Thursday, 2 January 2014

A Happy New Merry

Hello and a Happy New Merry to you all
  A warm New Year and Derbyshire welcome  to Tracey, Maggie, Tilly Trotter and Cro (love your blog) and Margaret and Vanessa on Blog Lovin
I said that I would try to show pics of some of the presents I made, I then promptly forgot to take photographs of most. Here are two that I have got pics of
The first is the full size double, padded quilt I made for my God daughter and her partner.

 This one is of a sketch I made for my elder daughter. It is of three treasured summery moments for her daughter. those of you that know anything about drawing will know that it is a very poor piece, but it was more a gesture of love than fine art! (it was drawn on board and ED framed it)
I have started eight gallons of wine from the summer fruits in the freezer and there are still pounds left to process! I am also in the process of making some elderberry cordial for the cold weather. I have put star anise, mace and cinnamon sticks in to flavour and hopefully make it more appetising ! It is now strained and I shall add the sugar and some honey today and let you know how it turns out.

 My New Year's Resolutions, more like intentions really, are to keep a handle on my/our finances, as in knowing what they are, rather than being more careful as I reckon if I was any more frugal I would be mean and that would never do!
 I also intend to make a little more time for me and not feel guilty if I do something just because I enjoy it.
 ( I might even return to sculpture after a fifty year hiatus!)
I intend to be a more regular blogger, trouble with this is that get lost in other blogs and end up not having time to do my own.

 Lastly, I would like you to join me in a virtual celebration of the best successful New Years Resolution I ever made  - and kept - 20 years ago I gave up smoking !!! It was, and still is, like being out of an abusive relationship.
That's all for now, see you soon
Gillx

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17 comments:

  1. Cro Magnon2 January 2014 at 13:40

    I gave up about 15 years ago, and feel the same.

    This was the first year (last year) that my Elderberry Champagne failed. I did everything the same as ever, but.....

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    Replies
    1. Frugal in Derbyshire 2 January 2014 at 21:58

      I have never made elderberry champagne and I don't know why as I have several trees here and I love it as a drink. I usually add the flowers to gooseberry dishes and then use the berries later.
      I can still feel a tad smug about being a non-smoker!

      Delete
  2. dreamer2 January 2014 at 14:50

    Lovely gifts, a lot of time and effort went into those x

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    1. Frugal in Derbyshire 2 January 2014 at 22:00

      The quilt certainly took a long time! I'm half way through making another for my granddaughter, which isn't taking quite as long as I know what I am doing this time
      Gill

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  3. Sue in Suffolk2 January 2014 at 15:57

    Your drawing and paintings look good from here!
    Better than I could do in 100 years

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    1. Frugal in Derbyshire 2 January 2014 at 22:01

      Thanks, but I doubt my Art teacher would have agreed with you!
      Gillx

      Delete
  4. Everyday Life On A Shoestring2 January 2014 at 18:32

    Happy New Year to you too and well done on staying off the cigarettes for so long.

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    Replies
    1. Frugal in Derbyshire 2 January 2014 at 22:03

      As I said to Cro I'm afraid I am sometimes guilty of the sin of Pride about being free of the weed.
      Happy New Year, hope it's a good oone
      Gillx

      Delete
  5. sweffling2 January 2014 at 19:54

    Happy New Year from a silent lurker:)

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    Replies
    1. Frugal in Derbyshire 2 January 2014 at 22:05

      ooooh don't be silent! Share a bit about yourself. I love to hear from folk in blogland
      Happy New Year Sweffling
      Gillx

      Delete
  6. Jibberjabberuk2 January 2014 at 20:38

    Hello and thanks for saying 'hello' to me as a follower on Bloglovin - Vanessa.

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    1. Frugal in Derbyshire 2 January 2014 at 22:06

      Happy New Year Jibber Jabber UK hope to see you more in 2014
      Gillx

      Delete
  7. Compostwoman2 January 2014 at 21:12

    I think all your gifts are lovely
    Elderberry cordial - I am dosing Compostman up at the moment as he has 'flu :(
    Giving up smoking was the best thing I ever gave up - so well done and keep on :)

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    Replies
    1. Frugal in Derbyshire 2 January 2014 at 22:07

      Thanks
      Do you make your own cordials too?
      We can afford to pat ourselves on the back for giving up
      Gillx

      Delete
  8. Unknown4 January 2014 at 09:41

    I love the quilt! I have been collecting free fabric samples to hopefully do something similar one day, although it is taking rather a long time to get my fabric together and it keeps getting used for other things first!

    Happy New Year :)

    Oh, and the jars I collected from you a while ago were put to good use in my Christmas hampers this year, thank you!

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  9. Frugal in Derbyshire 4 January 2014 at 16:48

    Glad to hear that you are working toward a quilt. If I get any spare I will save it for you.
    I have been given some more jars if you need them at any time.
    What did you put in your hampers?
    Gillx

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  10. Unknown4 January 2014 at 17:55

    I thank you, although I have literally just finished making my last batch of blackberry jam and finally have freezer space again!

    I did damson jam, blackberry jam, blackcurrant jam, courgette chutney, cranberry and apple chutney, damson gin, spicy ginger biscuits, pork pies and a christmas cake in each. They ended up rather heavy hampers!

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