Creating Cute & Saving Dough

New Beginnings

2011-06-25T22:17:00.000-05:00

We have had SO MUCH happen since my last post. The biggest thing - a move to a new home. I thought this would be the prefect place to document our projects.

I started small to get things rolling. A topiary I had and no longer wished to have the

"tuscan look" in our new home.

BEFORE

AFTER

I removed the leaves and grapes, paid $4.00 for moss at Wal-mart, host glued it on. Seriously that quick and that easy. I then placed the topiary on our covered from porch to dress up our entry

And it's snowballing!

2010-11-08T14:45:00.005-06:00

If you hadn't noticed, my last blog post was MEMORIAL DAY (5 months ago!) And I hadn't posted much before that either. Mainly because my bow business is starting to BOOM.

I'm loving every minute of it!

So please take a min. to check out my online store: http://www.crossinmyheart.com/

Become a facebook fan: www.facebook.com/crossinmyheart

And visit my blog: http://www.crossinmyheartcreations.blogspot.com/

We have LOTS of Fall, Thanksgiving, and Holiday merchandise already up and ready to go.

http://www.crossinmyheart.com/

Happy Memorial Day!

2010-05-31T13:54:00.003-05:00

Remembering those who are serving today and those who served in the past this Memorial Day

Rhinestone Cowgirl Party Planning #1

2010-03-21T20:17:00.004-05:00

For some reason my little girl has takin' a strong liking to horses over the last year. She was a cowgirl for Halloween and now has requested a "Horsey Party."

First, it's not easy finding anything "Cowgirl" everything is mostly for "cowboys". Not a problem for me, that just means I get to be extra creative!

First I was thinking pink and brown and now I want something more bright and cheery and GIRLY! The Theme:

Rhinestone Cowgirl

I actually found a digital scrapbook kit called Rhinestone Cowgirl too!

Here's the invitation!

We are actually going to be having a "photo shoot" with a horse later this week. These photos will be used at the party and of course in the invitation above.

Follow me as I piece this fun "horsey" party together!

Target: 3/18

2010-03-18T22:51:00.004-05:00

Boy did I have FUN at Target today! Spent a little more then I wanted, but I also saved A LOT!

Not pictured are:

-Renu travel size contact solution: $1.52 - $1.00 coupon

-Dollar bin teal tin

-Dollar bin fruit snacks

*********************************

Spring Dress: $6.00 (sale)

Easter sandals: $14.99 (NOT ON SALE - ouch..)

2x Kashi Cereal: $3.29 & $3.49

Kashi Crackers: $3.54

-$3.54 Target Buy 2 cereals get 1 cracker FREE

-$3.29 FREE Kashi cereal coupon

-$2.00 Kashi coupon

Kashi Cereal Bowl: $1.00

-$1.00 coupon

Dannon Activa: $1.89 (sale)

-$1.00 coupon

Dannon Smoothies: $1.89 (sale)

-$1.00 coupon

12x Gillette Bodywashes: $1.79 each

-4x $4.00/2 coupons

-4x $1.00/1 coupons

4x Degree Girl: $1.97 each

-2x $3.00/2 coupons

4x Satin Care Travel size: $.99

-4x $.55 coupons

Rimmel Mascara: $2.24

-$3.00 coupon

Pin the tail on the Donkey game: $2.48 (clearance)

Beanbag game: $2.48 (clearance)

3x Ore Ida Steam and Mash: $2.40 (clearance)

-3x $1.00 coupons

8x Dollar Bin lanterns: $1.00 each (not all pictured)

*Planning a birthday party right now!*

Total OOP: $50.75

**Total Saved: $87.96**

Walgreens 3/17

2010-03-18T22:44:00.003-05:00

Break OVER!

I went to Walgreens on St. Patty's Day - WITHOUT - RR and guess what... turns out you don't need them to get a good deal! Ha! It was actually kind of nice not having to worry about the coupon to product ratio and calculating all that mumbo jumbo. Here's what I got!

*************************************************

2x Planters Trail Mix: $1.99 each (sale)

- 2x $1.50 coupons

-$1.00/2 March Wags coupon

Eyeliner: $1.99 (50% off sale)

-$1.00 coupon

2x Excedrin: 2/$5.99 (sale)

- 2x $1.00 coupons

- 2x$2.00 March Wags coupon ($4.00 off total)

***************************

Used ZERO RR

Total OOP: $1.41 (with tax!)

Total saved: $18.39

Coupon Shopping "Break"

2010-03-12T15:59:00.002-06:00

I guess you could say I'm going on a coupon "break." I didn't get to the bargains this Sunday due to normal everyday craziness. I am doing a big two day expo this weekend, and did have RR from Walgreen expiring on the 14th, so I went to Walgreens and used up what I had on a few good deals and a ZhuZhu pet to put in my daughter's Easter basket. So I'll be starting fresh next week, but no couponing again this Sunday since I'll be working the expo.

I have gone to Walmart twice this week and gotten some great deals and toy deals:
3x Monopoly Deal Games with coupon $.24 each
2x Hungry Hippos Travel game with coupons $1.24 each
6x Buddies Soaps with coupons: couple cents each money maker
4x Pull Ups wipes with coupons: $.64 each
2x My Little Ponies with coupons: $2.50 each

I'm starting to pile up my "gift stash" and "Christmas present stash" as I know that all that stuff sneaks right up on you!

I'm happy to announce that as of this past Christmas I've pretty well had Easter basket, birthday gifts, and half the Christmas present shopping for THIS Christmas done! With the exceptions of adding things in here and there as they come along. There are two great points to this:

#1) Not having to worry about these things as it gets closer. No more last minute shopping!
#2) Saves money! Pick up the bargains when they are out there and stash for later!

Good design is for us ALL

2010-03-09T13:03:00.003-06:00

As a person with an interior design background, I take note when I see good design. Pottery Barn is one. However, realistically, being a SAHM the price tag is pretty much a shock. I'd love to fill my home from the dining room to my daughter's room with all their lovely and over priced furniture, but it's just not going to happen... or is it?

A few months ago I came across a blog that I had been searching for for months (but had never exsisted). I was IN LOVE from the beginning when I came across it searching yet again for a similar site hoping one would pop up - I couldn't stop checking the site, showing my hubby, dreaming of all the wonderful items I could now have!! This Blog is known as Knock Off Wood. Even more exciting, a woman, a SAHM just like myself, was the one running the show.

In a nut shell, she shows you how to build trademarked furniture of SO MUCH LESS then the big retailers are selling it for.

Here's the bad news- Williams-Sonoma Inc. is cracking down and claiming "copyright infringement." I WANT THIS SITE TO STAY AROUND! She is helping all of us to have good design in our homes without breaking the bank. It's time to support Knock Off Wood!

WE ALL DESERVE GOOD DESIGN

(even if we can't always afford it)

Read more about this topic on Knock Off Wood's blog HERE

Old Clothes are New Again!

2010-03-08T09:49:00.003-06:00

If your kids are anything like my daughter, they grow like weeds! My "little" one isn't so little anymore with her 4th birthday around the corner. She's always been very tall for her age and a step up in size then what her actual age reads. As a result, we end up going through clothes like crazy.

I've come across a lot of great blogs explaining how to take outgrown clothes and make them new and WAREABLE again!

This article is great if you have a new toddler and still are hanging onto those baby clothes at Sew Can Do

Ruffles and Stuff has many great ideas to transform clothes to not only wearable, but CUTE!

Part 1: Tops

Part: Bottoms

Once again my little girl is almost to the point of highwater jeans, but luckily spring is in the air! Many of her jeans and pants are going to be transformed into capri's and skirts.

I have done a few clothing alterations in the past HERE is one. I will post pics after I've gotten to work!

Thrifty Shopping Sunday 2/28

2010-02-28T22:03:00.006-06:00

CVS

2 Cards - 2 Transactions - 1 Wrap Up:

Milk (Not Pictured): $2.69

-This should have rang up $2.49 & generated a $1ecb but did not

4x L'Oreal EverStrong & EverPur: $6.00 each

-4x $2.00 coupon

2x Softsoap Nutri Serum: $4.49 each

-1x $1.00 coupon

2x PowerBar Gel Blasts

Used 1 - $4/$20 coupon

Used $22.98 ecb

Total OOP: $4.33

Earned: $16.00 ecb

Total Saved: $41.62

*************************************************

WALGREENS2 Transactions - 1 Wrap Up:

Schick Intuitions: $8.99

-$4.00 coupon

6x Kleenex: $1.99 each (BOGO sale)

-2x $.50/3 coupons

2x Reach Toothbrushes: $.99 in ad coupon

-2x $1.00 coupons

Paper Plates: $.99 in ad coupon

*filler*

4x Easter Gift Sacks: 4/$1.00

*fillers*

2x Starbucks Fraps: $1.25 each in ad coupon

-2x $1.00 coupons

2x Nivea Lip Care: $.99 in ad coupon

-BOGO coupon

*cashier gave me $2.99 off with the BOGO coupon from the original price of the nivea making this a $2.00 MM!*

Colgate Toothpaste: $2.99

-$1.00 coupon

2x Purex 3in1: $3.50 each

-BOGO coupon

Used: $16.00 RR

Total OOP: $4.65

Earned: $9.00 RR

Total Saved: $55.32!

********************************

Grand Total Savings at CVS & Walgreens Today:

$96.94!!

********************************

Thirfty Shopping Sunday 2/21

2010-02-21T21:12:00.002-06:00

CVS

(2 Transactions/2 Cards)

**********

10x Tuna: $.49 each

-2x $1.00/5 coupons

2x EarRinse: $7.99 each

Used: $16.00 ecb

Total OOP: $1.61

Total ecb's earned: $15.98

Total Savings: $27.50

********************************

WALGREENS

(2 Transactions)

***************

4x Vick's NyQuil/DayQuil: $5.79 each

2x Puffs Tissues: $1.99 each

-3x $2.00 coupon for Vicks

- 2x coupons for FREE PUFFS when you buy 2 Vick's products

3x Hunt's Totmato Sauce: $.39 (with in ad coupon)

-$1.00/3 Hunts coupon

2x Excedrin: $2.50 each

-$2.00 coupon

-FREE Excedrin coupon

2x Vanilla Pudding: $.25 each (with in ad coupon)

Raisins: $1.00

Used: $10.00 RR

Total OOP: $8.40

Earned: $14.00 RR

Total Saved: $35.04

Thrifty Shopping Sunday 2/14

2010-02-15T15:08:00.006-06:00

CVS

Transaction #1:

2x Covergirl Clean: $6.00 each

-BOGO coupon

-$1.00 coupon

Aussie Styler: $2.99

-$1.00 coupon

2x Crest Pro Health Rinse: $3.50 each

-2x $2.00 coupons

2x L'Oreal eyeshadows: $4.99 (2nd one: $2.50 w/ 50% off second one sale)

-2x $3.00 coupon

Used: $10.00 ecb

Total OOP: $3.06

Earned: $14.00 ecb

Total Savings: $38.26!

