A Fun Notebook!

I don't know about you but I don't like just plain old notebooks.  I wanted a notebook to take to the grocery store with me to start my price book, take notes and make grocery list.  I couldn't fine the perfect one so I thought I would make one.  So this is what I did.  I got the idea over at http://makingmemorieswithyourkids.blogspot.com/2010/09/spiral-notebook-make-over.html  She has a tutorial to follow.  I was going to show you how I did mine but then I thought why reinvent the wheel.  She made a whole bunch from children's cereal boxes for the first day of school.  So when you see the spiral notebooks on sale at the back to school sale buy some and have fun!

Another Pillowcase Dress

I have fallen in love with the pillowcase dress.  I LOVE making them, I LOVE how easy they are to make but most of all I LOVE how they look on my sweet daughter.  I tried a new pattern this time around and I like better than the first one.  I also made them this one with  french seams which I learned just today!  I was thinking about making these and putting them on etsy.  If anyone is interested in purchasing one please let me know.

My New Obsession

Today was a great day for my creativity.  I decided to take my mom and one of my beautiful daughters to Desert River Bead Shop where we got a lesson from Cindy on how to make a bracelet.  It was sooooo much fun.  I had a hard time at first because there were so many beads to choose from.  Everywhere I looked there were colorful and interesting beads.  I was almost lost.  I finally choose a color and then I had to come up with a design.  I thought that was going to take forever. Here is where I make a confession to you.  I am not very creative.  Oh, I can craft thing and sew half way decent but I have to copy a design.  I literally have to take someone with me to the fabric store to help my coordinate fabric. 

I had a blast and I got to take home a bracelet that I designed!  I didn't copy anything.  It was easier than I thought.  I am planning a girls day soon.  I f you are interested in coming along let me know.

My First Pillowcase Dress

I spent the afternoon making my first pillowcase dress for my toddler.  I love the idea but I hate the pattern.  It is really a simple idea but the pattern I had decided to complicate the whole thing.  In the end I just put it together the way it made sense to me.  Here are some pictures of the dress and my cutie!  I am looking forward to making some more of these but next time I will leave out the bias tape, which I hate anyway.

Lizzy's Birthday Cupcakes

Well last week was Lizzy's birthday.  I have been so busy lately that this year it snuck up on me.  Before I knew it it was here.  Her teacher asked the night before her big day if I was going to do anything at school for her.  I had been think about it and the moment he asked I decided to make cupcakes. 

You see I haven't been baking lately.  As a matter of fact it's been a couple of years since the baking bug has hit me.  I know many of you are asking how I win the pie contest on Harvest Sunday every year at church well my secret is that that my Kit Kat pie only takes 5 minutes to make and I never even turn on the oven. 

So back to last week.  I ran home after dropping the kids off at school, turned on the oven and went in to a baking frenzy.  Thank goodness I just reorganized the kitchen and finding everything was a breeze.  I don't know about you but when I make cupcakes I hate pouring the mix into the cups liners.  I seem to always get the mix everywhere.  Well since I had the baking box out I saw my hubby's icing bags.  I came up with a great idea.  I put the cake mix in the bag like it was icing.  I cut the tip and I had the easiest time filling the liners! 

Once the cupcakes were done baking and cooled I used another icing bag to do the tops.  I didn't use a tip or anything.  I started out just swirling the icing and then started making something like flower petal.  When I was finished it still looked plain.  I remembered the food coloring spray that I bought last year and I decided to "spray paint" half pink and the other half purple.  They were still to plain so I decided to use runts as the middle of the flower.  The pink ones had orange runts while the purple ones had the cherry.. I think they came out really nice for such a fast last minute treat. 

Guess what happened after that?  I now have the baking bug!  I know this isn't going to be good for my diet!

A bowl full of lemons.: Silhouette GIVEAWAY!!!!

A bowl full of lemons.: Silhouette GIVEAWAY!!!!

$91.24 for $1.16

I LOVE RITE AID!  This was my last minute trip last night.  The total is after all the coupons and Ups' that printed for my next visit.  My total out of pocket was $17.16.  That's still pretty good in my book since 2 of the items I bought I barter for my daughters piano lessons.  So check out my deals and if anyone local wants some help couponing message me and if I get enough people interested I will hold a class.

Cauliflower Pizza

As many any of you know Hubby and I are on a no starch no sugar diet right now.  I have been craving pizza and found a great recipe made with cauliflower.  I was skeptical but as I put the toppings on after baking the crust I couldn't even tell a difference.  The final test was the taste test and how the kids are going to like it.  They LOVED it!  They even said that we need to make it this way more often!  They knew what the crust was made of cauliflower and didn't stick their noses up at it.  I am so happy that I was able to make such a healthy meal and that it tasted sooooooo good.  It has helped with the carb cravings.  Who knew that cauliflower could be used in so many different ways.

