

Sadly, due to work on our seawall my regular ParkRun exploits sort of ground to a halt as my knees object to running on sand. Along with some time pressures it all got put to one side. Luckily the ParkRun is back to it's usual route, my shingles (let's not go there) have gone and I can grab back my Saturday mornings for this week!

I still get to tennis, but the doctor also wants more strength training. I used to go to dance and martial arts fitness at our local sports club. The class times no longer fit in with what I can do so I was in a bit of limbo. I haven't renewed my membership till I work out if it's worth it just to use the swimming pool - time has been my enemy again there. So, as I had a good time during the pandemic with online classes I've decided to restart those. The package I've picked also has some quick start programmes to try to get you into the swing of it quickly. I did start the initial one until the shingles got in the way. The plan is to begin again at the end of this week when the diary is a bit clearer.

I'll report back on this first element next time - along with my eating plans - I'm still working that one out as the summer is a really busy time for family birthdays and there's just far too many temptations for success. Next week will be a good time to examine how to adjust my willpower there!!!

The other thing that's well and truly slipped has been my making. I haven't got to my spinning group in ages and I've been too tired to concentrate in the evenings. I did manage one or two bits though...

Birthdays mean cards and mini presents so that gave me the kick I needed to get these done...

 

I've also managed to keep up my SubStack contributions. I did think that was going to sink without trace as well as so much other 'stuff'. Then I thought I could keep my weekly posting going by being a bit kinder to myself and readjusting my expectations. For August I'm sticking to a photo and a quick message to go with it to give myself a rest from the pressure of regular longform writing till September.

How's that?

Now I've written it all down I feel like more's been moving forward than I originally thought - hooray!

I'll let you know how it all goes.....

Yes, We Have No Bananas..

 When I first taking some snaps for this Getting It Sorted train of thought I took a photo of my breakfast choices. Among them was this..

Yes, I do like bananas and was happy when I read about the health benefits for the heart of the potassium they contain. However, since that long phone call with my doctor they're now only making an occasional appearance. It seems that the potassium rush has to be balanced with the effect on my cholesterol levels! There are times when it all the advice feels a bit complicated to steer round. So, bananas are only allowed immediately before exercise. I can have them on Saturdays (before ParkRun) and Thursdays (as I play tennis early) so I'll have to be content with that. I can, however, indulge in apricots and get my potassium kick from them!

The other culprit in my breakfast that I've already touched on is porridge. Again a big surprise as I thought I was doing the right thing with it. Luckily I'm a fan of Greek yoghurt and according to the doctor that's okay - along with the chia seeds and berries (or apricots). Phew!!

On a creative note - I did finish the Valentine's card..

I was quite chuffed with it - some thought now on a 7 year old card. I can't find one for our March birthday girl. The other seven year old was easy - she loves unicorns and princesses and I found a card with them both. The March one though... unless I can find a kick boxing pianist on a card I'll have to create something.....

I have also been putting away some of the Christmas makes and finishing off some that weren't done in time - they'll be all ready for next year. 

 

These were really easy.. double sided squares with a line of stitching across the corners. Then a ribbon through the channels created, joined and decorated with beads and voila! gift bags, jewellery pouches, call them what you will...

So now I'm off to get my Substack offering for this week done - all about my inability to just do one thing at a time.. until next time...

Getting It Sorted - Smelling Sweetly!

 

Now this one's a bit of a luxury, I know...

I seem to have gathered a whole collection of odds and ends of rather nice perfumes! Most are the last knockings of presents. I know I ought to finish one bottle before I start on the next, however, it only seems polite to wear a gift when it's given. Then the others sort of get moved down the finishing up line.

As a result I've a number of these with the remains of the scent sloshing about at the bottom of the container.

I also know that they should be used up before the air/light gets to them and spoils the smell so it's time to get going and use one at a time till each is finished. After all, Christmas is coming and you never know what Santa might have in mind.

I've also accumulated a number of samples, some of which I've used part of when on holiday (saves lugging a big quantity around in my luggage. Again, they are now on display to remind me to use them up. The newish, unopened ones are ready to go into our Christmas Eve lucky dip/tombola/treasure hunt (I can't remember what we're doing this year - or perhaps we haven't decided yet). 

