Pretty Sassy Straw Purse for Tween Fashionistas

Time for a new fun craft for Tweens and Moms!

I picked up these very cute straw purses at the dollar store. They were lined with fabric and Only One Dollar - how do they make them so cheap? They did have some very tacky sequin decor on them which I easily removed by snipping a few threads. I chose a "Spring" design and a "Tropical" design but feel free to do your own thing as they say. Remember Tweens are crazy for choosing their own style and also LOVE crafts that are FASHION related. Teaching them to create their own style can save LOTS OF MONEY too, because a girl who can design, glue and sew loves the individuality of her wardrobe and often avoids the "cookie cutter" expensive fashions worn by the masses.

Wander through a Michaels or A.C. Moore craft store and you can get ideas for the design style you like. Browse through the jewelry and applique isles and something will "Grab Your Fancy" ........................Exactly what is "your fancy"? (Strange cliche )

Anyway Have fun.................. AND GOGO GLUE GUN!........................


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Mother's Day Fun Craft - Easy and Homemade

I just realized how bad people might feel who read my last post and can't "be with" their Mom on Mother's Day because they live to far away, or have to work or some one's sick or a lot of other reasons. The next best thing is to make her something special, so she can feel you are with her. Crafting for Mom is not difficult, especially with a glue gun. Here's the simplest idea in the world.



Mother's Day Closet Sachets

Go to the fabric store and buy a quarter yard of some really pretty fabric, and 2 yards of matching ribbon. Get something you know your Mom would like- her favorite color or flower or animal etc. Next go to the flower store and buy some lavender or any other flower/fragrance you know she loves. Cut the fabric into squares of 4" by 4". Glue 3 sides closed and then stuff them with the lavender and glue the 4th side closed. Cut the ribbon into 6" long pieces and glue each end to one corner of the stuffed squares, making a loop. These can now be hung over the hangers in Moms closet to bring a lovely fragrance to her clothes.



Once the scent fades, she can spray them with her favorite perfume and hang them up again!

I have some sachets my Mom made for me many years ago and I refresh them every time I want a little pick me up surprise in my closet. Kids, tweens and teens can help with this craft and don't forget to wrap them up in pretty package and use the left over flowers to decorate the Mother's Day gift.

The funny thing in my house is that I share a closet with my dh! I wonder if he enjoys the closet as much as I do?

Easy Gift Baskets (cheep-cheep)

You're about to discover how frugal I am AND I'm proud of it. I don't buy designer purses or clothes or jewlery - I think it's a waste of $$$. I'm just very practical and a minimalist. I rarely pay full price for any clothing or linens-I love TJMax and Burlington Coat Factory and such. I have bought tons of craft supplies at garage sales. I can hit 5 tag sales (yard sales) and spend $20 and come home a "happy camper". My daughter sayes I'm cheap but she doesn't complain when the bargain goes in her closet !

Anyway I LOVE LOVE LOVE to buy Christmas stuff a few weeks after the holidays. Cards, gift bags, bows etc. I bought the baskets in my video for $1.98 each. I'm good huh? They were in a bin at Michaels marked 80% off. Add a few bucks of trims, most of which was on sale, and Voila!!! Pretty Valentine or St. Patricks Day gift baskets for about $5 apiece. So now when I fill the basket with Godiva chocolate and nice liquor and fancy snacks - the overall cost is way less than buying an expensive commercially produced gift basket. I'm not cheap when it comes to the contents - that's the best part- right?

I noticed that Easter is in late March this year - I'll be lurking around the Easter sale bins in early April - see you there if your a smart chick like me "cheep-cheep"!