tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9761786Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:25:59 +0000CraftscraftSewingbaglady campaigncambridgecambridge with childrenchristams on a budgetcraftingcreative recyclingitalian christmas menurecycled yarnrecycling plastic bagsrenovation on the cheaptaggiestextile art1930s home2011 trends2ZJB8MW8R943Amaretto di SaronnoArtsB and QBritax Jockey child bike seatBritmumsBubble WrapCambridge Carbon FootprintCambridge Tourist OfficeCambridge UKCambridge colleges photosCambridge open eco homesCambridge universityCarol KleinCharity shopChinese stir-fryCoton Natural ReserveCrochetCuttingDIYDebenhamsEBMEmbroideryEnvironmentally friendlyEurekaFiber artGarterGog magog hillsGrafton CentreGrand ArcadeGreenhouseIrish StewItalian cuisineItalian stewJohn LewisJubilee weekend school partyKnorr stock cubesLean on Turkey competitionLion Yard shopping centreMade for mums food recipesMilton Country ParkNokiaPapier MachePapier-mâchéParliament HillQuiltingRecyclingRoyal MailRudolph outfitSanta repliesSchool holidaysShoppingSnow ice creamSony Ericcson w200iSuppliesTextileTransition CambridgeWandlebury ParkWilliam MorrisWoolWoollen jumperaldialoe vera plant and usesalphabet patchwork hangingazalea careazalea how to growazaleasbaby cupbaby mouth made with bottlebaby muralbad internet buybag lady campaignbaglady pledgebathroom makeoverbed coverletbeef stewbeginner knitbenefits of aloes verabest baby buyboobbreastbreast feedingbreast milk ice creambreast milk smoothiebreast or boobie knittedbreastfeedingbreastfeeding aidsbreastfeeding support aidbreastmilkbudget gardeningcambridge cycling plannercambridge with kidscentral library in cambridgecheap christmas celebrationcheap makeoverchildrenchildren's clotheschocolate cupcakeschocolate orange cupcake recipechristmaschristmas celebrationschristmas competitionchristmas in Cambridgechristmas traditionscompetitions onlineconservatory makeoverconservatory on the cheapcovent gardencreative ways to redo a chest of drawerscredit crunch cookingcupcake recipescurtain makingcustomise clothescycling in Cambridgecycling mapsdecoupagedescalingdodgy internet buydoing well with azaleaseasy family fast mealeasy knit mittens toddlereco homeseconomy gastronomyetsyfabric toyfestival of trees St Giles Curch castle streetfit to bustfree Santa lettersfree and easy knitting patternfree child activity cambridgefree competitionfree events for childrenfree plantsfree prizesfreecyclefresh mintfrittellefrittelle di risofrittersfrog in a pondfruit cake recipegarden and craft projectsgarden projects for ruffiansgardeners' worldgardeninggreen homesgreen livinghalf termhandmade cardshome improvementhomemade christmas cardhomes journalisthousehold hintshow to make ice cream without ice cream makerhuman statueinteriors writerskate and willkettle's yard gallery and housekite flying in Cambridgeshireknit hat with straight needlesknitted blanketknittingknitting projectsleftovers stewlondon cheapskatemake a child skirtmake a totemake do and mendmake wallhangingmakesmaking domaking mint teameal in minutesmendingmilk banksmint ice creammint tea from plantmodernize for lessopen mittens for a childparenting trendsparkphiladelphia cheesepicture of christmas treeplants for freepoudlandpractical parenting and pregnancyprimaproperty ladderprosthetic breastsrainy day activities for toddlersreconstructing clothes for dummiesrecycle bankrecycled christmas presentsrecycled containersrecycled materialsrecycling artrestore a cast iron fireplacereuse and recyclerevamp a junk shop findrevamp clothesrhubarb cupcakesrib knitribbed hatribbonsrice frittersroyal wedding kissroyal wedding photossafe refuge cambridgesalessandersonsaturday nightsave during the holidayssecret santaselling craftssetting up a website on a budgetsilent sundaysippy cupslow cooker recipesnow ice cream recipessoft furnishingstockinette stitchsuite 101summer events for kidsthe 1930s housethrifty tipstip recipe for children who don't like vegtittoilet rollstoytoy blankettoys from trashturkey stir fryturkey stirfryunion jack cupcakeupdate for less cashuses for plastic bagsusing banana skinsusing expressed breast milkusing junk mail for artvictorian boxvictorian stationery boxvizzkids safety coverwalk to schoolwall hangingwall hangingswalthamstow muralwedding and bride discountswilkinsonwilliam morris gallerywin 500 poundswin moneywinter shelter for plantwoolly breastworst buywrite to SantaI used to be a London Cheapskate, but have left the capital - hence the name change. The essence of the blog hasn't, it's still about crafts, gardening and recycling. ALL MATERIALS ARE COPYRIGHTED AND CANNOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT PERMISSIONhttp://cambridgecheapskate.