************************

Transaction #2

2x Crest Pro Health Rinse: $3.50 each

-2x $2.00 coupon

Aussie Styler: $2.99

-$1.00 coupon

~~~~~~~~~

Used: $4.00 ecb

Total OOP: $1.64

Earned: $9.00 ecb

Total Saved: 14.78!

~~~~~~~~~

Total OOP for both transactions: $4.70!

Total saved from both transactions: $53.04

************************************

Walgreens

3x Airwick Scented Oil Warmers: $3.99

-3x $4.00 coupons

1x Airwick Compact: $3.99

-$4.00 coupon

1x Sunday Newspaper: $1.50

~~~~~~~~~~

Total OOP: $2.50

Total Saved: $32.00!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T21:59:00.018-06:00

I hope your Valentine's Day was filled with love and happiness! We had a family holiday at home. I have lots of pictures to share with you! Also I'll be sharing some of the ideas I had for saving money while decorating for Valentine's Day.

This banner I designed on my computer using a digital scrapbooking kit. You can find many free kits by googling. I folded over the top of the triangles and used jute to hang it. A little red raffia in between each letter added an extra special touch.
Close up of the banner

I printed out the "papers" from the same digital scrapbooking kit and cut out hearts. I attached the hearts to kabob skewers and then into a painted pot with foam to keep the heart upright.

I, again, used the same digital scrapbooking kit to make photos to insert into this picture frame. Using digital scrapbook kits is a great and inexpensive way to create and carry out a theme.

This was our Valentine's Day dinner table

The centerpiece was an Eiffel Tower that was already an item from the house. The round circle is an after Christmas clearance find (the other side has snowflakes on it!). The heart and candle holders are all items from around the house

This was our daughter's place setting. I had a couple of those plastic cups from Walgreen fillers - they do come in handy! And also you must notice I'm using Chinet Plates = Less Clean Up!

Here was an adult setting with the wine glass. I dug through my daughter's construction paper for the red and pink "place mats"

I used white heart doilies for the coaster which came from the $1 bins from Target. I couldn't find my white napkins, so I took Tranformer napkins from a previous party and turned them inside out. I wrapped the silverware in red scrapbook paper strips for napkin rings. The hearts on the napkin rings came from a note card that I cut up.

The desert bar!

I got this cupcake tower at Walmart for $5 during Christmas!

The cupcake toppers are from $1 Store Valentine's. I took the stickers from the Valentine's and added them to toothpicks.

Can't forget the Chocolate!

My favorite part! I made angel food cake and cut it into cubes. I got frozen strawberry's in sugar on sale for $1 at the grocery store and had the cool whip on hand. Also had short bread cookies from Walmart - $1.50 for those

This dip chiller had an American flag on the front so I covered the outside with tissue paper I had on hand and it worked great!

I still hadn't used the Welch's sparkling grape juice I'd gotten back during the holidays (I think I got them for $.75 each??) So thought now was a good time to pull them out. My almost 4 year old said it was like soda and was tickled to drink juice with bubbles!

It's hard to see here, but I bought a heart ice cube mold from the $1 Store and filled them with the Welch's sparkling grape juice and added the cubes to the glasses for a special little touch.

Our dinner was crock pot pulled pork (a family favorite), loaded baked potatoes, and peas.

We really enjoyed our Valentine's Day, hope everyone else enjoyed theirs too!

Easy Dinner Idea

2010-02-08T10:35:00.003-06:00

I always have ground beef in the freezer. The family gets tired of the same old thing, so I try to make burgers in different ways so it's not just a plain old hamburger. This is our new favorite (for now)!

Mushroom Burgers

1 Medium onion - sliced
1 c. white button mushrooms - sliced
1 lb. ground beef
seasonings you have on hand
hamburger buns
slice of swiss or cheddar cheese

Patty ground beef (I sprinkle seasons over burger, but you can incorporate it into the beef before pattying). Start cooking in skillet.
Add mushrooms and onions to a different skillet with a touch of extra virgin olive oil and saute till the onions start to look transparent.
Once burgers are done, top with cheese, add to bun, and top with mushroom & onion mixture.

Add additonal topping is desired!

Thrify Shopping Sunday 2/7

2010-02-07T15:57:00.004-06:00

Walgreens

2x Pencils: $.40 (w/ 5/$1 ad coupon)

1x Activity Pad: $.33 (w/ 3/$1 ad coupon)

Dove for Men: $5.99

-$1.25 coupon

Gillette Fusion Razor: $8.99

-$4.00 coupon

Used: $8.00 RR

Total OOP: $2.47

Earned: $10.00 RR

Total Saved: $16.10

CVS

1st Transaction:

5x Nabisco Crackers: $10.00
-5x $1.00 coupons

Gillette Deoderant: $3.99
-$1.00 coupon
-Buy Gillette Deoderant Get Gillette Body Wash FREE

Used: $6.49 ecb
Total OOP: 2.36
Earned: $5.00 ecb

2nd Transaction:

Gillette Deoderant: $3.99
-$1.00 coupon
-Buy Gillette Deoderant Get Gillette Body Wash FREE

4x Nivea Lip Care: $11.96 ($2.99 each)
-2x BOGO Free coupons

Gillette Fusion Razor: $8.99
-$4.00 coupon

Used: 10.98 ecb
Total OOP: $3.18
Earned: $10.00 ecb

Total OOP for Both transactions: $5.54
Total Saved for Both transactions: $61.80

Aldi Shopping

2010-02-01T09:47:00.002-06:00

This Sunday I went to Aldi on-a-mission!

Their ads the last month have had the best deals on fruit and veggies!

This week on my list were:

Broccoli Crowns: $.69/pack

Cauliflower: $.59/pack

Baby Carrots: $.39/pack

I got 2 Packages each of Broccoli & Cauliflower chopped it all up and blanched them (not sure if I was suppsed to do that or not!) and bagged them up for freezing. I got 3 bags for freezing out of the 4 packages.

My grocery ad had Broccoli & Cauliflower on sale for $1.79/bag

I got 3 bags for a little over $2.50

I also got 5 bags of baby carrots $.39 per bag

This is the CHEAPEST I've ever seen it!

(I usually buy them when they are $1.00 a bag)

I kept one bag for the fridge and blanched the rest

I got 5 smaller bags from the 4 packages I blanched for the freezer

This was my first experience buying veggies to freeze and it wasn't too bad!

With prices that low, it's worth it to stock up now and save for later

Thrify Shopping Sunday 1/31

2010-02-01T09:18:00.003-06:00

CVS

Hubby got 2 Dove for Men and I got 1 Dove for Men

Each priced at: $5.49 each

Used: 3x $1.25 coupon

Used: $12 ecb

Total OOP: $1.79

Earned: $16.47

WALGREENS

1x Blink Tears: $7.99

-$1.50 coupon

2x Post Shredded Wheat: $1.00 each

-$2.00 coupon

2x Sunday Newspapers: $1.50 each

2x V-Day Tumblers: $.17 each w/ in ad coupon

1x Vitamin Chapstick: $1.99

Scalpicin Wipes: $5.99

-$1.00 coupon

2x Plastic Forks: $.50 each w/ in ad coupon

*Not pictured*

Used: $13.00 RR

Total OOP: $4.93

Earned: $8.00 RR

K-MART

We also went to K-Mart for the Hershey's Deal

Read about that HERE

Valentine's Day Outfit

2010-02-01T09:12:00.006-06:00

This outfit was fun to make. I made my own bird design and appliqued it onto the shirt. I used a skirt of my daughter's as a guide to make this one. Of course I made the bow and clip, which you can purchase at my online store currently:

http://www.crossinmyheart.com/

I think the tights and red glitter shoes really pull the outfit together.

We are getting into the Valentine's Day spirit at our house!

Thrifty Shopping Sunday 1/17

2010-01-18T10:12:00.003-06:00

So no CVS this Sunday, nothing too exciting going on there that I could see. However, there is finally a new CVS that just opened it's doors in St. Louis!! We have been waiting for another store to open within driving distance to our usual store. Can't wait to get lots of deal there!

Walgreens

*************************

4x Quaker Quakes: $.99 each

-4x $.75 coupons

2x Neosporin Lip Health: 2/$8.00

-2x $3.00 IP coupons

2x Wet Ones: 2/$4.00

-2x $1.50 coupons

2x Noodle Cups: 2/$1.00

(filler items)

Used: $2.50 RR

Total OOP: $2.49

Earned: $4.00 RR

Total Saved: $24.26 - 91% Savings!

Bargain Shopping 1/15

2010-01-15T15:47:00.003-06:00

I hit about up a few stores today for some end of the week bargain hunting.

This trip included:

Target

2x Travel size Tide to Go's = Free

Aldi

bananas, apple, organges, lettuce, pickles = $5.59

Kmart

4x boxes of cereal = $3.10

Walgreens

2x Quaker Oats, ThermaCare, Cottonelle wipes = $1.51 (earned $2.49 RR)

Grocery Store

4x Star Kist tuna = Free with $1.00 vocal point coupons!!

*** Grand Total: $10.20 ***

Thrify Shopping Sunday 1/10

2010-01-10T18:20:00.003-06:00

CVS

1/10/2010

Transaction #1: Mine

2x Pantene: 2/$6.97

-$3 off 2 coupon

2x GE Lightbulbs: 2/$6.00

-2 x $1.00 coupons

1 Green Tag & 1 Green Bag: $.99 each

Used: $6.00 ecb

Total OOP: $4.92

Earned: $5.00 ecb

Transaction #2: Hubbies

2x Pantene: 2/$6.97

- $3.00/2 coupon

Soyjoy Box of 6: $6.00

Used: $8.00 ecb

Total OOP: $1.97

Earned: $8.00ecb

Total OOP for both transactions: $7.40

Total ecb earned: $14.00 ecb

(Total Saved: $32.89 - 82%)

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Walgreens

1/10/2010

3 Transactions in all:

Used: $15.00 RR

Total OOP: $4.51

Earned: $9.50

(Total saved: $45.35 - 91%)

I used: http://www.stlmommy.com/ & http://www.hip2save.com/ for all my coupon match ups

"Overwhelmed"

2010-01-09T15:32:00.003-06:00

My blog title is my word of the day. Not to pity myself, but don't we all feel this way some times?

Between couponing, making my newest additions to my online boutique, my daughter being out of school 18 out of the last 21 days, the holidays, gift making, and 80% of my family and friends having birthdays all at the same time, etc. etc. etc.

I'm OVERWHELMED!

So the repercussions of this is are one crabby mama.

I sit here today after an interrupted attempt at a bubble bath, with a cup of hot tea and a gaint stack of magazine that need to be read, trying to calm down, wondering... how do you prioritize?

At this point I'm adding to my new years resolution (it's never to later, right?):

Simplify

Thrify Shopping Sunday 1/3/10

2010-01-03T16:08:00.005-06:00

So this was another thing that got away from me the second half of 2009:

My weekly Sunday couponing at Walgreens and CVS

(I'll admit it... I haven't set foot in CVS for at least 2 months...)

I got so overwhelmed with so many things, that couponing actually started to become a chore and I actually really enjoy the thrill of getting a good deal. So I did get out and go to Walgreens when I could, but it was never well planned and I'd just grab and go.

It's a new year, so I'm giving myself a do-over!

Today I went Walgreens AND CVS

and I plan to keep it a weekly routine if I can help it

Walgreens

2x Frizz Ease: 2/$10 = $5.00 RR

Electrasol: $3.49 = $1.00 RR
-$2.50 coupon

Cortaid: $5.99
-$2.00 coupon
-$2.00 ad coupon

2x Children's Tylenol: $4.99 ea. =$3.00 RR (wyb 2)
-$3.00 off 2

2x Neosporin Lip Health: 2/$8.00 = $3.00 RR
-2x $3.00 IP coupons

Christmas Sucker: $.50 not pictured (filler item)

RR Used: $14.00
Total OOP: $10.03

Earned RR: $11.00
Total Saved: $45.75

