A preview...

I'm crafting again. Thanks to Linds for passing this great idea on to me....and congrats to my friends with adorable little girls and to my husband's genetic programming for letting me make dresses for your cute girls as I have none of my own :o)

Here is the pattern/instruction link and her cute little girl showing off her new look.

If you are interested in learning how to sew this is a great starter project! You use the back part of the shirt for a pre-made bodice, the front part for pre-sewn buttons, and elastic in a simple casing for ruffled sleeves. All it requires you to sew are a few hems. You can get as fancy or as basic as you want by adding trim!

Here are the BEFORE shots of my handiwork:

Marian

Olivia

Callie


Ok, I wasn't going to post this yet (surprise!) but they're just too cute.
So, here are the two I've finished.

Am I amazing, or what? (trust me--they're just THAT easy.)

Household Cleaning Tips

I have a great book called "Mary Ellen's Helpful Hints" that covers everything from stain removal to food preparation and everything in between. Check out 5 Things Cooking for her tips on keeping food fresher for longer!

Here are some great cleaning tips for removing tough stains or making your own cheaper and more environmentally friendly cleaning products.

Save time and money by using the cheapest brand of dishwashing detergent available, but add a few tablespoons of vinegar to the dishwater. The vinegar will cut the grease and leave your dishes sparkling clean.

To quickly remove food that is stuck to a casserole dish, fill with boiling water and add 2 tablespoons of baking soda or salt.

When a drain is clogged with grease, pour a cup of salt and a cup of baking soda into the drain followed by a kettle of boiling water. The grease will usually dissolve immediately and open the drain.

A small nick in the rim of a glass can be smoothed out by using a soft nail file. Scratches on glassware will disappear if polished with toothpaste!

An inexpensive oven cleaner: set oven on warm for about 20 minutes, then turn off. Place a small dish of full strength ammonia on the top shelf. Put a large pan of boiling water on the bottom shelf and let it set overnight. In the morning, open oven and let it air a while before washing off with soap and water. Even the hard baked-on grease willw ash off easily.

To get rid of odors in plastic containers, place crumpled-up newspaper (black and white only) into the container. Cover tightly and leave overnight.

Water spots on stainless steel can easily be removed with rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, or club soda.

Club soda is also a great stain remover for carpet!

Need a cheap laundry spot remover? Mix 2 parts water with 1 part rubbing alcohol.

Avoiding the "mom butt"

Anyone who knows me and clothes knows two things:
1) I love to bargain shop and can find anything at Ross
2) I am PICKY about jeans but unwilling to spend big money.

Most of all, I hate the dreaded "mom butt." So I was cracking up and totally enlightened when I stumbled upon this post explaining how it happens and how to avoid it! It's all about pocket placement. I can always pick jeans for myself but hadn't been able to put my finger on exactly why it worked or didn't. So, if you get a minute, check this out and get enlightened!

The same girl ran a test on her own mother, transforming an admitted "mom jean" wearer into totally hip and fabulous! Mom, next time you're here (i.e. TOMORROW!) we're headed to Ross. Trust me.

Update: Photo coupons and blog updates!

New Snapfish coupon for 20% off everything! Enter coupon code: SPRING09

Expires March 8, 2009.

Also, I found another great site for cute (and free!) backgrounds! Check out Aqua Poppy if you're looking for a new look.

Photo Deals

The main online photo companies are offering stimulus packages of their own. If you're looking to print your digital scrapbook, make a mini photo book, get a head start on next year's calendar or Christmas cards, now is the time!

Kodak EasyShare Gallery: Save 20% when you spend $20 or more. Good through 3/31/09.

Enter coupon code: SPRING2020

Mini flip photo books start at $5.59! Great for grandparents :o)

Snapfish: 20% off photobooks! Ends today, but i'm sure there will be a new coupon coming.

Enter coupon code: BOOKFUN

Shutterfly: 20% off photobooks! Ends 3/10/09. ALSO, get 2 free 8 x 10 prints with purchase of any photobook.

Enter coupon code: BOOKSANDPRINTS

Shortcuts Website

So I have some great links on my sidebar that I thought I should blurb a bit because they're too great to miss! Check out the "Recommended Sites!" section on the left hand side bar for a permanent link.

Shortcuts.com is a great site for those of you who want to save money on groceries but don't have time for coupons or remembering which to take when and to which store. This site lets you add a frequent shopper card, such as the Smith's Freshvalues card, by that barcode number on the back. You can add multiple cards from multiple stores if you don't have a regular store. When you search through manufacturer coupons on the site and you stumble across one you like or a product you buy regularly, you simply click to add it to your card. This loads the coupon onto your member card, and when you scan your card at the grocery store it automatically scans your coupon!

