Frugal Fridays

This week's money saving tip is to buy ahead.  I am always thinking about my family's future needs, so when I find something on sale, I can buy it and save myself a lot of money down the line.

For example, I have two kids heading to school this Fall.  They will both need backpacks and lunch bags.  When I was in Utah visiting family earlier this summer I stopped into Down East Outfitters (my favorite bargain hunting ground).  They had monogrammed Pottery Barn Kids' backpacks, and lunch bags, on clearance for an additional 50% off their already low prices.  I grabbed two sets of matching backpacks, and lunch bags for each kid.  The backpacks were $5.00, and the lunch pails $2.50.  I took them home, sat down with a seam ripper, and removed the monograms.  Now I have two years worth of back to school supplies for two kids that cost me a grand total of $30.  Even if I had purchased backpacks and lunch bags on sale at Target I would have paid at least $10 for each backpack, and $5.00 for a lunch bag.  Plus, Pottery Barn Kids' bags are much higher quality and won't be coming apart at the seams by the end of the school year.  Buying ahead means you save money, and get better quality.

I also use this principle with birthday and Christmas gifts.  I try to buy items on clearance for at least 75% off, then store them until I need them.  Many stores like Target, Toys R Us, and Walmart, mark down lots of toys in July and August to get ready for new Fall lines coming in.  The next few weeks are the perfect time to stock up.

Hope you all have a great weekend.  Don't forget to enter our giveaway, it ends on Saturday.

Tasty Tuesdays

Clearly I have an obsession with raspberries.  It's a sickness, I suppose.  This week's recipe is for raspberry tarts.

* Prepare one package of puff pastry cups according to package. I use Pepperidge Farm, you can find it in the freezer section.
* Melt 1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips in the microwave (for one minute).  Stir until smooth.
* Spoon melted chocolate into bottom of pastries.
* Mix one pint of raspberries with 1/4 cup raspberry jam, or enough to coat the raspberries.
* Pile berries into puff pastry cup.
* Top with whipped cream right before serving.

Frugal Fridays

This is a new feature we're starting.  Every Friday be sure to stop by to find great deals on clothes, housewares, restaurants, spa services and more.  In this tough economy we're all trying to save money, and I have discovered all sorts of great ways to get deals on things you need every day. 

Below are links to 5 different websites that you can go to and sign up for daily e-mails that will help you keep more money in your pocket.  Groupon and Screamin Coupons offer daily deals to local businesses based on your home city.  I have purchased half-off coupons for pedicures, Cold Stone Ice Cream, cooking classes for kids, organic produce, rides on the Heber Creeper (A train ride in Utah), and more.  It's a great way to discover new businesses, and stretch your dollar.

Hautelook, Gilt Groupe, and Billion Dollar Babes, hold daily sample sales of name-brand items for up to 90% off.  The sales run for 24-72 hours.  Some of my best finds on these sites have been gorgeous jewelry at giveaway prices.  I mean, why buy costume jewelry, when you can get the real deal for the same price?  I've also found great deals on name-brand children's clothing and toys.  They also offer a lot of luxury brand purses, sunglasses, skincare, and make-up.  Sometimes, the shipping can be slow on certain items, so you'll have to be patient if you buy from these sites. 

Until Tuesday July 6th, you can get the lovely Rosanna cake plates pictured above on sale for 40% off at Gilt Groupe.

So check them out, and let me know if you like what you see.  Happy Shopping.

Groupon

Screamin Coupons

Hautelook

Gilt Groupe

Billion Dollar Babes

July Giveaway

 

I can't believe it is already July.  I feel like this summer is just flying by.  We've been having a great time swimming, working in the garden, and enjoying lazy days watching movies.  I hope you're all having an enjoyable summer too.  And now, without further ado, the giveaway...

 

Here are the rules:

1.  This giveaway is only open to residents of the United States and Canada.  We looked into shipping for other countries and it is just too expensive.  This giveaway is also void where prohibited.