CVSI did 3 transactions for CVS (I did one, hubby did one, I went and got another coupon, came back and did a 3rd) Since I hadn't been to CVS in so long I had to start fresh, NO ECB's

2x GE Lightbulbs: $2.99 = $2.00 ecb each

-2x $1.0o IP coupons

4x Oust Air Santizer: $3.99 each = $3.00 ecb each

-2x BOGO Free coupon

Used $2.00 ecb from one of my 1st 2 transactions

Total OOP: $11.38

Total ecb earned: $14.00

New Years Resolution

2010-01-03T15:57:00.004-06:00

So I wasn't going to do one this year... and thought, why not??

This year we are hoping to start fresh and we've learned a lot in 2009

My 2010 New Years Resolution is...

to have pride in things that we have and to want less.

I've taken more pride in the things that I've created and designed, then anything that's I've bought in a store. We are no longer trying to "keep up with the Jone's" I want to repurpose, recycle, and make things my own.

These types of things are special items we will have around for years to come, many items bought at stores are mass produced, not original, and OVER PRICED! I'm thrifty and I think I have a creative eye, I can make this work!

So this year, I hope to share some of my creativeness while still being thrifty.

My Newest Toy!

2010-01-03T15:46:00.005-06:00

This was a sweet gift from my grandmother. She bought it brand new, used it once, and then it sat for about 3ish years. She lives aways a way from us, but when we would visit I tried to mess around with it to see if I could figure it out and possibly at some point make my daughter a little something with it. The beginning of December she asked if I'd like to have it on an "forever loan." Meaning, you can barrow it for forever. I was just THRILLED!!

It took me about 3 weeks of trial and error to get it to do anything. I joined a yahoo group and took advice from a creative friend that knew far more about these things then I did.

And here is my first official wearable creation!

I made the pants awhile back, and I guess my daughter has had a growth spurt since then! (Before she ever got to wear them...)

This is an appliqued monogram and I'm in love with this style!

And you must accessorize!! I made this shabby flower with the same material from the applique and jeans with a monogram bottlecap center and attached it all to a crochet kufi hat

(Find the hats here at my online store: www.CrossinMyHeart.com)

I'm so excited about all the boutique style items that will be coming out of my craft room soon!

Handmade Christmas Creations Part 2

2010-01-03T15:21:00.004-06:00

Here are a few more Christmas gifts I made for the holidays

Holiday Potpourri

I found the cute little felt bags in the $1 bins at Target

I printed the directions from the computer using a photo editing program to dress it up a bit.

Then I put the potpourri in cello bags from the $1 store

and tied the top of the bags with some Christmas ribbon

Here's a link to the recipe HERE

I gave these as little hostess gifts and to those people you just want to give a little something to

Organza Flower Necklace and Hair Pin

These are two more accessories I made for my sister.

Here is a link to the necklace tutorial HERE

I get a lot out of joy hand making gifts

It's nice to know that they are also one-of-a-kind and can not be purchased in stores so there's no worrying about someone getting the same gift multiple time.

The countdown to Christmas 2010 begins!

(It's never to early to start... right? right??)

Handmade Christmas Creations

2009-12-31T10:52:00.005-06:00

There are so many creative blogs and bloggers out there I kept coming across projects and thinking, so and so would like this, and this... and that's where many of my Christmas gifts were born!

I took some ideas and changed them a little to suit the person they were going to and these are a few of the things that were wrapped under the Christmas tree this year:

I made this magnetic recipe/photo holder for my mother.

It has her style written all over it.

I got the tutorial from here:

http://shanty2chic.blogspot.com/2009/11/whitneys-magnetic-recipe-holder.html

This was another gift for my mom.

It was a silhouette for her favorite (and only) granddaughter

A very enexpensive frame that I added jute to.

You can google search directions on how to make the silhouette

which was very simple to do as well.

This headband I created for my sister. She loves accessories.

I made an orangza flower with a seed beaded center, attached some tulle behind it.

Added some feathers and glued it all together onto a Goody's headband.
Here's a great tutorial on how to make the oranga flowers:

http://www.reesedixon.com/2009/03/organza-flowers.html

I think she wore it the night I gave it to her she liked it so much!

I made a few other things that I will post a little later.

December 31st

2009-12-31T09:36:00.015-06:00

December has been such a joyfull month!

We had lots of great family time

and made lots of great memories.

My husband had never had a real Christmas tree so this year was the year! It was also Alyssa's first real live Christmas tree.

Alyssa got to meet Santa not once....

...but twice! The second time was more of a-

Being in the right place at the right time

Alyssa got to wrap a few gifts all by herself

We handmade ornaments for Alyssa to give to all the family members

We had a full day of cookie baking and made around 15 dozen cookies (or more!)

Alyssa was too cute in her apron and hat

Alyssa, being in pre-school now, got to attend her first class Christmas party!

Christmas Eve was filled with a family party, tracking Santa on the computer, and gifts from her Grandma, Great Grandma, and Great Aunt. She was so excited to put out the cookies for Santa and even though she was ready to go to bed so Santa would come she had a hard time getting to sleep.

Santa came Christmas Day!

Alyssa opening a gift from Santa Claus

During winter break we had a fun day at the Magic House in St. Louis with cousin Samantha

And finally we got enough snow to go outside and play, sled, and do her favorite thing - make snow angels.

2009 has been such a trying and yet rewarding year for our family.

We only hope that the New Year is filled with more family memories of good times.

Happy New Year from our family to yours!

Curly Christmas Hair

2009-12-21T09:05:00.004-06:00

I wanted to get my daughter all dressed up for her PreK Christmas party today, but couldn't figure out what I was going to do with her hair. I decided to do the curly hair look. After her shower last night I sectioned off her wet hair and wrapped and twisted each section onto itself and secured each "bun" with a pony tail. This morning her hair was transformed into a Curly Sue style and she was just as cute as can be!

Free from Shabby Princess!

2009-12-07T22:23:00.003-06:00

I seriously L-O-V-E Shabby Princess. My online store is even designed with graphics from Shabby Princess - http://www.crossinmyheart.com/ - "Wild Love" Digital Kit if you were wondering.

You can download an amazing kit for FREE from Shappy Princess!! It's a recipe collection which includes tags, lettering, cute card designs, covers, and even a "box" you can cut out and store the recipe card in! How cute! What a FABULOUS and FREE Christmas gift you can give to someone this year. What about birthdays, Mother's Day, Thinking of You gifts... gotcha thinking right??

Go here and download it now: http://www.shabbyprincess.com/

After you've download and unzipped the file open your kit in a photo program and you are on your way!

Sewing Away

2009-12-03T19:40:00.006-06:00

In the past I haven't gone near a sewing machine but maybe twice since my high school home ec class. I guess I've gotten brave in the week. I've seen so many blogs lately making lots of creative things and offering up some great tutorials. Here's what I've made myself!

These jeans I bought for my daughter in Aug. and by Oct. she had grown about a foot and never got a chance to wear them. They still fit in the waist so I added the ruffle to the bottom of the legs to add the needed length. I've seen these a lot, but couldn't find a good tutorial so I just wung it and I think it worked out pretty well!

This was my first appliqued t-shirt. I liked it a lot and then my mom brought home a pair of Dollar Store Christmas socks and a light bulb when off - make the socks into sleeves! I had another shirt of my daughters that was faux layered and used that shirt as a guide to sew the sleeves on. I cut the feet off the socks and used the excess fabric from the socks to cut out circle and made a layered flower style hair clip too. (Not pictured)

I got extra brave with this shirt. I appliqued the front and sewed on the 3-D bow to the top of the Christmas gift. The sleeves were pretty long on my daughter so I cut off about 4" and added matching green polka dot cuffs. I also used the 4" of red material from the sleeves I cut off from the shirt and sewed straps to the cuffs. I still would like to add Christmas buttons to the straps on the cuffs.

Who knows what I'll get into next! Stay tooned! I'm feeling extra crafty these days!

Flowers Galore!

2009-11-30T16:54:00.004-06:00

Shabby Flowers:

I've been busy making these flowers. These are a couple of photos of my daughter wearing them They are very easy to make, I just tear the fabric instead of cutting it making things much faster. I put them on hair clips and attached them to these kufi hats, but they would be adorable on headbands, shirts, or anthing that needs that extra touch.

Here's the tutorial:

Shabby Flowers

Fabric Folded Flowers:

I love these flowers as well. They still need centers on them, but they will become hair clips soon.

Here's the tutorial:

Fabric Folded Flowers

I've also been working with organza to make organza flowers. I've made bobby pins with these flowers and the necklace featured on this blog:

Organza Flower Necklace

Where does the time go?

2009-11-24T15:44:00.011-06:00

I can't believe I haven't posted in nearly a month! Here's what I've been doing to make my postings few and far between -

This was actually my 4th big craft show (3rd at this location) with my new grid panels. I've been focusing a lot on getting my Bow Business to grow. I have had so much fun and my display has changed a lot since my first craft show over a year ago. Here's a quick look at then to now:

This was my very 1st craft show which was over a year ago.
It was at a local nursing home... live and learn.

This was my 2nd craft show at our local school last year as well....

and now for THIS YEAR:

I took a leap of faith and paid $300 to be in this expo at a huge mall during the states tax free weekend. They expected 150,000 people to go through the mall that weekend and WOW, glad I did it! Now I'm hooked!

This was another mall expo. We had a cart this show. At the time I thought it was really neat, however, I couldn't display much on there like the tables.

This is the same mall as my first mall expo pictured above, just a much better location. We were in the middle of a triangle with Gymboree, a toy store, and the huge playground. The food court was just behind us too.

Which brings us back to the here and now. I decided since we are doing all these shows we should invest in some grid panels. I do like them, but I'm still trying to figure out the best way to utilize them.
