This is really a combination of week 5 and week 6, seeing as I simply didn't have the energy to upload for week 5. Good thing I keep a running tally of what gets done or I'd forget. 

Week 5 was a good week for crafting and getting things into the present box and crossed off my list.

It started with orange marmalade. Yum. Some for the pantry and some for gifts. I etched "orange marmalade" into the jars and cut orange gingham toppers. I think this lifts them above the regular jar of jam type gift; it only added about 30 cents to the cost of each jar of jam, but increased the sale value by a lot.  A jar of homemade or gourmet style marmalade sells for $10 - $16 for a 350g jar! It costs $2.10 to make six 350g jars and homemade is so much better than mass produced bought marmalade. If you have your own oranges, you can make six jars for $1.10!

​I made burger pickles using cucumbers from the garden. Again, some for the pantry and some for Hannah's pantry (she loves them on burgers, says the golden arches should use my pickles on their burgers and everyone would eat them) and some for the hampers. The hamper jars have "pickles" etched on them.  The cucumbers came from my garden so they are organic and just delicious.

​I picked so many cucumbers I was able to share a basket with the ladies at the card afternoon I went to. They were excited to get homegrown, chemical free cucumbers and made me laugh with all the ways they were going to use them. I was grateful to share them, the glut is typical for this time of year. 

I made a pavlova for Australia Day and used the egg yolks to make lemon butter for the topping. It was so good, and big enough for two desserts. I forgot to take a photo - I need to get in the habit of doing that, but I don't keep my phone on me, it sits on the desk. I'll need to rethink that too I suppose. 

I spent an afternoon with some lovely ladies and learned two new card styles and techniques. I love them both, but will definitely have to practice the water colour with ink! 

​I made a new baby card, a sympathy card and a get well card. These were all made using materials from my craft room.

​I took some little notepads from the cupboard and used some journaling cards from my stash to decorate the fronts for the present box. I love doing this, it makes an ordinary notepad something special. The journaling cards also strengthen the cover of the notepad, perfect if you keep it in your handbag or pocket, it doesn't get scrunched and torn so easily.

​Week 6, last week wasn't quite so productive, but a few minutes here and there and still things were done. As one was finished I moved onto the next thing on the list. 

It's no spending month over at the Cheapskates Club, so this month I really will be using up my stash and not buying ANYTHING at all to make gifts or crafts. 

Last week I made some more cards, fancy folds. I love the fancy fold cards, they make simple cards something truly special. These are the last of the February birthday cards, and are already written and addressed and even stamped, ready to pop into the post box. 

I made Valentine's cards. We don't usually do anything other than wish each other  a happy Valentine's day, but this year I just feel the need to make everything we do, every day, a little bit special so I made cards for Wayne and the kids and I'll make some treats to go into the little boxes I cut on the Scan and Cut to leave on their pillows on the 14th. 

​Every day I picked more strawberries, cucumbers and zucchini. I picked some lemons. Thursday afternoon we had a storm come through that blew over all the tomato plants, breaking some of the stems. We had to go out and tie them back up; there are too many tomatoes to lose, I'm counting on them to add to our pantry stocks for the coming year. 

I grated the very big zucchini and dehydrated it. Now its shelf stable and ready to use in winter soups and stews and zucchini bread and muffins.

​I made another batch of tzatziki with cucumbers from the garden and we have been snacking on this with cucumber sticks all week. 

I played with some acrylic blanks and the Scan and Cut to create some coasters for the craft room.

​I added orange peels to a jar and covered them with white vinegar to soak. I'll add more orange peels as we use the oranges this week, and then put the jar in the laundry cupboard so they can steep. After six weeks (I'll put a note on the whiteboard so I don't forget) I'll strain the liquid off and use it for cleaning the bathrooms.

What did you make, bake, grow or sew last week? 

A few weeks ago I took the plunge and signed on as a Stampin' Up demonstrator.

I love the products, especially the cardstock and the stamp pads, and have taken advantage of special offers and special occasions to add to my supply over the last few years. 

