FREE Collapsible Water Bottle (BPA Free)

Looking for a great deal? Head over to SaveMore.com, and you can get a free water bottle, plus free shipping! When you sign up with SaveMore, you automatically get $10 credited into your account. Right now, you can get the water bottle for just $5, plus free shipping. That means you get the water bottle for free, plus will still have $5 to spend later. Such a good deal! Plus, you can get an extra $10 credit for each friend that you refer who makes a purchase. This is my personal referral link, I would love it if you used it to head over and make your purchase!

Fall Grapevine Wreath

Looking for an easy fall craft? This wreath is quick and affordable, and will look great on your front door!

All you need is:
Grapevine wreath
3 Berry garlands, 5' long each (use more or less depending on your taste)
Accessories - I used two pinecone/leaf accents, but you could also use a bow or whatever else you like
Glue gun

Carefully unwrap your garland, and begin weaving it around the grapevine wreath. After you have used all of the garland, make sure it is evenly spaced and secure it in a few places with a glue gun.

Arrange your accent pieces on your wreath and secure with glue...

That's it! Your all done! Hang on your door and enjoy!

Free Car Seat Cover!

Interested in getting a free car seat cover? Udder Covers/ Seven Slings is conducting a survey, and anyone who participates will receive a promo code for a free cover when they are released later this summer.

Here's how to participate:

1. Go to www.SevenSlings.com/index.php/carseat_canopy_poll.
2. Browse the styles and select the carseat canopy that you prefer over the rest.
3. Once you have made your selection you will be asked if you are sure. Select "OK" if you are
sure, and then type the email address you want them to send your promo code for "100% off" to- once they are in stock. August 2011!

FREE Nursing Cover!

For a limited time, you can order a nursing cover for free from Udder Covers. All you have to pay for is shipping! Just use the coupon code VALPAK at check-out!

Give and Get

Every couple of months, the Gap family of stores does a promotion called "Give and Get". Basically, you print off an online coupon and it can be used at any of their stores as many times as you want from March 17 - 20. The coupon is for 30% off your ENTIRE purchase, and 5% of the proceeds go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This is basically a great way to score some discounted prices while helping out a charitable organization.

The stores where the coupon will be accepted are:
Gap
Banana Republic
Old Navy
Banana Republic Factory Store
Gap Outlet Store

*You cannot use the coupon for online purchases*

Click here to print off your coupon!

Harvest Wall Hanging

I was looking for a project that I could hang by my front door, and I had the idea to make a seasonal wall hanging. I headed down to the Wood Connection and found the pieces I needed for this wall plaque.


It was super easy to make! All you need is:

Decorative metal piece (mine is Harvest, but there are plenty of other cute designs)
Wood to mount the metal on
Metal scroll
Ribbon
Paint
Sandpaper
Stain
Wire
Matte finishing spray

1. If your wood was not pre-drilled, drill the holes so that you will be able attach your metal design and scroll.
2. Sand the wood.
3. Paint wood your desired color. Allow the wood to dry.
4. If desired, sand the painted wood. Apply a light coat of stain to the wood and allow to dry.
5. Spray the wood within a matte finishing spray.
6. Screw the metal design to the wood.
7. Attach the metal scroll to the plaque using wire. Cover the wire by tying ribbon around it.

That's it! This is such an easy project, and I can't wait to make more seasonal plaques.

Easy Decorative Letters

Have you ever painted decorative letters for your house, but had a hard time getting the paint into all the small nooks and crannies? Use this easy tip to get everything covered, plus save time and paint!

You will need:
Your project
Wood stain
Rubbermade containers (2)
Paint stirring sticks
Foam brush

First, choose a wood stain that will work with your project. Generally, a medium brown stain works best. The stain that I used was a little dark, but it still worked fine.

Pour some of the stain into one of the rubbermade containers. Place the letter into the stain and agitate it so that it is coated with the stain. Turn it over and repeat so that both sides are evenly covered.

Place the stirring sticks across the second rubbermade container. Place the stained letter across the sticks and allow it to dry. Use the foam brush to wipe off any extra stain.

Once the stain is dry, paint the front of the letter. Repeat with the remaining letters/pieces of your project.

My thoughts on Paint

I saw in a Lowe's ad this week that Valspar paint was $5 off. I have used Home Depot's Behr paint and Lowe's Valspar paint, and I will say the Behr "Paint and Primer in one" is an awesome product if you need to cover up old paint, but Valspar is pretty good if you are just painting over a white wall.

The Behr Paint at Home Depot is pricier then just plain Valspar, but it saves you time because you don't have to prime your wall.

Now that Valspar is on sale it's probably like $10-15 dollars cheaper then Behr. What better way to spend a weekend then painting?

The Wood Connection and Valentine's Day Crafts

Have you heard about The Wood Connection? The Wood Connection has TONS of different wooden crafts to choose from. They have crafts for every season, holiday, and life event. There is a ton of cute home decor. Best of all, the crafts are all reasonably priced and pretty easy to complete! They encourage you to take pictures in their shop so that you can remember what to do when you get home, and they also have pictures and instructions on their website.

A few weeks ago, I got together with some friends for a craft night. I was able to make both of these projects that evening:

Small "Love" letters

Hearts on pedestals

We had such a fun time, and it was nice to be able to complete everything in one sitting. I can't wait to go back and get more stuff for Spring!

Also - in addition to crafts, they also sell wooden furniture. You should definitely check them out!