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Simone)Blogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9761786.post-4337223791860090063Mon, 20 Apr 2020 07:08:00 +00002020-04-20T08:12:04.430+01:00 The inspiration was a blog by Karina Wells, who used this recipe. I transitioned the recipe from vegan to vegetarian to make use of the ingredients I had in the house. Ingredients 30 dandelion flower heads 1 1/4 cup polenta flour 1 1/4 cup milk 1 egg vegetable oil for frying 1/2 tsp salt Method Pick the dandelions just before cooking or keep them in a bowl of water if you can't. If you http://cambridgecheapskate.blogspot.com/2020/04/dandelion-fritters-veggie-recipe.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Simone)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9761786.post-6963506570011157440Mon, 13 Apr 2020 20:46:00 +00002020-04-13T22:01:01.603+01:00 Ingredients 90g pudding rice 250ml hot milk zest of one lemon  15g butter  2 eggs, beaten 110g sugar 50g ground almonds 60g mixed dried fruit  1 tsp vanilla extract 2 tbsps of semolina flour oil spray for the ramekins (or butter) Instructions Cook the rice for 10 minutes until soft. Drain it and return to the pan. Add the milk, half of the zest and cook covered http://cambridgecheapskate.blogspot.com/2020/04/rice-pudding-italian-style.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Simone)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9761786.post-260750935907723012Sun, 12 Aug 2018 06:45:00 +00002018-08-12T07:46:37.763+01:00 I have not updated this blog in a while. This is because of work (paid and voluntary), which has left me less time to do crafts... I still recycle, more than before. I go to cookery classes to use up vegetables from my friend Karina's allotment and also make jams and cordials at home. Yesterday I made elderberry cordial and apple and blackcurrant jam. I sterilise jars in the microwave while http://cambridgecheapskate.blogspot.com/2018/08/spade-to-plate-and-cooking-from-garden.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Simone)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9761786.post-4308209958604581168Fri, 04 Aug 2017 10:33:00 +00002017-08-04T11:37:58.054+01:00 School is out, so family crafting is back - indoors and outdoors. Michela, aged 10, produced these masterpieces so far. The butterfly mobile is very cute, we got the idea from a children's centre activity. It's a fun way to recycle packaging. Inside the open dice, the butterflies hang from pretty ribbons. She also made a Lego chick and this wonderful painting at the Fitzwilliam Museum's Art http://cambridgecheapskate.blogspot.com/2017/08/summer-projects.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Simone)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9761786.post-3913401365525246603Wed, 26 Jul 2017 09:29:00 +00002017-07-26T10:29:33.184+01:00 Fixing a watch strap My watch strap's loops broke... the tongue bit kept flipping up and getting caught in things. So I took a black loom band, doubled it and secured the strap end back. No need to replace the watch strap yet...http://cambridgecheapskate.blogspot.com/2017/07/watch-strap-hack-with-loom-bands.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Simone)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9761786.post-8417818016204872490Wed, 22 Mar 2017 15:02:00 +00002017-03-22T15:07:05.061+00:00 For best results, use a large jacket. My partner is on the slim side so I added a small panel at the back. The pocket on the back comes from the inside of the jacket. There is also another internal pocket inside.  http://cambridgecheapskate.blogspot.com/2017/03/make-trendy-skirt-from-mans-suit-jacket.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Simone)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9761786.post-1447966820935310357Fri, 13 Jan 2017 09:58:00 +00002017-01-13T09:58:52.992+00:00 As it is snowing, here is my recipe of snow ice cream. Do not use compact snow unless you want it slushy... You can find the recipe on my parenting blog...http://cambridgecheapskate.blogspot.com/2017/01/snow-ice-cream-or-italian-granita-with.