The little birds...

If you watch little birds you will see they are busy and happy! Using whatever they can find they create the most gorgeous little nest.
I would be the little bird with some glittery thread in her nest!
We can be like this. Happily working away with the things that are available to us to create a beautiful and happy home.
All the while with a little song in our heart.

Banner by Free Pretty Things for You.

Sunday 4 October 2015

Inexpensive Christmas Presents. Part 1.

Lately there have been some discussions about inexpensive Christmas presents. I thought I would write up some ideas and gather in one place some of the things I have posted in the last two years.

The place to start if you want to save a lot of money over Christmas is my e book which I made free for everyone recently. This is basically a guide to making all or most of your Christmas presents very cheaply plus how to get organized and choose things that people are going to love. It is available here.

The crafts are all in the craft section and I will be adding fresh ideas as well.

Being October there is still time to make so many gifts. Apart from having a debt free Christmas I think making things gives you a joy filled Christmas. I know I can give to many more people this way.
And we are trying to get ahead financially, build an emergency fund, build up the pantry and other savings. Why not slash your Christmas budget and re direct the funds to an area that could really use it?

When I talk about inexpensive Christmas presents I am talking about under $2 gifts and under $5 gifts. And for $10 you can give an over the top luxury gift!

I like to have spare presents for people I don't know, unexpected visitors or if I am invited somewhere a small gift I can take.  One of my favourite for these is a supply of pretty soaps. I do these most years. I buy Dove soap in pink for $1 each at our local cheap shop. A boxed soap is easier to wrap neatly.
On the weekend during the football I wrapped twenty I had saved up. I add a ribbon and bow,  a buckle or tie on a small ornament. They end up around $2 each.  Making a large batch of something helps add to your gift cupboard. We still have birthdays and other times we need gifts on hand.
Also  I have been working on wash cloths. Happily they go together well...


Even giving them in sets it is still working out around $5 for a soap and wash cloth.

These are lovely paired up with other things I've made ie a powder puff and powder or a bottle of Hollywood Bubble bath. Also in a parcel these soaps will scent the whole package so it smells beautiful on opening. You can choose a colour scheme if you know someones bathroom colours or just their favourite colours.

During the year I crochet cotton wash cloths. They can be used as face cloths or as dish cloths. Use any stitch you know in knit or crochet and 100% cotton. These also work out a couple of dollars each. I learned this bobble stitch on you tube.


Another $2 or under gift is covering little notebooks. I watch for small books with cardboard covers. (not plastic) and make them into pretty little notebooks. These are helpful as I post a lot of gifts.


In recent posts I have shown all the kitchen towels I make from old linens plus crochet edgings around purchased kitchen towels. An alternative to the crochet edgings is to stitch on a trim or braid. There is a post on adding edgings to glam things up. Easy!

The other day I posted about making packs of cards into gifts and adding a pen or small gift to that. These are a fantastic gift, look lovely and a pack of six is going to still cost less than $5 all up.

Some presents are free like these chopping boards. Andy cut them out for me from wood we found. I used these to sit cooked treats on and wrapped it all up in cellophane...


Other times I find supplies in an op shop. The yard for this blanket cost $2! So this whole gift was $2... it just took my time during winter. It was large knee rug size and so soft! 


Every few years I make powder puffs plus the powder to go with it. They cost less than $1 to make. You can also go wild and make them in any colour ie leopard print! lilac, pink, blue, red or whatever you want! They seem so luxurious. You can scent them as well...


I started making these as I love powder puffs and looked for one. They were either terrible or fabulous and the fabulous ones were up to fifty dollars! I've made batches of them ever since. 

Another year I made pretty cottons into pillowcases. Some fabric I used was from sheets and doona covers, left overs and I bought a little bit. Each one had three or more prints and I did a crochet edging...


These all would have come in under $5 each. An alternative would be to make these up and sew a strip of velvet ribbon around the edge, a fabric frill or soft lace.

Other times I do an edge around towels, hand towels or face washers and a little embroidery...



