Shopping and sewing

It's been a much quieter week here.  I've did a little shopping today and some sewing earlier,  

I bought a few produce items (red grapes, strawberries, carrots  celery and bell peppers) at Aldi.  I always wash produce and let it air dry- then I store in Tupperware or zipper bags.  I think it lasts longer and is crispier than if just kept in the crisper drawer.  

Yep, I stopped at CVS.  I got all this for $7.78.  When I was home and was organizing my receipts,  I found a $2/$6 Listerine coupon that I neglected to give the cashier.  Oh well!  I still spent less than $8 and got back $11 ECBs.  

At Dollar Tree, I only bought 5 bags of my very favorite dishwasher soap pods. There are 10 in a bag for $1, much cheaper than any other brand of dishwasher soap pods and I think they work better than any brand too.  

My favorite thrift store, and the only one I ever seem to shop at anymore, was having a $10 a bag women's clothing sale.  I filled up my bag and I think I got several things I will wear often, including 2 tops and 2 long skirts that will be cute outfits.  I also ended up with a few odd things that I wondered why I thought I would want them.  They may just go back in my next donation :) 

Sewing - I sewed up matching curtains for these 3 windows and our 2 living room windows several years ago.  They are still in good shape but I was tired of them and wanted something lighter.  

So I looked in my fabric tubs and re used this pink toile to sew some valances.  

Years ago, when this was actually a breakfast room, this pink toile was in some lined curtains that covered the windows.  But when I laundered them, the lining shrunk like crazy, and the curtains wouldn't fit those windows anymore.  I cut them apart then and I am glad I saved that pretty fabric.  

For the living room, I used some muslin curtains I had sewed up several years ago for my son's old apartment.  I added white ball fringe and the burlap pennant tie backs are from Baby Jack's shower decorations.  

These photos are really bad and I will attempt to retake them when the light is different.  

I am really happy with the new looks and glad I spent no money or time shopping to get them. 

I've got some pillows cut out and hope to sew them this weekend.  

I got lots done this week but the most fun day was the day these 5 sweeties were here- 

We may need to look for a bigger chair :) 

Monday list, CVS and catching up

Good morning everyone,  I'm back after a busy and fun week.  My parents stayed with us for a week and everyday they were here, my siblings or my children or my grandchildren were all here too in different combinations.  I think we all enjoyed visiting and seeing the sweet little ones.

Needless to say, I did not do all my regular cleaning last week so today I'm doing a lot of catch up.  We did part of it yesterday and I've already got quite a bit done this morning so it won't be too hard to have a clean, orderly home again.

I took this photo last night and have already checked off several.  

No Spend July is not No spending at all but spending as little as necessary. After paying our yearly home insurance, bi-yearly vehicle insurance, baby gifts, upgrading our child car seats and many Spring birthdays,  our bank accounts could use a boost.  So husband and I both agreed that July will be very limited spending.

CVS this week - I used lots of ExtraCare bucks from previous weeks and rewards so my out of pocket cost was very low.

The Charmin was $9.99 with a $10 ExtraCare reward for buying $30.  I had .75 coupons on each pack too.  Their are quite a few other Proctor & Gamble products on this deal.  

Propel water was $1.25 with a $1.25 ECB reward

The 2 Gatorades were $2.00 with a $2.00 ECB reward.

After coupons and $30 ECBs,  my OOP was .97 and I got back $13.25

A few scenes from this week

No, they are not all on their cell phones.  The adults are working on the Transformer toys that I got at a yard sale a few weeks ago.  If you look close in the lower left corner, Gavin has about 5 of transformers  that are back in their original state.  

My daughter had a deal she wanted to do on a Thrity One Gifts diaper bag.  She needed another purchase to get a lower price so I ordered this very large tote- it's big enough to hold 2 2 year olds! 

All 6 grands!  And Grand baby #7 will be here any day.  

Some delicious and much appreciated home grown vegetables from my brother.

JJ helping my mom and dad make a Rhubarb pie.  He had so much fun helping put the ingredients in the pie shell and my parents really enjoyed the rare treat of Rhubarb pie.

This week looks be a bit slower than last week.  For now,  I'm off to get housework done.