Frugal Friday With Marsha--Free Ebook!

I'm wanting to get my Frugal Friday posts going again.  I hope to find deals for you as well as share different things I've done over the past week.

This past week what tops my list is cutting up old t-shirts that I will make into rugs.  I cut the top parts that I can't make in to strips up to be rags.  They work very well, can be thrown into the washer with a regular load of clothes.....and they save the environment over not using tons of papers towels!

I posted this picture in my WIP Wednesday post, but will post it again.  It's my huge pile of rags and also my pile of strips for rug making.

Now how about the free ebook!  Pinch Like You Mean It.   I downloaded my free copy to my Kindle app and can't wait to read it.  I don't know how long it's free, so get your copy now!

WIP Wednesday Into the New Year

I hope that 2016 is off to a good start for everyone.  So far so good sticking to my craft/sewing schedule that I set up for myself.  Some days are busier than others with lots less working time, but I have kept at it even if I only get to work for a couple of hours.

Wednesday is the day I have set to work on the color of the month for the soscrappy blog color challenge of the month.  I had no idea just how much I had in my box of squares!  I pressed and pinned.  It so happens that this months color is blue, and blue is what I pinned for sewing there on the side of the box.

Thursday is to work on any other UFO, but currently it's a pink patchwork quilt top that I am making for our community service project at quilt guild.  I only have until the 25th to have it done.  I have 5 inch squares cut so far.  I will work on this Friday night this week at sit n' sew for extra time.

Friday is working on yo-yo's but I chose to not take a picture this week of just the few I got done.

Saturday is hexagons, which I also chose to not take a picture since I only added 6 more to my quilt top.

Sunday is rugs.  I didn't want to get my machine out to sew strips together so I chose to finally cut up a stack of t-shirts I've had in my room.  We were low on rags anyway.  The big pile on the side is now the rag pile.  I cut the remainder of the t-shirts that I can't strip for rags.

Monday is working on the Arkansas Crossroads quilt.  I did cut some more squares but think I will save a picture for whenever I finally get all of the fabrics cut in to squares.  In the meantime I ended up with more strips to add to rug making as well as I cut what 10 inch squares I could to add to my microwave hotpad making pile.

Tuesday is my day to work on the doll sets.  I had hoped to finish 2 doll rugs.  I didn't quite make it, but got close.

UFO's:

Rectangle quilt
challenge wall hanging
Hexagon quilt
Emerald Island Fusique table runner
Five and Dime quilt
Brown half square triangle table runner
3 sets of doll blanket, pillows and rug--plus more to sell
Hexagon flower table runner
Wall hanging for quilt guild
yo-yo's that need to be made into projects
black and white rail fence quilt
Arkansas Crossroads scrap quilt


2015 Finishes:

Locker Hook Rug
re-do binding on blue and peach patchwork
9 lined fabric bags
yellow crazy quilt lined bag
Pink hexagon table topper
Blue hexagon table topper
Yo-Yo Table runner
GoodNight Irene quilt/wall hanging
Fractured Pineapple quilt
Charming Stars quilt
Challenge quilt for quilt guild
Autumn wall hanging
18 Hot pad bowls for Christmas gifts

I am linking up with the following blogs:

Online Earnings--November and December 2015

As you can imagine, December was a full and busy month with Christmas.  I'm very thankful for my online earnings, which enabled me to get gifts for all on my list.
I was slow to get my November earnings and such even added up, but finally have it done as well as December.

November 2015:

Swagbucks-- $60 in amazon
TrafficRoyal--$23.72 paypal
zubeezone--$2.75 paypal
atomicmailer--$12.52 paypal
clixsense--$8.35 paypal
TrafficMagician--$16.68 paypal
redstaghits--$11.46 paypal
postmanhits--$9.62 paypal
redstagmailer--$13.73
PerkTV--$20 amazon (if you sign up, use code 860efbf6 and get 50 bonus points)
Lucktastic-- $10 amazon
apptrailers--$1.15 paypal (if you sign up, bonus code predictableuranus2 for bonus points)

GSN--$10 amazon

This totals $199.38

Upgrades paid---$2 trafficbrowser, $2.99 orbitaltraffic, $6.95 redstagmailer, $2.50 hotflashhits, $6.90 postmanhits, $2.50 zubeedownlines, $5.95 TESurfSocial, and $6.99 trafficmagician for a total of $36.78 there.

