Saturday, December 18, 2010

My Frugal Christmas 2010 Part 4

As the last of my banana bread for this season is baking, I thought I would get part 4 of my frugal Christmas this year posted.

It seems I've been working on these hot pads for months...I'm sure it's only been a couple of months.

I used leftover materials from the quilts that I gave my kids and grandkids last year.  I hope you will visit my squidoo lens all about them at Blankets For Christmas.

When I was cutting the material last year for the quilts, I was throwing away the smaller pieces of fabric.  It was actually my boyfriend that pointed out as to why I wasn't making 2 inch squares to use some time later.  Well, go Steve!  
I had what seemed like piles of them in my dresser drawer.


While we were at Wal-Mart one day there was some of the Insulbrite material in the remnant bin.  I picked it up quickly, knowing I had been wanting to make hot pads/pot holders with those small squares.  I don't remember the exact cost, but it was right around $6.

I also did pay $1.97 for the package of plastic rings that I sewed to the back of each one.

All of the women on my list are getting a set of 2 this year.  My daughter's boyfriend is also getting a set since he recently bought a house.  (Can't wait to see his reaction when he opened them  he he)


What do you think?   Sure looks like a load of them when I put them all down for the photo once they were done!






I'm thinking of doing a part 5 with my Christmas goodies, but I'm not sure yet.  It's turned out to be more frugal than most years, so I probably will  :)   Just wish me luck on getting all the baking done this week!



Thursday, December 16, 2010

My Frugal Christmas 2010 Part 3

Welcome to part 3 of my frugal Christmas this year.

By accident I had discovered making the fabric bags when someone contacted me asking if I could make them.  From there it blossomed to me making one for each of 5 grandchildren for their birthdays this year.  Filled with goodies of course.

I decided that for Christmas I would make my other 2 grandchildren, as well as my niece and nephew each one as well.

Below is the photo of just the bags--Thomas for my 3 yr old grandson, Cash--Scooby Doo for my 9 yr old grandson, Tristian---pink and brown sparkly for my 11 yr old niece---and KU for my 16 yr old nephew.

Below is the photo with the contents in each.  I now have these wrapped and ready to go.

 I'm not sure how well you can see, but the body wash and body spray I had gotten at Walgreen's using coupons and receiving back full price in register rewards.  The deoderant was part of a sale and coupon deal at the grocery store  and I paid just 5 cents for it.

My 9 yr old grandson is getting the same school supplies that the other are getting in a box, just inside his bag instead.

My niece is getting a Teddy Bear that I paid $1.79 for at a close-out store, body spray I paid $1 for, a ruler that was 5 cents, and body wash that I just paid sales tax on after sale and coupon.

My 3 yr old grandson is getting 2 tray puzzles and an activity book boubht at Walgreen's 3 for $1.  Another activity book I paid 25 cents for on clearance.  A box of crayons that I paid 25 cents or less for and a Tonka tractor that I paid .50 for at a yard sale.

As far as the bags....each takes 1/2 a yard of material.  The most expensive was the KU licensed material at $3 plus.  The Scooby Doo was $2.24 and the brown and pink was $2.22.  The Thomas material was given to me by a gal at church.

I strive on finding bargains, and I love making home made Christmas gifts.  These fulfill both!

Part 4 will be the hot pads I am almost done with!  Stay Tuned!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Santa Savings with Cellfire and Kroger!!

This doesn't start until tomorrow, but I wanted to get the word out!

Cellfire is running another special promotion for Kroger stores this week. Their Santa Savings campaign will launch at 10AM Pacific on Thursday, December 16 for four hours (it ends at 2PM Pacific). Anyone with a Kroger or Kroger-owned loyalty card who logs in will receive a $$ off coupon. The fun starts when they login to see whether they've won a $0.50, $1.00, $2.00 or $5.00 coupon of their next shopping trip. Please see the attached graphic for details.



These Coupons are for Kroger and Kroger-owned stores.

HERSHEY’S KISSES brand Save $1
Save $1.00 when you buy any two bags of HERSHEY'S KISSES chocolates 7.5oz. or larger.

Colgate® Wisp® Save $.75
Save $0.75 on any Colgate® Wisp® 4 count or larger.

PILLSBURY® Rolled Pie Crusts Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy TWO packages of Pillsbury® Rolled Refrigerated Pie Crusts.

PILLSBURY® Frozen Grands! Save $.75
Save $0.75 when you buy any TWO Frozen Pillsbury® Grands!® Biscuits.