During the holidays Wayne and I were talking, and brainstorming how we are going to supplement our retirement income, and of course Home Among the Gum Trees will be a part of my contribution to our income supplement, with the various products I can make and offer to you for sale. 

I am fussy about the materials I use in the things that I make, be they for gifts, donations or sale. I know I would want whatever I buy to be the best quality it can be, and that's another reason I use Stampin' Up cardstock and stamp pads, and some of the tools when I'm making cards and scrapbooks (did you know I make scrapbooks and memory books too, they are usually to order); the quality is always there and the end result shows this.

So thinking along the lines of my future self and what I'd like to be doing in my retirement (which is still a long way off unless I can convince someone that early retirement would be a good thing) and after talking with my darling, I took the plunge and joined the Stampin' Up crew. 

Every now and then you'll see me do a video that will feature Stampin' Up products. As I do with most of the craft/cardmaking/Scan and Cut videos, I'll list the materials and tools used for each project with a link to how you can buy them, if you want to, and if you'd like me to be your Stampin' Up demonstrator, I'd be thrilled to share my passion for paper crafting and these wonderful products with you (and you can be sure that the Cheapskate in me will make sure everything gives you the best value for your money). 

Well it could be. But as I say often, many years ago we made the conscious decision to ditch the stuff that isn't important to us so we could have the cash to enjoy the things that are. 

And these days, quality craft supplies are important to me. 

Why did I choose Stampin Up, when there are other brands around?

Well about six years ago the card group I belong to went to what was called a garage sale, hosted by some Stampin Up demonstrators, where they were selling their retired stock and tools. 

I was a skeptic! I wasn't going to spend a lot of money on something I could get from a $2 shop. So, me being me, I bought one stamp pad - Mossy Meadow - for $5. It was secondhand and I figured if it was awful then I'd only lost $5.

I'm still using that Mossy Meadow stamp pad and it is my absolute favourite colour for stamping too. Mossy Meadow is that gorgeous dark green that just co-ordinates and blends and contrasts with everything. It's dark enough to use instead of black, when black just isn't going to work, but still a green when you need it to be a green. 

And folks, that's why I'm a huge fan of Stampin Up. One $5 stamp pad is still going strong, even with all the stamping I do (I make hundreds of cards every year). 

The next thing I tried was the cardstock. Again I was wary because it was expensive, to me anyway, but the cardstock I had been using was terrible. It didn't crease well, cracking more often than not on folds; it didn't cut cleanly, leaving fluff on all the cut edges; it wasn't square - and I could probably have overlooked the cracking and fluff, but not being square nearly sent me crazy! Having cardstock be absolutely square is vital when you make fancy fold cards - you don’t want to spend a lot of time only to find the end result is out of square and nothing lines up.  So I am a huge fan of the Stampin' Up cardstock. 

Two reasons why I just love the products. 

But how do I call myself a Cheapskate when I buy these products? 

Easy. 

First off - value for money. You do get what you pay for; if you pay for quality, you get quality. 

Secondly - I sell a lot of my cards, but I donate most of my cards, as well as sending them to friends and family, and I make scrapbooks and memory books to order, so I want them to be nice. And good quality. And I want to get value for money from the supplies I use.

But I can still call myself a Cheapskate and use Stampin Up products because I work Stampin Up to my advantage. 

Right now there is a joining special: join Stampin Up as a demonstrator before 28th February  2023 and you can choose up to $315 worth of product - any product - from their catalogues and pay just $169.  That's a 47% discount! 47% - that's a great deal. 

So I took the plunge and I joined as a demonstrator, chose my products, and paid just $169 for so much cardstock, some DSP, a punch and a stamp set - I chose what I wanted in my starter kit, perfect as I already owned some Stampin' Up products. 

That's how I can not only afford to use Stampin' Up products, but use them as a Cheapskate. 

Does this mean that I will be pushing Stampin' Up constantly? No. It means I will still be doing my best to share what I believe to be the best value for your money when it comes to your (and my) paper crafting.

If you have any questions, just ask me. And if you don't already have a Stampin' Up demonstrator I would be honoured to become yours, and share my love of all things paper crafting with you. 

