Frugal Living in No Buy July - What Did We Do In No Buy July?

[@sandrafennell6927]

Hi Jane. Thank you for sharing your quilt. Congratulations on hand sewing the binding by hand on a quilt that size !!!. Not a minor task.😊

[@jeannebowes2898]

I inherited hundreds of canning jars, so had to sell, donate many! We had to have Habitat come and load up abandoned building materials we could never use. The a Scrapper came and loaded up all the scrap metal . We have cleared for the past eight years here and now have a fire safe property. We put in raised beds as well as in ground gardens, and have planted Five trees. We are advanced seniors so things do move slowly but steadily. One new kitchen and one new bath in, with another bath that just needs a new shower are done. zOur little ranch house is very plain and simple but the gardens make it special.

[@rhondacromer1474]

Love your common sense, honesty, and creativity!

[@jod3433]

Agree 100%, for generations we have reused jars and not one of us have become ill from the practice.

[@dcordry3570]

The quilt is beautiful! It’s wonderful that you reuse your jars. It’s definitely not a practice unique to France or Europe. Here in the US, my friends and I have been doing this for years. If the lids occasionally become unusable, we will purchase packages of the canning jar lids and rings. This way our jars last forever.😊

[@hrhsophiathefirst4060]

Growing up on a tiny island, Barbados, we reused all glass containers and cans too. In the southern part of US many people reuse jars in fact mason jars are used at lots of casual restaurants to mimic this practice. The cans come in useful to me for DIY projects being a good size for paints, stains etc. I reuse mine here in Northern New Jersey and I especially like to reuse my wine bottles for my flavored oils, vinegars and vanilla extracts! We have a tiny garden that allows me to freeze tomatoes, garlic and basil for a year's supply of sauce. My food pantry is bigger and more organized than my closet and I love clothes! I make marmalade in the summer with store bought oranges as the one in stores is too sweet. We have a 6ft tall deep freeze that we vacuum pack our veggies and fruit after a slight steam for the veggies. I am frugal but I also like to be prepared with about 6 to 12 months of food, after the lockdown for the Pandemic we were easily able to stay inside for months. Beautiful quilt!

[@jessieelliott3157]

My daughter took me to a 2nd hand haberdashery store under an old house in my city Brisbane today. She bought some very cheap crochet wool for a project for a dollar. Entire collections of craft stuff get donated by people and sold on very cheaply. Its such a popular place. Such a lovely idea. I use old jars for jam and marmalade and even saurkraut and have never had a problem. I remember my mum putting wax in the top of the jars.

[@janicedavis3668]

I live in the U.S. (West Virginia) and yes, I use regular canningjars, but I have also used the same jars from the store and they work amazing. Use what you have. That is what our grandparents would have done. Beautiful bottling and the quilt is gorgeous. God bless.

[@indiablack528]

It's a beautiful quilt! You did such a great job on it and it's wonderful that you're donating it.

[@autumnlove7931]

I can see you both have put loads of work into your property and it's so beautiful to view. Reusing jars to can is such a practical thing to do. I just love your channel, there's always something for me to learn! Thanks for putting yourselves out there. :)

[@alyssajenaway3781]

I just love that the French and Brits reuse jars and lids too. We do the same thing in Australia and have done for generations without ordeal. But we know how to check them and look after them etc.

[@cominghome1801]

Gorgeous quilt, Jane. Hope it raises a lot of money for your charity. Here in New Zealand, we also reuse our jars. It's easy and common sense to sterilise, and I've never heard of anyone getting sick from them

[@colleenwood8220]

It’s odd how in the US, reusing jars and lids from something you’ve already purchased is “bad”. Pushing people so spend needlessly here is huge. I’m in Upstate New York and once went to our local farmer’s market. A woman had reused jars of home canned food and she used rusty lids. She was fined by the local health department for trying to sell her canned goods. I’d never seen anyone do that, thought it was a good idea but definitely not with lids covered in rust. I enjoy your channel so much. Thank you!

[@bhhansen2859]

Jane, I'd like to share with you why I find your channel and you so incredibly valuable and helpful. My husband and I are 79 and 72 respectively. He was just diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and it now being treated to slow the progression and it's working. But in the middle of it all, we have hit some tough financial speed bumps, switching all finance matters from his adept handling of 50 years to me at 72. I'm holding up and making it happen, but have been so comforted by finding your channel and following your ideas and plans. It has reminded me so much of why I can be grateful and learn at the same time. Thank you SO much for all the effort and detail you put into your videos. They are pure gold.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thank you

[@Catsrule7]

Don’t forget that if the lids look suspect, you can buy new lids. Usually fruit rising in the jars shows that you have a good seal. If it doesn’t rise it may be that the jar hasn’t sealed. I’ve been reusing these type of jars for twenty years without any problems.

