Sewing Baby items

When I started sewing in the fall I came up with a bib pattern that I liked, long enough to cover everything yet small enough that my son could wear it when teething. I sewed him a couple of bibs and loved them, got tons of compliments and people telling me they wanted some! So this week my new task was to start making some bibs and take a hand at making some burp rags. I went in my scraps and started cutting out bibs. I have 2 people I am sewing for who are expecting girls this June and Septemeber and one that just had one. I am having a blast sewing these! I found some really cute material at the store Monday that I bought and I can't wait until I have finished everything!

My question to you is, what do you buy, if anything, handmade for your kids? I have shared with you everything that I enjoy making for my 3 kids and for friends kids, share with me what you like to make. I visit the site etsy.com often to find new ideas to sew the kids, in fact thats where I got the idea for the girls Easter dresses. I often wonder though, are people making money off that site selling what they make? I would love to be able to create items and sell them and make a profit, but can you? I have made a few things here and there for friends and they have given me a couple dollars but nothing big. Should I be charging more? What do you think?

When I am done with the bibs and burp rags I will post some pictures of the completed sets as well as some dresses I am also making the newborns!

I have gotten some inquires about patterns, in the next couple of day I will post about patterns. I tend to not use them but I would love to share with you my ideas! So stay posted!!

Garage Sale or Thift Store

In my house we have been spring cleaning for about a month now. I have gone through all the girls clothes and gotten rid of the ones that are too small or they don't like. With my oldest clothes, we then sit down our youngest and make her go through and tell us the ones she will wear in the future and which ones she won't . With my youngest, we pack everything she can't wear anymore up and donate it to my best friend who has 3 girls younger then 4. With my son's clothes we are finding a family at church who could use the clothes. I like to know that whoever is getting the clothes is going to use them and appreciate them.

Now I like to clean my closet out A LOT. Most of the time I bag up what I don't want or use anymore and my husband takes it to the thrift store for a quick donation. But as we are simplifying our house I am getting rid of more and more items. In the 5 years that we have lived here we have had 2 yard sales. Both of them somewhat a success but a lot of work! The problem I find with having yard sales is you just move the junk from one spot to a pile and it sits there for awhile till you can plan a sale and you can (hopefully) get rid of it. I never get the price I want for something and I end up wasting my entire weekend. I really hate having yard sales! Can you tell?

I love however, going through a closet, gathering items, putting them in a box and having my husband haul them to the thrift store. The items are gone, they aren't in the way, taking up more space somewhere else and I get to eventually take the donation out on my taxes. So I want to know, what do you do? What do you prefer to do with the items you no longer want in your house?

I started this blog months ago on the basis that we were going to go back to simpler times. Like everything you start with a bang and then it fizzles out. We started big, donating boxes of items to charity. As the months have progressed I find we aren't looking for things to get rid of anymore, just buying more items. What happened? I was really loving how our house was getting to be so organized, I could imagine the end result in my head! Now that school is coming to an end in a few weeks and things will start getting less hectic, I am going to challenge my family again to becoming more simplified!

So like always, share with me your thoughts! Are you trying to become more simplified, and if so what do you do with everything? I love my readers thoughts and comments and can't wait to hear from you!!

Saving money while shopping for mom?

For all of you out there looking for the perfect Mother's Day gift while trying to save your family some money, head over to ebates.com! They are currently offering double cash back at many online retailers just for Mother's Day. Including stores like FTD, Teleflora, Blue Nile, Sephora, Godiva, The Body Shop, and Barnes and Noble! Before you shop make sure you check out the stores page on ebates.com so you can score some promotional codes for additional savings on your purchases!

And if you haven't registered yet to be a FREE member of ebates.com, click here so you can start scoring cash back on your online purchases!! What are you waiting for, a personal invitation? Consider this it!

Easter Sewing

Last year my son was born on Good Friday, so my girls wore their matching dresses and I didn't have to worry about my son matching with them. I can remember though the whole 2 months before my due date stressing about if he decided to come early what he was going to wear. I scoured the internet looking for matching outfits for my 3 kids, then would of been 9, 4 and newborn. It was next to impossible. I remember thinking, I could pay an arm and a leg for someone to make matching outfits, but then why? They wouldn't wear them enough to get the money out of it, and there was a big possibility that little man wouldn't be here.

So instead I went and bought, close to matching, outfits for the 3 kids. I ended up getting their pictures taken a month later in the outfits, but in the end it didn't really matter. So I have told you the story already about why I wanted to learn to sew and this was one of the reasons why. Now I have saved our family a ton of money so far just sewing the girls outfits for our trips and birthday presents for friends. Now I have saved  us close to $80 on Easter outfits!

