TGIFF--Flowered Quilt is Done!

I almost can't believe it.  The flowered quilt is finally done, faults and all.  I intended for this one to be completed in February when I was privileged to have the chance to host the TGIFF linky here in my blog.

Ok, so most months the only work it got done on it was at the monthly sit n' sew at the quilt shop.  That was after I kind of got tired of working on it.

Also, I am taking part in my first sampler at the quilt shop.  This one is a 20 month sampler.  There are a couple of months when it's cancelled due to other things going on at the quilt shop, so the last square won't be handed out until February 2014.  That seems so so far away.
It's Every Barn Tells a Story.  The first block is the Ohio Star, and here is my completed block:

 I do look forward to each month learning how to make yet another block.

 

Frugal Friday Link Up--Uses for Baby Oil and Baby Powder

We had a reprieve from the triple digit temps yesterday.  It only got up to 96.  We even got a bit of rain Wednesday night.  That helps some with the water bill and is so much better for the garden and lawn.
Speaking of the water bill--ours is $98 this month!  My husband says--"What?!"  I say--"I told you awhile back that the kitchen sink drips."  Hopefully he will get that changed out soon now.  That difference in the bill for just one month will almost cover what the extra is on our bill.

Our garden looks horrible with tall grass, but it's still bee producing quite nicely.  I did use the last of the onions last night.  We had enough onions grow to use in 4 meals.  The tomatoes are a lot better this year too.   Even the bell peppers have been good.  I've been out pulling out, and cutting off the grass around the plants.  We did lose 2 tomatoes to rot because I didn't see them at the bottom of the plants.  I've been freezing cut tomatoes to use this winter in soups, stews, goulash and chili.

This week's share from the 99 Cent Solutions book are ways to use baby oil and baby powder.

Baby oil:
1.  Stop an earache.   Hold a bottle of baby oil under hot running water for about a minute to warm it.  Place a few drops of the heated baby oil into the affected ear canal to soothe away the pain.

2.  Improve your shoes.  Dab a few drops of baby oil on your leather shoes and rub it in with a soft cloth.  This will soften the leather as well as polish it.  Also use it on other leather and patent leather items such as belts and purses.  Be sure to wipe away any excess.

3.  Rip that band aid off.   Rub that bandage with a cotton ball soaked in baby oil before peeling it off.  Rub until thebandage easily comes off.

4.  Get rid of pain on your face and hands.  We all know that when we paint, we end up with splatters on our hands and face.  Just rub the areas with baby oil and it will come right off.  Wash your skin afterwards with soap and water.

Baby powder:
1.  Squash the squeak.  If your hardwood floors squeak and you can see gaps between the boards, you can fix the squeak with a dusting of baby powder.  Sprinkle on the baby powder, or use a squeeze ketchup bottle with with powder.  Place a towel over the boards and work the powder into the cracks with your foot.  Clean up the excess powder with a towel.  

2.  Baby your bulbs.  Put 3 tablespoons of medicated baby powder and five or six flower builbs in a plastic bag.  Seal and shake the bag.  Dusting the bulbs before planting them will keep rots and pests away.

3.  Clean your carpet overnight.  If you have carpet odor from pets, smoke, or rain, take the odor out with baby powder.  Use a flour sifter to spread the baby powder over your carpet.  Let it sit overnight, or a few hours.  Vacuum up the powder and the smells in the morning.

4.  Undo a not.  Have a knot in the chain of your favorite necklace?  Just cover the not with a light dusting of baby powder, then pry the knot apart with a straight pin.  Wash the powder off with a mild soap, rinse it, dry it and wear it!

My daughter uses baby powder in her hair.  It works just like the aerosol instant shampoos when we need to go somewhere and she doesn't have time to shampoo before we leave.

Your turn to share your frugal posts for the week!

 

 

Squidoo Hopping--Shares in Squidoo

Today I want to share with you lensmaster Ruthi's squidoo blog hop. It's called SIS Shares in Squidoo. Click the button to be taken to her page with the full information, but here is an excerpt on what it's all about:
SHARES IN SQUIDOO (SIS) is a blog hop for Lensmaster/Bloggers to share Squidoo lenses in their blog posts. Each Sunday, I will write up my blog post for the week for SIS and will provide a linky for you to submit your blog post link URL.



I have been slacking on getting my weekly blog post done for Ruth's hop.
This week, instead of posting lenses of your own in my linky, I ask that you link up 2 lenses by other lensmasters!
If you do blog about squidoo, please also link up your blog posts as well!

