Frugal Changes

Ack! I am so sorry about the Blog Carnival and its untimely posting. I’m relieved I came to check on the carnival this morning. For some really strange reason, it posted my original draft version of the carnival, instead of the final copy. I am SO sorry. HERE is the Blog Carnival in its entirety and not all crazy.

While off to a rough start this morning, the Make It From Scratch Blog Carnival rocked this week…

Cute Craft and Gift Ideas

• Emily made the cutest T-Shirt Scarfs posted over at Insert Catchphrase Here. Great gift idea and super simple.
• I thought of so many ways I could incorporate the cute Tissue Paper Flowers that Crafty Rose posted over at Fine Craft Guild .com. These could embellish all kinds of things and would look really cute in a vase clustered together.
• The minute my daughter saw the cute Mother/Daughter Aprons that Abi posted at lighter side, she wanted to get started right away. These are GREAT gift ideas, and I am positive that my daughter and I will probably be sporting matching aprons at Christmas time.
• Brooke presents a DIY Backless T-Shirt posted over at her blog Rambling Brooke. Not only is this the easiest thing to do, it looks absolutely amazing – there is no way you can tell it is handmade and not store bought. Totally fashionable and really cute.
• gp gave us a glimpse into a Fall To Do list with Gotta Help with the Chores Here « Musings from Montana and even ended with a delicious recipe for Pumpkin Cranberry Loaf posted over at Musings from Montana. Can I just say, I really wish I was in Montana at this time of year. So beautiful.
• Kerry Fletcher taught us How to Decorate Your Christmas Tree Like a Professional Designer, which made me so ready to put up the tree. It’s posted over at Interior Design Info.
• Lori Vaughn had a really cute idea for a Make It Yourself Christmas #2 Clipboard. My kids tell me it would be a fun gift to do, check it out over at Telling Secrets
• RecycleCindy showed us how to make a really cute Recycled Flat Bottom Plastic Tote Bag. Not only is a great “recycle” project but it would make a great gift idea! Find it over at My Recycled Bags.com.

Money Saving

• Lucky made bringing the holidays into your home a little bit easier and cheaper, thanks to her great post Thanksgiving — Natural Decorations Are In This Year! posted at Making My Own Luck.
• June Tree tells us all about a DIY Debt Management Plan: Go On Oprah’s Debt Diet!. As far as I’m concerned, Oprah is my hero – it helps that she is famous, but she always has the best advice. Check it out at The Digerati Life.
• Wise_Bread just taught me how to go natural for a lot less than I thought I could with the post Stock A Natural Food Pantry For Less. This is a great post that gives you ideas and ways to save money and still eat healthy posted at Wisebread
• Rosey Dusk had another take on decorating anytime, with Give a Room a New Look when your Broke. which she posted over at living cheap now.
• The Smarter Wallet (I need one of those!) shows us 7 Frugal Tips To Clean and Care For Your Clothes, which is awesome because there are simply not a enough ways to save money on things we need to do. Cleaning clothes is a must, so this article was awesome, posted at The Smarter Wallet.
• Jennifer Powlison gave us a great Laundry Detergent Recipe, AKA Jenn’s Laundry Jello Soap, which I found really unique and cannot wait to try. It is posted at Confessions of a Cheapskate.
• Quirky Momma closes out this weeks Money Saving articles with Tiny Storage Solutions for Cluttered Spaces which anyone who knows me, knows I needed to read that! Check her out over at Tips for Moms, Activities for kids by Quirky Mommas.

