Saving - PAAS Easter Egg Decorating Kit Coupons!

Super rare coupons available for Easter egg decorating kits over on the PAAS Facebook page!

Grab a couple different coupons - $1/2 kits or $1.50/3 kits.

What fun ways do you decorate Easter eggs?  Please share your ideas on the comments!

Here are a few fun ideas:
*Write or draw in white crayon (or really any color if you want) before placing in the egg dye.  Your white crayon image or text will stay white and be visible after dying the egg!
*Use stickers!  Doesn't matter what kind, raid your stash!  Superhero stickers, sure!  Pretty princess stickers, sure!  Personalize with letter stickers, etc!
*Get out the glitter glues.  Choose to either dye the egg before or not!
*Rubberbands wrapped around the eggs prior to dying and then remove after.  Use multiple bands for added decoration.
*Paint - all sorts of paints work well!  Use a pencil eraser dipped in paint to make cute little dots!

Thanks for the heads up on the coupon, Hip2Save!

Living - Personalizing Toy Buckets: SuperHero Style!

Some of you may recall a couple months ago when I posted about redoing a headboard for my little man to show off his love for superheros.  I used the wall clings that you can find at several stores (Menards, Walmart, Target to name a few).

I recently purchased a couple red bucket totes from Walmart ($6.84 each) to use for toys and such that would continue the superhero theme.  Red.  I like the red with the grey headboard and of course it is a great superhero color (Spiderman, Captain America, Superman, etc love red too.)

The other day it dawned on me that I had some of the wall clings left from the headboard and frame projects.  So, I put a few of them to good use!  I stuck them right to the buckets!  Love, love, love them!

And no where else will you find Spiderman buckets like these!  I am really loving these clings!  They would make for the perfect uplift to any tote or all those clear storage containers I have around the house! 

Let us know what fun things you have done with wall clings, besides sticking them to the wall.  Leave a comment below or feel free to send me an email with a picture!

Living - Some Valentines Goodies!

Are you looking for some quick and easy things to do last minute for Valentines day?  I thought I would share with you a few things we have been up to lately.  I think they are all things that you could do yet today just in time for that special day!

Handprint cards

The kids made handprint cards for their grandparents!  I just remembered that I need to get these in the mail today!   They are pretty simple.  Have your child put their paint-filled hands facing down to form the shape of a heart with their thumbs and pointer fingers.  Then cut out a heart and tape it down.  Add whatever saying you want!  It is cute and memorable!

Dipped Oreo Cookies

Simply add a stick to an oreo cookie and dip in white (or to be festive try pink or red) melted chips.  Add sprinkles and let dry.  Easy peasy! And I think the kids will love these!

Personalized Valentines

Elizabeth did these last year and I thought it would be fun to give it another try this year to compare all the cute changes. 

She had fun posing, I must have about 30 different ones, but the one below is what we decided to go with.  And of course, heart suckers were a must! :-)  To do this, just simply have your child hold out their hand as if they are holding a sucker.  Once developed, cut 2 small slits in the hand area of the picture to stick the sucker stick through.  So fun!

Please share your easy and fun Valentines ideas in the comments!

Saving - Target Holiday Clearance 90%!

If you have been patiently waiting for the 90% discount on holiday clearance, now is your time!  Sioux Falls (West, I have not verified East) has hit 90% off on the holiday clearance area.  The little guy and I grabbed a few good buys this morning.

Remember the ornaments I told you about here.  Well, they are now just $.10 for 3!  That's just $.03 per craft project.  Plus they had bags of holiday sequens with a small glue bottle for just $.20!  Easy, fun and FRUGAL craft!

I spent about $20 and really walked away with a nice load of items I am excited to use.  Was thinking I needed to buy a tote to store it all.  Is that bad?  I met a nice man at Target this morning who was excited about $.50 socks and so many other fun buys for his grandchildren for next Christmas.  He said, "Now, if only I could practice some self-control".  Isn't that so true!  At 90% off it really is hard to practice self-control.  I start thinking of everyone I know and how they may be able to use something or where I could donate certain items, etc.  Ha!

I hope those of you in other parts of the country find the same great clearance at your Target!  Let us know what great deals you are finding!

Happy Shopping!

Living - Target Clearance Craft Idea!

Hey there!  If you are still considering checking out the Target clearance, I just wanted to share this idea with you.

I found these cute Christmas tree ornaments among the Target clearance.  They come in a few different colors like green, red, purple, turquoise and white.  It is a 3-pack of thick, felt, tree-shaped ornaments.  They are originally $1, but just $.30 now on the 70% clearance!

