Our Thrifty Ideas

{Recipe} Strawberry Cupcakes

2012-06-01T04:00:00.000-06:00

My all time favorite cupcake is from a box. (Well, sorta)

Trust me, I never thought that those words would ever come out of my mouth (or be typed). But when I tasted this cupcake for the first time, it was love at first bite. Literally!

It is perfect for those summer days, because there's something so refreshing about a strawberry cupcake!

Strawberry Cupcakes w/ Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

Recipe adapted from Sweet Treats & Good Eats

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cupcake Ingredients:

Box of White Cake Mix
1- 3oz box of Strawberry Gelatin
3/4 cup of Strawberries (Pureed) set aside 1/4 cup for frosting
4 eggs
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup water

Mix the cake and gelatin together in a large bowl. Mix in eggs, oil and water until smooth. Then add the pureed strawberries (except the 1/4 cup for the frosting) until well incorporated.

Fill lined cupcake tins 2/3 full with batter. Bake for 15 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Make sure you cool the cupcakes completely before frosting them.

Frosting Ingredients:

1/4 cup softened butter
1- 8oz softened cream cheese
1/4 cup pureed strawberries (leftover from above)
1/2 t vanilla
up to 7 cups powdered sugar (until correct consistency)

Combine butter, cream cheese, pureed strawberries and vanilla in a large bowl. Slowly add powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency. We don't like too much frosting, so I do a thinner frosting, but some like a whole lot and make it thick so they can pile it up!

I used a bit of the leftover pureed strawberries to drizzle over the top. It added a bit of tart to the cupcake. Yummy!

{Tutorial Tuesday} #8

2012-05-29T08:41:00.001-06:00

Apparently my brain is still on vacation! I had so much fun having a 3 day weekend with the hubby, and playing out in the sun yesterday for Memorial Day, that I forgot today was going to be Tuesday...Tutorial Tuesday. DUH!
Well, better late than never right?

Last Week's most popular tutorials were:

Net Curtain Flowers from Twigg Studios

J Crew Knockoff from the Crafty Woman

Knock off Pottery Barn Pillow from Twigg Studios

The RULES of Tutorial Tuesday:

Link up as many posts as you'd like, but please make sure they are a tutorial.
Leave a link directly to your tutorial, not your homepage
Visit other's that are linked up. I know we all like to get comments, so leave some love when you visit.

I'd love if you become a follower of Our Thrifty Ideas

Please Take the Tutorial Tuesday Button and put it somewhere on your blog (located in the sidebar)

I will feature one, or a few, of the most clicked tutorials next week!

{Tutorial} How to Make a Ruffled Minky Blanket

2012-05-29T04:00:00.000-06:00

I had this post as a Guest Post on The Ribbon Retreat's blog last week. I thought I would share it with you all today.

I've been wanting to make a cute blanket for my daughter's bed for when we finally move her in with her brother. They are going to be sharing a room, and although she is 10 months old, we still haven't decorated her part of the bedroom. I finally decided on a style of blanket for her crib, and I think that every other part of the decor will follow after this piece!

This blanket is really easy, but takes some time and patience. Before we even get started, I thought that I would share with you some great tips I have found when you work with Minky fabric. This bugger can be a pain, so make sure to follow all of the tips to make it as easy as possible.

First of all, I found the top 5 tips from the cute twin sisters at DIY Dish.

Pre-wash coordinating fabric, as it may shrink but Minky will NOT
Pin Pin Pin Pin and Pin. Pin every 1-1 1/2 inches
Use a walking foot
Test your length of stitch and tension on scrap Minky
Keep Things clean.

Use a lint roller or vacuum after cutting it (use a rotary cutter instead of scissors, it's easiest)
Immediately shake the fabric out outside
Keep bobbin, throat plate, and feed dogs clean with a small brush.

These are great ways to keep from swearing off using Minky!

Another tip I've found helpful from Fabric.com blog

If you are sewing with Minky and another layer of fabric, sew with the Minky fabric down.