There are heaps crafts in the crafts section as well. If any of them are useful ideas for you then I am really pleased but I say use your skills and also materials that you have. If you have a cupboard full of fabrics use that supply. If you have supplies but can't think what to make... or have a skill and can't think what to make I will be glad to try and come up with suggestions. Haunting lovely stores for ideas is something I love to do! 

Part two next week will be about cooking as gifts. The recipes are easy and it is all about the packaging! Most of them will be under $2 per gift. 

Part three will be about the trick of repackaging. You do not need to be crafty. This is about taking basic items and restyling them to be fabulous... you will see!

Part four will be inexpensive ways to wrap, cards and tags.

I really hope that it can be the best Christmas ever but without the price tag. I am certain you have other areas that could use with an injection of funds. Sit down and calculate what you normally spend and see if you can save money this year and re direct the money to where it is needed. Christmas should be a wonderful family celebration and sharing with others not a financial or emotional strain. Making lots of presents means we can give to so many others. We visit a nursing home and I am able to give small gifts out. I could never do this if I was buying everything.

See you next Monday with easy gifts for Christmas from the kitchen. xxx

56 comments:

  1. Annabel, this post goes so well with the Working Pantry FB group's getting ready for the holidays series!!!! Love, love, love all your ideas and they are so pretty! You have inspired me!

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    1. Thanks Patsy! The ladies talking about making things that arent expensive and you talking about making our lists and planning got me going!
      Have a very good week! Love Annabel.xxx

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  2. Hello Annabel, lovely as always. You have such a knack for gifts. Who knew that a plain old soap could look so lovely. I've given several of my handmade soaps wrapped like yours and they look great. I'd not thought about adding the buckle and ribbon like that. I bought your E book almost a year ago and I'm glad I did. There are dozens of things in there to inspire.
    Just heard that Adelaide has some really hot weather too. I must admit to not liking it. I prefer a cool sunny day.
    Off now for a drive with my partner as his car battery was flat and we've jumped it and now he needs a drive.
    back later to read all the lovely comments you get each time you post. hugs. Fi xxx

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    1. Dear Fiona,
      Thanks! Yes its hot today. Staying in until evening if it is cooler... other than watering that is.
      Days like this (and a public holiday) I can get on with my gift making. Have a lovely week! With love Annabel.xxx

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  3. Such lovely, made from the heart gifts. I'd be happy to get any of them.

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    1. Thank you Joolz! A little treat or luxury can be a great gift. Have a wonderful week! xxx

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  4. You make such beautiful gifts, Annabel. Absolutely gorgeous and I am sure they are always well received. Christmas is quiet around here with just us and my elderly sister for lunch. However there is the possibility that my girl and her family might be coming down south around Christmas so Nanna will have to get her skates on ;-)

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    1. IT would be very exciting if your daughter and children come Nanna Chel! I visit a fair few people before Christmas Day and love to take a little gift. The day is at the farm with 20 or more of us. Its epic! lol
      Getting ready early is the biggest help to me. Mum was cooking puddings yesterday so she is off and running! Have a lovely week! xxx

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  5. Annabel,
    I am amazed as usual everything is so lovely! Pink is my favorite color, so soft and feminine! And I think the chopping boards with baked goods brilliant!!! I am down to peppers and cabbages and deseeding a few pumpkins and I am done with the gardens and can start on Christmas things! You inspire me so much! And I am pinching Patsy's idea with the tablecloths if I can find one!
    XOXO
    Vicky

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    1. Dear Vicky,
      I thought you do so much that you must never sleep. Then I found out you hardly do!
      I think when there is fresh produce to deal with then yep that needs doing first. Soon it will be cool for you and you can work on presents. Or in my case it is really hot today so I am staying in and crafting then outside later watering. Have a good week! With love, Annabel.xxx

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  6. Such a pretty post today Annabel!

    I love all the gift ideas you are sharing, this will definitely come in handy for Christmas and other occasions. I purchased your ebook, so I should be set. Better get busy as there is only 11 weeks and 3 days to go until Christmas!

