Happy New Year 2010!

I hope you have a fun, safe, healthy, and prosperous 2010! Yes, a goofy photo but fun times.

Hand print ornament for Mom!

A hand print snowman ornament with a poem! This is a neat keepsake ornament for your children.

The thumb and face of the snowman.

Store bought cakes--Santa!

I bought this cake as an impulse buy on the reduced bakery rack for $5.XX. I took it to our family Christmas party last weekend. I was craving store bought butter cream icing! It's good once a year. Cute decorating huh?

Reindeer Paper Bag

Copy this cute reindeer paper bag craft and fill it with homemade treats--yummy caramel or cheese popcorn sounds good.

Defective Christmas gifts-CALL and complain

I got a Christmas present early...new contemporary Corelle geometric pattern dinnerware. Look closely at the top squares...smudged brown square. I called and complained about the smeared pattern to World Kitchen the company who makes Corelle. They sent me out a new set free of charge and I got to keep the old set. I can handle the smudge in case my kids break one (even though they are hard to break and this is why I got Corelle) Lesson learned: CALL and COMPLAIN it's worth it. Hope your gifts are in perfect shape.

What are you setting out for Santa? Don't forget mom and dad!

Here's what we set out last year for Santa: Milk, homemade fudge, Santa cupcake, and a chocolate chip cookie. Of course a carrot for the reindeer of choice-Dasher!

And this for Mom and Dad on Christmas Eve (we have been good too)!!

My new sectional sofa!!!!

I promised I would show you my new furniture! I am in love with my new contemporary sectional sofa. I purchased this set with a 7 year stain protectant. If they can't get any stains from any bodily fluid from humans or animals, food, or household stains they have to replace it. That is why I did it folks. The fabric is microfiber and it's great with kids. Seriously GREAT! I love lighter sofas, dark walls, light carpet, dark wood floors. CONTRAST!

Of course I have new design goals for this room:
I want to get a new colorful rug
Colorful accent pillows custom made (after I find the fabric and decide the shapes)
Add more color into this monochromatic space
New drapes that tie in the colors

I LOVE IT!! I joined a book club a few months ago so I have been reading in the chaise lounge at night. It's so great! I got a great deal too. The storage ottoman is on back order so it's not pictured.

24 quick, easy, and cheap gift ideas

Do you need some bus driver, teacher aide, babysitter, white elephant, school secretary, dance teacher, Sunday school, manicurist, newspaper carrier, dog sitter, dog groomer, hair cutter, eye brow girl, or postal worker gift ideas this weekend. HA HA Then you have to go to a GREAT site The Executive homemaker

2 liter of Sprite: “May your holiday be merry and “sprite!”

The Executive Homemaker will hook up up with 24 photos and ideas today click on the live link above.

I am known to create some hum dingers and this is on the TO DO list this weekend. I love sending quick, easy, and CHEAP holiday cheer.

Holiday party hair-do's for young girls!

My daughter had a preschool program last night so I did their hair in a semi-up do. Sorry the pictures are dark (we were in a hurry of course). Click on photos to enlarge.The sides up pinned with bobby pins forming a bun. I ringlet curled the long part in the back.
A close up of the front of her pinned bun. Spread out the hair to cover the gaps.

This was a sophisticated easy quick look for my older daughter who wanted to be pretty as well. A low pony tail with half pinned and half long and a bit wavy or curled.
The half pinned side profile. I liked this look for her. She did too.

Funny Christmas Letter

To me and my sense of humor this was a hilarious Christmas letter (that I wish I could send out but my family would wonder about me). It's good humor for this time of year. Life is just that LIFE sometimes. Did you write a letter? What are your creative ideas?

Dear friends:

Thought you'd like to hear the latest from our family. Well, here goes.

We've all been flossing regularly.

The newspaper landed in the bushes twice, but we got it out, thank goodness dad has those long arms.

They put a new gas station on the corner. It's the self-serve kind so there's been a lot of talk around town about it.

The other night we took the whole family to the pancake house for dinner. We all had pancakes except for mom. She had a waffle. She's a free spirt, you know.

We're saving up to buy a goldfish and can hardly wait. Pets are very exciting. And if not, you can flush them down the toliet.

Our kid finished his milk today. No one noticed we're using margarine instead of butter.

It's pretty cloudy here. Sometimes we watch tv. Other times we don't.

We may go shopping this weekend at the mall. There are forty-one stores there. So far we've been to twenty-eight. Thirteen to go. Unless they build more. They probably will. They always do.

That's about it for the big news.

It's been some heck of a year. How about you?

Love and all

My fireplace mantel.

