Do You Facebook?

A friend has finally harassed me long enough and I broke down and started a Facebook page. I'm lost. It will take me years to figure it all out. As Jason said "just another something for you to waste time doing on the computer." Then he said "Facebook? Really? Are you 18?" Sadly, I agree with him. But its still fun.

I've made some progress on the preschool quilts. I have the orange and yellow cut into blocks. They will become tops quickly. I hope to work on them some more tonight.

Yesterday we spent a relaxing day as a family. We (as in all four us, yes the boys too. all of them) went to a small quilt show. It was my first quilt show ever. I'm sad, I know. I'll show more pictures of that later. Blogger isn't cooperating and I have to get ready to go on a field trip with Ben's class. Pumpkins, five year olds, mud. FUN.

Coupon Tutorial ~ Step One

As promised, I am starting a coupon/grocery shopping tutorial to help you make your dollars stretch. And who couldn't use a stretchier dollar in this economic environment?! I'm gonna do this in steps so as not to overwhelm you. I will add links to the steps in my side bar so you may refer back to them at a later time. Good Luck & Happy Savings!!!

The very first thing one must consider when grocery shopping is attitude. If you truly want to make the most of your coupons and your money, you really have to shift your thought process. Most of us make a menu for the week, then make a grocery list. This works for some people, but its not very cost effective. The most frugal way to grocery shop is to check out the sales and make your grocery list accordingly, matching the sales with coupons (but we'll get to that later). Once you have made your grocery list, look at the list (and what's already in your pantry) and make your menu based on what you own and what's on sale.

This one step alone, will make a noticable difference in your grocery budget. I will end step one here and allow this information to sink in. As this truly is the most challenging part of changing your habits. Once you have started to look at shopping in this light, the rest is easy.

Oh, and someone asked about doing these trips with kids ~ both of my kids are with me for 90% of my big shops. I'll have some tips on how to make this less painful in the following steps.

Toodles for now!
~Jessica

Phew....where has October gone?

I can't believe October is more than half way gone. Where has this entire year gone?! I absolutely love having Jason home (he has worked four days in the last month ~ NO, that's not typical!), but my computer time takes a serious hit when hubby's around! Being completely inspired by Amandajean and Camille and their tutorials I thought maybe, just maybe I might be able to quilt on my machine. So I cut out a small square of scrap fabric and tried my hand at meandering. Now, you may remember that last Mother's Day I got a class at Skunk Bay quilts to get signed off on their long arm. When I was playing around on her machine (oh....five months ago now?) I could meander like nobody's business. Moving the machine ~ its way easier than moving a quilt. I'm gonna need more practice here!

I also have cut the rest of the fabric for the preschool quilts that I'm making. I should be able to piece these together rather quickly now. I'm tying them, so I can take a few evenings to relax in front of the TV and get those done.

And now I must sign off. My friend, Karen, is a new Close to My Heart consultant and I'm hosting a party this morning ~ my house is a mess and she'll be here soon! Cheers!

Oh yeah, one more thing...I need a craft idea that Kindergartener's can do with fabric (so no needles, sewing machines, etc...). I have a whole stack of Christmas fabric that I don't plan on using in a quilt and Ben's K teacher and I are trying to come up with a craft to let the kids use it ~ any ideas???? Thanks!!

It's Back!!

My machine is back and I'm already busy. I put her to work last night and made this. I have four more to make. I am making them for a local preschool's fundraiser. I have all of the handprints and getting the top together is a piece of cake (the above top took just over an hour). I'm going to be tying the quilts and the auction is on Nov 15th. Think I'll make it? Of course I will!

I also have some super top secret stuff I'm working on, but I can't share that until later. I have lots of pictures downloaded for my coupon tutorial, now I'm just finishing up the text and I'll get that started in the next few days.

Happy Belated Birthday

In all of the craziness that is my life, I didn't post a tribute to my little guy on his birthday. He'll forgive me someday. When he's 40. In therapy. Happy Belated Birthday "Tarter Sauce". Mommy Loves You.

September 29, 2005. I forever became the mother of *children*. As in plural. You were the sweetest, quietest, happiest baby. You loved to just watch us from your swing. Little did I know that you were taking notes and as soon as you became mobile my life would change. Forever.

Happy Birthday, Big Boy.

Watching the Debate?

Are you watching the debate tonight? Whether you are an Obama supporter or a McCain supporter, the most responsible thing you can do as an American citizen is to get informed and VOTE! Please don't make your decision based on sound bites or slanderous commercials. Define your own values and priorities, then do your research and decide which candidate best represents you. We live in a great country. A resilient country. What makes this country so great is the people ~ that's US!! You and Me.

~~on another note, I am putting together a multipart series on my couponing/grocery store strategies. I'll be getting that started soon. My sewing machine will also be back from service on Thursday. I have lots of projects all lined up like little soldiers waiting their turn. Some projects I can share, others will have to wait. I'll be super busy so check back here to take a peek at what I'm working on! Cheers!

And the winner is.....

Did you think I forgot about you? About my giveaway? I didn't! I'm not sure what made me think I could keep up with blogging, email, housework & life all at the same time while having out of town guests and a birthday party, too. Supermom complex maybe?

I don't do fancy computer generated randomly selected numbers. I'm old school. We picked a number out of a hat ~ my husband's hat that is too small. My five year old wears it proudly.

Drumroll, please................

And the winner is.... CAB. I'm looking forward to making her custom gift ~ however my sewing machine had to be taken in for an emergency service (it was overdue anyway, so its a good thing, right? right?). So as soon as I get my baby back I'll get started on something fun for her. Stay Tuned! Thanks for helping me honor my 100th post!