Delicious Food

• There is nothing better than making S’mores over an open fire, unless it is eating the Smores Cupcakes that cookingfor5 posted at Budget Crafting.
• When I think about Fall, apples always seem to come to mind. Cyndi L gave us the recipe for Apple tarts that look absolutely delicious posted over at Real Food Fast!.
• Kristia had my mouth watering this morning checking out her Make It Yourself Monday – Turkey Sausage, Arugula and Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Recipe posted at Family Balance Sheet.
• Nutella has always been interesting to me. Toni got my curiosity further peaked with her Nutella Wontons she posted at Wifely Steps. They sound yummy!
• The Homemaking Helper showed us a recipe for one of my favorite holiday cookies, Peanut Butter Hershey Kiss Cookies. The recipe is posted on her blog The Homemaking Helper.
• Fabulously Broke (which I always am – cute name) gave us Recipe: Vanilla Almond Pound Cake that sounds amazing and has me in the mood to bake today, posted over at Fabulously Broke ….in the City.
• We just made pretzels the other day, but this recipe that Amanda Louden shared, Soft Homemade Pretzels looks far less complicated then the one we used. I love homemade pretzels, check it out posted over at Daily Diner.
• Make it from Scratch always shares something awesome, and of course this time is no exception. Those Home Roasted Peanuts – MMM good! sound well,… mmmm good. The recipe is posted over at Make It From Scratch.
• Joanne gave us Gift Basket Snacks, which I immediately found useful because we are trying to be bit more frugal this Christmas. Everyone is getting gift baskets with home made goodies and items inside. She shared ideas and a few recipes that sound easy and yummy – Check it out, posted at Personalized Gift Baskets.
• I’m not a vegetarian but wow! Liss shared her recipe for Vegetarian ‘Rainbow’ Lasagne that looked so scrumptious my mouth was watering from the start. I’m definitely trying it, you should too – it’s posted at Frills in the Hills.
• The recipe for Butternut Squash Gnocchi: A Recipe for Victory that Kris posted, not only sounds amazing, but looks super easy to prepare and would be a great addition to your Thanksgiving or Christmas meal. Find it at Cheap Healthy Good.
• Before I saw this recipe for POM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice Cake from Mama Bear, I’m not sure I would have ever thought to use pomegranate juice (which I love) in a cake – awesomely posted at Gotta Little Space. Thank you!
• Annette Berlin shows us how to make Bubby’s Lemon Pie which can I just say, sounds to die for. I love lemon pie. Seriously. No really, I would eat it daily. Awesome recipe posted at Craft Stew.
• NerdMom brings it all home with a great recipe for her Chicken Tamale Pie. I think a few of my kids will actually eat this, and I know I will too so I’m definitely trying it. Thanks! It’s posted at Nerd Family Food.

I have hosted the Made From Scratch Blog Carnival in the past on other blogs, but this is the first time, I loved every post that was shared!! Thanks for participating this week in the Make It From Scratch Blog Carnival. I look forward to seeing what everyone brings next week over at: Frills in the Hills.

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Handmade Recipe Cookbook

Holy cow I cannot believe that Christmas is just over a month away! I feel like just yesterday we were swimming and running through the sprinklers – how did Christmas get here so fast!?!?!

Want a great frugal Christmas Gift Idea? Try one of these!

Personalized Cookbook

You’ll need:

• A large, white, 3-ring binder with a clear front covering (one in which you can slip a cover in)

• A package of white printer paper

• Clear sleeves you can put in the binder

• Markers, scissors, glitter, glue, and any other craft items along that line

• Your Chef’s favorite recipes! (or just some family favorites)

All you have to do is write down, or type, the gift-receiver’s favorite recipes on the printer paper. Then you can decorate the paper by hand or print some images and paste them onto the paper, and slip the paper into the clear sleeves when it’s all dry.

This is a great gift because not only is it completely personalized and it protects the recipes from damage while in use, but you can keep adding to it and it keeps all the recipes together- you don’t have to go to a bunch of different cookbooks for one meal!

It’s also a good idea to add dividers and mark them ‘Poultry’, ‘Desserts’, ‘Salads’, etc.

Happy gift-giving!

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Thinking about creating some gift baskets for gift giving this year? Here are a few ideas to get you thinking.

First, I always tell people who are interested in giving gift baskets as gifts to check out the dollar store. No, don’t fill it up with “junk” but they sell popcorn packets and you could add 1 or 2 to several gift baskets, candy, snacks too. I always recommend trying there first. You’d be surprised at what you can find when paired with other items, makes the perfect gift.

Second – be creative with “packaging”. Don’t just choose a basket. Decorate it and make it special. Weave ribbon through it, or attach a bow, or embellish in another way. Another idea, is to use an “odd object” that might not otherwise “house such items” – a Boot, a bucket, a paint can, a tote bag, purse, mug, stocking, Rubber maid tote or bin, watering can, coffee can, a hat box, canister, sleigh, a desk caddy or whatever other idea you can think of.