Visit Stampin' Among the Gum Trees

I only recommend products I use, and that also extends to stores too.

A few weeks ago, I mentioned a new (to me) store for vinyl supplies for the Scan and Cut. It was recommended to me by Wendy from My Abundant Life, and I had to wait to visit the store.  

Well folks I am in love!

Happy Crafts in Pakenham, Victoria is now one of my happy places.

One of my biggest complaints/gripes/problems with the Scan and Cut was the cost of the vinyl, both permanent and HTV, available.

Spotlight is very expensive, even on sale, and that was limiting my use of the machine. And you all know I don't like having something sitting idle - that's wasted money and storage real estate.
So I had a look at the Happy Crafts website. Oh boy! What a treasure trove of crafting supplies. And the prices - I actually kept checking them because I was sure I had them wrong. No, they are well within this Cheapskate crafter's budget.

So I placed an online order, just a little one.

It arrived in just a few days, and it was beautifully packaged. The vinyl pieces I ordered were wrapped in tissue to protect them during shipping, everything was laid out neatly and packaged so it wouldn't shift around. The whole parcel arrived in perfect condition.

I was impressed!

So Hannah and I jumped in the car and went to do some in-person shopping. Now you have to understand that from home to Packenham is quite a journey - about 42 kilometres one way, so an 84 kilometre round trip. If there's no traffic it takes about 30 minutes, in traffic it can take up to 45 minutes. Ho hum - I wanted this trip to be worthwhile.

First, it is so very easy to find. Coming from Melbourne, take the Koo Wee Rup Rd exit off the freeway, turn left and then at the next roundabout turn right. Take a right turn at the second street along, then left at the end and Happy Crafts is just a couple of factories down on the left. There is onsite parking, as well as street parking.

Go through the door and you are in a vinyl crafter's wonderland. There are colours on display for HTV (heat transfer vinyl), removable and permanent vinyl - so many colours in gloss, matte, metallics, shimmer and glitter - even fluro! It is a feast for the eyes.

Happy Craft stocks the full range of Oracal vinyl (my absolute favourite to use) - something you don't get at the big craft stores. I saw colours I didn’t know existed, including two I couldn't resist that are limited editions (French Rose, and South Sea Turquoise - so, so pretty).

As soon as you walk through the door one of the very friendly (and extremely knowledgeable) staff will ask if you need help, or, if they are busy, they will politely excuse themselves to the customer they are serving to let you know they'll be available soon.  So nice, you feel welcome and special.
Along with the various vinyl products, there are acrylic and wooden blanks, sashes, apron blanks and neoprene products. Oh the joy to find neoprene stubby holders, juice box holders and ice block holders in so many gorgeous colours, and at such a great price. I couldn't resist and we did buy some, and you'll see them in our store.

They also stock Cricut accessories. I did talk to the lovely owner about the Brother Scan and Cut, and I'll be watching their website for some news on that front, hopefully soon.

This is a family run business, and you can tell that their customers are very important to them.

All in all, this is a 10/10 shop. Prices, range, service are all exactly what this Cheapskate shopper and crafter wants.
​
Details:
Website: https://happycraft.com.au/
Mobile: 0422 578 858 (best way to contact us for urgent enquiries)
Email: sales.happycraft@gmail.com (usually replies within 24hours)
Facebook: HappyCraft  
​
​Showroom is located at 49b Peet Street Pakenham Victoria 3810
Showroom Walk-in Hours
Mon             1:30pm - 4:30pm
Tue              CLOSED
Wed- Fri      1:30pm - 4:30pm
Sat              10:00am - 2:00pm
Sun              CLOSED

Click & Collect Hours
Mon             9:30pm - 4:30pm
Tue              CLOSED
Wed- Fri      9:30pm - 4:30pm
Sat              10:00am - 2:00pm
Sun              CLOSED

If you love your Brother Scan and Cut, and use lots of vinyl, I can highly recommend checking with Happy Craft, the prices, range and service are exceptional.

This week was a sewing and card making week. 

