Something Accomplished FINALLY!

It's taken me five weeks, yes five, to complete these projects.  I 've been in a creative slump I guess.  Today I finally finished and listed these in my Etsy shop.  You would have thought I was giving birth!  Broken needles, shredded thread, fusible web stuck on everything, cutting mistakes and a few minor injuries has made these projects downright painful!

 

The best part was getting to Bedazzle stuff!  It really is fun, and easy (I am always grateful for anything that's actually easy!) I'm looking around for more stuff to Bedazzle.  I'm thinking headbands, bags and a denim jacket I saw lying around.  Mmm, maybe I'm starting to get my sewing mojo back.

Couponing Part 2...The Drug Store

Tuesday:  I have delayed writing this post, hoping I would have some great story to tell about saving money at the drugstore.  I think I might grow old waiting for that to happen.  I know it's possible, just read what the ladies at Wild for Wags or I Heart CVS have to say.  I try really hard.  I'm organized, I have a list, I have my coupons, I have read and memorized the scenarios these ladies offer, but I just can't seem to get right!  Surly cashiers, beeping computers and empty shelves are just a few of my recent experiences. In theory, Extra Bucks and Register Rewards are like free money, but ONLY if you get it right! 

Wednesday:  Today I went to my local Walgreens with five items on my list and they were out of two.  I was ready to chalk this up to my typical drugstore experience. I had a few other errands to run so I stopped at another Walgreens that was on my way.  EUREKA!! I hit paydirt with this store!  Orderly, everything in stock and a pleasant cashier!  I spent a total of $12.47 for nearly $60 worth of stuff and I left with $10 in Register Rewards!! Woohoo!  (I actually made $7 in the whole deal!) I will definitely drive the extra miles next time, it beats making two trips. 
So I guess it can be done.  Here's what I've learned:

• Start small. Get only a few things that are on sale and/or you have coupons for, until you get the hang of Rewards/Bucks.  Then learn to do the multi-transaction deals.
• Know your prices.  Drugstore prices can be high but they often have great sales. Paired with coupons and Rewards/Bucks you can save a bundle.
• Know your store.  My experience is that high traffic stores can't keep up the supply-demand thing.
• Stack your coupons.  The same principle applies here as it does in the grocery store.  Stacking store coupons and manufacturer coupons = big bucks in savings!
• Register Rewards (Walgreens) are manufacturer coupons that can be used in other stores.  I've used them in Target and Publix, so hold on to them if you don't need anything else in the drugstore.

Money Saving Monday...Cleaning Up for Less

Okay, I admit it.  I'm cheap.  It's true, I cannot bring myself to pay full price for anything or waste anything.  I use coupons for just about everything, stalk items I want until the price is reduced and just generally count each and every penny as if it were my last.  The flip side of this neurotic behavior is that I save a TON of money every year.   Reducing the amount of cleaning products we buy not only saves us money, but keeps our homes free of unwanted chemicals and helps protect our environment.  My mom is queen of dollar stretching (without the neurosis!) and we're always sharing ideas about how to make our dollars go farther.  Recently we discussed using white vinegar for cleaning.  I have always used it to clean my tile and wood floors, but there are a million other uses as well.

• Dilute 1/2 cup per half gallon of water for floors
• Use in place of rinse agent in the dishwasher
• Run through automatic coffee maker on brew, then run another brew cycle with water to remove hard water deposits
• Mix with equal part of water for general cleaning/deodorizing 
• In a spray bottle, the half and half solution will help keep mildew and hard water stains out of your shower
• Two tablespoons to a pint of water to clean fresh fruits and veggies.

A few more ideas for stretching our cleaning supplies: 

• Use half or a third of a dryer sheet and/or use it twice.
• Buy 'select-a-size' paper towels.  I love Bounty paper towels!  I can use a half of a 'select-a-size' for almost any small job and I can reuse a towel for covering food in the microwave again and again.  Bargain paper towels are no bargain if you go through a roll a week.
• Reuse parchment paper, foil, ziplock bags and plastic wrap whenever possible.  Sometimes a quick wipe is all you need to make these good as new again.

These are just a few of the thing I do to save.  What ideas do have for cleaning up for less?

Some of the Menagerie...Meet Ranger!

