stretch…(part 1) January 22, 2009
After sitting down to pay some bills last night (one of which was a $220 electric bill!) I decided I would post some money saving ideas for you all 
With today’s economy and the high cost of…well…everything, I think we could all use some frugal tips. Post some in the comments!
1. Clip coupons! There are so crazy ladies out there, I wish I was as organized as they are, they get like $100-200 in groceries for, like $15! It’s crazy. Here is a good (FREE) website to search out the deals: aFullCup
2. Stop buying paper products! Instead of buying those 2 rolls of paper towels buy a 10-pack of wash cloths. They are great for cleaning up toddler spills, wiping down counters, etc. Plus, you throw them in the wash and use them again! And that also means less trash you’ll have to put in your can and PAY the city to pick up.
3. RECYCLE! Our city picks up recycling for free, every other week, so it’s a no-brainer. It’s amazing how much space those cardboard cereal boxes, empty soup cans and milk jugs take up in the trash can. Why pay for that? Give the earth and hug and recycle!
4. Stop getting your daily latte. Not only are you driving to get it (gas $$$) but those delightful caffiene jolts really add up! Instead do what I did: Buy a cheap coffee maker at Wal-Mart (10.88…until I accidently turned it on while it was empty and the pot exploded…them the brother inlaw bought me an even better one for Christmas!) Buy and grind your coffee at the grocery store, I only get enough for about a week or two worth of coffee and I store it in a mason jar on the counter. I like it fresh. They have amazing flavors too! This week I was chocolate mint , a little milk and a little Splenda later…you have a refreshing and delicious (not the mention cheap!) cup o’ joe!
4. Plan your meals (a weeks or months worth at a time), make a grocery list and stick to it! No more quick jaunts down to the store to get a few items…those add up fast! Before you know it you’re way over budget!
5. Buy in bulk and stock up when something is on sale. This week I am getting tomato sauce…8 cans for a dollar! But don’t buy something you don’t use, just because it’s on sale. If you don’t use it, you’re wasting it and your money.
6. Don’t shop. This is my husbands favorite suggestion When I was stuck at home for almost 2 weeks because the snow storm we saved about $250! My little trips to Wal-Mart, Joann Fabrics, Goodwill and the grocery store really add up! That opened my eyes and I really try to only go if I’m looking for something specific.
7. Try not to buy anything new! The other day was on the hunt for some organizational furniture for my new and improved craft room. My husband wanted to just go into wal-mart and pick something up…I convinced him to watch the kids while I went into Goodwill to see if they had anything cheaper than WM’s overpriced pressboard. I ended up getting this awesome vintage dresser (7 drawers!) made of real wood, for $10!
8. Breastfeed, if possible. From a purely financial standpoint, it’s the smartest thing to do. Formula is sooo expensive, plus you have to buy bottles, a sterilizer, etc.
9. Cloth diaper. If you have your own washer and dryer this can be the cheaper way to go. The most economical way to do it is prefolds and covers. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON GERBER PREFOLDS. THEY DON’T ABSORB ANYTHING. You can get prefold seconds at Little Lions for $12 a dozen. Start with 2 dozen. Then you need covers, you can go with pull ons (Dappi, 2 pack $4.50) or Prorapcovers that velcro on ($7.50 each). You will want a minimum for 2-3 covers. You don’t have to wash the covers between changes unless they get soiled. Just air one out while you a using the other. To fasten the diaper on your baby you’ll need either snappis(the easiest and fastest! $2.45 each) or go old-school with metal locking head pins ($1.00 a pair or $2.50 for 3 pairs) Whichever method you chose to fasten your diapers you’ll need 1-2 at minimum (I have a tendency to loose my snappis) Also, a lot of moms like to use wool for a diaper cover. It’s breathable and cute…you can make your own covers too! Here are free patterns to sew, crochet and knit. These also don’t get washed after every use, just aired out. You hand wash them went they start to smell a bit (a few weeks) or when they get soiled. You will need to lanolize them, but that’s really easy too! There is also a great pattern for a fleece cover. So just getting the bare minimum you could start cloth diapering for less than $35.00! It’s really not that most time consuming than paper diapers…plus you never run out–so no late night runs to the corner store for expensive pampers! Here are some washing tips too!