My family has a tradition of the Fontanini Nativity. My parent's thought of a neat tradition for their married children. As a newly married couple we each received for our first Christmas a stable and the holy family for our first year of marriage. Then each year after we got another piece. We now have a complete set. I like this set because it's plastic and when my kids were old enough they can play with it too. The set still looks nice too. I have seen it sold at Dillard's in Utah but I bet Macy's and Nordstrom's have it too. I love to collect Nativities.

A gift poem-I made it up!

Merry Christmas! Are you having a hard time with a few people on your list with Christmas fast approaching? Well, I was too last year so I put my creative thrifty mind to work and wrote a thought/poem to tie in my thoughtfulness and thrifty heart. I made up this poem/thought to use some my steals of deals (with coupons) and still give some nice gifts to the hard to get people on my list.

Here's what I am came up:

Christmastime is a season of love

most of all the gift from above.

Jesus is the reason for the season

Here's a small token of my love.

1- A gift of memory.

2- A gift to use.

3- A gift for fun.

Some ideas for 2009!
Examples for: Gift of Memory-
Free Shutterfly flip books paid only shipping of $3.XXish
Free Walgreens 8x10's prints using codes sent out in e-mails or found on other blogs
Free photo prints by signing up at Snapfish.com
Frames: I went to the dollar store to look for all black or silver metal frames for the 8x10's It's hit and miss though. Try 'em though.

Examples for: Gift of use-
Free NICE men and woman razors from Walgreens register rewards programs
Free first aid kits from Johnson and Johnson coupon in the summer purchased at Walmart
Free Glade air fresheners purchased at Walmart
Examples for: Gift of Fun
Free Glade candles with coupons from Walmart
Sometimes I put in a gift card for their favorite restaurant or movie theater
I often include some homemade items: A jar of our homemade jam, pickles, cookies, fudge, bread, or candiesAfter all, for the person who has everything time and the thought go a long way. I love you Grandma and Grandpa!

My entertainment center top.

My sister made this simple wood Nativity and I have displayed on the top of my entertainment center every year. Don't mind the bird cage it's there all year and I love it. The Nativity is a thoughtful meaning gift.
I am trying garland and red beads up there but you can't see it very well in this photo....not sure if I like/love it. I want pine cones and awesome ornaments. But then I have to store it all year long.

Happy Birthday Jesus! Love, Santa

A long time ago in a land far away,

A child was born on a cold winter’s day

He wasn’t the baby you’re thinking about

But another small lad, he stood short and stout

He grew up to be quite a caring old man

He loved little children, everyone in the land

He found the “Good Book” and studied its pages

It was the story of Jesus passed down through the ages

His heart overflowed as he read, could it be?

A love so divine that he died just for me?

A twinkle appeared in his eye on that day

He found a road straight to Heaven and Christ was the way

As Christmas came closer, his heart filled with joy

He’d show God’s people he loved them – every girl, every boy

He made lots of goodies and stocked up his shelves

Yes, Santa was busy and so were his elves

He was filled with such love, that he wanted to share

So he handed out gifts to kids everywhere

Praise be to God, let the Angels sing

For this jolly old man spreads love for the King

As he steps into the chimney, he looks high above

And whispers, "Happy Birthday Dear Jesus, from Santa with Love"

by Michelle Davis

Baby it's cold outside....treat yourself to sockies!!

I bought myself some indoor sockies for the holiday. Of course I bought them from Target on the after clearance LAST year and have been using them THIS year. (If you want a pair try Target this year). I am crazy for after Christmas sales and saving the stuff for the NEXT year. I like these socks because they have Christmas tree treads on the bottom. I like slippers but these don't have a bulky sole and are not flip floppy. Maybe great for a grandma who needs traction--Or a busy mom of 3! Just a post for fun today. Stay warm everyone!

My purple and silver tree and a story...

My father in law used to work at Sears. He got this small dainty store decorated tree after the holidays when we were newlyweds. He always got great deals and this one was perfect for me. I love SILVER! Plus, everything is wired on that tree. I never have taken them off in 9 years! One day the light will burn out but it hasn't happened yet. I put a bag over the tree (for dust) and put it in the basement storage area every year. It's the best idea ever in my opinion. We put it in on a box to elevate it because it's about 4-5 ft tall. Isn't is neat? Here's some of my favorite ornaments on it.

A ballerina in honor of my 3 dancing girlsPurple grapesFun balls

Silver poinsettiasWhimsical onesAnd my favorite DISCO BALLS!!
Did you know one of my silly dreams is to be a hot toned back up dancer...Or a Latin dancer. I love to dance! One day right when Oprah calls me and said she'll make my dream come true. Oh wait she's going off the air.

