It's a good week at CVS

Okay, I didn't take a picture because my camera has grown legs and walked off, but this is a good week at CVS. It was an especially good week for me because I took a survey for CVS and earned 15 ECB :-) SOoooooo, I bought:

Nivea body wash
Almay mascara
Oral B toothbrush
Oral B Glide floss (truthfully, don't remember the brand)
Thermacare heat wrap
CVS brand hand lotion
Hershey's candy bar
Boudreaux's butt paste

Used 20 ECB
Paid $4.09 Out of pocket
Earned almost 15 ECB
Not too bad! I am out of the CVS habit, or I would have bought a few items, and rolled over my ECBs to pay for the butt paste and candy bar. Alas, I am rusty. Anyway, I thought the deals were great, and was very excited to find everything I wanted actually in the store for once:-) It pays to go on Sunday afternoons. Happy savings and Merry Christmas to all!

2009 Thrifty Christmas Gift Idea #5

One of my favorite blogs to read is Little Birdie Secrets. They always have fun, easy craft ideas that work for everyone! Recently a couple of their ideas really caught my eye (both involve some Mod Podge, which the ladies at Little Birdie Secrets admit to LOVING!):

Easy Photo Blocks and Tiles

Easy Wooden Picture Frame

2009 Thrifty Christmas Gift Idea #4

This past weekend, my friend and I met in Charlotte, NC, to spend the day together. We went to the Mint Museum of Craft and Design, the Mint Museum of Art, and Ikea. All three places were AMAZING!

The museum gift stores contained many wonderful items, especially the gift store at the Craft and Design Museum (which specializes in handcrafted items in addition to typical gift store fare). I found these adorable vintage button rings and fell in love with them. I tried on multiple rings, but did not buy one because none of them felt right (I bought one for my friend's daughter, though:-). Then, at the next museum, they had another display of rings. Jeni walked right up, picked up a ring and said "This one is yours!" And it was (that is why she has been my friend for 20+ years)! I love this ring, and thought what a great gift this would make.




The internet being the amazing thing that it is, I found an easy tutorial for homemade vintage button rings here. Another fun gift for you to try!

2009 Thrifty Christmas Gift Idea #3

These are just perfect for the girls in your life, and though they use fabric, they require very little sewing:-) Enjoy these Fabric Flower Earrings. I really want to make some of these! Too cute!

2009 Thrifty Christmas Gift Idea #2

I found these recipes for bath soaks recently, and I included the "Oatmeal Cookies & Milk Bath Soak" in the 'pampering kit' I made for my friend two weeks ago. It was very simple to make, and used ingredients I had on hand! For a more involved gift, the bath salts look amazing as well. Many of our moms or girlfriends could use a little bit of relaxation, don't you think?

2009 Thrifty Christmas Gift Idea #1

Last year I posted several Thrifty Christmas Ideas, so I thought I would do that again this year.

Okay, so here's the deal. I can't publish pictures of all the things I am making/hoping to make this holiday season. But that doesn't mean I can't share some of the projects that are inspiring me, right? Just know, family and friends, that just because I post something DOES NOT mean I am making it for you! It also doesn't mean I am not :-)

So here's one I just found--a photo Rubix Cube. How fun, simple and memorable is that? Find it here.

Time waster

The Sew, Mama, Sew blog is hosting another Giveaway Day! Check it out, and waste lots of time trolling blogs and entering for fun prizes. I know I will! I love Giveaway Days. I have actually participated once, but just didn't have time this December. However, I am methodically going through their lists and entering:-) Let me know what fun discoveries you make.