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Simone)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9761786.post-6201912261562551750Fri, 23 Dec 2016 10:35:00 +00002016-12-23T10:35:58.886+00:00 Happy foraged Xmas.... greenery is all from my garden! http://cambridgecheapskate.blogspot.com/2016/12/happy-foraged-xmas.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Simone)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9761786.post-5736456034788520853Wed, 29 Jun 2016 16:20:00 +00002016-06-29T17:23:17.710+01:00 Courtesy of Empty Common Garden's blog I like to think I believe in the Rs of recycling: Retrieve, reinvent, reuse (first mentioned here in this Community Garden Blog). In this instance I am not retrieving from a river but from the blue bin. I have been recycling: plastic fruit punnets to use as cloches on pots in the greenhouse, also soda bottles cut in half as ground cloches plastic http://cambridgecheapskate.blogspot.com/2016/06/recycling-rubbish.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Simone)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9761786.post-6501588883459119076Wed, 25 May 2016 18:57:00 +00002016-05-25T19:57:31.778+01:00 Michela helped Charlotte build a bug hotel using recycled materials. Find out how here Decorating biscuits is a popular party activity for kids. This ismarvellous creation by an 8 year old girl The Botanic Garden in Cambridge has activity drop-ins oncea month. This mini dry garden is very pretty http://cambridgecheapskate.blogspot.com/2016/05/making-something-out-of-nearly-nothing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Simone)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9761786.post-7514707042420093620Mon, 25 May 2015 11:02:00 +00002015-05-25T12:04:02.836+01:00 Lavender leaves and heather flowers in wedding  favour's recycled tulle - something out of nothing Crowdsourced content before the net http://cambridgecheapskate.blogspot.com/2015/05/keeping-busy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Simone)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9761786.post-2235765575777413232Fri, 01 May 2015 12:19:00 +00002015-05-01T13:20:44.238+01:00 Pic: Campfullmonte Life hacks articles are very popular and photos of ingenious re-use of materials are all over Pinterest. Just follow this amazing board! I have been thinking of ways I use/re-use things and here are a few off the top of my head: using the previous day's boiled water from my kettle for ironing and watering plants (my kettle has a scale blocker by the pourer) buying http://cambridgecheapskate.blogspot.com/2015/05/recycling-and-life-hacks.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Simone)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9761786.post-9188657011217145002Sat, 28 Feb 2015 10:05:00 +00002015-03-19T14:28:33.696+00:00 Here is a selection of crafting and baking projects featured on this blog since its start in February 2005. The last picture features Pandan cupcakes, which I made adapting this recipe from Youtube. Cosy hat and cape for my baby daughter http://cambridgecheapskate.blogspot.com/2015/02/craft-carnival.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Simone)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9761786.post-4706631794066376388Fri, 12 Dec 2014 11:30:00 +00002014-12-12T11:35:10.617+00:00In the past month, I have been tweeting useful articles on how to re-use and/or repair items and they have proved very popular... for instance, did you know that the pumice stone you use on the hard skin of your feet can clean the water sediment in a toilet? I know, it's not a Xmas tip, per se but if you have guests and need to clean a scaley toilet, then it's handy. I use a broken pumice stone http://cambridgecheapskate.blogspot.com/2014/12/life-hacks-dont-you-love-them.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Simone)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9761786.post-2027923548783944955Sun, 12 Oct 2014 15:03:00 +00002014-10-12T16:08:03.429+01:00 Butterfly brooch and lily pad ring - with original pipe Ink sketch effect of my copper jewellery set I believe in creative recycling even when I am making jewellery. These two statement pieces were made using copper from a salvaged central heating pipe (from my own central heating system, I have not raided a skip). The butterfly brooch has silver antenna and pin, while the lily pad http://cambridgecheapskate.blogspot.com/2014/10/creative-recycling-central-heating.