Little Ladybugs

Have you ever seen an idea and thought, why didnt I think of that?   This is one of those ideas.   Sweet Simple Stuff      uses food markers to turn M & Ms into adorable little ladybugs.    We have had a ladybug party for Kara's first birthday and had I known about making these then, I so would have.  Candy ladybugs could be the perfect addition for so many types of treats.  To see how to make them check out Sweet Simple Stuff here.

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We SURVIVED!

Here is Kara at the end of the recital posing with her dance teacher.  She was in 2 songs at the middle and end of the first act.  When then stayed to watch the end of the show.   Everyone did a great job and it was fun to watch.   She loves to dance and definitely wants to dance again next year. 

I did open the garage sale for a few hours this morning. It was pretty slow while I was open,  and I only made a few dollars before I had to close.  As I was leaving the sub to go to the recital, I saw several cars at another sale. Had it not been recital day, it could have been a pretty successful sale day because traffic really picked up in the afternoon.  Spending time watching my daughter dance was more important than making a few dollars though.   The yard stakes in the picture were big sellers at my sale.   Many years ago, my husband and I had a craft business (2 kids ago). We started in craft shows pre kids and tried to keep up with it after our first child was born.  Once children 2 and 3 came along, it just was too hard to stay with it.    I recently came across a box of our garden stakes in the garage  that were huge sellers back in the day.  I did sell them at a big discount of $1 each (they were $4 during show days).   The only totally ridiculous offer I got this weekend was also for the yard stakes.   A woman wanted to buy the entire box (18 of them at the time!) for $1 total.  Um NO! It cost more than $1 in wood and time to make each one and no way did I just want to just  give them away.   After I turned down her offer, I sold 11 more of them.   I believe I sold 20 of them in all in 2 days. I am posting the picture because this could be a fun summer craft if anyone likes to do wood working/painting.  We had in addition to the strawberries, many other fruits and vegetables.  After doing a search I found that not only is the company where we bought the pattern from still in business, they still have this pattern kit available here.

I also wanted to share our most unusal guest at the garage sale.  We have sandpiper cranes that live nearby and often walk through my neighborhood.  I had to laugh when a surprised shopper told me he saw a lawn ornament come to life.    That "lawn ornament" than walked right by the garage about 20 feet away. I guess he was checking it out to see if there was anything he needed before flying away. 

Beading to Beat Autism UPDATE! We sold 23 bracelets at the sale this weekend.   That brings the total to 47 in about a week!  $141 so far to help our cause. 

Now that I survived my insane week,   I will have time to post about all things party once again.  I have many fun things in mind for Kara's Beach Bash Birthday that I can't wait to share.  Party countdown, 2 weeks from today!

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Whew.. we are almost there..

We have completed day 2 of the sale.  Yesterday (Thursday) was by far the better of the two days.  We had constant traffic and I sold pretty much most of my bigger items.  Only one of my items was over $10, and that was a toddler bed that went to a family that I know from school.    Today was a much slower sale day but I got to spend the day talking with a friend.  Several other people I know stopped by the sale as well.     If you are wondering what is in the picture above, it is my garage sale tip.   I accidently came up with this idea last year and like it so well, I did it again this year.  I had a small rolling cart, that I made my sale center.  In the bottom drawer, I kept the cash box.   Having it in a drawer kept it out of view but allowed me to have easy access when necessary.  In the other drawers I had my calculator, tape, pen, paper towels, wipes and anything else I might need.    In the pink box on top,  I stored all my plastic bags that were easy to grab when needed.  I had more than one shopper tell me they thought that way I set up my center was a good idea.  

We had a successful sale with our Beading to Beat Autism table.  We sold 20 bracelets so far.   This makes 44 bracelets sold  in a week!  Thank you to all that have contributed. 

We also had a successful recital rehearsal.   Now we just have the recital on Saturday.    Tomorrow at 5:30,  I will be able to breath again and my schedule will slow down significantly!  

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Today is the Day~

We have been working hard in the garage all week and we open in less than an hour.   Immediately after is dress rehearsal for the recital.  It is a little bit rainy this morning, but a friend is bringing over a pop up tent.   Hopefully all goes well!  Kara is ready to set up her Beating to Beat Autism table.   I will update tonight!