This is a task I'll enjoy - definitely - now what to do with all the lovely bottles once they're finished?

I'm back on the card creation for a while. Firstly, because I've a craft fair looming next weekend and they always sell well. Secondly, it'll get me in the right frame of mind to start on this year's Christmas versions.

I'd seen some rather like this one in a magazine a long time ago and fancied having a try.

Once I'd worked out the template it was great fun fidgeting about with different fabrics to get the effect I wanted and to rummage through the button box for the 'cherry' on top.

What do you think?

Right, on with a bit of discipline now.. My next Substack post is due - all about Deadlines this time. I'm trying to be good about posting on time so it's probably the right subject... Perhaps you'd like to pop over there to have a look?

Home Run

 This has got to be the very last word (or words) on the old year...

Just a few more bites to finish it off and I can look towards the next ideas!

So...

Month 12 - Bite 23

The spinning group I go to usually has a Christmas Lunch out. Obviously we couldn't during the restrictions and then when they ended last year we were unsure about crowded restaurants, especially as a number of members are older and more susceptible to bugs, germs and illnesses. We decided to eat in and each bring something alone.

It was such a success that we did the same again this year - here's some of the spread after we'd already started to tuck in!!

Not only did it leave those who act as carers the flexibility to turn up when they could and provision being made for those with specific dietary requirements, but it also allowed us to move around chatting - not necessarily our experience when sat at a long table.

I have a feeling we'll be doing the same again next time round!!

Month 12 - Bite 24

I've just finished wrapping 90 presents! It's not what it seems... The presents were all collected cheaply or free over the year (perfume sample anyone?) or handmade. The wrapping paper was that collected from unwrapping last year. It provided great fun and entertainment during our family get-together without too much cost or waster!

Month 12 - Bite 25

Time for a bit of reflection on the festivities. This year we've all cut back - some of that is to do with the present financial squeeze that everyone is going through, but much of it is because so many of the family were bug stricken so we were a bit more cautious in food buying and so on. Do you know what? We hardly noticed! So a rethink for next year while we still remember what went well and what could be ditched is due.

We've collectively made a note of what got eaten or leftover and what needs to be budgeted in for next year. As a family we'd already decided to cut down on sweets and treats as we always seem to be 'finishing up' well into January and invariably waste some of the leftovers. There was still plenty left so next Christmas we'll cut back a bit more and probably won't notice it even more!!

Month 12 - Bite 26

Planning for next year now while there's a lull in the frantic nature of everyday life. I love a blankpage, a new notebook or a pristine diary so mine's all ready...

First in go all those dates and reminder, appointments and birthdays. I usually pick up a free calendar from some supermarket or another, this year none were around at the same time as I was looking so I've just printed off the twelve months as individual pages using the calendar app on the phone.

Looks like it could be another busy year!

Month 12 - Bite 27

I'm ready to venture out again. Not too much to restock, just one or two essentials and a quick look at the post-Christmas stock clearance. 

I know I've made a number of cards for next year already, but there were some ridiculous reductions (24 cards for 10p anyone?) on these and on wrapping paper too. I have however resisted the urge to splurge on too many mini gifts so that I don't have a storage and cluttering problem before we put our heads together about what next years get-together game will be - lucky dip, tombola, tree presents - decision yest to be made!

Month 12 - Bite 28

Revisiting the budget I set at the beginning of the year is today's task. I've randomly noted spending for some weeks and I've got all the bills for the year. I'm going to settle down with a nice cup of tea, a pencil and paper and some soothing music to see where I kept to my intentions and where things may have gone awry before I go any further.

Month 12 - Bite 29

With all those facts and figures and the dates in the diary for birthdays, occasions and renewals known so far it's time to plan for finances for 2023.

I know there'll be some changes to the family pot - positive ones as I'm due my pension - I never thought of myself as being a pensioner one day!! We're also planning for a holiday or two and there's new pressures round the corner, but overall looking at the finances this year looks like fun.

