Thrifty Crafts How To: Make Bowls from Vinyl Records

In thrifty times a perfect craft that reuses old, unused materials can be a great way of 'filling your house for free'. Vinyl records can usually be found amongst family, friends or thrift and second-hand stalls, so why not turn them into a pretty and practical storage container in less than 10 minutes?

To melt a vinyl record into a bowl shape first heat an oven to 100-120 Celsius or 200-250 Faranheit. Then place a small glass mixing bowl (the kind you might make a cake mix in) on top of a baking tray. Put the record on top of the upturned bowl. Heat in the oven for 4-8 minutes, checking regularly. When out of the oven the vinyl should be floppy and fold into a flower shape over the bowl. 

Leave to cool for a minute to allow the bowl the set into shape before releasing the vinyl. Turn it upright and mold it into shape as it sets on the baking tray.

Alternatively, melt a vinyl by pouring boiling water from a kettle over it repeatedly. Be careful of the heat! This usually creates a shallower bowl.

Perfect for chip and dips, crisp bowls, a jewellery container or a catch-all for your front hall junk!

Carpe Diem xx

Title Tuesday: How Green Are My Wellies review

2009 might seem like a long time ago now for many, but at the time it marked a sea change in rethinking about thrifty living, as the UK Labour boom years were followed by the economic collapse and eco crises of 2008-2010. Wartime spirit is now upon us, in the last couple of years reusable bags are adorning shopping trolleys and 'Keep Calm and Carry On' has been adapted for every possible scenario. As such many people are sick of being lectured to. Some are self-proclaimed hippies who have lived thriftily all their lives while others look on with a 'I'm-not-drinking-that-hemp-smoothie' look in their eyes. Whilst it's true that living like this would save a lot of energy, it is also unrealisitic for many. Which is where Anna Shepard, self-proclaimed 'eco-worrier'. Giving tips on saving energy at home, in the office, and at Christmas and parties, Shepard's tips appear easy to put into practice. I wonder if many people aren't already putting these ideas into practice. An informative read and a Mrs-Beeton-style household Bible for the green age!

How Green Are My Wellies?: Small Steps And Giant Leaps To Green Living With Style (Anna Shepard), Pub. 2009, is available from Amazon for £5.99

Carpe Diem xx

Foodie Friday: Summer Ham Hock and Mushroom Pasta Bake Recipe

Ingredients:

75-100g pasta per person/portion

Ham hock pieces

Handful of cumin seeds

Cheddar cheese

Pine nuts

Bread crumbs
Flour
Milk
Broccoli

Method:

1) Put water onto boil and put your choice of pasta into cook when boiling

2) Make Bechamel/cheese sauce

3) Fry mushrooms separately in a saucepan and boil the broccoli (or other veg if you wish)

4) Mix the sauce into the pasta and place in an ovenproof dish

5) Mix in the mushrooms and ham hock

6) Top with breadcrumbs, cumin seeds, pine nuts and grated cheddar

7) Brown in the oven for 10-15 minutes

Carpe Diem xx