Blog Break.....

Ladies I must take a blog break until the end of May while I recover from surgery. I hope to be back with some great card creations and thrifty shopping ideas when I return.

Thanks

-Leslie

Clean, Clean, and more Clean...

My spring break Master's Golf Tournament work is done... I have cleaned, cleaned, cleaned, and cleaned!! I worked with some really fun girls but am glad it's over.

I don't want to scrub anymore toilets, sinks, or showers. I don't want to make anymore beds-PERFECT! I don't want to dust, vaccuum, or mop anytime soon. AND I don't want to fold anymore sheets or towels........

Yep! Cleaning the same 16 houses for 7 days gets tiring...but....I love it...really!

(Photo courtesy of Valerie...)

In Box Dollars..........

I found this neat little site and thought I'd pass the savings on to everyone.

For every 10 coupons you use your account is credited 1.00!!! You also get paid for reading emails, taking surveys, and playing games.

Enjoy!
http://www.inboxdollars.com/?r=ref7170634

Spring Break...............

It's Master's Golf Tournament time here which means Spring Break!!!!!!!!!

Kids are so excited to be out of school and their trip to Grandma's. We'll miss them but know how excited they are every year about spending time with them.

Enjoy your week!

Leslie

(Picture courtesy of MMO Golf)

With Sympathy....

I needed a sympathy card for my friend, Christa. Her grandmother passed away and I wanted something special for her.

I used the sketch over at Taylored Expressions,

http://tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com/2010/03/taylored-expressions-sketch-challenge_19.html .

Here are the results....

Happy Friday!

-Leslie

Love for Baby.....

Our good friends Kristen and Phil are anxiously awaiting Baby Lucas' birth! I created this card for them and can't wait to hold Baby Lucas in my arms!

I used the sketch over at The Pink Elephant , http://thepinkelephantchallenge.blogspot.com/2010/03/pink-elephant-challenge-59.html.

I love the results and I hope Kristen doesn't check my blog!!!!

Enjoy your Thursday!
-Leslie

Prayers for Susan

I love when I get to participate in Jen's sketches. This one was especially fun to work with as it was for a great person, Susan, whose husband is going through a really tough time right now.

Enjoy!
Leslie

Weekly Publix Deals....

The kids and I made our weekly Publix run after church today and here's the deals we purchased:

6 Lance Cracker boxes...... BOGO ( 6 $1 printables) Making them .44/box

2 Blue Bell Ice Creams...BOGO ( 2 $1 printables) Making them $2.30/ice cream tub

1 Prego Spaghetti Sauce BOGO (No coupon) 1.67

1 Dozen Eggs (No Coupon) $1.69

1 No Yolk Egg Noodles (.75 coupon) .75

1 Fast Fixin BOGO (1 $1 Publix coupon / 1 $1 MF coupon) 1.00--Somehow I didn't get home with this....and it wasn't on my receipt.....but the coupons were taken off!! (MM +$2)

1 Publix Milk (No Coupon) $2.79

2 Uncle Ben's Rice (BOGO) (1- $1/2 printable) .45/box

Total BEFORE Savings: $43.44
Coupons and Special Price Savings: $30.58

Total After Savings: $12.86
Total Saved: 70%

Rite Aid to the Rescue.....

I went to Rite-Aid to cash in on the weekly bargains...Here is what I bought:

3 bags candy 1.99 each....used $2 Rite Aid Q and $2 printable......$1.97/3.... .65 each bag

1 Huggies Naturals......used $2 Rite Aid Q and $2 printable........$7.99

1 J&J baby bar soap.....used $1 Rite Aid Q and $1 printable.... FREE (MM +.01)

1 Right Guard Extreme.....$4.49........used $2 Rite Aid Q and $1.50 printable.... .99

1 Post Shredded Wheat Cereal....$1.88...........used $2 printable.... FREE (MM +.12)

1 Visine Eye Drops.....$4.99....used $3 Rite Aid Q and $3 printable... FREE (MM +1.01)

Total before Savings: $32.84

MFR Qs and Rite Aid Qs: $21.50

Rite Aid $5 off $25 purchase: $5

Total Qs: $26.50

Total OOP: 6.34

Earned $1 Single Rebate Check to come later....

Savings: 81% ---YIPPEE!!!

Bloom............

Here's my take on Jen's sketch over at http://http//iheart2stamp.com/. I love how the little green bling adds so much to this card!!

Jump on over and check out the other great cards too!

Rite Aid to the Rescue!!!

I haven't been to Rite Aid before but knew they had some great deals so I headed there with my list and my coupons. I made 2 separate purchases so I could take advantage of the $5 off $25 order...