Swagbucks.com Tutorial: Earning on the Go

If you haven't joined in on the swagbucks craze, please use my referral code if you would :)


If you use the Swag Code SBISONTHEGO upon signup, you will still be rewarded with an additional 60 Swag Bucks on top of the normal 30 Swag Bucks -- a total of 90 Swag Bucks just for signing up. This promotion has also been extended. The SBISONTHEGO Swag Code is valid until Friday, August 3rd at 11:59 p.m. PT

WIP Wednesday--Let's Start with My Craft Room

Let's start with my WIP of getting my craft room back in to order.  It's in such disarray, it's no wonder I don't have the motivation to get in there and get some work done!
This picture only kind of shows one corner.  You can't see everything that is piled in the northwest corner of the room, or the bookshelves in the southeast corner that are covered with other stuff as well as have toys in front of them!
I've went to the garage and got out one large shelf unit.  I had bought it to use for garage sales.  Silly me, why didn't I put it in my craft room to begin with?
You can see in the photo (maybe) the 2 small cubby organizers I have bought and have got some things organized in to.

  Wish me luck that next week I can share a photo where you can see that I have made some progress in this room!
Moving on to some crafts now.   I have been knitting some knit kits  for Morehouse.  They sent them to me to do for a review.  The scarf went fast with the big needles.  The hat I've been working on here and there for over a week.  I'm not an avid knitter, and I'm not sure I've worked with needles as small as the ones for the hat before.  The hat and scarf will make a nice Christmas gift for someone.  I will have a full review on my blog once I have completed the projects.

 After working on this quilt at sit n sew at the quilt shop and for a a bit here at home, it's finally to the last stage.  I am sewing on the binding.  I hope to have it done to post for TGIFF this week.

 Last but not least are my granny squares for the Granny A Day 2012 challenge.  No picture of my blanket progress as I've not had time to put them on to the blanket.  This is day 207 of the challenge.  Hopefully next week I will have them on to my blanket.
 

Until next week!  I am linking up with the following blogs:
 

Become a Julep Maven--Giveaway Included!

I have had the wonderful opportunity to give the Julep Maven program and products a try.

Here is a picture of the box I rec'd:

 Inside I found 3 nail polish colors:  Sizzling fuchsia creme, Bright lemon yellow creme, and Fresh cantaloupe melon creme.
I couldn't wait to give them a try.  Hhhmmmm what should I do?  I decided to use all 3 colors, and alternate them.

Yes, those are my real nails.   I also decided to do the same for my toes as well.  

I want to say---this is the BEST nail polish I have ever used!  Usually the polish is already wearing off the edges within 24 hours.  I've been wearing this for 2 weeks now and it's barely worn off the edges.  Absolutely incredible!  I have had lots of great comments on my fun nails over the past 2 weeks as well.


What is a Julep Maven you might ask?

For just $19.99 a month, receive at least $40 worth of hand-picked
Julep products in an exclusive gift-able Julep Maven Box.

20% off all purchases in the Julep Maven Boutique

Free shipping on all orders in the Maven Boutique

Extra discounts and bonus treats all year long

Easy exchanges and returns

No commitment. Skip any box and you won’t be charged that month. There’s no limit to the number of months you can skip. You can also cancel your account at any time. 

Be sure to enter below for your chance to win a Maven box--similar to the one I rec'd for the purpose of this review.   No obligation at all--winning the box does not sign you up for anything, it's just one lucky readers chance to get to try these great products!

However, I have a super special deal for my readers too!

Jump on over to Julep.com 

Use the code MAVENINTRO     You will get your first box for just 1 penny!  Remember, you are never under any obligation.

I really want you to have a chance to try these awesome products!

Here is some other information you will want to know:

What makes Julep so special? For starters, all our nail colors are “4-free,” meaning they don’t contain the carcinogens formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene or DBP. Testing on more than a million hands and feet in our own Julep Nail Parlors, we’ve developed a fabulous chip-resistant, long-lasting formula. Girlfriends swear by our exclusive flat brush with its micro-frayed brush hairs for flawless professional application.

After your introductory box, you’ll start receiving a Julep Maven Box each month, including:

• At least $40 worth of customized products elegantly packaged in our exclusive giftable box
• New, never-before-released colors and treatments sent FIRST to you, before anyone else
• Past hits and cult favorites--the products our girlfriends can’t live without.

Your Maven subscription also comes with free shipping, 20% off all purchases in the Julep Maven Boutique and the peace of mind that comes with knowing there’s never any obligation to buy.

We’ll send an email previewing your upcoming Julep Maven Box on the 20th of each month. Like what you see? Do nothing and your box is on its way. Want to try a new style, send your box to a friend or skip the month? Just log into your account between the 20th and the 24th to submit your request.

Best of all, satisfaction is guaranteed. If you’re ever unhappy with your Julep Maven Box, email maven@julep.com or call 1-877-651-3292 and we will personally take care of you!

Disclaimer:  I rec'd my introductory box free of charge as a Julep VIP Blogger for the purpose of this review and giveaway.  I was not compensated in any other way and all opinions are my own.


On to the giveaway!  Enter using the rafflecopter form below.    This giveaway is open to residents of the United States who are 18 years old or older.  Winner will be chosen using rafflecopter and will have 48 hours to contact me with their mailing information.  If not, another winner will be chosen.

