$0 Budget Month Guest Post: Smart n Snazzy

Hi there!  Thanks so much, Stephanie for having me guest post during her fabulous $0 Budget Month series!  I'm Lia from Smart n Snazzy, where I focus mostly on DIY, fashion, beauty, and decor, but I also post about whatever strikes my fancy.  I'm a wife and mother of two beautiful kids, and I work full time as a Data Analyst in Denver, Colorado.

I like to say that I have expensive taste but a limited budget.  Having a family to help support doesn't really allow for us to buy what we desire, so we have to make do.  I like to invest in classic pieces, and skimp on the trends.  A lot of the time, I'll make pieces inspired by high-end designer items for only a fraction of the cost.  And sometimes, I make things using what I've got on hand!  Here are a few examples.


When I laid eyes on the beautiful Kate Spade City Lights Bracelet, I knew I had to have it.  But its price tag is not anything I'd be willing to spend.  So I made it instead.  Here's my version, and here's the original post:

Inspired by this gorgeous Dannijo Studded Stingray Cuff Bracelet, I created one in a similar fashion to that of the City Lights bracelet.  Click here for the original post:

Finally, and yes I know I was on a TOTAL bracelet kick, I saw the whimsical Anthropologie Earbuds Bracelet and was completely enamored with it!  So I rounded up the supplies and made my own.  Here's the original post:

I hope you love and have been inspired to recreate some of your favorite pieces using some unconventional materials!  I always try to think outside the box and am so proud when I do!

A huge thank you once again to Stephanie for having me on Full of Great Ideas!  Please stop by Smart n Snazzy and say hi!

$0 Budget Month Guest Post: I Think I Can Squared

Just call me cheap. Or the lady that ends with WAY too much stuff from buying sprees at Hobby Lobby.

 Ok, cheap is easier.

I love crafts that don't cost a fortune. Blame it on my days as a daycare teacher where I had to pay out of pocket to keep the kiddies entertained :) I also go for cheap fixes for decorating because I'll admit, I hate doing it.

Here's some of my faves(ok, my faves that I actually blogged about)
 Reused candle holder  

Door wreath

Redoing a picture frame

April is a stay at home mom of 3 kids, ages 14, 12, and 5 and a zookeeper to an assortment of pets. She enjoy saving money, reading, sleeping, and doing way too many crafts. In her spare time, she blogs at I Think I Can, I Think I Can.

$0 Budget Month Guest Post: Never Home SAHM

I would like to welcome Mikita from Never Home SAHM to Full of Great Ideas.  Here is Makita's great frugal idea for organizing those dreaded headbands..perfect for all you who have daughters!

Here is what Mikita had to say:
"I was recently having a chat with another Mom of girls and she said, there is really no good way to organize headbands.  I agreed, as I remembered how my daughter's headbands have taken over the dresser and floor and bathroom!

I also took this conversation as a personal challenge to find a way to organize them.  Luckily, I have fallen in love with a little site called Pintrest.  If you don't know about it, send me your email and I will invite you to join. *Warning* the site is addicting, seriously, you will be hooked!  You've been warned!

Anyway, so I can't take credit for the idea itself, but I can take credit for my version of how I did it.  You need rings that are hooked together, any rings.  I used a silver looped belt that was in my daughter's closet.  You could use shower curtain rings, linky baby toys that most people use to hang toys on a car seat.  Just hook them together and hang them on a wall, I used push pins and put one of the loops on the pin.

My loop organizer holds headbands and scarfs by threading them through the loops! So easy.  I also tied a ribbon on one of the loops and clipped on bows and barrets!

Publish Post

So easy and free way to organize them!"

$0 Budget Month Guest Post: Chic Done Cheap

Hi! I'm Maizie from Chic Done Cheap. Chic Done Cheap is all about living the luxe life for less: whether you're barely getting by or just looking to save more money. My blog is a mix of DIYs, saving money ideas, interior design and fashion. Visit Chic Done Cheap, here. For chic tips on the go, follow me on Twitter: @chicdonecheap.

