Gift Guide Day 2

I saw this cute little mobile one day while perusing Pinterest, something I've been known to do every so often, and I immediately wanted to make one. I didn't even have a baby to give it too once made but I just really wanted to make it. Turns out I needn't have worried about having no recipient as once it was made my Miss Four took one look and in her over the top cutesy voice exclaimed "oh it's so cute, can I have it?" How could I deny her when she was so enraptured with something I had made?

That is why it made it into the DIY Budget Friendly Gift Guide, it's completely customisable and can be created for a child of any age not just precious little newborns.

I chose hearts and clouds as it was the original image I saw and I lack imagination when it comes to arts and craft but you can change it up to suit any interest, any nursey theme, any sports team, video game or well you get my point right?

Butterflies and hearts, planes and clouds, basket balls and raindrops. Silhouettes for any image imaginable can be found in a quick google search but for this basic version you will need:

2 sheets of grey, white and pink felt. I got mine at spotlight for .99c each.
1 -2 packets of white embroidery thread. I chose embroidery thread as its thicker and that was the look I wanted. They cost $2 each at spotlight. You could use normal white sewing cotton or white wool also.
1 Stick. I seriously went out to my back yard and picked up one of the sticks the kids bought home from our last trip to the park. Brushed it off, made sure it was dry.
White paint.
Scissors.
Sewing needle.
Stencil of your chosen image. I drew mine. I drew mine about three times until I had a heart and cloud shape I was happy with.



Alright first up you are going to paint your stick white. My stick took three coats of paint and waiting for it to dry was probably the longest part of this project.

Next pin your stencil to your felt and cut out your shapes. I pinned the stencil to both sheets of the same colour at the same time so there was less cutting involved.



- I'll apologise here for the photos. Each time I remembered I needed to take a photo of that step I was on to the White felt, white on white is really hard to photograph :/ -

Once you have each shape cut out you are going to start sewing them together. Open up your shape and start your first stitch on the inside so that your knot is hidden.









You can use a blanket stitch if you know how, I do not, but a basic stitch gets the job done nicely. Be sure to stop with about an inch to two inches remaining so you have room to put the stuffing in.



I used the remaining felt scraps to stuff each shape, not too much just enough to give it a little puff, though you could use other material scraps or if you have stuffing that will work too.

Once stuffed sew it closed and continue on with the rest of your shapes.
I found the hand sewing really relaxing. I actually didn't want to stop to do my daily run but I also didn't want to explain that injury to the the ER nurse so I took a break. All up though it probably took two hours from start to finish.



Once your stick is dry you will need to attach your shapes to the stick. I started with one shape, made a knot at the felt and hung it from the stick and then hung each shape from the bottom of the previous one. I winged it and it came out ok so just go with what feels right, if you need some help you know where to find me. I'm happy to explain my round about method in more detail.

Lastly I made a little hanger by attaching a piece of thread to both ends of the stick.





And there you have it! A 'much cheaper than store bought but equally adorable' baby mobile. (or Four year old mobile).

Skye




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Gift Guide Day 1

I thought I'd start our DIY Gift Guide off with something colourful and fun and you can't get more colourful and fun than good old fashion candy.

These gum drops are super easy to make, though at times a little sticky, and the recipe produces a Halloween worthy haul of candy.

You'll need:

4 Tbsp gelatin which for me turned out to be equal to 4 envelopes
1 cup of cold water
1.5 cups of boiling water
4 cups of sugar
1/4 tsp flavouring - I used strawberry, peppermint and Orange. You will find them in your grocery stores baking aisle
1-2 drops of food colouring
Extra sugar for coating
Pans/dishes for mixture to set in - one for each flavour/colour



First up you need to soften the gelatin in the cold water for about five minutes, do this in a large pot.

Once your five minutes are up pour in the boiling water and stir until the gelatin is dissolved - like you do when making jelly.

Now stir in your 4 cups of sugar.

Stick it on the stove and bring it to the boil for 25 minutes, stirring continuously. It will bubble and look kind of like a tan throthy milk. The mixture doesn't thicken so don't start to panic like I did when that doesn't happen.

Pour equal parts of your mixture in to each pan for setting. I chose to put patty cases into my muffin tray and pour my mixture into that. You'll understand why when we get a few steps further down.



Add 1/4 tsp of flavouring and 1-2 drops of colour to each pan, mix through.