Third – I tried to include something for “everyone”. I really hope it helps or at least gets you thinking. Hope that helps

• Popcorn Basket – For the person who loves popcorn – fill with gourmet popcorn, popcorn seasonings and popping cobs, snacks and some drinks.
• Couch Potato Basket – Snacks, TV guide, TV magazine (E! Entertainment or something along those lines).
• BBQ Lovers – Fill with iced tea, salsa and brushetta seasoning, BBQ seasoning package, coffee, iced cappuccino, and more. Perfect for summer entertaining.
• Sweetheart Basket – For the one you love or the person who loves hearts – fill with hearts – candles, soaps, painted wood, and more. May be packed in a heart votive candle box.
• Soap Basket – fill with a variety of our wonderful handmade soaps and fizzing bath rocks.
• Candle Basket – For the candle lover – fill with a variety of candles and candle holders.
• Teddy Bear Basket – Do you know someone who loves/collects teddy bears? – fill with a variety of products including items with teddy bears, chocolate, and a stuffed bear friend or gift certificate to make their own bear.
• Angel Basket – Do you know someone who loves angels? – fill with a variety of ‘angel’ items; could include candles, sachets, wooden, or wire items.
• Gourmet Drink Basket – Filled with a selection of our gourmet coffee, tea, hot chocolate and iced tea.
• Gourmet Treat Basket – Filled with a selection of our gourmet food items. Will include a variety of drinks, soup, seasonings, or popcorn.
• Debbie Mumm Basket – Filled with a variety of Debbie Mumm products; could include candles, address books, pocket mirrors, scented sachets, notepads, or notecards.
• Mary Engelbreit Basket -
• Primitive Basket – For people who love primitive folkart – filled with painted wood items, wire items, and grubby candles.
• Vanilla, Apple, or Berry Scent Basket – filled with items in your chosen scent – potpourri, candles, aromatic crystals, fizzing bath rocks, soaps, and more.
• Kitchen/Baking Basket – Filled with ‘kitchen’ items like hotpads and baking scents such as gingerbread, apple pie, or cinnamon. May include a recipe book.
• Apple Basket – For the apple lover – painted wood apples, apple scented items, and wire apples.
• Christmas – Filled with christmas decorations and scents.
• Rubber Stamping – Stamps, things to stamp on, ink pads – pick a theme or send a variety.
• Scrapbooking – stickers, die cuts, papers, albums, how-to’s – pick a theme or send a variety (not packed in a basket so items don’t get damaged!).
• Needlepoint -
• Crochet -
  Variety – Filled with a mix of items.

Obviously there are a lot more ideas floating around. If you have one, feel free to share in the comment field! Thanks!

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I absolutely love making these little wonders, and they are perfect for stirring coffee, hot chocolate or even steamed milk.

They are super simple to make, and are the perfect gift for that coffee drinker in your life.

What you need:

• Plastic Spoons (if you are trying to “go green” then purchase inexpensive silverware (try Deals, garage sales or Walmart) and do it that way.

• A bag of milk chocolate chips (or white chocolate chips, butterscotch, peanut butter, dark chocolate, whatever)

• Variety of toppings – peppermints, vanilla candies, powdered cinnamon or crushed cinnamon candies, decorators sugar or coarse sugar, mini marshmallows, nuts, powdered sugar, anything you can think of.

Melt the chocolate on the stove top stirring constantly. Watch carefully so that the chocolate doesn’t begin to burn. As soon as its soft enough, dip the spoons into the chocolate and then place them on wax paper.
Immediately sprinkle them with your various toppings. Do one with crushed peppermint candy, crushed almonds or another nut, sprinkle cinnamon or find different flavors of hard candy – I found vanilla and raspberry last year and they were AWESOME on the spoons.

After they air dry (I recommend letting them sit for at least 12 hours at room temp), wrap them in cellophane and tie with a festive ribbon.

Put a few spoons in a coffee mug along with some individual hot cocoa or coffee packets and you have a great gift for those chilly nights!

Cheap, easy and thoughtful for anyone who loves coffee or loves a hot cocoa! Pair with a book, or movie for a nice night in.

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Next week, I will be hosting the Make it From Scratch Blog Carnival here at Frugal Changes.

The point of the carnival is to share the things you make from scratch. Create a blog post, showing something cool that you created from scratch – doesn’t matter if it is a recipe, craft or something else. No strict definition of scratch here, use your own judgment.

The rules are simple, only one post per blog per week, and right now we are looking for some Christmas gift ideas, so if you have something to share, please submit to one of the upcoming carnivals. The carnivals are posted every Tuesday morning on selected hosting blogs.

If you are interested in submitting a blog post showcasing something that you made from scratch- the deadline for submitting is Sunday, November 15, 2009 at midnight and you can submit your post here.

Check back on Tuesday for this week’s Made From Scratch Submissions.