Here's what I bought:



2- Single Oral B Toothbrushes $2.99 each (Had B1G1F Q) $1.50 each
2- Double Oral B Toothbrush Packs $2.74 each (Had B1G1F Q) $2.74 each (.68 each toothbrush)
4-Gilette Gel Deodorant $4.00 each (Had 2-B1G1F Q) $2.00 each
4-Pantene Shampoo $3.00 each (Had 2 $3 Man. Qs) $1.50 each
2-Always Pads (for upcoming surgery) $3.99 each (Had 2- $1 man. qs) $2.99 each box
1-Crest Scope Toothpaste $2.74 (Had $1 off man. q) $1.74
1-Crest Whitening Toothpaste $2.74 ( Had .75 off man. q) $2.05
2-Chex Chocolate Party Mix $2.99 (B1G1F--had 2 .50 off man qs) .99 each

Total Before Coupons: 73.26
Total Coupons: $38
Total After coupons and rebates: $35.26
Earned: $6 in rebate checks to use later and $10 rebate
Total Percent Saved: 73.7 %

My Publix Saturday Deals....

Well, I headed to Publix with my shopping list and coupons today.. I only bought what I had a coupon for!!

Here's what I bought:

1-Kellogg's Chocolate Cheerios $3.99 (Had $1 Publix Q and .50 coupon that doubled) 1.99 box

4-Yoplait Greek Yogurt Cups $ 1.19 each (Had 4 1.19 Publix Q's) 4-FREE

1-Yoplait Yo-Plus 4 pack $2.50 (B1G1F--had $1 printable) .25 for 4!

2-Hebrew National Hotdog Packs $4.99 (B1G1F--had 2 -.75 off coupons) $1.75 each

2-Delmonte Fruit Chillers 1.67 each (Had 2 - $1 printables) .67 each box

Total BEFORE coupons : $28.07

Total Coupons: $21.00

Total AFTER Coupons: $7.07

Total Savings: 74.8%

Not too shabby!!!

Welcome Little Squirt....

Here is another card for a different teacher at our school that is also having a baby. I wanted this one non-traditional.... Once I saw this paper, I knew that it was perfect for her!!!

(My camera went wacky on the picture!)

Welcome Little One....

I created this card for one of our teachers at school! I wanted it simple yet cute! I think it turned out great!

Missing Ewe Card

I created this card using Taylor's sketch over at Taylored Expressions.. TOO CUTE!!

29 Again???

What an awesome birthday card this turned out to be! Hip, fun, and oh so true!!! I used Jen's sketch over at I Heart to Stamp!

Nifty Teacher Card

This is a card I made using the sketch over at The Pink Elephant!

Enjoy!

Praying for Cohen

Hoping you can say an extra prayer today for Baby Cohen and his mom. You can go here http://www.inthiswonderfullife.com/to read more about Baby Cohen.

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Birthday-Bentley!

Today is our besties oldest child, Bentley! She is turning 11! Here's a shout you to her!!
Happy, Happy Birthday.

(Not my card:(, but one of my faves by Cookie Crumbs)

Wishes do come true....

My wish for snow did come true. We got about 4 1/2 inches of snow at our house and it was absolutely beautiful. The kids had a wonderful time playing in it and built this cute little snowman. Don't you like his scarf??

This was the view from our front porch!

-Leslie

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Wishing tonight that we will be seeing this tomorrow afternoon!!

Snow!!!!!!!!!!!

We drove 5 hours to see snow on our little mini vacation in January because we never see snow here! They are calling for 1-2 inches tomorrow evening!!! Ohhh......please.....please....please......send.....snow....this.....way......................

Stay warm!
Leslie

Thank You........

I've been busy making teacher thank you cards...

They're off to etsy! Get them quick!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SkinnieMinnies?ga_search_query=skinnieminnie&ga_search_type=seller_usernames

-More Lovin......

More of what I love....

Fun cute decorations for the home!

Enjoy!

Valentine Card Fun

I created this cute card for The Pink Elephant Valentine Challenge(thepinkelephantchallenge.blogspot.com) and used Jen's Sketch( iheart2stamp.com)!

This one may be a keeper!!!

More Lovin....

More of what I love...

Writing love notes with my family!

-Love is....-

This week I will sharing things that I love!!!

Some of my favorite loves are:

my husband, my marraige, and my Lord and Savior!

(Picture from Heather via flickr)

Wordless Wednesday

Well.....almost.....wordless.....

