Last Week's Thrifty Moves

Pretty little vintage lamp.

I had a very busy and productive week, which I love.  It was spring break for my girls and I was able to work half days and have extra time with them too.

Sunday I got up and got busy.  I made a small loaf of whole wheat bread and a dozen dinner rolls.  Then I spent some quality time with my sewing machine.

I embellished the second set of sheets I bought the week before with vintage crocheted trim I already had in my stash.  I finished my embroidered chicken tea towel.  I embellished three of the hand towels I had bought at Bed Bath & Beyond (post coming) using vintage crocheted pillowcase lace I had been given by a friend.  I cut out another doily from a scrap of fabric I had.

I made a satin belt for my oldest.  A friend of hers gave her a dress she no longer wanted and it was missing the belt.  She plans to wear the dress to her freshman dance so I made her a simple belt using a wide satin ribbon I had in my stash and a skirt hook I also had on hand.  It looks perfect with the dress and she is very pleased.

I hemmed a pair of the shorts we found at a thrift store a couple weeks ago for my youngest.  They were a touch longer than she liked.  One must have the correct length on their shorts when running track, you see. J

I used a little Spray & Wash to clean a couple spots off of a lampshade I bought at the thrift store the week before for $1.99.  Then I cleaned the rest of the shade with a damp rag.  It cleaned up very nicely.  I let it dry and then got out the glue gun to add some pretty gold trim I had.  I think it turned out very nice.

Tuesday evening I finished embroidering a tea towel I had started last year.

Wednesday I dug out all of my scraps and smaller pieces of fabric.  It always take me forever to make a final decision on which ones I'll eventually end up using, however this time my pile seemed to have its own color theme which made it a much easier process for me.  I had just enough to cut out pieces to make 12 nine patch quilt squares.  Thursday I finished stitching them all together.  Whooo hoooo.

I had a small pile of scraps from my scraps.  I took about half of them and crazy quilted them together and used that to embellish my tea towel.  I have never crazy quilted before and I have to admit it was pretty fun.  Plus I got to use a lot of my fancy stitches on my machine.  I think it turned out pretty cute.

With all the projects I've been working on and finishing up the past few weeks I have managed to make some space in my unfinished project bin, my fabric dresser and I eliminated a good sized bag of trim from my stash.  My living room floor is starting to become visible again too.  J

Thursday, on the way home from work, I finished up my Easter shopping at Walgreens with a few inexpensive items I found on sale.  I spent less than $5.

I did a little grocery shopping at Albertson's after work Friday.  I wanted to take advantage of their sale on butter ($1.99 ea.), crackers ($1.39 ea.) 4 cans of corn (39¢ ea.) and a 10# bag of potatoes ($1.49).  While there I happened across a whole roasting chicken and two bags of bagels in the markdown bin.  Not a bad haul.

My youngest made homemade chocolate ice cream and I made two batches of homemade pudding.  The oldest had a not-so-much-fun appointment at the orthodontist so she needed some soft, cool treats for her sore mouth.

I made up another jar of soap.  I pulled out another jar I'd stuck in the purge box and filled it up with the extra bars of hotel soap I had leftover.  Now I have one to take to the "new house".  Grandma would approve.

How was your thrifty week?