Name Banner for Child's Room

My 9 year old daughter and I rearranged her room yesterday and I was noticing how blah the wall above her bed was looking. It just needed something to brighten it up a bit.

I'd seen these banners in pictures before and figured they were fairly simple, but had never really taken the time to figure it out.

Let me tell you how simple it was.

I made a triangle pattern out of freezer paper. I just cut out a shape- no measuring or anything. You can't get much easier than that. I guess if you're a perfectionist on measurements and all you could use a ruler, but I didn't.

The reason I like to use freezer paper is because you lay the shiny paper side down on the fabric and iron(on a low setting) and the pattern piece (freezer paper) adheres to the fabric. That makes it so easy to cut out- no pins! Then you simply peel off the freezer paper and you have a triangle shape. I made seven of these using 4 different colors.

***Just a note*** I used pinking sheers to cut out my triangles so I wouldn't have to sew them. Plus, I like the way it looks!

After cutting out your triangles, lay them out on the floor or table. Then, use the binding tape or ribbon to pin the triangles to form your pattern. I held it up on the wall after pinning just to check and see how it would look.
Sew each triangle to the binding tape. I used a zig-zag stictch.

Tie the ends in a bow or knot and hang on the wall.

I had some chipboard letters in my stash and thought they'd be extra cute on it. You could make the banner without the letters if you didn't have them. They just add to it a little bit.

I wasn't sure how to attach them, but I remembered that I had some spray adhesive. It worked great! I just sprayed the back of each letter and stuck it on. After it dried, I hung it up. Kayla loved it! I got an extra hug for it, too. I'll always take those :)

Shield Birthday Cake for Knight Party

I'm linking up with Jessica over at http://lifeasmom.com/
to post about cakes to make for birthday parties.

I enjoy making my children's birthday cakes. It's also frugal and is very exciting for them.

I made this birthday cake for my son a few years ago for his knight themed birthday party. It was pretty easy to make and he thought it was great!

I always use a cake mix, but I usually make my own buttercreme icing. Go check out all the cakes http://lifeasmom.com/

Making a bow holder

I enjoy finding ways to make gifts that are simple, practical and inexpensive.

I had bought a bow holder from a craft fair a few years ago. It was a simple wooden crown shape painted white and pink with a long wide ribbon glued underneath to hold hair bows.

What a neat idea! A few months ago, I was invited to a baby shower and thought I'd try my hand at making one myself using a wooden letter.

I painted it light green to match the baby's room. Then I added some little flicks of pink paint on the edge of the letter to give it a little more "character".

I also, made some bows for the baby to add to the gift. I thought it turned out so cute that I might do this next time I go to a baby shower for a girl. I don't have any ideas for a boy shower, but maybe I'll find something.

Since my girls have so many bows, I made one for them using colors to match their room. I think it turned out really cute. But the best part is that it is simple, practical, and inexpensive!!

Making Homemade Laundry Soap

To save money, my husband put up a clothesline for me and I've also been making my own laundry soap. The funny thing is a few years ago I thought it was kind of crazy to do that, but it's so simple and cheap! Why didn't I try this before! Here's what you need: washing soda (Arm & Hammer) - NOT baking soda Borax (20 Mule Team) Bar soap (I use Fels-Naptha Laundry soap, but plan to try some Dial Mountain Fresh scent) You need a 5 gallon bucket with a lid. Mix 1 cup soda and 1 cup borax with 3 gallons warm water in bucket and stir. Bring to boil in large pot 4 cups of water. While water is heating up, grate the bar of soap and then slowly add soap pieces to boiling water and stir until all is melted. You will end up with a pot of soapy water. Pour soapy water into the bucket and stir over the next several hours. Each time you go by the bucket give it a stir. It will be ready to use after 24 hours. Use 1 cup per large load. If you don't believe how easy and cheap it is- give it a try! I won't say I told you so!

Frozen pizza anyone???

I've been making homemade pizzas for my family for a few years now, but especially in these last 6 months. My family raves and raves over them and my husband says I could go into the pizza business( I think he's just trying to give me a super nice complement). I used to buy those little cheap dollar pizzas and feed them to my children for lunch. I can't buy them anymore after tasting the good stuff. Well, a few weeks ago my favorite grocery store was running a fancier frozen pizza for a great price, plus I had a coupon that doubled so I think I paid about a dollar for one. Anyway, we ate it today and let's just say "it was very disappointing". I probably will save my dollar for something of greater value next time and just make another yummy crust in my bread machine, spread some tomato sauce on it and add some toppings. So delicious and very simple!!! Those are two things that make me and my family very happy.

Using a clothesline

Well, don't ever say "never again". After living in North Africa for a few years I promised I'd never use a clothesline again. We hung our clothes out every day on the rooftop of the apartment building. They'd be dry in no time, but still I missed my dryer. Well, here I am 8 years later and I asked my husband to make me a clothesline. I'm trying to cut down the electric bill since times are tough and I thought this might help. He is all about saving money, too. Plus, he's very handy and he had it up very soon. This is my third week using my clothesline (although I still use my dryer occasionally). I hope to see a drop in that next electric bill. What about you? Do any of you use a clothesline? And does it save money? Side note- I'm actually enjoying hanging out the clothes, but don't tell anyone :) shhhhh

Cloth Napkins

Have you ever thought about trying to use cloth napkins instead of paper ones? I've thought about it many times, but never thought it'd work or save much money so I didn't try it. But I kept reading and hearing about how much people spend on paper products and decided I'd try for a few days. While at a yard sale a while back, I found a pack of 4 cloth napkins. I bought them for $1. Well, would you believe - the kids think it's wonderful to use them and each person usually only uses one for the whole day. I am going to make a few more from scraps of fabric I have and hopefully, the only time we'll use a napkin is if they're all dirty. **By the way, if you're thinking that it will require too much laundry it's just not true. All I do is throw them in the wash with the towels and it doesn't require any more work.