Monday, April 27, 2009

A New Item. Shabby Cottage Pillow set.

Just listed in my shop. I made these with the primitive and shabby cottage feel in mind. They turned out even more beautiful than I hoped. A set of three quilted pillows to use as shelf sitters or whatnot.
I hope someone buys these for their Mom for Mother's Day.

The price is a bit steep for a couple reasons but number one, if they don't bring it I am fine keeping them for myself!
What do you think? Aren't they pretty???

The shop.

Those of you that have Etsy shops, are sales picking up for you lately?
Mine has been all but dead all winter with a sparse order here and there.
Lately though it seems like sales are finally picking up a little. I've had 3 special orders over the past couple of weeks. One was a biggie. A wedding party order! That made my day.

I need to make and list a few new designs as I haven't sat down and played in my jewelry stuff in ages. I didn't see the need since nothing was selling. I also have a lot of other non jewelry things I want to list but I am wondering if that would be "retail suicide?" I've read over and again to pick one thing to sell to make a name for yourself, and stick to that. Problem is that I have so many other interests and things to offer the world besides jewelry. lol

I suppose I could always list them and see what happens. Couldn't hurt to try, right?

.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´★*¨¨*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆Kristie★*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Getting whiny!


Because I hate, loathe, despise, HOT weather. Why? Because I wake up feeling sick. I go through the day in a daze. I get headaches a lot. Just miserable all the way around. Oh and not to mention I woke up today to a TICK crawling on my leg!

The only AC I have is here in the computer room, but I can't stay in here all day every day until winter comes back around!

I'm sitting here doing nothing and I can feel heat radiating from my bare feet!! I have my hair twisted up on my head and feel like I've been out plowing a field or something. I don't know how you summer people get the energy to move a muscle in this heat.

If I could have it my way I'd turn the AC wide open and take a long summer hibernation.
You can keep the snakes, bees, ticks, fleas, sunburns, sweat and all that "fun" stuff that comes with this season. I don't want any, thankyouverymuch.

Rant over. Back to your regularly scheduled program.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

A Little Sunburned, Completely Full, and a bit tired.

I was so glad Chris was home today because we finally got to go to the Ribfest in Gatlinburg, TN. We have been trying to get there for years but he was always gone to work.

I dragged my overweight self around for what felt like miles up and down the main strip. Several vendors were there and we ate ribs and wings until we could eat no more. It was HOT and my face and the back of my neck got a bit sunburned. I honestly didn't think I'd be in the sun long enough to burn! I should've known my BLACK Celtic dragon tattoo on the back of my neck would pull the sun right to it. Should've left my long hair down, eh? lol Honestly, I never see the thing. Out of sight, out of mind. Ya know? Anyway, I'm home, I'm burned, and I'm tired.

It was pretty fun. I think I'll skip out on it next year though. I'm just not a hot weather activity kind of girl.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

"Not Big Enough"

That's what my son Alex said.

I still need to add the border but even with it he says it's not going to be big enough. :(
I haven't measured it yet but right now it should be in the area of 60X64". I figure with the border it will end up being 68X72".
What do you all think? Is that really to small to use? He says he wants to be able to wrap himself up in it. He is a husky guy at 6ft. 220lbs.

I feel like I've wasted my time. I don't want to make another quilt all over again. :(
What's worse is that the hubs doesn't like how I arranged the blocks. I thought I was mixing things up by not having them go straight across but rather up and down. I'm too much of a novice to make any funky designs or star patterns. What do these two expect of me??? Sigh.
Oh and by the way, I'm sorry the pictures aren't that great. It's just to give a general idea.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

CVS Hot Deal Alert


Update: I can now confirm that CVS has the Dove SkinVitalizers marked from $12.99 to $4 each.
There are printables out for $3.75/1 making them .25 each! There are also $3.50/1 coupons in the 3-15-09 RedPlum insert making them .50 each!
I just got back from buying 5 of these. $64.95 worth of product for $1.25 (before tax).

*Remember also, you can get rainchecks for these if your store is sold out or you don't have the coupons on hand. These coupons are fairly regular in the inserts.
.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´★*¨¨*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆Kristie★*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆

Saturday, April 18, 2009

CVS April 18, 09

Tonight I rolled $13.00 in ECBs and got back $12.98 in ECBs. I only paid $2.55 cash for all 27 items!