This brings my net to $162.66 for November.


December 2015:

Zubeezone-- $5.10 paypal
PurexInsiders -- $50 amazon (gift)
mycokerewards--$10 amazon
redstaghits--$11.03 paypal
apptrailers-- $4.57 paypal
swagbucks --$25 paypal and $13 amazon
shopkick- $2 Target
trafficteams--$19.70 paypal
atomicmailer--$13.09 paypal
PerkTV-- $10 amazon
Checkpoints--$3 amazon (if you sign up, use code marsha32 for bonus points)

Trafficmagician--$11.27 paypal

This totals $178.76

Upgrades paid-- $2 trafficbrowser, $2.99 orbitaltraffic, $27.00 bannermagician (this is a lifetime upgrade so will never be paid again), $2.50 hotflashhits, $6.90 postmanhits, $2.50 zubeedownlines, $6.99 trafficmagician, and $5.95 TESurfSocial for a total of $56.83.

This brings my net to $121.93 for December.

hhmmm--even if I hadn't chosen to go for the lifetime top upgrade at bannermagician I still would have earned less in December than November.

Looking back over the year and my monthly earnings online, it looks like January and February of 2015 were my biggest earning months.  A LOT has changed in the past year.

I did get both my etsy shop and my zibbet store up and running again.  I even had some sales.  Unfortunately, I don't have those figures put together yet.  That will add on to my earnings for both months.    I also sold a book at half.com and am working to add a book for sale here and there to add to my inventory there.

Here is looking on to 2016!!

Search & Learn: Mind, Body, Spirit with Swagbucks

The New Year is here! Take a minute and reflect back on all the goals you set your for yourself for 2015. Did you accomplish all of your goals? Great! Did you fall short on a couple? Not a problem, it’s important to always try and better yourself! 

New Year’s resolutions are a time-honored tradition. There’s is nothing better than giving yourself an official start date to a new you. And what better date than January 1st!

It’s no secret that better health is at the top of most people’s New Year’s resolution lists. Improving the health of your mind, body, and spirit is an integral part to success in almost all facets of life whether it be in your relationships or business! 

Hopefully this month’s Search & Learn from Swagbucks is a step in the right direction: Swagbucks Search & Learn: Mind, Body, Spirit

For those of you who haven’t participated in a Swagbucks Search & Learn, Here’s how it works (Official rules here):

1. Go to the Search & Learn page (you can get there from the button on top left of the Swagbucks home page) each day from January 4th – January 8th.

2. Each day Swagbucks will have 5 new questions related to one of the following categories:

• Health Nuts

• Yogis

• Meditation Dedication

• Gym Rats

• Couch Potatoes

3. You can either click on the category card OR search from your defaulted Swagbucks Search Engine to find the correct answer!

4. Once you find the answers to all 5 questions, click on the button that says Win 500 SB on the Search & Learn page and complete that day's survey.

5. Each correct answer (up to 5 each day) will enter you into a drawing to win one of 5 prizes of $5*!

6. Swagbucks will announce the 5 winners the following day at 10am PDT/1pm EDT (Friday’s winners will be announced the following Monday).

ALSO – when you use Swagbucks Search as your defaulted search engine during this promotion, you will be entered (up to 5 times per day) into a drawing to win the following prizes:

• Grand Prize – $500*

• Runner Up Prizes (20) – $5*

*All winnings will be paid out in SB. Winners of the Grand Prize and Runner Up Prizes will be announced on Friday, January 15th..

WIP Wednesday--Will a Schedule Help?

First of all, I hope that every one had a Merry Christmas and will have a Happy New Year!
We had an awesome family gathering for Christmas....no plans for New Years Eve.

I have written up a schedule of different projects to work on for each day of the week.  So far so good, but any of you who 'know me', know that over all the years I start out strong on a schedule, but it doesn't last long.
I won't bore you each week with just a little done on each project, but will share when there is some good progress on the project.
This week I will share what I got done so far:

Friday is my day to work on yo-yos.  So far I am working on the ones that I am making to bag up for sale in our guilds boutique at the Wichita quilt show in June.

Saturday is working on my hexagon quilt.  You can see in my flat storage that I have lots made.  I've decided to make one out of the shoebox storage box, add it, then add one that is already done from the flat box.  That is working out well so far.  I did decided that any holiday fabrics will be kept out for now, in hopes of making holiday table toppers with those later.