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Simone)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9761786.post-4837019611738602154Sat, 04 Oct 2014 17:10:00 +00002014-10-04T18:11:26.711+01:00 http://cambridgecheapskate.blogspot.com/2014/10/silent-saturday.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Simone)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9761786.post-6015644105415951382Wed, 13 Aug 2014 06:21:00 +00002014-08-13T07:29:03.291+01:00 Dinner in my revamped summerhouse/shed,  furnished by recycled/upcycled items. I only bought the external paint, the internal paint was a leftover. I had a very busy time and neglected all of my blogs, including this one, my very first! Looking at the statistics, I still get readers, despite the lack of updates, so thank you for stopping by and feel free to leave a comment and/or a http://cambridgecheapskate.blogspot.com/2014/08/hello-long-time-no-see.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Simone)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9761786.post-657992906508775039Thu, 19 Sep 2013 08:42:00 +00002013-09-19T09:42:09.824+01:00 I sent a photo of myself in my homemade Jane Austen/Regency outfit and it got posted on Cambridge Carbon Footprint's blog Live Well with Less. If, like me, you like to make do and mend - while lowering your carbon emissions - I recommend reading this excellent blog. http://cambridgecheapskate.blogspot.com/2013/09/bedsheet-ball-gown-indeed.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Simone)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9761786.post-6727346917004856842Fri, 09 Aug 2013 09:51:00 +00002013-08-09T10:51:54.327+01:00 My revamped summerhouse - the 1930s house blog Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I'm busy working from home and doing some DIY. If you want to catch up with what I've been up to, visit  http://fromrattopositiveparent.blogspot.co.uk/ (juggling parenting with work) and  http://the1930shouse.blogspot.co.uk/ (DIY, crafts and vintage stuff) I think running http://cambridgecheapskate.blogspot.com/2013/08/diy-projects-in-my-1930s-house.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Simone)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9761786.post-8621844629204482424Sun, 14 Jul 2013 09:56:00 +00002013-07-14T10:56:55.835+01:00 http://cambridgecheapskate.blogspot.com/2013/07/silent-sunday-steampunk-style.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Simone)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9761786.post-4835648530269080241Sat, 18 May 2013 06:34:00 +00002013-05-18T07:34:09.437+01:00 Take 5 cambridge from Simone Castello http://cambridgecheapskate.blogspot.com/2013/05/5-things-you-might-not-know-about.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Simone)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9761786.post-8333268785497922142Sat, 11 May 2013 19:12:00 +00002013-05-11T20:12:16.866+01:00 http://cambridgecheapskate.blogspot.com/2013/05/delicious-homemade-dishes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Simone)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9761786.post-692037629598533734Sat, 27 Apr 2013 16:02:00 +00002013-04-27T17:02:44.061+01:00 I have finally posted my comprehensive guide on pedal power for all, including young children, on my sister blog. I am covering health benefits, buying bikes, road safety, child bike seats, parking, cycle maps. Click here and enjoy!http://cambridgecheapskate.blogspot.com/2013/04/cycling-for-all-ages-in-cambridge.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Simone)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9761786.post-9008056363962209185Sun, 12 Aug 2012 06:25:00 +00002012-08-12T07:25:23.995+01:00 http://cambridgecheapskate.blogspot.com/2012/08/silent-sunday-homage-to-london-2012.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Simone)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9761786.post-6076660217276682328Sun, 05 Aug 2012 06:31:00 +00002012-08-05T07:31:55.860+01:00 http://cambridgecheapskate.blogspot.com/2012/08/silent-sunday-water-fun.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Simone)0