Oh, and if you’d like to see this weeks Made From Scratch Carnival, to see what kinds of things are posted, visit The Festival of Frugality.

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With the Thanksgiving holidays quickly approaching, it’s time to stock your freezer. The month of November is a great time to find amazing deals on frozen whole Turkey’s. Stock up now, and you will have turkey for all sorts of meals well beyond Thanksgiving and Christmas.

During the months of November and December I will provide a post that deals with using leftover turkey, turkey recipes and more. I’m calling it Turkey Tuesday, because well, I like how it sounds.

If you have anything to share, please feel free to leave a comment in the comments below.

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Thought I would get started posting my Christmas articles. Many of these were posted on my old blogs in the past, but have been updated and revamped to be current. Never before posted here, I hope you find some helpful hints for Christmas this year. Ours is going to be almost all handmade gifts and we are being very frugal. I would imagine if you are here, you probably are too. Here are 10 simple ideas for saving some money this Christmas.

1. Ornaments – Take some of your old glass ball ornaments (you know, the ones that look so drab compared to your other tree decorations!) and arrange them in a bowl. Clear glass bowls are especially striking, as the ornaments show through. If you don’t have an appropriate bowl, use a basket. I also used some old “glass” ornaments that were not balls, but actual ornaments that were sants, and elves, etc. It looked great and very festive. You can do this same thing if you purchase the cheap glass balls at Wal-mart and a clear glass bowl. I priced them and your total for 2-3 bowls would be WELL under $10 (be sure to check the dollar store too!) I’ve also used small crystal candy dishes to display the small ornaments that were passed down to me by my grandmother- mostly tiny orbs that had broken at the top and had lost their hooks, but still had beautiful pearly finishes.

2. Ribbon – I am a ribbon collector – I scrapbook and I use them for EVERYTHING. So go ahead – use your ribbon. (you know what I’m talking about – that stash you save every holiday because you’re GOING to use it) Wrap the ribbon around different objects in your home – door knobs, end table legs, vases, collectibles – use your imagination and get creative. While you’ve got the ribbon out, grab your curling ribbon and make some curly “pom-poms”. (Simply cut several lengths of curling ribbon, curl them by sliding the lengths against a scissor blade, and tie them together at the center.) Keep in mind that the curling ribbon will be much shorter after curling- figure on about half its original length. Tape or tie the “pom-poms” wherever you have a dull spot- they can be tied to the end of your banister (inside or out), hung on doorknobs, or even attached to the tops of your dining chairs.

3. Christmas Cards – We all have years worth of Christmas cards, and do you have extra’s from last year’s card mailing? I do, but I intend to use them again this year to people who I’ve met this year. However, if you do have extra cards, etc. Cut them up – cut the cover’s off and make postcards or purchase cheap frames from the $$ store and frame them. Let your children cut them out. Cut Santa out of a card, punch a hole at the top, tie some ribbon and voila – an ornament. Use them to make place cards, decoupage, place them under a piece of glass on a table to decorate.

4. Candles – Make a holiday candle garden. Use a Christmas-themed plate or tray, or even a plain metal one and arrange 3 or 5 candles of varying heights (odd numbers look best). Tuck some greenery (artificial or real) in between the candles to give your candle garden an extra festive touch. This is also a great way to accent a special candle with a holiday theme- surround it with plain pillar candles in a complementary color.

5. Tinsel – I have tons of this – hand me downs from all over, plus you know, at the very beginning I actually USED it. LOL Recycle old tinsel garland by cutting shorter lengths of it and using it to accent your current décor. You can cut out any matted or thin sections, using the “still-good” pieces as filler in your wreath, candle accents (I do this), or as a basket handle accent (wrap around the basket handle in a spiral pattern, leaving some of the original handle showing.) Re-frame a mirror with gold, red or green garland. Tie a bow and attach it to the top of a present or homemade “goodie” tray.

6. Pine Cones – I have a HUGE collection of pine cones that over the years I’ve bought, found or my kids have collected. We often use them as great frugal fire starters, however you can use them to decorate for Christmas too. Gather some up and display them in a basket. I have a basket in the shape of a red sleigh, and I put them in there. You can spray potpourri oil on them (cinnamon is traditional, but vanilla, apple, or gingerbread would be very festive also) or spray them with silver or gold paint. Another great idea is to dab a bit of glue on each “point” of the cone and then sprinkle with glitter. If you don’t have any pine cones in your area, you can usually find them (most likely pre-scented) at your local craft store.

