Super cheap, quick and easy bath toy storage

I love Ashley's blog here, Make it and Love It..  I would love to do about a trillion of her ideas.  However, this one went to the top of the list because it was practical, I actually thought I could do it, and it was cheap!

I modified this a bit, primarily because I couldn't find cool mesh fabric like she had.  So, I used a cheap, more flimsy version... its sort of a tulle and it was only $1.29/yard at Jo-Ann's.  I also already had some fish ribbon on hand.

I followed her tutorial, except I folded my fabric in half and then just sewed up the sides to make a bag.  My fabric did not already have a finished edge like hers.  I actually just left the top raw, I figured it probably didn't matter.  My intent for this bag is that it will stay hanging up, so hopefully it won't get too much wear and tear.  We'll see :)  I did turn it inside out, then sewed on the fish ribbon trim, then sewed on two loops just like she did.  My shower has a towel rack in it, so I just used more ribbon to tie on the bag.  So easy!   I love it.

I finished this in one naptime - less than an hour actually, and it cost me less than $1.29, seeing as how I had the ribbon and fabric on hand and I didn't even use the whole yard of fabric that I purchased.

(And yes, I went the lazy way and used the brown thread I already had in my sewing machine.  I know yellow or white would have been cuter. I also still have some threads to trim, and sorry, I used our cheapy camera for the pic.  I was in a hurry, S was going to wake up!!) Oh, and I'm linking this to Frugal Friday, where I LOVE to get ideas!!

Reusser Farms 2010 - Update - 2 weeks post planting

My seedlings have sprouted!  Well, most of them. The bell peppers appear to be holdouts.  I was concerned that our unseasonably cold weather (read: record amount of snow) would make it too cold for the seeds to sprout, but not so.... here's to hoping I can keep these suckers alive!

Things I want to try.... upcoming projects, perhaps?

Here are some links to things I really want to try... there are such cute and practical ideas out there!

Toddler pants! http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/tutorial-knee-pad-pants.html
Embellished dish towels (maybe for Suzanne?) http://suttongrace.blogspot.com/2010/01/embellished-dish-towel-tutorial.html
My first
skirt? http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2009/06/20-minute-simple-skirt-tutorial-and.html

Getting Crafty - Frugal, easy and quick baby gift!

Our next door neighbors are having a baby girl, due in April 2010.  They are great neighbors and I wanted to make them something cute.  I know that they are doing the nursery in pink and chocolate brown, so I whipped up (yep - start to finish in one naptime!) these cute burp cloths.

I just kind of made this up, but I'm sure that others have done the same thing.  I just straight stitched grosgrain and velvet ribbon onto a cloth diaper.  It's easier than using fabric and it won't fray.

I think they are very cute, and as anyone with a newborn knows, you can NEVER EVER have too many burpcloths.  They can double as a changing pad cloth or a bib in a pinch :)

I bought the gerber cloth diapers at Wal-mart and the ribbon by the yard at Hobby Lobby, I think the total cost for 4 burp cloths was about  5 bucks.  Can't beat that!  I'm linking this post to Frugal Friday.... just for fun :)

http://lifeasmom.com/2010/02/frugal-friday-couch-repair-q-and-a.html

Spring is coming.... time to garden!

As a gardener, I'm among those who believe that much of the evidence of God's existence has been planted.  ~Robert Brault, www.robertbrault.com

This is my fourth year to garden, but I have never successfully started any of my plants from seeds.  This year I am determined to make it work.  S and I went to Home Depot and bought some seeds for slicing tomatoes, roma tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, jalapenos, and bell peppers.  I also bought a little "windowsill greenhouse" that is made by Jiffy.  It's very cool - it has little soil pellets in it.  All you do is add water and they expand, then you plant your seeds and place the plastic cover back on the tray until your seeds sprout.

S loved watching me plant the seeds, and he did his best to get in the way help. 

Frugal Friday! Join a MOMS Club!

Have babies/toddlers/preschoolers?  Want to get out of the house?  My frugal solution is to join a MOMS club.  I joined my local chapter when S was about 8 months old.  My local MOMS club has weekly playgroups, monthly socials, and other fun weekly events such as ice cream socials, movie dates, park playdates, craft clubs, cooking clubs, visits to local attractions such as libraries and museums.  Most events are free or available for a nominal (<$5) fee.   Membership is on an annual basis and is about $50.  Less than 5 bucks a month for lots of fun events!

I've met so many other moms in my area and S has made some new girlfriends too. :)  Check it out!

This post is linked to Frugal Friday!

Lunch today - Easy quick and yummy Beef and Rice Skillet!

Made this for lunch yesterday - so easy, especially since I already had leftover cooked ground beef.

I made almost exactly as called for in Lynn's recipe. I only added 1/2 lb. of meat - 1 whole pound is just too much meaty goodness for me, and I also added a small can of diced green chiles.

S loved this and so did I.  Hubsters liked it with cheese on top. It's surprisingly tasty for such a simple recipe.  I think this will go into regular rotation.

Easy Beef and Rice (From Lynn's Kitchen Adventures)

• 1 pound lean ground beef (again, I used 1/2 lb.)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 can (14 ounces)diced tomatoes with liquid
• 2 cups beef broth ( I make mine by using water and beef bouillon or base)
• 1 cup rice
• 1 teaspoon chili powder

In a large skillet, cook ground beef with onion until the meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for about 20 minutes or until rice is tender.

This post is linked to Made By You Mondays!