I made my son a couple of JonJons to wear on our vacation this month, so he already had a bunch made. 2 of them wear great colors for Easter, pastel blue and light green. I took these 2 to the cloth store and found a matching print with the green one. I bought (too much) almost 3 yards of fabric for $16. With that material I made both girls dresses and matching hair clips! The kids looked great on Easter morning and we got so many compliments that day at church I was so happy. It was great!

I have really started to enjoy this sewing thing. The kids like having unique outfits and my oldest has even gotten into designing her own. It's really fun!

**I will post a picture tomorrow of the 3 outfits!

Going Green for Easter?

The other day I was standing in a HUGE line at a local store buying shredded grass for my son's Easter basket. I was looking around at everyone in the store with their shopping carts filled to the top with tons of Easter basket items, new Easter baskets, filler grass, plastic eggs, etc. and thought to myself, WOW!

Our family tries hard to be as green as we can, but we also try to be as thrifty as we can. Our Easter traditions don't cost much money at all. We are rather religious and most of our day revolves around Easter service. I have bought the girls dresses in the past, but always on sale and with a coupon! This year I wanted all 3 kids to match, so I bought material (on sale with a coupon!) and made 3 outfits for Easter. The kids got more compliments this year then ever before! The Easter bunny comes to our house but only brings small items that fit in their Easter baskets. This year all 3 kids got a book, our oldest got an iTunes gift card, and the 2 youngest got new toothbrushes and toothpaste (bought on sale with coupons, are you finding a pattern?!) The Easter baskets are pretty nice, I have decorated each one differently and we reuse the grass inside each one every year. We don't let the kids eat much candy, so the Easter bunny (and Santa Claus) bring the kids fruit (organic!) in their basket. And they couldn't be more happier!

Over the years we have somehow collected plastic Easter eggs. I guess we go to different places for egg hunts and have just kept the eggs. We have a big box full of eggs now. In fact this year, the girls went through and got 10 eggs of 3 different colors out to leave for the bunny. Each kids was a different color and the bunny hid them according to their age and difficulty. I haven't bought plastic eggs in years!!

So you see, I don't spend much money on Easter. My question is, do you? On what and why? Wouldn't it be great to buy a nice Easter basket for each kid and pass it through the years, and when they are old enough give it to them. They would have so money memories, and you aren't forking out tons of money each year on a new one! Share with me readers! I am curious!!

Carter's is now on Ebates!

YAY for Ebates.com! Carter's is now a participating merchant offering 2.5% cash back on your online purchases! This is exciting for all us mother's! Carter's is a great store that offers wonderfully made clothes for really great prices! Couldn't be happier!

Currently you can shop carters.com and use promotional code SHIPEBATE and score free shipping on your purchase of $50 or more! In addition, you can get 20% off your purchase of $50 or more using promotional code NEWBORN at checkout!

If you are not currently an ebates member it's never too late to sign up! Click here to sign up (free) and start earning cash back on your online purchases at over 1200 participating stores! It's so easy to score money (and save)!

Mother's Day fun from Eversave.com

It's the official start of Eversave's Mom-a-Thon. To celebrate, Eversave.com is offering $4 in Save Rewards to new members for a limited time. Today's Save at PhotoBin.com is a great gift for moms. Pay just $10 for a large hardcover photo book! New members get this Save for just $6 with the $4 credit, making this an unbelievable deal!

And don't forget to check Eversave.com for city specials throughout the country! Spa deals, organizational items and restuarant deals too!

And if your into having some fun this Mother's Day, why not enter Eversave.com's Spitting Image Photo Contest!If you and your mom look like twins, submit a photo to share@eversave.com as part of their Spitting Image Photo Contest for a chance to win prizes! Click here for more info.

Restaurant.com Deal

If you need to plan Easter dinner and save some money at the same time, I have a deal for you! Use promo code EASTER at checkout on restuarant.com and get 80% off your gift certificate order. That's $25 gift certificates for only $2! Don't forget about Mother's Day just a couple of weeks away! These would be great to use for that occasion! Or teacher gifts for the end of the year! Stock up now while they are $2!

And to mak things even sweeter, head over to Ebates.com and shop restuarant.com through them. You will be getting 25% cash back on your purchase today! If you aren't an ebates member yet (and why not after all my talk!) click here to sign up for free and start earning cash back on your everyday online purchases!!

Great Deal through Groupon for Picaboo!

$35 for $100 Worth of Photo Books, Card and Calendars at Picaboo

Thought this deal was a great one with Mother's Day fastly approaching. You do NOT have to use the entire value of the Groupon in a single transaction, and no, you cannot stack the Groupon with other discounts.