7. Wrapping Paper – Use it to wrap boxes of various shapes, wrap a mirror in your home, frames, etc. Use wrapping paper as a “table cover” on the coffee table or end table. Another idea (that I’m not sure I’m crazy about) is to cut out the patterns- Santa, snowmen, penguins, etc.- on your leftover wrapping paper and use them to decorate. Spray adhesive (found at your local craft store) will enable the cutouts to stick to your walls, wooden boxes, bottles…pretty much anything you can find! And the best part- it’s not permanent! (Check the adhesive instructions.)

8. Holiday Socks – Have any uncomfortable or worn-out Christmas socks? Stuff them with a bit of batting, sew the tops closed (insert a little ribbon loop in the corner first), and “string” them on yarn or thin ribbon. Hang on the wall or mantel, or even the tree! You can also cut them apart and into shapes and do the same thing.

9. Paper - The simplest, yet most beautiful holiday decoration? Paper snowflakes! Relive your childhood and create a few. Or a whole blizzard. If you’re feeling generous, you can ask your kids to help. When you’re done, tape them on your windows- whenever you look out, you’ll see a white Christmas (even if you live in the tropics!)

10. Old Holiday Decorations – We all have them. Well, at least I do. You know, the kind that remain stored with all the Christmas decorations but each year, after you decorate you wind up putting the box back downstairs with items still inside. Take those items out, and tear ‘em up – cut ‘em up – clean ‘em up and redecorate. Use them to make ornaments (hot glue a piece of ribbon to the backside of something), use them as centerpieces, an old garland can be cut apart to be “greenery” for a candle centerpiece. Broken glass ornaments of any kind can be further smashed up and used to glue on boxes, baskets, bowls, plates, etc, for a decorative look. Old Christmas clothes can be cut apart to be made into various items, etc.

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I found this adorable craft online several years ago.

Candy Corn Freshner Craft Centerpiece and Gift Idea (copyright© Liss Burnell 2004)

• 2 cups water,divided

• Essential oil/fragrance of your choice. (Vanilla & Cinnamon Work Well Together)

• 4 envelopes Knox gelatin

• Food coloring (orange, yellow)

To get started, bring 1 c. of water almost to boil. Add the gelatin and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat and add 1 cup of water.

Divide evenly into 3 separate containers and add coloring to desired shade to make candy corn. Add your essential oil fragrance at this time.
Place the containers in the fridge to gel. Once gelled, use a spoon or wooden stick to gently stir up and layer in your pretty jar or Glass.

Add a bow and place on Dining room table. Place a thin candle down through the center for added beauty.

We are making these this year! They are just too cute not too!!

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Front of Handmade Purse

I just love the holidays, but boy I’ll tell you – all that gift buying wears you out and drains your accounts! I’m all about making things myself, and giving gifts from the heart.

I made this super cute purse for my daughter when she was much younger. I believe when she was about six or seven. She used it for a couple of years and loved it. These photos were taken before we added some ribbon embellishments and a little “bling” gems. However, it gives you a good idea of how easy it is.

I purchased the little denim purse at Michael’s for around $5 and then just decorated it to match her personality. Obviously you could change it to fit your little girl.

Back of Handmade Purse

After a neighbor saw it, I wound up making one for her daughter too. They are super easy to make, and are a great gift idea. And besides, what little girl doesn’t love carrying a purse around?

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**Coming in November 2009**

Participating in the Carnival

It is very easy to participate in the Frugal Changes Blog Carnival! Here is what you need to do.

1. Make a post on your blog about ways to save money, or a trick you use to save money on something, a recipe you make that is low cost, anything you might see on a frugal living blog. Check out this blog for ideas on what can be posted.

2. Submit your post using this Blog Carnival form. You can post and submit anytime, but all submissions for the week need to be received by Sunday at noon CST. If your post arrives after the posted time, it will be included in the next weeks blog carnival. Only one post per blog per week please!

3. Entries will be posted by the Carnival Host on Monday mornings. The carnival host has the discretion to leave out any posts that they do not think fit our carnival or the theme and anything deemed not family friendly.

After the carnival that your submission appears in is posted, the host will email you the location of the carnival. Help thank the host and promote the carnival by linking back to the carnival on your own blog and submitting it to Stumble, Digg, Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, etc. Remember that the link love helps us all.

Thank you!

( If you are interested in participating, please contact me at: frugalchanges (at) gmail (dot) com. )

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