$101.00 for $22.67!

Another great day for deals!  Today I went to 5 stores and I saved a ton.  Today I thought I would give you a detailed list instead of just pictures.  So lets begin.

Walgreens: I went to 2 different stores in which I will explain later. 

What I bought:

3 - Pup Peroni (for my mom's dog) $1.99 each Not Shown
2 - Character Band-aids $1.99
2 - Walgreens brand bandages $1.39/$1.79

Coupon used:
3- $1.00 Pup Peroni
1 - $2.00 Band-aid
 Walgreens had their brand bandages BOGO 50% off.  I found 2 types that were on clearance.
OOP: $7.43

The second Walgreens:
2 - Right Guard body wash - $4.99

Coupon used:

BOGO free

I only paid $50 for these.  Let my explain how.  A few weeks ago Walgreens was having a BOGO sale and I had  BOGO coupon so I should have gotten both for free.  The cashier refused to take my coupon.  I spoke to the assistant Manager and she refused.  I left without making the deal.  I called the corporation and they said that I could.  To make a long story short after another trip to the store I had to speak to the store manager and he had to call his manager and the corporation.  Once he called back and said that yes he would except the coupon there were no washes left. He said that he would honor the coupon and the sale price once the product was in so there you have my 2 almost free body wash.

OOP: .50 (BOGO coupon was only free up to $4.49

Albertson:

6 - boxes Kelloggs Frosted Mini Wheats with fruit in the middle $1.66 each

3 - boxes Pop-tarts $1.66 each

Coupons used:

3 - $1.00/2 Kelloggs cereal

1 - $1.00 Pop-tarts

OOP: $11:24

I also go 3 free gallons of milk coupons

Rite Aid:

1 - Gillette razor $9.99

1 - Purex Softner Crystals $2.99 (had a rain check)

1 - Cetaphil lotion $10.99

3 - NYC Color nail polish $.59 each

1 - NYC Color lipstick $.59

2 - Scunci hair bands $1.99 each

Coupons used:

1 - $5.00 Gillette razor

1 - $2.00 Purex

1 - $2.00 Cetaphil

2 - $1.50 NYC color

3 - $1.49 UP's from last week

1 - $10.00 UP from alst week

OOP: $.84

I got back $10.98 in UP"s rewards so if you want to add this then I only spent $10.67 total today!

Target:
Transaction 1 :
2 - Olay facial cleaner $4.69 each

Coupons used:
2 - $2.00 Olay facial cleaner

I used a $5.00 gift card from last weeks dog food deal.
OOP: $.76 (I got back another $5.00 gift card for the Olay deal)

Transaction 2:
2- Kandoo wipes $1.42
2 - Purex softner crystals $2.99each
1 - Men's Degree Deodarant $1.97
1 - Hefty trash bags $7.49

Coupons used:
2 - $1.00 Kandoo
2 - $2.00 Purex
2 - $1.00 Purex store coupon
1 - $1.00 Hefty
1 - $1.00 Degree
1 - $1.00 Degree store coupon

I used the $5.00 gift card from transaction 1
OOP: $3.49

Wow!  I am glad that is over.  Hope you understand all this.  I am writing this at midnight!  I did most of these deals by myself but I also used 2 of my favorite couponing sites.  Checkout Krazycouponlady.com and Hip2save.com.

Coupon Box

Let me start by saying I am in no way the expert in couponing.  I am still in awe when I see some of the ladies on the net and their stockpile.  I have had several friends ask me how I get things for free.  I have been couponing for about 9 months so I am still considered a newbie. I use to coupon many years ago and did really well with my groceries.  Then the store I shopped at changed their coupon policy and it was no longer worth it.  I always used a coupon if I had one but never like I am now. The Internet has changed the game.  I no longer have to spend hours in the store searching through coupons.  I have a system. I have a coupon box.  Not just any coupon box, I have a full size filing box.

I know, your looking at this box and your saying what in the world.  Yes it is big and heavy but it works.  Almost everyone knows that the Sunday paper has coupon inserts. There are usually 2 sets of insert a week.  one from Redplum and the other Smartsource.  Once a month there is also an insert from Proctor and Gamble.  I get 2 Sunday papers and I have a few friends that donate their inserts.  That is why I use such a big box.  I started with a BIG folder.

I take the inserts and put them in a page protector.  I date them and file them newest week in front.  Then when I sit down to look at the weekly ads I set my box next to me and then I go to couponmom.com and use their database.  This site tells you what coupons you have, what week and insert the coupon is in.  All I have to do is pull out that file look through the right insert and THEN cut the coupon.

I should say that I don't make most of my deals by myself.  I use several couponing sites where they do all the research for you.  I use this plus the ad to make my deals.

