Christmas just got an extra dose of Christ

I'm sure you probably figured that Christmas this year for our growing family is going to be much different than ever before.  We've never had oodles of money so our tree has never been gorged with presents, but we've always managed to buy a few less expensive items on the kids Christmas lists just in time to surprise then Christmas morning.  But, this year, the number on the bank account summary just dwindles with no income in sight.  It's left me grasping for other options for Christmas this year.  Buying anything from the store would put us in a bind and prices no matter how "new" and "low" they are, really add up.  We typically spend about $50 a kid and about $80 on ourselves, including stocking stuffers.  But, as sad as it is to say, we don't have $310 to spend on gifts and that's just with us, that 's not all the extended family here, too.

So, all this to say, I'm initiating an old fashioned Christmas.  A "Christ"mas if you will.  Nothing can be store bought.  Just giving at it's most natural and simplest form.  It all has to be hand made from items around the house and in the garage.  I think my fabric stash and yarn stash are going to get hit pretty hard this year, but what's a years supply of craft items worth if you can't dig into them every once in a while!

Here's what my to-do list looks like this year.
1 dolly made from mis-mate socks
1 blue linus blanket from the yarn stash (almost done btw)
2 ruffled fabric scarves
3 fleece beanies
2 large works of art (made by yours truly)

I'm sure that when I tell the kids all this today, my list will grow exponentially with all the projects I'll be ask to "help" with, too.  But, I'm excited.  It's a challenge that I think might just wake up my creative juices.  They've been hibernating while i whined about Christmas being here already.

DIY Knock Off Jewelry

Okay, so about a month (maybe two) ago, I was thumbing through a Rachael Ray magazine. She has a few pages in there with pictures of her faves. I love looking at them and getting inspiration for my own wardrobe and life, however, I can rarely afford them and/or the prices shock me and I think I could make that myself!
So, like I said, i was thumbing through and I came across this cute necklace called The Trinity. But it's $128 for three pearls on a leather strap and I think to myself: I could absolutely make that myself!!! And I go to the website listed in the magazine. Allison Craft Designs

I found out that she actually has a lot of her stuff in shops on the beach about 30 minutes from here. So, just looking at these beautiful pieces made me want my own, but not at those prices! Are you kidding me? So, that's what I did. I made my own. I didn't even go to the store for this one. I had everything on hand. (Yes, I'm a craft hoarder.) I didn't use leather because it comes in short supply here locally. I used hemp instead. What do you think?

These are just the photos of a few of the creations that were spawned from viewing her website. The necklace isn't for sale on line, but it is in the slide-show at the top of the page. I made the trinity and the strands, but I haven't taken any photos of them yet. I think I'm going to make some more in different colors. I had a ton of these green bead leftover from a previous project and so I picked them for my experiment. Really all this jewelry boils down to is knots, leather or in this case hemp, and beads or pearls...

Family Food

Okay, so I've been really lame in the "staying on a food budget" category for awhile now. But in an effort to change my ways and have more money than month, I put together a weekly menu board for my fridge. See? I think it's prettiness will increase the likelihood that I'll actually use it...


So, I just printed it and I'm going to slip it into a sheet protector and then tape it on the fridge and then it will be easy to write on with dry erase markers. I'll fill in what I'm going to cook this week and then next week it will be easy to change (because I need change and variety in my life...). I'm also hoping that it will ease the "What's for dinner mom?(honey?)" question every night, too.

P.S.- You're free to download and use it, too! Happy cooking!

On saving...

From the moment I broke out on my own I have had a driving desire to save and be thrifty. And with our latest financial adjustments, it has only caused me to be this way in every aspect of my life. Case in point: When I was in college, I got my clothes for $0.25 each at the annual Women's Association yard sale on campus. Oh, and then the other day, we had used our coupons and gone out to eat while we were out in Destin. Randall didn't finish his lemonade, so I saved it. (but I forgot it in the car) The following day when we were out, Randall wanted to get a drink and I handed him the lemonade, not even thinking about it...He drank it and spat it everywhere and gave me a horrified look. So, see...the drive to be thrifty is becoming overwhelming!

So, I found this website...it helps me to feel like the thrifty goddess that I am. You see, it's the latest thing. It's called The Grocery Game. The first time I played along, I saved $42.00. This week I saved.......$124.44! Yeah me! Now I've got a freezer and pantry full of food and I'm getting my food storage beefed up...Who knows, maybe next week I'll save even more...