Nikki is SO thrifty!

A last minute gift!! Hurry!!!

2008-12-23T13:29:00.001-08:00

I have one more Last minute gift for you all that you can do in less than a couple of hours and will be cherished all year long!

My mom made this for her Husband and I designed the Cover. What she did was go through our iTunes and selected songs that they love together and we burned them to a blank CD that we always have laying around for backing up files.

Then, she took an empty CD case (we always have these too because we take all of our Cd's in the car and put them in the visor holder) and I designed the cover for her, printed it and stuck it in the front and back!

Voila! A personalized present that he will love ALL YEAR and the best part was IT'S FREE!!!

Here is the front:

Here is the back:

Making your own stationary!

2008-12-21T20:38:00.000-08:00

I have seen this video all over blogland the last day or so, and I just love it! So I thought I would share it because what an awesome last minute gift for friends and family for cheap!

you can also view their etsy site here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6146270

The fun's not over yet!!

2008-12-18T09:31:00.000-08:00

So, the challenge is over, but we are still crafting over here!!

My mom and I saw a similar project over at the YCMT blog and it was perfect! We had already purchased these notebook/journals at Hobby Lobby for my Mom's Husband's half sisters (yeah...we are THAT family! lol) for $1.99 plus 40% off coupons! That means they were $1.19 a piece! We got two for the girls, plus one for Lagan, and one for my mom! (all on different trips)

We already had the ribbons and trims on hand from being designers for 6 years! You tend to have tons of this stuff laying around after that!

All you do is cut 6-8in pieces of trims and ribbons and just tie a knot around the spiral end of the notebook. We got notebooks that fit everyone's personalities, so I think it turned out quite well!

Here they all are together:

For Lagan:

For the "Tween":

For the "Teen":

And it's not just for girls Ladies! Make one for yourself with a little less "stuff"!!

Project Total:
4 notebooks at 1.99 plus 40% off Coupon = $4.76
ribbon and trim = free!
Total: $4.76 for 4 personalized journals!

So How Did I do?

2008-12-15T15:27:00.001-08:00

Well, I think that's it! The Thrifty Fifty is finished today, and I have created projects for my loved ones! I'm sure I might keep crafting until Christmas is here, but I will be using things I already have, so I wont spend a penny!

Lets get a run down of what I have made, and what I have spent to see if my mission was accomplished?!

For My Mom:
Wordle Project: $4.78
Wood block Necklace: $2.74
Animal Print Bracelet: FREE
Cross Plaque: $1.79
Bath Salts: $2.99
Mom's Gift Total: $12.30

For My Sister:
Feather Head Band: $1.52
Black Necklace and Matching Earrings: FREE
Multicolored Wood Necklace: FREE
Wood block Necklace: $2.74
Candle with pendant: $3.48
Wordle Project: $4.78
Brittany's Gift Total: $12.52

For My BIL:
Beanie: $0.52
Joey's Gift Total: $0.52

GRAND TOTAL: $25.34

(I didn't make anything for my step dad or my daughter this year because Santa is being VERY generous with the store bought gifts for Lagan, and I bought Scott's gifts before I was accepted into the Thrifty Fifty, so I didn't make anything extra for him! My main goal was to get my mom and my sister because I usually spend over $300 a piece on them at Bath and Body works and buying clothes!)

Project Ideas

2008-12-15T15:21:00.000-08:00

These are not projects for my Thrifty under Fifty, but I thought I would share some ideas of what you could make for your family just like the candles!

This is a name bracelet that I made for my mom a few years ago for mothers day. She loved it! It has Lagan's name on it plus a dangle in the back with her birth stone!

My Mom's Husband actually designed this bracelet last night for my mom and I made it for him. Its just a simple bead mix bought at Michael's or H.L. simple, cheap, and chic!

Who doesn't love photos of their family around?
I got this frame in a three pack at Ikea for like $1 or $2, something like that and painted it black. The stand is from the dollar store! I printed the photo I took of Lagan in black and white at Target for $0.12!

Take a Break!

2008-12-15T15:15:00.000-08:00

What is more relaxing than some awesome bath salts, am I right?
My mom has this huge garden tub in her master bath and I think she will really like these! They were so easy to make, they would be great gifts for any occasion.

What you need for this project:
Epsom Salt: Free, I always have this around to soak my feet after wearing high heels! :)
Sea Salt: Free again, I use it for cooking!
Fragrance: $2.99 @ H.L. I got Jasmine sent. You can find this in the isle that has the stuff to make your own Soap. (you can also use food coloring to make it colored if you want)
Container: Free. I have these from the Container store. I know its not pretty, but she has a beautiful vase for it to go in after Christmas!
Project Total: $2.99

Thrifty Under Fifty Project Total to date: $25.33
Gifts Made: 11

A sign of Love

2008-12-15T15:02:00.000-08:00

Anyone who knows my family knows we love to decorate with Cross'. I have them all over my house, my mom has a ton, my sister has an entire wall of nothing but crosses that is just beautiful! So it was a no brainer when I saw an idea similar to this while blog surfing many months ago. I always remembered the idea, but never though I would actually make one!

