Friday, May 30, 2008

Frugal Friday

This photo has nothing to do with this post, but I just can't have a photo-less post. Rhodies from my garden.

As I've mentioned before, I'm on a serious mission to save money around here. Everything's getting more expensive and the amount of money coming in is not increasing. I'm not sure if anyone's interested at all, but I thought I'd use Fridays to share some of the things I'm doing to try and keep our heads above water.

In my previous post I had made dog biscuits and laundry detergent. I now have the results of that test.

The dog biscuits, which were the same size as Milk Bones, and therefore could be calculated by the oz, were MUCH cheaper.

Milk Bones: 20 cents / oz
Homemade: 10 cents / oz

The laundry detergent, however, was another story. Even though the Costco laundry detergent claims to be for 200 loads, I have a super size washing machine and only do large loads, so I only get 128 loads from a bucket. (Don't even ask how I calculated that, just trust me)
So...

Kirkland Signature
powdered laundry detergent: 10 cents a load
Homemade laundry detergent: 8 cents a load

Is it worth going through all that trouble for 2 cents a load?

Frugal tip of the week:
Only do full loads of laundry. Half loads use the same amount of electricity and/or gas as full loads. I have a laundry hamper with three compartments. Each of them holds exactly one load. This was a total coincidence, but I love it, because I only do laundry when a compartment is full.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

I'm still here

Wow, I didn't mean to take another break. I just haven't done much worth sharing lately. That's about to change however. This morning someone's coming over and we're going to sew up a storm! I have an idea I'd like to work on.

In the mean time, I did make the fourth block for Amanda's star quilt-along. I've decided not to go with medium and dark fabrics, but only darks.

I'm still one block behind but that's the first thing on the list this morning.
I've been creating a little collage of the blocks to see my progress. I think it's time to start making setting blocks...

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Spring has sprung

After the longest winter EVER, it's finally Spring in the garden.

When this happens I remember why it rains so much out here. This beauty would not be possible without it.
(The photo would not upload any bigger. Please click on it for more detail)

I used to hate slugs and snails but now I just don't plant their favorite food and I don't have to be stressed out about their presence. They're kind of cute when they're babies.

I haven't been doing any sewing lately. This is a very busy week.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Blocks

For the Virtual Quilting Bee - Courtney
Courtney's block
For the Star quilt along - Week 3
star quilt along - Week 3
I'm off to go some badly needed fabric shopping.
Happy Weekend everyone!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

I've been itching...

...to show you this.

Kathy has done her reveal, so I can do mine.

Remember the teaser back in April?

Here's the actual bag:

Kathy has great photos over on her blog. It has an inside zipper pocket - a wonderful skill I learned making this.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Save the Gummy Bears!

What does your husband do on weekends?

Want to see the rescue in more detail? Look here.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

star quilt along - weeks 1 & 2

I wanted to participate in Amanda's star quilt along but, since I'm on a "fabric diet" right now, I wanted to use stash fabrics. I didn't even have white or off-white fabric to use as a block background.

So....I came up with this.

Pretty, isn't it?
Now imagine a WHOLE quilt with this green as a background. Ouch!
Well, guess what...
Diets are meant to be broken, right?


I'll use the pink and green block in a quilt.
Just not this one.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Scrappy Illusion

Well, here she is...


Even though the blocks look like they're set on edge, the quilt actually consists of 16-patches and pinwheels in rows. Funky.

I spent an entire day piecing the backing because just patching together pieces of fabric looked less than pretty.

I did the binding by machine. I think this will stand up better if washed frequently (and it's quicker).

50"x60" and in my Etsy store, because I just don't need another quilt.

Friday, May 9, 2008

I may be back

I think I may be ready to come back to blogland. I miss all the interaction and love over here.

I've decided the adopt a "work before play" strategy. That's what I used to do before I became addicted to blogging and I'm getting back to it. It's worked really well for me the last two weeks. I've been going to the gym 3 times a week and getting the house sorted out before 9am.

I'm also still working on the frugal/green thing. Stay tuned for more.

I may (or may not) post less frequently, but I think I'm back.

Here's what I'm working on right now. Scrappy Illusion and Spice Market both basted and ready to quilt.