Yes, you could certainly hang these as-is on your tree just like all the other fabulous Christmas ornaments you may snag.  But, here is a thought.

I picked up a few packages of these so that the kids can decorate them and make them "special" for their loved ones!  Glue on pom pom balls, sequins, glitter and more!  Why not grab up a few extra to donate to the classroom or church groups next year!  I can't wait to see the masterpieces the kids will create!

Living - Remembering The "Good", When Trying to Make it Through the Tough!

Picture thanks to inchmark!

For the past couple weeks, my little guy (age 2 1/2) has been going through a major funk.  I am not sure if he is experiencing growing pains, getting in more molars or just teetering with confirming his levels of independance.

No matter, it has been a tough couple of weeks.  I came across this ADORABLE idea tonight and will be adding this to my daily life.  Essentially it is a memory jar.

When your kiddos say something that makes you laugh out loud or warm inside, or just plain proud...write it down on the nearest scrap paper (old receipt, gum wrapper, etc) and jot it down before you forget.  Throw it in a cute jar and store it nearby so that you can grab it when you are having a 'rough spot' to bring a little joy to your day!

I have used a calendar to write quotes or stories and even write a journal to each of my children (limited entries, I'll be honest)...but it seems the 'little joys' that happen throughout the day get forgotten.  So I am really digging this idea to capture some of those little things!

And I think this will be an awesome jar to have as a scrapbooking buddy!  Looking for a way to document some of those fun moments so the kids can enjoy them later, include them in their scrapbooks (which by the way, I intend to get back to soon)! 

Oh boy, the warm fuzzies are all over tonight!  And the creativity is running through my veins now!  How will I ever get to sleep?!

How do you document those little moments that bring you to tears from laughter or that leave you saying, "awww!"?

Living - Rain Boot Planters!

Thanks to Art Moms LLC for posting this cute picture on their Facebook page.  I couldn't resist checking out the scoop on the adorable rain boot planters!

Such a cute and easy little project! 

Grab some outgrown rain boots, drill a few drain holes in the bottom, add some dirt and plants and hang them in a special place!  I like the idea of hanging them on the fencing.  Now, if only I had some fence. *smile*  I can also see these looking uber adorable sitting on retaining wall blocks, an outdoor table (oh cuteness), in a garden, on stepping stones, in a rock garden, next to a water fountain, etc!!

AND - a frugal note (of course) to this post: This would be a GREAT time of year to start planning for next summer, if you don't have any rain boots on hand.  Don't pay full price!  Head out and check out summer close-out clearance sections at your stores!  Or keep your eyes open while shopping local thrift stores and while you are out rummaging!

Thanks to Rosy Posy for the picture and idea!  Want to know how she hung them on the fence, check them her post out here!

Living - Clay Necklaces = Cute/Fun Easter Idea!

picture from Art Moms's Blog

Check out this fun tutorial from Art Moms's Blog on how to make Clay Necklaces!  I just love these and how she and her daughter did these together, expressing their creativity.  And how fitting, there is an Easter bunny!

This could make a cute and fun homemade Easter basket filler.  Whether it is filling the basket with different clays so that you can later do the necklaces together or make the necklaces now and give them to your loved ones for a fun and memorable little gift!

She mentions in the article that the clay are on sale this week at Hobby Lobby for $1.27!  You know me and a good sale! :-)

Note: I would love to say that there is a 40% off a regular priced item coupon available to help save on the jump rings and string, but there isn't one this week.  However, if you can hold off until next week to grab those items, you might get lucky.  You can always check their website here for a coupon.

Saving - Dan-o-Nino 6 pk $.97 PLUS Free Seeds!

You can grab a 6 pk of Dan-o-Nino for just $.97 after coupon at Walmart!  Plus there is special packaging that offer free seeds inside so that your little ones can grow the seeds in their "repurposed" yogurt container!  So cute!

Deal Scenario:
Dan-o-Nino 6 pk yogurt with special packaging $1.97
Use $1/1 2/27 SS
= $.97 for yogurt and seeds!

Looking for a duel purpose snack and project for a school group, girl/boy scouts, birthday party, etc?  This would be a great idea!

Living - Getting Organized On A Frugal Budget = Getting Creative!

One of my resolutions was to get more organized and keep working towards it, no matter how bad it gets! ha!  Part of my organizational flaws have been keeping my calendar neat and tidy for our family.  When did you say you go on-call for work?  When is that birthday party?  Can we fit a dental appointment in on Friday? I don't know, I don't know, I don't know! Ugh!