I believe that couponing is part of my job as a SAHM.  I save money and sometimes make money.  My family is not going without but actually the opposite.  I am able to buy things I would never have the money for otherwise.  I haven't paid for diapers since I started.  I now "buy" the "good" shampoo and body wash. I have the beginnings of a great stockpile.  I do have one rule that I rarely break.  I don't buy things that I won't use, donate or that I can't give to someone. 

Name Change

I have really been thinking of changing the name of my blog and business name.  When I was thinking of names last year I about Freckled Flock but choose to go with Sew Darn Irresistible.  Now I am having second thoughts.  So what do I do now.  I thought I would ask my friends their opinion.  It's up to you guys.  Please help me choose.  What do you think?

Online Surveys & Market Research

Baby Shoes

Last year I came across a a really cute baby shoe pattern at Stardust Shoes.  I have made a couple of pairs using this pattern but I did change it a little.  So, I have several friends who are having babies right now, 5 within 4 months to be exact.  I have been so busy that I haven't had time to do much sewing but when I get around to it each one of those cute little babies are going to get there very own.  This is a picture of a pair I did last year. 



I loved these so much!  I wanted a pair for myself.  The other day I was at JoAnn's and Simplicity has a new pattern for baby shoes and they had matching mommy ones!  I wanted to get them but as usual all the fun patterns are always out of stock by the time I get there.  I hope to get the pattern the next time they are on sale.  I want to make a pair for each of my children for Christmas this year.

Remembering the Little Things

My wonderful hubby has been writing, well I don't know what you would call it, for about 2 years. I would call it a book but he has repeatedly stated that he is no author.  He felt lead to write this little book to help couples of all ages. I am very proud of him and I know he has wisdom in this area.  He is so tired of seeing couples give up but most of all he wants to help men love their wives like Christ loved the church.  I am so proud of him that I decided to post some bits of his book on my blog.  I may post the whole thing in the future but for right now until his book is edited I will just give you tidbits.  I hope you enjoy it.  Please leave a comment if this helped you in whatever way.

Remembering the Little Things

Where It All Begins…..

            “For better or for worse, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, in good times and in bad, forsaking all others…”  These words can be heard an average of 2.4 million times a year, that’s and an average of 6,666 times a day just in the United States alone.  Not to mention the millions of girls each day who rehearse these lines in the privacy of their bedroom fantasizing of their dream groom waiting for the day that they can have their “storybook wedding”.  With this phrase repeated so many times daily in the United States, why are we then faced with a 43% divorce rate in America?  Because we forget the little things in our marriages.

            Husbands may say something like, “I know her favorite color, her favorite actor, her favorite soda, her favorite song and her best friend”.  A wife may check off a list and say, “I know his favorite football team, his favorite meal, his favorite movie and his favorite breed of dog”.  Unfortunately both the husband and the wife may finish each of these sentences with the phrase “but my husband/wife does not know me at all”.  In our marriages we can easily get wrapped up in ourselves and our everyday activities that we become selfish and sometimes unknowingly block out the only one to whom we say we love.

            God has designed marriage to be more than an “institution”, (a structure and mechanism of social order and cooperation governing the behavior of a set of individuals), and much more than a  social union or legal contract between individuals.  God designed a man and a woman to be joined to create a bond and a fellowship that nothing can come between, “Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” Mathew 19:6.  Just what does come between a husband and a wife that may cause a division between them? It is the forgetting of the “little things” in our marriage that can cause division and strife that is unwanted and unnecessary.  Just what are “Little Things”?.........

Look for the answer to that question next week!

Money Jar Update

Well its been 4 months since we started the money jar.  I thought we would give you an update.  It is going great.  Every time I get change and one of my darlings is with me you can bet I will hear something like "great mom, more money for the jar".  The children are very excited.  Most of the time the older children let the baby put the money in the jar.  She loves it!  Every time we see a commercial of a Disney cruise on the sin box, aka television, they jump up and start looking for money.  We have now included the recycling money to our efforts.  I am also trying to scrape up the nerve to look through trash cans while filling up at the gas stations to look for cans and bottles.  I can't believe I just admitted that!  Ever so often I decide I need to know how much is in the jar.  As of last week we have over $150.  It's not much but its a great start.  If you have any other interesting ways to add to the jar let me know.

I Love this Coloring Book Tote

I found a really neat tutorial over at From an Igloo.  I have made a few for gifts and I really like them.  I have changed some things.  My tote holds 24 crayons.  I do make them personalized but I am wanting to make a few to sell on Etsy. 

This was the first one I made.  I did it exactly like the tutorial.

I love the lady bug button.  It just finishes the whole thing.



What a Great Hubby I Have

For months now I have been dreaming of a clean garage.  You know, one where you can get to you tools without breaking your arm in the process and parking the car without hitting a table as a way of knowing when I was in far enough.  I wasn't able to get to my children's craft stuff or my new cabinet for my stockpile without it taking up large amounts of my time.