Believe me - I've been trying to create as much cute as possible and doing my best to do it in the most economical way I can, I just haven't been posting them because of lack of time lately.

You can view all my products at my online store:
www.CrossinMyHeart.com

Witch's Tea Party Part 1 - Decor

2009-10-30T15:50:00.012-05:00

Happy Birthday.... TO ME! To celebrate the occasion as well has Halloween I planned a Witch's tea party! It was more of a birthday party/Halloween party/play date and SO MUCH FUN!

On this first post I'll take you through the decor - don't forget to read the next post about the activities and the menu.That's me! And my sweet as can be daughter Alyssa

This is my long time friend Kelly and her precious little girl Samantha

Here the dining room where were had the party

I decorated the corner shelf to look like a shelf that might be in a witch's lair.

The skull what a dollar store find as well as all the of the battery operated tea lights. I wrapped bottle with labels I found online and filled the empty bottles with colored water.

Just a few odds and in with more bottles and candles. I did wrap this "Boo" candle with scrapbook paper and added the laser cut letters. The hurricane glass I also added a black cat jell sticky to.

The centerpiece of the table was a cauldron candy bucket filled with lime green tulle. Under the cauldron is white tulle and fake barbed wire rope. I saw this "wicked" decoration and had to have it being for a WITCH's tea party. It worked out well front and center on the table.

This was one of the girl's place settings. I just used colored construction paper for place mats and drew on the spider web and wrote in their names with black markers.

These cute little sipper cups are filled with milk. I painted on melted chocolate and let it dry before adding the milk.

These mini cauldron's were at the girl's place settings as well. I added a sticker and a small knot of ribbon and put crayons in them for them to draw on their place mats.

This was one of our "adult" place settings. Nothing special, but a black mug and spoon for our tea.

I saw this idea online and thought - HOW CUTE! These are a pair of my shoes that my husband has actually called my "witch shoes." I stuffed these striped socks with newspaper and put them under our recliner, which was visible from the dining room.

Here is the food/snack/desert table. The cauldron to the left is filled with aluminum foil on the bottom and green lights on top to help illmuminate, then green spider web on top to hide the lights. An inflatable black cat sits next to the cauldron.
You can read more about the room and other items on this table in the next post.

Witch's Tea Party Part 2- Food & Activities

2009-10-30T15:20:00.014-05:00

The food and desert table

This sign was a dollar store find! It was great inspiration. I took my desert menu straight from the sign.

Here are the desert. Green putrid pudding, apple spiders (mini candy apples with plastic spiders), Ice Scream toppings, and Cauldron Cakes

The cauldron cakes are mini brown bites (mini muffin pan size), with green frosting and pretzel sticks for the "broom stick"

The popcorn Cheeto's were a big hit with the girls. Tea bags (it was a tea party too), and witch fingers (string cheese with green pepper finger nails)

Mummy Wraps (hot dogs wrapped in biscuits)

Ice Cream mini cups

Activities:
We also had some fun projects to do. We had coloring pages with witches and ghosts to color. I found halloween stamps intended to be used as party favors that the girls stamped their place mats with. Also the girls colored on pumpkins with washable markers and used baby wipes to wipe off their drawings and start over. We have a Halloween Dora book that the girl's enjoyed listening to....

Alyssa decorating her witch's hat with foam stickers

A cute game: the cauldron centerpiece also did double duty. We had the girls try to get toss rubber spiders into the bucket from their chairs.

These were the favors. Halloween plastic cups filled with animal crackers, stickers, raisins, rubber finger puppets, pencil, mini pack of crayons, and snap and glow bracelets.

Walgreens 10/7

2009-10-08T14:37:00.002-05:00

2x Dickinson's Toner: $1.99 each
-$3.00/2 coupon

2x Campbell's Soup: $1/2 (in ad coupon)
-$1.00/2 IP coupon

2x Trident Layers Gun: $1.00 each
-2x $.75 IP coupons

Chapstick Fresh Effects: $2.99

Emergen-C Immune: $3.49

Halls Refresh: $1.00
*Not pictured

Used $7.00 RR
Total OOP: $1.98
Earned: $8.50 in RR!

Witch's Tea Party

2009-10-03T14:08:00.005-05:00

I love to plan parties! LOVE IT! So why not plan my own?! It's really more for my daughter and for me to have a fun afternoon together. I'm a "kinda - sorta" Boo Baby, born the day BEFORE Halloween (Oct 30th). With my 3 year old in school this year, I'm for once extra happy that Halloween is on a Saturday; however, my birthday is that Friday and she just so happens to have that day of school off (parent teacher conferences).

I wanted to plan a fun day for us to spend together and since it's my birthday we are going to have a mini afternoon Witch's Tea Party! We've invited another SAHM and her little girl to join us and it should be a lot of fun.

I've been searching the web for some cute ideas here are some pics of what I've found.Sites these photos are from: Martha Stewart, Better Homes & Gardens, Hostess with the Mostess, and other wonderful party planning blogs.

Free Groceries!

2009-10-02T08:46:00.002-05:00

I forgot to post this wonderful bit of news! Last week I won a $20 gift card to our local grocery store, Market Place!!! I used it this week and paid around $3 for some great fresh produce and some meat that was on sale. Nothing like getting free food!

Walgreens 9/29

2009-10-01T08:31:00.002-05:00

Children's Activity Book: $.99
(Has Wags. coupons inside!)

Robitussin DM To Go: $2.49

Gillette Fusion Razor: $8.99
-$4.00 coupon

Emergen C: $3.49

Halls: $1.00
-$.75 coupon

Vaseline Lotion: $6.99
-$1.50 coupon

Dentek Floss: $2.00

Chapstick: $2.99

Used: $7.00 RR
Total OOP: $8.86
Total Saved: $20.73

Earned: $25.00 RR!!

CVS 9/29

2009-10-01T08:18:00.004-05:00

1x Milk: $1.99

1x Gillette Fusion Razor: $9.99
-$4.00 coupon

1x Vaseline Lotion: $7.99
-$1.50 coupon

Used $13.99 ECB's
Total OOP: $1.67
Total Saved: $22.49

Earned: $12.00 ECB's

A Pirates Life for Me!

2009-09-18T13:01:00.005-05:00

Today is National Pirates Day and the mascot of the school my daughter attends just happens to be a PIRATE! They have been doing pirate activities all week. They even have a pirate ship made from boxes set up in the classroom. She has had a lot of fun. Today everyone in the school was encouraged to dress up as pirates. Well... of course my creative side kicks right into gear when I hear something like that. I came up with a simple, last minute girly pirate costume for her to wear and she just loved it. I also now have it available in my online store if you are interested in buying one for your little girl for Halloween or for a pirate themed birthday party!

Click here to see more pictures, details, and pricing on this Pirate costume!

Walgreens 9/13

2009-09-13T15:02:00.002-05:00

2x Walgreen Foil: $1.19 each
-$1.20 (2x $.60) walgreens ad coupons

2x Halloween Puzzles: $.50 each (when you buy 2)

True North Almond Crisps: $3.00
-$1.00 coupon

2x Schik Razors: $7.99 (Sale - Buy One Get One Free)
- 2x $4.00 coupons

Used $4.00RR
Total OOP: $.86!!
Earned $3.00 RR

Total saved: $23.18
**96 % SAVINGS**

***This store did not have the Free After RR Ear Wax Removal Kit, they said they are ordering it and it should be in on Tuesday. I am going to go back Wednesday to see if they do have it or not and probably grab more of the True North Crisps.

Free Family Fun - Right in your own backyard

2009-09-12T23:24:00.005-05:00

Alyssa in the tent ready to camp!

So many people we knew were going to take advantage of this beautiful weekend and going camping, so we thought we'd do our own version of camping - in the backyard! I'm sure it's done a lot, but this was a first for us. We never know how our daughter will react to things. We wanted her first camping experience to be comfortable and pleasant and FUN! And she was very excited.

Roasting her first hot dog!

We pitched the tent, built a fire, BBQed hamburgers, roasted hot dogs, and not to be left out the most important part S'MORES! Another first for our little girl, and she LOVED them! We ate outside and enjoyed the outdoors till it was time for bed. We found the perfect bedtime book: Campfire Tales! My husband and I really roughed it, sleeping on only a thick comforter and quilt while our little princess had her foam fold out couch/bed.

Bedtime Story

It did take awhile for the sugar high to wear off before we could all get to sleep that night. And I don't think any of us slept well or much either, but some really great memories were made and all at the cost of some hard work and yummy food!

Happy Grandparent's Day!

2009-09-12T23:08:00.005-05:00

Alyssa with the stepping stone that reads:

"Grandma and Papa's House"

Oh, how much fun it must be being the ONLY GRANDCHILD! Yep, that's my Alyssa. Spoiled through and through by her "Gramma" & "Papa." I think it's only fitting that the grandparents get a day to claim as their own for all the wonderful things they do and stand for.

My daughter and I enjoyed a beautiful afternoon one day this week after she got home from school doing her favorite thing "a project." Her eyes light up instantly when she hear the word "project." But this project was super special, it was for her grandparents for their special day.

We both picked out the stepping stone at the store together. Granted me, the mom, had a big hand in this craft; however, it was fun and we wanted something her grandparents could have around for awhile. She did do quite a bit of the work with me, stirring the cement, smoothing it out, picking out the designs she wanted and laying all the pretty pieces of tumbled glass so it was just perfect.

Now remember she is 3, and secrets are HARD to keep at any age. So we let the stone cure over night and she just couldn't stand it anymore, she had to give her gift one day early. But shouldn't every day be Grandparent's Day anyway?

Alyssa with her #1 Papa who wanted to proudly
display the stepping stone right in front of their house

Bargain's at Babies' R Us??

2009-09-12T22:46:00.005-05:00

I think I must admit that finally my little girl has pretty well out grown Babies' R Us... We stopped by today to look at clothes (they say they go up to 48 months, but there are very few that did - She's in 3T/36 months). Well we sort of gave up on clothes and started browsing... me I was day dreaming of those days we had all those baby items. Missing it and being thankful I didn't need all that stuff anymore all at the same time.

I decided to check out the food section, knowing they carry some great organic and natural snacks my daughter would probably enjoy. That's where I got distracted and started noticing all these items I didn't remember ever being there: Tide, dish soap and dishwasher tablets, house hold cleaners... It was almost like a mini-mart!

