WIP Wednesday--A Little Off Track

I got off of my schedule this week....which I will talk about later.  I did get in some sewing and craft work though.

Let's start with the blue 4 patches that I am working on for the soscrappy blog challenge this month.  I am now ready to start squaring them up, which I hope to work on today yet.

I also finished the 2 child's quilt tops that will be finished at our work day at quilt guild on Monday and be given to various charities.

That was the extend of my work this past week other than a doll rug I worked on yesterday while traveling on a bus for a day trip with family.

Otherwise, hubby is on vacation this week and we started as soon as he got off work on Saturday to pull carpeting up.  We bought laminate flooring, but after seeing the wood under the floor we decided we will refinish it instead!  Most of the carpet is out now, but I took this picture along the way.

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 Bus Bench by Wes Bundy

In The Bus Bench by Wes Bundy we first meet Edna.  Edna was raised by her aunt and although she was book smart, she was naive to anything outside of those school books.  Her aunt had taught her that only married people had babies.
When her aunt died, so starts a chain of events---she was raped, didn't even know she was pregnant until she had the baby---she killed herself 2 days later and the baby was adopted out.

Here lies the rest of the story.  That baby boy was named Gerry by the midwestern family who adopted him.  He grows up in a stable home.   His cousin teaches him the 'ways of life' (sex) early and he ends up falling in love with a TV news anchor, Tammy Whitlock.
When the news anchor gets fired and moves to California, so starts the rest of the book really.

Gerry never falls out of his obsession with Tammy.  He had found the only bus bench left with her picture on it and hid it so that no one could get her.  He visited Tammy every day, talking to that bus bench like it was really her.

Many years go by and many events happen along the way, all having to do with Gerry's obscession with Tammy.  Events such as several murders.
He finally makes a trip to California and finds Tammy.  By this time she is terminally ill with cancer, but Gerry just knows that once he gets her back home to Ohio that his mom's chicken soup will make her all better.
He kidnaps Tammy and gets her back to Ohio and to his beloved bus bench just in time for an explosive end to the book.


Wes Bundy has a writing style like another author that I really enjoy, so this book was a nice read for me. It was a change from what I've been reading lately and made me realize how much I miss reading this type of book.  It was hard to put down because I wanted to know what was going to happen next.  A lot of oh my gosh's as I read the book.
If you like a story that will keep you guessing what will happen next and keep you on the edge of your seat while you read, I recommend The Bus Bench.



Additional book information:
Paperback
Format: 6 x 9 paperback cream, 288 pages
Publisher: Outskirts Press (Dec 01, 2015)
ISBN10: 1478765925
ISBN13: 9781478765929
Genre: FICTION / Romance / Suspense (This information is found here)

Disclosure:   I received a copy of this book for the purpose of review and book tour.  I was not compensated in any other way and all opinions are my own.  Post contains affiliate links.

Frugal Friday With Marsha-- Earning Amazon

I've been thinking a lot lately about amazon, and happy that I have so many ways to earn it.  Many times it's saved me (or our cats) when it's all I had available to order cat food and cat litter.  Those 2 things are why it's on my mind lately......I will be getting most all of our cat food and cat litter through amazon now due to finances.
I'm an amazon prime member, and LOVE the free shipping!  If you order on any regular basis, the $99 yearly is well worth the price plus you can also stream movies and TV series as well as get free apps, music downloads, and kindle books as well. (I don't ever have $99 at one time so I do pay a bit more per year, paying $9.99 a month)

Years ago I ordered my very first laptop through amazon.  It was the most expensive item I've ever saved up for as it was over $400.

Another larger purchase was my tablet--


My latest larger purchase that I saved up for was this sewing machine--



Earning-----There are loads of ways to earn amazon and today I am going to share with you the different places that I am earning it.

Swagbucks--- This is where I earn most.   So many ways to earn with swagbucks (search, watch videos, shopping, codes, and so much more).  You earn SB which each SB is equal to 1 cent.  Once a month you can choose a $25 gift card at just 2200 SB, saving you 300 SB. (Then once a month I also redeem for $25 paypal for 2500 SB)

PerkTV---  PerkTV is the main app I use from this company, although I also have their word search app, scratch and win app, and screen lock apps on my phone as well.  With the main app, you watch videos to earn points.  There are many options available for cash out, but I choose amazon.  5000 pts is what I cash in at for $5. (Use the code 860efbf6 for 50 bonus points when signing up)

ReceiptHog-- This is an easy app, just scan your receipts and earn.  Also available to redeem for paypal. (Use the referral code flend875 to receive bonus spins on the slot machine)

Chatabout--- Easy to earn points chatting about topics that interest you, but also other earning opportunities such as the daily poll, entering a sweepstakes, watching videos and so much more.  Just 1000 pts for $5. (they also offer paypal)

Lucktastic---  If you like scratch off lottery tickets, you will love this app. Several choices to redeem, but I have gotten over $100 in amazon alone from this one.

Bing Rewards --  Search to earn points and trade them in for amazon or other gift cards.  Also other point earning opps each day.

Apptrailers --- free app to watch videos and earn.  Although I usually get paypal, I have also chosen to get amazon here as well.  (if you sign up, bonus code predictableuranus2 for bonus points)

Checkpoints--  Watch videos, check into stores, and scan items at the stores to earn with this free app.  Just 335 for $1 amazon and it's sent instantly.  (if you sign up, use code marsha32 for bonus points)

Pistol Packing Mama---  I even belong to this traffic exchange where amazon is an option to redeem, and that is what I will go for!  You earn by surfing websites of others (at the same time getting your own websites seen), putting in daily codes for extra earning each day, prize pages while surfing etc.


As I said, so many different ways to earn amazon online and with the apps, but these are the main ones that I use.  Happy Earning!

P.S. ---- When shopping through amazon, check programs you are already doing online to see if your purchase will earn you extra with that website. Most times it's a few categories only that you can earn for shopping from, but please check.
If there isn't an earning opportunity, it's always nice to order through someone's affiliate link and help them out to earn a bit as well.

If we all work together, our dreams can be achieved.

WIP Wednesday 1/13/15

Despite being extra busy away from home, I feel good about the sewing and crafts that I got worked on this past week.

Wednesday is my day to work on the soscrappy challenge (see button at the bottom of my post).  I managed to get all of my blue 4 patches sewn.  Today's goal is to press them open.

Combining Thursday and Friday---Thursday is currently my day to work on charity quilt tops for quilt guild.  Friday is my day to work on yo-yo's.  I did do a few yo-yo's on Friday, but not enough to share a picture with you yet.  I did work on the pink 9 patches at home Thursday then also at sit n' sew at the quilt shop Friday evening.  I have most all of the 9 patches sewn together and this week will start putting them into a child's and infant quilt tops.  I took this picture at the quilt shop of them laid out.

Saturday is hexagons.  I actually didn't go anywhere Saturday and worked some throughout the day on my hexagon top.  I also put some of them together with holiday fabrics and put them in my box.

Sunday is rug day.  We had movie day at church in the afternoon so I chose to take along a basket of t-shirt strips and start a new t-shirt rug.  It was just less cumbersome to take.

Monday I did a little more cutting for the Arkansas Crossroads quilt, but I am still FAR away from having all of the fabrics cut.

Tuesday was supposed to be working on the doll bedding sets.  It was sewing club day at church where we worked on a t-shirt quilt for a member.  Sadly I didn't think to take a picture of it!  I had just too much to do online to pull out the doll sets after being gone all day, but one of the ladies gave me a bag of thin strips for the little rugs.

I hope everyone had a productive week!

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:

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.