Free 8x10" Print from Walgreens

Walgreens Photo is offering a Free 8x10" print :) Just use promo code FREE2THANK at checkout to get yours for free and be sure to select to have it sent to your local store to avoid shipping fees. This code is valid until 11/24!

Knitting Update: My Latest Projects

Well, it's been a while since I've done much knitting. I got all wrapped up in crochet and seem to have forgotten my roots :) So, last weekend I got back into knitting. First off, I've had a plan for a while now to make a collection of holiday baby hats. My idea is that I will make one for each holiday and we can pass it in my immediate family to whoever has a baby at that time. Pretty ingenious if I do say so myself :)

The first holiday baby hat is the Jive Turkey baby hat. I found a picture of a baby wearing a turkey butt hat on Pinterest and the rest is history. Isn't it the cutest?! So, I worked on it Friday and Saturday night and finished just the hat part.

This is my 'fancy yarn' from the local yarn shop and it really is the perfect turkey color. Now it's just waiting for me to pick up stitches and make the legs :)

And here's just a cute baby shot from when I checked it for length and size  :)

Also, last Sunday I decided I would finally start my Hope Shawlette using my other 'fancy yarn'. The only thing was ... I had to roll the hank into a ball so I could use it.

Holy crap, you guys. I rolled this while watching The Walking Dead and it took me 45 minutes of straight winding. I now completely understand why people will buy a $50 + machine to do this for them. It's 475 yards and man did it take a long time. But once it was finished, I started trying at the shawlette. I tried 4 or 5 times to start this project and I would get to a certain point and things would be so off that I would just pull it out. I went back to it again on Monday night and realized the problem - there is an error in the pattern where it says knit 2 instead of knit 3 like it should. It's a simple thing and an easy mistake but man does it cause a whole lot of problems while knitting it when the stitches don't line up for the pattern. Once I figured that out it was smooth sailing and now I've been working on it little by little each night.

Here's how it looks so far. I'd say it's about 35% finished and I have been pretty diligent at working on it because I can't wait to get it done! It's just starting to get a little bit chilly and I would love to get to wear it. Hopefully I can whip it out quickly :) Oh, and just let me say how much I ABSOLUTELY ADORE this yarn! I'm finally beginning to understand the fiber contents of yarn - it's just like with fabric, I know, but it never really clicks with me until I can feel it for myself and even though it felt nice and soft as just yarn it makes a huge difference when it's knitted up. It's actually silky soft :) Hooray for Lorna's Laces Solemate!

So that's it for knitting lately. I've been so busy with work and teaching the girls to sew and home duties and running from family events and whatnot that I feel like I'm going to go nuts, but knitting is very relaxing to me so I make sure to get it in where I can :)

Fresh Stitches November Mystery CAL - My Yarn Choices

I posted a few weeks ago that I am taking part in the Mystery Crochet Along from Fresh Stitches. Stacey (the designer) is using the orange and pink you see above for her mystery animal and I've been trying to figure out what I want to do for mine. This is one of the hardest choices for me when making an animal because I always want to make it look "like it should" - you know, realistic colors. But since I have no idea what I'm making it takes that element out of the equation. So, I happened to have a nice hot pink and yellow and orange as well as the new variegated stuff I got from my latest Craftsy buy that has all 3 of those colors.

What do you think? Should I be totally unoriginal and do the pink with orange like Stacey? Or maybe just a slight change and use the yellow instead of the orange? Or should I be really adventurous and make it with that variegated yarn and use one of the others as the accent color? I'm so torn!

Please help me choose!

Also, Stacey posted about suggested color combos on her blog today to help us make our decision. Gah! I just don't know!

Estate Sale Heaven

So, this morning my lovely friend Tara texted me at 7:40 saying there was an epic estate sale going on. Now, normally I am a good employee and I would have said, "Tara, I just can't go. I have to get to work." But then I called her and she said I could go to this website and look at pictures of what all was there. And I immediately threw on some clothes and left for the sale.

Holy cow! I have never seen this much actual antique stuff in a Titusville sale before and it was really nice pieces at good prices. I was probably a good thing that I had to go to work or who knows how much I would have spent. So, what was the main thing I spotted in the photos that made me beeline out of my bed so early?

This rather unassuming and (let's face it) mold-covered box. What could be inside?