[@LynneAllison-ok5rn]

Oh Jane what an amazing quilt you've made - absolutely gorgeous!! The Animal Shelter will sell lots of tickets on that. Love that you piece all of your quilt batting bits together - that's an excellent idea! Thanks so much for another enjoyable video Jane & Mike!

[@debmoore629]

Getting geared up for a “low” spend August finishing off my summer crops and putting some fall ones in, working on my yard also and painting at least one bedroom.

[@fredalearhinan6693]

In Australia I reuse repurpose my jars for preserves, storage etc. It doesn't make sense to waste money on new.

[@lilalavendel3951]

Here in Germany I use those non fancy used jars for canning since decades. My daughter, my sister in law and my colleague collect old jars for me. I love canning and preserving this way. Your quilt is amazing❤.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for sharing!

[@judyland-obrien4259]

I can't imagine all the hard work you and Mike are putting into clearing your land... a never ending process, but, the results are amazing. Your quilt is gorgeous! These basic homesteading skills are valuable to see. Thanks for all your hard work!!

[@berlinmiller4617]

I'm a quilter, and am SO impressed with your quilt! Your corners of all those squares are matched up so well, NOT easy to do! What a blessing to the animal shelter that money that your quilt should bring in for them. Love your channel!

[@michellehowell1228]

I agree..corners are hard!!

[@kimberlygray227]

I admire your country life and the generosity of your quilt for a fundraiser is fantastic!

[@CarolHyde-q2d]

Love the quilt! As for the jars, I remember my Granny saving her Honest snuff jars. She used them for drinking glasses (I had my first 'cup' of coffee in a snuff jar :)) and to put up her jelly. She had a Mexican plum tree in her backyard in Texas. The plums were too sour to eat, but she made the best jelly from that tree. She would pour the jelly in the snuff jar and then pour wax over to seal. The jar came with a metal lid. What I would give for a glass of that jelly! I save my glass jars for all types of storage, but have never used them for canning.

[@maryettabeck1967]

Jane put the apples in the crockpot overnight .just core. Brown sugar cinnamon .stick blender after done. Makes great applebutter. Can be used in cakes cookies and toppi g for pancakes or 🧇. I even put in filled cookies!

[@katehorrell8732]

I love apple butter didn't realize how easy it is to make

[@mkinder9557]

I do this with pears too. Pear butter.

[@BrittanyLucy]

I thought about apple butter too as a use for rather mushy apples, I love it with peanut butter!

[@mollysmith6055]

Wow, you and Mike have done an amazing job clearing your land of all that brush and downed trees! How nice that you are able to stock your pantry shelves with food you've preserved yourself...all clean and with no crazy ingredients. Thank you for showing your quilt progress and the big reveal. It turned out lovely and the charity will no doubt be able to raise needed funds with it, you are very generous to donate it.

[@rainbow9225]

Agree so kind and generous. x

[@soniamoss734]

That quilt is beautiful! Clearly the work of a skilled craftsperson. You are such a dear to do all of it for charity. Bless you 😊.

[@shelleyimmel8067]

The quilt was fabulous, and more fabulous that after all your hard work you are donating it. Definitely paying it forward to your community. Bravo, Jane🌹

[@garygnagey3569]

I like how you zigzagged all the leftover strips together! Waste not, want not! The quilt is beautiful and truly they are a labor of love…Deb

[@kathmatthews9901]

What a beautiful quilt ❤

[@iriswelch3553]

I love no waste sewing! My son gives me his worn out blue jeans, and so far I've made a cosmetic pouch and a tote bag for summer. The quilt is wonderful! It should raise good money for the charity.

[@brendahatch3399]

Fantastic quilt Jane and what a lovely fundraiser donation!

[@peterleprevost2154]

Love the quilt, and that it will help a shelter. How ‘homely’ your bottling looks, and a comfort to you I’m sure. Also love that you make such good use of every bit of wadding. Thank you for sharing. Susan

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks so much

[@guyal2332]

Ps.....Your two doggies are nothing short of adorable!

