Monday, July 5, 2010

Coupon Organization

Living in today's tough economic environment, we all need to find ways to cut corners to save money. One way to do that, that seems to be getting more and more popular is clipping coupons.

Once you have all those coupons clipped out, how do you keep them organized? That's a question I ask all the time. It seems like whenever I have coupons, I always forget where I put them and can't seem to find them in the check-out line.

I found some great ideas at www.tipnut.com. You'll find all kinds of ideas there, including one for using and alphabetized index file.


Another idea I ran across at www.tipnut.com was a sewing tutorial for a coupon clutch. This is really cute and looks easy to make.


Lisa at www.ahappylittlefamily.blogspot.com has a neat free pattern for a Coupon organizer, too. It looks like it would be really handy with the dividers for different categories.


I also found instructions for this Build-It-Yourself Coupon Organizer at www.momsaves.com using a three ring binder and clear page protectors. I think that would be a quick way to see what you have at a glance.


Money saving Mom has a good idea using a plastic storage box. Check it out.
www.moneysavingmom.com



This has given me some ideas to get started, maybe some of them will help you too.

Thanks for joining us.
Deena Davis
www.byyourhands.com

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Happy Independence Day!

Our Flag




As red as a fire,

As blue as the sky,
As white as the snow--
See our flag fly!

Three pretty colors
Wave at the sky,
Red, white and blue
On the Fourth of July!

Red, white and blue
Those colors are,
And every state has its very own star.

Hold up the flag
Hold it up high,
And then say, "Hurrah,
For the Fourth of July!"

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Handmade Sampler Giveaway - Huge Summer Bowl Filler Giveaway --DONE

Welcome to another Handmade Sampler giveaway.
This time around we have a HUGE bowl filler  prize pack brought to you by many talented designers.  Be sure to visit their websites listed below.

You can earn two entries by doing the following...
1... Earn one entry by becoming a follower of this blog.  Already a follower?  Just let us know so we can give you credit.
2... Earn an extra entry by posting our button on your blog and linking to us. We've made it easy... just copy and paste the html code below and add it to the side bar of your blog.





The giveaway will start today, Saturday, July 3, and the winner will be announced on Friday, July 23. We will announce it here and contact you by the email address you have left. Final day to enter is Thursday, July 22, 2010. 


(USA entries only, please)
Have fun and good luck!
Deena and Bette



Friday, July 2, 2010

We Have a Winner for the Metal Scoop with Wooden Handle w/ 6 Mushyroom Toadstools

Congratulations to Maureen on winning the Metal Scoop with Wooden Handle w/ 6 Mushyroom Toadstools from Motherload Toad Factory



The winner was picked using the true generator on Random.org. We want to thank all of you who took the time to enter and for all the wonderful comments.

Be sure and come back again tomorrow as we will have a new giveaway starting that you won't want to miss.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Today's Featured Artist - Cat's Designs

Today's featured artist is Charlene Tennison of Cat's Designs. 



Hi,  I'm Charlene Tennison and I live in sunny California. I've been married to my high school sweetheart for 43 years.  We have three daughters, one still lives at home.  She is a special needs child and will probably live with us til I can no longer do it.  I have four grandkids and my eldest grandson is serving in the Marines in Afghanistan.

I have been crafting off and on since 1972, but really didn't get started selling seriously til the 90's when I sold in a craft shop on consignment.  
I had this friend that took lessons at Cabin Craft with Jo Sonja Jansen and I fell in love with her paintings, so I took a basic strokework class and it all started from there.  I started selling my paintings and dolls at Christmas time for extra cash and then I started doing some craft shows.  I started selling on Ebay in 2002 and Etsy in 2008.  I like dabbling in several crafts such as jewelry, ceramics, soapmaking and sewing.
  There's really a lot of steps to making my woodcrafts.  I cut all my wood, prepare the surface, paint, and then seal with varnish.
  I sew my dolls in between the various steps of my painting projects.  I love working with material and the colors.  Since I have a special needs child I work during the morning while she is at her school and then at night while she is sleeping.
  I really don't have any big plans for my business.   But I would like to start designing my own doll patterns.
  Crafting is a way for me to express myself and I love to see others faces brighten up when they see my items.   I  would like to enjoy making my crafts as long as the Good Lord is willing to let me.

 You can find Charlene's work at these places:


http://catsdesigns.etsy.com