Something Out Of Nothing - Stuff For (Almost) Free

If you're anything like me (and you most likely are or you probably wouldn't be reading) you're fed up to the back teeth of the rampant consumerism that grips the majority of the population as soon as November strikes - endless wish lists and gift guides on blogs, adverts for tacky jewellery, celebrity-endorsed tat and naff leather sofas dominating the TV breaks and a veritable forest of supermarket Xmas offer leaflets which go straight from Saturday's Guardian into the recycle bin.

I'm confined to the house until Friday (when Jon's got something mysterious planned) as we're awaiting numerous Boombox-related deliveries and its both the dreaded end-of-year accounts and time to apply for our tourist visas, so, in between totting spreadsheets up, stapling receipts and swearing at crashing websites I'm diverting my attention by making use of stuff I've already got and not spending a thing.

I pimped up this standard charity shop denim waistcoat by hand-sewing a cool looking cross stitch I bought at a jumble sale to the back. The dress is a 1960s nylon nightie embellished with upholstery trim and braiding (I can't take credit for it, I bought it from eBay).

Today's lunch was curried parsnip and apple soup (the apples were free from a neighbour and the parsnips were on special offer on the market last week, everything else was already in the cupboard).

11b parsnips (peeled & chopped)

1 large white onion (chopped)

2 large cooking apples (peeled & chopped)

2 tsp Madras curry powder

2 crushed cloves of garlic

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1 litre vegetable stock

• Soften the apples, parsnips and onion in oil, taking care not to colour
• Add the garlic and spices and cook for 2 minutes
• Carefully pour in the stock, stirring until the soup starts to boil
• Turn down heat, pop a lid on the saucepan & simmer for 30 mins (or until parsnips are soft)
• Remove pan from the heat, liquidise, season to taste
• Reheat and enjoy.

The lovely Lucy Nation sent me this pretty 1950s tourist scarf earlier in the year, I was tempted to make it into a cushion cover but decided it would be far better worn as a skimpy halter. I sewed 12 inches of ribbon (saved from last year's birthday present wrappings) to the bottom of each corner and that was that.

One of my vintage family, Sandy, makes the most amazing creations adorned with sequins, beads and bling. She recently gave me a bag of leftover broken bits & pieces to play with so I made these last night:

1. I glued religious icons to a rhinestone-less pendant and threaded my silver snake chain through the loops.

2. The neon green and diamante creations were originally a broken statement necklace, I used some hooks from an old pair of earrings, threaded them through the loops and hey presto! Some Bollywood-worthy chandelier earrings.

3. The flamingo fabric patch was a present from Jennie years ago, I glued it to the fake agate stone and threaded both that and the broken bracelet with fishing twine and swiped a fastening from an old necklace.

4. I wrapped vintage braiding (left over from previous projects) and acrylic zips round plastic bangles and glued them into place.

Nightie/dress (eBay) worn with customised waistcoat, suede boots (Helgalicious)

I'm not sure when I'll next be around, there's a mad few days ahead.

Have fun and see you soon.