Month 12 - Bite 30

And finally - never thought I'd type that and mean it!

The last act of this month is to take some time to think and plan generally. The past year has given me plenty of food for thought and some surprises too. The house is clearer and I can see a path for the home budget. More writing looks possible and I'm going to take some time to form a plan for my next projects...

In all a happy new year looks set ahead....

Hang out the bunting!

 Extra Mouthful Number Four

I did mention some help with crafting inexpensive cards so here's one idea...

Bunting always seems to go alongside celebrations so I wanted to create some cards for birthdays, etc. using it as a feature.

Firstly I cut some decorating paper and plain card so that they fit onto a card blank...

                                                 

Next came a selection of tiny triangles from paper scraps - you could use magazines or old wrapping paper too...

                                                    

Finally I glued them onto the top piece of card, linked them with a drawn line and mounted it all onto a card blank.

You could add a greeting to the front of the card as well if you like.

Then I wanted to see how it would look repeated in fabric. This time I glued some fabric to the top card and cut the triangles out of leftover bits and pieces of fabric from other projects.

                                                      

I glued the top edge of the triangles to the fabric before stitching a line instead of drawing it. Then, again I mounted this all onto the card blank..

One or two more to make and then I can add them to the greetings card store ready for the next appropriate occasion.

In the Bag

 Onto the last (belated) leg of this month's offerings... a few bits and bobs about parties.

The first two bites here are about those infamous party bags that seem to have become a staple these days!

How do you create and fill them so that they don't cost the earth and yet are a nice reminder of a good time?

Month 7 - Bite 28

The first thing to do is to create the party bags themselves. There are plenty of templates available to print so why not try making your own rather than buying them. It's even better (cheaper and more environmentally friendly too) if you use paper left over from projects, spare wrapping paper, magazine pages or brown paper that wrapped something you had delivered! Of course you can also unfold a spare bag you have from a previous party to create a template.

                        

Some of these options seem to produce a rather dull bag, but wait... What if the first activity of the party was for each participant to decorate and label their own bag? As each person arrives provide them with the wherewithal - pens, stickers, sequins, glue - to make their own very individual bag. All of these can be put, empty on a surface awaiting their contents.

Month 7 - Bite 29

So on to those contents...

Not so long ago we went to a relative's 80th do. Her daughter and grandchildren had pulled out all the stops to make it an occasion to remember without spending huge amounts of money - although they did put lots of love and effort into it.

Guests there, old and young, each received home made party bags. Inside were one or two sweet items including this..

Forgive my photography - it's a phial for blowing bubbles! There was also a small pack of seeds gathered from their own garden to grow flowers with a note on the envelope to explain that as the flowers grew we could remember the special day. Among the other things was an individual cake box to choose a favourite cake (there were loads!!) to take home.

It's very easy to think the bags have to be loaded with plastic knick-knacks or sweets, but why not try something similar. 

We're always looking out for small gifts for Christmas, birthdays etc. so when any of us spot a bargain in the mini books/pencils/stickers/anything really line it gets snapped up and stored. These are particular favourites for prizes for pass the parcel, musical bumps, or any other game. Guess where these prizes go? Yep, that's it - those waiting party bags - it's easy to top up any non-winners' bags too while they are all eating.

Then there's those scrunchies I made a while back, some bookmarks, and... well, you get the picture.

The next bite might also give you some ideas for fillers too....

Month 7 - Bite 30

A make it yourself party..... Well, why stop with the party bags? You could try having a short game or two and then set out a table with plenty of craft materials for a grand making session. It could be a step-by-step process where all the guests make the same item following someone's lead - decorated hair grips, for example, or fabric brooches from scraps glued onto a backing piece (thank you internet for soooo many ideas!). You could give each guest a sock to decorate as a puppet or some felt, pom-poms, wiggly eyes and buttons to make finger puppets. Whatever you choose make sure there's time for the glue to dry while you eat whatever spread you've laid out and played another game before their masterpieces are added to the party bags.

