This one is my FAVORITE!!!

It was like a puzzle trying to figure this one out. I had 2.5inch x 2.5 inch and 2x2 inch squares. I started with the 2.5inch squares because the 2x2 weren't lining up. I would do a row and start another and then forget where I started and where I finished. This one was beer and snus involved, I guess that didn't help! haha But it turned out so good! THIS ONE IS MY FAVE! I bought more material today to get more color in the centerpiece. I will put all these balls I make into a wooden bowl as a centerpiece.

2x2 & 2.5x2.5 inch squares

First few layers

Finished product. Looks so good!!! I cut a green piece of fabric, using my circle cutter and then cut 4 slits so I can wrap it around the ball. I hot glued the center and then pinned each slit. As you can see, PBR and Snus was involved haha That's the kind of crafter/person I am. I do have to say that using the applique pins helped! They were smaller and easier to use.

NOT YOUR TYPICAL CRAFTER HUH??

Christmas Ball #2

For this one I cut the foam ball in half. I wasn't sure if I had enough pins for a full ball. But also I can have different sizes and shapes. Not sure if I want to hang these or stick them in a dish/bowl.

I cut the ball in half with a box cutter and a saw thingy my husband had in his toolbox. Maybe not the best way to cut it. I was so nervous I was going to cut myself! I need to find an old knife so I can make one swoop instead of scoring and sawing. (I was going to put the sequins around it, but decided the strip of fabric was best)

I cut a circle out of the fabric and then cut 4 slits on each side. So I can wrap the fabric onto the ball and it wouldn't gather. I put a daub of hot glue in the center and then pinned each side down.

I cut a circle for the back side as well. You won't see this, but I didn't just want to leave it bare.

Start layering the pieces.

Side view of what it will look like. I had to redo this a few times because it wasn't lining up. I reccomend slightly pinning each end until it is fully lined up! That way you won't have a hard time trying to pull the pins out. Good thing I didn't do a manicure! I think I chipped a nail or two. With this type of foam, the pins really stick into the foam!

All done! I cut a 2 inch strip to wrap around the edge. I was going to put ribbon, but it didn't hide the pins to well and it didn't look right.

I hot glued the strip all the way around.

Finished product! I cannot believe how cool it looks!! Now if I wanted to hang it I could pin a ribbon onto the back.

This is the tutorial I followed:
http://knittygrittythoughts.typepad.com/knitty_gritty_thoughts/2009/11/my-entry.html

Sexiness for the holidays!

Here is the dish towel and pot holder I made last night. My husband isn't digging it too much HAHA

And yes their is bling on the Christmas balls. It makes it look as they are sparkling in the light!

Time to kick the crafting into high gear

I love to craft!! I like to make things that are unique and fit the style of my home. And if you've been to my house you know it's not 'normal'. Haha normal is so boring! Well I've been trying to get more into the holiday spirit and I thought making decorations would help me do just that. So last night I Googled 'CHRISTMAS FABRIC CRAFTS' and found a ton of things to make! Which is kind of a bad thing because now I want to make everything!!! If I would've started this last month or even a few weeks ago I might have been able to make everything, but we are just a few days away from December.

I did however make my SEXY DISHTOWEL and POTHOLDER last night. I fell in love with that fabric the second I saw it! My only mistake was I didn't get a full yard. It was a bit pricey and because I was the youngest at the Sew & Quilt Expo, no one was nice to me. I guess us 'kids' can't sew and quilt! So I just had the lady cut me half a yard.

Tonight though I started a Christmas ornament. It looked pretty easy from the tutuorial, but once I started I knew I would only be able to make 1 ornament a night. Lining the fabric up was a bit tricky. Also I started following one pattern, which called for 2x2 inch squares, and then switched to another pattern. The second pattern called for 2.5x2.5 inch squares! So my measurements were a bit off. The first pattern was egg shaped and you just layer the squares on starting from the bottom. The second was a ball and you layer each side with a pattern in the middle. After the difficulty of lining everything up, I think I will just layer a ball, starting bottom side up and then end with a design in the middle. I do have to say, my fingers hurt from pushing the pins in and I am almost out of the brand new box of pins!

The link I followed for the fabric Christmas ornament was
http://randomramblingsofanartsycrafter.blogspot.com/2010/12/quilted-ornament-tutorial.html

The fabric I used was Christmas bandanas found at Hobby Lobby for $1! The Christmas items were 50% off today! I was going to get actual fabric, but it was on sale for $5-$6 a yard! I only need pieces, not a full yard or even half. I usually look through the remenant bin, but they were stocking and the bin blocked off. I could only see a few Christmas remenants but they were ugly.