Green Giant® Frozen Boxed Vegetables Save $.60
Save $0.60 when you buy THREE any variety Green Giant® Frozen Boxed Vegetables.

Just for One® Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy any variety Green Giant® Just for One® vegetables.

PILLSBURY® Sweet Rolls Save $.40
Save $0.40 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Sweet Rolls OR Grands!® Sweet Rolls.

Pillsbury® Crescents Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Crescent Dinner Rolls.

PILLSBURY® Refrigerated Grands! Save $.30
Save $0.30 when you buy TWO any size/variety Refrigerated Pillsbury® Grands!® Biscuits
.
PILLSBURY® Italian Meal Bread Save $.40
Save $0.40 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Italian Meal Breads (Includes any Loaves, Breadsticks, Dinner Rolls, and Pizza Crust).

PILLSBURY® Cookie Dough Save $1
Save $1.00 when you buy TWO PACKAGES any variety Pillsbury® Refrigerated Cookie Dough.

Progresso® Soups Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy TWO CANS any flavor Progresso® Soups.

Nature Valley® Granola Bars Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy ONE BOX any flavor/variety Nature Valley® Granola Bars (excludes Nature Valley® Granola Thins).

Betty Crocker® Fruit Snacks Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy TWO BOXES any flavor/variety Betty Crocker® Fruit Shapes, Fruit by the Foot®, Fruit Gushers® OR Fruit Roll-Ups® fruit flavored snacks.

Chex® Cereals Save $.75
Save $0.75 when you buy any ONE BOX Chex® cereal listed: Rice Chex® Corn Chex® Wheat Chex® Honey Nut Chex® Chocolate Chex® Multi-Bran Chex® Cinnamon Chex®.

Fiber One® Chewy Bar Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy ONE BOX any flavor Fiber One® Chewy Bars OR Fiber One® 90 Calorie Chewy Bars.

Honey Nut Cheerios Save $.55
Save $0.55 when you buy ONE BOX Honey Nut Cheerios® cereal.

Lucky Charms® Cereal Save $.55
Save $0.55 when you buy ONE BOX Lucky Charms® cereal.

Green Giant Bagged Vegetables Save $.40
Save $0.40 when you buy any variety 19 OZ. - 24 OZ. ONLY Green Giant® Frozen Bagged Vegetables.

Betty Crocker Cake Mix/Frosting Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy BOTH Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® Cake Mix AND Betty Crocker® Ready to Spread Frosting (any flavors/varieties).

PILLSBURY® Holiday Cookies Save $1
Save $1.00 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Refrigerated Holiday Cookies.

Green Giant® Valley Fresh Steamers® Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy TWO any variety Green Giant® Valley Fresh Steamers® frozen vegetables.

Chex Mix® Treats Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy ONE BOX any flavor Chex Mix® Treats, Golden Grahams® Treats OR Milk 'n Cereal Bars.

Betty Crocker® Potatoes Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy TWO any flavor Betty Crocker® boxed Potatoes (Except Potato Buds® and Betty Crocker® Pouch).
 

New Coupons this week at Coupons.com!!

New coupons available this week at coupons.com!   Good stuff.  Happy savings!

$5.00 off on ONE (1) REMBRANDT Kit
$0.50 off any TWO (2) Plum Organics Baby Products
$1.00 off on any ONE (1) Gorton's Shrimp item
$3.00 off TWO (2) boxes of WONKA Exceptionals
$1.00 off on 2 Any Spic and Span Product
$0.55 off one (1) package of ARMOUR Pepperoni
$2.00 off any LISTERINE ZERO™ Mouthwash
$1.00 off HP ColorLok Paper
$1.00 off Spot Shot Carpet Stain & Odor Eliminator
$0.55 off any one package of Treasure Cave cheese
$0.55 off on any one (1) package of Stella cheese
$0.55 off on any one (1) package of Frigo cheese
$4.00 off Any Benefiber Product
Buy One Get One Free box of WONKA Exceptionals
$2.00 off any one (1) Triaminic product
$1.00 off ON ANY ONE (1) FLEXITOL PRODUCT
25% off (up to $36) only at www.tryboda.com
$5.00 OFF any size HP Photo Book
$1.00 off when you buy InStyle magazine
$1.00 off Any Three (3) STOUFFER'S Entrées
$1.00 off on any ONE (1) TENA Product
$1.00 off TWO (2) Boxes of Ronzoni Smart Taste
$1.00 off one (1) Starburst Sweet Gamebook
$0.75 off Pledge Multi Surface product
$1.00 off one (1) LIFESAVERS Gummie Wreaths
$1.00 off any LISTERINE for Kids product
$2.00 off on any Slo-Niacin
$1.00 off on AmLactin Foot Cream Therapy
$2.00 off AmLactin Moisturizing Body Lotion
$1.50 off 2 DOVE Chocolate Bags (8.5oz. - 9.5oz.)