Here are some chic projects to get your 2012 started off right.

Never too cool for school-DIY covered pencils

Coffee Break Craft- Floppy Disc Coasters

Crayola coral

-Chic Done Cheap

$0 Budget Month Guest Post: House Wife in Town

Hello Everyone,


I contact Laura at House Wife in Town and asked if she would be willing to share her 31 Days to Happier Children series with you. I love this series and it fits so well with this month, not because it doesn't costs anything, but because we have so much more time to grow as a family this month. As you might (or might not) remember from my last 1 month $0 challenge, the best thing we got out of it was not saving money, it was the time we spent together. Please be sure to stop by and see what Laura had to say in her 31 Days to Happier Children.

Happiness is a choice. "We choose to count our blessings. We choose to head outside and look for contentment and joy in nature. We choose to eat food that encourage optimism. We choose joy." taken from this post back in October introducing my 31 Days to Happier Children series.

So much of our daily life is about the habits we have -- how we spend our time, what we choose to eat and drink, when we sleep. Have you noticed that some habits lead to happiness and others don't? It's a pretty simple formula -- get happy by making happy habits. And teaching your children to do the same! Add in gratefulness for what you have, quick forgiveness when others wrong you, empathy, and understanding how your personality and love language affects your relationships, and you'll have to fight to be UNhappy.

When I set out to write about happy kids every day for 31 days in October, I didn't know I'd get over  44,000 pageviews and pins all over Pinterest. Many people are obviously looking for answers for themselves and for their children. We want to spend more time with our kids, but really -- we want our time spent to be effective. We want our words to really impact our children for good. We want our parenting to be dynamic, with positive outcomes. I want all that too. And writing all thirty-one days, on topics from eating your vegetables to traveling together to focusing on marriage, helped ME put things in perspective and see what our family needed more of to be highly functioning. 

Writing this series HAS helped my family become happier. And now I've got it as a resource to come back to. I can ask the questions: How are we doing lately? Am I making it a point to put on my oxygen mask as a mom? Are we still focusing on emotional intelligence in our interactions with each other and with our friends? Did we laugh together today?

Happiness is worth so much more than money. You can't put a dollar amount on it. Especially when you see the research behind it. Check this out:

"Optimism is so closely related to happiness that the two can practically be equated. And guess what: optimism is a teachable skill. Hope, faith and optimism are all positive emotions about the future, and so are essential parts of a happy childhood. That is enough for me, but if a happy childhood isn't your first priority for your kids, think about these other benefits reaped by optimistic children. Compared to pessimistic people, optimists are:

• More successful in school, at work, and in athletics
• They are healthier and they live longer
• They are more satisfied with their marriages
• They are less likely to suffer from depression
• They are less anxious..."

quoted from an article entitled "The Benefits of Optimism" by Christine Carter, Ph.D. at the Greater Good Institute

Don't be alarmed -- my kids aren't happy all the time. If only! But I really believe that the habits we are forming have made a difference in our level of happiness. So I can say that our family continues to learn happiness, from living intentionally and continually making positive lifestyle choices. It's not a quick fix, it's a way of life. And we'll be reaping the rewards for a long time.

To read all 31 posts in my series, click here. And let me know what you think.

$0 Budget Month Guest Post: Mother Hen Strikes Again

Hi There, Mother Hen here, my blog is Mother Hen Strikes Again. I'm a crafter, cook, mother and love making and baking!


I first came across Stephanie's blog in November 2011 on Pinterest. Someone had pinned her blog post about $0 for the month of March 2011. I am fairly new to the blogging scene and thought this was a brilliant idea, I thought what a fabulous idea! I left a comment for Stephanie saying she had inspired me to do this in January when things are naturally tight after over spending at Christmas. I also have a ton of unfinished projects and craft items around the house, surely I could get on and use some of these things up! This was just the inspiration I needed to rise to the challenge! Stephanie kindly emailed me and asked if I would like to join her through this journey in January and I replied that I would love to! And so the journey began....