 Well what a gift I got for Presidents Day.  I didn't even know people gave gifts on this day, lol.  My wonderful hubby got up early and clean the whole garage for me.  He said it was because he couldn't get to his tools without hopping over my mom's electric cart, slipping in between all the children's bikes and leaning a knee on the bags of baby clothes that needed to be passed down.  I say he did it for me though.  It is far from my dream garage but it is a start.  He hung the ladders on the wall, put a hook up for the scooters and as we speak he is finishing up something that requires a drill as I can hear him drilling something into the wall.  I can't wait to see his innovative solution for something else.  I wish I had taken a before picture but I had to rush out the door this morning to take my oldest to the dentist.  I have a ton of ideas for some more ways to organize but as for now I am extremely happy!

BTW I was even able to get the girls bunk bed in there with my van and still have room.  If you know anyone who would like to buy the bunk beds let me know.

My great day at Riteaid

Well I have to say it took some work but it really paid off.  I am really happy about all the great stuff that cost me NOTHING.  I have to say though that I am really irritated that we have some couponers in my area that clear the shelves.  I had to go to 2 Riteaids today but like I said it paid off. 

I don't have a total and the coupon match ups because I am extremely tired (I wonder why lol!) but I will list everything I got.

1 Quilted Northern TP 12 rolls
3 Huggies Diapers
4 Huggies Pullups
2 Johnson & Johnson baby lotion
2 bags of Halls
4 Twix
4 boxes of Post cereal
2 packs of Stayfree

I Got a Serger!!!

A very good friend called me today to tell me about a serger she just saw at a garage sale.  She said that the lady was selling it for $50, that it was brand new and still in the box.  I was home with one of my sick little one.  I quickly called my wonderful hubby who was just down the street from the sale.  I asked him to run over and take a look.  I thought he forgot because when he called later to check up on me and the little one he didn't mention it.  About an hour later my awesome hubby came through the door carrying my new toy.  I got a Baby Lock Serger!!! It is a older model but it is new.  I have no idea how to use it but I am excited to learn.  I love the way a serger gives such a professional finished look.

A Very Rough Month

I haven't been on in awhile.  I wish there was a good reason but I am sad to say that it was not.  I Lost my daddy last week.  He went to sleep and woke up January 14, 2011 in heaven.  Oh how great my Lord is.  My daddy is in glory with Jesus.  This has been the hardest thing I have ever had to go through.  I cannot even explain the feelings I have.  I am in pain but I also have joy knowing my daddy is in heaven.  There is so much I want to say about my daddy. 

I am choosing each day to remember the good things and not to focus on his death. I learned so much from him.  I learned to fish and camp.  I learned to ride a motorcycle and went on some rides with him that I will never forget.  He was always there for me.  He would drive for hours to get to my basketball games and I don't remember him ever missing one.  He was there when my oldest daughter was born and was in the room with my third daughter.  He said he never wanted to be in there again.  Not for the reason you would think.  He said that he never wanted to see his child in pain like that again.  He walked me down the aisle and gave me away to the love of my life.  He was able to hold everyone of his grandchildren and love on them.  He had a very special bond with my youngest.  He was the one that was there the day she learned to walk and he was so proud that he taught her to walk.  He worked with her all afternoon and when I got back he had her walking all over.  There are so many things I am going to miss and so many future events where I know I will wish he was there but I know he is looking down from above as he rides his Harley down that golden street.  I miss you daddy.

How many days until next Christmas?

I know, I know Christmas is over but every year I tell myself that I am going to be ready by December 1st.  That has never happened.  So this year as I take this blogging journey I will post one monthly craft or gift ideas/bargains.  Here is my first christmas idea I am going to make. 

I fell in love with this liquid soap idea I got from the Idea Room. http://www.theidearoom.net/2009/02/personalized-hand-sanitizer-soaps.html She has a complete tutorial and a template you should checkout.  I am looking forward to handing these out.  I am now thinking of different themes that I could use this for.  What about a baby shower gift? That would be great.  Every mother washes her hands like crazy with a newborn.  Well at least this mom did!

Happy New Year

This last year has had it's ups and downs.  Some times I wasn't sure everything was going to work out and had doubts about many things.  It is amazing how the Lord gives us so much in our time of trouble as well as when everything is going great.  The problem is that sometimes we forget to thank him in the good times the same way we thanked him in the bad.  Last year the church we attended had the yearly theme of stewardship.  Our Pastor asked the other night if we were better stewards going into 2011 then when we were going into 2010.  Stewardship isn't just about money but it's about everything.  Plainly put it's about ownership.  Who owns you, God or yourself?  I hope that in 2011 I can give the Lord more ownership over me.  I hope you will strive for that as well.  Happy New Year!