Free Samples of Emergen C, Slim Fast, Gas X and Ester C!!

Simply click the links below for each sample.

If you aren't a member of FreeFlys, I strongly encourage that you sign up.  Nothing beats free!!

Free sample of Emergen C BLUE®:

Free sample of GasX® Thin Strips:

Free sample of Ester C® Gummies:

Free sample of Slim Fast® Peanut Butter Crunch snack bar:

Hurry before supplies are exhausted!

WIP Wednesday 12/15/10

Good morning, and welcome to WIP Wednesday in conjunction with Every Day Crochet.   Click on over from the button at the bottom of my post to join in on the fun and see what others are up to.

10 days until Christmas!!!

I did finish sewing up the fabric bags that I am using for gifts this year.  I took a photo of them completed.  Hey, I even filled and wrapped them too.  If you are checking out my frugal Christmas blog posts, they will be the next segment there.


I'm still working on the 18 total hot pads that I am making for gifts.  There shouldn't be any reason I don't get them finished this week as well....and wrapped up.  I'm not used to Christmas being this close and me still having gifts to finish and/or wrap!  I just have 3 more to pin, then to sew the rest....and put on the plastic circle on the backs.

Sitting here I also did quite a bit more work on my current toothbrush rug.   I was able to bring home a lot more cut up sheets from sewing club yesterday, so I have enough materials to make at least 2, maybe 3 more rugs on hand.  I'm excited about that.  I love making them....and listing them in my etsy store.  
That's it for this week.  I'm off soon to Headstart because santa is going to be there and I'm taking my little grandson to see him with his sister Willo.   After that I hope to get my sewing machine back out and back to work on the hot pads.  The more I get sewn, the more circles I can put on the back this evening while sitting in the living room.




 

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Giveaways Linky Tuesday

Are you hosting a giveaway or giveaways?  Please visit each Tuesday and link them in the linky.

Please post the name of the giveaway and the end date.  Link directly to the giveaway post, not to your blog in general.

Linky is active until I post the next one each week.

Have fun....good luck....and Thank you!

Monday, December 13, 2010

My Frugal Christmas 2010 Part 2

Part 1 were boxes for the kids.  Part 2 are boxes that adults get from me.

Any of you that follow me know that I shop Walgreen's all throughout the year getting good deals with register rewards and coupons.  A lot of what Walgreen's offers are health and beauty aids.  All of my adult children, and their boyfriends and girlfriend expect a health and beauty aid box from me.  This year they are even fuller than usual.

Each of the men get a body wash, a razor a deoderant and dental floss this year.  Each woman gets a razor, or package of razors, deoderant, dental floss, a bar of Neutrogena face soap and a body wash.
For the men other things are mixed in...the box in the photo has shave gel, where another box has body spray.  For the women some get lip balms or gloss and body spray, some just the lip or spray.  

As I said in Part 1, I didn't keep track of what I paid as I should.  I do know that I only paid sales tax after sale and coupon for each of the dental floss (7 cents)  The Right Guard deoderants for the guys only cost me 5 cents each plus the sales tax after sale and coupons.
Some of the body washes are the same....just sales tax.   The majority of the rest I used a coupon for in conjunction with getting full price, or close to it back in register rewards.

Stay tuned for Part 3

 

Mailbox Monday 12/13/10


I had a good week!
Magazines:  People, Sports Illustrated, Time, Forbes, Newsweek, and Car & Driver
Book: Sword of the Darrow (this came to Jasmine from the Young Reviewers Circle to read and review)
Samples:  Shout Color Catcher and bag of Purina O.N.E.
Three Christmas cards
envelope of coupons (thanks!)
From Listia: small jewelry bags and Christmas cards
Commission Check from Jerky Direct
Starbucks $10 gift card from gsn.
8 additional pieces of mail from hausernet

In my email:
$20 total paypal from gather
$5 amazon from swagbucks

Join us each week in conjunction with MyFrugalFriend and share your mailbox freebies and/or check out what others have gotten in the mail free.

Frugal Friend

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Chex and Kroger Winner Announcement!

Thanks to all who entered the Chex/Kroger giveaway!  One lucky winner has been chosen using random.org.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me, or another winner will be chosen.

