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.

Friday 4 January 2019

The Tuesday Afternoon Club.

One of my goals this year is to get back to my crafts and making things.   I want to save and build up my gift cupboard, pantry and home by making everything I can.



I am always amazed by what is possible if we work with our hands.  We can turn uninteresting  ingredients into something fabulous like a birthday cake.  Or sad looking left overs into a quiche, soup, stock, fried rice...  Left over meat or a casserole can become a beautiful pie. An abundance of something might become jam, relish, pickles or sauce.
Whatever comes our way we have the opportunity to make it into something or else pretty much waste it.



Our bits of fabric might become a beautiful quilt or pyjamas for the little ones.  Old linens might become curtains, aprons, napkins,  tablecloths...

The power of making things is just amazing!  The possibilities are just endless.  It is easy to save $200 in a day just with baking.  Last year I studied the prices at the bakery and found one day I had saved over $150 just by making a bulk batch of sausage rolls!   Let alone the trays of scones, muffins and several Quiches I made that day.  Some how "not much" becomes something the everyone loves to come home to and smell as they come in the door.


The budget effect is the flow on from all of this.  Lunches are taken to work and school.  You have meals in the freezer for emergencies and sick days.  Things are used up instead of wasted.  It is all to your advantage.

I want to especially focus on using supplies I have and things that are around me.  I want to keep my eyes open!  I have lots of card making supplies, glitter, glue, cellophane bags, blanketing, ribbon, twine, cotton, fabrics and so on.
I also have herbs, apples, pears, bay leaves, pine cones, blue gum, figs, quinces...
And I never know what I might find as we go along!



I know I work better with company, challenges and motivation.  I just do.  Better than on my own with no one to egg me on!
Last year in our Show and Tell posts we saw so many beautiful things you all have been making. Such diversity!   One week we had a post from Alison and Rebecca in New Zealand.  You can read what they did here.... it is amazing!  Catching up with Show and Tell Part 3.
Alison and Rebecca were reading along and decided to meet every second Tuesday afternoon and make all their Christmas presents together.  They made a great range of beautiful gifts.  Just wonderful.   I loved seeing all they made so much.  And by doing it together they obviously had a really lovely time as well.  Company is good!



So this year we are going to join them.  In spirit anyway!   We are having The Tuesday Afternoon Club!
I think I will make it weekly on Facebook as it is much easier if we post our own pictures but for those who don't want to do that we will have a fortnightly post here on the blog.  Like Show and Tell really.
It will be a closed group so that none of your family or friends will see your gifts if you are making things and want to share the pictures!  Having not run a closed group before I am working it out!  If you would like to join post your name  here.  This is the Bluebirds FB page and I will add you.  If you already follow Bluebirds fb page I will try and send you an invitation!   So I am working on it!

On The Tuesday Afternoon Club page as we make things we can post our own pictures and progress reports.  I will share whatever I have been making.   We can also share recipes, links to patterns and anything helpful to help each other with tutorials, packaging ideas etc.   Also it can be a place of help i.e. you might have materials you just can't think what to do with so you could post a photo and let everyone chime in with suggestions!



Mary sent me a verse this morning "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might"
I love this!   I think we have so many opportunities every day to make something.  
I truly believe busy hands do make happy hearts!
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."   This attitude serves us well!  

The Proverbs woman "worked with her hands with delight" and was not afraid of the winter.
I think she was confident about winter  (which could mean actual winter or also perhaps hard times?) because of both her faith and her hard work.  Faith and hard work are a good combination!   She has spent her time providing food for the family, bringing food from afar, planting, trading goods she makes for profit,  she is sewing, spinning, making clothes and bed linens,  she helps the needy, she is industrious... there is no mention of her laying on the lounge watching Netflix. 

My goal is to make what I can from what I have and what comes my way and to stock up my gift cupboard for both birthdays and Christmas.  Right now is fruit season here so I am just starting to come into free fruit.  I think the next month I will have the opportunity to make many gifts and things to build up the pantry with all this fruit.  Right now I have apricots, plums and figs.  So I will work on those.  

I think my words for the year are Grateful. Prudent. Industrious.  

So lets get making!
What supplies do you have that you could turn into gifts or something for the household?
What do you have on hand right now that could be made into something to feed the family?
I hope our year of making will build up our homes and our skills at the same time and also be lots of fun! xxx





68 comments:

  1. I love that you are starting this up again, thank you Annabel Just thought of another fitting bible verse:-
    1 Thessalonians 4 11.12 Make it your aim to live a quiet life, to mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you before. So that your daily life will win the respect of outsiders and you will not be dependant on anybody.

