you thrifty thing

A Colorful Thanksgiving

2009-11-18T08:31:00.001-08:00

I just bought myself a new box of crayons yesterday. I could not resist opening the box in the store to take my first big sniff. I can't wait to use them...the box I got has both a silver and a gold crayon! I found these cute Thanksgiving coloring pages that you can print from your computer. Yeah! Inner-child, here I come!

Unbreakable Christmas

2009-11-16T08:11:00.001-08:00

I found these on Etsy today. They are very cute, and perfect for the charlie brown tree I'm planning on decorating this year. These, along with some paper snowflakes, will ensure a beautiful and unbreakable holiday for Cutie Pie. What an inspiration.

E is for elephant

2009-11-15T08:43:00.000-08:00

mau studio

root kids

wall stickers online

home decorators

stardust

rancho del arte

Inspired by Walrus Studio, I wanted to post a few animal inspired designs for children. Elephants are my favorite animal to display in the home. They represent strength, solitude and bring good fortune.

So Super Sweet

2009-11-13T07:13:00.001-08:00

A couple of years ago, I fell in love with these hats. I desperately wanted to get one for my hubby, but never did. I can't make one, due to my total lack of knitting/crocheting talent. But, if anyone out there has mad skills, let this be of inspiration. Here is a tutorial I found.
Photo via doubletakes.com.

Color Me Shocked!

2009-11-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

Markers and furniture never looked so good together! At first, my instincts were to wince in pain for this beautiful sofa by Pamela Bell, filled with childish colorful markings. But, as I looked more, still in a bit of shock, it started to grow on me. How daring! How darling! Way to go, you creative Momma. Very inspiring, don't you think? It reminds me that there are no limits in decorating. Surround yourself with the things you love!

a puzzle and a maze.

2009-11-10T07:17:00.000-08:00

photo via puzzlehouse.com
Puzzles have always been so much fun for me. There is nothing like sitting down to put together a big puzzle on a rainy day, with a blanket and a cup of tea. I know, it sounds a bit "granny" style, but it really is the best. I am totally inspired to try my hand at making my very own. Here is how. It is tough, and requires tools, but it's a challenge I might accept.
I also have a special link, where you can generate your own maze. Sitting quietly with a maze in front of you is so very zen. Peace out my friends.

Free Monday!

2009-11-09T05:45:00.000-08:00

Blah. Sounds like you've got a case of the Mondays. Do you like the movie Office Space? It is one of my favorites. Here are some fun quotes from the movie to read today.

This too will rid your case of the Mondays...It's a free printable calendar! Yeah. It is super cute and quirky, and perfect for hanging in your boring old cubicle. You can find it here. Have a great Monday!

Shoe Lust

2009-11-06T09:38:00.000-08:00

Is it terrible of me to be lusting over these shoes from Livie & Luca? I just can't resist their charm. Oh, if only I could make these babies myself.

Spotted on maya*made.

Cheapy Craft #2

2009-11-06T08:32:00.001-08:00

This idea was inspired by a picture I saw in a magazine of a giant toy train. How fun would that be? I really thought Cutie Pie would love it, so I hurried to get another cardboard box, which I have an endless supply of, to make a quick "train". I just tied on some twine I found, drew on some wheels, and there you have it...instant fun! She had a great time being pulled around the house, and pulling her furry friends around our table. It is also a great toy to use for practicing "filling and spilling". Oh, my little conductor!

Be sure to supervise your Cutie Pie when playing with this toy.

Cheapy Craft

2009-11-06T06:17:00.001-08:00

Last week I decided I just had to put on a puppet show for Cutie Pie. So, with her hoisted on my hip, I searched through our basement for things to make it with. Here is what we came up with...

A box, with some paper packing material still in it.
An old sock or two.
Buttons from an old shirt.
Leftover red fabric from ugly pants Cutie Pie got as a gift and never wore.
Finally, some colored pencils.

Voila! Instant puppet show. With a nine month old, I don't have a lot of time to spend on crafting, so, for right now I opt for quick and simple. Soon, I will have a whole town of sock puppets, and some more backdrops for them. Needless to say, Cutie Pie is excited, and really, really, loves to chew on the puppet.

Thrifty New Things

2009-11-05T10:55:00.000-08:00

I really like to buy used, but every once in awhile, I find something worth buying new. This Food Face Plate would probably be more fun for me than for my Cutie Pie. But would this not be the most creative way to eat your food?

Spotted on smaller.

Avec Plaisir!

2009-11-05T09:34:00.000-08:00

Take some time to learn a little french for free today. Isn't french the most lovely language? It makes me want to wrap myself in a chic black scarf, and have an espresso. Oui! Oui!

Photo via eHow, a cute article about being french chic.

A little Self Reflection

2009-11-05T09:10:00.000-08:00

Do you feel a little out of sorts? In need of some self reflection? How about taking a moment to write a poem on a piece of this cute and free printable notepad.

Spotted on Skip To My Lou.

Nom. Nom. Nom.

2009-11-04T16:40:00.000-08:00

One small bag of steamed organic baby carrots, and a cooked organic apple or two, makes two ice cube trays full of yummy baby food, ready for freezing. I use this site to come up with the awesome creations that my Cutie Pie loves so much. "Nom, nom, nom" she says.

Thrifty Entertainment

2009-11-04T16:32:00.000-08:00

Savin' Some Bakin' Soda

2009-11-04T16:12:00.000-08:00

OK, it's no secret, I love, love, love baking soda. I always keep at least 2 boxes on hand. Why do I love it so, you ask? Because it works wonders on just about EVERYTHING! Most people know about it's cleaning goodness, but did you also know that it makes the most wonderful facial cleanser? That's right, I use it for everything. It scrubs my tubs, my sinks, my pots, and my face. Here is a great list of things to do with your soda.

Saving Green Diaper Wipes

2009-11-04T13:41:00.000-08:00

I have been buying Seventh Generation diaper wipes for my daughter, and love them. Recently though, I realized how much money I could save if I made my own diaper wipes. I stumbled upon this recipe here, and can't wait to try it out. I will be using Burt's Bees products, and will share my results with you. What a great way to save some green.

UPDATE: I made the diaper wipes, and I love them. They are not too wet, and are very soft and smooth on Cutie Pie's skin. Hooray!

Thrifty Halloween 2009

2009-11-04T12:57:00.000-08:00

Hello you thrifty thing readers! The first post is the hardest. So, I decided to introduce us in thrifty Halloween form. My daughter is dressed as, you guessed it, Waldo. I managed to whip up her costume by hitting Goodwill, and the craft store. It all came together well, don't you think? Ever try painting the face of a nine month old? I would not recommend it, very challenging. I'm surprised the glasses are even close to circular! Last minute, I decided the dogs needed costumes too, of course, so I decided on a tomato for my white fluffy sweetheart. I used one of my daughters red shirts, bunched up the stem with a rubber band and covered it in green pipe cleaners. For my little chihuahua, I could not resist making her a vampire. I used the leftover felt from making my daughters hat, a spider ring I had laying around, and a black shoelace. It was all very quick, simple, creative, and of course...thrifty.

Hope everyone keeps checking in, because I have so many wonderful ideas, and I can't wait to share them with you!