Sunday is set to work on rugs.  Currently I am working on a lockerhook rug.  I wanted to do one color and see how many inches of each color I will need to fill in.  I found out that I need almost 500 inches for each color.  I still need to find more colors to get cut.

Monday is my day to work on the Arkansas Crossroads quilt.  I have lots of cutting yet to do here before I will actually start putting blocks together.   The quilt I am making is the one on the front cover of the pattern book.

Tuesday I have set aside to work on the doll bedding sets.  I pulled out the project bag.  I found that I have 12 blanket tops made.  I also had 12 sets of pillows ready to finish too.  I had started one of the rugs.  I decided to get the starts of the rest of the rugs done yesterday....and then I made 3 extra thinking I will put a set of 3 of just the rugs in my etsy shop.   I will finish the 3 granddaughters sets before I make to sell in my shop.

Wednesdays are to work on the color of the month for the soscrappy blog challenge--provided she still does the challenge in 2016.  If not, I will still work on my current project there which is colorful 4 patches with the 2 pizza boxes of 2 1/4 inch squares that I have.

Thursday is open for any UFO, but currently will be making a quilt top for our community service project at the end of January for quilt guild.

There you have it.  I look forward to seeing if I can stay on my schedule and actually stay busy and start getting things done!

UFO's:

Rectangle quilt
challenge wall hanging
Hexagon quilt
Emerald Island Fusique table runner
Five and Dime quilt
Brown half square triangle table runner
3 sets of doll blanket, pillows and rug--plus more to sell
Hexagon flower table runner
Wall hanging for quilt guild
yo-yo's that need to be made into projects
black and white rail fence quilt
Arkansas Crossroads scrap quilt


2015 Finishes:

Locker Hook Rug
re-do binding on blue and peach patchwork
9 lined fabric bags
yellow crazy quilt lined bag
Pink hexagon table topper
Blue hexagon table topper
Yo-Yo Table runner
GoodNight Irene quilt/wall hanging
Fractured Pineapple quilt
Charming Stars quilt
Challenge quilt for quilt guild
Autumn wall hanging
18 Hot pad bowls for Christmas gifts

I am linking up with the following blogs:

The Knitter's Handbook-- Review

The Knitter's Handbook is by Eleanor van Zandt and was out in publication November 3, 2015.

This book is good for both beginning and experienced knitters.  Inside you will find the basics of knitting as well as complex stitches and patterns.
It features a comprehensive guide to yarns and patterns as well as clear and easy-to-follow instructions.  There are 250 step-by-step illustrations included throughout the book.
256 pages!

I've always been a very basic knitter....and because of that, I just don't knit often.  However, I really am looking forward to trying some of the techniques in this book.  No, I won't ever knit a sweater or anything as "complicated" as that, but I like the patterns in this book.  The instructions and illustrations really are easy to follow.  If needed it refers you back to another page for instructions.

Look out family---prepare yourself for handmade knitted wash/dishcloths or scarves for gifts next Christmas!  I made scarves a couple of years ago for Christmas (just straight knitting), but feel confident that I can make fancier ones with the instructions in this book.
I can even make fancier trimmings on those scarves with the instructions in the book.

You may also want to check out these other books by Eleanor van Zandt:




Disclosure: I was sent a copy of The Knitters Handbook for review. I was not compensated in any other way and any opinions are my own. Post contains affiliate links.

See What Happened in Coupon, Pennsylvania

I read the word coupon and knew this would be something I wanted to share with my readers.  Once I read the full story I knew I had to share it!

The brand RetailMeNot loves helping people save money while shopping with digital coupons on their app, so when they heard there was a small town named Coupon in Pennsylvania, they knew they had to travel there to check it out.

Check out the video about how RetailMeNot surprised Coupon, and how this tight knit, humble community helps to remind everyone that “it is better to give than to receive” this holiday season.





RetailMeNot had the intention of gifting each person in Coupon something on their holiday wish list, but each neighbor insisted on gifting their neighbor, family or friend instead. So RetailMeNot set out to help them do just that. RetailMeNot invited each resident to a holiday gathering in town where neighbors were surprised with gifts ranging from a porch swing to hunting gear, electronics, refrigerators, bikes, toys and even a trip to Disney – all suggested ideas from neighbors in town. RetailMeNot and Coupon paid it forward together.