    I have plenty of leftovers to be made into freezer meals and plenty of fabric stashed ready 😀

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    1. Dear Catz, This is a perfect verse! Thank you I love it! This is repeated and repeated, to work with our hands. I think I need to write this up so it is in my kitchen!
      Working on turning leftovers into freezer meals and having plenty of fabric... both are great! I hope you got lots of meals put away! With love Annabel.xxx

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  2. Oh I am going to love this Annabel!

    I have lots of supplies, just need motivation! This is such a brilliant idea, and it will be a lot of fun too :-)

    I have already sent through my join request for The Tuesday Afternoon Club. My life is about to get a whole lot busier, this is good!

    Thank you to Andrea and Rebecca for planting the seed, and thank you Annabel for creating an opportunity for the rest of us to join in with The Tuesday Afternoon Club.

    xTania

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    1. Oops that should have said Alison and Rebecca. That will teach me to rush...must have been excited!

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    2. Hi Tania, Just saw your "tent city" Looks just like mine but mine is smaller! Your new veggie set up is amazing.. brilliant and inspiring. All the best for 2019...I misplaced your email address so I have "high jacked" Annabelle's blog to contact you. (Sorry Annabelle)
      I have followed your move.......you all sound so very, very happy and your pictures show just how wonderful your new home and country life is for you. Thank-you for continuing to inspire us. Cheers, Jo

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    3. Hi Jo, thank you for connecting through Annabel's blog. It's lovely to hear from you again. I still don't know why you are unable to comment on my blog. My email address is tania.meringue@gmail.com if you would like to drop me a line. Love Tania xx

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    4. Dear Tania, It is great you have supplies! We will get them turned into gifts, homewares, maybe even things to trade or sell! Hello Jo too! It is great you two know each other!! With love Annabel.xxx

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  3. I'm in. I put in a request on the page to join the group. I love that we can share what we are making as gifts and these will not be seen by our family and friends.

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    1. Dear Jane, You make so much. You are multi talented and have an eye for putting things to good use. I am glad to have you on board!! With love Annabel.xxx

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  4. Dear Annabel, oh my goodness I am so excited! What a fantastic idea. It has always been my dream to be part of a club like this. Where you get to have a chat and be productive! I absolutely love it. Thank you Andrea and Rebecca for sharing your fabulous idea and to Annabel for your generosity of spirit. You are so kind and loving! I cannot wait to see what you make. I bet you will make some fabulous things. I love the idea of using free fruit etc. So exciting! Lots of love, Bridge

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    1. Dear Bridge,
      You will thrive in the group. So think over whatever supplies you have and whatever you might have access to. We are going to focus on putting stuff we have to good use. Of course we can pick up supplies and op shops are good too. But starting early in the year gets so many gifts made! I am excited too! With love and thanks Annabel.xxx

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  5. Christine sth highlands4 January 2019 at 03:02

    Looking forward to this. Will really help me to be motivated. Have sent in my request. Thanks Annabel

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    1. Thank you Christine! We will get off to a good start! It is exciting to have the whole year ahead of us! xxx

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  6. I am so excited for The Tuesday Afternoon Club to start. I always find peace and encouragement when I read your posts. A little extra effort can mean so much. I pack my grandchildren's lunches and I always put in seasonal napkins and color matched spoons and forks. I purchase them at the Dollar Store so it isn't too expensive but makes them smile.

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    1. Dar Diana, I just love that you pack your Grandchildrens lunch boxes. This is wonderful. When they are grown they will always remember how you did this lovingly for them.
      I packed lunches every day. For valentines day I would do heart shaped things. I did a lot of heart shaped fairy bread! Lots of cupcakes too!
      I think this is just beautiful.
      We have got the club started and Tuesday I will focus on sharing what I have made in the week and planning what to make next! With love and thanks Annabelxxx

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  7. This is going to be so good!!! I sent my request to join!

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  8. Hi Annabel and this sounds wonderful I will join in on here as there is difficulty with certain family members so I am not a member of Facebook.

    I will enjoy seeing what wonderful things people create for gifts and for their own homes too using what is on hand.

    Sewingcreations15 (Lorna)

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    1. That is fine Lorna! I think it will be fortnightly here on the blog. We will be putting things to go use and using things up! xxx

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  9. Ooh, industrious is a good word for the year. I was thinking something like 'create' or 'creative,' but I think I like industrious more, it feels like it goes deeper.