The bargain hunter in went straight to the bright red tickets indicating CLEARANCE! Low and behold a fabulous find I never thought I'd ever get at a Babies' R Us of all places:

Arm & Hammer Essentials Bottles priced at: $.98 each! (Reg. $2.98)
Arm & Hammer Essentials Refills priced at: $1.48 each! (Reg. $4.49)

*What made this deal even sweeter was the BUY ONE GET ONE FREE coupons on the bottles!
The coupons didn't indicate which item was free so the cashier gave us one of the refills for FREE and since I only got 3 refills she gave me a bottle FREE on the 2nd coupon - had I known I could have used them on the refills I would have used more coupons and this deal would have been even sweeter!! But I'm happy in the long run anyway.

Total OOP: $6.42
Saving of $18.47!!
For potentially 10 bottles of cleaner!! ($.64 each!)

I've purchased these cleaners before and love them. They smell great and clean well. I think this is a great price for a natural cleaning product!

5 Coupon Inserts this Week!

2009-09-10T19:08:00.002-05:00

Miss the coupons in the paper last week? (Labor Day weekend= No Coupon Inserts) Well this week the coupon gods are making up for it with 5 inserts in this Sunday's newspapers! Go here to view a list of all the coupons!

Walgreens 9/10

2009-09-10T15:07:00.003-05:00

Transaction #1:

Glade Sense & Spray: $5.99
-$4.00 coupon

Scott Tissue: $6.99 (sale)

Sandwich Bags: $1.99
-$1.00 walgreens coupon

2x 2 oz. Glade Candles: $2.00 each
-$4.00 (2x Free candle coupons)

Folder: $.49
-$.24 walgreens coupon

Used: $10.00 RR
Total OOP: $4.45
Earned: $3.00 RR

___________________________

Transaction #2:

2x 2 oz. Glade Candles: $2.00 each
-$4.00 (Free candle coupons)

Total OOP: $0.00
Earned: $1.00 RR

Total OOP for BOTH Transacations: $4.45
Earned $4.00RR
Total Saved: $33.50

Works For Me Wednesday (on Thursday)

2009-09-10T09:30:00.002-05:00

With our little one in PreK now I'm always anxious to see what she's learned that day and see what kind of fun things she's done. The teacher sends home papers describing their activities and adds little comments some times. Since she gets home at 11am that is way before her Daddy gets home. I always place her paper on the kitchen table so when he does get home and dinner is on the table he can look over her day and we all discuss what she did. It's great family time and it's cute to see her discribe things and get excited about school!

Walgreen 9/2

2009-09-02T15:16:00.004-05:00

2x Reeses: 2/$1.59
-2x $.55 coupons

1 Coke Zero: $1.39
*Free if you buy 2 Hershey's brand candy bars

Reach Floss: $2.99
-$1.00 coupon

Colgate Toothbrush: $2.99

Folder: $.39
-$.19 walgreen in-ad coupon

Used: $4.00 RR
Total OOP: $2.18
Received: $5.00 RR

**I also got my $30 Healthy Savings Booklet - YAY!**

Cookin' in the Kitchen Post #1

2009-09-02T14:51:00.004-05:00

I have felt so sluggish lately. We keep plenty busy around here, but my energy level just wasn't up to snuff. I completely blame it on my horrible diet. I eat on the run, really wish I'd squeeze more fruit into my diet, and live off of caffeine. On the other hand my daughter receive all me and my husbands attention when it comes to her health and diet only drinking 100% juices, as much fruit and veggies as we can get into her, spending the extra money for the whole grain versions of snacks, and always watch what she is eating. Well the tide is turning and we are making big changes around here. I've researched many recipes that are healthy and still tasty. I figured you can't go wrong with having as much fresh veggies and fruit around the house and we are well stocked. Yesterday I found a wonderful stir-fry recipe from $5 Dinners you can view the recipe here: Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry

Fresh broccoli, lean beef, seasonings, and whole grain brown rice - Great Combination! It tasted as good as it looks and it was HEALTHY! (please ignor the messy stove!) I'll be trying lots of other great tasting and healthy recipes here and there and I'll share if I feel like they are worthy.

K-Mart Double Coupons 8/30

2009-08-30T15:52:00.003-05:00

You have no idea how good it feels to be back in the bargain hunting saddle! I have gone here and there and do take coupons to the grocery store, but there's nothing like those trips to CVS and Walgreens walking out with lots of bags and still lots of cash in your pocket. Well this week I jump back in full force with the droug stores and also not missing out on the last Kmart Double Coupon Event for the rest of the year. (This is the rumor I heard from http://www.hip2save.com/)

** So Kmart's computer decided to eat my receipt - so I'll do my best here**

Lacross Lash Curler: $5.95

-$2.00 coupon (doubled to $4.00)

Clearasil Face Wash: $5.29

-$1.50 coupon (doubled to $3.00)

Rimmel Blush: $3.19

-$1.00 coupon (double to $2.00)

Rimmel Mascara: $3.29

-$2.00 coupon (Free after coupon doubled)

2x Skintamate: $3.29 each

-$1.00 coupons (doubled to $2.00)

2x Visine: $3.99 each

-$2.00 coupons (Free after coupon doubled)

2x Swiffer Duster Starter Kit: $4.29 each

-$2.00 coupons (doubled to $4.00)

Total before coupons: $42.xx

Total OOP after coupons: $8.28

**TOTAL SAVINGS: 84%**

Walgreen 8/30

2009-08-30T15:44:00.004-05:00

Transaction #1:

3x Coca- Cola: $1.25 each (sale)

Colgate 360 Toothbrush: $2.99
-$.40 coupon

Men's Razor: $3.99

Rembrant Toothpaste: $5.00

Carefree Panty Liners: $1.99
-$1.00 coupon

Used $3/$15 coupon
Total OOP: $12.89
Earned: $13.97 RR

___________________________

Transaction #2:

Men's Razors: $3.99

Carefree panty liners: $1.99
-$1.00 coupon

Colgate 360 Toothbrush: $2.99
-$.40 coupon

Total OOP: $6.04
Earned: $8.97 RR

_____________________________

Total OOP for both transactions: $18.93
Earned: $22.94 RR
**$4.01 PRoFIT**

SUPER CVS Trip 8/30

2009-08-30T15:21:00.003-05:00

Today was the offical GRAND OPENING of our brand new CVS in Columbia, IL. We have had one all along, but it was very small and well... old. CVS out did their selves offering free coffee, donuts, face painting, gift bags with free CVS goodies, cards for free McDonald's $1 menu item, and even drawings for a girls and boy bike and gift cards to local restaurants. My daughter especially enjoyed the free balloon. They also had the St. Louis Cardinal's mascot "Fred Bird," Cinderella, a clown, and even St. Louis Ram's cheerleaders on hand to celebrate this big day!

We had a lot of fun - but there was still bargain hunting to be done!

New store = Well stocked store!!

Transaction #1:

2x G.E. Cookie Dough: 2/$2.00
*One not pictured - they were yummy ;-)

Clairol Hair Color: $4.99
-$2.00 coupon

Reed Diffuser: $6.99
-$3.00 coupon

Bounce Dryer Bar: $3.99
-$2.50 coupon

Aquafresh Iso- toothpaste: $4.99
(couldn't get coupon to print)

G.E. cashews (not pictured - they were yummy too): $.99
-$.99 (Free coupon from CVS e-mail)

Used $14.98 ECB's
Total OOP: $2.10
Earned $13.99 ECB's

Total Saved: $29.65
***93% SAVINGS***

Right now my receipt says my:
Summer Savings is - $524.29
Summer Spending is - $19.68
WOW!

Transaction #2: (husaband's card)

G.E. Sharks: 2/$2.00

Reed Diffuser: $6.99
-$2.00 coupon

Charleston Chews: $1.50

Used: $7.99 ECB's
Total OOP: $.99
Earned: $7.99 ECB's

Total Saved: $13.99
***93% SAVINGS***

Friendship

2009-08-24T15:02:00.003-05:00

Another blog about neither creating cute things or saving dough, but is just as important to me. Friendship... friendship. What does this word mean? Does it mean, someone to lean on? someone that shares your interests? someone who you enjoy being around? I'm sure all of the above and then some. But what happens when lives just start to separate, change, and your "friend(s)" isn't/aren't quite so close?
I think the great thing about life is that you are in charge of your own destiny and you can lead it in any direction you wish. However, the sad part of it is that others lives do the same thing and some people just don't mesh well anymore.
The honest trust is today is a sad day as I try to leave an old life behind in hopes of a better future for me and my family. Not to throw a pitty party on myself, but it may in the end be the for best.
Today I am sitting here reflecting on what is truly important in life. Top of that list is my little girl, next of course my hubby, 3rd our health, 4th happiness, and father down I can't help but put friends. I feel like they are still important, but I'm lucky to have my top 4 out of 1,000 in tact, but still I am sad. Why?
Why do we get sad when we throw out old jeans or a worn out purse, the exact same reason I'm sad to see a friendship end... the memories that are involved. Not to say that the two are remotely the same in nature, but you emotionally attach yourself to things and people.
Today a new chapter begins. Our family has goals in life and I choose to only involve the people that will enrich those goals.
So here's to a new day, a happy life, and a positive outlook on the future.

They grow up too fast...

2009-08-17T09:33:00.007-05:00

Alyssa, ready for her first day of school

My darling little baby girl for some reason decided to keep growing and getting older and now she a "big girl" and attending her very first day of preschool today. It was exciting for the whole family to gather all the items on the school supply list, choose the perfect back to school outfit and backpack, talking up the whole event - and the day has finally arrived.

As the mom (and a stay at home mom at that), I can't help but be nervous for her. I try to be reassuring and upbeat, all the while thinking to myself, what am I supposed to do without her?

On our way to her first day of school

As a family we all ventured up to the school (a whole 3 blocks from our home) and walked into the classroom where she would spend the next year. She did as the teacher asked, taking her back pack to the cubby with her name on it and putting her folder in the basket by the front door, then went to sit at a table to explore all the great educational toys.

Playing with the toys at one of the stations

It didn't take her long to find a corner of the room with dress up clothes. She went straight for the pink frilly dress and multi colored feather boa, that's my girl.Finding the dress up corner

The time came to say goodbye and that is not easy for her or for us for that matter. She maybe made it harder on herself sitting next to a boy that was already crying as we were trying to leave. We said "we will be back in a couple hours, have fun, we will see you very soon, we love you so much." And it seemed like at that instant she knew she was going to be on her own to do this now. The teachers assistant came over to visit and we quietly left.

As we left the school I was telling myself, it's only for 2 1/2 hours, it will go by faster then you think. I came home and my husband left for work. I immediately started cleaning, arranging, organizing. I even took the opportunity to run Christmas gifts we had been hiding in our closet to the storage unit. Once I got home I didn't want to slow down, thinking I know if I do I'm going to start thinking about Alyssa and wondering what she is doing, is she okay?, did she do okay after we left? is she having fun? making friends? learning fun stuff? listening to the teacher?.... on and on.