2.  Enter by going to our website All Scrapbook Steals, to check out all our great deals.  Then, leave a comment at the end of this post telling us what your favorite summer past time is.  Please be aware that you won't see your comments posted right away, as I have to moderate them, and approve their content.

3.  Receive a second entry if you post about our giveaway on your blog or website.  Please leave the link to your post in the comments section so we can verify your second entry.  You can also post on Facebook or Twitter about the giveaway to earn a second entry.

4.  Entries will be accepted until Midnight PST on July 10th.

5.  Winner will be randomly chosen from all eligible entries received by midnight July 10th by random.org.

6.  Winner will be announced on July 11th here on the blog.

7.  The winner has 72 hours to contact us with their mailing address or else a new winner will be chosen.

Good luck and Happy Crafting!

Lush by My Mind's Eye

One of my favorite product lines is on super sale this week.  I adore My Mind's Eye's Lush line.  This week only, you can get is all for 35% off at All Scrapbook Steals. Get your supplies before they sell out.  Happy Crafting.

Tasty Tuesdays

Today's recipe is for my all time favorite thing to eat, homemade raspberry freezer jam.  Now I have to tell you that I am a bit of a snob when it comes to jams.  I have tried tons of different brands in my quest to find one as good as my mom's freezer jam.  I have even sampled the same jam that the Queen of England likes, but none hold a candle to this fantastic jam.  You can make this jam at home in about 45 minutes and then freeze it for up to a year.  I have one jam making day a year, and make enough jam for my family, and to give as gifts to my friends and neighbors.

Ingredients:

4 cups of mashed fruit (5 pints of raspberries)
1 cup of sugar
1 medium lemon
1 packet of pectin for freezer jam

Directions:

1.  Rinse and drain 5 pints of raspberries in a large bowl.
2.  Using a potato masher, smash the berries until there are no longer large chunks.
3.  In a separate bowl, stir together sugar and fruit pectin.
4.  Squeeze the lemon into a bowl, remove all seeds.
5.  Add the lemon and pectin/sugar mixture to the bowl with the smashed berries and stir for 3 minutes.
6.  Ladle the jam into jam jars, let sit for 30 minutes.
7.  Freeze, or eat your jam.

Tasty Tuesdays

While I was in Utah a few weeks ago we had a family dinner.  My sister Shayna brought this amazing rainbow fruit salad.  I loved the presentation and can't wait to make one myself for our next bar-b-que.  I think I will use peaches or apricots for the orange section since mandarins aren't in season anymore.  All the kids at the dinner thought it looked so pretty that they couldn't stop eating it.

Design of the Month

Have you seen June's Design of the Month?  We're featuring Echo Park's Sweet Summertime, and it is so bright and cheery.  You can snag these darling papers and stickers this month only for 25% off at All Scrapbook Steals.   

Giveaway Winner

Thanks to everyone for another great giveaway.  It looks like a lot of you like the new Abbey Road collection, and that ribbon box was pretty popular.  If you didn't win, and you want a ribbon box, I'd order one quick.  They don't make them any more and there are only a few left in stock.  I have one, and I adore it.  Click over to All Scrapbook Steals and get your before they're gone.

We're excited to announce that this month's winner is...

Jessica Wekenman said... My favorite product right now is Viva Decor Pearls...I also linked up this giveaway in my blog sidebar. Thanks so much for the chance!

Congratulations Jessica.  You have 72 hours to e-mail me your shipping address and we will happily send you your crafting treats.  Thanks again to everyone who entered this month's giveaway.  Be sure to come back at the beginning of next month so sign up for our next giveaway.  Happy Crafting.

Sale at House of Three

We all want to have the best looking blog.  We all like beautiful graphics and cool fonts.  Right now you can get a great deal on digital downloads from House of Three.  I like to use their graphics to make fun posters and banners.  I also own several headers that I use to change up my personal blog.  Happy Crafting.