Ranger is one of the smaller members of our family, although he doesn't think so.  He was a gift from my beloved neighbor and friend.  She had gone to get a puppy and Ranger was going to be left by himself.  He
hadn't been adopted yet (he was at that awkward puppy stage) so they just gave him to her!

Ranger has grown up with all big dogs, including our great dane and our german shepherd.  He has no idea that he is small, NONE.  He has no fear of any other animals with the exception of our matriarch chicken Rosie. He loves to eat, ride in the car, eat, play with our youngest, eat, play with the german shepherd, eat, chase chickens, oh and did I mention he loooooves to eat?  

Before and after his summer haircut!

We don't really let him drive the boat, he hasn't passed the test yet!

Television Worth Watching

It seems today with our hundreds of channels on cable television that there is so little worth watching. When I actually find something enjoyable, I have to talk about it!  Yesterday I recorded a new show on Hallmark Channel called Pet Keeping with Marc Morrone.  We watched one episode during half time of the Orange Bowl (this should give you an idea of who holds the remote around here!)  I have seen Marc on Martha Stewart over the years and liked his natural connection with all kinds of animals.  His pet ferret Splash receives more fan mail than he does. You gotta love a guy who's not afraid to admit that!  I love that he is a shelter adoption advocate and that he lives with all kinds of pets of his own.  This show is geared toward a younger audience but it is entertaining as well as educational.  If you have your own menagerie, would like to or just love animals, this is thirty minutes you won't regret spending in front of the tube.

Bewitched, Bewildered and Bedazzled!

About six months ago the Flock Warden and I were in bed watching Creative Juice (well, I was watching he was reading something chicken or science related, I'm sure) and I saw them use a Bedazzler. "Will you look at that, I haven't seen one of those in 30 years!" I think his response was something like "uh huh".   I'm going to look for one the next time I go garage sale-ing!"  More 'uh huhs'. 
Fast forward a few months to the height of garage sale season.  There were so many neighborhood sales that weekend that I had to actually choose which ones to go to--not enough hours in the day to cover them all, which I would normally try to do.  The first sale I get out at, I see it.  Still in the box, an original from 30 years ago (just look at the nails on the cover!)  My heart starts beating faster.  I immediately pick it up just in case someone else dreams of studding everything in their house.  The nice owner comes over and tells me that she's had it forever thinks she used it maybe once.  All the parts and pieces are intact.  I hold my breath waiting for the price.  A dollar she tells me, A DOLLAR!! 

I come home and spend the next few weeks searching for the rhinestones and studs everywhere.  I mention to my mom that I can't locate them anywhere.  The next day she sends me the link to Joanns online with a whole assortment of stones and studs!  How does she do that?  The packages are about $6, but with a coupon or sale I know I can do better.  So I wait. And wait.  Now I'm stalking them online.  The go on sale for $4. Perfect! I'll order them now. Checkout says  $6 for shipping. NO WAY I am paying more for shipping than the actual stones!  More stalking (and sulking) until Cyber Monday comes along.  Surely they will have free shipping now.  The stones are on sale for $3.19, a steal!  Back to checkout, still $6!  Now I'm getting crazy.  Okay, I'll Google search for a coupon code.  Sure enough Coupon Cabin has one for free shipping, and it works!  Of course, at that price I had to buy two!

Now I just have to decide what to Bedazzle first. Maybe the Flock Warden would like me to Bedazzle his name on that nice canvas fishing gear bag I gave him for his birthday.  Hmm.

Bags, Beads and Blankies, Oh My!

Tis' the season to be busy!  Trying to finish up all the WIPs  and Christmas gifts I've started.  I found the pattern for these little bags online and couldn't wait to make them.  I've had these raincoat fabrics for about a year just waiting for the perfect project. The bags gave me a chance to make something girly with them, something I don't get to do very often around here living with three guys!  Each measures about 5 by 9 inches and are both available in my Etsy shop.

I made these necklaces a while ago thinking I would actually wear them.  Then I remembered that the dogs are generally not impressed by bling.  I did try to feed them once in my high heels but my heel got caught in the deck, resulting in a moderate amount on cursing and a delay in the delivery from the chuck wagon.  They were definitely not impressed.  Hopefully a lucky lady with a little more glam in her life will give these pretties a new home.  Also available in my Etsy shop.

And lastly, flannel blankets for my favorite tiny people.  I embroidered the back with their names, rounded the corners and tried out some stitches I never get to use.  Super fun!