Year of No Yarn--November Update

So there isn't much to report this month for my Year of No Yarn because I haven't started my "diet" yet. I've been able to buy some yarn for custom projects but I have NOT bought any yarn just for me this month! I even put down some pretty yarns I picked up and fondled.

Of course this week brings Black Friday which at Knit Picks is usually pretty awesome.

So I've been a good girl...remains to be see how I do on Black Friday....

Deal of the Week

It's Cyber Monday! It was the biggest shopping weekend of the year this past weekend. I hope you all found good deals without getting maced.

Now you can sit and relax in your jammies! Shop online in peace!
Use the code "blackfriday2011" for FREE WORLDWIDE shipping at Badge Reels. I have badge reels great for ID holders, scissors fobs, keychains, and more! They're not just for scrubs!
I have a TON of reels available and many more coming over the next month!

Also, over at MicroMops, the ENTIRE shop is 20% off!! Let's get clean for the holidays! Good through Christmas!

Reusable Swiffer Pads, Cloth Wipes, Beau Beau Bags, Clothespin Magnets, Laundry helpers and more!

This is a big sale!! Also, use the code "Freeship" in MicroMops for Free US Shipping!! Can be combined with sale!

So brew your coffee, cuddle in your jammies and shop away! :)
Thank you for supporting Handmade!!
~~Amy

Deal of the Week

It's Thanksgiving Week!!! :) That means it's getting into the rush of shopping season! Stay home this week, in your jammies and shop in peace with me!! :)

Use the code "blog20" for 20% off every item at Mama's Little Monkeys! :) When you shop handmade, you are making a difference to a small business owner and helping a real family--MINE!

Here's a little of what I've made with my two own hands!
Hair accessories,

Business Card?Credit Card Wallets

Baby Leg Warmers (profits donated to a handmade friend of mine who has two children with a rare cancer.)

Teacher Gifts! (Clothespin Magnets)

Mario Bros. Hats for fans big and little!

Gifts for your little princess....

Even something for your inner nerd...

If I don't make it, I bet I can find someone who DOES!! :)

Please stop by and feel free to message me via the Artfire shop with any questions!

Don't forget, coupon code "blog20" AT CHECKOUT! for 20% off all order!

~~Amy

Happy Thanksgiving and Black Friday Deals!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! I hope you have a great day with your family and friends and enjoy the day to reflect on what blessings you have in your life!!

We'll be enjoying our food, watching the Saints kick the Cowboys butt (hurry and enter my giveway!!) and just relaxing.

Will you be going out on Black Friday? I can't because my husband works and I sure do not drag kids out shopping at 4 am.. LOL. Nor do I WANT To fight the crowds..I prefer to shop online! So in honor of that, here are my special coupon codes and deals you can try out! :)


Shop: Mama's Little Monkeys on Etsy
Code: blackfriday
Sale: 15% off any order (ends 11/29/10)

Code: handmadelouisiana
Sale: 15% off any order (ends 12/10/10)


Shop: Badge Reels on Etsy
Code: blackfriday10
Sale: 20% off any order (ends 11/29/10)

Code: handmadelouisiana or cafemomteam
Sale: 15% off any order (ends 12/10/10)


Shop: MicroMops on Etsy
Code: handmadelouisiana or cafemomteam
Sale: 15% off any order (ends 12/10/10)

Code: blackfriday20
Sale: 20% off any order (ends 11/29/10)


Shop: Mama's Little Monkeys on Artfire
Code: blackfriday2010
Sale: Free Shipping on Orders over 5.00 (11/25/10--11/30/10)


Shop: Badge Reels on Artfire 15% off sale Through Monday also!
Code: cafemomteam
Sale: 15% off


Shop: Micro Mops on Artfire
Code: cafemomteam
Sale: 15% off


I hope that's all of them!! Happy Shopping! Be sure to check www.handmadelouisiana.com and http://cafemometsymoms.blogspot.com for more deals from great sellers!

Thanksgiving Showdown Giveaway

In case you are unaware, this Thanksgiving's football game will be the Cowboys (Thanksgiving Tradition) against the Saints.

This is huge for my house. On top of the usual food, family and unbuckled pants....my husband is a *cough* Cowboys fan. (Yes, I STILL married him...) I, of course, am not. Considering we live on what is called the Northshore of New Orleans....it's a wee bit embarassing that he loves the Cowgirls. So, naturally I'm praying for a spanking of epic Black and Gold proportions.

So, I thought a little contest was in order! Your mission, should you choose to accept it...predict the winner of the Dallas Cowboys vs. New Orleans Saints game on Thanksgiving Day. I promise NOT to hold it against you if you choose the Cowboys. I promise....

Just leave a comment here with your prediction of winner and you'll receive your choice of one of the following:

Dallas Cowboys ID Badge Holder or Keychain:

or an even more awesome, New Orleans Saints ID Badge Holder or Keychain
(with mylar buttons made by Gypsy Goods!)

If you really don't need a ID holder, You can also choose a set of ponytails such as my black and gold ponytails (with embroidery by AuntiFranni!)

