You could also use recycled sheets as lining fabric. My new project is crocheting rag rugs.  I am still trying to perfect it so that it lays flat, but I am getting closer to what I want.  It's a good way to recycle sheets.  I use colorful material that I got on the dollar a yard table at the fabric store I go to.  Small ...

I stood home today a sewed bonnets today.  I am getting ready for the opening of the Ozark Folk Center on April 18. http://ozarkfolkcenter.com.   I work there 2 days a week in the Dress Shop on the craft grounds.  I sell my clothing to employees and visitors.  My husband worked today, he works at Walmart.  He ...

  I have a degree in Elem. Ed, and I substitute teach a lot.  I have also worked in a job where I went into homes that offered home daycare to preschoolers.  I worked with them on organization and curriculum.  I have observed quite a bit of homeschooling in these daycare homes.  I applaud your thoughts on homeschooling ...

My situation is pretty good, but I am working hard to be frugal.  Situation goes like this--Two years ago we moved from FL to small town in Arkansas.  Sold Florida house, which we owned outright, right before house values took a nosedive.  Made some money on that deal. Bought house in AR for less than we made on FL house.  ...

One thing I do that goes toward composting is having a "slop bucket" in the kitchen.  I use an old chamber pot, but any pot or bucket with a lid will do.  I line it with plastic grocery bags.  I put eggshells, peelings, and other kitchen waste in it (not meat!).  I take it out and dump it into the compost when it ...

I have used it for a dessert by layering it and putting apple pie filling in it. I roll it up like you do for stuffed cabbage and bake it.  Sometimes I add raisins & cinamon, as well.  Yummy.

Sorry, I can't help you with medevial clothing, as I make clothing that depict the late 1800's--things that the country folk wore.

As a professional sewer, my favorite fabric is 100% cotton.  I have a very good source in a town about an hour from my home.  They are wholesalers, but have a huge retail floor.  This allows me to get good fabric for a low price.  I make clothing for the Ozark Folk Center, so most of the things I make replicate what the ...

Having just gone through 6 days without power due to a tornado that took out the east side of town (Mountain View, AR) I realized how heavily dependent upon municipal utilities most of us are.  We were so thankful that we had water.  Do you realize, though, that for all of our rhetoric about a simple lifestyle we are all using the ...

Some thoughts: Living on less is a "game" I play.  It seems that the more I have, the more things there are to break and cause stress.  I do love the computer & internet  and the TV (satellite necessary in this little town).  These are my biggest monthly expenses that I could live without but ...