WIP Wednesday 12/16/15

One more week to work on Christmas gifts.
I have done nothing but work on the microwave hotpads this past week.   I have 6 done and have this stack of 13 more to go.
All they need is to be pressed then sewn around the top to be done.

I hope to press these and start sewing them yet today.
I wrapped what gifts I had complete today and they are under the tree.  Now I have an idea of what I still need to come up with for who.

Any ideas on gifts to make for men??  It's too late for this year, but if I have some good ideas for next year it sure would be appreciated.

I was planning on making some gifts for the girls but I, sadly, am putting that aside.  I had some things for them in my stash.  I'm going to take the pressure off of myself for that part of it and just finish the hotpads.   I can start making the other gifts to have in time for their birthdays in August.

UFO's:

Rectangle quilt
challenge wall hanging
Hexagon quilt
Emerald Island Fusique table runner
Five and Dime quilt
Brown half square triangle table runner
3 sets of doll blanket, pillows and rug
Hexagon flower table runner
Wall hanging for quilt guild
yo-yo's that need to be made into projects
black and white rail fence quilt
Arkansas Crossroads scrap quilt
18 Hot pad bowls for Christmas gifts


2015 Finishes:

Locker Hook Rug
re-do binding on blue and peach patchwork
9 lined fabric bags
yellow crazy quilt lined bag
Pink hexagon table topper
Blue hexagon table topper
Yo-Yo Table runner
GoodNight Irene quilt/wall hanging
Fractured Pineapple quilt
Charming Stars quilt


I am linking up with the following blogs:
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WIP Wednesday 12/9/15

It's beginning to look more like Christmas around our house.  The tree is up and the grandkids have made a few little gifts that are wrapped under the tree.

I'm still working here and there sewing up the microwave hotpads.  As long as I keep it up, I should have them done in time.  I still have other gifts that I want to make as well though.
I bought cheap bowls to put in each one as well although no guarantee they are microwave safe.  They are mostly to show what they are for.

I've been crocheting away on the dish scrubbies and I only have the yellow to get done.  The orders will be picked up Friday.

UFO's:

Rectangle quilt
challenge wall hanging
Hexagon quilt
Emerald Island Fusique table runner
Five and Dime quilt
Charming Stars quilt
Brown half square triangle table runner
5 sets of doll blanket, pillows and rug
Hexagon flower table runner
Wall hanging for quilt guild
yo-yo's that need to be made into projects
black and white rail fence quilt
Arkansas Crossroads scrap quilt
Hot pad bowls for Christmas gifts


2015 Finishes:

Locker Hook Rug
re-do binding on blue and peach patchwork
9 lined fabric bags
yellow crazy quilt lined bag
Pink hexagon table topper
Blue hexagon table topper
Yo-Yo Table runner
GoodNight Irene quilt/wall hanging
Fractured Pineapple quilt
Challenge quilt for quilt guild
Autumn wall hanging

I am linking up with the following blogs:

Lucktastic's 12 Days of Holiday Cheer Promotion

Lucktastic, the free sweepstakes app where users earn real rewards and cash prizes, will be upping the ante for their December holiday giveaway.
Lucktastic's 12 Days of Holiday Cheer promotion, which begins on Monday, December 7th and runs through Friday, December 18th, will have a guaranteed winner each day. The cash prize on the 1st day is $100 and then the prize will grow by $100 each day culminating on the 12th day with a prize of $1,200. Lucktastic has given away over $200,000 in prizes and rewards during the 2014 holiday season, and are on pace to exceed that amount for 2015.

I personally use the Lucktasic app every day and have tons of fun with it.  I have cashed in for $10 cash, $110 in amazon gift cards, and $20 in Target gift cards so far!!If you haven't checked it out, click here and join the fun and winning!

10 way to earn extra cash this holiday season

By Lucktastic

1. Sell the clothes you haven’t worn in the last year
2. Take an online survey that pays participants
3. Redeem reward points
4. Use sites like Fivrr to sell a talent
5. Sell unused gift cards or groupons online for cash
6. Rent out your apt/house on Airbnb when you’re traveling for the holidays
7. If you’re planning to make holiday crafts, consider selling the extras on sites like etsy
8. Winterize your home during the cold months to save on heat
9. Offer to house and/or pet sit for people that are traveling during the holidays
10. Offer to hang up neighbors’ holiday lights and decorations