I came up with 7 Golden Rules to live by for the month, see my original post for those. I have then set to coming up with some ideas to use up these craft supplies I have!


So far I have made quite a few things I'm very pleased with. I will give you a peak at just a few, but please feel free to visit my blog.

Golden Rule 3 states, not buying any sweets or treats! So having to curb that sweet tooth, means I've been using up the baking ingredients in my cupboards to make some yummy goodies...

Blueberry and White Chocolate Muffins

I have also made a couple of nice things with some crafty leftovers or up cycling!

Shabby Chic Necklace, Old Jewellery and T-shirt

Felt Egg Cozies

And saving a few pennies with home made toiletries/cosmetics....

Body Scrub, Facial Scrub and Moisturiser

Please feel free to join us for the rest of the January $0.00 Spend Challenge, it's not to late to join in the fun! Yes being Thrify can be Fun!

Mother Hen

$0 Budget Month Guest Post: Tutus & Tea Parties

Hi, I'm Lauren. I am super happy to be sharing some ideas with you here on 

Full of Great Ideas!

I post over at Tutus & Tea Parties about art & activities for the kiddos, tutorials for the parents and some great info I come across for parents. I am a wife to a very understanding hubby who deals with crafting supplies taking over our small apartment and a moma to a 2 1/2 year old toddler {known as Bug} who loves to play, craft and cook with me. We live on a pretty tight budget so crafting isn't always something I can spend a lot on. If you ask Bug where she likes to shop she will tell you Walmart & Michaels. We love using our 40% off coupon at Michaels and will go once a day if we have to get multiple things {or we will drag along some friends or family to make a purchase for us}.

Here are a couple $0 budget projects we have done:

TP Roll Binoculars for the kiddos:

We used two toilet paper rolls, a scrap piece of yarn and glue. Easy peasy!

Magnetic Bookmarks:

We used a paint strip {free at home stores & Walmart has them too}, glue, business magnets {like you get from the pizza place and what not}, and I used a brad...but that is optional.

Necklace Onesie {flower optional}: Don't you just love baby bling?!

We used a white onesie we already had, acrylic paint or fabric paint {I have about 20 bottles of acrylic & fabric paint on hand...is that normal?}, a pencil and a small paint brush.



I'd love to know if you make any of these! Just post a pic on my Facebook page to show me.

Thank you,
Lauren


http://www.etsy.com/shop/crocheting4baby
http://tutusandteaparties.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tutus-Tea-Parties/142834599102143

$0 Budget Month Guest Post: Organizing Made Fun

My name is Becky and I blog at Organizing Made Fun.

Stephanie asked me to help out with her month long challenge of $0 spending. I did an entire month or organizing on a very similar subject: 31 Days to cheaply organize your home!

Let me tell you that if you think organizing has to be expensive, it doesn't. I'm going to give you three examples of how to organize without having to break the bank! First is oatmeal containers!

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This oatmeal container was turned into a ribbon organizer.

I have made one into a headband/hair things organizer for my daughter's hair things, too.

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How about a yarn organizer/holder? 

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My next idea is hangers!  What about those dry cleaner hangers that come with your dry cleaning? If you were going to send them back or throw them away...consider this instead:

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I found this cute way to organize flip flops - quite creative for someone with a large collection of flip flops. 

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How about hanging scarves or tights? This is such a simple and easy idea!

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Maybe you have a pants hanger that you no longer need?  Organize your ribbon! 

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Last hanger idea...my friend, Julie, came up with this clever way to organize her boots! She took a skirt hanger with clips and clipped her boots!

OK, last idea is left-over containers.

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I used left-over containers to organize my whole stash of paint supplies.

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You can use scrapbook paper to make ugly containers into something pretty and use somewhere in your home for organizing.

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Or even use it to help organize things in your fridge - like snacks for your kiddos!