And if you are planning on cutting a shape, or pattern out of the Minky fabric, here is a comment left by one of the readers of The Ribbon Retreat

"Try this - if you iron an un-cut piece of freezer paper (shiny side down) onto the minky wrong side, then trace on your pattern, you only have to cut once. No pinning required (for cutting at least), and it makes the minky easier to work with. After it is cut out, peel off the freezer paper and continue as usual"

I used some Minky fabric on a pair of booties I made for my daughter and could have used this tip. Next time I cut out a shape or pattern I definitely will be doing this.

Also, I did a bunch of my cutting outside. That way it was not getting all over my carpet and everything else it came in contact with.

Ok, now on to the blanket.

For this blanket you will need:

Cotton Fabric
Minky Fabric
Thread
Measuring Tape
Rotary Cutter
Scissors
Cutting Mat
Pins (lots!)
Sewing Machine

Length - You will be doing 3" strips you will divide your length by 3 to determine the number of ruffles you will need.

Width - When you ruffle the fabric, it will cut the width in half. So if you want a 25" blanket, you will need a 50" strip of fabric

My blanket is 27"x36".

I used beautiful Riley Blake Fabric from the Sunny Happy Skies and Fly a Kite collections. Pink Floral, Yellow Stripe, and Yellow Floral. I also used the Soft Cuddle Minky fabric in Dark Lime

Start cutting out your strips for the ruffles. Since you want your ruffle to be 3", you will cut them in 3 1/2" strips. This will give you a 1/4 inch seam on each side.

Once all pieces are cut out, you will want to figure out a pattern. Mine was SPY (Stripe, Pink, Yellow). I wanted a repetitive pattern, but it could be cute to just do random as well.

Next, you need to ruffle each strip. My favorite way to ruffle is to change the tension on my machine to a 9, make your stitch length as high as it can go (mines a 5) and then do a straight stitch down the center of the fabric. DO NOT back stitch at the beginning or the end. This will make it so you can adjust the ruffle afterwards. Make sure when you start it, that the fabric continues out the back instead of curling back under the needle.

Once each strip is ruffled, pin the first 2 together. I find the easiest way to pin with ruffles is to use your ruler to "flatten" the fabric down.

While sewing the ruffles together, make sure that you fold the fabric onto itself so that it stays lined up, otherwise you will loose the ruffled effect of the strips.

Open up your ruffles and iron the seam flat.

Pin the 3rd and 4th strips together and sew like above. Then take both and pin them together. Pin the 2nd in the pattern to the 3rd in the pattern.

Open them up and iron flat.

Continue the same until you have all of your strips together. (ie, strips of 4 to strips of 4, etc)

Cut your minky fabric an inch wider and an inch longer than your ruffles. This will allow for 1/4" seam on both sides.

Place both ride sides together, and here is where the PIN PIN PIN PIN PIN comes into play! You will want to pin every 1-2 inches. I found that the easiest way to keep it all in place was to pin the 4 corners, then the middles in between each. Then go back and place a pin every 1-2 inches.

Sew around all 4 edges with a zig-zag stitch. Stop with about 6 inches un-sewn so you have an opening to turn your fabric ride sides out. WARNING- a bunch of the Minky will get all over the place. You many need to stop part of the way in and clean off your sewing machine components.

Trim the edges so that you don't have a bunch of excess bulge inside the blanket. Then turn your fabric right sides out.

Now fold the fabric inside on the 6 inch opening and pin shut. Then finish off the blanket with a straight stitch 1/8"-1/4" in from the edge.

Then you are done! Sit back and enjoy your incredibly soft blanket!!!

Next task at our house, a BIG one for my bed. Although my husband informed me he may fight for it, because it's that soft!

{Holiday} Happy Memorial Day

2012-05-28T10:03:00.002-06:00

Today I am taking the day off. I wont be visiting my family's sites today, because most are buried out of state. But we will be remembering them in the family time we get to spend today. I hope that you all will do the same and remember those who have served and are serving today.

Thank you to my brother who is in the National Guard and all those else who serve today.

PS, we will be having a BBQ today!

