Make a shopping List

Today i decided i needed to make a shopping list. One that is always in the kitchen and always has a pen near it. So here is what i did........

First thing i did was get a pen. You need a pen that doesn't have a hangy thing on it. Just a straight pen. I then got a pin heated it up and burnt a hole in the top. Wriggle the pin around to make the hole as big as you can.  Then thread wool Through the hole.......I had to tie it onto fishing line to guide it through the small hole.

Here is a picture Belly drew of me putting a pin through the pen

Aren't I pretty!!!!

I then Cut 2 rectangles of material. The size is going to depend on your pad But make the front one a little smaller.

I had some Padding stuff lying around so i ironed on a layer. You could use interfacing or something as well. It just gave it a bit of bulk.

Then sew the rectangle up so you have a pocket.

Then make a strap. And sew it into the opening of the larger pocket along with the end of the wool for the pen.

Sew the smaller pocket closed. Then sew the 2 together.

and Woolaa

One shopping list to hang in the kitchen with pen attached.

The first one i made was a bit small so I have now introduced Belly to the dance card....... She loves to play princes at the moment so now she has a proper dance card.......

And Elmo is her first prince.

Budgeting......The Beggining!!!!

As i said in my title i have recently become a stay at home mum which means only one income coming into the house!!!! Last night my husband and i sat down and worked out what we could afford and what was a luxury. All i can say is it's a good thing i can make cheap clothes or else my kids would be naked!!!! Ok so it's not that bad but still we need to budget!!

We have started by taking an inventory of our pantry and freezer. We are then going to plan our meals around what we have so our first shop should be cheap as we should only have to buy fresh stuff (veg, fruit, milk.... etc)

I thought i would share this tip with anyone who is listening as it has helped me in the past and when i was working although we didn't do it i told a few friends who found it saved them alot of money! so here goes..........

WORK OUT A MEAL PLAN!!!

IE sit down on Monday or whatever day you shop work out what meals you want for the next week/fortnight and make your shopping list for whatever you are eating not whatever you feel like buying!!! i have modified this concept a little because i also make sure i have 1 meal of mince and 1 meal of sausages for those nights I can't be bothered sticking to the meal plan and want to make bolognaise or sausages on bread!!! However the meal i missed carries over to the next week and we replace the mince.

Another way to expand on this is to have the supermarket catalogues with you when making your meal plan and plan around what's on special.

I am going to create a page (if i can.....i'm still not very good) with some budget recipes on it to help find cheap meals!!!

Recipes!!!

Hope this helps you!!!!