30 Patchwork Pretties To Make: {Free Patterns & Tutorials}

Patchwork Sewing Machine Cover {Make} A Bag Sew-A-Long: Patterns for bag, toiletries pouch, makeup roll, sunglasses case (plus a couple more to be published). Patchwork Kindle Case Scottie Dog Pattern Download Heart Sachet Sets Patchwork Pillow Tutorial Lunchbag Tutorial Miniature Patchwork Pincushions Tutorial: Reversible Patchwork Bag Patchwork Notebook Cover Eye Pillow Patchwork Teapot Pattern Patchwork [...]

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From TipNut.com.

July 31, 2010 | Filed Under Frugal Living | Leave a Comment 

30 Patchwork Pretties To Make: {Free Patterns & Tutorials}

Patchwork Sewing Machine Cover {Make} A Bag Sew-A-Long: Patterns for bag, toiletries pouch, makeup roll, sunglasses case (plus a couple more to be published). Patchwork Kindle Case Scottie Dog Pattern Download Heart Sachet Sets Patchwork Pillow Tutorial Lunchbag Tutorial Miniature Patchwork Pincushions Tutorial: Reversible Patchwork Bag Patchwork Notebook Cover Eye Pillow Patchwork Teapot Pattern Patchwork [...]

Continue reading 30 Patchwork Pretties To Make: {Free Patterns & Tutorials} …

From TipNut.com.

July 31, 2010 | Filed Under Frugal Living | Leave a Comment 

Peasant Apron Tutorial: {Vintage Sewing}

Peasant Apron Materials: Cotton Fabric (print and plain) Rick Rack in two colors (match two colors in print) J. & P. COATS or CLARK’S O.N.T. Mercerized Sewing Threads in matching colors Cutting Directions: Upper Section 1 piece, 10″ long x 36″ wide (of print) Lower Section 1 piece, 6 1/2″ long x 36″ wide (of [...]

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From TipNut.com.

July 7, 2010 | Filed Under Frugal Living | Leave a Comment 

A Good Excuse To Take A Nap Today – Fuzzy Wuzzy Wednesday

Welcome once again to my summer re-run series. Many of you have expressed your appreciation for my bringing these topics back up to the forefront so you don’t have to spend time scrolling around searching for the things you need to read. I appreciate your not wanting to spend time at the computer browsing.  So, today I bring you a fun little item that I posted a while back.

This topic is near and dear to my heart. Since I enjoy a nap, a rarity in my house, and I need to make decisions that are often difficult about running a household and taking care of my family, this particular topic remains one of my favorite.

Please take a moment to enjoy this post from the past:

Bedroom cozyI don’t usually get a nap in during the day, but I think I’ve found a reason to schedule the time.  Like most people, I’ve got one or two or a dozen decisions that I need to make; decisions on issues that are important to me and my family.  No matter how many times I list and re-list the potential solutions to these problems, I just end up right back where I started… nowhere.  So, another week goes by and I still haven’t decided what I should do.

Searching around the internet the other day, I stumbled upon a Harvard Medical School dream study authored by Deirdre Barrett, Ph.D.  I’ve always been interested in dreams, so I gave it a glance.  What I found was very encouraging to me and I quickly developed a plan around it to reward myself with a nap.

The study indicates that people who focus on a specific decision-making problem as they fall asleep, dream about a solution to that problem within a matter of a week or so.  Because our brains are less likely to be distracted as we’re in the deep-dreaming sleep stage, we will dream about the solution to our problem.  The idea is, we already know the answer, somewhere, but just can’t reach the conclusion we need until our brain relaxes enough to “dream up” the solution.

Now, if that isn’t an excuse to take a nice, long nap today, I don’t know what is.  Hire a babysitter, lay down when your baby takes a nap, call in Grandma… do whatever you need to do to get a nap in.  Get out a pad of paper and write down one decision you need to make or problem you need to solve.  Concentrate on one problem at a time.  After you’ve written out your problem, curl up under a big pile of covers, close your eyes, and relax.  Lights out, no television, no music… just pure quiet.  And sleep… perchance to dream.

Dreams and decision making.  This may be the craziest excuse I’ve ever heard to lay down and take a nap, but, as they say, it just might be crazy enough to work.  If not, you’ve gotten some well-deserved rest.  Treat yourself to a nap today.  Your world, and your family’s world, will be a little brighter.

Continue reading A Good Excuse To Take A Nap Today – Fuzzy Wuzzy Wednesday …

From Hillbilly Housewife Blog.

