Remember the play mat I did (pictured below)? The following parts of this were made with the iron-on transfer sheets.
- Frog
- Giraffe
- Dog
- Star
- The stripes and dots on the bee and ladybug.
- The letters in the orange square are all iron-ons.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Guess What I Found?
Or rather, what found me. I linked up with the SEI party here to display the clutch I made for my sister. And you'll never guess what those sweet gals at SEI told me where I could find the plain-colored iron-on transfer sheets. Click here to find them.
Remember the play mat I did (pictured below)? The following parts of this were made with the iron-on transfer sheets.
Remember the play mat I did (pictured below)? The following parts of this were made with the iron-on transfer sheets.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Menu Planning
Our goal for our family this year was to be better with our budget and menu planning. I have never been able to get into clipping coupons. Someone ruined the idea for me so I do not subscribe to pinch your pennies. Maybe someday....
Back to the menu planning. We are trying to eat healthier and lose some weight before the big family camp-out for 4th of July weekend. That is why you see chicken on the menu A LOT. I start with the first day being the day we get paid and go until the day before the next payday, so a full 2 week period. I also planned meals that are a mixture of very quick and simple, and more extensive meals, so that depending on my mood I could pick a meal. Make sure when you plan to plan fruits and vegetables, etc so when you make your list that is taken into account. One thing to keep in mind is flexibility. For example, tonight we are having stuffed shells. Tuesday, I didn't feel like eating stuffed shells so we had chicken stir fry. As you go along, mark off which meals you have already done so that you can narrow down your choices for meals.
(Click on photos to see a larger image, then click the back button to return to the blog post)
Next step once you have your meals planned, is to write down your grocery list. Put down the food you need for your meals. Account for snacks and meals for work, etc. With the meals above I planned out ones that I could make extra of, for Spencer and I to take to work, thus saving money (and calories) by not purchasing extras. (Make sure when planning extras for work meals that you and your spouse have microwaves and refrigerators readily available.)
As you put items in your cart, write down the cost of the items. I keep a calculator in my purse for quick math. If you purchase more than one, quickly do the math and only write down the total amount for that item. (i.e. if you purchase 2 cans of green beans write down $1.38, instead of 2@ 69 cents). Writing down what the items cost and keeping a running total will help avoid surprises at the cash register. Writing down what you spend will also help you realize where you are spending the most money for your items. Make sure to always compare prices, and remember to not disregard store brands verses name brands (i.e. Kraft vs. Great Value). Great Value will not always be cheaper than Kraft. You want to look at the price per ounce to compare. It is usually cheaper to buy in bulk, but the thing to remember when buying in bulk is to make sure it is something you WILL EAT. If you buy in bulk and most of it goes to waste, it was not a good bulk purchase.
** A few things to remember:
Did this post help you? Let us know below by leaving a comment.
Back to the menu planning. We are trying to eat healthier and lose some weight before the big family camp-out for 4th of July weekend. That is why you see chicken on the menu A LOT. I start with the first day being the day we get paid and go until the day before the next payday, so a full 2 week period. I also planned meals that are a mixture of very quick and simple, and more extensive meals, so that depending on my mood I could pick a meal. Make sure when you plan to plan fruits and vegetables, etc so when you make your list that is taken into account. One thing to keep in mind is flexibility. For example, tonight we are having stuffed shells. Tuesday, I didn't feel like eating stuffed shells so we had chicken stir fry. As you go along, mark off which meals you have already done so that you can narrow down your choices for meals.
(Click on photos to see a larger image, then click the back button to return to the blog post)
Next step once you have your meals planned, is to write down your grocery list. Put down the food you need for your meals. Account for snacks and meals for work, etc. With the meals above I planned out ones that I could make extra of, for Spencer and I to take to work, thus saving money (and calories) by not purchasing extras. (Make sure when planning extras for work meals that you and your spouse have microwaves and refrigerators readily available.)
