$100 worth of Free Ribbon. Say What?

thriftliving — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 01:39:40 +0000

I heart ribbon, specifically grosgrain ribbon. I dream of having a ribbon wall someday. I would love to have walls and walls of ribbon at my disposal. Ribbon just makes the world cheery! My love language is gifts I love to get gifts, but even more I love to give them away. I dream of having a ribbon wall for the numerous crafts, wearing it and adorning those last minute gifts or cards with Ribbon. I’m a little obsessed with ribbon and its many textures. From Grosgrain to Satin, I love ribbon.

Note this photo was taken from the Makes and Takes site.

I follow the Makes and Takes blog and today they hit my soft spot, a ribbon giveaway. By telling you about it, I only decrease my chances of winning as there will be more entries, however, I really hope one of us wins, because I’m that passionate about ribbon. In addition, you’ll love following this blog. They have so many creative, crafty items and fun recipes, that are truly unique and actually good.

Click Here if you wish to sign up for their ribbon give away.

Cheers to winning ribbon!

Tasha

Say Goodbye to Paper Sign Up Sheets w/ Free Resource

thriftliving — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 21:41:26 +0000

Have you ever been handed a “Sign Up Sheet” to carpool, bring snacks, potluck, volunteer, etc?

Or are you needing to coordinate a gathering and need people to pick a job?

Put the pen and paper down and go directly to this free resource. You can create an online sign up sheet for Free!

GOODBYE PAPER SIGN UPS!

www.SignUpGenius.com

My party and event planning just became easier and its FREE!

Cheers to your Thriftliving!

Tash

To write love on his Banana….

thriftliving — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 16:28:02 +0000

In the midst of daily busy, remember to tell your loved ones you love them. Here is my favorite way to say I love you.

On a Banana….

To write love on his Banana...

I remember in Kindergarten through High School my best friend Katie Arnold would come to School every day with a Engraved Banana. Almost everyday her Dad or Mom would write a message of love or encouragement on her Banana. For me, I would anxiously await to see what her banana would say. Some days it would say, “I love you” and other days it would say, “Good luck on your English test today. Praying for you.” and sometimes it would be a drawing from her little sisters Jenna or Stacie. Katie was loved, not only at home but away from home at school.

Send love with your family whereever they go, and put it in places that stand out from the rest to make them know they are loved and appreciated.

Cheers to your Thriftliving!

Tash

3 Gift Giving Concepts with meaning and little cost!

thriftliving — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 02:21:52 +0000

Each year in my various mom’s groups, mom’s circulate ideas on how to bring meaning into Christmas gift giving and also one that is pleasing to the budget.

Here are two of my favorite ideas:

1. Give each child 3 gifts, just like Jesus was given 3 gifts from the wisemen.- Submitted by Wendy.

2. For advent, wrap up 25 books and the children get to open one book each day. The books can be Christmas related or not. I love this idea! -Submitted by Susan. (Tip: Shop your local Thriftstore for books throughout the year, or you can order books from Amazon for 99cent used books + Shipping in many cases., or support your local school if they offer Scholastic book orders.)

3. Santa’s only involvement: ‘Santa’ drops off ‘pre-washed’ Christmas pj’s on the door step each Christmas Eve. As your children get older and no longer believe in Santa, it becomes a fun game to try and catch ‘Santa’ in the act. -Submitted by Janet.

Its not too late to implement these ideas. If you already bought more than 3 gifts, start returning or giving them away to others.

Cheers to your Thriftliving!

Tash

Large Chalkboard Idea for under $10!

thriftliving — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 18:34:09 +0000

Several months ago, our Chalkboard Easel Broke. I must say I’m not too sad, because it took up so much space and in our small area, space is at a premium. I went on a hunt for a large chalkboard I could hang on the wall and to my surprise they began retailing around $100. I loved it, but at that price I preferred my kids stick to paper and crayons. I tried Chalkboard spray paint which is great, but messy. Then Until I came across this little secret…

I have not been ready to reveal my secret until now…

Chalkboard Contact Paper….AND AGAIN I SAY REJOICE!

