It all started with a couch...

Playroom BEFORE shot...

This was the $100 couch that was SUPPOSED to go in the Bonus/Play Room.  However, you see it is sitting IN our Living Room - it would not fit up the stairs.  Go figure...at least we both really like it...it just makes our living room the 'melting pot' of all types of furniture.  One day we will get new - but it isn't high on the priority list right now...

Play Room AFTER!!!

See the lovely white cabinets in the background???  Eric made those when he worked at the cabinet shop - and they are finally up!  Couldn't put the doors on the top b/c of the the ceiling - but that is ok!!! 

 

I think this is my favorite part of the whole remodel...
Shelf - $10 (yard sale) - White Paint $13 - 4 coats of paint - a place to put all his books and toys - priceless...

I tried to give this TV unit away at 2 yard sales, and on Craigs list. Man, I'm so glad no one wanted it. It fits in the area perfectly... 

I think that all the work paid off!!!  This is our new favorite place to be! The pictures really don't show how much work really went into this room, and our living room.  We had a ton of cleaning to do at every step.  And moving 3 couches down our hallway to try to move up the stairs was so draining.  We didn't know wether to laugh or to cry.  After taking the 2nd full size HEAVY couch down the hall, getting it stuck in the doorway, and then back to the living room.  We then really didn't know what to do - sell the couch that we had just bought, move the love seat upstairs, or what.  I really don't like the way the living room looks right now, but it could be worse!  At least the two couches are both cream.  Eric also didn't get angry with me once!  I think we were both too pooped from moving the furniture back and forth for him to get upset about the situation!  At least he wanted to do the playroom remodel too!  I think that really helped.  He was very supportive and helpful...

And Peyton LOVES his new playroom.  :)

Getting cold again

It is actually getting COLD right now.  The week of Easter of course.  Peyton has his Easter pictures next Saturday morning, hopefully it will be pretty - as we already had to reschedule once.

Right now - I'm totally getting into trying to save money whenever possible.  I mean, I've never been one to spend money like crazy or splurge often - but I'm trying to get us ready for going one income.  Eric still hasn't found another job - so I started clipping coupons, getting the Sunday paper so I can see where the sales are and plan my menu accordingly, reduce our cell phone bill by about $50 bucks (not sure how long that will last, but we have rollover minutes that we might as well use at some point instead of letting them expire every single month), and we are *this* close to switching back to satelitte (saving $50 or so bucks a month as well).

So today - I saved $26 with in store coupons, store BOGOs, and the coupons that I brought from home!  SCORE.  And besides a few necessities that will be needed to be purchased before my next 'big' grocery run (milk, bread, bananas, etc) - I planned and purchased needed groceries for two weeks worth of food for $93 bucks. 

I also *made* laundry detergent last week.  No, we are not that broke - but it will save about $80 bucks - as it cost $7 to buy the supplies, and I used such a small amount of it to make the detergent that I know I can make it over and over.  And it still cleaned my clothes very well, and they were even soft.  AND it was fun to make!

My head is trying to hurt today.  I know it is from the drastic weather changes (probably anyway).  I hope that this doesn't turn into a 3 day migraine.

What a find

*This is my first attempt to post via email*

I went to Goodwill today at lunch to kill time pretty much, and look for some great deals. Most days, I leave empty handed. Today was one of those awesome days were they actually had stuff I needed and wanted! A ‘large’ lady like myself must have donated her whole Maternity wardrobe, because there was a ton of 1X and 2X pregnancy items. I bought 2 pairs of pants and 4 shirts. I have lots of XL and 1X items from the last pregnancy, but they were mostly summer. So I’m hoping that this time we will have a spring baby and I will need some more wintery clothes. I got all that for about 25 bucks, and when I was pg last time, one pair of pants would cost more than that. So I was happy with that find.

Then I got a electronic book for Peyton. The kind that has the buttons you press for sounds as you read the book. He will love it.

Then I found the best deal of the day. A Singer Serger. For only $15 bucks. STEAL. It isn’t a large serger, it is a smaller one, but it is a serger none the less. I don’t make clothes anymore, and haven’t in a while, but I always said that if I had a little girl it would be so fun to make her ‘boutique’ like clothes. I figured, for $15 bucks, even if I don’t use it and end up selling it on Ebay, it will be worth a shot.