However, here I am editing the photos I took of her this morning and blogging about this whole ordeal and I still have almost an hour before I have to leave to pick her up. An HOUR! I'm sure the whole newness of this will wear off quickly, but the fact that my baby is no long a baby will never leave my mind.

She's grown up too fast

Back to School and Back to Blogging

2009-08-10T13:55:00.007-05:00

My display at the St. Louis Mills Mall
August 7, 8, & 9

So I did squeeze in some deal hunting in the middle of my prep for the 3 day Back To School Expo, but not much, this was the reason for my short falls in blogging lately. I'm happy to report we made it through the expo this weekend and it was a great success! If you are new to the blog I have an obsession with making bows and tutus, a hobby turned small business. You can visit my store here: Crossin My Heart Creations Not only did I have to get my display looking fabulous I also had to make sure I had enough inventory to last 3 days during Missouri's tax free weekend/Back to School sale (expected to have 125,000 people come through!) I think I had just enough and gauged it just right. It was fun and it was also a lot of work! I do plan to do more shows at malls, it was a great experience and I'm glad we got the chance to do it.

This table had bow/clip holders, fall/Halloween items, & pony streamers
Tutu in the background, pixie wings hanging in the very back

Baby Items including: wipe cases, paci clips, infant bows
Kufi hats, crochet headbands, and flower clips

Solid color bows and clips, princess tiaras, themed boutique bows, snap clips, bobby pin clips, ribbon flowers, simple lined alligator clips, applique clips, & puffy clips

I LOVE TARGET!

2009-08-06T20:33:00.003-05:00

Holy Moly! I had a total blast shopping Target's end of July toy sale last week: F-U-N! I went to three different Targets and found different, new, and great stuff at each one. My FAVORITE buy was the V-Tech V-Motion games (3 items at the very bottom of the photo). Reg price: $24.99 each I paid $6.22 each!! YAY! We already bought the V-Motion game console as our daughter's "big Christmas gift" and set it aside (another great buy from Amazon using swagbucks gift cards and catching a great sale - we paid $5 out of pocket for the $75 machine!!). Anyway, for all 28 items pictured below I paid $88 and it was nearly $350 worth of toys at regular price. I offically can call Chirstmas shopping for our little 3 year old DONE (we have gathered other things along the way that she will also be getting). Is it Christmas yet?? How am I supposed to keep these wonderful toys from her for so long?!?

3 weeks of CVS

2009-08-06T20:26:00.005-05:00

So I've been on a hiatus from blogging lately. I've been preparing for a HUGE Expo this coming weekend and as of right now the car, supplies, and tools are all packed and therefore I can no long spend my time preparing for that so here I am - BLOGGING again!! I did miss it, I must say.

To catch up on my last 3 weeks of CVS trips here are photos of everything I've gotten, broke down my each week. I probably paid $3.00 (if that) out of pocket for EVERYTHING and still have about $15 in bucks to keep rolling. Now for the pics:(I think we are set on ice pops for awhile)

*I'll figure out the savings another day, but it must be significant with all the freebie deals going on for back to school.

Local Artist

2009-08-06T09:21:00.003-05:00

A good friend and fellow artist of mine was featured on the STL Homemade website. She is a person of many talents and is not afraid to try anything. From painting to sewing, jewelry making and more she always does a fabulous job and puts her heart and soul into her work. Visit her featured post here. Please contact me if you are interested in using her services and live in the St. Louis Metro area.

WFMW - Shopping Online

2009-07-29T10:20:00.004-05:00

My advice for shopping online is shop sites like www. etsy.com and SAHM shoppes before going to the mass department stores. Many times you can get one-of-a-kind items for less then you can even find in the stores. The small county I live in has a new slogan I just LOVE - "Think Monroe County First" - or Shop locally. In this case, support someone directly not a giant corporation. (I must advertise my own shoppe as I'm a SAHM too - www.CrossinMyHeart.com - you know you need hair bows to match those back-to-school clothes!)

*You can see more tips for shopping online at: We are THAT Family

Tinker Bell Party Featured at: Creative Parties & Showers

2009-07-15T09:05:00.007-05:00

I am just thrilled that Creative Parties & Showers Blog is featuring the Tinker Bell Party I had for my daughter's 3rd Birthday this past May! You can view the post and visit the blog by clicking the link below:

CVS 7/14

2009-07-14T14:59:00.002-05:00

CVS had a bunch of items 90% off! Wish I would have grabbed a few more things while I was there, but having a 3 year old makes shopping a little more difficult when you are wanting to brows. Also - I used up all my ECB's my last trip 2 weeks ago on necessities since they were about the expire so I didn't have any to roll this go around.

Lipsmackers: $.49

"Grandma" gift set: $.69

CVS Electrolyte strips: $.49

Chocolate Bunny: $.49

Mints: $.19

Gillette Razor: $7.99
-$4.00 coupon

Tylenol Arthritis: $2.99
-$2.00 coupon

CVS School Glue: $.99

Calibur Scissors: $2.99

Total OOP: $13.25
Total ECB's earned: $10.98
Total Saved: $34.60

Year to Date OOP: $61.07
Year to Date Savings: $409.30

CUTE - freebie!

2009-07-13T11:12:00.002-05:00

So I didn't get to do my couponing like I hoped for yesterday, because of a huge storm that hit the STL area hard while we were out and about. We did make it over to World Market for the FREE reusable shopping bags they were giving away (first come first serve kind of deal). I just LOVE these bags! They are very stylish! At checkout we also got a flyer explaining that you can enter your own design for their next free reusable tote bag giveaway (which the flyer said would be in February!). If your design is chosen you win $1,000 and 25 free bags with your design! So if you are creatively inclined, enter your design! Who couldn't use $1,000? Visit this site for all the details: http://www.cpwmdesigncontest.com/

CVS - July 1st

2009-07-01T15:30:00.003-05:00

Today's trip to CVS was the first in a month again. My Bucks were going to expire AGAIN and I have been so busy, couponing today just didn't happen. So I did the next best thing, buy the staples: toilet paper and 2 gallons of milk. Total OOP: $1.01 No more bucks to roll, but I can build them back up again.

Father's Day Fun

2009-06-22T14:36:00.008-05:00

Happy Father's Day!

We kept it low key this year for Father's Day. We all needed a fun family day IN for once instead of running all over the place. I made my hubby and my dad these lawn mower cupcakes, I found the idea from an e-mail newsletter I get, they are colorful and cute!
Me and my daughter also did a Father's Day craft together on Friday for a surprise. I cut out the tie shapes and helped my little one with the letters and she decorated them with markers and star shaped foam pieces. We appropriately attached the ties to the string with colored duct tape. Then we hung it from the fireplace mantel to show it off. It stayed up ALL weekend!
This was my daughter's gift to her Papa Smith. We took photos of her holding the letters and turned them black and white and added to a fame. Pretty simple, if you subtract the fact that I am not a patient person when it comes to computers so printing wasn't the easiest thing when the printer is giving you grief. But it turn out beautifully!

We had a bunch of left over cupcakes that needed decorating - a great opportunity for Father/Daughter time. They had a good time and Alyssa probably ate more of the decorations then she put on the actual cupcakes (see the puffy cheeks).

Hope everyone's Father's Day was filled with great memories and fun times!

Target 6/20

2009-06-20T21:14:00.004-05:00

I don't know how my receipts just simply disapear the instant it hits my hand/purse after I leave a store, but it seems to be happening too often lately. I will do my best to break down my target trip today from memory. Here goes!

3x Cereal (FREE Simply Orange Juice Deal)
-3x $1.00 coupons

2x Archer Farms Chips (FREE Salsa Deal)
-$1 target coupon

2x Velveeta Shells and Cheese
-$1.50/2 coupon

2x Velveeta single serve cups
-$1/2 coupon

Heinz Ketchup
-FREE with coupon

2x Oscar Myer Hotdogs
-1x Free with coupon
-$1/2 coupon

Nexcare Bandaids: $.99
-$1.00 coupon

Cascade Rinse Agent
-FREE with coupon

Total OOP: $14.20
Total Saved: $35.xx

Time for Mom

2009-06-19T15:17:00.005-05:00

I'm pretty lucky that I can still get a daily 2 hour nap out of my 3 year old. Today I took that two hours and gave myself some home spa time because I've gotten lots of free or nearly free items I hadn't had the chance to try out yet. Plus every mom deserves some time to herself right? FOR SURE!

First, I got Veet from this past double coupon event at K-Mart for less then $1.50. Loved it! Easy, takes a little time, but if it lasts about a week I think it's worth the extra time.

Also used my FREE Vitamin Shampoo in the shower, along with Free Softsoap body wash, coconut exfoliater. Also I got a free tube of face exfoliater with a bottle of face wash which was fabulous. Didn't have to shave because of the Veet! Yay!

I used awesome Aveeno lotion which I got at the KMart doubles for cheap. Used my ped egg I got for Christmas. Used a free sample of Garnier Ultra Lift Pro facial moisturizer and a free sample of Sarah Jessica Parker's Twilight scent.

Next my mani/pedi. Hot pink toes and a french manicure. All things I had on hand.

And what good spa experience doesn't come complete with a little Chocolate!?

So pamper yourself! It doesn't have to be at a fancy spa. Save your money! I feel like a brand new woman!

Orajel Mail In Rebate

2009-06-18T20:24:00.002-05:00

I love getting checks in the mail! Another MIR for Orajel - $8.00.

Year to date MIR received: $54.91

Walgreens Trip 6/14

2009-06-16T09:53:00.002-05:00

Just had to make a quick stop at Walgreens this past Sunday. Here's a quick break down:

2x Hefty Zipper Bags: BOGO $3.29
-2x$1.00 coupons

2x Oreo Cakesters: 2/$5
-2x$1.00 coupons
Free after RR ($3RR)

Right Guard Deoderant: $.99 (ad coupon)
-$1.00 coupon
Free

St. Ives Body Wash: $2.99
Free after RR ($3RR)

Used:$2 RR
Total OOP: $5.50
Earned: $6.00 RR

Total Saved: around $14.xx

Summer Reading

2009-06-12T23:23:00.003-05:00

We are so exited about this FREE summer "distraction" - the Summer Reading Program at our local library. My daughter is just old enough to join in! We love to read books together and the bed time story is a MUST in our house. Not to mention she begs to go to the library (we've deemed Tuesday as our "library day").