You could also have a set of Dallas Cowboys ponytails, but I don't have a photo of those because well....I haven't had the heart to make a pair yet...it offends my black and gold sensibilities.... :)

So get ready to get your game on...enjoy some turkey and be sure to leave your guess in a comment on THIS post! I'll use random.org to choose the winner and announce it over the weekend!!

Be sure to check out Badge Reels and my other shops (see links below my blog header) particularly on Black Friday for some special deals!

~~Amy

A Y ear of Living Frugally--Be Entertained....

Ahh, we continue the year of living frugally. I've been diligently cutting coupons, scouring the net for deals and tricks. I have to say I think it's going fairly well. I am now stockpiled with enough meats to get through our family dinners for several weeks or more!


So carrying on with my little experiment....how shall we entertain ourselves on the cheap?

Entertainment
This is one area where we don’t need much help because we rarely do anything! We are the family that has no problem using a TV we got for free until it literally falls apart, we rarely go to the movies, we take walks, play games, read books....we're rather low key.

Here’s what we’ve done so far that helps:

MUSIC:
Pandora.com: This is a free music service you can use on your PC (and I’m guessing it has other mobile apps, but that’s obviously something I don’t waste money on). You create custom radio stations based on your fave artists, songs, music genres and viola---free music! I believe you are only allowed 30 free hours a month, so use it wisely. It took some time but I have trained myself: I pause the music or turn it off when I’ll be out of the room for any length of time. It automatically stops the music for you in some time if you are not ‘active’ on the site for some time. It has nifty features like song lyrics, the ability to buy a song, and social networking connections. You have to listen to a few ads every so often, but who cares? I buy CD’s only for the artists I REALLLLLLLY love.

Movies/DVD’s: Okay seriously, we RARELY buy or even go see movies. We don’t even belong to anything like Netflix. But if we did, it would probably be Netflix where you can stream videos on your computer or with your Wii! We just aren’t huge movie people. We buy the ones we REALLY love that we want to keep forever, and the few that the kids want (and we do so on sale or with discounts!). With as much is on television these days, we don’t have time or need for buying/watching movies.




Redbox is also a great way to get movies. There are tons located around the country and for 1.00 you can check out a movie. Return it the next day and you have spent 1.00 and tax (and a little gas) for a movie! You can use Redbox.com to pay, hold movies and if you sign up for the emails, they usually send freebie coupons every so often!

Television: We currently use Dish Network. It was cheaper than DirectTV and WAY cheaper than our local cable company.  We have the 2nd cheapest plan meaning, for us, we get the channels we want for the most part and a DVR for under 50 a month. Your plan will vary for your families needs. For us, the DVR is priceless, because instead of buying my kids movies, I simply record their fave tv shows and viola…30 minutes of peace. Dish Network also regularly previews other channels not included in your package so if you see a show you like on that preview channel…just DVR a whole mess of them. That is how I have my stash of Golden Girls episodes. Don’t be hatin…you know you love the girls.
Dish even showed a marathon of all the "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" episodes that were off air when Dish and Fox had their little spat over money and airing their Fox shows. I find their customer service to be superb over DirecTV.

Hulu.com is also a great resource for FREE television. You can also watch many of your fave shows on the website for their network, for example, you can watch ABC Primetime shows on www.abc.com.

Books: Seriously, do I even NEED to spout the benefits of going to the library???? REALLY? Books for free. DUH. Videos too! If you simply MUST purchase books and you do it on a regularly basis try your local bookstore chains rewards program. Some cost, some don’t. But if you buy books enough, the cost of the program should be far less than the savings you’ll receive. If you do NOT save more than you spend on the program, um, duh, drop it. Amazon and Ebay are great places to get good priced books as well. There are also various swap websites and trading websites for books, but I don't have experience with them. For that you shall google.

And get your behind to the aforementioned library.

Black Friday and this time of year is the time to stock up on family board games also! One Black Friday (when my oldest was a newborn and I was up before dawn ANYWAYS) I stocked up on several of the traditional kids games (Candy Land, etc) for 5.00 each a game!

Memberships for Local Activities: These things will vary based on your area. Generally speaking, if you are even a small family and you visit your local museum, zoo, aquarium, etc more than a few times a year....joining the membership is worth it. For us, we also go more since we are members. We may still only go to the zoo 6x a year or so...but if we even go 3x we have paid for our membership. We are blessed to have access to the Audubon Institute were we can go to the zoo, aquarium and get discounts at the IMAX and the Insectarium. Keep an eye out and scope around for deals on local activity memberships on the cheap!

I hope these were helpful tips and saves you some moola! Do you have any tips you can share with us!!??
~~~Amy

Black Friday INSANITY!

Wow. It's crazy out there ya'll! Why not skip the madness and shop online? Hundreds of retailers and handmade sellers are ready to hook you up! :) Including moi of course!

40% Off through Monday on all orders of 25 or more at Mama's Little Monkeys on Artfire and Destash City on Artfire. Just use the coupon codes "blackfriday" or "black friday".

Buy 1 get 1 FREE (equal or lesser value) at Mama's Little Monkeys Etsy. WAIT for revised invoice or I can refund via Paypal.

Be sure to check out these great deals from the Cafemom Team and Handmade Louisiana!
Happy Shopping!
~~Amy