    Thank you for being so generous by sharing your ideas and talents with others.

    We are not doing much today as it is 40C!?! A good day for catching up on blogs :)

    Wishing you a lovely week,

    xTania

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    1. Dear Tania, It is hot enough here and I know it will be a few more degrees there. I am staying in, working on some crafts and reading like you. Watering in the evening.
      Less than 12 weeks! Crickey. Luckily I have started. Planning fruit cakes this week... but on a cooler day. With love, Annabel.xxx

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  7. You make the most gorgeous looking gifts Annabel, i love all your idea's. Im off to find your e-book, thankyou xoxo

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    1. Thanks Karen. The best thing of all is if you have materials on hand that you can turn into gifts. Win/win! And use skills you have of course.
      I hope you find some ideas in my ebook... I released it and make it into a blog post series. xxx

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  8. Thank you for the ebook! What beautiful ideas! I love the idea of powder puffs! Love it! I also really love the chopping board idea! Thanks again for sharing and getting my creative juices flowing!

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    1. Dear Chrissy, I know you recently moved and have been very busy! I hope you will get time for making things for Christmas. I am in love with your bed, quilt and whole bedroom by the way! Many thanks, Annabel,xxx

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  9. I LOVE THIS POST ANNABEL !!! Everything looks divine and luxurious. Well done to you. I've yet to find some pretty floral doona covers / sheets in the op shops but I have kept a pink flannelette sheet from when I cleaned out the linen cupboard recently. Lots of presents this year will either be store bought bargains or homemade treats including my soap.

    A wonderful post Annabel xoxo

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    1. Dear Wendy, Thank you very much! I am glad you liked it! You might hopefully enjoy the next few posts although I think you have the cooked gifts sorted out very well. And the cards!
      There is so much we can do. Your soaps are wonderful and another lovely gift idea. Still time to make soap for Christmas too.
      Many thanks! Love Annabel.xxx

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  10. I love the powder puff's. You are so right about them being very expensive. Please, please show us/me how to make them

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    1. Dear Tealady, thank you! Super easy, fast and inexpensive to make... see...
      http://thebluebirdsarenesting.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/how-to-make-powder-puffs-and-luxury.html
      Hope that helps. Love Annabel.xxx

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  11. Annabel, this is such a valuable resource for us all. Thankyou for the time, energy and effort you put into these posts. You are so very, very clever, and generous. Love, Mimi xxx

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    1. Dear Mimi, Thank you. I know that you know the work we put in! But I think I encourage myself so it works out!
      Hope you are having a good week. With love and thanks, Annabel.xxx

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  12. Dear Annabel,
    This is such an inspiring post! I'm more encouraged for the holidays this year than any other and it's because I started reading your blog about a year ago. Even if people start just now there is so much that can be accomplished before the holidays. There's truly no need to dread it or try to keep up with others (AND their maxed out lines of credit). Thanks for all the gorgeous pictures and lovely encouragement. I'm loving the preparations this year! It's very freeing. We can truly focus on God's greatest gift and the spirit of the season :).
    Love,
    Colette xxx

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    1. Dear Colette, No maxed out credit cards here. No credit card at al! I love to give to a lot of people. Spreading joy doenst cost much that much I know!
      I am so glad you have started early and are reaping the benefits already. I will make for a wonderful Christmas! With lots of love, Annabel.xxx

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  13. This is excellent inspiration Annabel! I like to keep gifts on hand for "hostess gifts". This is something my mother always did and I love taking something to a home that shows us hospitality. I will be using a lot of these ideas! Also, just to make sure, the E-book is made up of posts, correct? Or is it a download and I am missing it? Thank you so much :)

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    1. Dear Jes, thank you so much. Yes, I converted the e book to a series of blog posts. I hope you like it. I am big on using what you have, the skills you have, to make things.
      I love to be able to give little thank you gifts and hostess gifts. And gifts for no reason, with love, Annabel.xxx

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    2. Yes, gifts for no reason are the best! Like you sharing your E-book with us!! Thank you so much :)

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  14. Dear Annabel,

    Your post is so helpful, as always. You do the most beautiful handwork and always make the presentation so lovely. I'm looking forward to your post next Monday on gifts from the kitchen.