7 packs Wrigley's gum. I used the last of my Free pack coupons that I had.
4 boxes cereal and 4 $1.50 coupons.
4 boxes Starbucks chocolates that were on clearance at my store for 1.00 and I had $1/1 coupons making them FREE. I got the last 4 boxes they had.
3 Crest Pro Health toothpastes was a money maker with my $2 in coupons.
3 J&J first aid kits .99 and used $1 off coupons for each.
2 boxes Bayer Quick Release Crystals were a money maker with my 1.50 coupons.
2 Edge shave gels were free after ECBs.
1 J&J lotion on clearance for $1.25 and I had a $1/1 coupon
1 Degree deodorant .99 with a $1/1 coupon
Also used a CVS $4 off $20 coupon

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Playin' In Fabrics


I had some free time last night so I made these two little pillows. I believe they are called shelf sitters or bowl fillers in the "prim world." I coffee stained a strip of muslin to tie around them and did my stamping thang, yes thang on the tag. lol I think they are cute.


And Ryan, I didn't forget about ya. Here's what I did with your awesome quilted square. Just simply added some batting, backing and a double border. I am using it as a mouse pad! Love it.

Also, All the supplies for Alex's quilt came today so I will be a very busy bee for the next few days. Pray I don't mess it up. lol This one's gonna be huge!
.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´★*¨¨*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆Kristie★*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆

FREE Purex Laundry Detergent!


Right now go to coupons.com and print your B1G1 free coupons on Purex. Take them to CVS where they are also on sale B1G1 free this week.
Each coupon gets you two free bottles! I scored 4 printable coupons and got 8 free bottles today. Hurry, the buy one get one free sale at CVS ends THIS Sat. April 18th.
NOTE: These printables aren't available to all areas. If you do not see the coupon type in zip code 44515 at the top left side of the page, click the orange arrow button and you should see it.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Thank you!

To those of you that have recently sent me coupons via the snail mail...THANK YOU and ((hugs)).
They are very much appreciated.

Some Sunday's I get so sad knowing that, no matter how badly I may want the inserts I can not just go out and buy the paper and get them. Not unless I want to drive over 70 miles one way! So, please know you made my week!

Also, I am sorry to make a blanket and tacky internet thank you but I have lost some of your email addresses. But, you all know who you are and how much I wuv you for it. =)
.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´★*¨¨*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆Kristie★*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Crumbled under the pressure.

So, last night Alex was looking through fabrics online with me. (I NEVER thought that sentence would come from my mouth- or fingertips as the case may be.) But anyway he was, and he found these fabric coordinates that he really liked.
You know where this is going, don't you?
He is just dying for his mommy to make him his very own quilt. Queen size no less! AHH. NOOOO, but...why me?! lol Yep, I caved. I'm such a wuss when it comes to my boys. Can I still call them boys? Alex is 21 afterall!!

Don't think I didn't try to talk him into making it himself. I even showed him Ryan's blog and tried to inspire him. It didn't work. He is too afraid he will mess up. Doesn't care that I would be there to help every step of the way with my own quilting know-how (that we all know would fit in a thimble with room to move around, LOL) but nevertheless I offered and encouraged to no avail.

I did a lot of thinking and am pretty sure I know a couple of ways to make this one less stressful and that is the only reason I agreed to it. So the fabric has been ordered, the batting ordered, the backing ordered as well. Now all I need are a few more spools of thread and to choose a fabric for the border. I've already invested well over $100 on this "little" project. Why do I punish myself so? Oiy vey, y'all!

.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´★*¨¨*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆Kristie★*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆

Monday, April 13, 2009

The Christmas Quilt is Finished!

Yeah, yeah, I know it's spring but since quilting isn't my area of expertise I figured that if I messed up too badly that at least we would only have to see the thing once a year! lol
I worked on this one and finished in two evenings. It's lap blanket size, or what you might call over-size crib blanket.

I'm real happy with how it turned out but I don't think I'll take on another project of this size. It was a LOT of work. I think I'll stick to wall banners and table runners.
My oldest son Alex loves quilts and wants me to make him one in queen or king size. I told him I love him but, happen not gonna. I'd be pulling my hair out by the roots!