Doodlebug Designs Office tour

2012-05-25T18:03:00.000-06:00

A few nights ago, I had the opportunity to meet up with a bunch of other local Utah bloggers at the Doodlebug Design offices! Seriously, the second you walk into this place, you are instantly inspired to be creative. How could you not be with the fun supplies, bright colors, and creative minds around you.

We were able to use all of their supplies to make our own cards. They make it so easy with their fun embellishments, and fun card designs. But then we played with their bakers twine, scrap paper, stickers, and more to customize our own fun cards. There were even fun new tools that we hadn't used before...who knew we could be so challenged when it comes to new tools...we only broke one or two!

(source)

They then gave us a fun tour of the warehouse. I felt like running up and down the isles singing and dancing, while stuffing everything into my purse and sneaking out a back door! But luckily they had a fun little "Pop-up store" available for us to shop in. I'm not sure anyone went home without some fun new items.

Oh, and did I mention that their lunchroom has fountain soda...including Dr Pepper! That's my kinda office.

I wish I had taken more pictures of the actual office areas. Everything is in the signature Doodlebug Design colors. They have a workout room with 2 bathrooms across the hall. Each bathroom is in a signature color, with matching shampoo and conditioner in the showers! They have you covered from head to toe! They also have a fun kids room in case you need to bring them to work with you. Fun toys, couch and a TV to play video games on. I'm guessing kids BEG to go to work with mom!

I sent this picture to Sean and told him that I WILL have a room that looks like this one day. Is it not incredible?!

You can check out the Doodlebug Design website here and find a store near you here.

We have a house...sorta #DIYBloggerHouse

2012-05-25T04:00:00.000-06:00

Wow, if you've been wondering how the DIY Blogger House is looking, I have a quick update.

Did you see...there's a first floor already!

(photos source Kathy Dalton)

Look at all those windows! I'm just dreaming about all the possible window treatments they ~~need~~ get to ~~buy~~ make! Seriously...this place is looking like heaven already!

If you've missed what the DIY Blogger House is, you can check out my intro about it here.

DIY Inspirational Quote

2012-05-24T04:00:00.000-06:00

A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to attend the SNAP! Blogging Conference. Although it was fabulous to get a first hand experience at a blogging conference, I was most excited to just meet the people that are behind the scenes of my all time favorite blogs. I feel like I know some of these people like they are my neighbors or family members. But I've never really met them IRL. So you can imagine the excitement of all of us when we'd say or hear "I love your blog" as a meeting gesture! We also spent the majority of the weekend exchanging business cards with one another.

But of course there were the ones that had gone above and beyond with their cards. Just a few, Ashlee from Im Topsy Turvy had cake pops, Ashley from Little Blue Boo had fun bracelets, and Shelley from House Of Smiths had vinyl sayings, all attached to their business cards!

When I got home, I opened up the fun saying from Shelley to find this inspirational quote

"She believed that she could so

...

she did"

I absolutely loved it! If you haven't noticed yet, this totally explains everything that I've been thinking and having on my mind lately.

So I quickly found the small 2x4 that we previously had as a space filler for our baby gate, and painted it right away so that I could use the saying in my new craft room!

I'm in absolute LOVE with it. It now sits on the shelf above my desk, so I am reading it multiple times a day.

By the way, I AM!!!! It's crazy when you put your mind to something, how you can actually do it.

Being Featured

2012-05-23T10:42:00.001-06:00

Today I'm sharing a fun tutorial on The Ribbon Retreat's blog. Head over and check it out here

Also, we'll be making these fun Summer Bugs on the KSL news at noon today! I'm just hoping and praying The Little Man doesnt tear their set to pieces and maybe holds still for 5 minutes! I'd love if you'd watch the fun segment for great Summer Craft ideas for your littles.

Wish us luck (mainly The Little Man)!

{Tutorial Tuesday} #7

2012-05-21T22:00:00.000-06:00

Wow, I can't believe a whole other week has past. A huge thanks to everyone who stopped by last week and linked up! We had some incredible tutorials, and even some I'm going to be trying in the next few days!