    Love and hugs,
    Glenda

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    1. Dear Glenda, thank you! Today I made fruit cakes for Christmas and they are one of my gifts from the kitchen. I love them as they can be made so far ahead and lighten the load in December.
      Meanwhile I save up things I will be needing ie butter, coconut, dried apricots etc.
      People seem to love the gift of cooking! With love, Annabel.xxxx

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  15. That chopping board with the added baked goodies is a FANTASTIC idea! (the others are great too!)

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    1. Thank you Joy, we made about a dozen of these. The largest I gave to Lucy and Kato covered in cheeses etc for Christmas. They loved it!
      I am always watching out for more... a left over piece from our kitchen benches Andy cut into a big heart shaped cutting board for me which I love! All free basically! Thank you so much! Love Annabel.xxx

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  16. Beautiful! I am handicapped in this area since I am horrible at crochet. My washcloths end up so horribly lopsided that I have to just use them myself and all that beautiful edging you do is way beyond my skills. Once again I do it all wonky!

    I have won a few larger, nice gifts in giveaways this year so that has really helped the budget.

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    1. Dear Lana, You will like the next weeks, no crochet. Anything that would be nice with an edging stitching on some velvet ribbon, a trim etc is a lovely alternative.
      How wonderful to have won gifts! That is awesome! What a help!
      Have a good week. I hope you are in your new bedroom? xxx

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    2. Hi Annabel, I have just added some food covers to my gift bank. I've used a net kitchen curtain that I've cut up into 6 pieces. Each piece of netting has been bound with fabric from my stash. I gave some of these to friends last year who use them all the time. A great way to keep the flies off your picnic. Cost zero for materials, just my time.

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    3. That's a great idea Jane. I've bought netting in the past. Now I'll look for cheap curtains at the op shop xoxo

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    4. Dear Jane,
      What a great idea! I love it! So practical and useful to us all. Thank you for telling me. Again this is worthy of a photo! Seeing such clever ideas is an inspiration to everyone AND so inexpensive to make. No doubt if someone made them for a shop they would be some huge price! Well done, I love it! with thanks Annabel.xxx

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  17. Beautiful ideas for gifts, I'll be making a lot of them. Everyone will be getting handmade gifts this year, I think they are enjoyed far more when you put love into making it yourself,
    I;m making my Christmas cakes today so they will be so yummy by Christmas, I will be making smaller ones in the next few weeks to go in hampers but I need to use some tuna so I have plenty of smaller tins to make them in.
    Looking forward to the next in the series.
    Have a wonderful week Annabel xx

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    1. Dear Debbie,
      I know you are very crafty and your gifts will be wonderful.
      I have dried fruit soaking as we speak!
      Those tuna tins are a perfect mini cake tin. I am baking my first lot a bit later today. Mum made her puddings on the weekend... Christmas cooking has started!
      I hope the next few weeks will be helpful to you, With love, Annabel.xxx

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  18. Dear Annabel, your gifts are simply beautiful!! Thank you for all the wonderful ideas!! :) I'm looking forward to the other posts. I really need to decide on a couple ideas and get started! Love, Teri

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    1. Dear Teri,
      Thank you! You have been very busy with produce but once that time ends then you might get time for crafts, sewing etc. There is plenty of time and its amazing once you get going what you can whip up! Many thanks! Love Annabel.xxxx

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  19. Never too early to start thinking about what we can make or find for gifts! I have a few things I got deeply discounted after Christmas last year and that I have found through the year. I also have a few ideas such as rice hot packs and homemade treats that I plan to make. I am enjoying seeing and reading about your gift ideas and those in the comments. It is such fun! Have a great week! Elaine

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    1. Dear Elaine,
      Last January I found amazingly discounted lovely wrapping paper. I think it was 50c a roll and had been $8. I got several rolls. This got me off to a good start. Great buys during the year are worth stocking up on!
      Thank you so much. I hope over the next few weeks we can all come up with ideas we can use. With love Annabel.xxx

