Shop My Stash Sunday - It's That Time Again...

Yes that's right it's the time of year where all of us crafters have to start thinking about Christmas! In particular all the christmas crafts we have to get through before we reach the busy festive period!

Seeing as though it's a long bank holiday weekend I decided this would be the time to finally start thinking about my Christmas crafts, I've even have started to plan what I need to bake and table place cards!

Like Normal this weeks shop my stash includes many freebies I have received throughout the years from my Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine which I've not got round to using for one reason or another.

Paper pads are my favourite thing to buy so I made all these designs focus on using patterned paper as the focal point, in hope I may actually use up my first paper pad! Wishful thinking never hurt anyway!

Applogises for the slight fuzz to the images, my camera's been playing up but I thought it was still worth sharing this week!

So this is what I have come up with this week:

Products Used and Date Purchased

• A5 card bases - various sources
• Berry Merry By Jennifer Ellory paper pad - Cardmaking and Papercraft gift (2011/12?)
• Vintage Christmas charms - Cardmaking and Papercraft gift (2013)
• Buttons - My stash button jar
• Wooden embellishments - Hobbycraft's Christmas collection (2013)
• Martha Stewart 'Rings' border punch (2009?)
• Ribbons - My stash ribbon box (tend to be from gifts or flowers)
• Merry Christmas Outline Stickers - Yellow Moon/ Baker Ross Catalogue (2005) 

Hannah x

Shop my Stash Sunday! - Hunkydory Cut Outs

This week I realised I was actually running out of cards as there has been so many reasons to give cards out!

I wanted to make a few cards quick as I was very limited on time. Typically I would stamp images but since being on a mission to be less of a hoarder and more of a user I have been digging out things I do not typically use for one reason or another. So this lead me to to look though my card toppers.

I have a love hate relationship with card toppers, I know they are fast and easy but sometimes I feel they are a lazy and unimaginative way to make cards, particularly for me as I do not make cards bigger than folded A5 or 5x5 so by the time I have stuck the topper on there is no room for anything else.

Nevertheless I receive them as free gifts from time to time from Cardmaking and Papercraft Magazine and it would be a shame for them to go to waste as they do produce beautiful cards and gives more space for other craft items in my stash!

All the items I used on these cards (excluding the card base) is from a taster pack which came free a few months ago in Cardmaking and Papercraft. The pack is by Hunkydory and features card toppers and A4 paper selection so I purely just used these to create some simple cards.


If you are interested in these papers and toppers, the collection is the Floral Enchantment.

Sorry about the lighting, the weather is awful and my light box is at work!

Hannah x

Money Saving Monday! - A recent shopping trip 95% Saving

A couple of weeks ago I went on a coupon shop and never had time to write a post on it but the day has come, unfortunately I also didn't get around to taking some pictures before eating everything so a collage will have to do, Sorry!

The first shop I went to was Pets At Home, I had a coupon for £1 off cat food which was soon to expire so I picked up some treats by Wagg, these treats are soft crunchy treats (if that makes sense?). One of my cats has very little teeth so this is perfect for her! They were £1 which means they were completely free!

I then went to Tesco, I picked up the Innocent Veg Pot which Was half price to £1.95 and I had a £2 off coupon. I also brought a two bags of gluten free bagels which were £2.30 but I had a £1 coupon for each from the Free From Show! I also had a £2.11 price promise.

My Price Break Down:

• Wagg Prrr's Treats - Free
• Inncocent Veg Pot - 5p overage
• Udis Gluten Free Bagels x 2 - 2.60 
• Tesco £2.11Price Promise

Total for shopping after coupons: 44p

That means I got a retail price of £9.50 for 44p after coupons and offers that is a 95% saving!

Hannah x

Money Saving Monday #5 - My little ways to save money!

Saving money can be hard at the best of times, and with increasing costs it gets even harder. Here is a couple of tips and tricks I like to use!

Money Box
This may sound funny but all the pennies I find loose in my bags and pockets I put into a money box. Once it is full you won't believe how much is in there! Just pop that in the bank and I put it into my savings as it is money I otherwise would never knew I had so I won't miss it in my savings.

Putting Money into savings on pay day
I know this is harder for some people but as I do not own a house I have a high amount of disposable income because I have little bills, so half of my wages go into savings on payday. I know this is not possible for everyone but moving a set amount into your savings on pay day means that you won't spend it on thing you don't really need! I also put the 'left over' money if there is any into my savings the day before pay day so I doth spend that as well!

Its not a deal if you won't use it
It's great if something is of offer or reduced to clear, but if you don't use that item regularly, don't kid yourself, you won't use it, and this is just a waste.


Hunt around when shopping
You rarely need to pay full price for anything, use coupons, discount codes and shop around, if you are willing to wait you can always find a better deal.

Poundshops
I am a fan of high end makeup but I do use drugstore makeup and nail polishes too! These can be found in the pound shops, you guessed it for £1! In the past I have found Rimmel, OPI, China Glaze, Maybelline, Revlon plus many more! I also pick up so craft and home things in pound shops. But watch out some products are not a good deal!


Hannah x

Money Saving Monday #3 - Food for Days out

Today I wanted to give my thoughts on days out and in particular eating and drinking whilst out. This weekend I went to see Wicked (Which was AMAZING) and then the others walked over the O2, which I didn't do again as I hated it the first time!

Being as thrifty as I am (or cheap as some people may think) I was shocked at paying £18.50 for 5 bottles of water and two bags of sweets! So that made me think what sort of meals and refreshments I could do on a budget but still be on the go friendly and this is what I came up with.

