Thrifty Girl

Has anyone ever bought a pattern at the store and wondered about a cheap and easy way of copying the pattern so they can utilize all the sizes? ME TOO!!!!!! Well, I have come up with my own way. Cheap, and easy. First you will need an old, out dated pattern that you do not ever plan on using. The best place to look? Goodwill! Yard Sales! Free Ads online. Usually can find them either very cheap or free at any of these places. I was lucky enough to have a very nice lady give me a full box of clothing patterns. Some I will use, others probably not. But I cannot let them go to waste. Now, you need some markers, all different colors preferably darker colors. I stole mine from the kid stash. (SHHH, don't tell) Carefully open the pattern you want to copy because you just can't bring yourself to cut it. I know I can't, it has 5 different sizes on it and if I cut it, I will only get the one size out of it. UGGG! Now trace each size line a different color. In the ...

I am so addicted to Pinterest!!!!! I love this site! I find myself on it all the time. So, I decided to write about it. There are so many great ideas and I am going to try them out. Being the thrifty girl I am I have to try some of the homemade house items and put them to the test. First up for bids is the homemade laundry detergent.  I have decided to try my own version of these 2 pins: http://whynotsew.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-to-make-homemade-laundry-detergent.html and http://www.howdoesshe.com/cheaper-and-better-diy-laundry-detergent In the past I have tried cheaper laundry detergents. But I always tend to go back to Tide. The cheaper detergents just don't clean as well and I always seem to use more than I should have to. In the end Tide has always been the most cost efficient compared to how many loads I can get cleaned. Plus, it seems that the cheaper detergent fades the clothes faster. So this will be very interesting to see how this tu...

It has been a while since I posted. Sorry. I really have no excuse but I really had to post about my new addiction. APPLIQUÉS! They are so fun! Just look at some examples of my work. And I add a bow and HOW CUTE! I just can't wait to do more! I am thinking some plaid for the wiener dog! Looove it! I plan on putting these in my etsy store http://www.etsy.com/shop/ThriftyGirlBoutique For all my blog readers just enter coupon code BLOG2012 for a 10% discount on orders from my etsy store!

This baby outfit is inspired by Life of a Cheap Chickadee . The first time I saw it I was like "LOOOOOVE IT!" This is my finished project: PIC 1 PIC 2 Every baby girl should wear ruffles on the butt! Pic 3 I can't wait to see my snuggle bug granddaughter in this outfit! I have enough fabric left over to make 1 or 2 more like this one. I plan on opening my Etsy Store and this will be the first item listed, unless you know someone interested in purchasing. The pants are sewn with french seams to prevent fraying when washed. After this project I am sooooo wishing for a serger machine.  I was going to ask for a Kindle Fire for Christmas but now I think I have changed my mind. Come on Santa! Momma needs a serger!

I found this recipe on  allrecipes.com  and altered it a bit. it is very similar  to the box version that can be purchased at a very popular home party plan company. Ingredients: 3 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 1 (12 fluid ounce) can beer 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch baking pan. 2. In a bowl, mix the self-rising flour, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Pour in the beer, and mix just until moistened (hint- do not over mix or it will be a brick). Transfer to the prepared baking pan. Top with the melted butter. 3. Bake 45 to 55 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire r...

My bedroom has pretty much been the same for years - with the exception of a new quilt on the bed.  I decided to change it up and see what I can do for under $40. Now, I have to tell you. I picked a bad time of the year to change my bedroom and post it on my blog. I work a full time job, have 3 children in school, and granddaughter (and her parents, can't forget about them, I guess) who is under a month old, and lets not forget, it is BOW SEASON!!! Yes, we are a house full of hunters. We even have Rylie in "Bow Training" My first task and biggest expense was painting the bedroom. I treated myself and actually bought paint tinted to the color I wanted. No self mixing here. :( The paint was approximately $20 or so. Next was new curtains. I found fabric in the clearance section and spent $1.50 on one color (kinda turquoise)  and $1.89 on a second color (white). I knew I had some brown fabric at home just sitting there. Now, Feeling very lazy I just took the fabr...

6 - cubed steaks 6oz can of crushed tomatoes 2 cups shredded mozzarella Parmesan cheese Box of Shake and Bake Oregano Garlic Powder Marjoram Basil Coat cubed steak with Shake and Bake according to package directions.  Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. While steak is baking mix together tomatoes, oregano, garlic powder, marjoram, and basil.  I do not measure the herbs. I just shake a few of each into tomato and stir. Remove steaks from oven when done baking.  Spoon the tomato mixture over top of each steak. Sprinkle some Parmesan and shredded mozzarella on top and bake another 25 minutes.  This is great with salad, pasta and bread sticks!