Recently I found these initials on sale and gathered a number for decorating and adding to the take home stash - remember my comments about wrapping paper scraps and tissue paper? This is the sort of project they go too...

                                                 

You might decide the makes should be edible. Make some individual cakes and provide icing, colouring and toppings for them to decorate their own cakes which can be added to the bags. Or use plain biscuits (shop bought or home baked) for them to create faces using icing sugar glue, small sweets and sprinkles.

Phew - all partied out?

Wait till the excitement of children's holidays appears for next month!

It's a Wrap

 Moving on from all those presents you could be forgiven that we're terribly wasteful in terms of wrapping and frills. After all, whether it's 30 presents or 26 or whatever that seems like a lot of paper that simply gets thrown away. So here's what we do...

Month 7 - Bite 25 

We try to use what we've got. Sometimes that's paper left over from a different occasion and at others it's a matter of carefully folding paper that's been unwrapped and keeping it for another time, especially when we're doing a lot of small presents.

There are times when tissue paper is the answer. It quite often gets used as crafting materials afterwards for papier mache or collages. Now and again I've been known to wrap gifts in magazine pages, particularly if the pictures on them link to the present inside (and once more they go into the craft box when discarded).

When I finally get round to Christmas I'll go into designing individual paper without it costing the earth, either financially or environmentally.

Finally I have used a scarf or fabric wrap that forms part of the present itself as the outer wrapping!

Month 7  - Bite 26

Then, of course, there's gift bags. There are some gift and bottle bags that have been doing the rounds between us for a number of years! As we give them to each other it's part of the gift giving process to try and remember who passed on the bag last! Now and again we need to buy new ones, but as far as we can they go back and forth (minus the contents naturally). There's also a nice decorative box that I give back to someone each time so that they can refill it with toiletries as my present - I can't remember how old that is, but it's sort of become a tradition now....

Month 7 - Bite 27

There are other gift bags too. I think I may have shown these before...

I made them from some fabric I got for £1 at a local market and by adding leftover curtain lining I got four tote bags out of it that went on to be presents as well as gift bags.

This year for my niece I couldn't resist this lovely tote I saw, so her presents are going to her in this so she can use her 'gift bag' as a shopping bag!

                                          

A tailor made celebration

 As I write this we are all happily recovering from the excitement of Mum's 90th so a really good excuse for a celebration and party.

Now we do like a party with games and all that stuff, but it has to be suitable for the person actually having the birthday. As Mum doesn't manage musical bumps too well (it's the getting up after the music has stopped she says), her celebration was stretched across her big day so that it was manageable and fitted around regular meals, school times and her (and us) having the chance for a rest or two.

Month 7 - Bite 19

So, how do you celebrate? Well, firstly, as usual we asked Mum what she wanted! It required a bit of planning and conversations for each of us to sort out our parts, nothing particularly stressful. Early morning was about phone calls from each of us - not a lot of cost there, and a floral delivery. Cards were opened, children were delivered to school and then it was off to one of her favourite seaside cafes for the adults for a snack lunch.

When we got back to her place it was one or two presents and a surprise (I'll do presents in the next bite) then the setting up of the cakes before the end of the school day.

After cakes (and a return to school for one end of term treat) there was the rest of the presents and a buffet tea.

All, as I say, manageable and not too exhausting, but fun.
What would you choose for your perfect celebration day?

Month 7 - Bite 20

So just what do you buy someone who's 90? Mum definitely didn't want an expensive super one off present - she wanted the things she likes and one or two things she fancied and asked for.

Of course, we wanted to mark the day so we all provided my niece with photos of ourselves and she printed them ready for her husband to arrange as a collage and mount in a frame. My niece has arranged for this to be done by internet before and the results are great, but there was something even more personal this way and she was thrilled.

Month 7 - Bite 21

Previous big celebrations have come with big cakes - sometimes with the milestones marked by a professional creation. Those by bakers have been very nice (expensive mind), but again, this time it was far more personal as my niece turned up with 90 cakes! I don't know what time she finished baking the night before, but they looked great.

It was so good to have a variety of cakes with everyone being able to choose their favourite and have some (!) to take home too.