The styrofoam I used was a hard styrofoam, not the kind that makes a mess. I wish I would've gotten the messy kind though. The pins were hard to push into this ball. But everything stayed neat, clean and much more together than a messy ball.

First layer started. This was a bit hard to line everything up. I had to redo it.

Second layer....it's starting to take shape!

Um yea, design is a bit off....hmmm o'well! It's my first one.

Hot glued ribbon around the ball and pinned/hot glued ribbon so I can hang it.

Crock-Post Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning

Tonight I tried a new recipe. Crock-Pot Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning. I actually had to add about 2 cups of beef broth because I don't measure, I had way too much beef and veggies! Their was a ton of flavor going throughout this stew! Only thing is, I used Food Network crockpot instead of an actual Crock-Pot lol

I added in a can of corn when the stew was done. I turn off the crockpot and let sit covered for about 5 minutes. The heat will warm the corn and it will still be crunchy.

Campbell's Skillet Sauces

Chili Beans

1 Packet of Campbell's Skillet Sauces Fire Roasted Tomato
1 clove of garlic, minced
1/2 small yellow onion, diced
(1) 15oz can of Hunts diced tomatoes, drained
(1) 15oz can of Teasdale pinto beans, drained
1 lb. ground beef
2c. water with 1 beef boullion cube / 2c. water with 1 tomato boullion cube
(I boiled water in a measuring cup and added boullion cube. Stirred until the cube was dissolved then poured it in)
1 1/2 tbls. of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt to taste
Chili powder to desired spiceyness

Heat oil on medium heat. Turn to medium-low and add onions. Sweat the onions in olive oil for about 2-3 minutes in a dutch oven. Add ground beef and garlic, brown meat. Add about 1/2 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp. of chili powder to the ground beef mixture. Drain ground beef and return to pan. Add beef and tomato broth, pinto beans, Campbell's Skillet Sauce and tomatoes. Add more salt and chili powder, just taste and add what you think is needed. (I don't measure I just put some in my hand and throw it in.)Cover and simmer on low for about 30-40 minutes.

Serve with cheese and crackers.

Call me cheap but why buy it when you can make it yourself?

The other night my husband burned his hand on the hand of our pan and asked that we go and look for pot holders that fit the handles. I told him shoooooot I can make you some! Sure enough I did! I used scrap material and Insulbright. Best part is it fits our decor :-) Found these ones on line for around $8 for 2! I know I could've just went to Bed Bath & Beyond and used 20% off coupon blah blah blah! But I just saved us some money by making it myself! Didn't come out too bad I think and fits perfectly on the handle of our pan!

http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-2-Piece-Handle-Holder-Pepper/dp/B00008GKCL/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1353112679&sr=8-3&keywords=pot+handle+holders

Multiple Transaction Coupon Holder For My Binder

More times than not I have 2-3 transactions when I go to Fry's. It is hard to keep the coupons seperated sometimes. So I made this sleeve to go over the front of my binder. Their are 3 pockets so I can seperate my transactions and keep it organized. It velcro's on the inside. I made it to where if I change binders it will fit on my backup binder. Which is a bit bigger than my #1 binder. It isn't the best, kind of just threw it together but it works out perfect!

Christmas Shopping on a Couponers Budget

Today I found Axe gift set for $5.08 on clearance at Target. Of course you know I had a coupon!!! I had $2 off ANY Axe Gift Set making this gift for my nephew $3.08! I found the little trial size deoderant's for .97cents....and of course another coupon! I had $1 off ANY Axe product. Their were no size restrictions. So for $3.08 I got my nephew Bradley Christmas presents.

I found these Wet n Wild train cases $9.99 BUY ONE GET ONE FREE plus CVS coupon for $1 off Wet n Wild Product. Well the cases are broken so they reduced them to $7 plus they were still BOGO!! So for $5 I got both train cases. They have (2) of each: eye shadow, polish, mascara, blush and I believe a few other things inside! So HER N HER are done!

So for $8.08 I got 3 people covered for Christmas!!! Not too bad!

Burt's Bee's Intense Hydration Products

Wasn't too happy with the Burt's Bee's Intense Hydration products. I broke out after using the cream cleanser and night cream. I didn't leave the mask on as directed. I was afraid of a major breakout! I didn't like how the day cream did not contain SPF. I do not want skin cancer and always make sure I wear a SPF facial moiturizer!

WOW I JUST HAD AN AMAZING TRIP TO CVS! In the words of Rose the cashier "NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN BOUT!"