10. Make your own baby wipes. Or better yet, if you’re cloth diapering, just use cloth ones!
There are a lot more suggestions I have, but Sol wants to nurse (free!) and I need to clean up the paper our puppy decided to tear apart. Happy Savings!
Ruffle Apron January 14, 2009
Sophie has this awesome apron from Pier 1 I saw it last time I was a her house. I was tempted to stuff it under my shirt and make a run for it…but decided to try and make one for myself instead.
And in the spirit of procrastination, I decided to devote today’s nap time to my ruffle apron, instead of working on my grandma’s quilt (remember my New Years resolutions? A mere 14 days into 2009 and already slipping…) Without further ado…this is what I came up with. No pattern, just my fuzzy mommy brain trying to remember the details.
I tried to take some decent step by step pictures so I could make a tutorial–so expect that within the next day or so.
This is extremely easy, even for the novice sewer (er…seamstress? Sewer sounds gross. My husband asked what a seamstress of the male persuasion would be called..he decided on seamster..haha) I just grabbed some fabric out of my stash and went for it. I think I will send this one to a friend, it screams her name. Can you hear it?
Don’t hide your guitars away in a case!!! January 10, 2009
Hang them on your wall!
My husband mentioned a few days ago that he’d like to get some guitar wall hangers for his office/studio. I searched online for some and was shocked!–The average price for one is about $25 or more! And we have four guitars in our house! No sir. I’m cheap. So I came up with my own solution! They came out to be about $5.50 each
To make a guitar wall hanger of your own you’ll need:
-A piece of wood approx. 4″x2.5″ and about .5″ thick (this will be your base)
-A tool hook
-Two heavy duty wall anchors/mollies (I used Wall Grippers expanding screw-in anchors #8 x 2″)
-Drill
-Screwdriver
-Paint (if you don’t want the natural wood look)
1. Find the center of your wood block and drill a starter hool for your tool hook.
2. Also, drill 1 starter hole on each side of side of that for your wall screws.
3. This is where you paint your wood base if you’d like. I painted mine black.
4. Figure out where on your wall you want your guitar to hang, and make your holes. The easiest way to do this is place your wood base (with the drilled starter holes) where you want it and use your drill with a small bit and drill the three holes into your wall.
5. Sink the bases (the white plastic things in the package) into the top and bottom holes you just drilled into your wall. This is tough, you need to use a screwdriver and alot of arm strength.
6. With your screwdriver twist the screws into your wood base until they are sticking out the back a bit, and place the base on the wall.
7. Finish screwing it on. Make it nice and tight!
8. Screw your tool hook into the middle hole, make sure it’s nice and level (this it where the predrilled hole comes in handy)
TA-DA!!!
9. Hang your guitar!
HAPPY CRAFTING!
Sigh….! January 9, 2009
How do all you mums get anything done when you have two babies?!…yikes…We’re down to only one car, which means Sophie is stuck at home alllll the live long day….CABIN FEVER…seriously..how do you do it? A 2 1/2 yr. old and a 13 month old do not like being inside for days…grr!!!!!!!
Best. Gift. Ever. January 6, 2009
My husband is the best. Christmas morning there was a huge box waiting under (beside really, as there was no way it would fit under it) the tree. Inside? A beautiful Shimpo pottery wheel! I’m beyond excited…I’ve wanted a pottery wheel since I was about 8. Which was ten years before I ever got to use one in highschool pottery. And even then it was a kick wheel…which made my knees scream. This one is electric…and WONDERFUL. Nice constant speed. Which, you would think, would make it easier to center your clay, and keep it centered. Not so! It’s been 5 years since I last threw a pot…and I forgot how hard and frustrating it can be. Even so, it’s extremely cathartic for me. I can get lost in it. My own world.
My first bowl. Be easy on me. I used some air dry clay that can also be kiln fired. I’m not sure what to do with it, as I don’t have a kiln. I need to find someone that would let me throw a few things in theirs
My second bowl. Much smaller yet no better than the first.