Cinema/shows
I know some places won't let you take in your own food but some do and this is what I would pack for James and I

• 500ml bottles of fizz - 2 for £2 in ASDA and Waitrose but this offer circulates all supermarkets, then using 70p off on shopitize 
• Tesco Everyday Value midget Gems - 27p (other supermarkets do similar) 
• Popcorn is about £1 in most shops, just pick between your preference/ what's on offer. 

Total - £2.57

The average price of this in a cinema or show would be £15-£20 so that is a huge saving. And I would recommend throwing the midget gems in the popcorn bag and mix it up! YUM!

All Day Events
All day events can be tricky as you do not know what type of weather or seating there is other than the cafe, so to play it safe I always pick easy eating on the go items.

• Seabrook Crinkle Cut Crisps (6 pack) - Free with shopitize app 
• The same bottles of fizz as before 
• evian 500ml water bottles x6 - £1.80 after cash back from Checkoutsmart (you can buy basics but I enjoy this brands soft taste) 
• Bagels with Cream Cheese and Salmon x4
• Udis gluten free bagels 50p after coupon from free from show and in store offer.
• Cream Cheese 75p for basics
• Basics Smoked salmon trimmings for £1.69
• Frubes (James loves these!) 80p in ASDA after topcashback offer.
• Fruit from my garden

Total - £ 7.24

The best thing about this is we are bound to have left overs as there is only two of us but this could feed up to four. 

Evening Snacks (quiz night Suitable)
I am part of a drama group and when we do events such as quiz nights we do have a bar but we also welcome people to bring their own if they want. This is what I would take

• Kettle Chips 150g - £2.20 each but are 3 for 2 plus 70p off on Shopitize 
• Blossom Hill White Zinfandel £7 but £1 off with Shopitize
• Blossom Hill Californian Red - £5 but £1 off with shopitize 
• Basics peanuts - 70p 

Total - £14.40 

This is to cater for 6 people so that is only £2.40 per person! 

As you all know I really enjoy my coffees so this allows room in my budget to visit a Starbucks or a costa whilst out!

Hannah x

Money Saving Monday #2 - Products with many uses!

Enjoy getting the most out of a product? Me too! As I have been more and more conscious on what I am spending I have found some products which can be used for other uses! Here are my top 5:

Red Lip Stick

I am a lover of a red lip and have many red lipsticks, but did you know they are also great for cleaning up silver. Just put some lipstick on a tissue and give your sliver a little scrub! And hey presto clean Jewellery!

Lip Balm

Keeping in with the lip product theme I use lip balm (preferably one in a tub) to rub on my heels and toes to stop new shoes pinching or rubbing. This is something I always have in my handbag too so quick and easy on the go!

Floristry Ribbon

OK, so this one may not be in everyone houses, I trained as a florist for a short while before realising some flowers give me headaches! However I do still enjoy making arrangements when I have the time! But Floristry ribbon is as cheap as chips, Pick up a couple of rolls and you can use it to wrap gifts, prizes for raffles and even for kids crafts. You can choose how wide you want it just by ripping down the middle and it's really strong!

Magazines/Newspapers and old maps

As a crafter once you have read your favourite mag why not put it in your craft stash, either to use as background paper, to cut out embellishments or why not just keep your surfaces safe from the mess you're about to create! Maps also look great as wrapping paper, as does some left over wallpapers, then stick some of that floristry ribbon on top!

Lemons

Once you have finished with that little piece of lemon in your drink why not blitz it up with some water (or white vinegar if something is really dirty!). Lemon juice is great as a cleaner, and this does not waste the rind either! You can even get out some of that newspaper you've saved and your glass will shine!

Hannah x 

 

Money Saving Monday #1 - Samples and Coupons

It is fair to say that I love a bargain, freebie, sample, coupon, loyalty card or anything were I can get something for less, try before I buy or getting the most out of my money. As we all try to save money here and there I thought I would start a series of small money saving tips and deals I have found! Hence Money Saving Monday! This week I will start with my views and tips on samples and coupons.

Samples
Many manufactures give out samples on their websites or on Facebook or through other companies. My biggest tip is don't become a sample hoarder. If you have never had a dishwasher why apply for dishwasher tablet samples? If it is not something you will use or something someone you know will appreciate don't apply for one, otherwise people who do what to try these products will not be able to get their hands on them!

I find most of my samples through Facebook, from online shopping/Tesco groceries online or googling for a product I am interested in to see if they are freely giving away samples. I know many people contact companies for samples but I do not tend to do this. I also would recommend supersavvyme, they give away many samples and useful ones at that!

Here is a quick look at the samples I have received recently, as you see they are all on the same vain as these are products I am interested and potentially would buy!

Coupons
Coupons are great! Yes my family think it's funny but I don't mind, I enjoy using coupons. My first bit of advice is don't watch Extreme couponing and think 'yeah! Everything is gonna be free' This just does not work in the UK and those who do manage this are more than likely buying things they really don't want/need which is again a waste!

Watch out though, sometimes the non brand item still may be cheaper even with a coupon, just look when you think you are savvy shopping! I tend to use coupons combined with a deal or to get speciality items also to try branded products. Or if the coupon makes the price comparable to the own brand equivalent I'll give the product a go.

For example this week I brought 2 John West Infusions pots in Sainsbury's they were on offer from £1.50 down to £1 and I had two 50p off coupons. This meant I got flavoured Tuna for 50p a pot, a really good deal! (These were done on two separate days, if there is a product and I got my boyfriend to print the second coupon!).

As I am gluten free I do not take advantage of as many coupons as others could. However I do get some great deals.

Where I find coupons: 99% of my coupons are found online either through google, emails or Facebook, I have also received some in the past from companies when I have been dissatisfied by a product, but only contact companies if you have a real complaint or issue. I also received some in the post and recently from going to to a free from show!

I would also recommend cash back websites and apps! But I will talk about these more later. 

How do you save money?

Hananh x