We have a goal to read 15 minutes each day to reach our goal of 700 minutes in 10 weeks. We log our books/authors and amount of time we read each day and report back to the library each week to track our progress. They are also having special speakers and story time. At the end of the 10 weeks they are passing out awards and prizes at the PTO Open House. That in itself will be a lot of fun since my daughter will be just starting pre-school this fall and she will hopefully get to socialize with her little class mates and teachers who participate.

Look into your local library to see if they are having summer activities for your kids!

Dance Class

2009-06-12T23:21:00.000-05:00

And it begins... Dance Class for my 3 year old. The first week was rough, but she is only three and we will have to give this some time. I enrolled her at the local YMCA, and although it was a rough experience (let's just say too many cooks in the kitchen there), I hope my little one will get something out of the experience.

The great thing about the YMCA is that they offer much more then just dance. We will let her have the choice of staying with dance or trying tumbling, possibly a swimming lessons class for the second part of the summer. However I did make her a pink tutu complete with the leotard and "ballerina shoes" as my daughter calls them.

K-Mart Double Coupons 6/7

2009-06-07T14:09:00.002-05:00

Yay for Super Doubles again!!! It is so much fun to get so many great deals!! Here's what all I got today:

Transaction #1:

Axe Body Wash: $4.25
-$1.50 (doubled to $3)
OOP: $1.25

Max Factor Mascara: $5.49
-$2 coupon (doubled to $4)
OOP: $1.49

Veet Gel: $5.49
-$2 coupon (doubled to $4)
OOP: $1.49

Ponds Towelettes: $2.87
-$1 coupon (doubled to $2)
OOP: $.87

Right Guard Deodorant: $2.00
-$1.oo coupon (doubled to $2)
OOP: $0

Got 2Be Mousse: $4.50
-$2 IP (doubled to $4)
OOP: $.50

Got 2Be Hair Spray: $4.50
-$2 IP (doubled to $4)
OOP $.50

Axe Shampoo: $4.99
-$2.00 IP (doubled to $4)
OOP: $.99

Aveeno Baby Lotion: $4.99
-$2 IP (doubled to $4)
OOP: $.99

J&J Safety Swabs: $1.59
-$1 coupon (double to $1.59)
OOP: $0

Sunday Newspaper: $1.50

Total OOP: $13.64
Total Saved: $33.17

********************

Transaction #2:

J&J Safety Swabs: $1.59
-$1 coupon (double to $1.59)
OOP: $0

2x Easy Mac n' Cheese: $1.09 each ($2.18 total)
-$1.00/2 IP (double to $2)
OOP: $.18

Kraft Dressing: $3.29
-$1.50 coupon (double to $3)
OOP: $.29

2x Ragu Sauce: $1.99 each ($3.98 total)
-2x $.60 coupon (double to $1.20 each)
OOP: 2 for $1.58

2x Coffee Mate Creamers: $2.29 each ($4.58 total)
-2x $1.00 IP's (double to $2 each)
OOP: 2 for $.58

A1 Sauce: $4.49
-$2.00 coupon (double to $4)
OOP: $.49

Cherry 7up: $3.67
-$1.00 coupon (double to $2)
OOP: $1.67

Capri Sun: $2.99
-$1.00 coupon (double to $2)
OOP: $.99

Total OOP: $7.56
Total Saved: $23.01

Total OOP for BOTH trasactions: $21.20

Total Savings: $56.18

You can find all these deals/coupon match ups at:
It's Hip 2 Save

Getting rid of the B-I-N-K-Y

2009-06-06T13:17:00.002-05:00

Yes, it's a very hard thing to admit that my 3 year old is just now officially done with the binky...
She's used to only napping and going to bed at night with her binky, it wasn't something that she had all day or all the time, but does this have to be so hard for the little kid and for the parents?? I'm sure she feels like a security item has been taken from her and I feel like it's the last little tiny item that takes the last of her "babyness" away from her.
I guess it's like everything else, we will all get through it. She slept fine without it last night and this morning we made it a fun thing to throw the 2 binkies she's had into the trash can. We rewarded her with giving her 3 pompoms (read more about that here) for her reward jar (1 for sleeping without it and 1 for each binky she threw away).
We've tackled the big girl bed, potty training, and now the binky... oh dear what could be next... or should I even ask...

Keeping Coupons Organized While Shopping

2009-06-06T12:49:00.007-05:00

If you are a couponer you know that couponing is time consuming, confusing sometimes, and the key is to staying organized!!
Our K-mart is doubling coupons tomorrow and since I was preparing I thought I'd share my system of preparation and how I stay organized while I'm actually in the store shopping.

First I start by browsing the web for all the best deals for the week and I jot them down in a regular notebook, along with the coupons I'll need for each item and the date of the insert the coupons will be in. After I've gathered my coupons I compress all the info into a smaller more organized notebook. This way I know exactly 1)Coupon value 2)Product name 3)Regular price of each item (a lot of times this price varies in different areas and websites give just a round about price and this could alter your overall savings) 4)Total Out Of Pocket (OOP) expense I'll end up paying for the item after my coupon

I have been keeping the bank envelopes to organize my coupons for when I'm out in the stores (they seem to be the perfect size and give easy access to thumbing through coupons). I either use them to organize by store or by department in a single store. (With K-Mart doubling this week, I'll be using these two envelopes to organize by department - Food & Personal Care Items - you'll need more envelopes if you are shopping at more stores or in more departments)

And lastly, when I'm shopping I don't want to be caring around my giant coupon binder or file system - I always bring this small "Five Star" pencil case. This one works great for me, it has 2 side pockets (to the left). I put my shopping list and the coupons I bring with me in the back pocket (in their separate envelopes shown above) and then as I put items into my cart I take the coupons out and put them in the front pocket so I have them all ready to go when I get to the checkout. Also I love the top pocket, it fits my calculator perfectly. When you have a child shopping with you or the store is a little crazy with people my brain tends to not want to function, or should I say, it forgets how to do math. It's handy to have. I also throw in a couple of pens for crossing off my shopping list or for making notes.

Thanks checking out my organization tips and hope they work for some of you too!

Week One of Summer Fun

2009-06-05T14:11:00.003-05:00

Summer is (unofficially) here!! In between outdoor activities we have been having fun doing summer projects and learning about sea creatures and the ocean this week. We made a jellyfish, dolphin display (jumping dolphin project has been MIA for a few days), but the biggest hit was the "My Ocean Treasures" project. You can find more info here, which is where I found the directions to all the projects.
Since we live in the midwest and no where near a beach or ocean we did a mock seashell hunt. I printed out the seashells pictured here and hid them in the back yard for my three year old to hunt. She had too much fun! I hid them 3 different times and then grandma had to twice more later that day.
It's nice to get outside and incorporate indoor projects with the outdoors.

****************************

Another project we did this week was a "reward jar" for our little one. I happened across another blog that incorporated this idea for her 3 children and thought it was worth a shot (sorry, can't remember the blog!!). Each time she does something good, or we feel she is being helpful, or even just is behaving well we give her a "pompom" to put into her jar. Once it's filled we told her we would get her a "speical treat", which will be whatever seems to be appropriate at that time. So far she has 4 pompoms and seems to be understanding the concept pretty well!
I got the jar from Wal-Mart ($1.98) and the pompoms as well (less then $2). We decorated it together with foam sticks and ribbon we had laying around the house.

Get ready for the 4th of July!

2009-06-05T10:48:00.006-05:00

Make sure your little girl is decked out in RED, WHITE, and BLUE for this fast approaching Independence Day! My online store offers lots of adorable accessories for little girls including: hair clips, hairbows, tutus, and LOTS MORE!

www.CrossinMyHeart.com

MIR: Vitamin Shampoo

2009-06-05T10:29:00.002-05:00

Walgreens had Vitamin Shampoo and Conditioner BOGO Free a couple months back and I had a "Try Me Free" mail in rebate and I finally got my $6.99 in the mail!!

Year to Date MIR: $46.91

WFMW - "Mom, I'm Bored" Summer Edition

2009-06-03T10:49:00.002-05:00

My three year old doesn't officially know the word "bored" yet, but I'm sure it will come soon enough. This is the last summer we will have "together" before she starts pre-school in the fall. I have been on the lookout of fun things for her to do this summer. This past week I enrolled her in a ballet & tap class at the local YMCA (birthday gift from her grandma and papa). Other then that, lots of playing outside in the sprinkler and pool as well as crafts and projects will fill our days this summer. Let's hope none of us get too bored!

Target 6/1

2009-06-01T16:36:00.002-05:00

6x Joint Juice: $.99 each
-6x $1.00 coupons

A1 Steak Sauce: $2.99
-$2.00 coupon

Kraft BBQ Sauce: $1.52
-$1.00 coupon

Musselmans Apple Sauce: $1.69

Axe bodywash/deodorant/ scrubber Set: $6.99
-$1.00 coupon

Skintimate Shave Gel: $2.24
-$1.00 Target coupon'
-$.75 coupon

Johnson & Johnson First Aid Kit: $.99
-$1.00 coupon

3x ($1 bin) Ribbons = $3.00

Total OOP: $13.15
Total Saved: $23.18

CVS 6/1

2009-06-01T16:28:00.002-05:00

2x Maxwell House Coffee: $4.89 BOGO Free
-$2/2 IP coupon

2x Hawaiian Tropics: 1- $8.49 , 1- $9.99
-2x $2.00 coupons
*Thought they were both $8.49 each

Used: $12.98 ECB's
Total OOP: $4.80 ($3.41 on a money card & $1.39 cash)
Earned: $10 ECB's for Hawaiian Tropics deals

Total Saved: $23.87
**TOTAL SAVINGS 80%**

Walgreens 5/31

2009-06-01T16:23:00.002-05:00

Ectorin: $2.00
-$2.00 IP

2x Frosted Mini Wheats: $2.50 each
- $2.50 - BOGO Free coupon (Vocal Point)

2x Dentek Flossers: $2.99 BOGO Free
-2x $1.00 coupons

Total OOP: 3.75
Received: $2.00 RR for Ecotrin

Total Saved: $12.98
**TOTAL SAVINGS 71%**

Tinker Bell Party Recap

2009-05-30T13:40:00.017-05:00

Alyssa in her tinker bell tutu dress and me in my butterfly wings

My baby girl is now a 3 year old! Her Tinker Bell party ended up having to be moved to the garage due to uncertain weather condition, but it still turned out to be just fine and Alyssa had a great time. Here's some of the details:

Gift table, arch way with butterflies, and toadstool (<---Click link for directions to make the toadstool) for the little fairy princess to sit and open her birthday gifts on.

This was my Easter tree I made for the past holiday and thought it would work perfect to hang butterflies from for the party. I'm happy with the result.

Small centerpieces thrown together with dollar store flowers and iridescent shreds under neath. You can kind of see the food table in the background, nothing special - but I did make these to put on that table you may want to check out.

We hung the butterflies and decorated lanterns from the garage door (should have been from trees outside - but you do what you have to do)

The hand painted yard sign I transformed from the "Welcome Home" banner when Alyssa's was first born

The cake and desert table. I hung a lantern and butterflies from the hanging light.