Cover your pan and chill overnight in the fridge.

The next day - I allowed about 24 hours in total - remove your gelatin mixture and cut into small squares using a knife that has been dipped in hot water. I used tap water, no need to boil, it worked just fine.



Here's why the patty cases came in handy. Gelatin is sticky and I didn't fancy scrubbing the pans afterwards. By using the patty cases I simply cut the gelatin peeled off the case and tossed in the sugar to coat. The case then got tossed in the bin, no washing - scrubbing- needed.

I cut each case into quarters in hindsight I could have gone much smaller and I recommend it as it helps them to crystallise. So think about the size of the gumdrops you get store bought, that's how small you want to go.

Once you've cut your gelatin into small pieces, toss each piece in sugar and make sure it's coated on each side, then set on a tray lined with baking paper and leave at room temperature for two days. I covered my tray with a tea towel and sat it out of reach of little fingers.



After the two days of crystallising store in an air tight container.

These gum drops would make a great gift for school friends, teachers, neighbours, church friends, work friends, gym friends, ok maybe not gym friends given the amount of sugar, but you get my point. The yield from this recipe is about 8 dozen gumdrops - that's a lot of gifts. Airtight containers can be picked up at the reject shop for $1.50 or for an even better budget friendly idea pick up a box of ziplock bags and create some funky labels.

If stored in an air tight container these gumdrops should survive being posted to loved ones far away.



Have fun creating your own sugar rainbow

Skye



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A Handmade Christmas

A few weeks ago I was going through a blogging block. I was just clueless on what to write about and that doesn't often happen to me though to be honest my personal writing had hit a similar block. I had characters stuck in limbo waiting for me to figure out their next move. Sadly for them they're still waiting but on a positive note for you, thanks to a dear friend, my blogging block has disappeared.

I have a new blogging series in the works.

Originally I was going to call it the 30 day DIY budget friendly gift guide - I know it's a bit of a mouthful - but I've been searching and searching for projects that can be accomplished without having to buy a lot of materials and it's proving difficult.

So to save money for myself as I want to make each project for the series I've decided to go with a 15 day DIY budget friendly gift guide...what can I say I loved the title.



The projects will cover most types of recipients. Children, families, teens and I think I've even found a couple of man friendly ideas as well. You probably won't have all the needed materials in your pantry or craft cupboard but they won't cost a lot to purchase. Some will need a hot glue gun, others a sewing machine but the majority won't need either of these items.

I've included a couple of edible projects. Sadly I had to leave out the chunky triple choc cookies. Here in Oz christmas means hot hot days so giving perishables is a tricky feat especially if you are gifting to family and friends who live afar. I'm fairly positive though that the projects I've included will be a hit and withstand the Australian heat.

There will also be a few body products but don't forget for amazing skin friendly soap that will awaken all your senses head over to Joap and keep an eye out for her upcoming Christmas stocking.

NB: I am not being paid for this promotion I just REALLY REALLY REALLY like Joap and think you should all try it out.

What you will not find in this series is any texta drawings on mugs and/or plates. I've tried the personalised plates and mugs, had the kids draw on them with sharpies then baked them and well it failed! EVERY SINGLE TIME. Yes I was stubborn enough to try it three times.


Well I may be stubborn but I'm not a fool so I won't be trying it again.

These are simple gifts, some could be used as stocking stuffers, others as teacher gifts but the best bit is they're not seasonal meaning you could make these at anytime of year whenever you need a gift to give.

I hope you join me on my 15 Day DIY Budget Friendly Gift Guide and have fun along the way,

Skye.



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Trick or Treat

Each year since I got my first job I've always bought candy to fill a huge bowl to hand out to any trick or treaters who knock on my door on October 31st.
Last year we got right into the spirit and bought a pumpkin and carved it with the kids, this year we are going even further and adding black crepe paper, garden lights, a skeleton or two and this sign.



I do it for the kids, mine and those in my neighbourhood who can't help but see and hear about Halloween in all they read and watch and want to take part in the holiday.

I don't have much time for anyone who wants to rant about it being 'An American thing' or just another money grabbing scheme from the stores.

Kids with parents who feel that way won't be the ones walking my neighbourhood streets, adults who feel that way will be the ones to not open doors, or turn away kids with a scowl.