Want to know what last week's most clicked tutorials were? Well....

Water Wall/Ball Run at Familylicious

http://trophyw.blogspot.com/2012/05/supermom-apron.html

Supermom Apron at Tales of a Trophy Wife

The RULES of Tutorial Tuesday:

Link up as many posts as you'd like, but please make sure they are a tutorial.
Leave a link directly to your tutorial, not your homepage
Visit other's that are linked up. I know we all like to get comments, so leave some love when you visit.

I'd love if you become a follower of Our Thrifty Ideas

Please Take the Tutorial Tuesday Button and put it somewhere on your blog (located in the sidebar)

I will feature one, or a few, of the most clicked tutorials next week!

#DIYBloggerHouse at Daybreak

2012-05-21T04:00:00.000-06:00

While I was at the Breathing Space Blogger Conference, they announced one of the COOLEST ideas that became a reality....that day!

A DIY Blogger House.

This house will be built, designed and decorated in less than 90 days. It will be built by Bangerter Homes in the incredible Daybreak community.

But why?
The concept of home design, and decor in one's home can get expensive and be "off the rack". I know that for me a home needs to be personal, attractive, and inexpensive!! This home will prove all 3 to be true, and you will be able to see the full result during the Salt Lake Parade of Homes this August 3-18.

You can see the same introduction video I watched here at Daybreak's website.

Meet the team:

Brian Clark- BrianClarkDesigns.com
Shelley Smith- TheHouseofSmiths.com
Jen Hadfield- TatertotsandJello.com
Lara Garner- Less Cake{More Frosting}.com
Char Coester- CrapI’veMade.com
Amy Huntley- TheIdeaRoom.net

And just the other day, Shelley and Lara were on the fabulous Studio 5 to tell us a little more about the project and give us a heads up on what they will personally be decorating!

I can't wait to see what these amazing people have up their sleeves! I will keep you updated as I know more. Because seriously, this is cool!

Sneak Peak

2012-05-17T17:12:00.003-06:00

Just wanted to leave you with a fun teaser. I'm writing a guest post for The Ribbon Retreat that will go up on their blog next week! We love this blanket, and the next project is a full size one for ME!

Summer To Do List

2012-05-16T20:46:00.000-06:00

This summer, I'm determined to get a WHOLE bunch of family bonding time in. And I'm not about to spend a whole bunch of money for it. So, I've compiled a bunch of activities to do with the kiddos, with the hubby, and some just by myself!!
Check out my list

With the Family:

Visit a different city park each week
Dinosaur Museum
Go on a treasure hunt
Go on a hike
Visit a Utah State Park (check out a season pass from you're local library)
~~Go on a family bike ride~~
Visit a train depot
Visit the Air Force Museum
Make a music video!
Go to a Fair
Ride a ferris wheel
Go mini golfing
Pudding Painting
Eat ice cream for dinner
Backyard waterpark
Go Fishing
Weekend Camping Trip
Glow In The Dark scavenger hunt
Day Trip to the Lake
Rearrange and decorate the Kids' bedroom to appeal BOTH kids.
Go Bowling
Go to a bounce house park
Attend a parade
Fly a Kite
Car wash for the toys
Yard Sale and let the kids pick whatever they want
Go to the races at RMR

With the Hubby:

Hike Timp Cave
Photo Scavenger Hunt (post on this one coming soon)
~~See a Movie~~
Go on a picnic
Play tennis
Swing on Swings
Spend the night at Lagoon
Movie Night in the Living Room
Play baseball at the park

Mommy Time:

Craft Night w/ other bloggers
DIY Spa day with some girlfriends
Pinterest inspired cooking party
Mommy night ALONE
Finish at least 8 books

I'll create a link to the list so you can check back to see what we have done as well as get inspired for your own fun and inexpensive list. Just check the side bar for the same picture as above!

Tutorial Tuesday #6

2012-05-15T13:23:00.000-06:00

Thank you to everyone that linked up last week! It was our biggest week since Tutorial Tuesday started!! I absolutely loved seeing everything that was linked up. If I haven't stopped by to leave a comment on your project yet, I appologize. No computer can do that to a girl! But don't fret, I'll be making the rounds this week and catching up on my DIY commenting!

