Some Gifts on the Frugal...

Recently we needed a "thank you/appreciation gift" of sorts. 

In keeping on-the-frugal, Swagbucks was able to assist me once again!

In case you haven't heard about Swagbucks, it's just a simple toolbar that you download. Not unlike Google or Bing or any of the others. You can use it as your main search engine/toolbar or if will show up underneath your main toolbar.

Once it's downloaded and installed, you simply do your internet searches through it. Occasionally, you will win Swagbucks. These Swagbucks can be used to purchase Amazon gift cards, Paypal gift cards, and so much more!
There are also several other ways to earn by watching advertisements, surveys, and more.

(The above is a referral link and in the event you decide to use it- I'm oh-so-grateful!)

With Amazon credits, I've recently been able to buy a book that was a gift as well as use a trial membership on Amazon, a coupon, and gift cards to score another gift for a sweet little baby.

On another note- I also recently needed to put another gift together and needed a pretty basket.
(I purchased some unique jars and made jams to place inside.)
This time it was Hobby Lobby to my rescue!
Hobby Lobby continues to offer their 40% off coupons (it's like Christmas in August!) on their website.
So- a $10 basket can be picked up for $6!

Now I'm looking for another frugal gift for a teen girl.
I'm sure I will think up something clever....and frugal ;-)
Where there's a will, there's certainly a way!
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There is such blessing in giving, even if it's only on a small scale.
Acts 20:35  ...remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

A Wild Wednesday Freebie:

You DO NOT have to have My Memories to use these freebies. However, they are for a limited time so I hope you all can snatch them up and save them somewhere in a safe spot on your computers (is there such a place?) or disc drives. 

I plan to save one to use for frugal gift-giving. Bookmarks were the favored stocking stuffer last Christmas, but these would make nice Easter basket stuffers as well!

Click here to get the FREE download that you can use with ANY program that will work with images.

Remember, you don't have to have My Memories, but IF you are thinking of purchasing the MyMemoriesSuite, be sure to use my promo code to get your special $10 discount.

CODE: STMMMS61766

Cloth Napkins- for the sake of frugality or beauty!

We had beautiful, store-bought fabric napkins years ago, but with gooey toddlers running around- they didn't stay bright and beautiful for long. Then, I used my dish towels for most messes but time had gotten the best of them too. And well, paper towels aren't quite so frugal, are they? So- whattaya do? Make your own napkins! 

I know, I know...I didn't think I could either. It was Brandy, who once again, inspired me.

They really are not hard. If you can sew a sorta straight line and cut a sorta straight line- you can do this!

You don't have to have a bunch of special, expensive fabric either. Use what you have! Old sheets, old shirts, old scraps, anything really. And to be honest, mine aren't perfectly square, but they're always folded so no one knows that but me..and you ;-)

And- while I hope to have/make some one day to have again for special occasions, right now, for every day life, they don't have to match. Mine are mint green, light and dark purple, and pastel stripes. I think the ideal size is 17x17 but not all of mine are that big, since I was using scraps, I did the best I could with what I had and you know what? It works ;-)  

And they really look pretty good and even he-who-loves-paper has come to LOVE these and feels like he's always 'out to eat' when he has his mint green napkin!

My biggest problem was- where to keep them! I drug out this old what-not, that's really supposed to house paper towels, and I stack them on there along with the salt and pepper.

I think these would make really nice gifts too. My oldest is now out on his own and I'm considering making him some for his kitchen.      

What? You don't think a grown-up boy would like cloth napkins for a gift? ;-)

 

 

Free Gingham Paper Dolls

These are beautiful! And they're so--- Little House-ish!

The Greenleaf Orchid Dollhouse

Usually after Christmas we spend about a week playing games, working puzzles, watching videos and the like but this year we had a new project!
By the Lord's grace, I was able to purchase one of these right at Christmas for about $18. We had so much fun with this!

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(Note- Hobby Lobby is running weekly 40% off coupons STILL but you must print from the internet before you go!)
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 I hope you enjoy the video and if you have some young-ens around, I think they'll enjoy this cute little song!

*A special thanks to Brandy, ThePrudentHomemaker.com for the beautiful dollhouse printables!

Homemade Elf Boots

These were a gift for the kids to go with their Santa hats from last year. What's more fun than a little "dress up" for Christmas?

I made them from a large piece of felted wool that had been given to me and the tassels I made with leftover yarn from the quilt that I made for oldest son.
 Speaking of boots and Christmas- Have you all ever seen:

Homemade Puppet Theater-

Attention: Mom's Frugal now on Youtube
 www.youtube.com/momsfrugal

My kiddies are going to LOVE this!

