DIY Changing Pad Cover

December 19, 2012

After MONTHS of searching for the perfect changing pad cover, I was disappointed and came up empty handed. I then came across my answer in blog form... I can MAKE my changing pad cover :)

I only took a picture of my finished product but for step by step instructions, visit the blog below (the only thing different I did was use a single piece of fabric rather than using an accent fabric.)

http://prudentbaby.com/2009/12/baby-kid/diy-changing-pad-cover-tutorial-2/

Now I have a changing pad cover made from the same fabric used on his baby quilt. Dean's nursery will be a perfect color schemed masterpiece :)

I turned this...

into THIS!

Such a fun and easy project! Instead of paying $15+ for a changing pad cover, I only paid for the elastic ($0.97)!

Dollar Tree Autumn Decoration

Goal: Make a fall fireplace decoration

Budget: $5

Here's how I did it

1. Hit up Dollar Tree & bought:
~2 strands of fall foliage
~3 frames


I already had the mod podge, candles & metal pumpkin and I picked up the pine cones during one of my walks with Bruce.

2.  Remove the backs of the frames & glass. Using a hot glue gun, quickly glue down the glass to the frame.

3. Cut desired amount of leaves from fall foliage strand & Mod Podge the fronts of the leaves. Place the leaves face down on the back of the glass. Using a brush or fingers, spread a thin layer of Mod Podge over the entire glass. This will make a cool stain glass texture and will hide any imperfections. Dry overnight.

4. Hang or set your new fall frames!

Initially I wanted to hang the frames but, since we're moving, it didn't make sense to make holes in the wall that I'd have to fill in a few weeks later... :)

Simple, cheap & fun!

Week 23

Sept 19, 2012

Week 23 has been full of surprises baby & non-baby related. Calin & I are making some difficult life-changing choices.

Our apartment contract is ending soon (October) so, we are trying to figure out if we want to keep throwing money out the window or acutally use it as a mortage payment...

I'd love to hear any home buying advice y'all have to share :)

Diapers & Wipes...Stocking Up!

Sept 12, 2012

Diapers can be expensive! Calin & I decided that it would be wise to start our diapers and wipes inventory now rather than later. We did some hard core investigating on price & quality.

Everyone seems to have their own opinion about which diaper wins the gold so, you may not agree with my purchases BUT I will provide my findings :)

Average customer ratings: 3.5-4 stars

Average customer ratings: 4 stars

*prices reflect $6 coupon (mailed to members)

Average customer ratings: 3 stars

Average customer ratings: 2.7-3 stars

*both are unscented*

We are going to stock up on both Parent's Choice and Huggies. Just to be on the safe side, we are taping the receipts to the boxes in case we need to return a case. 

Spending $20 here and there is going to help the 'ol wallet once baby comes :)

Let me know if you've found anything better

Freezer Meals...the beginning

I was inspired by fellow bloggers and my financial needs this month to be frugal. With car insurance & student loan payments starting in August my budget was super tight. After mulling it over I decided that with diligent ad study, smart consumerism & detailed planning, I could feed my family for one month with only $100.

In order to accomplish this I decided to make freezer meals! Here is my list of meals:
Spaghetti (4 meals)
Teriyaki Chicken (2 meals)
Chicken & Bean Chili (3 meals)
Slow-Cooked Beef Fajitas (2 meals)
Chicken Pot Pie (4-5 meals)
Chicken Enchiladas (2 meals)
BBQ Pork (2 meals)
Breakfast Burritos (10 count)

{Each bag was labeled}

I will post the recipes next month because I want to make sure they actually work out and taste yummy :) 

Using the local store ads I complied my spreadsheet to price match at WalMart. 

For most of the veggies, I bought a Bountiful Basket for only $15. If you'd like to know more about how awesome Bountiful Baskets are, click the link. 

Calin & I hit the store bright and early Saturday morning. What we couldn't price match at WalMart we bought at Smith's.

The total of my receipts (minus a few misc & household costs)

  $64.59

I made sure to leave some wiggle room for milk, cereal, bread & any pregnancy cravings throughout the month.Using a few items from my pantry, we were ready to start cookin'!

I used notes to keep track of when to check on different foods. Cooking a bunch of meals at one time is definitely not easy!

Filling the pot pies.

It is important to write how to finish cooking your meals :) 

This is one of the pot pies

I used my lemonade pitcher to hold up the bags. Otherwise I would have needed at least 3 hands.

This picture was taken before I was completely finished with all the meals. Pretend there are 3 more pies, 2 enchilada meals & 10 breakfast burritos :)

Calin was such a HUGE help today! He ventured where no husband would dare venture :) Price match shopping at Walmart, cooking, frying, stewing, chopping & baking... ALL DAY LONG. Thanks Honey! You are the greatest husband and will be an amazing daddy

We started at 8:30am & finished up around 7pm

Tired feet & a sore back but a month's worth of meals finished and ready to be eaten! 

Flower Pillow

I've seen flower pillows at all the stores & each time I reach for one I flinch at the price. How can one stinkin' pillow cost so much?!

I decided to make my own and here's how I did it.

1. Covered an existing pillow with my choice of blue fabric

2. Cut half moon shapes from white fabric

3. Start from the outside and place half moons in a circle. I hot glued a dot (on the straight edge) to keep them in place. Going around the circle, I stitched them by hand. This was a long process but, worth it in the end.

4. For the middle, I cut 4 circles (used a drinking glass as a guide). I gathered the circles from the middle and stitched them onto the pillow.

Ta da! The final product was definitely worth a Saturday in front of the TV (sewing, of course!)