DS Alex, A.K.A one who is waiting for me to give him a haircut.



Of course I had to put my signature tag on it. Don't want anyone else claiming they made this when I'm dead and gone. lmbo. =)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´★*¨¨*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆Kristie★*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Recent Freebies and a quilt update.

This is a mix of a CVS trip and a WalMart trip combined.

My CVS trip was .61 in loose change. I paid with 13.97 in ECBs and got back 12.97 in ECBs. The 3 SoftSoap body washes, 4 Colgate toothbrushes, 4 Air Wick Ultra Mini starter kits, 4 J&J Buddy Bars, 1 Schick Quattro Titanium Trimmer, and the 6 J&J First Aid kits all came from CVS.

At Walmart the Air Wick I-Motion machines are on roll back for $5 and I had 14 $5/1 coupons so those were free except for taxes. The 9 packs of Kotex were .25/pack after coupon. Also the Purina Busy Chewnola 2 pack dog treat was free as the coupon for it was in a bag of Beggin' Strips that I had. So Ryan, check your Beggin' Strips for this coupon also.
After taxes I spent less than $6 for everything at Walmart.
Also, after two evenings my Christmas quilt is DONE! I intended to make it a table runner at first but then decided to use all the fabric blocks instead. It turned out lap blanket size. Perfect for relaxing on the sofa. I will post a picture if you promise not to give me a hard time about it being Christmas theme THIS time of year. But really, who has time to make a quilt at Christmastime, I ask you? lol

Oh and Happy Easter everyone!

.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´★*¨¨*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆Kristie★*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆

Thursday, April 09, 2009

Cupcakes Galore


Look what I got in the mail today! Ten wonderful cupcake bath bombs, (or fizzies) from my friend Miranda's shop over at Etsy called My Other Princess. They look good enough to eat, don't they? And they smell yummy too. These are her new line of miniature cupcakes and they are just too sweet! No pun intended.
How awesome would these be for party favors? I'd rather get one of these instead of a real cupcake any day. Less fat, less cavity worries. Plus, you get to enjoy their beauty until you're ready to use them.

I'm a shower girl but once in a while it is nice to light a candle, pour yourself a glass of wine, and sit back in a warm tub of relaxation. They leave your skin silky smooth too! OK, so that sounded like an advertisement. I'm not getting any compensation for this. I just really love these and wanted to share how awesome they are. If you happen to waltz over and buy yourself one, well, that's a win/win for you and for Miranda. =) You won't be disappointed.

.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´★*¨¨*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆Kristie★*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

4:50AM

My insomnia is worsening lately. Last night I "slept" 4 hours, if you can call it sleep since I don't remember ever being asleep.
Tonight I went to bed at 2:30am when the Alteril pill felt like it was kicking in. Now it is 4:50am and I am back up because all attempts to sleep are futile. =(

Chris finally made it home from NY but he has to leave back out Thursday. We have so much stuff we need to take care of while he is in this one measly day. Very important stuff. I am going to be useless all day at this rate. I am exhausted and restless. Just completely worn out yet still can not fall asleep.

Sandman, where are you?
.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´★*¨¨*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆Kristie★*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Spring Special- Today Only.



Regularly $32.05, get it today only for $20 shipping included.

It is snowing here in East Tennessee today but I am going to rebel by having a spring sale on this Tri-Strand multicolor pearl necklace. The pearls are genuine and it has Swarovski crystal accents as well. It is super flexible and 24" long.

Rag Pillow after washing.

BEFORE: The picture above is the heart before washing. It was flat and the fabric on the edges was rough cut.

AFTER: This is what it looks like now post washing and drying. As you can see the edges are now soft and fluffy and the heart has puffy dimension between the stitching.
I absolutely love how it turned out and I've already got another project in the works.

I want to make a long Christmas themed table runner to place on my piano for the holidays. I found an etsy seller than had ninety 4.5" Christmas themed fabric squares for $5 so I bought them, because heaven knows I couldn't cut 90 perfect squares if my life depended on it. Besides that it is a huge time saver not to have to cut them first. I just have to wait for them to come in the mail. lol

Anyway, I can't wait to show Chris. He should be home tomorrow night. I hope he likes it but I expect he'll just nod.

