The day before pay day

Today is Thursday. Tomorrow is Friday. And Friday = Pay Day!

We have had a really lovely and productive Thursday spent at home and we didn't spend a penny. Mainly because we had none left and not a drop of petrol either but also because we have a busy few weeks coming up so me and Benjamin decided to have a stay at home day. Usually, I dread having nothing planned but we really enjoyed it and I welcomed it immensely after a busy few days.

Sometimes it is easy to forget little jobs around the house that need sorting when you are out every day. I also have my burst of energy in the mornings but I flag a little in the afternoon so have to plan activities/jobs accordingly.

We actually spent all day in our pyjamas and I can't remember the last time that happened! It was great not worrying about hair or make-up. One of life's mini luxuries I'd say. Anyway, thankfully Mr Sunshine came to play so I set up the garden with paddling pool and pirate tent (which by the way, was a huge bargain from Co-Op last month - £12 for that tent! And it's FAB!) I shoved loads of his toys and teddies in there and he happily popped in and out of it all day.
There was a nice breeze today which made being outside a little more bearable and my washing dried practically straight away!

In between being outside Ben helped me hoover and polish. I tackled the biggest pile of ironing that I had put off for so long. Put two lots of washing on and out.

And then my sweet tooth kicked in to the sad realisation that we have NOTHING in because I don't go shopping until tomorrow morning. So I just made some basic biscuits with ingredients I already had in and Ben helped me ice them.

These really hit the spot. And after having left over spag bol for tea it was nice to have a treat for afterwards.

Before bed, me and Benjamin went through the pile of books he rented from the library and he loves them! He even cried when we had to leave the library last week. His favourite at the moment is Gruffalo's Child. (And so is mine!)

I love simple, free, happy days.

Craft No. 1 Farmyard Bunting and mini Tutorial

1) Choose front fabric and backing fabric and cut out triangle template. There are many templates online or in the backs of craft books which you can rent from the library. I chose a size and drew it on the back of a cereal box and cut it out. Remember when you cut any fabric with a pattern that the pattern faces the same way. I always cut 7 triangles so you will need seven front and seven back triangles.

2) Pin a front and backing triangle together wrong sides together and stitch in chosen thread down the edge of the triangle. I use the edge of the footer as my guide. Repeat for all seven triangles.

3) Once they are stitched together use some pinking shears to cut down each edge. This is my favourite effect for bunting.

4) Repeat for all 7 triangles.

5) Press each triangle and press over chosen bias binding. Some people prefer to use bunting tape but I just prefer bunting. Use whichever. Slip each triangle in between the binding and pin in place. Remember here to leave some extra bias at the first and last triangle so you can use this to tie up somewhere.

6) Repeat so all triangles are pinned in place.

7) I didn't take a picture of the next step but basically go back to your sewing machine and stitch along the bias, removing a pin at a time so all triangles are sewn in place.

Easy peasy!!

Linds x

It's a...

*drum roll* BOY! Another boy! I am definitely going to have my hands full but Luke is pleased his football team is on the way to being complete. Everything was healthy and looked as it should so we are both really chuffed. I personally think it makes it more real when you find out what you're having and you can plan and imagine the future.

I've been desperately waiting to find out what I'm having as it means I can begin crafting again! Yes, I know I could have started before but I really wanted to start once I found out the gender.

So today when Benjamin and I popped to the library, I happened to spot this book.

Although this book is great, the majority of the crafts are aimed at little girls rather than little boys and I think that's a shame. I'm trying to think of ways to adapt the crafts to suit boys too.

I'm aiming to use fabrics I already have plus old shirts my dad was throwing out, fabric from charity shops and cut offs from eBay. People who like to craft often sell FQ's and other odd sizes for next to nothing on eBay. For example, I have just won a large piece (50cm x 75cm) of the most adorable dinosaur fabric which I know will be perfect for a cushion front. I won it today so I couldn't take a picture but as soon as I get it I will.

I'm hoping to not buy hardly anything new but just use my imagination. I was sorting out Ben's old baby blankets yesterday and he has quite a few random, plain white cotton blankets. I'm thinking of doing some applique to freshen these up and make them unique.

I'd like to make some simple bibs or dribble bibs. In the free bounty pack all pregnant women get, I received a white Persil baby towel, which I plan to cut up and use for the backing. And I have some leftover farm yard fabric to use for the front. Effectively this will be a free craft.

I will need some new bunting and I might personalise it with babies name on as Ben has his own personalised bunting. Bunting never gets old either. It's such a quick, effective craft that can spruce up any room.

Other items I've thought of are more cushions, door stop and simple toys e.g. soft building blocks.

As I go along I intend to document what I make and share with you, however as of next Monday, Ben finishes Playgroup for 6 weeks which means I will have NO spare time apart from the evenings and that is usually when I flop.

Glad to be feeling inspired again.

Linds x

Mum of the Year

This was a competition entry to nominate your mum for Mum of the Year so I decided to do a poem of course!

Mum of the Year? I hear you ask
They're all the same you see
The exception is that with my mum
She had to put up with me!

From raging hormones to teenage angst
Mum refereed a sibling brawl
and even through my gothic stage
She said she didn't mind at all!

Mum has been so supportive
especially when times have been tough
She couldn't believe it when I at 20
Said surprise I'm up the duff!

A grandson was born and in true style,
his liveliness made her get fitter
And when I needed a night away
Mum was my chief babysitter.

You'll usually find her on the Kindle
Or cooking up a tasty treat
She loves painting oil pictures
But hates keeping the house neat.

She's creative and witty
and one-of-a-kind
She's positive and generous
The best role model you'll find.

I worry I won't be as good a mum
This is one thing I fear
In my eyes she's just too good to be true
So let her win Mum of the Year!

An Honest Answer

We are currently renting our home, after unexpectedly falling pregnant at 20, we didn't have the funding behind us to put a secure deposit down on a first home. With not much time to think we ended up renting a small two up two down terrace.

As a would be first time buyer, stepping onto the property ladder is an intimidating prospect. There is so much involved with moving house and with the property market prices soaring even higher it makes it even more difficult.

When Knight Frank got in contact with me to review their short debate films on everything you need to know about moving house with an honest answer, I was intrigued. It was quite refreshing to be able to hear the truth about estate agents these days from varying valuation prices to which investment mortgage to choose. So I agreed.

Moving house is such a precious event in the current financial state of the nation and estate agents are at the brunt of a lot of criticism. I have only just been made aware of online estate agents by a friend who is moving house, which to me seems daft and takes away the personal touch of the trade. And if you've ever wondered why estate agents fees differ between different companies it is all explained in the videos.  

My favourite debate was about investment mortgages and whether to choose fixed or variable interest rates as this is something I would not know where to start as it seems almost a gamble.

 



Simon Gammon, Marketing Partner of Knight Frank Finance explains jargon-free his personal opinion on the best current option. For people taking on their first mortgage and deciding between fixed and variable mortgages, beware that interest rates are set to rise next year and so fixing your mortgage is a safer option.

 

I learnt it is important to check the year ahead and see if there will be any change in the interest rates as this is an important factor and could potentially save the hassle of extortionate payments.

 

I urge you to have a look at the other 5 video debates which can be watched here as I learnt a lot.

 

Thank you for asking me to watch your videos. Here is my honest answer in relation to them.

 

Linds xx