Are you a "Recessionista"?

I just found a great blog that has fabulous fashion deals! I am so excited to have found this and now I can't wait to go shopping! I might have to wait until Black Friday, when they are going to put a 30% off coupon up to use in their online shop!

Go check out Recessionista, and while you are there, enter their giveaway for a fab Coach Bag...(which I'm going to win by the way!)

And a great big HAPPY THANKSGIVING to everyone!

Hand Made Tu-Tu's

I have been on a "tu-tu" kick lately and ordered a bunch of tulle from the internet. I've been making these for all of the sweet little girls in my life. I love seeing them pretend to be little ballerina's!

Of course, I had to do a Blue and Orange...go BSU!

I can even do matching onesies!

My First Ever *Tutorial* - Glass Etching

***Edited to say that I am placing this tutorial on Chris' (Just a Girl)"I Can Make That" blog party! I found her last year around this time and saw so many fun handmade gift ideas. I'm for sure doing handmade gifts again, since money is tight. Go visit the many links that are posted for "I Can Make That"


I am proud to bring you my very first Tutorial on this blog! I love to read tutorials, I have learned so many things from creative people out there in blogland.


We received some glasses that were etched with our first initial and last name on them for a wedding gift almost 10 years ago and they are still some of my favorite glasses!


My friend April, that just got married on September 12th in one of the most beautiful weddings I've been to...asked me to help her make some gifts for the groomsmen. She wanted to get them mugs with their names on them. You tell me what you want...and I can make it happen!! I'm full of jennspiration baby!




So first of all, you need to get some glasses that have a smooth surface. They cannot have any ridges on the part that you are going to do the etching.


Next, you need to clean them with Windex so they are nice and sparkling clean! Next, you need to print off the names or images that you want to etch. We did the first names of the groomsmen. Make sure to chose a font that doesn't have too much intricate lines.

(The next two images, should have been swapped in order, but I couldn't figure out how to change it without deleting everything!) :)

Then you need to put the name on a piece of contact paper, make sure to do it with the sticky side down...otherwise the name will be in reverse (Trust me, I know from experience!) You need to tape the paper with the name to the contact paper so it won't shift.

With an exacto knife, cut carefully around the edges of the letters. Go slow, there's not a whole lot of room for errors. Also, be very careful with these knives, they are so sharp.

After you've got the name cut out, remove the piece of paper and very carefull place the contact paper on the glass. Try to get it as even as possible, it is tricky. *I do realize I used different names for these pictures...I wasn't thinking straight that day!

Next you need to brush "Armor Etch" cream on the letters, take extra caution not to get it anywhere else on the glass besides on the letters. You can buy Armor Etch at your local craft store, or online here

Follow the directions on the bottle, you only need to leave the cream on for about 10 minutes.

After the 10 minutes is up, wash the cream off under running water in the sink. I usually rub the cream off with my hands, but you may want to use gloves if you have sensitive skin.

Then once the cream is washed off, peel the contact paper off and...tada! You're done!

This is a fun project to do! Super easy to personalize gifts and people love them!

Hope you learned something from my tutorial...I've got more stuff to come!!

Another Gift for Ethan

I don't know how some of you have time to do crafts! You should see my "Favorites" list on the web. It is crazy. This is like Project #3 of #427.



My friend had her baby over a month ago and I'm just getting around to doing this cute little wooden stacker for Ethan's nursery.



I had a little help with the vinyl lettering from a client I met through work. She is very talented and has the cutest things on her site. Check out Amy over at Thru the Screen Door! Thanks again Amy for hookin a girl up! *hint* click on where it says "Thru the Screen Door" to go to her site...I'm still trying to figure out how to get that in a different color.

A Girl Can Dream

I'd rather be here:

Let's just say, I need some R & R time...

What Have I Been Up to Lately?

Well, let me tell you...it's nothing crafty. Sorry to disappoint-but stay tuned, I have a few things up my sleeve over the next couple of weeks.

First of all, my dryer was making the most horrific screeching sound-with a little help from the internet...I fixed it myself and saved a service call charge!

I replaced the rear bearing, the front bearing and the belt....not to mention the GOBS of lint I pulled out of that thing. I swear, we were a couple of loads away from a fire.

I must say when I was done...I felt like I could do anything!

So, I fixed my dryer. What else have I been doing? Well, I have recently been following a whole bunch of coupon blogs. I have been inspired by so many ladies who buy loads of groceries and household items for very little money.

I am still starting out, but let me show you how I've been doing.

For instance, tonight I went to Wal-Mart. Not my favorite place to shop, but its what I'm most familiar with at the moment.

I had a coupon for almost everything in this picture! My total before coupons would have been a whopping $207-YIKES!

After coupons, I paid $124...still a little high, but I saved $83.00 I purchased 104 items. I will also be getting a rebate back for the Raisin Bran Extra...because you see...you can try them free.

See all of those Pop-Tarts? Well, you can get a free movie ticket for every 5 boxes you buy. I bought 10 boxes for .98 cents each which totals $9.80 for two movie tickets. It says the tickets can either be for the new Star Trek movie or any other movie.

Here is another deal I came across this last week. At Fred Meyer they had their Electrosal dishwasher tabs on sale for $2.99 and I had coupons for $2.50 off. SCORE .50 cents per box.

From Dishwashing to Laundry...here is a deal I found at Target the other day. I had Buy One Get One Free coupons for Purex laundry detergent. I had been waiting for the best deal before I used these and I thought I did pretty good. These bottles of Purex were on sale for $2.75 but after the B1G1 free, they end up being $1.38 a bottle...stock up baby!

So I've got myself the beginnings of a "Stockpile" closet. It is nothing compared to what I've seen elsewhere, but I'm pretty proud of it. I want to get to the point where if I know of someone in need, I can help people out when times are tough. I will just go shopping in my pantry.

Do you want to see my coupons? I feel like such a nerd carrying around my big 'ol binder, but who really cares when I can save a bunch of money.

Check out some of the blogs I've been visiting on the list to the left! Beware...it can be addicting!

Diaper Cake

Pink and Green diaper cake, just in time for Spring! I wrapped the diapers with tulle (I just HAD to go to the new JoAnn's Superstore for SOMETHING!) Oh, and don't forget the Johnsons Baby lotions, powders and oils tucked inside. How do you like the little tutu on the bear? The baby-to-be has a room decorated in a "ballerina" theme.

April....look I tied the bows myself!! Aren't you proud of me? (OK the top one is a little wonky...so sue me)