So I spent way more than I should have (went in with $20 in my pocket). But I couldn’t turn down the clothes when I know how much maternity clothes cost (and we will hopefully be needing them again somewhat soon). I’m actually contemplating going back and buying more of the clothes that were on sale, but I don’t think I need to spend more money. At least not until Thursday when I get paid again.

And on another note, I’m thinking of opening an Etsy shop with some scrapbook goodies. I have seen a couple really cool altered book ideas, and I’m thinking about making a few to see if they sell. Not sure yet. I get all excited about stuff, then when it comes time to actually do it, finding the time is a whole other story.

Spring Sale

I scored Peyton some great summer clothes at this years spring consignment sale.  I bought 9 nice shirts (all name brand - except maybe one), 12 pairs of nice shorts, and 1 pair of jeans.  For $56 bucks.  Most of the items were Old Navy, Osh Kosh and Gap.  That is an average of $2.50 per item.  Not bad.  Then a very nice pair of bass church shoes that look like they have never been worn, a stool for the bathroom, another booster seat (since his is always at Grandma's), and an easel chalk board.  All for $72.  Not too shabby.  I will probably make about $50 bucks, so I guess that isn't too bad.  It is almost like I swap out stuff! 

I'm getting excited, maybe just maybe by the sale in the fall we will be pregnant again.  Not sure, but you never know. 

Sunday Project

A quick Sunday project.  I picked up this lovely framed picture at a yard sale Saturday for $3.00.  I was happy because I have been looking for a frame that was about this size for a while for this project - haven't found the 'right' one yet.  This one was close enough!!!

The BEFORE: Lovely 80's/90's framed flower.  Not too bad actually...

The after:  My beautiful cards from the Scrap ETC event this year (Jenni Bowlin's Class).  I just took out the matted picture, reversed it, used an old pillowcase and recovered the backing - glued my artwork in and staple gunned the mat back into the frame.  Time - about 1 hr.

The best part... The finished project hanging on the wall in my scraproom - for me to enjoy for a long time.  I loved the cards so, I'm glad that I figured out a way to display them instead of just sticking them on a piece of cardstock and into my albums as layouts. 

Jackpot

Scored the motherload at a yard sale today.  I hit about 10 yard sales, this was the last one...

Loaded up on Peyton winter clothes for this year, and the next 2 years.  And these are all NICE name brand, Osh-kosh, Gymbore, and Old Navy clothes.  Total Score.  28 clothing items - and about 10 pairs of good socks with the no-slide tread - for $65!!!  Oh, and I also got him a bouncy ball, 6 books, a Mr. Potato Head, A barrel of monkeys, a pluto stuffed animal and a goofy remote control car (saving that one for Christmas). 

I haven't had time this year to do this much - and this is one of my ultimate hobbies, so I will be on cloud nine with this major thrift for a while!!!

My thrifting finds

These are all the things that I found today. I got a very cool old basket that will be used as a magazine holder in the bathroom, a cool jar, three Christian books (only one shown here), a very pretty floral vase that I'm going to use on my desk for pens and stuff like that, two craft books, one pattern, a friendship book that has very cute drawings that I might use for something fun, a set of embroidered curtains, orange ribbon and a embroidery hoop.

Another good find was a Halmark 'tart' burner - you put the tealight candle in the bottom of the green ceramic vase and then put the 'tart' in the top tray. This still has all the tags on it and it has never been used, so this might go in the 'gift' closet to be used as a good 'cheap' gift.

And here is a picture of all the fabric I have gotten over the last two weekends. My favorite is the fabric that is on the top of the stack. Don't know what I'll use any of this for, but I like it!!!



I didn't get to go to tons of sales because of rain. It started raining around 8ish and started coming down pretty hard not long after that. We need rain SO bad here in GA. South GA has had a huge wildfire going for what seems like months now, and middle georgia (where I live) has been quite smokey for weeks. I hope this tropical storm that is coming through with heavy rain will put out all those fires. It has been over 60 days since it has rained in S. Ga so we need it BAD.

Another great steal that I found today was a crib and changing table. I saw it at a yard sale and called my sister to tell her - and woke her up at 7:15ish, but it was worth it b/c she got right up and went and got the furniture for just $60 bucks. It was in great condition and made by Graco - so she got a great deal.