To make this deal even sweeter, head to ebates.com and earn 3% cash back on your Groupon purchase! If you aren't already a member of ebates, click here to sign up for free and start earning cash back on your online purchases!

My New Favorite Place to Shop AND Save

This morning I went shopping since I wouldn't have time this holiday weekend. I decided to try our grocery shopping at Target. Our Target just got a full fresh grocery section and I thought, what the heck! I printed some Target coupons before I went and took my envelopes full of my regular coupons and headed on out. In addition to our weekly groceries I also needed some shoes for Easter and some more Easter basket fillers.

I have to admit, it was really nice to be able to walk through one store and get everything I needed in one trip out. I was a little overwhelmed walking through the grocery section. I headed to the store on a whim and so I didn't have a shopping list or a sales ad. I was trying to match up store coupons with sales and with coupons I already had, while trying to remember what my husband (he does all the cooking) had written on the list. In the time limit I had to shop, I think I did pretty well. I saved over $50 on everything. I did get a few things that were full price and I didn't have a coupon (which is not like me at all, I guess I was being generous this holiday weekend!).

My trip out this morning was pretty productive. I think I might be switching my stores! I love the atmosphere in Target and how everyone is so friendly. It's clean and very well organized. They have a ton of organic, healthy options that are priced very well. Their coupon policy is amazing! You can use their store coupon along with a manufacturer's coupon. If you have a plan you can get a lot of items free or below a $1! Their website is easy to navigate through and print your store coupons off of. And don't forget (had to add this on Earth Day) you get 15cents off for your reusable bag! I am really liking this place now!

So, my adventure out this morning was a success and it made me (and my husband) very happy in the savings department! Please share your experiences with me, where is your favorite place(s) to shop and how do you save money there?

Amazing Eversave Deals and Promos today!

Starting today, "like" Eversave's Facebook page for a chance to win a $150 AMEX gift card, and either $100 or $75 in Save Rewards.


Winners will be announced on Monday (4/18).

Check out today's Save from Em Tanner Designs. Chances are the kids have outgrown last year's duds- so update their wardrobe by spending just $20 for $40 worth of fabulous children's apparel and more! Em Tanner Designs is one of my favorite websites for sibling shirts! Unique, creative and cute! Check them out!

And don't forget to check out other local deals today with Eversave. Here are a few promo codes for select cities: Chicago for $3 discount use code FOOD; Seattle for a $2 discount use code THURS; and in Phoenix for a $2 discount use code WASH.

Pillowcase Dresses

Over the summer I saw online a picture of a pillowcase dress and thought it was the cutest and most simple dress in the world. When I started my adventure in sewing I decided I was going to start with the pillowcase dresses for my 2 daughters. I was right, it was by far the most simple dress in the world. And dumb me even went out and wasted money on a simple pattern. As my sewing gets better and I dare to do more things, I find myself turning to the Internet for ideas and suggestions. I have found so many different pillowcase dress ideas and tips, and have even found where I don't have to use a pattern at all! Since my first pillowcase dress I have sewn 2 for birthday presents, and 3 for my youngest daughter.



Hawaiian print pillowcase dress for 2 year old birthday girl!

 I have gathered a ton of information on sewing pillowcase dresses. These are great dresses for girls during spring and summer and even in the fall with a shirt underneath. If you are venturing in making this adorable dress I have below the simplest instructions for you! I have compiled this information from a ton of websites and developed an easy to follow directions!

Simple (and generic) measurements:
Dress lengths: 6 - 9 months 14 inches; 12 months 15.5 inches; 18 months 17.5 inches; 2T 19.5 inches; 3T 21 inches; 4T 22 inches; 5/6 24 inches; 7/8 26 inches
(take a quick measurement of your daughter to make sure this is close to being correct!)
Dress widths: 6 - 18 months, 15 inches; 2T - 4T, 16 - 20 inches; 5 - 6, 21 - 24 inches
(Again, measure around your daughters chest to make sure this measurement would be comfortable on her!)
Armholes: 6month to 2T down 3 inches, in 1.5 inches; 3T - 4T down 4 inches, in 2 inches; 4 to 5 down 5 or 6 inches, in 2 inches; size 6 down 7 or 8 inches, in 2 inches
(I have used other dresses or tank tops as a pattern to make armholes plenty of times. If you are afraid of this step use a pattern!)

Cinderella pillowcase dress for a 4 year old birthday girl!

