It is well known in these neck of the bloggy woods that I am rather head-over-heels for all things domestic. Balancing my desires to do as much handmade as possible is often challenging both time and money-wise. While I can’t turn back the clock, I can share the few budgetary secrets I’ve discovered. Heading into another wonderful time of parties, occasions to bake, and to send baskets full of correspondence, I’m singing the praises of my favorite sources.
Sewing:
Need zippers? Check eBay. I buy lots from non-smoking homes and can typically get them for $.20 or less each — gobs better than the commercial sewing stores. Thrift stores are great for zips and other sewing notions too, if you’ve got the time to spare.
For fabric, I don’t think you can beat SewMamaSew. She’s my favorite fabric source online. I’ve been tickled pink by her customer service and I think her prices are fair for the designer stuff. How great is this?
For embroidery, same goes for Sublime Stitching. Jess set the bar high and her customer service and prices are fabulous. Let me be totally honest and say I know little to nothing about embroidery and even I can figure out Sublime’s stuff. So, if you are at all interested, they are cheap and how cute would this look on a Christmas apron?
For sewing labels, I love this Australian company. They are a bit pricey, but wowza — they are worth it for the craftsmanship. They’ll send you a 100 woven labels within a month, just in time for those stockings you’ll hang. {I admit that I love to take credit and sew an africankelli label into my goodies.}
Correspondence:
For ribbon? Big Lots. You can typically find a bin of grosgrain ribbon for $1 a spool. For holiday paper? This is my favorite, although I’m also wild about reusing whatever you’ve got handy. For paper to make cards, place mats, thank you correspondence — Paper Source is by far my favorite. They have a beautiful collection of 2008 journals too.
Baking:
Shh… don’t tell anyone, but I love the $.99 Store for baking mixes, saran wrap, Ziplock bags and a few other supplies. The canned goods are usually pretty great and their dried fruit is also much less expensive than the market. Plus, when you’ve cut your grocery budget by a third, you can afford to wrap your gift on a pretty ceramic plate for a buck too and ditch the plastic baggies all together.
Believe it or not, I am trying to buy considerably less this season and use what I have. Obviously from the list above, I’m a consumer. This year I’m making everyone gifts and baking for my staff. I’m also taking a vow of anti-consumerism and using what I’ve got on hand first. Gulp.
What are your tricks for staying on budget during the holidays?
~K