The Joys of Being Creatively Cheap: fun

Showing posts with label fun. Show all posts

Monday, August 20, 2012

Friendship Jar DIY Cheap but Chic Gift

I made a friendship jar for each of my friends who had surgery last year. I had maybe $1.50 in the entire gift, but it was a hit with each of my friends as well as their families. I was told by one of the family members that I was the most thoughtful person she had ever met. That made me feel good.

I enjoy giving gifts. I always have. Now that money is tight, I have to think outside of the box. This can def be a good thing because instead of picking up something from the store to give to someone, 9 times out of 10 I'm gonna make it. I can honestly say that every handmade gift I have ever given has been well-received. I think the reason is the recipient knows more thought was put into other than shelling out a few bucks.

Anyway, here you will see original instructions and where I got the idea from. I am going to post the directions to their original concept, but I'm going to tell you have I modified to fit my situation.

Both of my friends had gastric bypass surgery. Having had the surgery myself in 2005, I know how much their lives are going to change. With that being said, on each slip of paper I included in their jars I wrote a positive mantra that they could look forward to. .
Here are some examples:

Eating to Live, Not Living to Eat
Finding your size at thrift stores.
NOT paying more for your clothing just b/c you can afford that extra cheeseburger!
Fitting comfortably in a booth.
Not checking the weight limit on everything you buy, stand on, sit on, etc.

There were many more that only obese or formerly obese people will get! Anyway, each of my friends took the jar to the hospital to read the days after surgery when they were in pain. They both told me that it helped them to get through the worst of it. :)

Here's their original.

Materials:

Decorative Jar with wide mouth I got mine @ Dollar Tree
Ribbon or other embellishment
Handwritten or computer generated positive words on slips of paper I used small pieces of cardstock and decorated them with stickers
Paper See above
Pen or Computer with printer For above
Scissors or Fiskars Personal Trimmer I used the scissors that cut in the cutesy patterns-$1 each!

Instructions:

You can find fun jars at thrift shops and garage sales, you just want a wide mouth jar so it’s easy to put your slips of paper in and out of the jar. You can tie ribbon or embellish the jar with your favorites.
Handwritten messages: Cut slips of paper with scissors or personal trimmer. You can use one color of paper or use several, personalize this to the event or person getting the Friendship Jar. Write out positive words or statements. For example if this is for a special aunt you could write out all the things you love about her from her pretty smile to her fabulous chocolate chip cookies. Fold up the slips of paper and place in jar. I always recommend handwritten notes because the message and words just seem more unique written by you!
Computer generated messages: This is easy and quick, and if you are a neat freak using a computer will make you happier. Have fun and play with fonts and font size! Write out positive messages and words like described in Step 2. Print. Using your scissors or personal trimmer cut into slips of paper, fold, and place in jar!

Friendship Jar - Used from Favecrafts.com

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Unusual and Frugal Uses for Peanut Butter

I have to start by saying...I LOVE peanut butter! I can eat it by the spoonful straight outta the jar...Oh, and "fluffer-nutter sammies...HEAVEN! ;) Listverse.com has some rather "different" uses for peanut butter. I would have to make sure I didn't eat it all before using it. Have you ever tried any of their tips?? Check it out...

www.graphicshunt.com

To lubricate things....GET YOUR MIND OUTTA THE GUTTER! Hmphf! They recommend using it on lawn mower blades that begin to get rusty. I will say, even when I don't have WD-40 on hand, I promise I have PB!
Giving your puppers meds. We do this and it is awesome! We started all of our guys young taking their meds w/ PB. Now, it's a treat for them to get things like Benedryl!
In place of butter in recipes. It gives a yummy, background flavor! Yummm!
Bait for Mousetraps...it's a wives' tale that mice like cheese. They will come for PB instead. I have to say, I have a problem sharing my PB with the rats!
To remove sticky tags from surfaces...like that price tag right on the front of the mirror you buy at the store of yard sale! Ugh! Just smear a little PB on the spot with a rag and rub off!
To make your house smell good after cooking fish...yeah, seriously! Put a couple of tablespoons in a frying pan and fry it down for a couple of minutes. Of course, I would worry about playing hell trying to clean the pan!!
To polish leather furniture. You know, I LOVE PB, but I don't know that I want my couch smelling like it simple b/c my dogs would eat my furniture! They say to mix a tiny bit of perfume oil in it to combat this...sounds like work to me...but anyway, wax on, wax off!
As THE main ingredient for cookies...I know, when I first read this, i was like DUH! But what they are referring to is a recipe using PB with NO flour...sounds good to me. Check it out! I would add a splash of vanilla extract to this recipe...as a matter of fact, I may make these tonight for my niece in the hospital. :)
To remove gum from your hair or the carpet...this is great for moms!
In place of shaving cream. Pls make sure it is CREAMY and not crunchy..ouch! They say the oils in PB actually soften the skin as well. Try it and let me know. lol

http://burnsidewriterscollective.blogspot.com

Have you ever used PB as something other than an edible? Let me know!

