Tag Archive for: sewing

Ten (Plus) Easy Ways to save Money

I am frugal by nature-just ask my parents. I used to hide girl scout cookies under my bed, only allowing myself one delicious thin mint a night. That is-until the ants also found my stash and my parents put an end to my cookie hoarding ways.

That said, I love to save money. Here are ten (plus) easy ways that you can, too!

 

Chapstick
1) Biceps uses lip balm like nobody’s business. And to be fair-so do I. But, is it a crime to want supple, luscious lips void of cracks and flakiness. I contest that it is not!
However, the $3 a tube for Burt’s Bees was a crime. And I needed to solve it. With a few ingredients and within a few minutes time, I had made 40 tubes of Lip Balm that cost less than $.25 each.

 

Cleanser
2) I make all of the cleansers that I need to keep my home sparkling. They are cheap, easy to make and non-toxic. Everything from: all purpose & anti-bacterial cleaners, to furniture polish, toilet bowel cleaner, brass and stainless steel polisher, and cooking spray.

 

Potholes and Pantyhose
3) I also make most of my beauty products saving me hundreds of dollars a year. Check out this easy to make facial moisturizer, eye make-up remover, toothpaste and mouthwash.

 

Face Wash
4) Simply make your own face wash using ground oatmeal. I know what you might be thinking-how does oatmeal on my face actually work? The ground oats add moisture back into the skin (thus the reason you are supposed to bathe in it when you have a rash, poison ivy, etc) while the gentle oats exfoliate the skin and cleanse. Cheap. Simple. Love it and the smell of breakfast as you’re washing my face.

 

Laundry Soap
5) I make my own laundry soap once a month which lasts me for 48 stinky, big-boy loads. I save big-boy money doing this. The clothes smell great and it’s fun to grind up soap in my blender. Everybody wins.

I also make my own laundry softener and stain stick. Super easy, does the job and smells fantastic!

 

Mirror Art
6) Make your own art with whatever you have on hand. Get creative and dare to cut your knuckles making this Mirror Art. I’ve used scrap plywood, drywall, oops paint, repainted canvases, and many other odd things to decorate my walls. And-the best part is-if you screw up, you can just throw it away!

 

Potholes and Pantyhose
7) Learn how to do some basic sewing and start getting thrifty. I made this silky scarf shirt with a couple of scarves and two pieces of ribbon. The cost-$1. I’ve also made shirts and dresses from pillow cases, and cape shirts from lace tablecloths.

 

Thank You
8) Create your own cheap thank you notes by recycling old photos, postcards, pictures from magazines. Sew them onto card stock and offer your friends a one-of-a-kind letter in the mail.

 

Veggie Wash
9) The produce cleanser I was buying from the store cost about $3 a bottle. Forget that! I now make my very own produce cleanser at home for about $.10 a bottle. Those are savings you can keep!

 

Garden-Tomatoes
10) Keep your garden humming all year long with an inexpensive DIY spinning composter, rain barrels, critter deterrent and pest spray.

These are just a few ways that I’ve found to save money and replace store-bought items. What are some of your favorite ways to be frugal and keep your cold-hard cash where it belongs (in your wallet)?

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Springy, Silk Scarf Shirt-Live on GDGC

This morning, I will again be LIVE on Fox23’s “Great Day, Green Country” showing how to make this Springy, Silk Scarf Shirt. I like to create many of the items I wear-this not only helps pinch pennies but prevents the awkward ‘you’re wearing the same thing I’m wearing’ at a party. This scarf shirt is inexpensive and very simple to make.
Not only will it flatter any body type as it tapers in at the smallest point of the waist, but it will also keep you cool throughout a hot summer.
Skill Level: If I can do it, you can do it. (A.K.A. Easy.)

 

The robots have determined my live video can be viewed now. Enjoy. Nanu-nanu.

 


What you’ll need:
2 Scarves (approx. 2’ x 2’)
Sewing Machine
Thread and Bobbin to Match
Straight Pins
Lighter
Scissors
(2) 3″ squares and (4) 2″ squares Hem or Bias Tape, fold cut sides and iron flat
(2) 12″ sections of Craft Ribbon or Section of Snaps (like on a onesy)
(3) 2″ sections of velcro if not using snaps
(2) 18″ Sections of Craft Ribbon

 

 


Determine which scarf will be your ‘front’ and which will be the ‘back’ of your shirt.
Lay your scarves end to end and measure the center. Pin the two pieces of 3” hem tape, 6 inches on either side of center. The area in the middle will be your neck opening.
And if you have a really big head or constantly sport a big hairdo, then widen the opening for heaven’s sake.