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  20. Dearest Annabel. What a divine collection of pretties! How could anyone not be thrilled to bits upon opening any of them! You continue to be an inspiration. Every time I think I've learned all I can, you come up with a new variation. What a blessing you are to all of us. Love, Mimi xxx

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    1. Dear Mimi, Thank you! Between us I think we have covered a lot of very inexpensive gifts to make. And having fun making them!
      I found the teenage daughter years a very creative time and watch what you do with very fond memories! With love, Annabel.xxx

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  21. Annabel I just had to tell you of my bus trip today - to the village where Helen lives.
    (Sorry Helen I was not sure what the time frame was with everything otherwise I would have seen if we could finally meet.)

    The first shop I popped into with some others from the bus was to a local handmade gift shop - lots of things in there that I spotted and knew that I could make them myself so just left them there. One of the ladies I was with purchased a Jean Greenhowe knitted topsy turvy doll - $25-00 - I also spotted some other knitted dolls, a bear knitted with the feathers yarn at $48- and knitted baby jackets at $25-00. The one thing that caught my eye as I was entering the shop was the double tea towels that have a crochet top on with a button to make a loop that are used as hand towels - $9-00. There was too much on the shelves to really see what they had but it was all handmade.

    In another shop I found a hardcovered notebook that looks to have been prettied up with cut outs and stickers - $45-00.

    Food prices were astronimical - devonshire teas (2 scones with jam and cream), cheese and spinach triangles were $8-45 in one shop. One of the things that really got me was when I was walking with one of the ladies (who's family owns a large pastry concern around our area) and she spotted an interesting cheesecake (individual serving) it was $6-90 where we stopped and she ate it and the place that had the cheese and spinach triangles had it for $8-45.

    You keep saying that we can make these things ourselves and save heaps of money, I knew it but today I really saw it.

    Lynette
    XXXX

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    1. I know I have a pattern for the purse size tissue covers but it is probably in storage - yesterday I found a felt one on the Martha Stewart site - not as pretty as can be made with left over bits of fabric but still prettier than the packet.

      This morning Kogan had some organic soaps on sale for $1-49 a saving of 80% on the original price so I have ordered enough for small gifts for the red hat ladies (I don't know if they gift small gifts at Christmas so I want to be prepared) - if they do not want to use the soap in the shower or bath then they can be used to perfume some drawers or the linen cupboard - I chose fragrances that were more in keeping with the ages of the ladies rather than what I would like.

      I have felt here and in storage (the rectangles) so think I might make some of the tissue holders and along with the soap it would be an acceptable gift.

      Lynette
      XXXXX

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    2. Dear Lynette, Thank you for telling me this. I think its very enlightening to see what prices are charged. When I make a tray of scones or a pie etc I mentally times the number of portions by a price I have seen and think of what a shop would charge for the whole thing!
      Im sure the knitting prices were of interest to you too in this way. I do like the knitted dolls, they are just lovely (beyond me!).
      There is so much money to be saved but also money to be made if we need a little industry... shops like those or an Etsy store are great little outlets which I like a lot.
      I used to sell embroidery to a shop in the Blue Mountains... embroidered little rugs and pram sets etc. They charged astronomical prices! It was a help to me when the girls were little.
      Hope you are having a good week! With love, Annabel.xxx

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  22. Hello Annabel, thank you for another beautiful blog post, I read several blogs and get inspiration from them and yours is one of them. I have been making cards for years but this year I started giving them as gifts for birthdays etc. they have been very well received. I bought some ballpoint pens in tins at the supermarket for $1 and they will go with my cards as sets for Christmas . Thank you for so many wonderful achievable gift ideas. I will be trying the cardboard covered notebook decorating. I have been so inspired by you and Wendy and Cath. I will be reading the series and your blog in future as I have been for awhile now. I am motivated to make Christmas affordable and beautiful.
    Barb