Why, it's a sewing machine! A Domestic Rotary machine to be exact :) I've looked it up and it was made in 1947. Even though the box and cord have a lot of mold, the machine itself seems to be perfectly fine. It's well oiled and nothing is jammed. It even has a light bulb under the label there. That thread was already on it and threaded so it seems like it was used not all that long ago.

This is where you adjust the stitch length and whatnot.

And the inside workings look fantastic! I will confess, I was afraid I would open up the bottom of the machine and find something nasty but look how clean it is in there!

Here's the model number and such. So, why did I suddenly decide to purchase this machine? Well, I am always looking for an old treadle style machine (which they did have but it was missing the foot pedal) and so I've wound up learning a lot about pricing on old machines. If I was to try to get this baby through Etsy or Craigslist, it would be at least $50. People tend to see the style of it and immediately slap at least a $50 price tag on it just because it's kitschy. I snagged this guy for just $35 :) I know I will have to do a thorough cleaning and I'll take it into a shop to get an overhaul (not to mention I don't know if the electricity still works), but I would have had to do that with any antique machine so I'm ok with that.

Anyway, I also grabbed a handful of other nice items.

I bought a tin and a bag full of random notions and machine parts. The tin included that ruffle foot and there are buttons and all kinds of things in there. The bag is mostly full of wooden spools of thread but there is a package of boning and a bunch of other things too. I haven't even had a chance to look through it all.

I also grabbed those two wool hats - the cream one is probably 50s and the gray is certainly early 40s or possibly late 30s. I grabbed a bag with 4 pairs of costume earrings, an Andres Sisters record and a new-in-the-package Pampered Chef Flan Pan Set (it was only $1). Also, I got one of those plastic drawer unit things that holds little parts and pieces like you would see in a hardware store. It has a few trims and things in it but I mostly just wanted the drawers to put my sewing stuff in.

So, I had a very exciting morning :) And all that before I even went to work!

My Latest Craftsy Haul

Well, before I got my last disappointing Craftsy purchase I had already ordered these as well. I was worried I would have the same problem - that my dye lots would be different. I am thrilled to report i had no such problem!

I grabbed 6 skeins of Wisdom Yarns Limerick in Greens. I love how it fades from kelly green to a blueish green and back. And it's 100% superwash merino wool! These babies were $4.25 each (normally $9)

And I got this 10 pack of Cascade Kaleidoscope yarn in Sunripe. These are acrylic but they are so soft and will be perfect for a blanket or something.

All of my skeins were from the same dye lots! Yahoo! So, it seems to just be luck of the draw. Sometimes you win, somethings you lose. But at least it restored my faith a little :)

Free Tide Pods + Downy + Dawn Samples

Go here to claim your free sample of Tide Pods that will also include Downy Unstoppables and Dawn Power Clean courtesy of Dollar General! Hurry!

New Free Craftsy Class! Bag-Making Basics

Craftsy has just added a new free class! It's called Bag-Making Basics and it will teach you have to make a reversible tote bag and a zipper pouch. These are very simple things to make but it's always nice to have someone there to show it to you step by step. So, head over here to get your free class!

Free Prilosec OTC Wildberry Sample

Go here and click Request a Sample to see if you qualify for a free sample of Prilosec OTC's new Wildberry flavor courtesy of Walmart.

Always Girly Goodies - $3.50 in Coupons!

'Like' Always on Facebook to claim your free coupons (they will be mailed to you) on Always products :) You will get:

• $2 off Always Infinity
• $1.50 off Always Liners

Hurry because these always go fast!

Review: Easy Care First Aid Kit

The Tender Corp. not only sent me their Easy Access Bandages to try out and review, they also included one of their Easy Care First Aid Kits :) 

If you've read my blog for any amount of time, you would know that my husband and I are pretty big on being prepared for emergencies. Living in Central Florida, there is always a big concern with hurricanes and making sure we have enough supplies and food to wade out a disaster scenario. One thing I think people often overlook is being prepared for medical emergencies. This is true not only for disasters but also for out daily life. What do you do if you child falls and gets a deep cut? What if you burn yourself while cooking? There are so many daily situations that can become precarious if we aren't prepared with both supplies and knowledge. 

