I Mustache You A Question...,

....But I'll Shave It For Later

I teach 2 year olds at our church's Mother's Day Out program.  When we were studying the letter 'M', I thought it would be cute to have a mustache for them to wear if they wanted to (I also made extra for me and the other teacher to wear).  When I was making them, my boys were so excited and wanted one.  So I let them pick what they wanted and made some more for my class.

I had to get some pix.  Very fun!

I found the free pattern here. 

Just takes a minute and a scrap piece of yarn.  Great way to use up those yarn pieces that are not long enough for anything else.

Mug Cozy

Mug Cozy

Here is another quick and easy project.  Just have a few minutes and a partial skein of yarn and you can whip up one of these in no time.

Again, there are tons of free (and for purchase) patterns out there.  Just surf and see what you like, but here is where I found this particular pattern...Three Beans in a Pod.

You can make these to match your kitchen, you can give them as gifts, so cute.

Boot cuffs

I have seen people wearing these adorable accessories called boot cuffs.  I have really been wanting a pair.  So when we have had some snow days and really cold days, I decided to peruse the internet and Pinterest and find some patterns.

The red ones were a free pattern that I found on Ravelry (you must have an account to view patterns, but the account is free) - the name of the crochet pattern is 'Sincerely Pam's Chunky Boot Cuffs.'

The above boot cuffs I just knitted a row (using Lion Brand Yarn - Thick and Quick) as long as I wanted the boot cuff to be tall (I knitted it horizontally and then when I finished I turned it vertically).  I knit several roew using the knit stitch - until I thought I had enough to go around the calf (it will stretch).  Then cast off and use the ail to "sew" the two ends together to form a tube.  Add a button for decoration.

Made a couple of pair like that (lost pic to other pair).

The ruffled boot cuffs I saw a picture of and fell in love with them, but there was no pattern.  Tried to crochet a pair similar to what I saw, so this is my version.  I am learning that I need to crochet tighter (to minimize stretching or to make them smaller than I think I need them).

I have 2 or 3 more pair that I forgot to take a pic or lost the pic and they were gifts.  These are a quick and easy project that is really fun to do.  Great winter project when you just don't want to go outside.

There are so many free (and for purchase) patterns out there.  Check the internet and check Pinterest.

FREE book on body image...

Go here for more details.

I wanted to let you know about a free eBook for all women and teen girls called, “Body Image Lies Women Believe”.  It is such an important topic for our culture.  Also, you can enter to win a $100 gift certificate to Amazon.  Check it out here:  http://www.bodyandsoulpublishing.com/body-image-lies-women-believe-free-kindle-book-100-giveaway

If you or any female you know struggles with body image issues, I recommend downloading this eBook while it’s free today on Kindle… “Body Image Lies Women Believe:  And the Truth of Christ that Sets Them Free.”  Such a relevant topic for women and teen girls today!  So if you are a women or have daughters, granddaughters, nieces, girls in your youth group, etc. go download this book: http://www.bodyandsoulpublishing.com/body-image-lies-women-believe-free-kindle-book-100-giveaway

I’m so excited about this book because it is such an important topic for women and teen girls today.  The eBook is free on Kindle today and there is also a $100 Amazon giveaway.  Make sure to take a minute right now to download this book and then share it with your friends/family.  It’s called, “Body Image Lies Women Believe” http://www.bodyandsoulpublishing.com/body-image-lies-women-believe-free-kindle-book-100-giveaway

Free & Bargain Kindle Books

Read

Now I know that I've told you how much I love books and that I am resistant to e-readers, well I've found some links that might change my mind.  As much as I love books, I love to read more (when I was younger - I read anything I could get my hands on...the backs of shampoo bottles, telephone books - don't laugh, there's valuable information in there that's more than just phone numbers - and countless other things).

Well, a friend alerted me to these websites (you can also find them on Facebook) and I find it very exciting.  I will never be without something to read.

Pixel of Ink
Pixel of Ink - Young Edition
Power Reads
Inspired Reads
Dining Downloads

Just a little FYI - my son has a Kindle Fire and I do not own an e-reader, but you can download a free e-reader here for your computer from Amazon.  Which I have done.

End of the Year Teacher Gift

Our school year is finally over. This is what I did for 1 set of teachers (Lee had 4 teachers, Champ had 4 teachers and Anthony had 1 teacher). [Anthony's teacher we did a gift as a class - all the Kindergarten kids in her class and their parents got together and got her something together. Champ had extenuating circumstances and several of his teachers were out the last week and he had subs - so we didn't do anything for his teachers.]

Since Lee wanted to do something and I have 3 boys in school (makes quite a few teachers) I couldn't do too much for them (there isn't enough money in the budget for what they deserve), but we wanted to do something anyway.

