January Frugals

[flowerseverywhere]

Bastelmutti, another idea for napkins is to repurpose something you already have. I have a table cloth my neighbor had sitting in her closet, I am in the process of making her napkins out of it. She has done me a lot of favors, and when she mentioned buying cloth napkins I advised her to look around and if she could find something suitable I would make them. She looked in sale bins for a tablecloth after Christmas but ended up remembering she had an old table cloth in the closet that did not fit her current table.

[Bastelmutti]

Thanks, that's a good idea. Last year I sewed some small napkins out of fabric scraps (I buy remnants for projects at the local fabric store) for lunch boxes. I also have a bunch of sheets and blankets from the thrift store waiting to be made into tie quilts for the kids, but I haven't tackled that project yet. That would be my first foray into quilting.

[Rosemary]

Yesterday was a no-drive day.

I cleaned out the fridge and freezer this weekend, used up some older foods, and have a better idea of what's waiting for us in there now.

The knitting needle folder that my aunt made in the 1970s was falling apart so I dug through my fabric stash and found some suitable fabric. There was enough there for two, so I made one for a friend for her birthday next month. That was a really quick project - began about 4pm yesterday, and finished the second one by 9pm, including cooking dinner, cleaning up, reading with DD, and putting DD to bed.

[Stella]

You're welcome Mrs. M!

Bastelmutti I am addicted to checklists also. I am an easily distracted person and they keep me on track.

Flowerseverywhere I like the napkins-from-tablecloth idea.

Rosemary, the knitting needle folder is a good idea too. I might add that to my list of projects to make this winter. I could use one.

Today is library day. Other than that we're staying home and doing normal old school and housework stuff. Nothing too crazy. Tomorrow is the winter survival class, so I have to figure out a lunch to pack.

[Stella]

We had some FFF this morning with a big container of soapy water set on the table with towels underneath. We started with soap flakes and played with it at different stages. Powder, slime and soapy water. It's a preschool type activity for James, but it's fun for everyone.

I'm making a commitment to messy projects at least once a week. Finger or pudding painting, water play, a big tub of rice with pouring tools, planting stuff in dirt and stuff like that. Toddlers, and even elementary schoolers need to get messy sometimes. It's good brain development and it's not really expensive. Ironically today's messy project gave me plenty of kid-free time to clean the kitchen.

I'm also thinking of creating a kids' tool space in the garage. I think it could be fun to do this as cheaply as possible. We could build or trash pick a table they can work at. For this purpose roughed up is just fine. We can get tools from thrift shops and yard sales and just put the word out with friends and family if anyone is getting rid of stuff. We'll have buckets underneath with scrap wood, scrap wire, pvc pipes and other scrap stuff. It would be fun to see what we could come up with. I think it would be a hit with the bigger kids.

[SiouzQ.]

I'm also thinking of creating a kids' tool space in the garage. I think it could be fun to do this as cheaply as possible. We could build or trash pick a table they can work at. For this purpose roughed up is just fine. We can get tools from thrift shops and yard sales and just put the word out with friends and family if anyone is getting rid of stuff. We'll have buckets underneath with scrap wood, scrap wire, pvc pipes and other scrap stuff. It would be fun to see what we could come up with. I think it would be a hit with the bigger kids.

What a great idea! I grew up making stuff out of scraps in the garage and basement. In fact, I still to that, but now I call it assemblage or found object art...

[SiouzQ.]

Ooops! I was trying to copy/paste what Stella wrote but it didn't get that nice "box" around it!

[Stella]

Thanks Siouxz. I think the kids are really going to like it. I ran it by Zach and he was ready to get started tonight he was so excited.

We had a frugal slip-up today. Bella and I went out for dinner and got take-out for everyone else. We went to a little Chinese place near our house that's owned by a guy I've known since I was a kid. It's really good food. I've always liked the lemon sauce for their lemon chicken. It's made from scratch and it's nice and lemony. Some lemon chicken just tastes like sugar. Anyway, I always forget, and there's really no excuse after going there for 20+ years, that four adults could eat one $7 order of chicken lo-mein. I ordered $35 worth of food. That will feed all seven of us for two full meals and probably still give half of us lunch for another day. On the plus side, as far as eating out goes, $35 for 15-20 servings of food is pretty decent and it does mean that I don't have to make anything to send with the girls for their winter survival class tomorrow. They are fine with cold lo-mein. Zach is taking the beef and broccoli.

By taking Bella early and eating with her I have her monthly mom-and-kid date taken care of without spending any extra beyond what we would normally have spent. Cheyenne's mom-and-kid date is later this week at the tea shop. That runs about $6-$7.

I think tomorrow when I take the girls for their class I'll take the boys around the nature center. It will be good learning time for James too and it's free. Since I'm already using gas to get there I might as well take advantage of it.

We went to pick up our trophy for our second place win in the snowman contest on the way to the library. A friend of mine who works at the park made them by buying old trophies at a thrift shop and topping them with snowman Christmas ornaments painted silver. They are actually really cute. I mention this not because it saved me any money, but because it's frugal and creative and I love that.

[fidgiegirl]

Stella, your mention of the park reminds me that I've been meaning to ask if you're still working there or planning to return?

[Mighty Frugal]

I'm also thinking of creating a kids' tool space in the garage. I think it could be fun to do this as cheaply as possible. We could build or trash pick a table they can work at. For this purpose roughed up is just fine. We can get tools from thrift shops and yard sales and just put the word out with friends and family if anyone is getting rid of stuff. We'll have buckets underneath with scrap wood, scrap wire, pvc pipes and other scrap stuff. It would be fun to see what we could come up with. I think it would be a hit with the bigger kids.

What a great idea! I grew up making stuff out of scraps in the garage and basement. In fact, I still to that, but now I call it assemblage or found object art...

I love this idea and it is sooo right up my boys' alley!! They love pounding nails into scraps of wood and 'building' things.

I am going to look at doing this too. We'll wait for spring though (we don't have a garage..we don't even have a driveway) and I'll include safety goggles (because I'm a helicopter parent)

Love the pvc pipe...hmm..now what can they cut it with that will not sever a finger??