Month 7 - Bite 22

Then the surprises... well, they weren't extravagant. Every 'extra' present she opened was something she'll use in the coming days and weeks... The biscuits she likes from the supermarket, her preferred coffee , not to mention the bottle of sherry and the coffee shop voucher! Oh yes and the big bag of tea - well 9 teas - get it 9 teas - 9ties nineties.. Sorry I just couldn't resist that one. Not a waste of money on a joke though as they'll all get used!

It means we spent our money on treats that she likes and will use AND she'll save money on not having to buy them for a while!

Month 7 - Bite 23

Deciding on non-wasteful, yet enjoyable presents is a bit of a theme for us. This year my sister (her birthday was the previous week) couldn't think of anything she wanted so asked for a selection of items that she likes. To make it a bit different I got something for every letter of the alphabet (thank heavens her favourite crisps start with a q!) Each was wrapped (more about sustainable wrapping in another bite) and had a line of a verse (or rap I guess) so she had to open them in the right order.

I don't know what I enjoyed more - making up the rhyme (yes I did print out the whole thing so she didn't have to rely on keeping all the little bits of paper) or sourcing all the gifts - some of which needed making.. all good fun and she's working her way through using them all...

Here's one or two that I made...

So I had plenty of fun too....

Month 7 - Bite 24

And finally for this section...

The alphabet presents reminded me of the bag I did for my sister's retirement - you might like this one too...

I created a bag of presents - 30 of them as she retired at the beginning of a September. Each present was labelled with a different day of the month and all related to things she said she was looking forward to doing - I made an apron as she wanted to cook more, cookie cutters for the biscuits she intended making and so on..

Again I'm not sure who enjoyed it most - me or her!

Is there an occasion where you could try an idea like this. It does take time and planning, but no where near the cost of a large milestone present which, while nice, might not have quite the tailor made effect..

Tailor made - I think that's where I started this post!

Theme for a party...

 So this little collection shows how our family's fevered brains come up with themes to make simple parties with the same ingredients varied and different to each other...

Month 7 - Bite 15

Choose a colour and go for it.. a red party or an orange party for example - it might mean everyone turning up wearing the colour or decorations made to fit the theme or even all the food matching the chosen hue! It can be a bit mind bending, but it's great fun too. Oh and the joys of cooking cakes with food colouring or hunting down juices and drinks in the right colours.

Last year my niece went for a gold party. No, we couldn't push the boat out as far as golden presents, but with sequins, foil curtains and so on it was a special day. 

We do recycle lots of the decorations and table dressings though in an effort not to be wasteful - on which subject you may have noticed in a previous post a huge 60 decorated and used on a party table - well, that's about to reappear this week at my mum's 90th! See what I mean.

'Dressing up' our parties like this may mean lots of effort and brain stretching, but largely keeps some of the costs down as the value is in us all being together (pandemic allowing) and having fun, not splashing the cash necessarily.....

Month 7 - Bite 16

Now here's a practical one that's been used when a big job needs finishing.

A working party is always helpful if something like planting and digging or stripping wallpaper is required. By getting all the hands available on board you can cover a lot of man/woman hours of work and enjoy yourself at the same time. It makes the tasks go quickly and saves on having to get in extra, paid for help. All that's needed is some music, the right tools (especially if the workers can bring them and save on buying new ones) and some refreshments.

On one previous flat move my niece and her husband were simply moving a few streets from one flat to another. They got their friends round to a grand moving party and then furnished everyone with plenty of pizza to enjoy together once the job was done. Much cheaper than a removal firm, even if the sight of them walking the bed and mattress through a shopping street was an unusual comedy routine for the Saturday shoppers!

Month 7 - Bite 17

Then, of course, there are the 'make it' parties. These are great - exploring the brains and interests of those around you who can show how to create something or to pick up a skills - or just gathering a group of you together with a pile of materials and going for it. There's something quite liberating when you try your hand at a craft session with others who are trying it for the first time. Whether it's beading or weaving or, well anything really, just pitching in and having a giggle while you attempt a creative explosion leads to plenty of chat and discussion.

