WIP Wednesday--Christmas is Past and the New Year is Upon Us

I skipped my post last week.  I hadn't worked on anything except Christmas gifts.  Boy, that rush of trying to get it all done in time.  I made it though.  I will be highlighting those things in my post on Friday.

Since Christmas I've completed a rug.  I will list it in my etsy shop later today or tomorrow.  Probably tomorrow as getting things made and listed, and promoting what's already listed is big on my list of goals for 2015.

I got in an order for a dozen dish scrubbies.   I've been working on those since Christmas as well.

Last night I got the sewing machine out.
I started to work on my sampler block to show this Saturday to get my next block.  The block is called Red Cross.  I stopped working on it after getting the pieces cut.

Then I went to my design wall and started putting my Five and Dime blocks into larger sections.  I was going for trying to get the top all sewn together before midnight, but it didn't happen.

Let's look at my UFO list.   I keep wondering about this.  There are just projects that I take to places.  Yo-yo's or hexagons to my stitch group, and then one project that I take to sit n' sew.  My sit n' sew plan right now is the fractured pineapple quilt until I get the top done on it.  That will be 6 months or so from now.
Otherwise, I really think I need to take down a project bag and work on that project until it's done, then move to the next one.

UFO's:

Rectangle quilt
challenge wall hanging
GoodNight Irene quilt/wall hanging
Yo-Yo Table runner
Emerald Island Fusique table runner
Five and Dime quilt
Fractured Pineapple quilt
Charming Stars quilt
Brown half square triangle quilt
? sets of doll blanket, pillows and rug
Hexagon flower table runner
re-do binding on blue and peach patchwork

I also have a list of projects that I have in bags, but haven't started yet.

NewFO's
Spiderweb quilt
Easter wall hanging
Cat wall hanging
Braid table runner
Sunflower pillow
Christmas wall hanging
Chevron quilt

And...here is the list of what I completed in 2014!

2014 Finishes:
Log Cabin quilt
Log Cabin wall hanging
Log cabin table runner
2 rectangle table runners
Quilt for sewing club at church
Applique Bunnies quilt
Penny Patch Quilt
Spoolin' Around
Hexagon table topper
Sunflower table runner and matching placemats
9 Trick-or-Treat bags
40 Hot Pads
Christmas bags
42 coasters
Elvis quilt
WIP at Freshly Pieced
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer quilt

I look forward to hopping around today to see what others are getting done!
I am linking up with the following blogs:

#cube Review and Giveaway hosted by MarksvilleandMe

I'm happy to be a co-host of this #cube giveaway that is hosted by MarksbilleandMe. If you are in to instagram, as so many are, you won't want to miss your chance to enter for a chance to win one of your own!

Easy entries using the rafflecopter form below!

#Cube Giveaway and Review 

Hosted by MarksvilleandMe

Co-hosted by Marsha's Spot

&

WamBam's Corner

Sponsored by #Cube

#Cube comes in three colors Black, White, and Black with a Rainbow stripe on it. I received the White #Cube. I have always wanted a  digital picture frame, and even though this only does #instagram pictures right now, I am more then happy with it. I put it right by my computer while I am working, so that I can keep up with all of my friends Instagram  feeds. 

#Cube is super easy to set up and use. You can do it all in under 5 minutes. The instructions are clear and precise. I was able to set it up in under a minute once it was set up the first time so I could share with my friends and family. 

I haven't figured out how to show just my own feed yet, and it is upgradeable so maybe in the future you will be able to see other social media pictures as well. I also would love to see a wood frame as another option, actually I can see this being available in lots of colors. 

One Lucky MarksvilleandMe reader will win one #Cube valued at 149.00. Open to USA and Canada residents. Begins 12/30/2014 and ends 1/13/2015 12:00 AM EST. MarksvilleandMe or any other blog listed is not responsible for prize distribution that will come from Sponsor #Cube. MarksvilleandMe wishes everyone who enters Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Unboxing, setup of #Cube

What #Cube has to say about their product



#Cube™ speaks to the enormous popularity of photo-sharing sites such as Instagram by enabling the socially connected to enlarge their viewing experience of photos and videos, from the smaller confines of a smart device. It is an extremely innovative, attractive, & easy-to-use wireless living photo canvas which showcases your favorite social photo & video streams.