It was so easy, I am going to be making them from now on for friends and family!

What you need for this project:
Wooden Plaque: $2.99 @ H.L. plus 40% off coupon = $1.79
Scrapbook Paper: Free, this was in my stash
Modge Podge: Free, I always have tons of this around
Black Craft Paint: Free, I bought it for my wordle projects
Project Total: $1.79

Thrifty Under Fifty Project Total to date: $22.34
Gifts Made: 10

Another Wordle...for my Sis! :)

2008-12-15T14:58:00.000-08:00

WOW! Thank you all for showing me your awesome wordle projects! I had the best time trying to think of words for this one...its for my sister, Brittany! I am SOOOO excited to give it to her, because she has seen my mom's and LOST IT! She has no idea she is getting one too! I used words about our lives together. 25 years worth of relationship on one piece of paper...this will mean a lot to both of us! :)

What you need for this project:
Wordle Art: FREE
Frame: $5.99 plus 50% off sale = $2.99
Matting: $2.99 plus 40% off coupon = $1.79
Black Paint: FREE
Project Total: $4.78

Thrifty Under Fifty Project Total to date: $20.55
Gifts Made: 9

A special request...

2008-12-15T14:48:00.000-08:00

Why my BIL, Joey, found out that I would be making my gifts this year, he cheated and requested something that he REALLY wanted! He asked if I would make him a Beanie hat with a Fleur de lis on it in gold. That was an easy request....or so I thought! Until I tried to find a beanie in Austin, Texas! lol Its a hard task!

I finally found one in the CLEARANCE SECTION at Target, but you will never guess where.....in the girls accessories! This hat is so Joey! My sister told me he would like this way more than a plain black one, so I snatched and got to painting!
I even added a cross on the back so he can choose which one he wants on the front! This is SO PERFECT for Him, I am so excited!

What you need for this project:
Beanie: $0.74 plus an extra 30% off clearance @ Target = $0.52
Gold Paint: Free, I already had it on hand
Sponge Stamps: Free, I have had both of these forever
Project Total: $0.52!

Thrifty Under Fifty Project Total to date: $15.77
Gifts Made: 9

Wild Child!

2008-12-15T14:43:00.000-08:00

My mom LOVES bracelets and she loves animal print, so why not combine the two?

I have had these beads sitting around for over TWO YEARS!!! I have never done anything with them! So I thought, why not make her a bracelet to go with her killer necklace?!

I threw this random bracelet together this morning in about 5 minutes!

Project Total:
Animal Glass Beads: Free, already had them
Small spacer beads: Same as above
Jewelry Supplies: Same again!
Total: FREE!!!

Thrifty Under Fifty Project Total to date: $15.25
Gifts Made: 8

Light my Fire

2008-12-15T14:33:00.000-08:00

So many of you commented on how much you loved the candle idea that I showed earlier, so I kept thinking of something else I could show you that used a cheap candle but made it look like a really expensive gift that anyone would love to display in their house!

While I was walking through the Christmas tree ornaments the other day at Hobby Lobby, I found this awesome Fleur De Leis and just knew I had to have it! So I grabbed it and went straight to the candles and grabbed a cinnamon spice scented candle and went home to make this treasure!
**For the ornament, I just snapped off the ring that held the ribbon to hang it on the tree and touched it up with some gold craft paint I had hanging around.

My sister is going to LOVE this!!

Materials needed for Project:
Plain Candle: $4.99 @ H.L. 50% off sale = $2.49
Ornament: $1.99 @ H.L. 50% off sale = $0.99
Ribbon: Free, got them from my scrap bag
Glue Dots: Free, used for previous projects
Project Total: $3.48

Thrifty Under Fifty Project Total to date: $15.25
Gifts Made: 7

Neck the Halls...

2008-12-04T18:33:00.000-08:00

lol sorry I couldn't think of a cleaver title for this post!
I made another necklace for my sister because he huge request was LONG necklaces! I aim to please.
I made this beautiful wood necklace for her, and I also made a matching one for my mom, but hers is shorter because she isn't a "long necklace" type of person...unless its those layering necklaces that you get at Claire's for like $2 bucks. But that's not the point here!

So, what do you think of this?

Ok, so I got all of the supplies at Hobby Lobby, BIG SHOCK, I know!

Here is the breakdown for BOTH necklaces:
Large wooden beads $3.99 per package on sale, 1/2 off = $1.99ea.
(the beads between the large blocks came with them)
Small wooden beads $2.99 per package on sale, 1/2 off = $1.49
(I split one package between the necklaces. It has 160 beads in it)
Jewelry wire, closures, and crimp beads = FREE (already had them)
Total for TWO necklaces: $5.47
a little pricey, but totally worth it, because I know they will get a TON of wear out of these, plus they are SUPER trendy!!!