It might be that you all bring along a kit to finish or gather up any odds and ends of crafting leftovers to reduce the cost.

Or that you're all making something with a purpose. When I was in the classroom we did have some craft parties that were to make items for the summer or Christmas fair. Or a group yarn effort can lead to the fun of yarn bombing. At the moment the post box round the corner from here is sporting a fabulous knitted scene.

Or there's always the traditional quilting bee or blanket making session. As long as it's a group of people having fun, and probably a little wine, it's classed as a party for me!

Month 7 - Bite 18

And finally, for now, there's the foodie parties based on a particular country. It doesn't matter which country, as long as everyone enjoys the menu. Of course, it's not just the food, whether it's Italian or Mexican or Chinese or Caribbean or ..... the table and setting have to be right. 

Printing photos or making up collages from travel brochures add to the atmosphere, as well as food mats made from travel pictures and music too, naturally. Speaking a bit of the language relevant to the meal, if only to say 'please' thank you' or 'this tastes great' helps transport you to another place. 

Don't forget the menu describing each dish and decorated appropriately (that's where children are very useful) to add to the feel of the occasion.

There's also the possibility of a slide show cast onto the TV of photos of a visit or a streamed programme/film based in the particular country so that you can all feel immersed in the idea of being somewhere else.

Bearing in mind that you would be buying the ingredients for a meal anyway, this sort of party doesn't need to cost the earth either!

Onto the party ingredients next time.......

Food Glorious Food

 Now it wouldn't be me if food didn't come into the celebrations here!

Here's four bites to consider...

Month 7 - Bite 11

Make a cake... yes, make it, don't buy it. That way it's a) cheaper and b) individual and personal. The cake could be a sliceable goodie or a number of cupcakes arranged and decorated beautifully. 

A cake made by my husband was one of the requested 60 presents for my sister's celebration which we delivered separately to her party (COVID number restrictions staggered her gatherings throughout the day!)

Sorry, his creations never last once they are put on the table - you can even see the candle holes where the candles have been hastily removed for eating purposes!

Month 7 - Bite 12

Let the birthday boy or girl choose their favourite meal. Over the years we've seen old favourites revisited again and again - fish fingers and jelly eh sis? 

Month 7 - Bite 13

Picnic in the Park - a really fun one this - we've done it on the beach too with plenty of finger foods and treats. It means that no one gets moaned at for picking at their food as they can have as much or as little as they want and there's little clearing up to do with any crumbs left for the birds!

All that's needed is a big blanket, towel or tablecloth and a coolbag full of everyone's favourites with games on the grass (or sand) to follow and fight off the calories. There's also the possibility of ice cream being available too!

Month 7 - Bite 14

Bring Your Own...

This one is great for celebrations where everyone brings something to the meal. It works for the above picnic, but also for any other occasion. Our badminton group used to do it regularly pre-pandemic, usually with the hostess providing baking potatoes and everyone else pitching in with their speciality either homemade or shop bought. Of course, a bit of co-ordination and forward planning makes sure that there's a variety on offer, but it doesn't take too much organising. We also used to do it for Christmas with the hostess cooking up vats of soup...

Last Christmas our Spinning group went down this route as a number of our older ladies were still a bit hesitant about eating out in an enclosed venue and it went down a storm. So much so that we're probably going to do it again this year without the encouragement of a pandemic!

Money, Money, Money

 Of course, not everyone in the family wants to go down the multiple present route and for them there's always the gift of cash to do as they please or to put together with other gifts to buy one big present.

Here's one or two of the ideas we've used to make this entertaining too...

Month 7 - Bite 7

On one or two occasions I've managed to collect coins with particular years on them. One year I got 30 one pound coins - every one of them had a different date representing each year of the recipient's life. It became a bit more difficult to to this once the coins changed with the older ones then not being spend-able. But at the time it was fun collecting them - it took some advanced planning and collecting as you can imagine.

I also made a purse for the coins to go in!