Among the immensely appealing features of #Cube™ are:

·       A large 8” square LCD touch screen display, giving the retro-inspired #Cube™ a modern touch.

·       Real-time and instant continuous delivery of a stream of photos and video clips, enabling users to enjoy and display real-time social network images from friends, family, and favorite celebrities.

·       Rechargeability and built-in Wi-Fi as well as free wireless software updates that enable new features & application support.



You can purchase #Cube on Amazon.

You can find out more about #Cube on: 

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Google+

YouTube

Instagram

#Cube

Disclosure: MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.

All Business Monday---New Year Goals

I like to use the word goals over resolutions, even though I am resolving to make changes.
The problem with myself is that I make up a fine list of goals......I do rather well achieving them for some time.....then they fall by the wayside.

Last year I made out my list and even printed it 52 times.  I checked off throughout each week as I completed things on the list.  About May I just stopped.

Most of my goals do have to do with earning money:

1.  Get my paperwork organized and keep it that way---no more throwing stuff in piles here and there to get to it later.  Later for me is something months.   I will take care of any paperwork right away.

2.  I will work on my crafts and sewing daily.  Along with this I will promote a craft for 4 days each week.  I don't mean the same craft for 4 days, but a different one each day.  Originally I put this down as daily, but 4 is more realistic.

3.  I will stay up on my blog postings.  This will include adding more affiliate links in to posts to help monetize my blog.  I will find posts to do on days when I don't have a regular blog to post.

4.  I will be more social in my sharing of the work of others.

These are my goals as far as my earning goes.
You might notice that I say that I WILL do each one.

I want to add to the list that I hope to cash out somewhere, online or through the apps that I run, each day of the year.  I've already been able to maintain this goal in October and November, and I'm pretty close to getting it for this month too.  This just ensures me that I am always earning.

I'm currently reading a book call Go For It, that I will review this next Sunday.  It's a great motivational book.  I will link it below if you would like to preview it yourself before I write my review.

What are your goals?

An InLinkz Link-up

Super Sunday Reviews-- The Minimum Wage Millionaire

The Minimum Wage Millionaire is written by Bill Edgar.  The full title is:

The Minimum Wage Millionaire: How a Part Time After School Job Can Change Your Financial Life

Upon first seeing the title, I wondered just how could someone earn minimum wage, but still become a millionaire.  It take much reading of the book to see just how it would work.

The book is geared towards teenagers who are just getting in to the job market (and their parents).  Start from that young age, especially while still living at home, and I could very well see how the techniques that Bill Edgar teaches in the book, would indeed make you a millionaire.

I wouldn't say this book is ONLY for people just starting out though.  I could see anyone who wants to start using his suggestions, gaining immensely from them.  You may not come out a millionaire starting later in life, but you would be so much better well off.

I have already written a bubblew post with my full review.  I would like to ask that you click over and check it out so that I am not repeating myself here on my blog, if you would.  It will open in a new window so that you won't lose this page.

Book 12--52 Book in 52 Weeks Challenge--The Minimum Wage Millionaire

Disclaimer:  I rec'd a copy of this book in ebook form for the purpose of this review.  I was not compensated in any other way and any opinions are my own. 

An InLinkz Link-up

Frugal Friday With Marsha---Christmas is Almost Here

I have spent a lot of time this morning again trying to get pictures that I want off of this disc.  I thought it was my reader, but when I put in other discs they read fine.  Sigh....  I can't share more crafts that I have made as gifts.

Let's talk about some of the deals that I've gotten lately towards this Christmas.
I have been following the hashtags over on TSU of freebies, coupons, Target, Walgreens, etc.
I love it there and so many share the deals in posts!
(p.s.  If you haven't joined TSU yet and would like to, my link is  https://www.tsu.co/marsha32  It's like facebook only ad revenue is shared with the members.)

I was able to get 2 movies at Target for $4 each---Rio 2 Sing a Long DVD and the Home Alone Movie pack for $3.99 and $4 between the sale, $5 printed coupons, and an additional 10% off using Cartwheel.  Plus I printed the 2 coupons from swagbucks so will earn 20 points (20 cents) there for printing and using them.