How I display my Christmas cards

I have a wire wall hanging rack that I fits all my cards shown above. I display it in my hallway entry. I love to get holiday cards from distant family, family, friends, friends from back home etc. It sure beats getting bills. Know what I mean? I haven't sent mine yet--It's my goal for this weekend. I compile a light-hearted Family Top 10 ten list for our "Christmas letter". I might include some for you to read when I finished with it. Just for fun.

Here is the card holder shown empty. It was purchased from Target on after Christmas clearance sales about two years ago.Do you have creative cards or letters? Leave a comment with a link to your blog. I'd love to see them. Share!

Sign up for free Redbox codes

The movie-rental chain Redbox will be text-messaging free movie rental codes on Monday. You must sign up in advance to receive text messages from Redbox to get the codes, which can be used at any kiosk nationwide. You can sign up here. They also offer e-mail subscriptions.

Thanks, One cheap chick

A reader's questions! Keep 'em coming

From a loyal blog reader Nikki. Here's a shout out to her tonight!

According to your profile you wear a lot of different hats. Why did you decide to add "blogger" to the mix?

• I am always mutually sharing tips, deals, and ideas with others and thought why not have it in one place for them but also invite other mom's out there in "blog land" to see. So, go ahead tell you friends about my blog. I also like be a realistic blog for others to read and to be inspired to design something and to be a creative mom even in the simplest daily tasks. They grow up so fast!
  

You have so many creative ideas for decorations, organizing, events, and the list goes on! Where does your inspiration come from?

• I read creative magazines, had a creative childhood, and some ideas just come out of the sky honestly. I always have a new idea but execution & time are the main hold ups.
  

You're a mom of three and you have so many creative ways to keep them entertained and even ways to get them to eat! I'm sure some of these ideas have come from moments of wanting to pull your hair out from frustration, so what would you say was your most brilliant creative idea for your children?

• Their bedroom decor. I feel I captured their little girl personalities even if they aren't 100% done to my satisfaction. I haven't shared some of it for personal reasons.
  

What posts should our readers not miss when they visit your blog?

• The puppy party, luau, Staci's staple meals, making flower hair bows, and the large Home Decor tab from my house and others I find inspiring.

Do you have a question? Ask away!

A family tradition....setting up the real Christmas tree and chocolate!

We all have our family Christmas tree traditions.
This is last year's tree when we got a Disneyland vacation for our family Christmas present! That was a lot of fun to open.

Ours includes opening a box of chocolate specifically a Whitman sampler, listening to Christmas music, sipping hot cocoa or cider, and we decorate our family tree....and anything goes on it. It's in the basement where Santa comes and it's lovingly tacky. It's a family tree decorated with love. It has my childhood ornaments, my kids ornaments, and homemade ones too. I let them decorate to their hearts content and don't fuss about it. It's true later I have to spread the ornaments out a bit. I love traditions don't you?

A homemade playdough Christmas tree wall hanging

This is a great craft for preschoolers! First make your own edible or non-edible play dough found

HERE

1. Use a sturdy Chinet type paper plate and punch two holes as shown and thread with some string.
2. Help your child shape the dough into a simple Christmas tree shape
3. Add some plastic jewels (I got a star jewel for the top of the tree)

Christmas tree craft

Paper Christmas tree- You can make this today with the kids!
You need-
A piece of green construction paper in a cone shape.
A paper star
Colorful foam shapes (or the like)

WAHH LAA a Christmas tree craft this afternoon.

An easy gingerbread house

You can make this graham cracker gingerbread house with the kids or grand kids this next week. I love to make gingerbread house but never buy the $10 kits out there. I like graham cracker ones anyway.
Side note: I always buy reduced price saved yucky red hots left over from Valentine's Day the previous year. Gross I know but it helps my kids to not eat all the candy off the roof. They don't like red hots. HA HA Oh and I do put on good candy but red hots go a long way on the roof.

You have to check out the instructions at a great site Organized Christmas found HERE!

Getting your kids to eat Part 2

You saw HERE where I made a funny food face dinner to get my 2 year old to eat her food. Now I used small candles when I made my homemade turkey soup (from Thanksgiving left overs). We turned down the lights and they gobbled it up. Success #2! Oh an that's the table I got got rid of recently!

I am back to blogging and a Christmas craft!

Hello again everyone. I have been busy with the usual around here--everyday LIFE! So, I have been slackin' on posting this week. Guess what?? After 9 1/2 years we got a new sectional sofa, dining room table & chairs, and moved my computer/office to the basement. It's been a bit crazy, fun, messy week! I'll show you the new goods later in the week. But for now a creative gift giving idea. Stay tuned for more fun Christmas ideas and my new stuff!Easy craft for the kids: A baby Jesus in a wreath, raffia, felt for the blanket, wood head with a face drawn on with a thin marker, wire, and a star glued on.I used a pencil to get the wire in a tight coil. Have fun making these. Let me hear from you if you make them!