    I requested to join the Tuesday Afternoon Club! I need to start planning for gift-giving. :)

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    1. Dear Stephanie, It is seriously amazing what we can make. I love "Industrious" and I love "prudent" and the verse "she is strong and industrious." Thank you for joining! We will get so much done by starting now! With love Annabel.xxx

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  10. I miss making bread from scratch since chronic illness has weakened my hands and arms a bit. So a friend surprised me with a bread machine so I can have it do the work of mixing the dough and I can finish the bread in a pan. There is a way if we are determined. ;)

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    1. Dear Brenda, That is a great and happy solution. And you are right... there are ways around things! What a good friend you have too! With love Annabel.xxx

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  11. I loved your Show and Tell and I love this Tuesday Afternoon Club! I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome but still hope to get a little done! Thank you for all your ideas! Nancy

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    1. Dear Cozy Thyme Cottage, That must be really hard. I hope things improve for you but meanwhile do a little when you can as it still all adds up! Also pace yourself and take on small projects! I hope you will enjoy it! With love and thanks, Annabel.xxx

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    2. Hi Nancy! I have chronic fatigue too, 14 years since diagnosis (((hugs))) I find if I pace with lots of Nana naps/breaks I can achieve a few things, some like easy crochet (I’m still a beginner) I can do while my feet are up. I couldn’t concentrate on anything too complex though. Just start with the easier things and you will soon be ticking boxes and producing.
      Love and blessings
      Catz x

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  12. I loved your Show and Tell and will enjoy the Tuesday Afternoon Club. Thank you for taking the time to do this. I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome so don't know how much I will accomplish but hope to do some. Tried to post before but didn't know if it went through. Looking forward to the ideas. Nancy

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  13. Debby in Kansas, USA4 January 2019 at 08:06

    I think this is a marvelous idea. I was truly impressed by the creations made by Alison and Rebecca. Maybe they could guest post with some lessons? :) And choosing Tuesday to do it all is a bit of serendipity. I have a quilting group on Tues. and even after 3 hrs. with them, I am in creative drive and I'd love to make that day a full day of creating. I don't use Facebook so I hope I can follow along here okay.

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    1. Dear Debby, This is a great idea! Tuesday is for many the least busy day. So I think its good too. Certainly you can follow along here and I would love to see the project you are working on. With thanks, Annabel.xxx

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  14. I'm so looking forward to this! What a wonderful idea, and I know there will be a lot of inspiration and encouragement from everyone! I'll keep an eye out for the FB invite!

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  15. Sounds like a terrific idea! Can I join?

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  16. Hi Annabel, what a lovely way to start the year, I too am looking forward to the Afternoon club. You are such an inspiration to me and I am always reading your blog as you the bluebirds are a wonderfull source of encouragement, knowledge and love. Jo Roberts

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    1. Der Jo, Thank you so much! Thank you for commenting. I think we all need encouragement honestly. I am better if I have someone to report back to. I hope 2019 will be wonderful for you! With love, Annabel.xxx

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    2. Thats from Tanya. Oops.
      Blessings Tanya

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  17. Yay! I need motivation and encouragement and seeing what you and the other ladies are creating will be such a help. I have put in my facebook request. In the last week I have started making crochet hexagons with a view to sewing them together at some stage to make a bed cover. At the speed I crochet it could be a life-time project :-)

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    1. Dear Sherri, Thank you! I have to say that if I crochet anytime I sit down in the evening it soon adds up to more than you think! the hexagons will be beautiful. Also please share what they look like and you could even report on Tuesday how many you have made so far... over the weeks I bet this eggs you on. I will love to see the finished bed cover. It will be super warm too! With love Annabel.xxx

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  18. Count me in. Im not a Facebook-er either so will join in via the blog when I can or email Annabelle. Terrific idea :)

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    1. Thanks Mum-2-8 welcome! I think here on the blog I will do Tuesday once a fortnight. So line up your materials and ideas! Hopefully we will all have a very industrious year! xxx

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  19. Dear Annabel,
    This is just perfect! I'm not on Facebook either so I'll have to report here on the blog. I already have so many things planned! I'm so excited!
    Love, Kelsey

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    1. Dear Kelsey, That is ok we will meet here fortnightly! So take photos of everything ok? You are good with using what you have so it will be perfect for you in many ways! With love Annabel.xxx

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  20. I would like to join in too, but am not on Facebook, so can I be included with those doing it on the blog? I have only recently started reading your blog and I love it. The Tuesday club is a great idea, especially for those who are isolated.