Now, for the last Tutorial Tuesday's most clicked links:

Decoupage Nails from Twigg Studios (Seriously?! These are so cute!)

Fabric Scrap Knot Bunting from Pincushion Creations

Ok, now it's time for you to show me what you have been up to lately! What fabulous DIY projects and tutorials do you want to share?!

Bitter-Sweet!

2012-05-14T22:47:00.000-06:00

Ok all....I'm officially back!!!

I have had every emotion under the sun this last week...all because of a dang LAPTOP. Seriously, who knew.

I litterally got it up and working just minutes ago, and I can't wait to be blogging again. Thus, the SWEET part.

The Bitter :(

I lost EVERYTHING. Every picture, document, video, song download, digital scrapbooking, EVERYTHING is gone. I may have bawled for a few ~~day~~ hours, but I'm starting to come to terms. I had every picture of Baby Girl Barker's life was on this computer. And me being the horrible person that I am, did not have any of it backed up. Trust me, I've learned my lesson.

I've never been so happy to be a "Facebook Picture Whore" before. All of the pictures I have posted, and overloaded other's home pages with, is now becoming worth it! There were some pictures too private to share (ya know, baby being born pictures!) and those are the ones I'm the most sad about. I'm praying with everything that I will be able to keep those pictures in my mind always.

But again, on the sweet side, I'm back and ready to blog! Please forgive my week's absence, and I promise to make it up to you with some fabulous new posts.

Computer Crash :(

2012-05-07T21:05:00.001-06:00

I hope this works, I've never posted from my phone before. I just wanted to stop by and let you know that Tutorial Tuesday will not be going up tonight. My laptop crashed today, and my husband is taking it in tomorrow to get fixed. Hopefully I have it back in no time. Here's to fingers crossed.

$.50 Cookie Jar

2012-05-07T13:10:00.001-06:00

One of the funnest parts of going to a blogging conference is being introduced to new companies thru the sponsorships they have. When I got to SNAP! they gave me a fabulous swag bag full of goodies from all different sponsors. One of my favorites was a cute little "Cookies" vinyl from LandeeOnEtsy.
Right when I got home, I knew just what I wanted to do with it. My very own cookie jar for my craft area! Because yes, I'm a cookie muncher while I blog!

I have litterally had this cookie jar sitting in my house for almost 2 years! I found it at the DI for $.50 and just knew that it would one day find the perfect place in my life. After even making the move with us last year, it now has it's spot!

After a bunch of scrubbing, cleaning, and disinfecting, this baby was ready for some new paint. One of my craft area colors is pink (of course) so I had to paint the lid a bright pink.
Once it was dry, I sprayed it with a shiny clear coat and put the vinyl on the front. Now this little beaut sits right inbetween my laptop and sewing machine for easy access!!

Breathing Space Check-In

2012-05-05T08:19:00.001-06:00

Hey all! I hope that you are all having a fabulous weekend so far. I wanted to do a quick check in and make sure you remembered to be following me via social networking sites!

This weekend I am at the Breathing Space Bloggers Retreat in Daybreak and I've been attending some really fun classes and mingling with some amazing women. You can keep up with everything via Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Also, remember that you can find my most recent Instagram pictures on the side bar! Trust me, if today is anything like yesterday, you'll want to see the pictures!

As you can tell, I had the amazing privledge of going to a class taught by the "Cupcake Wars" Winner "The Sweet Tooth Fairy" as well as a class taught by "The Food Nanny"! I will get more into more details on the classes next week, but you can see the fun instant updates all day on my social network sites!!

Have an amazing weekend!

Foto-A-Day Friday #3 - April Recap

2012-05-03T22:00:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the third edition of Foto-a-day Friday!! I can't wait to see your fabulous photo related links.

