Craft ideas sprinkled with money saving tips!

Going through my media card, I realized I had this photo for what I am calling lazy lady apple crisp because it was a mix that called for pie filling. But I added my own apples, but was lazy and didn’t peel the skins.

Buying this mix, I realized I can make my own dry mix and then use pie filling or peeled apples (yes, could be less lazy) and make small servings of apple crisp whenever I want!

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shoe organization

Originally uploaded by udandi

When I lived in an apartment, I kept my shoes in a Rubbermaid bin–classy. Once I got settled into my house, I decided I needed to find a better way to organize my shoes to sped up my morning routine.

My front hall closet is very deep and with nothing on the floor, I decided to use this area for my shoes. I have a 15 compartment shoe organizer and decided if I could not fit all my shoes in or on this organizer, I would need to eliminate some shoes (again fewer choices speeds up the morning process).

This has worked well, because just like Mr. Rogers I come home sit down and change out of my shoes into my flip/slides and put my shoes away.

As for my bedroom closet floor, I stow my laundry basket there, which is why the organizer does not fit. The previous owner had her shoes in a hanger on the door, but since the clothes are so close to the door that the soles of my shoes would be touching my clean clothes and that grosses me out.

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Valentine’s Day envelope & cookie tin

Originally uploaded by udandi

Last night, my pal ShannanB of MommyBits, said I noticed you haven’t blogged lately, like since your advent calendar (not true because that was 2008!).

I have no excuses.

Here’s a photo of what I gave my valentine. A Pringles can covered in scrapbook paper and filled with peanut butter kiss cookies. I love being able to run ribbon through my Xyron to make it adhesive. I took a piece of felt, zipped it through the sewing machine and trimmed it with pinking shears to make an envelope filled with….oh wouldn’t you like to know Because my favorite Girl Scout does not have a driver’s license and I had to work this weekend, I was not able to pick up the Thin Mints that complete this sweet treat!

Hope you had a Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Storage Shelves

Originally uploaded by udandi

I mentioned that I use a magnet to cover the vent in my basement, which makes the basement chilly but ideal for storing extra food. When I started blogging in 2006, I was reading mostly personal finance blogs and wanted to be more of a stockpile grocery shopper. However, I lived in a 333 square foot studio apartment where storage space was a premium and I knew I would be moving within a year. Instead, I used coupons and shopped as frugally as I could and said one day I will live in a space where I can have a stockpile.

That day has come. I now have shelves in the basement where I can store extra paper goods (sometimes given to me by my gramma who loves to find a bargain) and dry goods. I am storing the ingredients for several make-ahead meals I like. The good thing is the basement is on the same level as my garage so I can pull into the garage and if my groceries are packed correctly, can leave all but frozen foods in the basement. Then, come back and sort between stockpile and kitchen. Less lugging items up and down the stairs!

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Vent Magnet Cover

Originally uploaded by udandi

The point of this photo is the 5, which is a magnet from pizza shop I found on my walk and kept thinking I would do a craft project. Instead, it was the right width to cover the heat vent, which is the first one off the furnace. By shutting the lever and covering it air is forced past the opening up to the first floor vents, which is the main living space of my house.

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