I figured a nice planner would do the trick and was a sensable first step to acheiving organization.  But then it hit me, I am not going to spend a bagillion dollars for a nice planner...remember, I am frugal and the idea of spending (did I say a bagillion?) money on a planner was not on my priority list.  But, I did resolve to become more organized.  What was this frugal, unorganized chic to do?

It was time to get creative!  Don't you find that one of the most fun things about being frugal is that you get to test your creativity frequently?!  And when you succeed, it is just as rewarding (or maybe even more so) as saving 50-75% or more at the store with your coupons!

So here's what I did....

Remember the Carolina Pad free notebook deal I told you about here?  Well, I dug my free notebook out along with a few other supplies and this is what I came up with.

A cute, fun and made-to-order planner!  I am able to see a month at a glance with these monthly cover sheets.

I can also write out a to-do list or additional information to what I have written on the monthly at a glance pages here.

Plus, for those pages I get from Preschool, birthday invites, directions to an appointment or whatever miscellaneous papers I get for a month I can easily paper clip them to the back of the monthly calendar page.  They are readily available and easy to find (uh-em, the goal was to get organized right!) :-)

Okay, so it may not be the most impressive do-it-yourself project but it is one that I feel so incredibly good about.  I used things I already had around the house, PLUS I am still doing good working towards my resolution!  Am I organized?  No.  But I am certainly getting there. 

Want to do this yourslef?

What you will need:
*Find a notebook you want to use, this can be any notebook really.  Even the $.15 back to school notebooks!  (You could dress up the cover with a fun picture of your family or kiddos and then place a laminate sheet over it to protect it!) 
*12 separate sheeets of paper to designate one for each of the months
*Markers/Crayons
*Calendar template (I used Microsoft Word)
*Paperclips 2-3
*Tabs (I will be adding tabs to mark the monthly pages, definitely optional)
*Double sided tape

What to do:
*Use your calendar template to print off the 12 months of the year, one per sheet.
*Place 'January' on the first page of the notebook with double sided tape.
*On the next page, draw out sections for each day of the month and add the date.  I have 5 days per sheet in mine.  I simply drew them out with markers using the lines as my guide.
*Place 'February' on the next page following the sectioned out days of the month for January.
*On the next page, draw out sections for each day of the month.
*Repeat until you have gone through the whole year.
*Add a paper clip to a few of the monthly pages so that they are available for adding stuff as you get it.
*Add tabs to mark out the months, if you choose to add these.
*Enjoy!

What about you?  What tips do you have for getting organized on a budget?  How have you expressed your creativity lately?

Saving - Wonka SweeTarts Lollipops $1 @ Target and Walgreens!

The Wonka SweeTarts Lollipops are on sale at Target and Walgreens this week for $2.  Grab the $1/1 coupon from here and you can get the suckers for just $1!

These are great to use with the fun, personalized Valentine's Day card idea here!

Saving - Jo-Ann's, Hobby Lobby & Archiver's Coupons! And Craft Project Idea!

There are a couple new crafting related store coupons available:

Archiver's
30% off 1 regular priced item
Free Cardstock with Cardstock purchase

Hobby Lobby
40% off 1 regular priced item

Jo-Ann Fabric's
20% off your entire purchase

Craft Idea:
Why not give your try at this easy Valentine's Day craft project!  Make some easy cupcake toppers like in the picture above!  Get the idea on how they are made and then make them to reflect your personality!  What a cute idea for kid's school parties...or why not make something similar for your SuperBowl party.  Change the colors and change the hearts to footballs or helmets!

Living - Valentine's Day Card Idea!

Check out this super cute Valentine's card idea from Brassy Apple!  Simply grab your kiddos and have them put out their fist like they are handing something to the camera!  Then pick your favorite and print.  Cut slits around the fist and insert a blow pop or other treat!  Super cute and personalized in a fun way!

Ideas:
You could write on the picture with a photo pen, put it in Photoshop and type your words, make them into photo greeting cards where it allows you to write words or.......

like in this super-cute picture of my daughter (biased, yes!), make a sign that says Happy Valentine's Day or whatever greeting you wish to share!

Walgreens is offering up a 40% discount on all photo purchases right now with code: BEMINE40.  Just add the number of prints you need and it equals out to be a little over $.11 a print ($.19 normal price less 40%).

This is a nice deal to get only the number you need AND have them within an hour by picking up in-store (no charge for shipping)!

 *Plus, if you go to Ebates and shop for your Walgreens photo, you will earn 4% cashback!  Super easy to get started, if you aren't already signed up with Ebates.  Just go here and enter your email address!  Then start shopping!