A mom in our MOPS group researched the web and came up with several teacher gift ideas and made samples and set up a table to show us - fantastic idead. I really liked this idea (among others), thought it was really cute and quick and easy enough to do several at the last minute. She found the idea here. The printable is free too.

There was something strange when I printed mine out. It said it would print out in a 5 X 7 size, but printed out in an 8 X 10 size instead. Oh, well, the teachers just got a JUMBO thank you.



I took a picture before Lee signed his name to all of them.

Homemade Goodies and FREE gift tags

I love giving homemade goodies from the kitchen for Christmas. Everyone has to eat and it shows that I gave something of myself also (time - which sometimes is more precious than money).

There are some free, very cute, downloadable tags for homemade goodies here at butter is best along with recipes.

Homemade Sour Dough Bread is one of my favorite things to make and give during the holiday season. Sweets are nice, but a lot of people give sweets and I feel bread is a reprieve from all the sweet goodness. You can see what I am talking about here and here. (If you were thinking about giving me sweets, go ahead, I won't be offended.)

Here are a few more printable gift tags...
About.com
Gift tags for all occasions at brownie locks
Printable recipe cards with matching gift tags from allfreeprintables.com

Hope this gets you in the mood to make some homemade gifts and while you are at it, send me some to sample.

What's the Big Deal?

I have a confession to make. I have seen Amy Butler fabrics on line. I have wondered what the big deal is. They are cute, but I've seen other cute fabric too. I wondered what makes Amy Butler fabric so special and then...

...I saw it in person.

Let me tell you that the internet does not do her fabrics justice. They are extremely cute. I love it!

She even has a few free patterns, scroll down the list to the bottom and you will see where you can get some of Amy's free patterns.

What do you think of Amy Butler?

FREE Magazine for kids

Sign up here for a free subscription to Lego Magazine. My boys absolutely love this. They also love the fact that they get mail (that's a cool bonus).

It says it's a 2 year free subscription, but I'm pretty sure that I signed up my boys like 4 or 5 years ago and they are still getting it. But it wouldn't matter, after 2 years you could sign up again.

I am now signing up Anthony and Rance because they love looking at Lee and Champ's magazines.

I LOVE our local library!!!!!!!!!

Have you checked out your library lately?

Reasons that my family loves the library...
1) It's FREE
2) You have an almost unlimited supply of books (for FREE)
3) You can check out movies (for FREE) - our library allows you to keep movies and books for 2 weeks
4) They have summer reading programs to encourage children to read, especially during the summer (for FREE)
5) They sell used books (really cheap)
6) They have story hour (for FREE)
7) They have all sorts of activities (for young and old alike - book clubs, knitting circles, etc.) - for FREE
8) You can check out audio books (for listing to on long drives, during your workout, while you are on the computer or doing a craft) - for FREE
9) You can even download books from your library, through your computer for your I pod, MP3 Player, etc. (for FREE)
10) Oh, and did I mention that it's all FREE!!!!! (Great for any budget, but especially for our family of 6 living on one income.)
11) and much much more (for FREE)

Check out your local library today.

Sew Neat

I found this website called Wild Ginger and you can download software to create your own patterns. Most of their software has a fee for it, but there is one for free. Go check it out here and let me know what you think. I have downloaded the free version, but I haven't had a chance to use it yet.

Look What I Found!!!

If you like aprons and you like to sew I found a wonderful website that you are going to love!!!!! 52 Free Apron Patterns You Can Make. I love aprons, but I have yet to try to make one (I will now). I am so excited.

Free Piano Sheet Music

I love to play the piano (although I haven't been able to in quite a while). I found this great website where you can get free sheet music. Check it out here. It is just a hobby for me (I only play for myself), but it's nice to get new sheet music to work on.

~Jena

Free Magazine Subscription

You can get a free magazine subscription (1 year) to Elle Decor and (2 year) to Women's Health here Gold. I have signed up for Family Fun and Woman's Day from there and I am receiving them and I have not received a bill. I love magazines!!!!!!!

My aunt is really good to pass on her magazines (which saves me a ton of money). You can do the same with friends and family. Get with a friend and you each subscribe to a different magazine and after you finish swap with each other. You get twice the magazine for half the money. It's a great way to save money and recycle your magazines.

What's your favorite magazine?

~Jena

Keeping Kids Busy

Yesterday at our MOPS group several moms gave ideas of how they keep their kids busy. This was one of (if not my very) favorite meeting of all. I mean if you are a mom, who couldn't use this? We all need times to keep kids busy (while we are fixing supper, trying to take a shower/bath, ________(fill in the blank)_______). So here are some of the great ideas I heard yesterday.