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Mid Week Update

I promise to get back to party planning soon!  I have so many ideas for our party in a few weeks but just need to get through the next few days first.. 

Last night was my youngest daughters recital banquet.  Our recital actually in a few days but we have an awards dinner on a different night.   She got a perfect attendance ribbon this year.. Yea!    She also got her 7 year trophy.  My almost 10 yr old daughter started in dance as a 2 yr old.  We did not do the recital the first year because she was not ready.  She was the next year.  This year is her 7th dance recital.  Had her older sister stayed in dance once she got to middle school, it would have been her 10th..   Even my son did tap and hip hop for a few years.  10 years straight of  taking my kids to dance lessons.. Wow, where did the time go.

In other news we are in the final countdown for garage sale prep for the neighborhood sale that starts tomorrow.  A good friend was supposed to be here this morning to help,  but got called into work for a half day.  She will be here this afternoon.   There is A LOT still  to do.  I got the basics set up, but now need to organize, organize, organize.   There is also going to be a chance of rain..  I really hope there will not be, but just in case my friends is bringing a tent to keep things that will have to be outdoors covered. I will be living in my garage today.

Beading to Beat Autism update.. We have already sold 24 bracelets in just a couple of days.  We brought them to the banquet last night and sold several.  My daughter is setting up a table in the sale and we will hopefully see a lot more.

I was going to try and download a video I took last night from my new phone, but I really do not have time to do so at the moment.  I really need to get started on the garage.. More later!   

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My Crazy Schedule Update

I am sorry I have not been posting a lot in the last few days.  There is just too much going on this week.  In addition to the upcoming birthday party,  and Beading to Beat Autism,  we are setting up for the neighborhood garage sale and Kara has a dance recital, rehearsal and banquet this week.  Its one of those weeks when there is too much to do and not enough time.    Oh and I forgot,  I have to get my car cleaned out because on Wed, the dealership is coming to look at it because the lease is up this month.  Umm..  I have had 3 kids (who are NOT neat) in this car for 3 years, so it is not an easy job.    Today one of my kids has an appointment and then tonight Kara has a girl scout meeting for their summer camping trip.   Everything will get done somehow. 

In case you are wondering what there is a cell phone picture in this post,  I HAD TO SHARE the amazing deal I got at Target this week.   My old cell phone was on its last legs.  The battery was constantly beeping and losing charge.  I only used it for emergencies and texts, but have been wanting to upgrade to a smart phone if I found the right deal.  I could not justify an expensive plan so I have been using a month to month service.    This week Target had their Optimus V phones regularally $199 on sale for $179, plus you got back a $20 gift card.   Hmm..  the deal was starting to look good..   I also found a $50 gift card in my purse recently that I was given at Christmas and forgot about..   Really leaning toward the phone..  Then as I stood in the aisle debating if I should get it, a Target employee came up to talk to me about it.  He said that he noticed I was a coupon shopper (my binder was in the cart).   He than said that with the apps, and mobile coupons I would receive on this new phone,  my savings would pay for the phone..  SOLD!    Another employee who I have talked about the phones before rang me up.. She was very surprised when she scanned the phone.. It rang up for $149.. $30 LESS than the sale price.   She said she was not sure why it rang up less, but she was going to go with the scanned price..   I used my Target card which took off 5% more.  Once my $50 gift card was applied, my OOP price was $102.49, but then I also got a $20 gift card..  Final price only $82.49..  I saved $128.45 off of full price a 61% savings.. WOOHOO!

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Beading to Beat Autism

Kara and I have been hard at work on our bracelets for Beading to Beat Autism.  As I have mentioned before on this board, Kara's brother has a form of Autism called Aspergers.  Several of her friends also have brothers on the spectrum.  Michala Riggle is a 14 yr old girl who started this fundraising cause when she was Kara's age.    We are helping the cause to raise enough money to build a world class Autism Research and Treatment Center.  1 in less than 100 children are affected by Autism and this center is very much needed.  If you would like to know more about the project please check out   BeadingtoBeatAutism.org here.

We were sent a kit with enough beads and supplies to make 300 bracelets for the project.  Each bracelet sells for a $3 donation.  We have been working hard, and have also recruited her girl scout troop to help make the bracelets. Making a bracelet is actually fun to do, so I thought I would share how to make them.   I also wanted to share a few tips that might help when beading and displaying the bracelets. 

