In My Mailbox Today 10/07/08

Another surprise in my mailbox today! A Simple Harvest bar with a $1 off coupon for me and a Greene's dog treat for my Molly. I love freebies!

Krispy Kreme

I went out of town today for a meeting in Tuscaloosa for work. I could not resist stopping at Krispy Kreme. I have been thinking about KK ever since I saw the Halloween doughnuts in last Sunday's paper. I bought a dozen assorted doughnuts. I included a few pics of one of my biggest weaknesses. Isn't the pumpkin so cute? Also note the footballs. I bought these for my husband, Mr. B. For those of you who don't know, Tuscaloosa is the home of the University of Alabama. Roll Tide! I bet these are big sellers on gameday.

In My Mailbox Today 10/06/08

As you know, I have recently started saving coupons and shopping at CVS. I have also been signing up for freebies like crazy. Here are the samples I got today. Both are from the Walmart website.

My Coupon Organizer

I have recently become interested in the exciting world of collecting coupons. I have dabbled in collecting numerous times, but this time I am serious. After two Sunday newspapers, I had more coupons than I knew what to do with! I had to figure out something to keep my collection in. I do not like to buy anything that I know I can make. I looked on several people's blogs and gleaned some ideas. I bought my SIL a plastic coupon organizer for her birthday a few weeks ago from Wal-mart, so I used that basic idea to create my organizer. I first took a expanding file folder and cut down the sides and front. I then folded the back over the front of the folder to create a flap. I then covered the organizer with scrapbook paper and made it my own creation. I also added velcro as a closure.

This is the front of my coupon organizer. I think its cute and functional, even if I did make it myself.

This is the back.This is the inside.I got the idea from Money Saving Mom to use envelopes as sleeves for the categories. I folded the flap inside the envelope and stapled an index card inside and labeled the categories that I needed.

Mule Day 2008

Mule Day is festival in my home town of Winfield, AL. I'm sure many things come to your mind when you think about this event. I have only missed one Mule Day in my entire life, all 26 years of it. It may not seem like a big deal, but to small town like Winfield it is a very big deal. It is also a tradition for many people. It was started in 1981 and has grown every year since. Winfield is a town of about 5000 people. On Mule Day weekend, about 30,000 visit Winfield. There is a parade at 11:00 am on main street on Saturday morning. Yes, it has mules, but also floats, bands, tractor, Civil war soliders, etc. There are art & crafts, a flea market area, food for every taste, and rides for children. The Winfield website has additional information. www.winfieldcity.org/mule_day.htm

Here is a pic from last year. I will put some new pics up after Saturday.

If you are in the area or have a free day, it is definitely worth the drive. Maybe you'll even see me there.

Dates: Friday Night 09/26 and Saturday 09/27

Reverse Applique Baby Quilt

I know I haven't posted in quite a while, but life often gets in the way of things I'd rather be doing. Last night, I finished this reverse applique baby quilt. I made this for a baby shower I'm going to Sunday afternoon. I used 12 recycled t-shirts. The only thing that is not recycled is the thread. I took a little help from my embroidery machine to create each flower, but the principle is the same as the quilt in the Alabama Stitch book. I knew that I did not have the time to embroider every flower by hand. Maybe next time I will.

The quilt measures 30 X 40. It is actually much prettier in person. It is also heavier than I expected. At least I know that it is the only gift there won't be two of at the shower. Here is a close-up of one of the squares.
I have plans for another quilt in the near future for another shower, probably next month. I am often suprised by how many people don't understand the things I make. I think a quilt is pretty straight forward, but I think I will keep it to myself , and you all, that it is a recycled project. I am not sure how the more traditonal gift giving ladies would feel about the fact it is made from "used" material. Any way, I think it pretty and very unique.

Over the weekend...

Over the weekend my parents came up for a visit and we all went over to Cullman county on Sunday afternoon. We visited Clarkson covered bridge. It is the only covered bridge in Cullman county. I have visited the site several times, but this was the first time for my parents. My mother is a huge history/genealogy buff. She and my father seemed to really enjoy the trip.

The road does not travel through the bridge anymore. It is only only open to foot traffic.]

Below is a picture of an old mill in the park. The park also included several picnic tables that sit on the edge of a nice creek.

This is an old cabin in the park. It is a really neat building. It has a dog-trot through the middle. The building now houses the ever important indoor plumbing and drink machine. Here is a link if you are interested in more history about the bridge: http://www.cullmancountyparks.com/clarkson.htm

We also visited Water Valley Flea Market. Here are a few of my finds: several vintage linens that I plan to use a insets for aprons, 4 snuff glasses, a glass juicer, and Wilton dog cake pan. I am a sucker for dogs. Isn't he cute.

I also made some laundry detergent. This is the first laundry detergent that I made independently, but it turned out very good. My sister-in-law help me make it the first time. She has been doing it for quite sometime now. We both use it in our front loading washers, and it works just fine. It is also CHEAP to make!

You need the following:

Hot Water

1/2 cup washing soda

1/2 cup borax

1/3 bar soap (grated) I used Zote. It make a pretty pink detergent.

1. In a large pot, heat 3 pints of water and dissolve grated soap. Do not let the solution boil.

2. Add washing soda and Borax, stirring constantly. Dissolve powder and remove from heat.

3. Pour solution into a 2 gallon bucket and add 1 quart hot water. Fill bucket the rest of the way and stir well. Use 1/2 cup per load. Shake before each use.

I use vinegar as fabric softener, and it works great. No vinegar smell is left behind. As you can see, I reuse milk jugs and a soda bottle with the bottom cut off for a funnel. Yields 2 gallons.