Even better, the site sends you a reminder when coupons are about to expire and also lets you know when your coupons have been used. An added bonus, I've discovered that some coupons can be used in conjunction with each other. For example, I bought two Yoplait yogurt cups at the store before leaving on vacation this last week. On my card I had loaded a few coupons for Yoplait yogurt, and when I checked my email the next day, I realized that both the $0.25 cents off 1 yogurt and $0.75 cents off 2 yogurts coupons had been used! That means I paid $0.98 cents for 2 yogurts and got $1.00 off. Best of all, I didn't even remember I had yogurt coupons and the discount was taken automatically.

Again, these are manufacturer coupons, so they can be taken in conjunction with any in store promotion or sale.

Happy (easy) couponing!

Free Samples

The free samples I've requested over the past few months have been rolling in. Not only do I get to try some great products for free, it's nice to get something in the mail that isn't a bill!

I've gotten a curling mousse sample from Pantene, a coupon for a free Suave product, Orville Redenbacher's garlic butter popcorn, Crest advantage whitening strips, and more!

Some new goodies:

Tide Total Care

A bath test kit for mold, bacteria, hard water, etc. If you live in an apartment or an old house, this might be good to check!

Also, Old Navy is currently giving away Valentine's including a coupon for $5 any purchase on 2/14/09. You must pick up the coupon sheet before Saturday! Ask a cashier if you don't see them out.

The final tally

3 tanks for $3 each -- regularly $14.50 each.
Saved $34.50

1 swim top for $3 -- regularly $36.50.
1 swim bottom for $3 -- regularly $22.50
Saved $53.00

1 wrap top in black for $7 --regularly $28.50.
Saved $21.50

1 puff sleeve top for $7 -- regularly $28.50
Saved $21.50

1 Henley tee for $7 -- regularly $28.50
Saved $21.50

1 Tiffany maternity top for $5 -- regularly $30.00
Saved $25.00

Spent: $41.00
Saved: $177.00

Sad you missed the warehouse sale? Shade clothing is hosting a fundraiser sale at Provo High School on President's Day. Everything will be $5.

Shade LOOT.

For those of you who didn't hit up the Shade clothing sale, you missed out! Here's the damage:

3 square neck camisoles (white, brown, black)
1 purple modest tankini! (top and bottom)
1 black wrap shirt
1 tiffani maternity top in pink (for a friend--i'm not pregnant, i promise!)
1 puff sleeve top in a gorgeous blue
1 henley shirt in spruce (i LOVE LOVE this!)


Anyone want to guess how much it cost me?

Shade Clothing

Shade Clothing. I credit them as the saving grace of my wardrobe, for infusing modesty and class into all of my fun shirts that just don't cover everything! I have THREE (yes, THREE) white cap sleeve shirts and could use another one...I also have a pink capsleeve, three cami's (black, brown, light blue), two baby tees, and two shirts.

When it comes to undershirts and layering, these are hands down the best! They always cover everything I need to. They're always long enough but without getting baggy or bulgy. Best of all, the necklace stays flat against my skin when I lean forward--no worries! I even wore my undershirts throughout my entire pregnancy; they stretched to fit all nine months and then shrunk right back to still fit my post-baby bod.

Ready for the great news? Shade Clothing is having a WAREHOUSE sale this weekend! Everything $3, $5, or $7. Sale runs at all store locations (there is a store in the University Mall in Orem, UT--check their website for other locations) as well as their warehouse in Pleasant Grove.

They are also hosting a $5 fundraiser sale at Provo High School (across the street from Zion's Bank on University Avenue in Provo, UT) on President's Day.



P.S. I'm heading to the warehouse sale on Saturday morning with my sis-in-law...see you there!

Any Luck?

Did anyone else have a fun unproductive hour entering fabric giveaways? I for one appreciated the distraction...

AND, I won the fabric I was most coveting!
Perfect for my little man...

Thanks to Andrea at Millions of thoughts trapped in my head.

Anyone else have any luck?

Upcoming Crafts

I don't consider myself an "artsy" person (never ask me to draw anything!) but I am creative enough to muddle through some basic projects and feel good about them, as long as I don't get closer than a foot or two.

I'm looking for some new craft project ideas! Here is the next on my list. Interested? Let me know and I'll post tips and directions that I find. Have a great project you're working on? Let me know!

Crayon holder:how handy! all it takes is a little bit of fabric and a way to tie it closed. Great way to combine pencils, pens, crayons, etc. in the same small space.


In honor of the crafting, I found this great "Stash-busting" giveaway from quilters and crafters.There are tons of bloggers from all over the world giving away fabric--feel free to win a piece for yourself! It's a one-day only event (give or take due to time zones) for Wednesday, February 4th.