BigSmall had the 1st of three birthday parties to attend this weekend. And so the issue of a present raised it’s head again. I really struggle with this. When I drop him off at parties, especially ones where the whole class in invited, and I put the present down on the specially designated present table, … Continue reading
OK, so that post title doesn’t make it sound like the best present ever does it..?! My big brother turned 40 towards the end of 2014, causing much merriment and mirth amongst those of us yet to reach this milestone đ I racked my brains for something to buy/make him to mark this auspicious occasion … Continue reading
Isn’t that what every girl wants for her birthday..?! Except if you are of the Make Do and Mend mentality, you will be more delighted with a knicker making workshop and a book all about how to make sweets. So you can imagine how excited I was to get exactly these two things for my birthday last … Continue reading
This could be a momentous post. This could be the last official present of My Make Do and Mend Year! If I haven’t forgotten anyone that is…. It’s another birthday party. For a little boy, who is going to be 4. I am an avid follower of the fabulous Hattie and her wonderful blog Free … Continue reading
Hello everyone, I am back! Did you miss me..? We had a wonderful week away. I am refreshed and re-charged and this is the 1st non-scheduled blog post for over a week! I will bore you all senseless fill you all in with some completely non-Make Do and Mend holiday shots in a day or two, … Continue reading
Another birthday party! This time, another little boy. I had loads of really great ideas in the comments from everyone, last time I blogged about the difficulty of thinking what to make for Small Boys. And this was one of my favourites… A Snail Racing Kit! I made a drawstring bag from a pillowcase (that … Continue reading
BigSmall’s social life continues at a far more exciting pace than my own, and he has not one but TWO parties coming up. And I am starting to feel the present pressure a little now… It would be quite easy to just make everyone a set of beanbags, but I think that would be cheating you … Continue reading
If you have managed to survive the excitement and suspense that was the cliffhanger I left you with yesterday, then well done! So here it is folks… …my very first attempt at writing my very own crochet pattern (I am aware that there are readers out there who are unmoved by crocheting, and I apologise … Continue reading
Hot on the heels of his mum’s birthday, comes the ‘special day’ of Mr Fix it himself! Now, I always find grown up boys quite hard to buy for. Especially if you want to avoid the boring DVDs, CDs (gosh, I am old-fashioned…) etc. And all the kind of novelty gimmicky crap delights that seem to … Continue reading
My lovely sister-in-law turned 30 last month. At the start of the month. And we have only just given her her present. Oops! This is one of the problems I am having with My Make Do and Mend Year. The lack of the instant response to a problem (not that my sister-in-law is a problem, … Continue reading
Knitting ideas, inspiration and free patterns, plus crochet, weaving, and more
Other than my pants, the rest are charity finds
A money-saving, growing-our-own, making-do-and-mending husband-and-wife blog
Some of the cool and useful food, craft and sustainability skills that your grandparents knew, but probably didn't teach you!
Inspired by Make Something Month
Author, trainer, coach
connecting people, place and planet
by Jack Monroe, bestselling author of 'A Girl Called Jack'
Let's fix our relationship with electronics
Every month (except December) we bring people together* to give the objects we share our world with a second lease of life and to chat and have a cuppa whilst we're at it (*currently online)
Makes, remakes, mends, darns, sews, arts, and crafts.
thrifty, creative & eco-friendly ways to raise children
Pin It, Make It, Blog It, Link It, Share It!
Proof that "We're going to live in a tent in a field" is easier read than done
My Make Do and Mend Year 