OK, so find you material you would like to make the dress. In my example I am going to pretend I am making a 2T dress. I am going to cut 2 pieces of material 19.5 inches by 20 inches (I would probably just round and make it 20 by 20!). Then I am going to cut the arm holes at the top of the dress 3 inches down and in 1.5 inches. This is it for the cutting! Next I am going to straight stitch up the sides of the dress. Next I would take some double fold bias tape (get a color that matches your material) and sew the arm holes. This is wear you can be creative, I have used material for the bias tape on some dresses, I have sewn it so that half is outside the armhole and you can see it. Have fun with it!! After the armholes, you need to do the neck. I use single fold 1 inch bias tape to make the casting so I can insert the ribbon. Once the top is done I hem the dress and your almost done! The next step you can be creative with as well, you can either get some ribbon for the next or you can make your own tie. If you choose to make it using material I cut mine 3 inches by 44 inches. I steam the material in half lengthwise, open it up and fold the ends to the middle. Then sew it up, this will make a 44 inches long tie by .75 inches wide. This will tie on one shoulder instead of 2.

I know those directions were not written for the novice. I will write another post in the future with pictures and detailed instructions. I hope these measurement and quick directions will get you started!

Enjoy sewing and please share your creations with me!!

Babies R Us Clearance Sale

Spring Cyber Monday Sale
You can save up to 65% on items in the clearance department online at Babies R Us. This also includes 15% on Graco products, Free gift cards with pampers purchase and much more!

 And with a purchase of $75 or more earn free shipping! So head on over and start saving!

Magazines.com Deal Today!!

Are you a magazine freak? Someone you know? This deal is for you!!! Ebates.com Daily Double today is magazines.com! On your purchase you will receive 51% cash back! That's not a typo, it's true!

If you use coupon code SPRINGMAGS at checkout you can get $5 off a large selection of magazines. Deals change regularly so make sure you check back! For example, 12 issues of Parent magazine is only $4.97 and with 51% cash back in the end it's like paying $2.44 for 12 issues!

So head on over to ebates.com and start your magazines.com purchase today! If you aren't an ebates member, click here to start earning cash back on your everyday online purchases!!

Awesome Eversave Deals!!!

Eversave.com is celebrating $5 Days and giving new Eversave members $5 in Save Rewards for 3 days. This increased credit lasts until Wednesday (4/13) at midnight EST when it will go back down to $2.


Also, sink your sweet tooth into today's Save from Ruth's Brownie Kitchen! Pay $15 for $30 worth of gourmet cookies, Italian biscotti, and fudgy brownies. These mouth-watering, made-to-order confections are baked exclusively with ultra-premium Valrhona chocolate and preservative-free ingredients.

All desserts are made fresh-to-order, never frozen and are shipped only hours after baking- guaranteeing freshness! (I've also heard they're huge!)

Don't forget to check out eversave.com for other great, local deals! There's always something for everyone!

$15 for $30 Worth of Steaks, Seafood, and Drinks at Fireside Chophouse in Williamsburg

$15 for $30 Worth of Steaks, Seafood, and Drinks at Fireside Chophouse in Williamsburg

Mother's Day is coming up soon and this would be a great buy for your mom! Also a great date night for you and your loved one! Jump on it!!

And don't forget all my ebates members...purchase through ebates and get 3% cash back on your Fireside Chophouse deal today! If you aren't an ebates member yet, click here to signup for free and start earning awesome cash back on your online purchases!!

Back from Vacation and time to save!

I'm back from vacation and spending frivolously on my kids! It's time to get into saving mode again! We did have a blast spending a week at Disney World celebrating my son's first birthday, but it's time to get back to reality! And I know your wondering, did I practice what I preach? YES!! We took all our snacks into the parks and brought most of our drinks. I did buy a few things in the parks, but it was for our son!! We aren't in debt from the trip! A good thing!
Now that Spring is here and Easter, Mother's Day and Memorial Weekend are right around the corner, I know many of you are looking for things to do with the kids! The weather is warmer, so let's get outside and play! I will try to focus many of my postings on outside things and ways to save money for the holidays! Spring and Summer are times we like to spend money! Amusement parks, picnics, vacations, BBQ's, new outside toys, you name it we want to spend money on it! So challenge yourself to be cheap! After awhile it kind of gets addicting!
My husband and I save up all year for this time of year! We spend a lot right now, but in the long run will save a ton of money! We have a pool membership to buy the family, Busch Gardens tickets to buy 3 of us (remember my post about the preschool program!), and a couple more small vacations. So don't feel bad if you have to fork out a bunch of money right now, it will all save you in the end!!
I hope you continue to keep reading, I love all my followers! And don't forget to post your comments, I love learning from you too!!