As you put items in your cart, write down the cost of the items. I keep a calculator in my purse for quick math. If you purchase more than one, quickly do the math and only write down the total amount for that item. (i.e. if you purchase 2 cans of green beans write down $1.38, instead of 2@ 69 cents). Writing down what the items cost and keeping a running total will help avoid surprises at the cash register. Writing down what you spend will also help you realize where you are spending the most money for your items. Make sure to always compare prices, and remember to not disregard store brands verses name brands (i.e. Kraft vs. Great Value). Great Value will not always be cheaper than Kraft. You want to look at the price per ounce to compare. It is usually cheaper to buy in bulk, but the thing to remember when buying in bulk is to make sure it is something you WILL EAT. If you buy in bulk and most of it goes to waste, it was not a good bulk purchase.
** A few things to remember:
- Keeping a running total will help you budget for future months.
- Don't throw away a list once you are done. Keep it until at least the next meal planning to help you compare.
- Stay strong!! On a night when you would just rather order a pizza, remember the quick and simple meals you planned. Even if you planned a soup and cheese sandwich night.
- If you are trying to build up your food store, budget for it, and build it up slowly. Buy one or two extra cans of green beans. Make sure the foods for your storage system have an expiration date that is at least a year in the future, and will be good foods to keep in food storage.
Did this post help you? Let us know below by leaving a comment.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
First project of the Year
As we speak my sister is on a big boat headed for Mexico. Little booger didn't take me with her. Rude. I know, right. Before she left I did this clutch for her, for the nights when she gets to dress all fancy. Her dresses are a variety of colors, so that's why we went with cream. It was my first official project using something that had been cut out with my Little Purple Friend. It was actually a black iron-on transfer sheet (available in 6"x12") that I purchased from SEI. (I think you actually have to go to the store in Logan to purchase the plain colored sheets) What do you think?
What did I learn from this project? How to add the magnetic closure to a bag.Woohoo!
What did I learn from this project? How to add the magnetic closure to a bag.Woohoo!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Great Deals This Week
Here are a few AMAZING deals I found this week:
1. Wal-Mart has those little thin gloves, 2 pairs for $1.40!! They both fit oh so nicely inside my red coat, and are the perfect thickness for driving with gloves and not being too bulky.
2. Hobby Lobby is having a 30% off Cricut Accessories (click here to view their in-store ads) -includes cutting mats, cartridges (some exclusions), totes, replacement blades, and tool kits.
3. Or, if you can't make it to Hobby Lobby (or don't have one near you) you can go here for screamier deals on Cartridges (the disadvantage to ordering here and not going to the store is having to pay shipping.)
4. Also at Hobby Lobby (in-store ONLY) Simplicity brand patterns 99 Cents!!!! (limit of 10)
1. Wal-Mart has those little thin gloves, 2 pairs for $1.40!! They both fit oh so nicely inside my red coat, and are the perfect thickness for driving with gloves and not being too bulky.
2. Hobby Lobby is having a 30% off Cricut Accessories (click here to view their in-store ads) -includes cutting mats, cartridges (some exclusions), totes, replacement blades, and tool kits.
3. Or, if you can't make it to Hobby Lobby (or don't have one near you) you can go here for screamier deals on Cartridges (the disadvantage to ordering here and not going to the store is having to pay shipping.)
4. Also at Hobby Lobby (in-store ONLY) Simplicity brand patterns 99 Cents!!!! (limit of 10)
Saturday, January 1, 2011
New Year's Resolution
I couldn't decide what I wanted my New Year's Resolution to be this year, and as I was traveling through the blogosphere I hopped over to Crazy Mom Quilts, and borrowed AmandaJean's idea. My resolution this year......
1. To use up my fabric scraps before I buy anymore fabric. (With the exception of fabric bought for custom orders)
2. Have at least 1 tutorial a week.
3. Get all those projects done I should have had finished in 2010.
There could be some ugly creations floating around before you know it, but just think of the tutorials for the coming year.
What are some of your resolutions?
1. To use up my fabric scraps before I buy anymore fabric. (With the exception of fabric bought for custom orders)
2. Have at least 1 tutorial a week.
3. Get all those projects done I should have had finished in 2010.
There could be some ugly creations floating around before you know it, but just think of the tutorials for the coming year.
What are some of your resolutions?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)