I found the Tinker Bell candy (ring pops and pop rocks) at the dollar store. The treat bags (all the way to the right of the photo) I found on clearance at Michael's for $.49 for 4. The cake stand I also found on clearance at Michael's for $2.97.

My good friend custom made the cake. I purchased the cake mix and frosting and told her I wanted a toadstool on top and she did MAGIC! A tiny Tinker Bell sits on top of the toadstool house complete with sprinkle sidewalk.

I found the green utensil felt basket at Target for $1 (purple utensils came from the Dollar Store). I wanted to make marshmallow wands and found marshmallow poles at the Dollar store (10 for $1!), so those became the fairy wands. The Tinker Bell gift bags in the back were included in the cake stand, which I filled with cookies.

I used the flowers I got for my anniversary gift at the birthday party. I wrapped the vase with Tinker Bell ribbon and added a butterfly to tie the space together.

Hope you enjoyed a look into my little girl's 3rd birthday party!

Free Preschool Crafts

2009-05-27T13:43:00.002-05:00

Here's a cute site I found with free craft projects for preschoolers:

http://www.freepreschoolcrafts.com/

Looking Back...

2009-05-25T15:19:00.011-05:00

Me and my hubby at one of our baby showers

before we became official parents

Why do our little ones have to grow so fast? My daughter turned 3 yesterday (May 24th) and I thought a nice look back would do me some good, since I know from the last 3 years that she won't stay small for very long.

Here she is!
My tiny little 7lb 9oz (20.5" long) sweet baby girl
Born May 24, 2006 @ 10:22pm

Alyssa in her pretty 1st Birthday dress

Alyssa turns 2 years old!
This is the bear she got in the hospital we take a picture of her next to it each year to compare how much she's grown

My little tinker bell is now 3 whole years old!
**Tinker Bell Party Pictures Coming Soon**

I can't help but be a proud mommy - she truly brings our entire family joy everyday

CVS 5/25

2009-05-25T14:54:00.004-05:00

I seriously haven't been out couponing in a WHOLE MONTH!! My bucks where going to expire tomorrow so I had to get over to CVS while the Memorial Day sale was still going on. I really lucked out. My store usually is out of everything if you're not there the first hour of any sale, but they had EVERYTHING on my list! YAY! It felt good to get in on a good deal again. Let me break it down:

Cottonelle: $5.49
-$.50 coupon

Playtex Tampons: $3.99
-$1.00 IP coupn

Band-aids: $2.99
-$1.00 coupon

Clearasil: $3.99
-$2.00 coupon

Speedstick Pro: $3.99
-$.75 coupon

Used: $8.00 ECB's
Total OOP: $7.20 (with tax - on a gift card)
Total Saved: 23.75

**Earned:$12.98 ECB's**

Year to Date Savings: $335.83
Year to Date OOP: $42.01

Anniversary Recap

2009-05-23T09:34:00.004-05:00

Here's to 5 years!

What a fabulous anniversary my husband and I had yesterday! We celebrated over dinner with friends we hadn't seen in awhile. The restaurant surprised us with a beautiful flower, brought out a DELICIOUS (giant) piece of chocolate cake, and even had the house singer come out and sing to us in Italian. Other friends met up with us to have some fun at the casino later on. It truly was a memorable night!

Anniversary/Birthday Weekend

2009-05-22T12:57:00.004-05:00

As I've been posting today is our 5 year anniversary and in two days it will be our daughter's 3rd birthday. Look what I got for my anniversary gift!! I LOVE pink! The roses are already starting to pop open and I just love fresh flowers in the house. I added "Tinker Bell" ribbon to the vase so I can display them at the party on Sunday too. Can't wait for our anniversary dinner out tonight! (FOUND A COUPON!)

Tinker Bell Party #5: Lanterns

2009-05-21T21:20:00.002-05:00

I bought lanterns ($1.00 each) at Michael's and found a bucket of glitter butterflies and dragon flies at Wal-Mart for $1.00!! (I kept my eyes open for anything with GLITTER for the party) My MOM came up with the idea to hang them off the bottom with string. My little birthday girl helped decorate them. (peel and stick - EASY) They will be so cute hanging outside at the party!

Here's to our first 5 years!

2009-05-21T14:13:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow - May 22nd, 2009 - me and my husband, Steve, will be celebrating our
5 Year Anniversary
So many things have happened since we were first married. I truly believe I've found my soul mate. Someone who loves me through good and bad and has always been there no matter what. I can't wait to see what our future holds for the next 5 - 50+ years!

Tinker Bell Party #4: Re-purpose

2009-05-21T13:47:00.005-05:00

My family came together to make this ridiculously cute yard sign to welcome our new daughter home after she was first born. It's been sitting in our basement all this time and I finally brought it out to re-purpose it for her 3rd birthday (something I'd planned to do all this time and am just now getting around to it 3 years later).

Here's what will welcome our guests to her party on Sunday. I took off the top banner and used acrylic paint to spell out the occasion, nothing too fancy. I think it'll do it's job though!

Cost: FREE

Tinkerbell Party #3

2009-05-20T14:34:00.005-05:00

Here's the dress my little fairy princess will be wearing for the party! Yes, I do make these and sell them if you need one for your own little fairy princess: http://www.crossinmyheart.com/ It's called a "tutu dress." Usually they are ankle or floor length, but to match tinker bell's shorter dress it's more of a knee/mid shin length.

The wings came from a barbie type hair styler toy my daughter got for Christmas just a in tinkerbell form instead of barbie.

We found these cute shoes at the Disney store on our Branson vacation. I thought they would be cute for her party dress and for everyday use after her birthday is over.

She also has some adorable tinker bell sunglasses and a purse she loves that will all make for the CUTEST party ensemble.

Tinkerbell Party Craft #2

2009-05-20T14:13:00.004-05:00

There are quite a few tinker bell decorations out there, but I didn't want the "out of the box" type party. My creativity has to shine through somewhere! I found this cute tinker bell ribbon at Wal-Mart ($2.97 for 3 yards). I had the cutlery and napkins on hand. All I did was roll the napkins around the cutlery, cut the ribbon to size and wrapped it around the napkins, and hot glued the ends together in the back.

I also had the basket; however, it was a burnt orange colors, with a $.98 can of white spray paint it now is a neutral backdrop for the service wear. I bought a BUNCH of silk florals from the Dollar Store and I’ll probably dress up the basket with that and maybe more ribbon.

UPDATE: Krispie Kreme

2009-05-20T12:57:00.003-05:00

Unfortunately there are only a few store participating in the Krispie Kreme $.99 dozen deal. Sorry for the misinformation. There is a little bit of good news in there though! - You can read more about it here:
It's Hip 2 SAve

WFMW: Easy Kitchen Clean Up

2009-05-20T09:32:00.006-05:00

I feel in LOVE with Reynold's Release Foil when it first came out! It makes for SUPER easy clean up of the kitchen. The foil is coated and food comes right off after you've baked with it.

I went through A LOT, and it's not really the cheapest thing to buy. (Epecially when you can get FREE foil at Walgreens from time to time) I came up with my own release foil by using the regular kind of foil I started getting for free and would just spray it was Pam or a non stick cooking spray before puting any food on it! Works just as good!

Saturday, May 23rd

2009-05-19T12:39:00.004-05:00

Friday is our 5 year anniversary and Sunday is our daughter's 3rd birthday but SATURDAY will be another great day!

#1.) $.99 dozen of regular glazed KRISPIE KREME donuts (check your local KK to see if they are participating)
Thanks Money Saving Maddness
**Please read this update

2.) $1.00 Solid color Flip Flops at OLD NAVY! (while supplies last)
**Don't forget to get a coupon from OldNavyWeekly.com before going. Rest is usually on Thursday!
Thanks STL Mommy

Love 2 Party Plan

2009-05-18T12:57:00.007-05:00

I always have loved planning parties, even when I was younger in high school - parties were all about the decor! With less then a week till my daughter's 3rd birthday I have still LOTS to do.

The theme: Tinkerbell

In the midst of moving, vacation, yard sale, anniversary, and the grand opening on my new online boutique this month of May I wasn't about to let my princess' birthday fall by the way side. Here's our project for the day: her very own toad stool to open her birthday gifts on.

I did see this on the web somewhere, so I can't take all the credit. But I did tweak it alittle to save time and money.

Supplies:
Bucket ($1 - Dollar Store)
Red Fabric ($.99)
White Felt ($.20)
Old Pillow (Free)
Hot Glue & Fabric Glue

1.) Cut fabric in circle & glue edges together with fabric glue.
**Make sure to leave a small opening to add stuffing to later**
Let sit over night to ensure the glue dries completely

2.) Flip fabric right side out and stuff with stuffing - sew or glue opening

3.) Cut out various sized round circles from white felt and glue with fabric glue on the the red cushion

4.) Remove handle from bucket (if necessary) and hot glue your cushion to the bottom of the bucket & YOUR DONE!

Grand total: $2.19
Skill Level: EASY

I can't wait to see this in the mix of all the other decor at the party.
Now just pray for NO RAIN!

**More projects to come**

FREE CHOCOLATE?!?

2009-05-15T08:35:00.004-05:00

Sorry, couldn't not pass along a deal for FREE CHOCOLATE!! The first 500,000 people to register will receive a certificate in the mail for a free Mars bar (select varieties). Allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Click here to register!

Giveaways Galore!!

2009-05-15T08:24:00.002-05:00

www.MoneySavingMom.com is hosting a giveaways galore page where TONS of other blogs can link their giveaways to her site - INCLUDING MINE (#56)! There are over 250+ sites linked up so start signing up and you could be the winner of some great FREE stuff! Here's the link to giveaway central:
http://www.moneysavingmom.com

Here's the link to my giveaway, where you could win a free hairbow for your little princess:
http://crossinmyheartcreations.blogspot.com

Good luck!

Giveaway!

2009-05-13T17:19:00.004-05:00

Please visit my online boutique: Crossin My Heart Creations NEW BLOG - www.crossinmyheartcreations.blogspot.com
I'm hosting a hairbow giveaway - visit the blog for all the details!

Works For Me Wednesday - Frugal Edition

2009-05-06T16:26:00.003-05:00

So I've been getting into this Works-For-Me-Wednesday blog about deal. Here's a link back to the original site and you can view lots of other blogs linked up to read more helpful (and this week frugal) tips, here. Thought I'd share one of my own tips this week!

My helpful frugal tip:
Instead of leaving all those take-out food napkins in your car, stuffed into your glove box, or thrown into the trash - bring them inside! I have a napkin holder, like most people, and just add them in with the store bought napkins. We got through a lot of napkins so the less I have to pay for the more money I SAVE!