[@kathleensigmon1085]

So beautiful! Wonderful it will go to make someone happy and donation $ for animals is terrific Blessings❤

[@sharonmcgee8178]

Thank you for a very relaxing Sunday video! Lovely 😊

[@lindamcconnell1653]

Bonjour to both of you. I am now reusing all my jars; I"m ashamed to admit that I never thought about it before, until last year. I still have mason jars and lids but most of them were gifted to me. Like you, I am busy canning and preserving all this summers" bounty. Why pay $7.00 for a jar of strawberry jam when you can make your own for half the price if not less especially if you have gone berry picking in the fields. Such a lovely time spent in nature. Thank you Jane. You are an inspiration. And let's not forget hubby; he works hard too. :)

[@rebacarmack8335]

What a beautiful quilt. My Mother use to make beautiful quilts as well.

[@jeanne8507]

That quilt is absolutely gorgeous!

[@pensivepensioner1244]

The quilt is stunning, I love it ❤️

[@jeannet9592]

The quilt is beautiful! How generous of you to donate it and all the others!

[@charlettenitzsche1895]

I love your quilt.I know that it was a lot of work, but definitely of benefit to a cause close to your heart. I've been quilting for over 40 years. Some of the fabrics in my scrap collection would look pretty good in that design. Thanks for showing it!

[@rogettesteele5322]

I think it is great you are creative to reuse items. It would make wonderful video to have a chronological history of your property from when Mike and you bought iit. You have numerous improvements. Kudos to both of you. The artistry of your quilts is gorgeous. Whoever gets the quilts is quite lucky!!!

[@juliethompson5301]

So lovely to see the girls enjoying their walk 😊that quilt is beautiful Jane and it's so lovely that you donate them to an animal charity for raffle ❤

[@julieannbailey9505]

I reuse jars all the time! I know it isn't FDA approved here in the states, but lots of us still can this way. Our land looks even more of a wilderness/jungle than yours does! You make such beautiful quilts! Bless you for donating it to the shelter!

[@rebacarmack8335]

How wonderfully productive your no spend week has been.

[@patrice1966]

Fruit that floats in a jar is typically been raw packed and not hot packed. If you put raw fruit in the jar and pour warm syrup over then water bath can the fruit will float. There is nothing wrong with the fruit, it is absolutely safe to eat. If you don’t care for the texture of the apples then use your immersion blender and make them into apple sauce or add them to a pork roast or chicken in the crockpot to cook down into a lovely sauce. I will use jars like you do for water bath canning but not pressure canning low acid foods. What a wonderful idea making quilts to donate to the animal shelters to raise funds for caring for homeless animals! I bet the shelters absolutely love when you bring in a quilt.

[@janelockwood347]

I re use jars Jane, it’s definitely the British way!! Love your quilts, they show all your love goes into every one. Wonderful!

[@sheilahughes3561]

The ferns are lovely in your garden Jane!

[@minimalist_romantic]

Stunning quilt Jane!

[@eileenmiles4728]

Another great catch up Jane and Michael. In Australia we call it preserving (most used products made by Fowler Vacola and that's what they called it). I also use old jars same type of lid , my jars of preference are square(pasta sauce) saving shelf space. Isn't it strange different items we use have different names? You call it strimming, Americans call it weed wacking , here we usually call it whipper snipping (this was the name of the first commercially available machine years ago) Funny☺ my husband makes me clear around my plants too , so he doesn't get in trouble AGAIN! Thanks again for bringing us into your world and sharing it with us have a good one .ps beautiful quilt 😍

[@rachealselvaranijames3547]

Hi Jane, the quilt is exquisite, you are so talented. Sending love from Durban South Africa

[@ceezee9179]

Love the quilt! I love that you donate it to charity. Also, that walking path that you were on is so amazing! Is that on your property? WOW! What i would not do for a shaded path like that to get away from the hot sun! Beautiful video. Thank you!

[@ulrichweber5215]

Jane, I reuse all my jars. I put jam in the sterilised Jar, turn them upside down, until they do the vacuum. They hold on forever. If your apples are not tasty or haven't the right texture, apple Chutney might be a good idea. Or mix them like Bramley pickle

[@kathymarxer6952]

Your preserves look wonderful as well as your pickles!