Thrifty Under Fifty Project Total to date: $11.77
Gifts Made: 6

More than words

2008-12-03T08:46:00.000-08:00

YAY! Another project finished and in under budget!! I am LOVING this crafting thing! :)
I was at a total loss as to what to get my mom for Christmas. She didn't really need anything and everything she wanted I would have to buy at a store. (like CD's, movies, etc.) Then it finally clicked...make her something with meaning that she CANT buy at a store! So I made her a word collage.
These are so easy and fun! You can make one by going to http://www.wordle.net/ then you put in your wording and can choose custom colors, layout, etc. I put this one together in about 15 minutes.
I then printed it out on white card stock that I already had at home, but you can use just normal white printing paper too!
I purchased the frame, which was an ugly wood tone, so I painted it with black craft paint that I had on hand.
I also purchased the matting, all at Hobby Lobby.

So, how do you think it turned out?

**A couple of wordle tips...
-If you want your text to be larger on some words, type them in box several times. The more your list them, the larger the word.
-Also, if you want to use a phrase then use the ~ between all of the words in the phrase and it will turn it into a space so it all apears together!

Price Breakdown for Project:
Wordle Art: FREE
Frame: $5.99 plus 50% off sale = $2.99
Matting: $2.99 plus 40% off coupon = $1.79
Black Paint: FREE
Project Total: $4.78
WOW! Not bad! I have seen these in stores here and they are really expensive. But this one has meaning because every word represents something to our family!

Thrifty Under Fifty Project Total to date: $6.30
Gifts Made: 4

Dressed up Candles

2008-12-02T16:19:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to say, I am not making this project for Christmas, but I saw the flyer for it at Hobby Lobby today and almost DIED! I HAVE to have these candles! I even have the paper for them already! And they couldn't be simpler to make.

These would be great for your mom or sister. Cheap, easy, and beautiful, now that's my kind of gift! You can even try them with different scrapbook papers, different color candles (try finding them at the $1 store!!) and different types of ribbon and embellishments.

Here is the flyer from Hobby Lobby:

Follow the 50 and WIN!!

2008-12-01T20:53:00.000-08:00

We interrupt this regularly scheduled blog post for an important announcement! :)
Do you want to win some amazing prizes just for following the 50 girls (and two guys!) in the Thrifty under Fifty Challenge?
That's right, just go to the YCMT blog and pick up a button to display on the web.

Want to see some of the awesome chicks on my team? Get inspired by TEAM KRIS!!

Team Leader Kris: http://thriftyfifty-teamkris.blogspot.com/
Members:
http://sistertosisterdesign.blogspot.com/
http://threeprincedesigns.blogspot.com/
http://allaboutcrystalcrtr2.blogspot.com/
http://athriftyfiftychristmas.blogspot.com/
http://7alltogether.blogspot.com/

Feather Headband and Jewelry

2008-11-30T18:38:00.000-08:00

Hey Girls!

So I finished some projects for my sister including the Feather Headband. As you remember from my previous post, these sell for around $30-$35 dollars, but I have seen them upwards of $60+ on Etsy!

Here is the price breakdown for my version:
Headband: $0.33
(came in package of 3 at Claires, clearance for $1.00)
Feathers: $1.19
($1.99 for the package at Hobby Lobby plus 40% off coupon)
Hot glue and Hot Glue Gun...free, because I already had them!

Project Total: $1.52
Savings: $30.68!!!

Here is my version:

I even tried it on so you could see what it looks like! :)

I also made my sister a couple of necklaces that are very different using materials I already had, so they didn't cost me a dime!!!

This is the black and metallic pearl necklace, it also has matching earrings:

And this is a multi-colored wood necklace. She LOVES these beads!

Thrifty Under Fifty Project Total to date: $1.52

Welcome Everyone!

2008-11-29T16:49:00.001-08:00

Hey Everybody! Im so happy to have everyone here!
I am going to be posting projects all the way up to Christmas, and if anyone has any requests or anything like that, just let me know!!

My first project is for my sister, Brittany. I really wanted to make her something that was unique and beautiful, but budget friendly. Enter the Feather Headband! I have seen these for a few months now and they are really all the rage, but who in the world is going to pay $30+ for one?! Not this girl!

Here is my inspiration, and tomorrow I will be posting my project with the cost breakdown! And let me tell you....its nothing even close to its original price tag of $32!

FredFlare.com: Gold Dapple Feather Headband...$32.00 plus shipping.

Yay! A new blog! :)

2008-11-24T21:33:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone from the Thrifty 50! My name is Nikki and I am on team KRIS!!!!!

I work full time as a graphic designer for my own company, expressive style graphics I am also a single mom to Lagan, who just turned 7! YIKES! :)

I love to craft and sew, and just be resourceful. I like to use what I have or make something out of nothing! I can not wait to share this time with all of you and get to make my Christmas presents, which makes them that much more special!

Over the next few days I will be putting together my list on here as well as photos of projects I am starting! :)

Keep checking back!
XOXO,
Nikki