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  21. Count me in too, Annabel ��

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    1. Dear Maria, Thank you! I will love seeing if you are crocheting a major project like a rug. As soon as the weather cools I will be back on crochet with wool. Just now Im working in cotton. With love Annabel.xxx

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  22. Hi Annabel I sent a request for the TAC, looking forward to some motivation.
    See you there all
    Love Lorraine

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    1. Thank you Lorraine!! I hope we will have a very industrious year together! xxx

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  23. Oops I confused you Annabelle. Mum2_8 is me Tanya. Blessings Tanya

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    1. Oh tanya that is funny as I thought oh another Mum with eight children likeTanya. And its you all along. thanks now I will know! xxx

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  24. Dear Annabel, thought Id replied here but it doesn't seem so.
    Anyway Im excited to be part of the Tuesday club ,I have lots of mixed coloured balls of acrylic yarn to use up but haven't found anything that appeals to me to make .I must be hard to please lol. Plus I have oddments of pure wool in winter colours and some balls of baby 4 ply .
    Like you I will do better being challenged to give me to push along.
    Thankyou for taking the time to organise this Annabel, woohoo! With love, Maria xxx

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  25. Hi Annabel, happy new year to you and all the bluebird readers, I would live to joint the Facebook page, it will be so motivating to see what everyone is doing, I enjoyed seeing Alison and Rebecca's creations and their innovative packaging, it will be inspiring to see everyone's creations. I have enjoyed your posts on your move to the farm I think you have finally found your true nest

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  26. What a beautiful idea! I'm in! Mimi xxx

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  27. Hi Annabelle - I don't do F/B at all - so should I send my photos to you as before to put on here - i am on Instagram and follow you on there as a suggestion you could have a hashtag on there for the Tuesday Afternoon Club too? Just a thought xx

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    1. That is a really good idea and I didnt even think of it. Ok let me work on that! thank you for the suggestion! xxx

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  28. I would love to join the Tuesday afternoon club - just the sort of motivation needed to get some of the supplies I already have.

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  30. Awesome idea Annabel, I’m in too! I may just have to finally succumb and join Facebook! This will be so fun. Thanks for getting us off to such a great & positive start to the New Year. Kelly xo

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  31. I hope you will still post pictures about things you have made on the blog. Will there be any other way to access the Tuesday Afternoon Club? I will not use Facebook due to all the political misdeeds in the U.S. I love seeing all your projects and look forward to your cheery posts in 2019!

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    1. Hi Ellen, Yes we will also meet here every second Tuesday. So you can join in here that is ok. I hope this will help you. For the record I am very non trusting of FB re politics and what I call social engineering! But I love my working pantry classroom and groups so I ignore the rest.
      On Tuesday I will get the ball rolling, with love Annabel.xxx

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  32. It's Saturday as I read this...I don't have any need of homemade gifts. My family is not appreciative of them in the least (but they also don't really care about gifts overall). However, there are many things I can make for my home, or use to better advantage. This week I made both a large breakfast casserole and two quarts of croutons from odds slices and end pieces of bread I'd stored in the freezer. I also used a needlepoint seat cushion and some velvet to make a pillow for my newly rethemed English country living room. I'll enjoy being part of this group!

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    1. Dear Terri, I love the sound of the velvet and needlepoint!! You will enjoy the group and dont forget there are also charities that need things that is if you enjoy needlework or sewing etc this can be an option. Now you will really like my next challenge and be very good at it! With love Annabel.xxx

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  33. Great idea, Annabel. I'm in!
    Janine

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  34. I'm looking forward to all the great things we inspire each other to create! I'm in and posted on your FB page, Annabel❤︎
    Mary in SD

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  35. I’m looking forward to joining in as well! My goal this year is to use up and repurpose more of what I have on hand already and to visit the thrift stores before I buy new. We recently laid new flooring in areas of our home, so I’ve been trying to declutter and purge too. I’ve been reading along but I haven’t posted in ages, I started a new job so that’s kept me quite busy. Jeanette

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  36. What a lovely idea, a little community connecting and bouncing ideas around to empower and encourage each other.
    A little tip for more spare time. ...check out Air Fryers, quick, easy, use less power and timed to turn off when done. Anything that can be done in an oven can be cooked in the Airfryer.

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  37. What a beautiful idea! I sent a request to join the Tuesday afternoon club through your Facebook page. Thank you for doing it through Facebook! For those of us who do not blog but would still like to participate, Facebook is such a great option.

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I really appreciate your comments thank you! The aim of my blog is the be a place of encouragement and happiness. Very rarely is anyone rude. Actually only twice so far! If you post a rude or aggressive comment I will read it but not publish it, thanks for understanding.xxx

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