Minute to Win It

No, we weren't on the TV Show, Minute to Win It (http://www.nbc.com/minute-to-win-it/). However, we did do our own version of it for FHE last Monday.

Here's a video summary:

My newest creations

Since I still don't have a job, I have been working on some more sewing projects.

This is a grocery bag holder/dispenser I made.  The fabric was less than two dollars a yard (who doesn't want hot pepper fabric?), the elastic was under a dollar, and I already had the ribbon, so it was a pretty inexpensive project.  It was also quite easy.  Now I don't have to get frustrated every time I open the cabinet under the sink and all the grocery bags fall out.  Also, maybe someday we will have a pantry to put this in so it isn't out in the kitchen.

This next project may make a debut on the sewing blog in the future.  I made a simple tote bag for a friend.  The problem with sewing something for someone else is that I either get attached to it, or I am embarrassed at the mistakes.  In this case both happened, but I am still going to give it away.  Hopefully she isn't too embarrassed by the homemade-ness of this bag to actually take it out in public.  I didn't use a tutorial or pattern, and as a result, I made a big error (and a few smaller ones) while I was making this.  I salvaged it as best I could, and you can hardly tell.

I wanted to put a pocket in because I can't use a purse or bag without a pocket.  So I tried it.  Next time I think I will spring for a zipper to make the pocket.

The fabric for this bag was also cheap.  The striped fabric was $2.22 for a half a yard, and the brown fabric was a remnant--half a yard for $1.10.

A Snippet of Our Life

Sarah didn't have anything to blog about, so I figured I'd take another stab at blogging. I don't have much to talk about either, but here are some recent pictures of what we've been up to.

Sarah brought her pogs back to Provo and we played briefly. Apparently the rules were way different in California than in Ohio.

Ever since finding some "Bucky Balls" in a toy store, we have always wanted our own set--but they cost $35-50 in the store. Sarah found one on Amazon.com for $13 + $4 S/H. It has been a lot of fun since then. It may seem really easy to make this pyramid, but it sure is hard!

Yesterday, with the weather being in the high 40's or low 50's, we decided to go for a bike ride over towards the benches and found this orchard with several deer. Guess how many deer---7!

Chipa is one of my most-missed foods from Paraguay. Back in November we made some. It was remarkably similar! It's like a cheese bread, made out of tapioca flour.

The End.

Good Deal

I love saving money.  I'm not an extreme coupon-er (yet!), but I do love a good deal when I find one.  Yesterday during a little mall outing with Janet, we were expressing our desires for a new dress when lo and behold, I found a dress I liked in a clearance bin.  When I tried it on, I quickly realized that it was in the clearance bin because the side zipper was broken, leaving a gaping hole in the side of the dress.  After a thorough examination of the zipper, I decided to buy it anyway for $9.99.  I secretly hoped I would be able to fix it, but if not, I could (try to) replace the zipper, still making it a good purchase.  If I couldn't do that, maybe I could just sew up that seam and squeeze into the dress without the side zipper.  I consulted Mom, and at home I got out my seam ripper and a needle and thread.  Fifteen minutes later I had fixed the zipper and had a new $60 dress for $10.