Thrifty Thursday - 9 Cans of Beans for $3...

Keep your eyes open when you're out discount grocery shopping. 

 Black beans were on my grocery list.  And as usual - this store

 didn't have any - or so I tho't.  Then I spied this massive can of

 them for $2.99.  Now I use beans - but not that many.

But we do have a freezer in addition to our frig freezer - and you should too.  

There were enough beans to divvy out to 9 freezer containers -

each holding 15 oz.  (like the small cans).

I gave them a masking tape label and they're good to go.

Normally my discount store price for a small can of black beans is $.99.  

So I saved at least 66% - more if you compare to retail store price.

  Yippee Skippee!

Sometimes it pays to look closely, buy in large quantities 

and yep - you need a freezer and freezer containers.

Now I'm wondering why I didn't buy 2 cans? 

Maybe they'll still be there the next time I go...    ~Joyce

How To Come Up With a Unique Idea for a Project, Decor, Anything!...

So how do you get inspiration to do something 'different' or a little unique?  

Here's a plan that works for me...

1.  Consider what theme you're after.  

For the sake of this example/post - I was thinking 'Valentine'.

2. Look around and see what you have in that color scheme.  i.e. 'red'

    I spied these buckles and the red one stood out to me.

3. Play a game with yourself and decide you HAVE to use that item

 (or items) in your 'project'.

  I tho't a ribbon through the buckle might look nice.

4. Find items to make it work that also go with your theme and

 color scheme.

    Brown paper - no matter that it was wrinkled - 

seemed like a good fit.

5.  Something WILL develop - I promise!
I'm liking my little Valentine gift wrapped & staged package!    

Happy Creating!  

Let me know what you come up with.  ~Joyce
Sweet red buckle and more available right here in my Etsy shop.
Linking to Home Sweet Home Linky Party

Winter Recycled Tissue Paper Project & Valentine Mantel...

We had lots of leftover 'used' white tissue paper from Christmas.  

I have a hard time throwing out big sheets of paper... 

so a little recycled project came to the rescue...

Tissue paper pom pom flowers how-to's are everywhere - 

but here are the basics.   Again - my paper was 'used' and not

 smooth and neat.   I determined an approx. size (6" x 8"?) and 

cut enough sheets to make 3-5 flowers of  7-8 layers each.   

My edges weren't all perfectly matched and I even had some tan

 paper mixed in with the white.  Imperfection works for these.

Do a simple accordian fold - tie in the middle and 

leave long string ends for hanging...

Snip the ends into points or round them and then peel up 

each layer carefully to fill out a flower shape.

Thanks to some Pinterest inspiration - I added mine to tree twigs...

They make a nice addition to my Valentine mantel and will also

 work for the remainder of the winter.

What a fun way to spend an hour or so on this 

bitter cold Saturday afternoon!  ~Joyce
Linking to DIY Salvaged Junk Projects

Thrifty Thursday - Plant Cuttings & Cheap Storage...

No - this post is not about storing plant cuttings.   

But we'll get to plants in a moment.  

First - here's a cheap storage idea.   

I made a little bin for storing my greeting cards.

I had this 1/2 peck box from a summer purchase so I decided to 

put it to use.   I started with a coat or 2 of paint.  

Then added some card stock to cover those finger holes.

Now my cards all fit in there nicely - and I'm good to go until 

such time as I find something 'better'.

Now onto the plants.   

At the end of summer I saved some cuttings from my coleus.   

I simply cut off some tops - and placed them in water.

 Over the course of weeks - the bottoms develop roots...

Source

 Finally - I have gotten around to potting them 

(2 different coleus that I potted in 1 planter)...

I'll probably root some more cuttings from these yet.

The goal is for free plants for my outside containers next summer.  

And on another note - I'm switching over to my 2017 planner today.

 Last year I purchased a pricier one - the Perfect Planner I called it.  And it was.  But was also a bit more than I personally need.

I found I make my lists other places.  

So this year - I went a cheaper route...

 I found it  'in store' here

I admit - I was swayed by that pretty cover.  

Each open page is simply a week of blank days.  And there is 

also space for lots of notes in the book of the planner.  

And there's not much more to it.

Will it be enough?  Guess we'll see.  

And that's almost 3 Thrifty Tips for you today!  ~Joyce

After Christmas Sale...

Shop Update:

All remaining Christmas items in my Etsy shop have been

 discounted to reflect a 25% off price.

So if anything caught your eye earlier - this is your chance.

Here is a sampling...

Shiny Brite Ornaments in Peachy Gold and Pink

Japan Nativity Figures in Gold

Bridgeport Unused Stencils

Figural Santa Ornament

Pink and Silver Mica Shiny Brite Ornaments

Jewel Brite Ornaments in original box

Mechanical Rocking Horse Santa Pins

And there are plenty of new arrivals too.  

Again - here's a sampling...

Old 9 Patch Quilt Squares in Cotton

Del Monte Fruit Crate End with Label

Small Painted Metal Strainer - Marked 'Miracle Gem'

Green Transferware Butter Pats

It's always fun to see what treasures I can find for you 

that are unique and have that 'Quilted Nest' charm.  

Enjoy these last days of 2016!  ~Joyce