As I showed you last week, my grown children pretty well expect a health and beauty box from me each year.  This year I don't have as much because I dwindled down to nothing with my coupon shopping.   However, Target has a deal to buy 4 products and get back a $5 Target card.  I had coupons for each of the 4 items as well.  So, I was able to get a couple body washes, and a hairspray for gifts.

I also did another Target deal--buy 2 razors and get a $5 Target card, which I also had a printed out coupon, again from swagbucks, for buy 1 package get one free.  The razors were $9.99 per package meaning I paid that for 2 packages and then got the Target gift card to spend on something else.  So, 2 are getting razors.

Target had the Purell small hand sanitizers buy 3 get 1 free, and I also had coupons.  I did that deal twice, so 8 people are getting those in their Christmas bags.

Can you tell that I love Target????   I earn Target cards through the shopkick app, the PerkTV app, and through swagbucks as well as the ones I am getting for purchases.  Target is providing a whole lot of my Christmas this year.

I think that is enough of my deals for this week as my post is getting really long.
How is Christmas shaping up for you?  What deals are you finding?

I look forward to any posts you would like to share in the linky (and they don't have to be shopping posts--any frugal related post will do)

Red and Gold Christmas Ornaments Xmas Tree Stamp by Sandyspider
View other Christmas Stamps

An InLinkz Link-up

Writer's Unite-- 12/18/14

How is everyone doing this Thursday, just a week before Christmas day? 
The business of holiday preparation has affected my writing this week for sure.   Sunday I thought about my weekly review post---got busy wrapping gifts and didn't think about it again until almost midnight.   Monday morning was a Christmas party with my quilt guild and then work.  Again it was midnight before I realized I hadn't done a post.
For the record, I won't be doing this post next week on Christmas day.

I am still wanting to come up with some regular posts for Saturday and Tuesday.  Probably not posts with linky's like most of my other regular posting.  I have an idea for Saturday--Super Saver Saturday.  Or actually, just post deals that day, doesn't have to have a title except what the deal is.

This week I'm going to choose to share 2 of my recent bubblews posts.    I look forward to what you choose to share!

Merry Christmas Santa hat Red Gold Green Sparkles Premium Jewelry Boxes by PLdesign
See more jewelry boxes

An InLinkz Link-up

WIP Wednesday 12/17/14

I feel like I've had a pretty productive week of sewing.

I've continued to work on the hand quilting on the Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer quilt.  I still hope to finish it before Christmas although I'm not sure who will get it.   I am taking it this afternoon to Needlers group at the quilt shop to work on.

I took my 13 year old grandson to a Mom and Me Apron sewing class at the quilt shop on Saturday.  It was an all day class and we had a blast.  Right away I thought I would like to make an apron for my son for Christmas since I was short a gift for him.   I have found something else now.  I will plan the apron for his birthday instead.    I only have a picture of me in my apron because my camera decided to die.  By the time I got out a different camera to use my daughter had 'claimed' the apron my grandson made and had taken it home with her.

I took an evening to work on my fractured pineapple blocks.  I hope to do this at least once a week, but won't again now until after Christmas.    I decided instead of making one at  a time I would work on my remaining 15 all at once.  So, that pile of papers each has 5 of the 29 pieces done.   I purchased black fabric as I will use that as my sashing and binding.   I plan to put it together in quilt as you go.

I ended up adding another project to my list.    I was looking through a box of fabric that my mom's friend had given me awhile back.  I was looking for fabrics that might be 'manly' to make that apron for my son.  Instead I seen Elvis fabric!  My mom loves Elvis so I decided to make a lap quilt for her.  In the box was also the fabric with the records printed on it.  I hope to get it sandwiched and pinned today.  The picture isn't complete as I did put a border on it last night after taking the picture.

Now let's talk UFO's.  They remain the same and I didn't add the Elvis quilt to my list.  I wonder if I can still finish anything on this list before the end of the year?