And again I Say Rejoice!

This Chalkboard Contact is phenominal for many reasons:

-it has a sticky back. It is removeable, reusable and does not leave a sticky residue on surfaces.

-it washes clean easily

-there is a lot in one roll, so you can make multiple chalkboards or cover a chunk of wall

Its many uses:

-Picture Frame Chalkboard: Buy $1 Foam Poster board, Apply the sticky contact paper to the foam board. Cut to size of picture frame. Place in picture frame and hang.

-Cut your own custom Chalkboard Labels

-Cut and apply to your refrigerator for a magnetic Chalkboard.

Apply Direct to your Refrigerator

-Apply to a framed cork board. One side Cork and cover the other side with chalkboard contact paper.

-Place direct on walls in your kids play rooms or over a dining room table.

-Make travel sized chalkboards using foam board, they are light weight and fit easily in a back pack.

-Apply to any magnetic surface for a combination Magnetic Chalkboard.

-Make chalkboard placemats for the dinner table.

-Place a strip on the dashboard of your spouse’s car and write him love notes.

-Cut out wall decals and apply to any room!

-Shop for unique frames at a thrift shop or garage sale and fill with contact paper for a stylish and unique chalkboard.

Shop thrift shops/Garage sales for unique frames

Covering a Larger Surface?

Spray-on Chalkboard Paint is recommended.

*Please note when painting, to not use in a breezy area, the paint will go everywhere.

Want a Magnetic Chalkboard Surface?

Spray Chalkboard Paint on a metal magnetic surface or Use Spray-on Magnetic Paint first. Let it dry.

Once dry. Spray Chalkboard paint over top or roll on Chalkboard Contact paper.

If you complete this project, I would love to see your photos!

Cheers to your Thriftliving!

Tasha

50% off Melissa and Doug Products

thriftliving — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 19:38:52 +0000

So I rarely, state coupons or sales on my blog, but I am in love with Melissa and Doug products, because they are quality and last.

I just purchased the M and D Ice Cream Parlor and Cookie Set for my kids. I so can’t wait to play Kitchen with them!

Sometimes I have to purchase toys for them I’m excited to play to encourage me to get down on the floor and play with them more!

Melissa and Doug Play Sandwich Set! LETS PLAY!

Click Here for Awesome deals at Amazon today up to 50% off Melissa and Doug Products!

Also Many orders $25 or more qualify for FREE SHIPPING! YES.

“Get down on the Floor and Play with them More!” Sounds like a catchy tune to a new country song!

Cheers to your Thriftliving!

One Large Area Rug for under $65

thriftliving — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 18:32:18 +0000

I LOVE THIS IDEA! No, actually, I’m IN love with this idea.

My friend Meredith recently redid the floors in her living room. They are Gorgeous. Having a limited budget and a desire for her gorgeous new floors to remain unscratched, she found this simple solution for an area rug. This idea would also work to create a gorgeous runner. Use Matching Thread or fun colored thread to bind the rugs together. Its unique and when your friends see it your home will be the talk of the neighborhood, and you’ll rest knowing you stayed within budget!

Merediths Gorgeous Area Rug for under $65!

For a few dollars more I found these gorgeous Royal Chenille Rugs for $16-$19 each that would also work with her idea. Click Here to view the Chenille Rugs.

Click Here to see Merediths Area Rug and the tools she used to complete it!

What I love about this idea, is that its easy to create a color custom rug. If you are into seasonal colors you could make a couple of these and switch them out during the holidays. Lastly, sometimes its hard to find the right size, create your own length, width and size, add additional rugs for larger or remove for smaller.

CHEERS to your Thriftliving!

Tash

Remove Grease and Deter Bees with a Dryer Sheet

thriftliving — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 05:43:50 +0000

Watch this quick video to see for yourself how a simple dryer sheet removes grease from a pan. (Yes that’s my hands in the video!) Click here to view.

