Baby Shower Gifts

I just love going to baby showers, especially when they are for baby girls. I get to make all the things that I love to make and they get to be in cute pinks and browns. **Sigh**

But there is hope for us! We are finding out if we are having a boy or a girl this Friday so keep your fingers crossed! I will love either but after 2 boys, I am due for a girl, right?

Anyways, I got out my sewing machine and starting crafting. Wanna see what I gave Megan over at A Little Knick Knack?

Here we go!

First I made a Faux Chenille Blanket. This is actually the second one that I have made, I made one for my cousin but was so excited to give it to them that I forgot to take pictures.

I used the tutorial over at MADE except I didn't glue my fabric together. One reason was because it is expensive and the other reason was, I really didn't like the idea of gluing something that was going to be so close to your baby. And it really doesn't matter if you don't because the fabric moves while you sew and you are just going to cut it nice and straight anyways. This way, you get less puckering as well!

Isn't it fabulous though? I really love these blankets and they are easy but time consuming!

Then I decided to whip up a changing bag. I love these because one, they are pretty and two it is so nice to cut down on the amount of stuff you have to bring with you. Just throw one in your purse and you are set to go!

It holds about 1-2 diapers and a small package of wipes.

I found this snugly fabric in the remnants bin at JoAnn's and thought that they would make the cutest and softest baby tag toy. Now these just have batting in them, not that crinkly stuff (what is that?) but it is so soft and squishy!

Lastly, I made some fun hair barrettes. (Yes, I did make those buttons if you were wondering.)

These have become my favorite things to make. So fun and easy!

Lastly, I wrapped it up in a nice basket (I give baskets rather then bags because they are cheapers and more versitile for the recepient!)

Add a few cute outfits that I found plus a Johnson's Baby Bar and a bottle of Baby Powder.

I loved making these gift and I hope that Megan loved them too!



An Apple A Day

Good Morning Blogland (said in a sing song voice!)

We are having the most AMAZING weather this week and boy has it put me in a fantastic mood! I am talking 60-70 degree weather. For Minnesota, that is quite a change.

Oh the windows have been open and my spray paint cans and paint brushes have been out. Also, a lot of cleaning supplies and rags, spring cleaning is definitely in the air.

After taking a look at my kitchen I decided that some things just need to go. I had a fabulous large jar on my counter that was show casing some yummy cinnamon scented pine cones. Fabulous for Christmas but doesn't really say spring is here.

So I was at the local GW and Unique and I came across some apples. I think I paid about $4.50 for the bunch of them. Here they are:

They actually looked real. Lucas tried to eat one but was sad when he discovered they were fake.

I like them but the color just had to go.

So while my sister spray painted her lamps, I spray painted these. But I was sadly disappointed by the spray paint. It just wasn't coating the apples like I wanted it too. So I brough them inside and painted on a coat of paint by hand. Then I rummaged through my paint supply and found a color I liked then painted them 2 times to give them a good coat.

Here they are all nice and pretty!

Ooooo. I love the color and the look of them. I found this glass jar at a local Salvation Army for $5.00. I have also been slowly painting my kitchen this lovely happy yellow. I finally got around to painting this wall yesterday. I have to say, my favorite colors are grey, yellow, white and blue. Beau-ti-ful!

So happy and so bright.

Hello Spring! Come stay a while!

Because Organization Is Crafty, Right?

Wanna see how I organized my crazy coupon stock pile?

Hop on over to my coupon blog

http://www.the-coupon-pantry.blogspot.com/

See ya there!

Lamps Redone

The weather was AMAZING yesterday! I am talking high 50's and for MN that is awesome. So my sister and I decided to bust out the spray paint to get some jobs done. Take advantage of it while you got it right?!

Well, I actually did this project last summer (and never blogged about it) and my sister found these lamps at Good Will for $1.49 a piece and picked them up. I am so proud, she is starting to look at things and say to herself "I could buy those and spray paint them and make them into something I want!" *Tear*

Anyways here is what you need to do this project:

Lamps

Plastice bags

Tape

Primer

The color you want to spray paint

Step 1. Clean off the lamps. Make sure they are nice and smooth or your spray paint won't look uniform.

Step 2. Wrap anything that you don't want to get sprayed with tape and the plastic bags. Also make sure to wrap up the cord so you don't get any pain on it.