I received some great CVS coupons in my email today (hubby's CVS card as well as mine). $2 off CVS Brand Beauty, $2 off Essence Beauty and $3 off Nuance Hair Care. Their wasn't a size restriction for these products. For the CVS Breand Beauty I got a trial size nail polish remover which sells for $1.19. The Essence of Beauty is $1.99 and the Nuance Hair Care is $2.99! I also had a CVS Red Machine coupon for $5 off Lumene product. I found a small jar of facial cream, was told it wasn't trial size, for $3.99. The coupon too off the full $5!

Coupons that I had:

$5 off $30 purchase
$4 off $20 in facial products
20% off
$10.50 in ECB (give or take a few bucks)
The rest were manu q's and CVS red machine q's

All this after coupons was $7.02 I SAVED $82.42! Check out the deal on the Brita pitcher......

WOW!!!! I know the filters are expensive, but for a few uses until the filter goes out is so worth it! Because the pitcher is still usable. Or this would make a great Christmas gift!!! When I saw the price of this I ran home for my coupon! This was the only thing I pulled out the debit card for. The rest I paid with change! My 2 transactions of beauty products were both minus, so I had to find fillers to eat up the negative lol The facial cream alone was $12.99! I so rocked it today!!

Ultra Pro Coupon Saver Starter Pack $7.98 at Walmart

I was on my way to the clearance rack........that reminds me, I never made it to the rack! I saw the word COUPON on something and got distracted! Dang A.D.D. lol Anyways, I found coupon holders today at Walmart that I thought were pretty dang awesome! Plus it was a steal! To buy everything seprately it would easily be $40+! Also their is a glossary that comes with it. Its of the coupon abbreveations us couponers tend you use. This would be great for a newbie!

This is what the package looks like:

This is what the coupon terms looks like (on the back is a glossary):

Package contains 40 + 1 Ultra Pro Premium Pages

(10) 9 Pocket 2 1/2 x 3 1/2
(10) 8 Pocket 2 3/4 x 3 7/8
(10) 6 Pocket 2 1/2 x 5 1/4
(10) 3 Pocket 7 7/8 x 3 5/8
(1) Sheet Protector
BONUS Glossary and Coupons Terms Index

The Currency Holder's sell for $6-$7 so basically your getting everything else free!

Ulta Biore Deal

Right now on selected Biore products they are $2 off. Which makes a great deal if you use Biore products and have coupons!

Deal idea:

(2) Biore Nose Strips $7.49/each
(2) Biore Face Wash $5.49

Use

Ulta Printable $3.50 off $10 (Exp 9/22)
(2) Manu Q Printable $1.50 off ANY Biore Pore Strip Product (Exp 9/24)
(2) Manu Q Buy ANY Biore Pore Strip & Receive One FREE Cleanser (Exp 9/30)

TOTAL PRICE $8.48 FOR (2) FACE WASHES & (2) 8CT NOSE STRIPS!

WE DINED FOR FREE USING REBATE CHECKS!

So I got in the BOGO lunch deal from Buca today. Thought hmmm cheap lunch plus we get fatty full, lets go! First we stopped at the bank where I cashed 2 rebate checks; Glade $5.98 (paid .98cents for the oil diffuser) and Accu Check $9.78 ( I had .12cents overage from this purchase, I used the q for $10 off at Walmart). Then hubby says I have $3 left from bingo yesterday, he won $13 lol (it was a free bingo session and he won SCORE!) So I told him ok this try this, lets see if we can go to lunch and not have to pull out our debit cards! We had $17 cash on us and headed to Buca. Our bill was a little over $13 and we left a $4 tip.........NOT ONCE DID WE GET OUT OUR DEBIT CARDS! We ate on rebate checks :-) I even had some of my ziti left over for dinner tonight!

Finally found my Scrabble Dictionary and it was only 62cents!

After having lunch with my sis and parents I thought I'd run over to Target and do a lil coupon run! I knew that I did have to get the Glade products and the sponges but we found some good clearance today! I made sure to print up some Target coupons just in case I found a good deal to use them on. So glad I did!

(3) 2pk sponges FREE
GLADE PRODUCTS FREE
(4) Solar Lights $10
Scrabble Dictionary .62cents
(3) packs of Wet Ones wipes .07overage/each
(2) Skintimate shave gels .19cents/each
(2) 3pk Schick Disposable Razors $2.49/each
(5) Single Packs of Kleenex .33cents/each
(2) 2pks of Jello pudding .29cents/each
Method Laundry Soap FREE
Method Dish Soap 99cents

TAC $6.37

I used $20 in rebate cash!!

My second run was to CVS, where they still were out of stock of the Centrum vitamins. Right now they are $6.99 and the Red Machine is printing out a $5 off coupon. Plus if you go to Centrum.com and scroll over to offers there is a $2 off coupon! Making them FREE this week at CVS! I still did do good though!