My family celebrates Halloween to keep up a sense of community, to encourage children to try new things, learn about other cultures and to show them that not all adults are grouchy, that some know how to have fun.
We decorate our house so parents will recognise it as a safe and inviting residence. A place their kids can go knowing we are happy to welcome trick or treaters.

Our family celebrates Halloween because a couple of bags of candy is a pretty cheap price to pay to see bright smiles on kids faces and to receive warm thank you's from their parents.

Give it a try this year. Don't think about the commercialism behind it, or where it came from. Just think of the happy boys and girls who will smile brightly as they walk down your drive having scored some more awesome candy and if that's not enough then think about how grateful you are that its not your kids carrying a huge bowl of sugar that will have them bouncing of the walls all weekend.

Happy Halloween Week

Skye


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Let's Go Shopping

No one panic, I haven't fallen off the 'get out of debt' wagon. The shopping I had in mind today is the type that will save us money in the future.

You often hear the saying "boys and their toys" in relation to the men in our lives and their must have computer games, motorbikes, remote control anything, boating equipment and so on.
While you are on your journey to getting out of debt big buys are usually not recommended but today I'm going to discuss 'toys' I believe are a good idea to invest in if you are looking to save money.

These won't be for everyone but if you consider yourself crafty, look at DIY projects on Pinterest with longing and have no issue gifting home made goods then keep reading.

Number one on the toy list is a sewing machine. Just a basic sewing machine will allow you to make nearly anything as long as you are motivated.
Three years ago I asked for spotlight gift vouchers from family when they asked what I'd like for Christmas. Then Spotlight had a New Years sale in January and I managed to pick up a $200 sewing machine for $20. It was on sale and my family had chipped in $100 worth of vouchers.

That basic machine has made summer shorts and skirts for two years for my children, baby blankets, sarongs, super hero capes, dinosaur tails, ironing board covers, couch covers.

This shorts pattern is a favourite of mine. Great for both boys and girls.



You see the list is endless for what a basic machine can do. This means that come gift giving time you'll have so many options that won't blow the bank.

Your local op shops are a treasure chest for fabric. Most shops will have a fabric selection but if they don't or its minimal they will have old bed sheets, quilt covers and curtains not to mention racks and racks of old clothes. All of these usually can be found in great prints just waiting to be turned into something new.

And don't worry about having to pay for patterns. You can find free patterns for almost everything on the Internet, in fact I'm part of a Facebook group that's specifically about its members sharing free PDF sewing patterns. There are literally thousands of them out there.

It truly is a great money saver. If you have family or friends having babies all you need is an old t-shirt and a free pattern for baby hats, or an old towel and some cotton from a sheet and a free pattern for burp cloths.

This baby hat pattern is really easy to follow and the end product is adorable.



As the seasons change usually so does your child's clothing size. Pick up an old sheet and a free pattern for shorts and no need to spend a fortune re stocking your kids wardrobe.
Have that one family member who is so hard to buy for? Search the racks at your op shop for some nice prints in old clothes, Google for a free make up pouch tutorial, and you've got yourself a unique birthday gift.

This pouch pattern is my current project, sitting in pieces on my sewing desk as we speak.



The list is truly endless, if you need proof go ahead and Google 'free sewing patterns'.

So do what I did, when family ask what you'd like for Christmas tell them spotlight vouchers then sit tight for the new year sales. If you're anxious to get started though spotlight have machines starting at $149.

Next up on my good investment list is a good quality hot glue gun.
I'm saying good quality because yes you could go to spotlight and pick up their $10 option however I have heard too many people say that their own $10 spotlight hot glue gun spontaneously burst into flames. Not exactly a thought you want in the back of your mind every time you go to use it. Also I'm all for budget friendly but really how long do we think a $10 hot glue gun is going to last??

The good news is that you don't have to spend much more than $10 to get a better quality gun.

I picked one up this weekend from Bunnings for $22.40. It comes in a carry case with 6 glue sticks. The next option up was $40 and from the looks of it the $20 increment seemed to continue as you went along the shelf.

If you're wondering why I'm suggesting you invest in a hot glue gun then you're just not crafty enough for this post. Like a sewing machine there is so much you can do to create amazing handmade gifts with just a few materials and a hot glue gun.

Don't throw away empty wine, sauce or beer bottles. Clean them up and remove all the labels then with some paint and your hot glue gun you have spectacular trendy vases to gift.