But first,
Here's how it works:

Each week I will pick one of my photo-a-day pictures from Instagram and show it here. I will also pick my favorite picture that was linked up in the previous week to feature!!
Link up posts that are focused on photos (ie. Wordless Wednesday, Photo-a-day, Instagram photos, etc)
I would love if you became a follower of Our Thrifty Ideas
I'd love if you would take the Foto-a-day Friday button (located in the footer of the blog) and put it on your blog. Either on your post or in your sidebar!
Visit the other posts linked up and share some love. Let's admit it, we all love to get comments!

Today I get to share with you my April recap from the Photoaday challenge on Instagram.

Be YOU!

2012-05-03T14:49:00.001-06:00

Photo Credit: Castles Crowns and Cottages

My whole life I have been a people pleaser. I've always done what I thought others wanted, looked how I thought I needed to, tried to fit in however I could. Not necessarily as a low self esteem issue, more of a "how to make others happy" tactic.

No, that's probably a lie. I'm sure if we dug down deep, there would be some personal reasoning for it. Isn't there always? But really, the main reason is just to make sure everyone else is happy. I've always put myself last in an attempt to accomplish these goals.

I'm definitely an emotional person. I'm one who gets personally offended, and could possibly take things the wrong way. Technology has definitely made this worse. Someone can email, text, or comment and say something, and I will take it completely different than how it is meant to come across.

In many of my discussions with the hubby over the 5 years we have been married, he repeatedly uses the phrase "do what makes YOU happy". It's funny how when you try to make others happy, your own joy falls by the wayside and you end up being exhausted, stressed, and sometimes even unhappy just because you were trying to please others.

Photo Credit: The House of Smiths

It seems to me that lately so many things are focusing on the topic of "BEING YOU"; from church topics, conversations, books I've read, conferences, and other bloggers posts. Maybe it's just because it's really been on my mind lately, or maybe because it seems to be the year of making things better. But with all of the "Being You" topics bombarding my life, I have decided to really take it to heart...Full on, head first, diving right in!

This means many personal life changes (you read about my most recent one earlier this week), but it is also going to affect the blog. I've decided that this blog is not exactly what I want it to be. I want it to be a communication between me and my readers, a portal to share ideas (hence the "our", it's not just me here people!), and a place for all of us to connect on our cheap, thrifty, and inexpensive treasures.

I've incorporated these ideas with the fun linky parties that are now making weekly appearances on the blog. And I think this has been a huge benefit and a great way to interact. I'm hoping that everyone is taking advantage and visiting new blogs they find in the party and connect with the incredible men and women behind the scenes!

Another thing I'm going to start doing is a feature that will showcase a fun blog that I have recently discovered or just think you all would wantl to know about. There are amazingly talented people out there, and I want to share with you some of my favorites. These features will not be on a schedule, and will be random in both blog size and topics! I hope that you all will enjoy meeting the fun new bloggers as much as I do!

Another thing that will help this blog grow to what I want it to be needs to come from YOU. Comment, comment, comment! I'm not saying this because I want comments on my blog. I'm saying this because we all have different experiences, concerns, and talents. If we are all commenting to help out others, this blog and it's readers will benefit so much.

Our Thrifty Ideas has been my baby for a year now and I can only dream of what it will become in the future. Thank you to everyone that reads it and who will continue to stick with it as I become more "ME"!

Play at Home Mommy

2012-05-01T21:32:00.000-06:00

I have been fortunate to stay at home most days with my kiddos since The Little Man was born. Only working a few days a week, then cutting back even more once Baby Girl Barker came. But just this week, we made a huge decision to make me an official and full time Play at Home Mommy!!! I have incredible mixed feelings about this.

I have been with the same company for over 10 years, and I have made life long friendships and relationships thru my time there. Although it was nice to have some adult interaction every once in a while (and not to mention working with clothes is one of my greatest passions) but now that I am a mommy, there's no greater blessing than raising little kiddos and being with them thru not only my own ups and downs, but theirs as well.

This decision is going to be such a struggle and our family is going to need to make major sacrifices. Our finances have always been tight since having kids. We went from a multi car, toy, and home owner, to a single car family who rents a two bedroom duplex. The cut backs and struggles have been hard and at times I wonder if not working is really worth it.