(2) Starbucks Refresher $1
Clear mens 2in1 FREE

TAC $1 then I received a $1 ECB for using my Green Bag Tag

SO BASICALLY THIS TRIP WAS FREE! WOOHOO!

I am so good, I'm famous!

There is a local blog I follow that lets me know what is on sale and what coupons to use. Sometimes........well most of the time I like to find my own deal. I have done so well she has posted many of my deals on her blog. On her blog I searched 'ELLIE' my Facebook name and I popped up on a lot of posts WOOHOO!


http://www.thecentsableshoppin.com/?s=ellie

copy and paste into new browser

.50cents for a notebook and Puffs tissue

I got all this for $14.79! Saved $68.45!! I had an old printed Schick Quatro q for $3 off the razor. On the Skintimate shave gels theres a $2 off Skintimate and Shick razor! I also had $1 off Schick Target q! So razor and shave gel $1.94! Chapstick on clearance .48cents! We just got in $1/2 Chapsticks q

Downy Unstopables $4 we have $2 manu q + .50cent Target Q makin it a good deal! These are the smaller ones, but the normal size is 13oz I believe and $6

O I also got 2 bags of Target Veggies not pictured

This week at Fry's Puffs tissue is .99cents when you buy 10. On the inside of the notebooks their are coupons for .75cents off any one Puffs. Meaning tissue will be free!

102% Savings is what it's all about!

‎2 Differents Fry's, 1 that had INSANE CLEARANCE! Spent $20.49 and SAVE $176.57 ($6.34 was tax)! (4) Jolly Rancher Popsicles, (2) Allegra, (12) Feminine Products, (10) 2pk Crayola toothbrushes, (5) Alka Seltzer Allergy, (1) Lysol BOGO pack of wipes (5) Poligrip, (3) 16ct Cascade Action Pacs (2) Lysol No Touch Kitchen, (1) Fruit n Grain Bars, (18) packs Bullion Cubes, (16) Zone Bars, (2) Ketchups, (4) King Size Reeses PBCups, (2) Bush's Beans (4) Gerber (3) Rosarita, (2) Progresso Recipe Starters and (1) 10pk Minute Maid Juice Boxes

Cascade was on clearance for $2.19, Reeses .39cents, Alka Seltzer $1.79 ($2 off q) and Allegra $1.59 ($2 off q)

The Zone Bars are my sisters. She was surprised I got so many lol

A couple of my transactions were 102% Saving! NEVER I HAVE I HAD THAT BEFORE!

****THERE IS ALSO A REBATE ON THE LYSOL WIPES, $3.39! I THOUGHT THAT WAS A SUPER DEAL! $3.39 FOR 115 WIPES!****

Thanks Walgreens for the glitch!

(8) Transactions paid $2.16 in tax only and got $16 in RR. Plus their is $1 off hang tags on them for Glade Mist Product. I also have 2 rebate hang tags to send off for! WOOT WOOT!

****$16 RR is Walgreens Register Rewards. Each one says $1 OFF YOUR NEXT IN STORE PURCHASE. Meaning I can buy hairspray that is $4.99 and use that $1 off and pay $3.99 for it. Its basically kind of like cash****

It was only supposed to give (1) $1 off RR per can but their is a glitch in the system and its printing (2) $1 off WOOHOO FOR US!

Fry's Mega Run

(5) Pup Peroni
(5) Suave Lotion
(6) Tresemme
(6) Kleenex Tissue **FREE Thanks for the help Stephanie**
(2) Kleenex Hand Towels
(10) Hefty Slider Bags
(10) Powerades **FREE From QT TP**
(2) SweetLeaf Tea **Buy One Get One Free Company Mailed Q**
(1) Chex Mix
(1) Motts Fruit Snacks
(8) Totinos Pizza Rolls
(1) Stouffers Family Size Meal **FREE Company Mailed Q**
(1) Dryers Ice Cream Cup **FREE Q off of Facebook**
(1) Kashi Frozen Pizza **FREE Company Mailed Q**
(1) Ore Ida Grillers
(6) Toaster Strudel
(19) Pastas
(1) Stouffers Single Lasagna
(3) Good & Natural Bars
(4) Zone Protein Bars
(6) Chips Ahoy

TAC $54.45
SAVED $214.99

The assistant manager was so helpful and patient. She was waiting for me to get done with my shopping. She was standing in front of the registers and I came up to her and told her I had 7 transactions to do which register would be best? She said "O I've been waiting for you, let me open a register for you." She opened a register just for me, checked to make sure I had 10 items and made sure every coupon got scanned. I told the manager how awesome she was and how I just came from Safeway and appearantly the cashier didn't want to help me cause she said I was holding up the line and passed me onto someone else. (I was just buying 4 Febreeze items) Shopping was easy and so was ringing up.