July 7, 2010 | Filed Under Frugal Living | Leave a Comment 

Persevere

This post is not about saving money, or coupons, or recipes, or allergies. Today this post is about raising our kids. I am going through something pretty hard right now and I just thought I would share my heart with you.

Our children left for a week long trip to camp yesterday. They have not been away like this in four years. For my son, this comes easy for him because he is an extroverted child and loves to meet new people. For my daughter though, this is one of the hardest things she has ever had to go through. She is 12.

She called late last night all in tears. She was ready to come home. No amount of encouragement from me, her dad, her best friend who is at camp with her, and her brother who is also there could console her. She is ready to come home. Do I go get her or make her tough it out? That is the question on my mind today.

In one sense, I want to rush to her side, grab her up and rescue her from these fears that she has allowed to come in. I wan to scoop her up, hug her and tell her that everything will be okay. But I don’t. What? Why? I have encouraged her to stay and tough it out. I have asked her to pull from her strength from God to make it through.

My reasoning for doing this is simple. She is an introverted child. She has a hard time making friends. She doesn’t always feel that she fits in. But I want her to learn how to overcome her fears–to face them head on. I want her to realize that sometimes, we have to put on our armor that God talks about and fight–face those fears and conquer. Yes, it might be hard at first–to put one foot in front of the other, to step out of our comfort zones and face the unknown. But knowing that God is there to give you comfort and to help you through is a blessing.

On Saturday when I pick her up, I know she will be excited to see me and her dad. But I am hoping she walks away with a proud sense of being able to trust God to get her through a difficult time. I can always rescue if I am capable of it, but I want her to rely on God’s strength for her real strength and not me.

PERSEVERE.

That is the new word for our family this week.

What about you? How would you handle this situation? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Continue reading Persevere …

From Econobusters.

July 6, 2010 | Filed Under Frugal Living | Leave a Comment 

Apron With Ball Fringe: {Vintage Sewing}

Apron With Ball Fringe Materials: Cotton Fabric – 1 yd Ball Fringe (in contrasting color) – 1 1/8 yds J. & P. COATS or CLARK’S O.N.T. Mercerized Sewing Threads in matching colors Cutting Directions: Body of Apron 1 piece, 24″ long x 36″ wide Waistband 1 piece, 4″ x 18 1/2″ Ties 2 pieces, each [...]

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From TipNut.com.

June 30, 2010 | Filed Under Frugal Living | Leave a Comment 

Apron From Ticking With Yarn Trim: {Vintage Sewing}

Apron From Ticking With Yarn Trim Materials: Ticking, Denim, etc. – 5/8 yd J. & P. COATS Heavy Duty Mercerized Sewing Thread Yarn in contrasting color How To Make Patterns: Apron Mark a section 12″ x 16″. Measure in 1 1/4″ from side edge and mark on top edge. Shape a curved side edge as [...]

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June 23, 2010 | Filed Under Frugal Living | Leave a Comment 

Apron From Ticking With Yarn Trim: {Vintage Sewing}

Apron From Ticking With Yarn Trim Materials: Ticking, Denim, etc. – 5/8 yd J. & P. COATS Heavy Duty Mercerized Sewing Thread Yarn in contrasting color How To Make Patterns: Apron Mark a section 12″ x 16″. Measure in 1 1/4″ from side edge and mark on top edge. Shape a curved side edge as [...]

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From TipNut.com.

June 23, 2010 | Filed Under Frugal Living | Leave a Comment 

Apron From Ticking With Yarn Trim: {Vintage Sewing}

Apron From Ticking With Yarn Trim Materials: Ticking, Denim, etc. – 5/8 yd J. & P. COATS Heavy Duty Mercerized Sewing Thread Yarn in contrasting color How To Make Patterns: Apron Mark a section 12″ x 16″. Measure in 1 1/4″ from side edge and mark on top edge. Shape a curved side edge as [...]

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From TipNut.com.

June 23, 2010 | Filed Under Frugal Living | Leave a Comment 

Apron Pattern With Pot Holder Corners: {Vintage Sewing}

Here’s a nifty apron that has quilted fabric sewn into each bottom corner that can be used in place of potholders.
Apron With Pot Holder Corners
Materials:
Apron: Cotton Fabric 7/8 yd
Trimming: Quilted Cotton (in contrasting color)…(If quilted fabric is not available, use pieces of cotton with sheet wadding between and quilt as shown under Sewing Directions.)
J. & [...]

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From TipNut.com.

June 16, 2010 | Filed Under Frugal Living | Leave a Comment 

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