Without further ado......the winner is........


and.......commenter 16 was............

Karen said... 16 I buy Corn, Rice & Wheat Chex as we all are mad crazy for Chex Party Mix at the holidays. I have always wanted to make the Muddy Buddies cuz I love anything with peanut butter. :-)

~K



Congrats to Karen!!


I hope to be doing another giveaway soon!

Swap-A-Shop with abitosunshine






Ruth Cox of abitosunshine (and more!) is offering a Swap A Shop!   If you are interested in Swapping A Shop, please contact Ruth via her blog.  Just click the button at the end.

You can see her interview with me here:

Swap A Shop Interview With Marsha's Spot

 

I originally met Ruth through gather.com.  From there, it's bloomed into the blogging world and numerous other social networking websites.  Ruth is a wonderful writer.  She puts her poetry with great photos to match.  You will want to check out her cafeexpress store.

 

My interview with Ruth:

Tell me about your online shop at cafepress.

Poetic Creations by abitosunshine are a combination of my poetry and my graphic design. I create the items to sell at CafePress (http://cafepress.com/abitosunshine)
I've always enJOYed using my poetry and my graphics to spread a bit o' sunshine, online and offline, and CafePress does a wonderful job with the products that I design, which gives me another way to reach into the lives of others with the warmth o' the sun and hopefully share a bit o' wisdom.


When did you start writing?
Seriously writing? When I got my first computer in 1999. But honestly, I attribute my current creativity to the past year or so of spending my time at Gather.com. The peer group there is fabulous; members are supportive, encouraging, and willing to tell it like it is if you're willing to listen, and I am. (Most of the time..:-)



How do you come up with the inspiration for your poems?
A thought, a feeling, gather group writing challenges and prompts, something someone says or does, a photo, nature, animal antics, anything and everything ... and I have a favorite aMUSEr who keeps me motivated.



I love the photos that go along with your writing...what inspires you to choose certain ones?
Thanks Marsha! My poetic creations seem to be a favorite of those who regularly view my work. Often, I write a poem and go in search of a photo that represents what I've felt in what I've written. Other times I see a photo and a poem starts writing itself in my mind.



What other things do you enjoy doing online when you aren't writing?
Reading what others are writing and sharing in the many social networks I'm a member of, although, Gather is my favorite place to be doing such, as the talent there is immensel and diverse. I enJOY just surfing personal websites and dropping a bit o' sunshine into the guestbooks of friends and strangers. I also belong to a half dozen web groups where I have been socializing and/or writing for over a decade now.
Over a year ago I became unemployed and began building my business -- abitosunshine Hosting and Design -- I host web sites and domains, design and/or maintain web sites. It's slowly building into a good business and I am learning so much along the way. I also design and sell my graphics and poetry on request.
And I spend a couple of hours a day doing things to earn online, other than my paying social sites.



What do you enjoy doing that doesn't involve being on the computer?
What, is there life other than that shared on a computer? My favorite thing is to spend time with my dog, Tidbit, be it just playful lovin' around the house or in the yard or a walk in the park or just taking her for a ride -- she loves to go bye-bye. Before computer, I did all sorts of needlework and sewing, but rarely make time for these things now. I do, however, always have a jigsaw puzzle going. I just finished a killer whale puzzle and am now working on a Kim Norlien "Sanctuary" jigsaw.
I also love to read, and, of course, write book reviews. However, my eyes fail to cooperate all the time, so my time is limited in how much reading I can do. I think I've strained them from staring at a computer screen all these years!
With friends, I enJOY getting together for food and a Bud Ice and shooting a few games of pool. I used to shoot on a league, for years, but haven't done that the last couple of years.



List other places on the internet where we can find you.
My 4 blogs:


 

"Wow! You Saved How Much?" Winners Announced!

Sorry for the delay in getting my winners chosen.

1st person wins a hardcopy of the book!  Please send me your mailing address ASAP.

Winner of the hardcopy of Wow! You Saved How Much? is:


April said... 7
I learned that Renita is a SAHM The 2 winners of the ebooks are:
abitosunshine said... 6
Hey Marsha! Great giveaway! Don't forget to add this book giveaway to my B-Y-G-B linky list for December. :-)
Alexandra Knaub said... 11
Something I learned: She made her husband happy using coupons- she has to be doing something right! (not saying her husband is hard to please, but from experience the hubby is always a skeptic when it comes to couponing!) Please note that all non-winners will be contacted as well with a code to buy the book, or e-book if you would like!
 
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