Saving - Mill End Textiles 60% Off Coupon!

Are you making a tie-blanket or sewing a quilt for gifts this Christmas?  Mill End Textiles may be able to help you out by offering 60% off fabric, including fleece.  Looks like they will also have Team Fleece Prints available so you can make a team specific blanket for that sports fan on your list!

You can grab your coupons here.

Saving - 39 Days Until Christmas! Homemade Gift Ideas!

There are 39 days until the big day!  Are you still shopping?
:-)

Maybe you will choose to give a gift this holiday season that has a homemade touch to it.  What ideas do you have for homemade gifts?  Even if they are semi-homemade, share!

Here are a few suggestions:
*Scrapbook - even if you are not into the full paper cutting and glueing you can make a scrapbook photo album at several photo developers (Lewis Drug, Walmart, Target, Harold's, Snapfish, etc!)

*Reader, Trista shared that a great option for homemade gifts is to "put the dry ingredients for cookies together in a jar with some cute fabric on the top and a ribbon.  All the gift receivers have to do is add the wet ingredients and enjoy!  Fun, simple and frugal!"  Check out these resources for recipes: Butterscotch Chip Cookies in a Jar, Brownie Mix in a jar or you can simply search google.

*Make your favorite homemade spaghetti sauce, jar it and spruce it up with a bow!  Put the jar in a basket or colander and add a box of spaghetti noodles, french bread loaf, parmesan cheese and maybe a $5 gift card to a local grocer (to pick up some meat for balls).  What a cute and useable gift!  Also great for families that might be in need.

*Do you preserve foods such as homemade pickles, jams, jellies, salsa, etc?  Grab some homemade goodies and place them in a basket or cute container, add a ribbon and you are done!

*Put together a your version of a car emergency kit.  See this post for more info.

*Put together a meat, cheese and snack gift.  See this post for more info.

*Do you sew, knit, quilt, build?  Use your skills to make something memorable for your gift receiver!

*Combine your favorite recipes into a cute notebook (or find one of those cookbooks that are meant for you writing in recipes), maybe add some pictures of the final product.  This can be a great gift for a younger individual just getting out on their own.  Or check out Martha Stewarts idea here, where you combine your favorite holiday recipes and include them with some of your goodies!

*Movie basket - either movie at home - or out to the movies.  For at home: add things like bagged popcorn, popcorn toppings, boxes of candies, sodas, free movie rental codes or a gift card to a local movie rental store.  For out at the movies: Movie tickets, a box of candies, maybe a gift card for ice cream afterwards, etc.

*Make some marble magnets!  I have seen these made with a small photo in place of the other pictures used.  So cute and personal!  Check out how to make marble magnets here.  I think this would be fun to make of all the grandchildren for Grandma and Grandpa's refrigerator!  Or maybe a set for someone that has a locker at work or a desk with an area they can use magnets - add the photos of their kids!  Cute!

*Dress-up box for kids.  Grab an old suitcase or a plastic tote.  Add items to the container that kids can use for playing dress-up.  Maybe old or new Halloween costumes, used dresses from weddings (can find at thrift stores), high heels or store purchased princess shoes, chef hat, cowboy hat, sailor hat, wigs, cowboy boots, men's vest, sunglasses, dress gloves, necklaces, rings, ties, etc!  Many of these things you can find in the back of your own cloeset, thrift stores, dollar stores, dept. stores, etc!

*Add songs to a CD that the gift receiver loves.  A nice mixed CD to listen to all year long!

Please feel free to share your ideas in the comments below!!  Others and I would love to read about your ideas as well.

Living - How Do You Carve Your Pumpkins?

So do you carve free hand, use stencils or do you choose to paint, glue and stick things on to decorate?

If you are looking for ideas, you can take a look at these sites.

Minnesota Twins pumpkin stencils here

Want to paint?  Here are some very cute ideas in HyVee's Seasons Magazine

Better Homes and Garden - a site full of pictures and tips here

Ideas for kids here

Living - Inexpensive Craft Project for Fall!

One of our neighbors recently put up their scarecrow outside, getting ready for the wonderful season of Fall. My 4-year old asked if we would be putting ours up. I told her we would wait a bit. I just wasn't ready to admit that the seasons are changing and Summer is leaving.

Well, I happened upon this wonderful blog today and found a very inexpensive project that just may have inspired me to wrap my arms around the coming season! I love the colors of fall and this project has certainly captured that.

So if you are looking for a little something to help spruce up your house for fall, go over here to check out how to create the fun project in the picture above!