I was able to have Lowe's hold me a box, for free. It's a HUGE refrigerator box and I cut a cute little door in the back.
The fabric had been given to me years ago by my neighbor. I purchased some border paste to glue down the striped fabric for about $4.  Other than that- FREE!
I used yarn to string up all the curtains by poking holes in the side and tying.

I bought this set of puppets with my Swagbucks, although they were at a cheaper price. (I'm guessing the price is up right now so they can give quick shipping.)

                                                                  
This post is linked to SomewhatSimple, The Diaper Diaries, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Thrifty101, Delightful Order, Frugal Fridays.

Rice Babies- bed warmers

I made these for Christmas, like I did our Bean Babies four years ago.
I used a pattern like a gingerbread man, cut them out on plain fabric, double stitched the edges so no rice grains can escape, turned them, filled with rice, stitched the turning and filling hole, and wrapped.
The kids are able to color them however they wish and at bedtime, they can be heated for 1 1/2 minutes in the microwave for a cozy bed warmer! 

Dh liked this idea so much that he requested one long rice bag for his neck and two small ones for his pockets so when he goes outside to check on the dogs through the winter, he can keep warm too! ;-)

This post is linked to:
Skip To My Lou

Making Barbie Clothes...

One day last week, DD and I spent some time watching youtube videos and making Barbie clothes. (The pink dress and floral skirt.) I have much more to make, by her request, and several ideas for gifts flowing through my overcrowded mind(fancy gown). She also has brought me an army man that needs a shirt. Gulp! Guess he's been drafted to be Barbie's new Ken!

(Hope she doesn't ask for shoes!)

There are a few printable patterns here and here to sew and several to knit on the first.

And speaking of dolls- wait til you see what Brandy's been up to!

Amazon Can Help With Christmas Shopping

Do you have special items that your children would love and family members that ask what to get them?

Amazon is a perfect way to let your family know just what your children want or need for Christmas.

You can easily create a Wish List by clicking on the Add to Wish List tab on the right side of the screen while you are viewing the items. Books, toys, clothes, and so much more can be added.

AND- on the other end of this- Are you wondering what to get someone but can't quite find what they would like?

If you know their email, you can access their Wish List!

Dressing Up a Plain T-shirt

A Scripture a Day Keeps the Zombie Away....

Our newest "game"! ....This my latest attempt to make memorizing Scripture fun...and mandatory!

After school work is complete, my kids almost turn into zombies trying to get to their video games- ugh!
Well, they get 1 big hour on it a day, so to them, that's the most important hour of the day. Now we moms know that it isn't, but sometimes its okay to wait until they figure some things out. In the meantime, I'm gonna make them do something that REALLY IS one of the most important things in life- in order to get that hour on their game! ;-)

Yep- a Scripture a Day Keeps the Zombie Away!
They have to tell me ONE Bible verse, by memory, EVERY day in order to get that hour.

-You don't know your verse? You don't play.
-You grumble and complain? You write the verse multiple times ...and you don't play.

Simple enough, huh?

I used an Awana system online to print the KJV Memory Verse Cards.
Here's one, and here's another.

You'll notice some are longer than others, so if you have littles, you can adjust the cards accordingly. I printed both lists, for each child. (Remember moms- if your child can talk, they can memorize Scripture!)

Each child has an envelope and a Ziploc bag. The envelope holds the cards that they haven't yet memorized. Once they are memorized, they are to fold them and/or check mark them and put them in the ziploc bag, along with the paper envelope. Every 1 to 2 weeks, they can take 5 minutes and go back over the ones they've learned. This will help keep them locked in!

So- you girls wanna play A Scripture a Day Keeps the Zombie Away? ....And by all means change the name to suit your kids' fancy!

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Scavenger Hunt: Here is a link to your third special My Memories Link! Have fun!

Happy Easter!

What frugal plans are you making for your Easter?


Friday night we got a big treat and watched The Voyage of the Dawn Treader! It was super good.
(This will be on Netflix in another month or so...or you can use your Coke Rewards to buy a free rental ;-)




We will be doing this Bible study... from this site on Saturday....rather than our usual homework on Saturday. :-)

On Sunday we will have a small turkey dinner, an Easter Cake with homemade ice cream,  and watch:


This is a movie that we've had for years.
We also have an Easter Storybook that we read.

I have been making some homemade fabric 'baskets' and we have our old plastic eggs and a secret stash of candy. I made my baskets  like these at Brandy's.... but rather than measure them out, I made a silly 'pattern' of sorts out of the end of a pop box...yeah, crzy, I know!   But we always use the eggs and the signs of spring to remind us of "new life" and the "power of the resurrection". (Anyone heard CRI's latest commercial? They talk about a "resurrection plant" and a "resurrection fern". They dry up and will crumble if you touch them but at the first sprinklings of spring rain, they come alive again! Neat!)