Printable 'Bingo' cards (like for restaurants, cars, etc.) at Real Simple.com. You can print several and use the store-bought bingo daubers, you can laminate them, cover them with clear contact paper or put them inside of clear page protectors and use dry/wet erase markers. It would be easy if they are in page protectors to keep them in a 3-ring binder. You can also purchase an inexpensive cookie sheet (from the dollar store) to keep in the car and use magnets for bingo pieces.

There are also activities that you can do with a bag. Check out the website here. In order to get everything, you must purchase the books, but they do have a few ideas for free posted on their website.

They talked about homemade playdough also. It is something that is safer to make at home than to buy (in case it is eaten by a child), it is fun for the child if they are old enough to include in this, it also lasts longer than purchased play dough and is usually softer. I have been wanting to try this recipe ever since I found it (making play dough in a crock pot). It can be found at A Year of CrockPotting (in her archives - do alphabetical listing).

You can also go to Publix.com and sign up for Preschool Pals newsletter.

I will try to post some more ideas a little later. Have fun with your kids.

~Jena

Free Meal Deal from Zaxby's

To get a free meal deal from Zaxby's you need to register here.

I did really good at Kroger last night, I saved 73%. Kroger had it's Mega Deal going on again this week and I was able to get things that I missed last week. Rotel was on sale for $0.80 a can, I had a coupon for $0.35 which Kroger doubled to $0.70 which made my Rotel $0.10 a can, but with the Mega Deal it was FREE. The Mega Deal is you buy any 10 (mix and match) of selected items and you get $5.00 off your total bill (it's like $0.50 off per item).

I was able to get Frank's Hot Sauce for $0.19 a bottle, French's mustard for $0.29 a bottle, Chex Mix for $0.09 a bag, Valley Fresh Steamers FREE and $0.09 a bag depending on coupon (after coupons and Mega Deal) and other great deals! I walked out of Kroger with 3 FULL bags and it was only $30.00 (and some odd change).

We are also doing a fund raiser for our local Cub Scout Pack through Kroger and every time I shop at Kroger it helps the Cub Scouts (I was already a loyal Kroger customer, but now I am hooked - I have 2 Cub Scouts and 2 future Scouts and my hubby is the Pack Master).

Have Fun and Save Money!

~Jena

New to Couponing

I am new to couponing, but I went to Walgreen's yesterday and saved 74%. I bought 2 Arm & Hammer Laundry detergents for $1.99 ea. (with store coupon - I think that if I had a manf. coupon I could have used that too for even better savings), regularly $6.99 ea. I also bought Sure Deodorant for $0.49 (it was supposed to be FREE). It was regularly $2.99 on sale for $2.50 (they charged me full price instead of sale price) and I had a store coupon for $1.50 off and a manufacturer's coupon for $1.00 off.

I am proud of myself because just a few weeks ago I bought what I needed when I needed it and never really thought about the price. If I had a coupon, I would use it, but now I am maximizing my savings by matching coupons with sales to get FREE or really cheap items. I am more conscience of my spending and what things cost. I am trying to stockpile FREE and extremely cheap items. I have several tubes of toothpaste that I got a few weeks ago FREE or really cheap (like $0.25 or $0.50).

I am not very good yet, but with time and practice I hope to get better. I am also playing the Grocery Game. That is helping buy more for less. Right now I cannot see my grocery bill going down, but I can see my stockpile getting larger (or even existant before it was non-existant) for the same amount of money I was spending. So I am getting more for the same money, I hope to be able to reduce my grocery bill when I no longer have a long list of 'need' items.

I am watching several blogs for help with CVS and Walgreens (that is all new to me also). I am having fun with it. I am always excited to get my receipt and see (or figure out) how much I have saved.

I am a big Kroger shopper and I love stacking manf. coupons with Shortcuts or Cellfire e-coupons! The other day at Kroger I got 12 rolls of toilet paper for about $0.06 a roll. That's right - not a typo (I paid $0.25 for a 4 pack of Cottonelle). I bought 3 pkgs. for $0.99 ea. I had a coupon from a blinkie at Kroger that said $0.75/3. Then I also had 2 $0.50 Shortcuts e-coupons and 1 $0.50 Cellfire e-coupon. Sometimes I'm able to get them for FREE (a $0.50 manf. coupon that Kroger doubles OR a $0.25 coupon that Kroger doubles and a $0.50 Shortcuts or Cellfire e-coupon).

Also, as an added bonus...Cottonelle toilet paper has Box Tops for Education (I collect them for my kids' school). Isn't this fun?!?!

30 Ways to Be a Nicer Person suggestion #2...

2) Put your shopping cart back where it belongs instead of leaving it in the middle of the parking lot.

~Jena