Octopus Bento...complete w/ seashells ;)

Yes, I know what everyone says about the effects of food dyes and such. I refuse to live in fear over everything I enjoy. We do eat relatively health as a whole, but there are certain things we do enjoy. Life is too short to get rid of everything that makes you smile....so, I will continue to use my food coloring! :)

Okay...now that we have THAT out of the way...THE OCTOPUS BENTO! This one was fun for me! As I said before, I enjoy making them because Rich truly appreciates them! So....without further ado....

Beginning on the top left: Homemade Tie-dyed cupcake complete with a hibiscus pick with whale crackers, below that is a boiled egg shaped as a fish, decorated with my edible markers, and yes, dyed blue! In the large compartment is where all of the magic happens...LOL...kidding...anyway...I made a quick, homemade mac n' cheese using mini shell pasta, Parmesan and Monterey Jack Cheeses, and a little milk...I cooked the noodles w/ blue water. On top of the shell ocean are 2 hot dog octopuses with faces frawn on w/ edible markers. This is decorated w/ a parasol toothpick and a pink flamingo pick.

The Cupcake

Octopuses...or is it Octopi? Haha!

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Oh My Stars! Bento :)

So, Rich's Monday Bento ended up lasting him through Tuesday because he has been SO busy at work! I just finished making his Bento for Wednesday (tomorrow) and I like it! Here is Monday/Tuesday's Bento, Oh My Stars!!


Beginning at Top, Left then proceeding clockwise: Star and heart-shaped watermelon bites with a cute, sword pick, Vanilla Yogurt with a star-shaped dollop of my homemade "Kitchen Sink" jam (several diff fruits), Crinkle cut cucumbers and carrots (more about these is a minute) with a star/music pick, and finally a star-shaped boiled egg that I wrote on with edible markers.

About the crinkle-cut veggies...This past Saturday my family had a picnic get together. One of the things I brought was a big bowl of fresh veggies with ranch for dipping. I cut the veggies using my Pampered Chef crinkle cutter which made little wave-like patterns in the veggies. I want you to know that the kids were all amazed by the veggies and 3/4 of them were eaten by the kids! Some had only veggies on their plates instead of hot dogs and chips!! Goes to show that we eat w/ our eyes FIRST!

How did you start off your work week? What did you have for lunch?? How do you get your kids to try new things without a fight?

Sunday, July 22, 2012

What's in Rich's Bento _ Friday Edition!

A little late here...sorry!! My guy had a really sucky week last week so I wanted to make him an extra special Bento! It drew TONS of comments on Facebook (he's cute bc he always takes a pic and posts it). Here is my guy's bento from this past Friday:


Top left: Watermelon from my sister's garden cut into heart and star shapes with a few pieces of a sprite melon underneath, below that is a bear-shaped boiled egg(Rich's daily staple). In the big section, he has a mini star-shaped ham and colby cheese sammie with a homemade peanut butter/choc chip/oatmeal cookie on top. Right beside that is an oatmeal/raisin pawprint. In back, is a mini cheese biscuit and beside that are 2 picks of black olives and colby cheese cubes, all topped off with an Mini Iron Man gummy! :) This is what he eats on throughout the day, hence the variety of things! I think he also brought a dab of homemade chicken orzo from last night. :) He is holding up the note that I tucked into it the night before so he would find it when he got to work!

This made me laugh....

He posted this on Facebook and his caption said, "In case y'all are wondering, it was good!" I like how he truly appreciates my efforts. Makes me enjoy doing it for him!

What's in your lunchbox for Monday-Monday??

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Guest Post at SHopping Detox: How to Make Your OWN Laundry Detergent AND GIVEAWAY INFO

Hey, y'all! First of all, I have been told that "just because we don't follow doesn't mean we don't read." I understand that, but I have been collecting lots of FREE STUFF to do a giveaway. ALL I need is 30 people following! When I do, I will randomly choose one of those following...maybe even 2 because I think I have plenty of "stuff"!

Anyway, I did a guest post for Annabella over at Shopping Detox while she is on vacation. It is a step-by-step guide on how to make your own laundry detergent! EASY! CHEAP! a couple of pennies a load! So, if you're here from her blog, WELCOME!! If you come here first, visit her blog and check out my article...and the other posts as well! She is a trip and writes like you are sitting there talking to her.

So...make you some laundry detergent to save some money AND get rid of funky chemicals THEN follow my blog....OR go ahead and follow first, then make your detergent! Let me know how it goes!!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

STARBUCKS FREEBIE Friday, July 13th

July 13, Noon to 3 p.m.