We were sent little plastic containers of beads  that were the perfect size to fit into egg cartons.  Not only did this make the containers easier to transport, it keeps them from spilling.  

To make a stretchy bracelet,  Stretch Magic works really well.  We were sent .5mm which is a nice size for the small beads.  

You do not need a beading needle, but the process goes much quicker if you do.  A beading needle opens in the middle and holds the thread in place.   I chose 3 colors for the bracelet in this tutorial. 

Thread the colors onto the needle and then onto the elastic.  Do not cut the elastic from the roll until you are finished beading.  If you cut it before you bead,  it is easier to drop the beads off the elastic.

Keep beading until you get to your desired length.  The suggested lengths in the kit were 5", 6", 7" and 8".  A 5" bracelet fits a younger child.  A 6" fits many older children, teens and small women.   7" and 8" bracelets fit most adults.   The bracelet I made in the picture was 7' long.  Once you reach the desired length, triple tie the elastic and then  cut from the roll.

To secure the knot,  use a drop of clear nail polish and let dry for at least 15 minutes.  Once dry the elastic and be cut close to the knot.

Kara is going to set up a display table for our beads at our garage sale.  When in the craft room looking for something else, Kara found a display board.  We had cut it in half awhile ago for a school project.  The amount that was left was the perfect size for showing our beads.  

I bought a package of clear push pins from the dollar store. 

I pushed the pins in the board a few inches apart, and then we placed a bracelet on each of the pins.  

We arranged the display by each size, starting with 5" bracelets on the left. 

When using the push pins we did have a bit of a problem.  The pins stuck out a bit on the back of the board.   I dont want anyone to hurt themselves on our display board so I looked around to see what might cover the pins.  I tried masking tape, but that did not work as well as I had hoped.  I then came across a bag of stale mini marshmellows.  They were the perfect solution, because they were hard enough to stay on the pin, and there is nothing sharp exposed.   I may have to come up with a different long term solution but for now marshmellows it is!

Because this is such a great cause and a craft tutorial I am linking this post up on several linky parties.  Please make sure to check my linky party page  and check out all of the awesome blogs.

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Monkey Pops

Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons  has done it again.  She made a super adorable, edible treat. How cute are these monkey pops?!  They would be perfect for so many types of parties and are pretty easy to make.  Check out  the blog Kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot here, to see how she made them.  I am thinking about how I do something similar with a beach theme.. hmmm.. 

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Corn Dog Cookies

I think I just found the perfect summer party cookie!   Who doesn't love corn dogs?  Well how about corn dog shaped cookies?  They are not that difficult to make and perfect for so many different themed summer parties.   These are the brain child of Munchkin Munchies.    To see how to make your own corn dog cookies,  check out Munchkin Munchies here.

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Zoo Cookies

How cute are these cookies?!  They are perfect for a zoo or animal themed party.  They are also not that difficult to make.    The Crafty Penguin     shares easy to follow pictures for each step.  If you would like to see more on home to make these adorable cookies, check out The Craft Penguin here.

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4th of July Decor

I saw this great patriotic craft on several linky parties.  If you like to decorate for the 4th but are not really sure what to do, how about red, white and blue topiaries.  I like these simple, but elegant looking topiaies from Simple Designing.  She gives a step by step tutorial on how to make them here on SimpleDesigning.blogspot. 

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Garage Sale Planning

So,  I am in garage sale set up mode, sort of.   Our neighborhood has a neighborhood garage sale one weekend in June each year.  It starts in one week, and I am nowhere near ready.  It's been so hot the last few days that it was just to hot to work  in the garage.  Today is much more pleasant, so I am going to go start cleaning the garage and hopefully setting up.   Over the next few days I will be posting how to have a successful garage sale tips and hope that  by using them mine is successful too..

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VGs Deals this Week..

I had better savings at Vgs than I did at Meijer today.     I spent only $40.70 at Vgs tonight. 