I cut out tea towel toppers ready to sew. I like to sew these in batches, and work production line style doing all the cutting, then all the gathering, all the sewing etc. at once. I feel like I get more done with my time when I work like this.

I took advantage of a clearance sale at Kmart and stocked up on cotton tea towels and matching pot holders. I have already planned what to do with them, and started to sort them into piles ready to start sewing.

I made some cards to practice a new (to me) stamping technique that I really like. I'm happy with how they have turned out. Some of these will be for the February birthdays and some will go to the nursing homes.

I printed off some vintage images onto photo paper and used them to cover little notebooks for the present box. I love them, they are so vintage and cute and luxurious.

I made blueberry jam using blueberries I was able to get for $1 a punnet. It is delicious.

I made tzatziki using MOO Greek yoghurt, cucumber I picked that morning and garlic I harvested a while back. I picked a lemon off the tree for the lemon juice. The only thing not home grown or made was the salt! It was delicious.

I practiced a new technique - etching using the Brother Scan and Cut and decorated the jam jars. I love how they turned out and now my mind is filling up with ideas of gifts to make. 

And I have something exciting to announce - just finalising the details and I'll be sharing with you all!

What did you make, bake, sew and grow last week?

I know some of you have already done this, but recycling last year's Christmas card into gift tags and even little gift card holders is simple, easy and quick. It's also a good way to keep some money in your gift budget! It may only save you $2 or $3 but that money can be used to buy materials for another gift on your list, and keep you on budget.

This year we had some really pretty Christmas cards and I wanted a way to recycle them and keep the "pretty" on them.

First I cut the fronts from the backs. Actually I very carefully ripped them apart, but you could cut them if you wanted to. 

Then I put them into piles:
Pile A: gift tags
Pile B: gift card holders
Pile C: present toppers

To make the gift tags I cut the card fronts down to either 3-1/2" x 2" or 3" circles, depending on the image I wanted to use. Then I just punched a hole near the top and threaded through 8" of gold cord folded in half.

To make the gift card holders I cut the card fronts down to make a little card and folded it in half. On the inside I centred a gift card, then marked the corners. Use a scalpel or very sharp knife to cut slits at the corners to hold the gift card in place.

Present toppers were so much fun. I chose the part of the card front I wanted to feature and fussy cut around it. Then I pulled out the gel pens and glitter and ribbons and lace and flowers and started embellishing the picture. Some double sided foam tape on the back so it can be stuck to a gift or a gift bag and they were done. 
​

​So use your imagination. Don't toss those cards or shove them in a drawer to just take up space. Put them to use and extend their life. Oh, and save some money in your gift budget. 

Don't forget to check in for our Make It Monday show and tell over at Cheapskates Chatter, we'd love to see what you've made.

Hello Lovely Crafter,

Welcome to week 2 of our Make It Monday show and tell.

Have you been busy making, baking, growing or sewing? 

​I had to move out of the craft room and turn it back into a bedroom as we had guests for a few days. I just spread out over the kitchen table, like I used to before Hannah moved out and I had a craft room, so I could keep working on my list. 

And then it all came to a halt, and not much was done, but every little thing adds to the present box and gets me ahead with gifts and household needs.

This past week I cut some little treat boxes on the Scan and Cut, to use for little Valentine's Day treats. We don't normally make a fuss of this day on the calendar, but this year I think we all need cheering up and a little something special after the trials and struggles of the last three years.  Closer to the date I'll either made some chocolates or find something on sale to put in them. 

​I learned a new crochet technique? pattern? while I had to just sit.  It makes pot holders. 

I printed off some free sentiments from Shabby Art Boutique ( one of my favourite resources  for ideas and free embellishments and ephemera) and cut them out using the Scan and Cut. While I was sitting I cut some inserts for coloured card bases, ready to use during the year.    

Picked lots of cucumbers and zucchini from the garden, and continued to put strawberries and raspberries in the freezer. 

Worked on my lists for the next week, month and the rest of the year.

