We live in a disposable society. Just about everything that comes into our house is easily and readily replaced with something better, newer, cheaper or brighter. But our grandparents, who lived through some pretty lean times, were just the opposite—they found a use and reuse for just about everything that came into the house. They…
Great Bargains this Christmas This year’s Christmas gifts were a bargain and I’m excited to share my successes with you. Last year a friend was moving and gave me a lot of her fabric stash. (Thank you, Dianna!) I made plaid flannel pajama pants for the three boys. Total cost for all three pajama pants:…
Learning from mistakes Last spring I told you about cold frames I made using dresser drawers. I’m sorry to report, the results were not as successful as I’d hoped. The bok choi got too warm and bolted before it got any where near mature enough to eat. (Note to self: open up the cold frame…
Garden veggies in April? How would you like to be eating fresh vegetables a full 4-6 weeks before the rest of your fellow gardeners? You can with cold frames. What’s a cold frame? Basically, it’s a mini greenhouse that helps warm the soil and protect plants during the cold transitioning months of early spring and late…
Thrift stores have become all the rage. And what’s not to like? You can get some super amazing bargains and you are helping the environment by using what would otherwise end up in the landfill. Thriftier Thrift Store Shopping I’ve written before (like here and here) about some of the great deals to look for at…
After raising three boys, it’s so much fun being able to sew for a girl. In case you’ve forgotten, last Christmas I made my little granddaughter a tablecloth playhouse, using fabric and trimming’s I found at the thrift store and on clearance. This year, my Christmas project for her was a princess dress. I found…