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If you have Turner Classics:
"King of Kings (1961)" is playing on TCM on Sun, April 24, 2011 01:30 PM est.....
and  "The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)" is playing on TCM on Sun, April 24, 2011 04:30 PM est.
(We don't have this but I may try to find them online or Netflix.)

Happy Easter and may the Lord help us to make holidays Holy Days, for our families!

Have You Seen This Movie?

 This is a delightful family film.

The little boy begins to mow the lawn of Mr. Sperry, which leads to Bible studies in his home with several boys. Mr. Sperry uses the Bible and craft, to teach the boys how to handle various problems. 

Many people are using it as a witnessing tool, as it is non-threatening, but heart and thought provoking. 

You'll wish your kids had a Jonathan Sperry!

 

Homemade Violet Jelly

The liquid from straining the flowers is a beautiful violet shade- however...

..Once you add the lemon juice, it changes to an almost pink color. It's the prettiest jelly I think I've ever made!

This jelly is so delightful- and frugal!

Its super easy to make- the hardest part is picking the flowers!

To start:

2 heaping cups of violets, just the flowers-no stems

Cover with 4 cups boiling hot water in stainless steel, covered overnight.

Strain off 4 cups of violet water.

In large pot whisk;

4 cups of violet water

juice of one lemon (this will change the color)

1 pkg of Sure-Jell

Bring to full boil.

Add 5 cups sugar.

Return to boil and boil 1 minute, stirring constantly and reducing the heat slightly to keep it from boiling over.

Ladle into jars. Invert jars and allow to cool.
Or water can to insure the best seal!
Makes 4 pints.

Fancy Vanilla Granola...

3 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 cup coconut flakes
1/4 cup cane or brown sugar
1/4 t salt
1 T vanilla
3 T oil (I used coconut oil.)
1/2 cup honey

Mix dry ingredients first. Then remaining. Coat the oats well, mashing the sticky lumps of honey and tossing.

Bake on light-colored baking cookie sheet at 325 for 22-25 minutes. Stir every 5 to 10 minutes, spreading back out on the pan so as to bake evenly.

Allow to cool on pan, tossing occasionally as granola cools. Stir in air-tight container.

Stays crispy-chewy.

A wonderful granola- full of sweetness and flavor.
Would be perfect for gift-giving!

Peppermint Bark...

 During Christmas, a pack of this, pre-made, at the store was going for about $5 or $6!
But now that its after Christmas, I'm finding it very easy to make for about $1!
I've found packs of almond bark for $1 and candy canes for .40 (or less).
Its even almost effortless to make!

I melted 7 blocks of the bark, stirred in about 1/4 t peppermint oil, and spread in a pie plate.
I crushed 3 candy canes, sprinkled them across the top, pressed in lightly with the back of
a spoon, and chilled until it set up. Cut in pieces with a knife. (Hmmp! $5 or $6 a box!)

You can also make this with 1 bag of chocolate chips and crushed candy canes or peppermints.

Tip: I like it better after it has set out overnight. The candy canes loose some of their crunch.
*This also makes a nice gift!

Kiss Cookies..

 These little cuties is what I made this year for our neighbors. I even used some of those cute boxes that I had leftover from last year.

This cookie is made from Bisquick. Ordinarily, that wouldn't be the most frugal means of making a cookie, however, several times a year they will run specials on Bisquick and coupons at the same time...which makes it a frugal pantry-storage food. :-)

(And now that it's after Christmas, Kisses are on sale everywhere for half-off, and coupons have been running on them too!)

Recipe:

1 can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk
3/4 c. creamy peanut butter
2 c. Bisquick
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix milk and peanut butter. Add Bisquick and vanilla. Mix and roll into 1 inch balls. Roll or shake balls in granulated sugar.

Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 6-8 minutes. Place kisses on top as soon as they come out of the oven.

 *This is not an original recipe..you can type it in and pull up numerous sites.

A super cute site....

Here's a site with lots of cute ideas for LOTS of homemade goodies- from food to clothes!
She's also recently featured several links to different recipes found here!
Thought some of you might like to check it out for lots of great gift ideas!

Our frugal gifts to others...

Are you tired of hearing about my cookie press yet? I hope not because I wanted to show you what good use I made out of it for Christmas presents! :-)

I found these neat, unfolded, gift boxes at Walmart for $9 for a package of 8. They came

with "to from labels" and a cute sticker to close the box with.

They were adorable and made for a beautiful presentation for some home made cookies from the cookie press!

The kids made these for various relatives(with a little help of course;).