Month 7 - Bite 8

On another occasion I somehow got a complete set of coins with the year of the birthday person's birth on them and mounted them in a frame to go with a cash gift. As this has become a bit more difficult as our currency changes and some coinage passes out of circulation I've had to settle for mounting just one coin with a birthdate on it.

Month 7 - Bite 9

When my nieces, their children, other friends' offspring were small I also used to buy a money box and fill it with change. It was a great game for them to open the box and then count up how much they had - it's amazing long that can last with £5 worth of small coins!!!

Month 7 - Bite 10

Now this one does take patience and planning. When I was born my mum's boss began buying me a Premium Bond every year to build up a little fund and give a slight chance of a windfall. Sadly he died when I was four and although I've never won a penny the fact that he bothered and planned was very special to me. I still have the Premium Bonds and can't part with them, of course, you never know I might still win and his plan could come to fruition!

I wanted to do something like that for my nieces when they were born, but decided money might be safer. It had to be something I could commit to long term so I opened a savings account for them and put £1 a week in each. I added an extra £5 for each birthday and Christmas. I knew I could always find these smaller amounts and it was amazing how it mounted up, along with the growing interest. By the time I handed them the accounts on their eighteenth birthdays they had a really nice windfall to buy a good present each.

AAaarrgghhh... Just when I thought I was on top of it all...

 Oh well, the best laid plans and all that.

I was doing so well with little catch-ups and getting most of this blog rolling without too many gaps until - well, it had to happen really - the dreaded COVID got me! Luckily not too badly, but with enough brain fog to stop me writing too much...

So this month might be a bit truncated (handy for an elephant theme don't you think?). I'll get all the bite ideas in, but they may well be a bit crammed. Mind you, that's a bit how the summer feels for our family with so many birthdays, anniversaries and celebrations.

Okay, let's get started...

Month 7 - Bite 3

When you get to a certain point there's a problem in that you may well not need superfluous presents. I'd argue that you probably never need them - anyway there still has to be a way to mark and celebrate milestones and in the last few years we've had a few of those '0' birthdays - 30ths, 60th and so on. Actually next week sees my mum's 90th.

A while back we started clubbing together to get the number of presents to match a significant year. Some of them were 'present sized costs' while others were simple things that the recipient liked. My sister's 60th was a real planning episode with a spreadsheet and multiple messages as we all piled in with ideas and actual buying. The gifts ranged from her favourite orange chocolate and photo fridge magnets of the grandchildren to vouchers.

It was great fun (even if I had to witness it through video link because of the pandemic rules at the time!)

And there was a lot of love and thought put into it all.

Mind you, I don't now whether it took more planning or less than my niece's 30th previous to that which involved getting all 30 presents to Italy. Now that was a suitcase I was hoping they didn't want to open and examine as it was all wrapped and ready....

Month 7 - Bite 4

Of course, such present buying has to avoid descending into silliness and wasting money and time on stuff that isn't wanted or needed so the biggest factor with presents is to get what's wanted. The simplest way of doing this is to ask! 

I think I've mentioned before the trick of messaging each other exactly what any of us have our eyes on with links to where to get it, or sending photos of the desired items - especially with the children. We try to co-ordinate our efforts so that there aren't 'doubles' of any gifts too.

Month 7 - Bite 5

We also enjoy a good voucher. That doesn't have to be shop bought or specific either. Sometimes a handmade voucher to accompany the cash is rather nice. Thankfully the laptop and printer make that particularly easy. During the pandemic when getting to the shops or going out to choose was difficult there were vouchers promising sports gear or the like to be redeemed when the situation improved.

Month 7 - Bite 6

As well as voucher to buy things we've also enjoyed experience vouchers to be redeemed - that afternoon tea that I wrote about. Spending time together doing something we all enjoy and making memories are really precious.

Using pictures and screenshots helps to make the voucher more unique especially if there's some pictures of the intended destination or activity.

                                          

Sometimes it's a voucher promising meeting up for tea and cakes or lunch or even for a reflexology session or a manicure. It just depends on  the recipient... oh and the giver gets to go too!