UFO's:

Rectangle quilt
challenge wall hanging
GoodNight Irene quilt/wall hanging
Yo-Yo Table runner
Emerald Island Fusique table runner
Five and Dime quilt
Fractured Pineapple quilt
Charming Stars quilt
Brown half square triangle quilt
? sets of doll blanket, pillows and rug
Hexagon flower table runner
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer quilt

I am linking up with the following blogs:

Frugal Friday With Marsha ---A Frugal Christmas

My computer is still not reading my picture disc for some reason.  The disc has pictures of crafts that I've made as gifts that I hadn't gotten around to building into a lenses.   Since I can't access those pictures, this week I am going to share blog posts from a few years back instead.
I did a series of posts on my frugal Christmas that year.   Each picture will be clickable to the actual blog post if you are interested in checking the full post out.  Each post will talk of costs and such.


Steak boxes filled with art supplies for each grandchild.  The supplies were all bought before school started when they have the 5, 10 and 25 cent sales!

Health and Beauty boxes for my adult children and their significant others.   Of course everything in the boxes was bought throughout the year for a little bit of nothing with sales and coupons.

Fabric bags made a filled.  Breakdown of what is in each bag and the costs are in the post.  I did buy the fabrics for the bags at Walmart, but each bag only took half of a yard to make.

Hot pads made with scraps of fabric leftover from making quilts.

And last, but not least, Christmas baking.   Holiday baking isn't always frugal....or cheap.  I make boxes for lots of people and families.  You might want to click over and see just how I made that year possible!

  I hope you have enjoyed the frugal Christmas tour.  This, is typical of my Christmas every year.  This particular year I just got motivated and shared!
I look forward to what you will share this week.

 

Snow Family Ornament by KimsChristmasStuff
Create customized christmas tree ornaments at zazzle.com.

An InLinkz Link-up

Writer's Unite 12/11/14

It's Thursday again, and time to share some of the things you've been writing.  Actually, what you share doesn't have to be something you have recently written.  If you want to share older content, please do so!  In fact, I'm going to share 1 of my older blog posts today and one of my older bubblews posts.

This year is coming to an end. I'm already making goals for my writing next year.  In fact, I just got out a notebook to be specifically for taking writing notes.  Notes of what I am writing, what I am updating, what I am sharing where.  This will keep my mind clearer on where I'm at.

I look forward to seeing what you share with us this week.  Have a great week!

An InLinkz Link-up

WIP Wednesday 12/10/14

I have been busy sewing this week as much as I could.  However, I still have gifts to get made too.
I think for the new year I will plan to take one project bag off the wall and try to exclusively work on that project until it's done, then move to the next. 
I know what you are thinking---yeah right!  LOL
That would be, of course, outside of handwork such as making rugs, hexagons, yo-yo's and such.

This week I got more work done on all of the doll bedding sets that I am making:

I worked on, an finished the rest of the 4 patches for quilt tops for charity at sewing club at church:

I got out the Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer quilt and got it sandwiched.  I tied the corners of the pictures.  I am currently working on hand quilting designs in between each picture and around the edges:

And....I completed the 40 five and dime blocks and have them on my design wall:

I told you that I've been busy!

Here is my UFO list, which should be where I start one by one after Christmas to complete.
UFO's:

Rectangle quilt
challenge wall hanging
GoodNight Irene quilt/wall hanging
Yo-Yo Table runner
Emerald Island Fusique table runner
Five and Dime quilt
Fractured Pineapple quilt
Charming Stars quilt
Brown half square triangle quilt
? sets of doll blanket, pillows and rug
Hexagon flower table runner
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer quilt

I am linking up with the following blogs:

All Business Monday--Half.com

I'm sure that most of you are familiar with half.com.  It's an ebay company and a website where you can sell books,textbooks,movies, music, and games. 

I currently have 88 books in my half.com store.

I enjoy half.com.  It's easy to list there.  You simply put in the ISBN or UPC number and it will take you to the item.  You choose the condition, make some comments about it and add a short description.  They even give you a suggested selling price (which I always go under).

Not all books and such are on the website though.  If something you want to list isn't on the site, you can fill out a form asking them to add it.  I've actually done that several times but haven't gone back to check it if was added or not.