 


On what will be the sides of your scarf, measure 14 1/2” down. This measurement should be just above your belly button.
This will enhance the tiny part of your waist and make you look va-va-voom.
Using the 2” hem tape, pin both sections of the 18″ ribbon on the side of your ‘front scarf’ at the 14 1/2” mark.

 


Follow the same instructions if you are using snaps, pinning them onto the ‘back scarf.’ If using the 12″ ribbon and velcro, sew the (3) 2″ sections of velcro along the ribbon. Use the 2″ bias tape to secure the ribbon to the back scarf.

 


Sew everything you have pinned on with a straight stitch, making a box with the thread around the hem tape.
This ‘box’ protects the delicate nature of silk from tearing. And when you’ve eaten too much, you’ll be thankful for it.

 


Sew the ends of the ribbon to prevent them from fraying–unless you like that worn look. Or, you can use a lighter to burn the ends which will also prevent fraying.

 


After slipping your shirt over your head, fasten the snaps or the velcro in the front around your stomach area, and tie it closed with the ribbon in the back.

It looks great paired with skinny jeans, a flowy skirt or shorts. I tend to wear bold, chunky jewelry with my scarf shirt, but I give you permission to accessorize at will.

Happy Sewing!

♥ ♥ ♥

Here are the links to my other LIVE TV appearances on Fox23’s Great Day Green Country:

Here are links to my Homemade Household Cleansers and Beauty Products:

And here are a few Homemade Food Items to easily replace store-bought items:

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending time with such a weirdo. Make sure you become a Facebook Fan or a Linky Follower to keep up to date with what this weirdo comes up with next. Have a great day!

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Cheap Thrills with GDGC

This morning, I am getting my Cheap Thrills on. Fox 23’s Great Day Green Country has asked me to spout my vintage weirdness once again for the whole world to see, but this time on location.

 


Cheap Thrills is one of my favorite stores in all of the land (Tulsa land, that is).

 


It has the coolest vintage clothing, decor and jewelry and for the right price-“Cheap”!

 


I have found my favorite vintage dresses here…

 


…and my favorite project inspirations-like my Scarf Shirt. (Learn how to make this Scarf Shirt yourself).

 


So, if you’re bored today and want to be a part of something both weird and awesome…come to Cheap Thrills on 15th Street at high noon. Not low noon-because that, my friends, just doesn’t exist.
♥ ♥ ♥

Here are the links to my other LIVE TV appearances on Fox23’s Great Day Green Country:

Here are links to my Homemade Household Cleansers and Beauty Products:

And here are a few Homemade Food Items to easily replace store-bought items:

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending time with such a weirdo. Make sure you become a Facebook Fan or a Linky Follower to keep up to date with what this weirdo comes up with next. Have a great day!

Read more

A few of My Favorite Things

If you are a new reader here, it might be a lot for you to comb through all of my back posts looking for juicy tidbits to make your day. I thought I’d make that easy for you and show you a few fun things I’ve done over the past year or so. One of these projects might just become your favorite, too. A girl can dream, right?

 


Broken Mirror Art from recycled mirror bits and pieces. When the light hits it, the whole room shimmers!

 


A Springy, Silk Scarf Shirt is the perfect answer for a wintery wardrobe. And, it’s so easy & cheap to make yourself!

 


If you haven’t seen my DIY Spinning Composter already, here she is. (And here’s the video of it in action.) This composter design speeds up the composting process from months to weeks. And made from recycled/salvaged materials makes it easy on the pocketbook, too.

 


Make your own Simple, Organic balm quickly, easily and cheaply. I love it better than my Burt’s Bees. I ain’t goin’ back, baby!

 


In an effort to rid my house of nasty chemicals, I made my own Cheap, Organic Face Wash-made from ground oatmeal. So easy. So lovely. So breakfasty.

 


Use an old tablecloth or curtain to make this Lace Cape Shirt. Simple, practical and it looks great with a little tank top underneath.

 


I wanted to replace the cleansers in my house with something more organic and cheap. My Homemade Household Green Cleansers list several recipes to get you ready to boot out nasty chemicals from your house, too!

Hope you’ve found a little something that suits your fancy. If not, I’ll keep trying to get you hooked. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life.

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