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    1. Dear Barbara,
      Thank you so much. I get so many ideas and encouraged a lot by both Wendy and Cath as well.
      I love that you are making cards to give as gifts. The little notebooks are a really good present, also I add a pen or something to go with it most times. Another time I found plain cardboard covered photo albums and larger books which I decorated. Some as Cook books. This worked out really well.
      Thank you so much for you pr kindness, love Annabel.xxx

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    2. Thank you Annabel for your response, I love your blogs ( yours and Caths and Wendy's ) . The cards as gifts ideas have been very popular. I like your idea of decorating photo albums and large books with cardboard covers. I am thrilled to be able to not only afford Christmas without debt , I don't have credit cards, but also to be organised and ready to wrap my gifts. I used your idea of decorating gift tags as gifts and for on gifts. I hope you do not mind?. I am using stickers and craft punches. Thank you again Annabel.
      Barb.

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  23. Annabel I just love your beautiful gift ideas! I've been monogramming hankies for gifts. It only takes a few minutes to work an initial or two on a pretty hanky and I can do them while I'm thinking of other things. I bought the hankies on sale at Myer, they worked out to 75c each and by the time I add the monogram and a crochet or lace edge (using yarn or lace from my stash) they'll cost maybe $1.50. I plan to include a lavender sachet and a covered coat hanger and the complete gift will be under $5, and so much nicer than anything I could afford to buy, especially as our restricted budget for 2016 has kicked in a few months early! I can't wait to see what you come up with next, your posts are like gifts to me, I just love them :)

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    1. Dear Cath, I love the thought of hand monogrammed hankies. Lovely.
      I am shocked that your new budget has started early. I don't know if you got any warning on this. I feel quite awful about this. I knew you had yourself prepared and getting ready for this next year. But obviously the next few months would have been helpful to also prepare.
      I somehow feel sad and angry. For you and also I ams eyeing this around me. There are so many job losses here. That's the news every night... who has sacked workers, who has closed down. There is a lot of stress.
      The good side is that you are experienced at making the most of everything,by our oantry and skills. Also that so many people look to you to learn how to stretch a budget and you are coming from a genuine place of knowing what to do and how to do it from your experiences.
      Still I sm sorry you have had this come early...
      With love and thanks, Annabel.xxx

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  24. Hi Annabel
    I am really looking forward to the upcoming craft ideas you have. Your crafts are always something that I admire.
    Have you ever considered selling some of your wares or are you just making them for your gift stash. You are very talented when it come to your crochet.
    As always your items look wonderful.....................yes note to self learn to crochet
    Thanks for sharing your talents with us all

    I often look for bargains that I buy and have in my gift box....not much homemade as yet. But as often has it out here DD5 is invited to a birthday with only a few days notice or like today we get invited to birthday drinks tonight (little notice) but it is great that we have cards and gifts at the ready

    Have a great week
    Aly xxx

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    1. Dear Aly, Thank you! I used to sell a lot of crafts and especially embroidery. It supplemented my income a lot when the girls were little. Now by the time I make a dozen of everything I am flat out. These provide all my gifts and I figure a dollar saved is better than a dollar earned (no tax on savings but tax on earnings). Sometimes I do trades ie make something and swap for fruit, produce etc.
      A gift cupboard is a huge saver. When we need something fast thats when we pay a lot because we are under pressure and just dont have the time to shop around. If we have a stash then it is already done. I love that. After Christmas sales etc are great times to add to the stash!
      Have a lovely weekend! Sorry I was slow to reply, I had a hectic week! With love, Annabel.xxxx

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  25. All sooo pretty, I especially love the powder puff...can never find them anywhere. Do you have instructions on how to make the puffs and the powder to go with them? Thank you!

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    1. Thank you! Yes they are really easy and I made more this Christmas Challenge recently. Here is the link:
      http://thebluebirdsarenesting.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/how-to-make-powder-puffs-and-luxury.html
      I love powder and perfume etc... so making my own saves a lot of money. The powder puffs this time I did in heart shapes! Hope this helps! Love Annabel.xxx

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