Hopefully I will be posting a few sewing projects soon…even a tutorial or two. Keep your eyes peeled for them!
Current Favorite song… January 6, 2009
I loved this before it hit the radio..she’s never done something like this..i love her incredible range and emotion in this song…gorgeous! (p.s. this song is called Halo, by Beyonce
Quandary… January 6, 2009
so im in a bit of weird place…
thank you Tom...
A while back, John (my husband) was driving to work around 6:45am and saw an old man hitchhiking down west second…being that he was old, small and a bit drunk..John picked him up, the guy asked for a ride to shari’s and filled up Johns gas tank, which led him to believe this guy was probably decent..through the 8 min. drive, John learned that his name was Tom and he was 73 and his wife died october 8th and 1:04 in the morning, and he was desperately sad. We’ve gone by several times to check up on him and shovel his driveway, bring cookies and company etc..and over this course he has come to the conclusion we are the last two decent people in McMinnville (not true but sweet nonetheless) and has decided also, that he wants to pass on to me, all of his wifes sewing/crafting things. At first I was so not into that, it just seemed so weird, and felt like I was stealing or taking advantage of an old, sad widow, but then, since no one took anything, he literally threw away her two thousand dollar serger and computerized janome sewing machines…ACK! I was so bummed! So…on saturday John and I went by and he gave us, count them…1 2 3 4 5 garbage cans stuffed chock full of fabric and batting and pillow forms, emroidary hoops…you name it! And now he wants me to come over and help him go through the rest of her stuff and take it, but I feel so weird still…doesnt that seem weird? Im thinking I will pack up everything that looks sentimental or important and put it in his storage without him knowing, and dump the trash and take the things that truly are worth giving away (i.e. sewing needles, ribbon etc)…what do you think? He wont talk about kids, says dont ask, but I know they both have some so I want to save the important things. Im also afraid that in a year, when the grieving starts to lessen, he’ll really regret giving away all his memories of her. And he often talks about how he gets drunk and just gives stuff away that he can’t remember…he gave me literally ALL of her jewelry, which i categorized into little baggies and I think im just gonna hang on to and not touch…cause i have this sneaking suspicion that he or one of his related will want that, some pieces are incredibly vintage and lots of junk, but nonetheless, I would want my mothers old jewelry, not some girl who never knew her…anyways..comment please!
Happy New Year :) January 2, 2009
Lacy here…Warning…this is my first time putting my words into a blog. I’m afraid Sophia is a much better writer than I am. So here goes…
Every year I make a New Years resolution or two. I typically don’t write them down or even tell anyone. But this year is different. Yes, I will accomplish some goals this year!
1. First off…I need to finish what I start!!! I’m ALWAYS starting fun crafty projects (or cleaning projects for that matter) and never finish them! The first thing on my list is to finish the quilt I started for my grandma in 2006. It’s a cathedral window quilt with the ‘panes’ made of pieces of my grandpa’s shirts. He passed away summer of 2005, so I know my grandma would love to have this.
2. I need to get my home in better order (and I will be blogging about this alot in the near future!) I need to declutter, simplify and organize. Along those same lines I need to make a list of daily ‘chores’ for myself so I can keep my house ‘drop-in-visitor ready’
3. Start on DIY Christmas gifts early! No more crazy late nights in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
4. Stop spending money on pointless (cluttering) junk! This will make my husband (and my bank account) veeeeeeeeery happy!
5. Of course, the obligatory weightloss resolution! I never drop all my baby weight while breastfeeding, so I need to go easy on myself…but I do want to drop those last few “Solly pounds” plus a bit more.
And here is my adorable excuse for the extra chunk around my midsection…
DUDE!!! January 1, 2009
- the ever growing “must haves”
So… about a year ago I really started wanting to sew, like really really…I would go to sleep at night with little dresses and shoes, blankets and peasant tops dancing in my head…For christmas I got the raddest brother sewing machine a girl could ask for (thanks mom, dad, david, illy and ange!!) and i’ve begun collecting books here and there that are full of amazing patterns and ideas and mostly how to’s, and with Lacy teaching me I think i’ll really be able to see some fruit of all this studying!!!
theurbanwhimsy