Nine Lives Cat food $4.15.  I used $1 coupon that doubled, final price $2.15
Milk on sale $2.79.  (part of the milk club, buy 6 get 1 free)
2 boxes of Starberry Mini Wheats on sale $2.69.  I used $1 off 2 coupon that doubled, final price $1.69
Reeses Puffs on sale $2.50.  I had .50 coupon that doubled, final price $1.50
Paper plates $2.39
Chinet casual plates on sale $2.50.  I had two .55 coupons that doubled, final price $1.40
2 Smuckers toppings on sale $2.39.  I used two .55 coupons that doubled, final price $1.29
2 KC bbq on sale $1.50.  I had two $1 coupons that doubled to $1.50, final price FREE!
DiGiornio Single pizza on sale $3.49.  I had $1 coupon that doubled, final price $1.49
2 Oscar Mejer Subs reg price $2.29.  I had two $1 coupons that doubled, final price .29 each
3 Zone Perfect bars on sale $1.25 each.  I had three .55  coupons that doubled, final price .10 each
3 Jello pudding mousse on sale $2.50 each.  I had three .55  coupons that doubled, final price $1.40 each
Ball Park hot dog buns on sale $2.  I had .55 coupon marked do not double, final price $1.45
Frigo String cheese on sale $2.71.  I used .55 coupon peelie that doubled, final price $1.61
2 Colgate toothbrushes on sale $1.99.  I used two .75 coupons that doubled, final price .49 each
Archway cookies on sale $2.19.  I had .45 coupon, marked do not double, final price $1.74
Nature Sweet tomatoes $2.99.  I had .55 coupon that doubled, final price $1.89
Oscar Meyer Lunchable with fruit $2.99.  I had $1 coupon that doubled, final price .99
Bic Shavers on sale $4.50.  I had $3 coupon, final price $1.50 for a 4 pack
Strawberries buy 1, get 1 free.  $3.49 for two
Hormel Compleats on sale $2.50.  The coupons for these did not ring in correctly.  I got $1.75 off each, final price .75.

I did much better with coupons.   I used $40.70 in coupons, saved $21.46 in sales for on overall savings $62.16!   An over 60% savings. 

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Meijer Deals this Week

I spent a little more on my groceries this week than I normally do for a couple of reasons.  I had not been to the grocery store since May 28, other than two very small trips to Kroger.  Also the kids are now out of school, they tend to eat more since they are home all day.     I spent $60.48 on this trip to Meijer..


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Most 2 liters of pop, are on sale $1 each. 
4 boxes of Pizza Rolls on sale $1 each, had two .40 off 2 coupons that doubled, .60 each. (2 already gone)
Freschetta Pizza on sale $4.99.  I used $1 coupon, final price $3.99 (had for dinner tonight)
3 boxes of Eggos on sale $2 each.   Used $1 off 3 Meijer Mealbox coupon, final price $1.67 each. 
2 Sunny Ds on sale $1 each.  Used two .25 coupons that doubled, final price .50 each
2 Log Cabin syrup on sale $2.50.  I used $1 off 2 Meijer Mealbox coupon, final price $2 each 
Smart Balance Oil on price drop $2.49.  I used .75 coupon, final price $1.74.
5 Stouffers on sale $2 each.  Got back two FREE coupons for Stouffers Farmer Harvest
Meijer Parm on sale $2.79
Lloyds BBQ tub on sale $4.  I used .75 coupon, final price $3.25
Babybel Cheese and Laughing Cow.. we both supposed to be on sale for $3.  One rang up full price but I missed it.. I used $1 off 2 coupon, final price $3.09 each  (should have been $2.50 each)
Nesquick Chocolate Milk on sale $1.25.  I used .50 coupon that doubled, final price .25
Bag of spinach on sale $1
Dole salad on sale $1
Baby  carrots on sale $1
Mushrooms on sale $1
Philly Cream Cheese on sale $1.50
Pretzel rings on sale $1
Bread on sale $1
Hamburger buns on sale $1
3 lbs of Georgia peaches on sale $2.49
Cantaloupe on sale $1.50
Cardona Salami on sale $1
Cardona Pepperoni on sale $1
2 Bacon Bits on sale $1  (got one FREE, because it was 11th item FREE)

I only saved $10.12 in coupons, $24.46 in sales for on overall total of $38.58.     Not my best trip ever, but did get several things I needed.

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Crabby Crabwich

I found the perfect sandwiches for Kara's beach themed party.   How adorable are these crab croissants?    With red peppers, baby carrots, a little bit of cheese and olive, this ordinary roll becomes the perfect centerpiece for a beach themed party.  To see how to make a crabby crabwich, check out the recipe here on FamilyFun.com.

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