Monday, April 06, 2009

This kept me up ALL night.

I was up all night making this but it was so worth it! I couldn't decide if I wanted it to be a pillow or a wall hanging, and then it hit me, why can't it be both?

So I attached a button and hole on the back to help secure the pillow form inside ...

then I added the loops for when I want to use it as a wall hanging.

It's supposed to be what is called rag quilting. The edges of the squares will get really fluffy once I wash it but I couldn't wait to share the pictures. lol Just try to mentally picture them fluffy for now.

And Ryan, if you are seeing this and thinking "total NOOB!, that is SO easy" lol let me just say I am NOT a quilter. God gave me many talents and I can do just about anything I set my mind to but this is not my specialty. So, I stuck to a simple block pattern and am really happy with it all the same. =) How did I do for my first re-try in several, several years?

Sunday, April 05, 2009

Recycled & Repurposed

I wanted to show you what my friend Karen made for me. It is a bird feeder made out of all recycled and earth friendly materials. The base of the house is an old juice carton that she covered in peanut butter and rolled in bird seed. The roof and doorway is made of pine cone petals, moss for the grass and a pine cone "tree" in the yard. She then filled the inside with extra feed.
So what you get is a bird feeder that is edible both inside and out. I just love it and think the birds will too. Thanks Karen.

Feelin' Crafty Today



Just thought I'd share.

I always liked how rustic these look but I wasn't about to pay $8 a piece for them, so I made my own. They didn't turn out perfect but what does the first time you try? I still like them a lot.
I made them with black eyed, black, kidney, pinto, and coffee beans. They'd look nice in a clear glass vase or in a shallow wooden bowl too.

Saturday, April 04, 2009

What's Up with Comcast?

Trying to check email on Comcast is a PITA! Half the time it will not load. Right now it says "If you are having trouble checking email, try again later." Later? Try later? This is the internet isn't it? I'm paying for SPEED and efficiency, Comcast. Get your crap together please!!!
.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´★*¨¨*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆Kristie★*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆

Friday, April 03, 2009

Rosie O'Donnell...

has an Etsy shop. Who'da thunk it??? I stumbled upon it by accident tonight.

Now, I know there are a lot of strong opinions about her, and I'm not even going to get in to that. I just thought it was blog worthy because 100% of the money goes to support the arts for children.

Her offerings aren't my style by a long shot and I also think the prices are outrageous; even if she is famous and even though it's money for a good cause. Chalk it up to an interesting find. Maybe I'm the last one to know about it. I don't watch much TV and I don't follow her blog or anything. lol
.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´★*¨¨*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆Kristie★*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆

Free AirWick I-Motion Starter Kits

Check your 3/15 Smart Source coupon inserts. Some areas got $5/1 AirWick I Motion starter kits and Walmart has these on rollback right now for $5! FREEBIE!
Other areas got a $4/1 coupon making them $1 each kit. That is still good if you use these because you can't even get the refills for the machine for $1!

Someone had given me 20 of these coupons and I hope to score some of these kits before the price goes back to $9.47

I think they'd go nicely in grown up Easter goody baskets for friends and relatives. Can't beat the price and they'll be so happy you thought of them. Win/win. =)

.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´★*¨¨*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆Kristie★*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

My .08 each Kraft salad dressing stockpile.



I went to WM today and bought 40 bottles of Kraft salad dressing. These were the ones that were only .08/bottle after coupon. I was even nice and gave my cashier a few of the coupons so she could get some for herself. Ain't I sweet! ;)

I had been waiting just for something like this to come along before stockpiling salad dressing. We go through it so fast that I wasn't about to pay full price! But eight cents a bottle I can do. lol

And I bet you're wondering if we can eat all this before it goes bad? Um, YES! Is isn't just for salads, you know. They make good meat marinades too. Besides that, left unopened they are actually still good for long past their (best by) date which shouldn't be confused for an expiration date.

And on a totally different subject...
Ryan and Miranda, your packages from the giveaway went postal today. Watch your boxes. =)

.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´★*¨¨*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆Kristie★*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