Click to ViewClick here to view

Prior to learning about removing grease from a pan with a dryer sheet, I had learned that it would repel insects especially bees. Golfers have been known to place one in their back pocket to keep the bees away. I typically hide one under my picnic table clothes at parties day or night and it repels the insects from the food and the guests sitting at the table.

Its also worked well on our old George Foreman Grill where we can’t remove the grill tray. With a simple wipe of a dryer sheet, it cleans up quick.

Tip: Buy unscented dryer sheets, cut them in half. They have the same power in-half as they do whole. I prefer Bounce, but really any dryer sheet will work.

For more information on the many other uses of a dryer sheet click here.

Cheers to your Thriftliving!

Tash

Sweet Tea, Food Storage and Old Jars=Sweet Hospitality

thriftliving — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 03:25:36 +0000

Typically, I cast my sauce jars in the recycle bin because I lack time to clean and store the jars. Life is ‘busy fast’ and often I find myself grabbing whats quick and easy. However, as I continue to connect with my ‘citry’ life (country-city life), I find myself going back to basic elements that remind me of home. Mason jars in their simplest form are my favorite country element.

Sweet Tea and Flowers

When I think of re-using a Mason jar I think of putting fresh cut flowers in them. To quote one of my favorite lines from Waynes World but replacing the words gun and gun rack, “I don’t even own a flower bush, let alone many flower bushes to necessitate an entire shelf of mason jars. “

Finally it hit me, Instead of buying the plastic disposable food storage containers, why not use jars? Not only are they already paid for as you buy sauces, jams and other goods in them….THEY LOOK GORGEOUS! In addition, they can store everything from Sweet Tea to BBQ Pulled Pork.

Thrifty Idea: The next time you are headed over to a friends house, and you want to bring a house warming gift and you are like me and have no flower bushes, simply pour some sweet tea into a jar, tie it with a ribbon or raffia, write out a quick label, and wha-la you have a unique ‘thank you for having us’. In addition you’ve left your country stamp in a busy world reminding people to appreciate the simple things in life.

Tip: When removing the labels from your jars, simply wet the label and peel off. To remove the sticky remnants use a dryer sheet. Simply wet the dryer sheet and apply to surface. You can also use a Magic Eraser. The magic eraser will also remove the ink date stamp on the jar too.

Mason jars remind me so much of ‘Baba’, my grandmother. She had this incredible simple basement in the bottom of an old historic brick house. It was simple and stripped down. One side filled with the old-fashioned washing machine, and the ceilings adorned with rope strung across the room with wooden clothing clips. The other side was shelves and shelves full of filled mason jars with this years canned peaches, jams, and many other fillings. Every time, I pull out a mason jar it reminds me of her and I can still smell her basement. It was a scent where the homemade canned peaches had baked their smell into the walls.
Cheers to your thriftliving!

Tash

Fruit and Vegetable Wash: A Lesson

thriftliving — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 15:05:46 +0000

I was recently back home in North Carolina and my Mom pulled out this fruit and vegetable wash. She demonstrated how it really deep cleans fruit and vegetables and removes potentially harmful wax and other chemicals. Fearful she was using another chemical to simply clean off a chemical, I asked, “Whats the main ingredient of the wash?”

As I read through the list of ingredients, the main active ingredient was water and baking soda. It hit me there are many of these natural cleaners that are now made simply from either vinegar or baking soda and consumers are spending money for a mixture of ingredients they already have at home.

I asked how much she paid and she said a couple bucks. I informed her of the ingredients and how she can save money in the future by simply applying water and baking soda to those dirty potatoes in the future.

My Thriftliving Tip: When buying natural cleaners read the active ingredients on the back, chances are you already have these cleaners at home or it would be cheaper buying vinegar and baking soda in bulk.

Remember the key is not to buying more gadgets/potions, but rather asking yourself, “What do I already have at home, that would accomplish the same purpose/function?”

Click here to learn how to make your own homemade Fruit and Vegetable Wash.

Cheers to your Thriftliving!

Tash