[@elizaC3024]

Here in the US I was taught to can jam by putting hot jam into the jars, screw on lids and turn upside-down for 10 minutes, then we would turn them over, and hear them seal. Having the ability to reuse jars is wonderful for you. The Amish here can completely differently from how I do. They do zero pressure canning. Yet they can lots of meats. So we all do it our own way. What is important is that we do it!!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

We do that with hot jam too

[@jenniferoram4458]

Jane - What a lovely retirement you and Mike have, hard work and fun though it clearly is. It is a wonderful thing to be able to spend you time just as you want to. You certainly keep very busy with jam and pickle making and to know how much you save doing these things really is a bonus. Your quilt is really lovely and as a quilter too I know just how much time and effort you have put into making it. I find quilting and sewing of any sort very therapeutic. To sew as I listen to Audible or the radio really is a restful treat. Walking with your little dogs in the evening is the perfect way to end a busy day. Thank you for letting us see into your lively French life. Kind wishes from Devon. X

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

@@jenniferoram4458 thank you

[@bettylpower]

What a lovely quilt!🙂

[@tracylib70]

The quilt is lovely. So much talent

[@robynclarke5274]

We re-use our jars for preserving in Australia too. Never had an issue.

[@cherrycain6425]

That’s a beautiful quilt. My mom and my aunts made quilts. My grandmother taught them. I never had the patience. I still have all my old quilts. I save my jars also. I don’t can or make jellies. But, i save my jars to store things in. I love your channel. I’m not in good health. I wish I had the energy to do all the things you do. Keep up all your good work. I’m going to keep watching your channel. God bless. 🙏🏻❤️

[@juliemoore6957]

That quilt is absolutely beautiful! Love all the cheerful colors!❤

[@corinneleppard1933]

Been away for a while on holiday - I'm very lucky to have spent two lovely self-catering weeks in Yorkshire, all carefully budgeted for - so am just catching up. What a stunning quilt! The tomato bottling reminded me of my mum; my dad grew all our tomatoes and mum had these large klimer jars she used to use over and over each year. Must have been quite an investment to get the jars in the first place. She also dried apples as apple rings. My dad made some cupboards in our leanto from bits of wood and they had mdf doors. One cupboard he put in dowling rods and hooks, specifically for drying. I don't know the process, but I do remember when I was small moving the sliding doors and peeking in at the rods with apple rings on them during the autumn. I do remember making plum jar with mum, it was so tricky to get a set, but my dad loved it so my mum did it every year. It must be so satisfying for you to see all your produce stored away.

[@jeannet9592]

Thank you for showing how you can/bottle! I've been canning jam the European way and love the time savings!

[@denisereneec]

Jane your quilt is sooooooooo beautiful!

[@sherrylewis9327]

Your quilts are always amazing, the new one is following the standard you've set (maybe even setting a new standard, that one is huge!)

[@cindysams9832]

The quilt is absolutely beautiful 😍

[@RN-mn3jn]

Oh I love everything you are doing. I hope to fill my retirement days with all the same projects - sewing, canning, yard work, walks in the woods.

[@jenniecarroll9185]

What a beautiful quilt!! I love the picture of you and Mike on the path. ❤

[@susieguyton1781]

Great job on the quilt. I love anything scrappy and A Trip Around the World is a prefect design for scraps.

[@deesmith7880]

Jane, I adore the quilt. The colours are amazing. You have such talent, skill and patience!

[@BlackCat-cy8kp]

Fabulous quilt - and so frugal too!

[@jhamilton8398]

Jane, you and Mike work so hard. You have made a beautiful life for yourselves. The quilt is amazing

[@miloslavadoubkova7267]

A beautiful blanket. Here at our place, we can the same way and you can still buy new lids when they no longer leak and the jars are used over and over again.

[@ellenbremer201]

The quilt is gorgeous! I love it. 💜 I live in the Netherlands and also reuse jars and lids. Lovely feeling to have all those preserves on the shelf. Thank you for sharing.

[@terrysimpson6761]

Here is Australia a lot of us bottle the same way you do too. I love to recycle and save land fill. Your quilt is amazing, so clever.

[@marrykardux1812]

Beautiful quilt. And thank you for sharing your tip, zigzagging your leftover strips of quilt batting together. That's what I'll will do too. We also reuse jars. Why waste money. Everything is so expensive. I love your videos. All those simple joys are so calming and relaxing.

[@margaretbates6010]

Love your quilt. You are so generous to donate it too.

[@LorettaNance]

What a beautiful quilt. Thank you for supporting the animal charity.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Our pleasure!

[@sharronmahoney3945]

I always reuse my jars. And make a lot jam, marmalade, chutney. Blackberry jelly is my favourite. I’m to waiting for the blackberries to be ready. Your quilt is amazing. They are works of art. Fantastic to help a charity aswell.