The one thing that I don't like about half.com is that when you sell a book, you have to print your shipping right away from paypal.  That part would be fine with me, except they don't pay you with paypal.  They pay you through your checking account and they pay out on the 1st and the 15th of the month.  If I don't have enough in my paypal when an order comes in, this puts me into a little bind.

I used to list at least one new book each week, and I also always sold at least 2 books a month.  I've not been listing lately because....well....I've not been reading like I should!  I also haven't hit any garage sales this past season either.   I plan to work on this in 2015!

Here are just a few of the 88 books you will find in my shop:

Each of those will open a new window to my half.com shop, but you will also find it HERE.

An InLinkz Link-up

Super Sunday Reviews--Let's Create with Play-Doh

What child does not love Play-Doh? I know that all of my children have loved it as well as all of my grandchildren!
The Play-Doh Let’s Create series is geared towards pre-schoolers for imaginative and creative learning!

I couldn’t wait to show the books to my 2 year old granddaughter, Zelda. Daddy had given her a Play-Doh set for her 2nd birthday and she was excited.
She wanted to get her “doh-doh” out every morning and play with it all day long! Mommy had a hard time getting her to do anything else.

They came to visit us for the day and I couldn’t wait to see Zelda’s reaction to the Play-Doh Let’s Create Books. I chose to have her do the Shapes one pictured here. I also let her take it home with her.

Each book includes an 11 page board book story inside. It also contains 4-1 oz. cans of Play-Doh, shape cutters, a plastic 2-sided play mat, a plastic knife and a roller.

The play mat does have 2 printed sides. One is a story type print, including the shapes. The other side is all about the shapes, and items that are of each shape.

You will see from my video below that this was really a hit! Mommy said she played and played with it at home……that is until she got all of the colors mixed up and they eventually dried.

Never fear little miss Zelda…..Grandma Marsha is buying you tubs of Play-Doh as part of your Christmas. I can’t wait to see her face light up all over again.



Below is a picture of both books that I received. I want to add that I rec'd these over a year ago. The grands still get them out on a regular basis. Even the older ones have a blast with them! Of course I've had to replace the Play-doh on a regular basis.
I can honestly say that if you have a young child I highly recommend these for both learning and fun!

Disclaimer: These book were rec'd for the purpose of review. I was not compensated in any other way. This post does include affiliate links.

An InLinkz Link-up

Frugal Friday With Marsha 12/5/14 Crafts as Gifts

Christmas is literally right around the corner now.   I have tons of things that I would have like to have made for gifts.  Maybe 2015 will be the year that I actually start working on gifts in January?
I have enough past gifts that I have made to take me until Christmas so that I can share the ones from this year, AFTER Christmas.

Corduroy Teddy Bear Blanket that I made for Killian at his birth.   It's actually not finished in this picture, but I don't seem to have a picture in my computer of it after it was finished!

In 2010 I gave Ariel, Willo, and Araya bags for their birthdays.  The intention was to fill them with things to keep them busy and hopefully quiet during church.  I made each bag from a pillowcase I had bought at a yard sale for .25 each.   The items inside each bag I won with points on Listia.

A quilt for Zelda.  She wasn't born yet when I made quilts for the grandkids.  Just as the quilt above for Killian. (I do still have one grandson that I've not made a quilt for so need to work on that for his birthday in 2015!)

I am having trouble accessing pictures from my disc so that's going to be it for this week.  Please wish me luck on getting my disc to read....it has lots of pictures on it that I don't want to lose! 

I look forward to the frugal posts that you link up this week.

An InLinkz Link-up

Writer's Unite 12/4/14

I missed writing this post last week, even though it was Thanksgiving.  I felt like something was missing in my Thursday.   I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving.  We did.  We first ate with my husbands mom at the home and then we traveled to the little town close by where my middle daughter lives and 24 us gathered there to celebrate the day of thanks.

I'm in a scramble for Christmas now.  I do this every year....I guess I'm beyond changing it.  Working on gifts for my family, but also in my writing life as well.  So much to do, and so little time!  It's truly the busiest time of the year for me.

How is your holiday and your writing coming along?

An InLinkz Link-up