Partytime

 I know I haven't been burdening this flow of posts with a specific time of year, but as I type it's just about the busiest time of year in our family for birthdays and celebrations! So, here we go with some suggestions and ideas for the fun times ahead that will have a positive impact on my purse (I hope). Some of the ideas will be prompts for me to try out while others will be tried and tested, so let's go!

Month 7 - Bite 1

Couldn't resist this particular party animal elephant in her festive frock, even if she does look a little unstable after celebrating!

Way back in Month 1 I made a list of dates and anniversaries and in Month 2 I started looking at making one or two things to keep in store. Now it's time to ramp up the efforts. I'm going to begin adding to the list suggestions for each of the occasions. I know what particular sweets certain family members like or puzzle books or bath stuff so I can put those into the list. There are other things they've mentioned that they'd like to try - that afternoon tea the other month for example - so those experiences can go in too. The main thrust behind this is to make sure that I don't get caught unawares with no thought in my head of what I might get, do or make. That's the fastest way to waste money that I know and doesn't necessarily mean that the recipient ends up with the best present for them - or perhaps one that they even like...

Month 7 - Bite 2

Card making is next on the list. Here's a selection of various cards I've already made for friends and family. I keep photos of them to spark off new versions - although it's a bit tricky sometimes making sure that I don't re-send copies to anyone!

This one features a handmade ceramic button on some wet felted fabric I created.

A special sewn card for a milestone birthday.

Okay, the original photo in the middle is a magnet created by my niece's husband and his camera, but the pebble photo and composition is mine!

More stitchery onto card.

I just found this ladybird button and knitted a background square.

I've made ice cream brooches from felt before and had a spare that became a card topper.

It's amazing what you can do with some card, an envelope and some scraps of fabric, paint and paper...

I also like to photograph any good ideas I see to help inspire me for the future - that includes stuff I see in magazines or shops too.

I'll add an extra mouthful at the end of the month with some more easy designs....

A relaxing, crafty end to the month...

I know it's been a long time getting to these final posts for Month 5, but a rather lovely holiday got in the way!

Actually it's provided plenty of new ideas, especially for Month 6, but more of that later.

Firstly it's kick-started something that I've wanted to do for a while that'll give me the topic for the last Bites for the month...

Month 5 - Bite 30

While we were away I spied this great piece of yarn-bombing/installation art at the Rome International Tennis. The crocheted octopus models brandishing their tennis rackets was a fantastic piece of work. 

My Nan taught me to crochet when I was small and I got quite adept at going round and round in circles and then progressed to a large square/rectangle for a bed cover. The edges got a bit out of alignment, but on a big blanket it didn't really matter. 

Over the years I've tried to make small squares, but they always seem to 'lean out' at the corners!

So my final free bite for the month is to spend some time on the internet to find some easy to follow tutorials to improve my skills. 

I don't think I'll get as skilled as the talented Beth from Mind Over Hook (see link for her Etsy shop or visit on Facebook or Instagram @mindoverhook) who made some lovely headbands for my nieces' children, but I'll give it a go!

That brings me to the additional mouthful which is definitely connected!

Bonus Mouthful 4

So having found a simple to follow set of instructions for crocheted scrunchies I was reminded of some presents I did last year which have led to requests for more.

I needed some small presents for our Christmas celebrations and decided to make the girls a collection of hair slides and decorations. 

Time to repeat the process ready, not just for Christmas, but as a handy stock of stuff for birthdays, impromptu gifts, party bags, etc. that can be ready to hand for little or no cost (especially as scraps of fabric and leftover yarns are never in short supply here!).

The bags were simple and quick to make (thank you online videos) so I'll do some more.

Then onto the contents - here's my stash so far.. The crocheted ones were from the tutorial I found and the fabric scrunchies were originally created from another online video.

I still want to do some hair slides - I've seen a great clip on social media where they are made from a rectangle of fabric tied into a pretty bow and then tied onto a hair elastic so that's next. And finally there'll be some hair clips prettied up with fabric and buttons like some I made before. 

I might even get adventurous and make some headbands too - I'll post them if I get that far!

And now onto Month 6.....