Enjoy your day!
Leslie

-Scrapbook Weekend-

It is hard to believe that another scrapbook weekend is over! I get to participate twice a year and they are so fun! This year my goal:

1. completely finish journaling on each of the boys' album and our family one

2. Finish 2009 pictures--cropped, on layouts, and journaled

3. Begin my scripture book digitally

4. Begin 2010 album digitally

When I packed everything up to come back home I pondered on what I had accomplished--ALL of them !!!

I am so excited! The books look awesome and my beginning to do digital layouts was fun and I can't wait to complete some more. At the end of 2010, I will have my book printed and bound. My goal is to also have a scripture book completed too!

Thanks for letting me share!

-Leslie

Happy Saturday

Here's a card I made a while back!! I am enjoying a ladies scrapbook weekend while hubby has the kids! I am so thankful for him and appreciate him letting me enjoy the weekends twice a year!!! Can't wait to share some of my creations! Check back Sunday evening!!!

~Helping Haiti~

I know Haiti is heavy on a lot of our minds and there are so many ways that you can help. For all you crafters out there......Hop on over to ScrapOrchard, http://www.scraporchard.com/. For $20 you can get the kit, named One Love....

20 Designers there have put together a digital kit that is loaded with awesome papers, quotes, layouts, and more!!! All proceeds will go to the earthquake survivors in Haiti.

I look forward to creating many things using this kit. If you can't purchase the kit, will you please pray for Haiti? I ask that you pray specifically for the children and for their safety during this most difficult time!

Enjoy your weekend!

~Teacher Cards~

I love creating cards but I love seeing all the creations that some wonderful designers come up with on a daily basis! I am a sucker for teacher cards!!! I wanted to share one of my favorite card crafters with you today, Julie Campbell. Here is one of the many favorites I have bookmarked from her creations!!!

Stop by her blog, http://stampedinhisimage.blogspot.com/ and check out her designs.

Enjoy your evening!

God's Creation

We are back from a long weekend spent in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The kids finally got to play in the snow and had the best time. There were lots of moments we were amazed at the beauty of God's creations. It was an awesome trip but it's nice to be home! Enjoy some of our pictures!

For a Valentine...........

Still trying to get ready for Valentines. I altered this tag and I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wonder what package it's going on????

Stay tuned!!!!

Conversations with a 4 year old....

I have said so many times that I wish I would've wrote down all the funny little things my school children have told me over the years. Today I think takes the cake.... (I teach 4 year olds!)

Immediately following rest time one of my little boys came over to me and this conversation followed....

Child: My mama is going to (gdligdskde) tonight.....

Me.... Where? I couldn't understand you

Child: She is going to pole dancing tonight

Me.....OK

Child....Yep, she don't work at ........... anymore.

Me.... OK

Child... My grandma is going to watch me..

So parents beware! Your child may tell all your business while at school! I can just imagine what this little one tells about school at home!!!

Enjoy!

For a Teacher....

I'm already beginning to think about Valentine's teacher gifts.

Here is a nifty and thrifty project for you to try.

I used a Making Memories small container (I bought these at a craft store when they were 50% off...Set of 6) and filled with cherry chocolate kisses..... I altered this cute little tag with pink and red ink....Distressed a punched out heart with black ink stamped thanks in black. I used pop up dimensionals to make the heart 3-D and put it on the tag. Then I tied it to the container using red and pink organza and red gingham ribbon!!!!!

Easy, easy, easy.... If you try it please leave me a comment and I would love to see your creation!

Easy Thrifty Bank

Beginning.......

Today is final project 3 made with the one piece of 12 x 12 patterned paper. I used a container from the kids Christmas!!! Yep--it is a bank! I covered it with paper and now it is just perfect for my spare change. I guess I can say it is for my 'fun money'....

Have a great day!

Finished Project!!

Skinny Cards

Today is project 2 using some more of the patterned 12 x 12 paper. I created 6 mini cards with it. These are super easy and come in handy when you need a quick card. Each card finished size is 3 x 3. I used coordinating solid cardstock for the cards. Quick, nifty,and thrifty! These will be in my etsy store soon so check back.. There's only 1 set! When they're gone, they're gone....

Stay tuned tomorrow for the final project using this paper.

~Happy Birthday~

It feels really good to be crafting again. I wanted to share with you 3 projects that I made using one piece of patterned 12x12 paper. (Of course I used other paper too, but you'll see the same floral patterned paper for all 3 projects.) I'll showcase the first project today with you-a handmade card. I am running low on girl birthday cards so here's another for my basket. I really, really like how this one turned out! It is a simple but I think it turned out very cute! Stay tuned tomorrow for project 2 using some more of thepatterned paper.

Enjoy your afternoon!