Went to a card class on Friday, but wasn't able to stay the full time. I did get some great ideas for new card layouts and practiced a stamping technique that's going to save a lot of money and extend the use of my stamps, and I met some lovely new people. 

What did you make, bake, grow or sew last week? 

Hello Lovely Crafters,

It's our first official Make It Monday.

I've always called Monday, Make It Monday in my mind and in my diary. It's the day I try to do something creative, to make something either for a gift or our home or even to sell. I think I chose Monday because when the kids were small it was the one day of the week I didn't have any extra curricular chores - no reading, or swimming or library to do, no Church business to attend to. Monday was my day for sewing and crafting and I took full advantage of it.

Last week on the Cheapskates Club live YouTube show, Planning for a Handmade Christmas, Jane asked if we could do a weekly show and tell on our Facebook group, and Make It Monday was started, even though it was a Tuesday!

So last week the craft room was very, very active.

It started with finishing off the New Year clean and organise. I finally made the labels for the cubbies in the craft room - it's only been a year! 

​Then I had to find space for the Cricut Easy Press No. 1 Son gave me for my birthday (and he made his mother cry!). 

Of course I had to find some projects for the Easy Press so I printed some images from The Graphics Fairy and transferred them to some tea towels. It was so much easier than using the iron or the Mini Press (and I love my Mini Press). This tool will get a regular workout I'm sure; the list of iron on projects is growing.

​Next on the list was working on the birthday cards for January and a few for the retirement village (they requested more). I bundled up two envelopes to send off on Monday, one to the retirement village and one to CWA. 

An order came in for white daisy dishcloths, so I spent some time listening to YouTube while I crocheted them - they were a special order, I've never thought to crochet or knit white dishcloths. I love them, they look so fresh - fresh as a daisy!

​I worked on tutorials and videos for both here and The Cheapskates Club (our parent site). 

Before any project was started, I asked myself if I had everything needed, or would something have to be bought? If the answer was something needed to be bought, I rethought the process and came up with either a solution using what was already in the craft room, or a new idea. I'm still trying to only use what I have, and not spend any more money to make gifts. So far, so good - no out of pocket money spent.

I made trifle for dessert and it lasted three days. I love trifle, and Wayne does too, and it's great for using up stewed fruit or stale cake (not that cake gets to go stale too often in our house). The weather has been very hot and quite muggy, so I've been making jelly every morning and putting it in the fridge. Ice cold jelly with fruit has been our dessert/after dinner snack this week.

Most of our meals were cooked from scratch, here at home, using pantry ingredients. We did have a delicious Indian meal for my birthday, and instead of going out, we chose to have it delivered and eat at home. It was so good, and under $60 for five, with leftovers that are in the freezer.

The garden is finally starting to look like a garden. It has been very slow this spring/summer. The tomatoes finally have flowers and the zucchini and cucumbers are producing. The celery is growing well, and the beans have flowers at last.

I've been picking a handful of raspberries and strawberries every morning and putting them in the freezer. When there's enough they will be come jam for the family.

​What have you been making, baking, growing or sewing this week?

Well it's almost January and time to really knuckle down and get the craft list finalised so I know what's what in 2023.

I also need to get the Christmas cards finished, especially the overseas cards, and the gift list finished, although that can wait until November.

So here's my January craft room to-do list (it's not too bad considering!):
Lost Socks laundry sign
Welcome to my Craft Room sign (gift)
Blue pot holders (gift)
Tutorial for Christmas wrapped candle bundles
Tutorial for Card Kits - done
Blue milk bottles - add flower labels, add flowers
Make labels for button jar - (gift)
White wooden tray - cut sentiment (gift)
Laundry sign green
Peter Rabbit baby card (gift)
January birthday cards - done
Embroider tea towel toppers - shop
Label cubes - done
Canning mats (3 gifts)
Apron Christmas cards - shop
CWA cards - done
Nursing home general cards - done
Nursing home Christmas cards - done
Tvan hand towels - fabric top
Tvan pot holders
Tvan Tea Towels - embroider

There may be some, all, or no videos for these projects depending on time and circumstances and I may or may not get all or some of these things crossed off the list!