I Smell a Crafted Gift: Part 2

For Part 2, I wanted to show work in progress photos on how I made the sachet.

What you need: outside fabric, scrap fabric for potpourri pouch, scrap contrast fabric, vintage earring, pin back, and potpourri (I chose Lavender).

Bind the raw edges of the short sides of fabric.

Fold in half, right sides together, then sew up sides and bottom. Clip corners and turn right side out

Use the scrap fabric to make a pocket for the potpourri. Sew up three sides, put the potpourri inside, and sew up the last side.

Place the pocket in side pouch. Replace the earring back with the pin back. Fold down the top edge of the pouch and close with the pin.

Viola! Use as gift or keep for yourself.

I Smell a Crafted Gift

I wanted a way to use up fabric scraps, trims, and pieces of jewelry; more or less a reduce, reuse, recycle product that it not hokey. I searched for ideas and came across ideas for sachets. I decided to use a printed burlap fabric for the outside. I used scrap muslin to create a pouch for the sachet (I chose a Lily of the Valley fragrance). I used a vintage earring and replaced the clip with a pin. I folded down the burlap fabric and closed the pouch with the once earring now pin. I decided to add a lace bow for a little more character. Since I am gifting this, I wanted the receiver to be able to change the sachet if they do not like the fragrance or if the scent dissipates.

The Weekly CVS Coupon Trip

If you have not already guessed, I love to coupon at CVS. I did my weekly trip this morning and even surprised myself. Last minute changes and additional items helped make this one a goody. My key to a good coupon trip is to write down everything you plan on getting, plus the quantity and size, and what coupons you plan to use with each item. I also bring my coupon binders with me in case I see a special clearance deal. I did my couponing in 2 transactions (reason being was I got half way through my first transaction and noticed I missed getting 2 items and on my way to get them I spotted a clearance deal of 50% off unscented Secret Deodorant.

Transaction #1
1- Nabisco Wheat Thin 10 oz
1- Nabisco Triscut 9.5oz
2- Sensodyne Pronamel Toothpaste 4oz
1- Sensodyne Pronamel Toothpaste .8oz
1- CVS Brand Red Fish (I have gummy vodka and like to soak gummies in it for an "adult" treat
1- Olay Wet Cloths
1- Blistex Mint
1- Blistex Medex
1- Listerine Cool mint 1 ltr
1- Centrum Pronutrient Fruit & Veggie 50 ct
1- Centrum Pronutrient Omega 50 ct
2- Rimmel Moisture Cream Lip Gloss
1- Lumene cleansing cloths 10 ct

Total after coupons, previously earned Extra Care Bucks and tax : $4.52

(I also qualified for a free $10 gift card when you spend $30 on certain items, I always get a CVS gift card that I use on my next couponing trip)

Transaction #2

2- Secret Flawless Unscented Deodorants
1- Nature made Vitamin E 200IU
1-Nature Made Chewable Vitamin C 60 ct

Total after tax, coupons, and ECB: $5.21

Shopping Trip total out of pocket expense (oop): $9.73 (my goal was to spend less than $20)

Total Savings: 105.82

Savings Percentage: 91.6%

I shocked myself because I was able to get vitamins and supplements while staying under my coupon budget.

Do you coupon?
Where do you like to shop?
What are your most prized unexpected finds?

'Tis the Season for Crafting!

Giving a gift can be more rewarding than receiving especially when it is handmade. I love to sew and have a enough fabric to open my own store. For my grandma, (luckily she does not own a computer so this will not give away the surprise) I wanted to make something useful. She is a spectacular knitter. I have hats, scarves and even socks that she has knitted with love just for me. A knitting needle case is the perfect gift for her. She can keep extra needles wrapped up inside of it for easy access. The printed fabric pieces are pockets and the larger one has is stitched to hold different size needles.