Step 3. Using a uniform spray start at the top and slowly spray side to side all the way down. Don't spend to much time in one spot or you will drip. Give the lamp a good primer coat.

****Always spray your primer on something else when you just start to make sure that the paint doesn't have clumps in it. If you forget and some come out, wait until the primer drys and take fine sand paper and rub them down until it is smooth and then apply a nice coat of primer over it.*****

Step 4. Spray it with the color that you want.

A little Micheal Jackson anyone? Hehehehe.

Step 5. Wait until it drys and then peel off the tape and plastic.

Bring it inside and put up the lamp shade and then step back and admire!

Amazing!

Isn't she lover-ly!?

Do any spray painting lately?

Coupon Blog

Happy Friday all!

Well, after much inspiration from family and friends, I have decided to start a couponing blog! I hope to make it a more simpler explanation of couponing then any of the blogs that I have seen.

Come and join in!

www.the-coupon-pantry.blogspot.com



Money Saving Monday

It's back! Sorry for the lag in postings, it is not that I haven't had anything to post about it is just that, I haven't found the time. But I have rededicated myself and am hoping that to make this a permanent weekly post.

First, I want to toot another bloggers horn. I was over at Funky Junk Interiors the other day, just perusing the links that people linked up and I came across one. I couldn't believe my eyes! The blog is called 5 days 5 ways and she is amazing! The post that caught my eye and I believe is completely appropriate for Money Saving Mondays, is this one. 

Image courtesy of 5 days 5 ways

Can you believe that her husband and her built this house themselves!? Talk about DIY's gone crazy! I must say I am completely jealous but motivated at the same time. After seeing this yesterday, it made me want to do anything and everything so that someday, the hubs and I could do something like this!

The grand total for the house was $100,000 but appraised for $250,000. What a money saving example. I don't know about you, but what an inspiration!

One to me. I have nothing that exciting to share. I actually have some what of a confession. I am a....... out-to-eat-aholic. I love to go out to eat. So much so that it is eating up an excessive amount of our money. Yesterday, I printed off our bank statements for January and we over spent about $450 and half of that was going out to eat. Sad, I know. But with realization comes change right!? So today, I embarked on a fabulous money saving idea. Freezer cooking!

Today I tackled a recipe that my family really loves. You can find the recipe over at Amy's Finer Things and she calls them brown bag burritos. They are quick and easy to whip up and even quicker to heat up and eat! I have been meaning to make these, so as part of my goal to eat out less I got up this morning and made up a batch.

You mix up the ingredients. I added a bag of frozen brown rice to mine. I thought it would give the batch a little more bulk and used chicken instead of ground beef.

All the ingredients, simmering on the stove. Not the most glamorous picture, I know but trust me it tastes so good!

The tortillas are ready and so is the paper towels and tin foil. Trust me on this that she is a genius when it came to how to wrap these. Keep the burrito wrapped in the paper towel keeps them moist while they microwave.

Finished product. 21 burritos wrapped and ready to be stuck in the freezer. Delicious!

I would have to say I probably spent 7.00 to whip up 21 burritos. That makes them about .33 cents per burrito. Can't beat that!

Have you done any money saving things lately?

Valentine Wrap-up

Happy Friday everyone!

Excited for the weekend? I would be if it really was the weekend but my husband schedule had his weekend on Tuesday and Wednesday so today is like our Tuesday. Ugh, no fun. But it is a job!

Since Valentines day is just a few short days away, I figured I would appease your interest and show you my final Valentines decorations.

First, I was over at Destination: Craft and saw her Valentines wreath and decided to make one myself. I used no instructions but it was super easy. I love it! And I love the Dollar Store which supplied me with a heart cookie cutter so that all my hearts were even!

I spaced my hearts out more then others but in the end I love it!

A word of advice, this is a perfect TV watching project. Wrapping the wreath takes FOR-EVER!

Lastly the finishing touches on my mantle. Remember this project and this project? Well here they are in their completion!

I love having my LOVE plaque right in the middle. I added one of the willow figurines next to it. I like to think they represent my hubs and me. (Thank you Salvation Army for charging my only 4.99 instead of the actual price!) I put up a candelabra up that I found at a thrift store next to a decoration ball of roses in a white ceramic cup. Last, a clock I found at a thrift store.

I love how the red and pink colors really pop against the muted whites. Simple yet elegant.

What do you think?

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