[@angieprice7206]

I do some canning every year. I do use store bought jars but have used some of them for more than 40 years. I pick up extras at garage sales. I re-use the jars and rings and buy the extra lids when they are on sale.

[@helenvwalker7919]

Loved watching the process of finishing your quilt. What a treat for the person who wins it in the raffle!

[@carrieh2409]

thank you for the video….what an amazing quilt! I’d bid on it in a heartbeat! My grandma’s quilt has slowly been cut down size-wise as it’s worn from use from mine, to two baby blankets for the boys, to dog blankets, to pillow coverings for the cats. There is nothing cozier and more loved!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You are so welcome!

[@fishinghole333]

Your quilt is a work of art.

[@deedavies887]

Never made a quilt, even though I have an accuquilt cutter and a Cricut machine to cut out with… I did get a bundle of Tilda fat quarters, might have a go to make a lap quilt for the autumn… You have inspired me! Might get a soft fleece for the back, and use up my leftover scraps of wadding. I don’t have a long arm, but I can quilt squares on my embroidery machine so will do it that way instead, square by square.

[@scottmichelle5187]

Thank you for sharing the finished quilt! It’s absolutely beautiful!

[@gwenfehr9156]

Our local aquaponics greenhouse donates 500lbs (227 kg) of tomatoes every week to our local food bank. My mom worked at the food bank. This week she brought me a large bag of tomatoes. I puréed them with peel on, put in pint jars, then water bath canned for 20 minutes. I got 13 pints. I reuse jars all the time. My brother buys jam all the time. I ask them to keep the jars for me. Perfect for my jam, applesauce, spaghetti sauce, or whatever. I do a lot of canning. I have sewn my batting together too.

[@heathertucker7056]

Loved seeing Dolly and Mary on their lovely walk with you both. That lane looked lovely and my type of dog walk! You have worked so hard in your garden and it’s looking lovely. Those boulders always amaze me as they are really incredible.

[@lindab8078]

Enjoyed seeing your bottling😊 Jane. Growing up we helped our mother can a lot of fruits, jams, pickles and relish, we mostly used the ball jars but they had been ones that were handed down from family and friends. Since she canned so many things we didn’t have many store jars to use. I have been saving all sorts of jars and would like to try this method. I love seeing your finished quilts. I love the scrappiness of them. It looks like you have both had a very productive July❤

[@normagomez9660]

Love the quilt! It's beautiful!!!😊😊😊

[@marjimcmillan9265]

Well done finishing that lovely quilt. Just seeing that part of the garden really tells the story of all the hard work you two have put in.

[@barbarawatson691]

Your quilt is absolutely fabulous.

[@lisaward3890]

Hello Jane&Michael; i remember my Grandmother and my Mom used to save the glass mayonnaise or salad dressing jars to can food in.unfortunately these days mayonnaise or salad dressing comes in plastic jars now. Beautiful quilt as always! You have so much wonderful talent! Loved your walk with your fur babys down your beautiful lane! Very relaxing bit! Splendid! Thanks for sharing with all of us out here! Homemade jams and jellies are the winter treat you perspired over in the summers heat! Yum! Gorgeous property you both have made together! Beautiful!

[@bria2596]

Love the dog children, and love the beautiful quilt - the color play is gorgeous. Well done!!

[@Lexi-po1ur]

Love the quilt and the canning...

[@nikki27ish]

Great video Jane, the quilt is amazing.

[@janecopeland2306]

Your quilt is so pretty! I love your long-arm stitching -- so even. I imagine it has taken hours of practice.

[@sophiawolthof1238]

👍👍👍beautiful quilt!!!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thank you! 😊

[@shawna620]

That is a beautiful quilt! You're so talented!

[@colleenwood8220]

AND! Your quilt is beautiful!

[@jewelgaither1504]

All across the United States there are thousands of women and men using the glass jars that store bought canned foods come in. I can green beans, tomato products, and fruit products in them all the time. Some of the Amish stores in our state even carry lids for all those jars and it's much cheaper to buy them and be able to reuse the lids, than to buy regular canning jar lids.

[@Ray-pt5bi]

Wow, your Land is magnificent! Imagine Kids would Adore those grounds, and those rocks, the River...out of a Fairy tale! You keep it very well. Hope those apples don't go off, sometimes when they contain air (when they are floury) they don't keep so long. I usually make apple sauce with "bad" apples. I reheat it with cinnamon and serve it with french toast. Or out It in chocolate cake, secret ingredient to keep it moist.