Now, from how I talked above you may think I want us all to become medical professionals or something :) While that would be nice, it certainly isn't always possible. Instead we need to arm ourselves with basic knowledge to take care of things until other help arrives. If there is one thing I have learned with having a cop for a husband it's that quick thinking can save lives.

Anyway, onto how this relates to this first aid kit. The thing that separates this kit from the countless other kits out there is how it is organized. It's not just a zipper case full of bandages and ointments. When you open the zipper pouch, you see 6 plastic pouches all clearly labeled with what their ingredients treat.

The kit will treat:

1. Cuts & Scrapes
2. Blisters, Splinters & Stings
3. Bleeding, Wounds & Burns
4. Headaches & Pain
5. Sprains & Strains
6. CPR & Shock

The front of each pouch gives step by step instructions (with pictures!) on how to use the items inside. The opposite side of the pouch is clear so you can easily see what is inside.

So, say I was at the park and my nephew falls down and scrapes his knee - I just open the Cuts & Scrapes pouch to get not only a bandage but an antiseptic towelette and antibiotic ointment. 1,2,3, everything is right there where I need it and finished before I have time to stress over it. Pretty cool huh? The kit even goes so far as to include a CPR Breathing Barrier in case of real emergencies. There is an instant cold compress, splint, ibuprofen, gauze bandages, gloves, tape, burn gel, sting relief wipes, and so much more!

What's also great about this kit is its size and price. It's conveniently sized for travel, camping, bringing along to sporting events as well as having an easy to get to place in your home or office. Also, these retail for $19.99 so it's very affordable. I even found these available on Drugstore.com for only $17.99 which tells me these are also easy to get your hands on.

What's the verdict? I would definitely recommend this kit to anyone. It can't hurt to be prepared and this even gives you the instructions on how to use what it contains. With this, you can be ready for any small emergency you come across and be able to take better control of the situation yourself. I'm really excited to have my kit and I'm going to make it a nice place in my car after I post this :) This kit helps you be prepared in all the necessary ways to make any unpleasant situations just a little bit easier.

If you want more info about Easy Care First Aid Kits and more from the Tender Corporations, you can see their website or 'Like' Easy Care First Aid on Facebook to stay connected with new products and info :)

*I received the Easy Care First Aid Kit for free to facilitate my review, but all opinions expressed are 100% my own and not influenced in any way.

Review: Easy Access Bandages

When I first heard about the Tender Corporation and their new Easy Access Bandages, I was really curious. What makes a bandage 'easy access'? I had never seen them before and I was very intrigued with what they could offer. When I received a box yesterday with some to try out for myself, I was really excited :)

The Easy Access Bandages are designed for those who may have their hands a little full :) The box contains 2 compact packs of 15 bandages that can easily be put in your purse or diaper bag or anywhere else you may need them. To use one, you just hold the bandage where indicated:

and pull out your bandage :) While it pulls out, one half of the sticky part is exposed so you can go straight from the package to your skin, then just remove the other cover from the sticky part and press down. It can all be done with just one hand! How cool is that?

Sorry for the strange photo, but I wanted to show the size of the bandages. These are nice and medium sized and would be perfect for busy moms. Got one kid in your arms when your toddler falls down? No problem! Just pull out your convenient little pack and you only need the one hand to go from tears to healing in seconds - no muss, no fuss. Also, these sell exclusively at Walmart and they are only $2.97 for a pack of 30. You can get regular bandages (like the ones above) or finger and knuckle shaped ones.

For those who need to know these are latex free fabric bandages, so you don't even have to worry about any strange reactions. Just pull one out and get back to what you are doing without the stress a minor injury can cause. I don't have any wounds at the moment, but I did stick that bandage to my hand just to try it out and it held on very well. It kind of makes me excited to have these in my purse for the next time I need them :) If you want more info, you can go here to watch a video. Also, you can 'Like' Easy Access Bandages on Facebook or visit their website for more info.

Want to try some of these for yourself? 
You can grab a coupon for these babies here and get $1 off and they are available exclusively at Walmart. So just grab a pack next time you're over there :)

*I received a pack of Easy Access Bandages for free to facilitate my review, but all opinions expressed are 100% my own and not influenced in any way.

Live Better America: Free Yoplait Yogurt Cup

If you're a Live Better America Member go here to grab this month's freebie - a Yoplait Yogurt Cup! This is only for the first 10,000 so hurry!