KidSteals

A new website has joined the Baby Steals and Scrapbook Steals family. The e-doors of KidSteals.com are now open! Yes, it's just like BabySteals but for your toddlers and kids! Hot products at the best price from the best brands in the industry, every day at 9am MST.

All this, with the same level of fanatical customer service and lightning fast shipping you are used to from BabySteals.com and ScrapbookSteals.com! Visit and sign up for the KidSteals Daily Steal E-mail Alert so you never miss a steal.

Easy Table Runner

You will need:

1. 3 - 4 different fabrics - I used 1 yard for the middle section, 1 1/3 yard for the smaller stripe and back, and 2/3 yard for the end piece.
2. Thread
3. 1 yard fusible interfacing
4. Sewing machine, sewing notions

Time: about 60 - 90 minutes
Cost: variable, depending on your fabric
**All seam allowances are 1/4"**

Instructions:

1. Cut your fabric to the following lengths:
a. middle piece: 36" x 18"
b. smaller stripes: 6" x 18" (2)
c. end stripes: 12" x 18" (2)
d: back: 36" x 18" (2)

2. Lay your fabric out to create the design of the table runner.

3. Pin right sides together and sew the top of the runner.

4. Pin your back piece (right sides together) and sew together.

5. Cut your interfacing to fit the table runner (2 pieces of 36" x 18"). Following the interfacing instructions, iron the interfacing to the wrong side of your back piece.

6. Pin the front and back pieces of your table runner (right sides together) and sew it together, leaving a 6" opening.

7. Turn the table runner right side out and iron smooth. Pin the opening edge of the runner and sew closed.

Why You Seriously Should Consider Couponing...

I bought all of this (13 cans of Campbells)...

...for about 70 cents!!!

Between the sale Alberton's was having, my manufacturer coupons, Albertson's doubler coupons, and the $5 catalina I got back, this cost me less than 70 cents total. If you are interested in learning more about couponing, I highly recommend that you visit the Krazy Coupon Lady or Coupon Addicted. They can teach you all that you need to know to get started!

Modbe Clearance!

Another Modbe Clearance...this time they are moving wherehouses and are discounting some items up to 75% Click here to check it out!

Beyond the Rack

Beyond the Rack is a website similar to Ideeli and Guilt. Beyond the Rack is a private shopping club for men and women who want designer brands at prices up to 70% off retail. They work with major brands to hold limited-time sales that are open exclusively to members. Each sale starts at a specific time (usually noon) and typically lasts only 48 hours. After the sale ends the merchandise is no longer available. You can sign up for e-mails that alert you to upcoming events.

Paint Deals Cont....

Lowe's also has the same $5 off a gallon of paint. It is a mail in rebate, and not instant savings though!

Paint Deals

Behr Paint and the Home Depot are currently promoting a rebate offer: buy 1 gallon of Behr paint and get $5 back, or buy a 5 gallon paint pail and get $20 back by mail-in rebate. Definitely check this out if you are thinking of doing some painting in the near future. I am not sure how much longer this promotion will last...so hurry quick!

Can You Do Me a Favor...

...by completing the two surveys on the right? I want to make this blog more useful, so I would appreciate any suggestions that you have. If you have any ideas or comments besides what is on the survey, please leave a comment. Thanks!

Scrapbook Steals

Scrapbook Steals is a new website that was created by the same people who brought us Baby Steals. This is what they say about their new website:

"This will be the place where crafters of all levels get hooked up with the latest 'ScrapbookSteal' at an unbelievable price. Whether you 'scrap' every day or once a year; whether 'scrap' to you means making cards or full blown albums; you'll find a steal on ScrapbookSteals.com! If the words albums, paper, tools, die cuts, chipboard, scissors, cardstock, rub-ons, punches, embellishments, brads, charms, stamps, ribbon and markers make you giddy, you will love ScrapbookSteals.com!

All with the same level of fanatical customer service and lighting fast shipping you are used to from BabySteals.com! New steal daily - 9am MST."

Like BabySteals, you can sign up to receive daily alerts that tell you about the item that is being featured. Happy scrapbooking!

Baby/Child Hooded Towel

You will need:

1 bath towel

1 washcloth (same color as towel)

Coordinating ribbon, fabric, etc to accent the towel

Instructions:

1. Add any desired ribbon or enhancement to your towel and washcloth. I chose to sew ribbon on my towel. You could also sew on a pattern, add fabric, embroider the child's name...feel free to be creative and make it your own.
2. Fold the washcloth in half, with right sides together. Pin the top of the washcloth and sew a narrow hem (about 1/4").

3. Turn the washcloth (now the hood for your towel) right side out. It will probably look something like this:

4. Center the hood on the top of the towel, right sides together. Pin in place and sew, using a 1/4" hem.

Baby Bibs

These baby bibs are way cute and are super easy to sew!

This instructions and pattern for this bib came from Chickpea Sewing Studio.

You will need:

• Fabric: 1/3 yard fun fabric for the front, 1/3 yard coordinating flannel, terry cloth, corduroy, etc for the back.
• Thread
• Snap
• Pattern

Directions:

• Prewash fabric.
• Fold one piece of fabric (wrong sides together) and pin the pattern along the fold. Cut the pattern out. Repeat for the other side of fabric.

• Pin the front and back, wrong sides together. Sew the front and back together using a double stitch and 1/4 inch seam allowance. Leave a small opening (about 1") for turning.
• Turn the bib inside out and press with a warm iron.
• Edgestich around the bib, making sure that the open hem has been tucked in. The edgestich should sew the open end closed.

• Attach snaps.