Well, I hope this gets your imagination going. I would love for you to stop by Organizing Made Fun and get more inspired by all kinds of organizing ideas.




I'm currently doing a series every Monday this month called "Organized Resolutions" and I'd love for you to check it out.

$0 Budget Month Guest Post: I'm Not a Trophy Wife

Hi Everyone


Happy New Year!   Stephanie over at  Full of Great Ideas  asked for Guest Posts on Full of Great Ideas during the $0 Budget Month.  I knew this was a post I could contribute to.. if I got my post submitted early!   

My name is Laura and I'm Not a Trophy Wife.  It's a description of myself and a blog title all rolled up into one!   I think the title says it all!  I always say I am many things, but I'm Not a Trophy Wife. I describe my decorating style as Pottery Barn inspiration meets  TJ Maxx, Target meets garage sale (heavy on the last two)!

So here are a few of my favorite $0.00 budget ideas.  These ideas came from items  I already had on hand.  I didn't have to leave my home or spend money to create these project!

My first project is an up cycling idea from large green bean cans.  I have changed these up several times during the year. The first project was for organizing my son's "treasures."

This project was created with burlap, ribbon and greenery in my craft room unfinished basement.

My next project is one of my most popular posts.  Here is the original post.

I repeated the theme for Christmas by adding branches from our Christmas tree and Cuties oranges.  Here is the original post.  So easy, zero dollars and they both have an organic look.

Here's a final project that was zero dollars (sorta)! I already had the super discounted dinged frames from Michael's and I had the scrapbook paper in stock.  I made it for Valentines Day, but it has a permanent spot in our bedroom.  Here's the final framed piece of artwork. It's leaning against 2 shoe boxes wrapped in a roll of brown paper from Home Depot I bought during the summer as a boredom buster for summer.

Thanks Stephanie for the opportunity to show simple ideas for $0.00 Budget Month.

$0 Budget Month Guest Post - Blessed to be a Blessing

Hello everyone at Full of Great Ideas!  I am so excited that Stephanie gave me this opportunity to guest post for the $0 Budget month.  I am new to this whole world of blogging and so I am low on crafting supplies and trying to start small.  Before I launch into my ideas, let me introduce myself!

My name is Alesha and I blog over at Blessed to be a Blessing.  I got married last May to my high school sweetheart and the man of my dreams!  Travis work as the Assistant high school and college age Pastor at our church.  We serve together in both areas and on worship team!  I have always enjoyed crafting and after much deliberation, decided to launch into the world of blogging.  I sew, knit, crochet, make cards, scrapbook, and mend...(I guess that counts as sewing, but I feel like it should be in its own category!)  So here are my projects...enjoy!

Project One: The Infinity Scarf

If you are like me, you probably have a bunch of old scarves laying around that you never wear but won't get rid of.  They are pretty, but for some reason they are never just quite right; they were too thick, too thin, too long, or too short!  And so often I won't get rid of them because they were gifts -  in my case, they were hand knit or crocheted gifts from friends!  I always feel so awful throwing away a homemade gift. =(

So my solution?  Turn them into infinity scarves!  This automatically solves both length and thickness issues - mostly anyways.

I didn't even bother taking pictures for this tutorial because it is so SIMPLE!  Simply match up the ends of your scarf, pull out a needle and thread, and sew them together.  The thread will be so thin compared to the yarn you won't even see it.  Perfectly simple and completely free!  I love, love, love my new scarves.  And here's the best part...if I ever get tired of having them like this, then I can cut out the stitches and BAM!  They are back to normal!  =)

Project Two: Sleeve Removal from a Cardigan
I did this project when before I started blogging and was so impressed with myself that I had to create a blog to show it off!

This little refashion turned a sweater that I never wore into the perfect accessory!  Take an old shirt, blouse, or cardigan and go to town!  The full tutorial is on my blog.

Thanks again for having me and I'm looking forward to hearing more from you guys!  Thanks again Stephanie!