All My Eggs

Living Simply and Frugally

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

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Photo courtesy of www.gamespot.com

I
want to wish everyone a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!  I wish you all the joy
and happiness you all deserve and I hope that the coming year is a
prosperous one!

God Bless!

December 31, 2008 Posted by inonebasket | Holidays | | No Comments Yet

Post Holiday Sales

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Christmas is over, and many of you may have already hit the post Christmas clearance sales.  This year, since I didn’t have anything in particular that I needed or wanted to purchase, I didn’t go.  I’m waiting.

Why wait?  Well, what I like to do is wait until about a week has gone by, like I said, there wasn’t anything I really needed, and then see what is left.  After about a week, the stores will increase mark downs from 50% or 60%, to 75% or more.  Then, if there is anything that I see that would make a good gift, or maybe some wrapping paper or gift bags, I’ll pick it up then.

I am stocked up from prior years, so I can now afford to wait until the crowds die down, and I get further markdowns. And if there isn’t anything that I want left, it won’t matter.  But this year, at least where I live, I noticed that there seems to be quite a bit left in the stores.

Make sure that you stop by drug stores and grocery stores and look at their clearance items.  They don’t get as much foot traffic as stores like Walmart and Target, or the department stores, so there is usually a larger selection to pick from.

Remember when you shop, that red candles, wrapping, and dishes all can be used for Valentines Day, or July 4th celebrations.  And green can be used for St. Patrick’s Day, or the Easter holidays.

Also, any chocolate that is wrapped in Christmas colors, is still chocolate.  You can freeze bags of kisses or miniature bars, and use them in baking throughout the year.

December 30, 2008 Posted by inonebasket | Frugality, Gifts, Holidays, Shopping | , , , | No Comments Yet

Homemade Maple Flavor Syrup

This time of the year there is nothing like homemade pancakes, waffles or French toast with maple flavored syrup on a weekend morning. It only takes minutes to make your own maple flavored syrup, and it isvery inexpensive.Here is my recipe:

1 ½ c granulated sugar

1 c brown sugar (packed)

1 c water

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp maple flavor extract

  • Mix the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and water in the saucepan.dsc01384
  • Stir together over a medium/high temperature on the stove. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally
  • to keep from scorching. Boil approximately 3 minutes, making sure that all of the sugar is dissolved.
  • Remove from the stove, add the vanilla extract and the maple flavor extract.

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Let the syrup cool, then pour into container.    Enjoy!

December 29, 2008 Posted by inonebasket | Food, Frugality, Homemade | , , , | No Comments Yet

Create A Thrify Sewing & Crafting Space

I think that it is important to have a space to be creative.  It’s a great outlet and stress reliever.  I have sewn and done crafts for years, and most of that time I have had to use the kitchen table, or anywhere I could put up my sewing machine. I am fortunate enough to now have my own little corner, which is in my bedroom.

Here’s a peek:

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I know, there’s a lot in one space!  I have a tendency to stuff as much into one little space as I can.  But I love this space!  I’m showing it to you because I have used some of my frugal skills to create it.

The sewing table is one of my favorite finds!  I got this table from the thrift store, I just re-painted the legs and skirt with an off-white, to soften the bright white look.  The chair I have had for years.  It can use some cleaning up.  It is an old oak soda fountain chair, I found it at a garage sale.

My board on the wall is just an old cork board, which I covered with batting and stapled on fabric.  I use it to hold some ideas on projects, and some pictures of family.  My storage consists of bins that I bought at the hardware store, and labeled with a label maker.  I also have some tins that I have collected from various places, and baskets as well.  Any of those items can be found at the thrift store or garage sales.

In the right side of the picture is a  bookcase I have next to my table, which hold most of my sewing book as well as tins with trims in them, and jars with other craft items like bells, and buttons. I also utilize the space under the table, to store craft items and some patterns in organizers and baskets.

If you can find a corner, make yourself a place to sew or craft.  It doesn’t have to be expensive, just think outside the box!

December 28, 2008 Posted by inonebasket | Crafts, Frugal Sewing, Organizing, Reinvent, Sewing | , , | No Comments Yet