Re vamp old lamps,



Create some adorable button art for new babies



Again go take a minute and Google hot glue gun projects.

With these two toys you can potentially save a bundle while gifting family and friends with unique items made with love.

Have fun shopping,

Skye.



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He's At It Again...

Good Ol' Murphy he's gone and done it again, sort of.

I'm about to express my humble opinion on why if you rent you can't afford to NOT have an emergency fund in place.

Our landlord is selling.

We're lucky though for a few reasons.

One we live in WA. Over here in the west if you are in a rental contract and the owner sells the new owners have to see out your existing lease. So we are lucky that we have till July next year till we may have to move. I say may as I'm holding out hope that another investor will buy it and let us continue renting here till we are through with our Debt snowball.

Two we have time. If it is not an investor that purchases the property we have time to save moving costs, de clutter more crap, find another rental we like instead of taking the first house that is available.

Three and the most important is that we have an emergency fund in place.

A few short months ago if we had had to move quickly we would have been up that proverbial creek.
Today we have an emergency fund in place so IF we did have to move a lot sooner we would be able to do so WITHOUT getting into more debt.



An honest show of hands right now, who could financially afford to move next week if you had to?? Keep in mind the average bond on a rental property is around $1400, moving costs could add up to $500 possibly more, that brings us to almost $2000.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that had I asked that to a room full of renters the show of hands would have been dismal.

It's not something many think about. Moving costs when you have no intention to move. As a renter though it should be a priority.

This is one of the main reasons I loathe renting. At the end of the day it is not secure. If you rent you should have the ability to move your family immediately if the need arises.

A new bond at least but as not everyone has a handful of family and friends with Utes and trailers then truck hire as well and you should probably think about incorporating cleaning costs also, carpets and windows all need to be cleaned professionally when you vacate a rental house.

Chances are you may not ever use it but chances are if you don't have it you'll end up needing it.

Please think some more on starting an emergency fund. Go back and read through my original post if you're after ideas on how to go about it.

Skye




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Clean Cooking

Before I get started let me assure you this post is not about eating greens and organic or any kind of diet.
No in fact it's far worse than that, it's about cleaning your oven.

I think I've mentioned I have a list of my most hated cleaning chores. To be honest cleaning the oven wasn't even on that list because I never did it. You can't hate something you don't do right??

I've always cleaned the oven door - we rent and it's kind of a necessity to pass inspections - but apart from that I'll confess to never cleaning the oven.

Sunday night while cooking steak the oven started smoking, it's done it once before and I did clean out the racks and scrape the charcoal chip from the back of the oven floor but that was it, this time I decided I'd get in there and give the whole thing a good clean.

I'm sure if you rent you know of the basic rental rule 'leave the house in the same condition it was when you entered'.
Well I kind of live by that. The oven has been black since we moved in three years ago so I've just sort of thought 'yeah it's good' and went on my merry way.

It's like the front and back yard. They were both more weeds than grass when we moved in and that's how they remain to this day. We water the weeds to make sure they stay lush and green, we mow once a week to keep them short but weed treatment is expensive and money I'm just not willing to spend on someone else's property.

Oven cleaner Isn't exactly costly but the store bought ones have scared me - I have issues with strong chemicals that can burn - so I've steered clear of them.

Today I tried something so simple it's genius.

One cup of baking soda
Half a cup of salt
A quarter of a cup of dishwashing liquid

Mixed altogether to create a paste.



I slathered it on the walls and floor of the oven and left it for five and a half hours.


When I went to wipe it down it had pulled so much of the grease up I was in shock. I'm always skeptical when I first try a home made version of anything so I wasn't expecting this to do much at all. It truly did do a fantastic job.

I'm embarrassed to say that when I started scrubbing the floor of the oven I originally thought I had pulled up a lining of sorts - I know nothing about oven construction - the grease it pulled off was so thick that it broke apart like rubber. I know I was disgusted too don't worry.

Now I have a lovely clean oven - minus the racks, those will be done tomorrow in the bath with the same paste - and let me tell you I have now added cleaning my oven to my list of most hated chores as I will be doing this monthly to make sure it never gets that bad again.

Use a bowl of warm water to wash it down and give a spray with white vinegar to be sure no paste remains.

Happy oven cleaning

Skye



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