Starbucks Refreshers Verry Berry Hibiscus Handcrafted Beverage

Enjoy a free Tall (12 fl. oz.) handcrafted Starbucks Refreshers™ beverage at participating stores. No purchase necessary. Limit 1 per person.

Love me some FREEBIES!

Bananas: Love 'em or hate 'em! I LOVE them! Did you know there are TONS of things you can use them for besides eating?? Bananas are so cheap so this intrigued me! After reading an article on Care2, I chose my fave ones to tell you about!

Bananas can be used to treat dry, damaged hair. For the scoop on how to do it, check out THIS article

Who doesn't want whiter teeth? Bananas are a natural whitener!! Rub banana peel on your teeth for about two minutes every time you brush!

This time of year, bugs are out full force! Rub some banana peels on the bites to alleviate the itch.

Potassium also helps with the healing process for cuts, scrapes, and bruises.

Splinters stink!! I'll have to tell my splinter story one day that ended in an ER trip (thanks, sis)!! If you press banana peels onto the splinter, the fruit’s natural enzymes will work to get that thing right outta there!

Bananas are a perfectly safe, healthy treat for your furrybaby!

To save on the hips when you have an ice cream craving, simply blend a frozen solid banana in a food processor or blender. You’ll be surprised how much it tastes like soft-serve ice cream!

Dried and ground banana peels make an awesome mulch for seedlings and new plants.

There are TONS more tips for using bananas in your daily life! Did I miss any really good ones? What things have you used bananas for besides just for eating?

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Thursday's Bento...a Day Late!

Yep...I'm late but what can I say?! Rich had a pretty simple bento yesterday. He is a tad bit picky so it's tough at times. I love him no less, though!! Hubby took the pic at work so I apologize for anything you can't see very well! Here we go....

Starting in the large compartment in my $1 lunch container with built-in utensils on the lid: Heart and flower shaped cukes with a cute heart pick in the white silicon muffin cup (Dollar Tree - huge pack for a buck), a Tony's Ham & Cheese stuffed Sammie (I wrote his nuking instructions on it w/ marker so he'd know), bunny rabbit-shaped boiled egg. Filling in the spaces around it all are 2 Hershey's Kisses and a handful of mixed nuts. In the smaller compartment I put a cut up Gala Apple (sprinkled with lemon juice to prevent browning - and it held up nicely from the previous night when I made it) and a little container of Cookie Butter underneath to dip the apples in. All topped off with a cute flag/star pick from a big pack of stuff from Big Lots! Cheap is good! Rich loves to have a boiled egg each day....I'm happy to oblige because it is great, lean protein!

There ya have it! :) Oh, I'm going to include a cute pick from a couple of weeks ago. My niece, Taylor, and I decided to try our hand at homemade sushi. I really wish I liked it! Tay and Rich thought it was yumm!


It's pretty, though! It had avocado, cucumber, and red bell pepper in it (if I am remembering correctly)!

Have an awesome weekend!! Oh, btw, my birthday is coming up on Monday...know what I want for my bday? More followers! Help a sister out! :)

Peace!
Joy

Thursday, June 28, 2012

What's Rich's Bento??

I crashed Tuesday night! Hendrix (my youngest lab) snuggled up to me and we were out! I woke up at around 4amish and realized I had not made Rich's bento! Being the wonderful wife I am, I got up and made it so he would have it for breakfast/snack/lunch! Check it out! I am always, always looking for new, simple bento ideas...please lend me your creativity in the comment section!

Large section: Cute lil' guitar container w/ 4 Hershey's kisses in it, a Teddys Grahams soft paw cookie/muffin thingie with a mini homemade granola bar underneath, homemade flour tortilla half with ham and cheese inside. The smaller sections: top- a few GINORMOUS grapes with heart-shaped cucumber slices underneath. And finally, a homemade blueberry/cream cheese muffin. I Used the last precooked boiled egg yesterday (which Rich usually has in these for protein), but I am boiling more today! ♥ I try to boil 8-12 at the beginning of each week to use for lunches. I didn't this week bc I still had a few leftover from last week...there are more now! They were mint and olive green eggs! These are laid by Easter Egg Chickens! ;)

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

FREE Stuff for What you would do anyway???

So, I am a SKEPTIC! When I first heard about SWAGBUCKS, I was in COMPLETE denial that folks would give me something for not doing anymore work. I am SO glad to say that I was WRONG! Here is a list of things I have "purchased" through Amazon.com using ONLY gift certificates used that I earned FREE from SwagBucks:

Tascam DP-004 Pocketstudio Digital Recorder (Rich's Christmas Present)