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Free Subscription to American Baby Magazine

Frugal Friday Link Up--Uses for Baby Shampoo and Baby Wipes

Happy Friday! It's been hot hot hot here still. We've had very little rain. We need days of rain!

I've been still having a great time using my coupons and racking up the savings while stocking up. I'm finally getting my Christmas gift stash tote back to full. My kids wouldn't know what to do if they didn't get their health and beauty package from me as a gift.

This month the Huggies baby wipes have been on a good sale with coupon. They were first .99 for the tub after sale and coupon, and now the refill packs are just .49 after sale and coupon. I do wish I had more coupons! I was able to get 5 of the tubs and 4 of the refill packs.

Today's share from the 99 Cent Solutions book includes uses for baby wipes. If you have other uses, please include them in the comments.

Uses for baby shampoo:
1. Baby your eyes. Soak a cotton ball in a mixture of 1 part baby shampoo and 10 parts water to wash the crud out of your eyelashes.

2. Wet your dry hair. Washing your hair with ordinary baby shampoo is less drying than the expensive shampoos and conditioners. Just think of the money you will save too.

3. Wash your eyelids, along with your hair. If you get sties more than occasionally, you may want to take preventive steps to stop them in their tracks. Wash your eyelids once a day with a solution of warm water and no-tears baby shampoo.

4. Remove eye make-up. You don't need to spend your money on expensive and less-than-sensitive eye makeup remover. Just dab a bit of baby shampoo on a damp cotton ball, wipe off your makeup and rinse your face. It's gentle on your face as well as your wallet.

Uses for baby wipes:
1. Wipe it off with a wipe. Do you have kids like ours that use their clothes as napkins? If so, blot the area with a paper towel then wash the rest away by rubbing gently with a baby wipe.

2. Stop it before it sets. Have a spill on your carpet? use a dampl baby wipe to blot up the fresh mess.

3. Wipes for windows. Grime and dead bugs build up on your cars windshield. Keep a package of baby wipes in your vehicle and use one every once in awhile to clean your windows. (Hey, another use other than sticky hands from candy!)

4. Dash away the dregs. Use those baby wipes to clean the sticky stuff off your dashboard too. Greasy handprints, spots of hand lotion, drips from juice boxes and anything else that's found it's way in to your car. If you really want your dashboard to shine, buff it with a little baby oil.

5. Take a swipe at your shoes. Use a baby wipe to quickly shine your shoes and brighten your day.

I enjoy using the baby wipes to remove make up. I even buy the unscented ones for this purpose.

Squidoo Hopping--Food

Good Thursday to all! This week I've chosen food to be the theme.

Please share lenses you have made about food----anything about food. (Yes, I woke up extra hungry this morning)

Any blog post you've shared about squidoo, please include it in the linky below as well.

Frugal Friday Link Up--5 Uses for Aspirin

Happy Friday!
The last 2 weeks have flown by in a whirlwind. I really am hoping that things will slow down a bit. I feel like I've been away from home more than I've been at home. The home is what is suffering the most through it all.

We've been having triple digit temps and my mom's house has been super hot. We've been taking in the kids to our house from the heat.....and this last week also having my mom over here too. She's just on the phone now telling me that one of my son's friends brought her a window air conditioner. Hopefully she can have a cooler house again.

If you are a couponer you know about the coupon that came out a few weeks ago for $3 off any Bayer aspirin 20 ct or larger. You also know that you can buy it at the Dollar stores for less than $3. I've not used any of my 8 coupon yet, but I sure plan to after seeing what I am sharing today from the 99 Cent Solutions book.

Yes....5 uses for aspirin.

1. Stop acne. Try taming your acne breakout with one or two 325-milligram pills four times per day....after your doctor confirms that you can take aspirin regularly. Or, you can use it topically by crushing one aspirin and mixing it with a little water to make a paste. Dab the paste on the pimples. Let it sit for a few minutes and wash it off with soap and water. Repeat as needed.

2. Crush corns. Mix 5 crushed aspirins with 1/2 teaspoon of water and 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice. Swab the mixture on to the corn. Cover the corn with a patch of plastic wrap and top that with a hot towel. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Remove the coverings and the mixture and gently file down the softened corn with a pumice stone.

3. Make a homemade styptic pencil. Don't rummage for an old-fashioned styptic pencil when you've nicked yourself shaving. Instead, crush a single aspirin and mix it with just a few drops of water to make a paste. Dab it on the cut. As the paste dries, the cut will too.

4. Give your face a day at the spa. An aspirin facial will smooth and exfoliate your skin better than an expensive preparation. Grind six uncoated aspirin tablets into a coarse powder and combine it with a tablespoon or tow of lemon juice if your skin is oily, or olive oil if your skin is dry. Smooth it on and let it set for 5 minutes, then rinse.

5. Get rid of athlete's foot. The salicylic acid in aspirin can serve as an anti-fungal. Crush tow or 3 aspirin to a fine powder and mix with some corn starch or talc. Sprinkle it on every morning when you put your socks on and your toes will clear up in no time.

Now it's your time to share!