Friday, March 13, 2009

Frugal Friday offerings....

on this sunshiny Friday. Two more Fridays this month *VBS* Today's offerings are a bit different, but frugal none the less. To my way of thinking, being frugal does NOT equal "being cheap". I think "cheap" is a state of mind, and that the value of something lies within the giver and the receiver. It would be very hard not to find value in this... my first Frugal Friday offering. Friend Jean was in need of something for a grandson's birthday. I happened to have a couple of things that were perfect for the age and purpose she needed. Altho I would have been happy to give them to her, that was not acceptable to her. In her mind they had cash value. I suggest a "swap", some of her home canned tomatoes and a jar of applesauce. On her way to work today, she dropped off 4 qts. of tomatoes, 4 packages of frozen corn, 2 jars of applesauce and 2# of hamburger. She was thrilled with the toys and I was thrilled with the very useful food items *VBS* Frugal for both of us!
  Off in a different direction, I pulled this piece of homespun from my ample plaids stash and turned it into a tea towel. It was never "just right" for whatever project I was doing, and it had been in the stash for many, many years. The dark spots are moisture, as I put it right to work this afternoon *VBS* Along that same line of thinking, my friend Libby, of A Simple Girl, turned some older tablecloths into generous sized napkins for everyday use. I've made many napkins to line baskets for dinner rolls, etc, but had never thought to recycle older tablecloths(so few people have use for them anymore) into napkins. They wash and dry beautifully and you don't have to buy paper ones!
 Yesterday I was invited to lunch with friend Betsy. They had just returned from a trip to Philly to see that sweet granddaughter. Having found a nice quilt shop, she bought several K. Fassett prints to feed her stash. Betsy cranks out many more quilts in a year than I do, and her scrap bin is always overflowing. She offered and I took!
I'm not comfortable pulling for myself, as I'm always afraid I'll take too much or take something she wants to keep. I asked her if she would pull some scraps and strings for me, and she did. Her comment regarding the amount was "I'm always happier when I can put the lid on the bin", and after filling this basket, she could. Over the years I've come to realize that while I'd rather work exclusively with scraps, rather than stash, Betsy prefers to cut for a specific quilt. She only does the totally scrappy thing when her scrap bin gets out of control. It worked for both of us. What a fantastic win-win Frugal Friday I've had *VBS*
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16 comments:

Amelia said...

Sounds like you have been having a couple of glorious days...making other people happy and being ever so happy yourself...that win-win situation.

Always wonderful to have some new fabric to touch and carress..no telling what new quilt will come from these new scraps.

We always use cloth napkins...one thing I always look for at garage sales...will have to start looking for table cloths to cut down and make napkins. Oh I know we have plenty - but I like to change around and use different colors, prints etc.

Have a great weekend!

Norma said...

Good old time bartering, and boy did you get some good stuff!! That is how people paid their way long ago and might be how we will have to do it soon if the money runs out.

I am a scrap person too, I am afraid. I would much rather have three remnants at the store than yardage. Scrap quilts are who I am and I see I am in very good company!

KC Quilter said...

Sounds like you made some excellent deals!!!

Libby said...

I love the barter trade you made - really a win/win *s*
It made me smile that you remember my napkins. I got the idea from McIrish Annie and it has been a swell one for sure. Since I made them last summer, we haven't used a single paper napkin at our table. We are saving a little $ and a few trees in the bargain!

Magpie Sue said...

You and Betsy make a great team! Lucky for both of you!

Dolores said...

You have some wonderful friends. Lucky you.

Gari in AL said...

Could I be Betsy's friend, too?

tami said...

I have been frugal since before it was fashionable which is probably why my house is full to overflowing. I'm glad others have joined in. Maybe now I can get rid of some of the stuff my frugality won't let me throw away. I just love giving it away.

Helen in the UK said...

Sounds like you and Jean were both VERY satisfied with your swap. Love your scrap 'haul' too :)

Greenmare said...

excellent swapping!!!! and other peoples scraps always have a lot of interest to me, even though I do have plenty of my own.

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

Those sounds like wonderful trades. Win win all around.

Cher said...

so happy the polka dot quilt went to such a special baby-it was a big favorite of mine. swapping for what you need or could use is the best of the best ways to be frugal. the give and take between friends always warms the heart.

YankeeQuilter said...

I love this swap story. For our May Quilt Guild meeting we are having a book/pattern swap...if you bring one you get a "coupon" that lets you take a different one home. Should be fun!

Hunter said...

I love swapping. I used to go to the beauty shop to get my hair done. She did my hair "free" and I wrote a newsletter for her store.

I hope Norma is right. It would be great to see more bartering.

Best regards,
Darilyn

Jean said...

You clever gal! What a great trade! Hmmmm I may need to be thinking along those lines!
Have a wonderful week... hopefully the sun will shine in your direction.
Hugs....

nannergirl said...

Love your tea towel idea! I always make napkins with left-over fabric, but never tea towels. And what a good trade you made with your friend!