But then I look at pictures like this, and I tear up in realizing that I am living my dream and I have the greatest blessings I could imagine.

A healthy family, love, and my faith are all that I need. The money will come in time, and the house and car will follow.

Right now, I'm so glad to be able to stay at home with my family and grow our bond even more!!

Tutorial Tuesday #5

2012-04-30T21:53:00.001-06:00

Thank you all for the great tutorials linked up last week. I can not wait to see what you have been up to this week. But first, here are last week's most clicked links:

Organize your embroydery thread at Renewed Upon a Dream

Distressed Vintage Flower Frame from Ashley's Dandelion Wishes

The RULES of Tutorial Tuesday:

Link up as many posts as you'd like, but please make sure they are a tutorial.
Leave a link directly to your tutorial, not your homepage
Visit other's that are linked up. I know we all like to get comments, so leave some love when you visit.

I'd love if you become a follower of Our Thrifty Ideas

Please Take the Tutorial Tuesday Button and put it somewhere on your blog (located in the sidebar)

I will feature one, or a few, of the most clicked tutorials next week!
*Note* I am no longer posting a tutorial in the same post as the linky. I have had some requests from other bloggers who wanted to highlight one of my tutorials but felt more comfortable if it was not connected to a linky. So I will still be sharing tutorials, they just wont be in the same post as the linky party.

Sick Little One

2012-04-30T10:24:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to leave a quick appology. Baby Girl Barker has been sick all weekend and has not let me get any blogging done. She's still sick today, but hopefully I can get something accomplished during nap time or after bed.

Creativity

2012-04-27T14:03:00.000-06:00

(Download the 12x12 here)

My friend posted this quote on Facebook the other day, and I had to make a printable of it!! It's going up in my new craft space to remind me that I am intelligent...just a different form of it!!!

Foto-A-Day #2

2012-04-26T22:00:00.000-06:00

Sorry that I skipped last week's Foto-A-Day Linky party. I was at SNAP! and for some reason it did not post when it was scheduled to.

This week there are a few changes!

The linky party will go live a little earlier. It will go live at 10 pm on Thursday's. That will give those of us who are night owls, and not early birds a chance to link up as well!

Here's how it works:

Each week I will pick one of my photo-a-day pictures from Instagram and show it here. I will also pick my favorite picture that was linked up in the previous week to feature!!
Link up posts that are focused on photos (ie. Wordless Wednesday, Photo-a-day, Instagram photos, etc)
I would love if you became a follower of Our Thrifty Ideas
I'd love if you would take the Foto-a-day Friday button (located in the footer of the blog) and put it on your blog. Either on your post or in your sidebar!
Visit the other posts linked up and share some love. Let's admit it, we all love to get comments!

This week I am highlighting a fun way to leave a suprise for someone when you are going away for a while!

When I went to SNAP! last week, I took the kiddos to my parents house for 2 days because the hubby still had to work. So we left a little suprise for him when he got home!

Tied balloons to some string and hang them from the ceiling with a little note. We also just tied a little note to the ones that we left on the bed/floor!

Now it's your turn to link up.

SNAP! Recap

2012-04-24T22:46:00.000-06:00

Kari from Newlyweds on a Budget, Me, Jill from Being Spiffy

Wow!!!

That may be the only word that can describe my experience at the SNAP! conference. It was every emotion wrapped up into one. Before I got there, I was more nervous than I could have ever imagined. I was going to a blogging conference, not knowing anybody there. Of course I felt like I knew most of them because I follow their blogs, tweet with them, ~~stalk them~~, and follow them on facebook. But most of them I have never met IRL. So I thought I would either

Sit in the corner like a loner all weekend
Act like a complete idiot and be picking my chin up off the floor when I saw my idols (I did this one!)
Get too scared that I would not come back on day 2.

But i was shocked to see how welcoming each and every person was. A whole bunch of the attendees were at their first conference just like me, so we all made friends right away.

I only had one negative experience with a blogger, where she kept using the phrase "ugh, small starter blogger". I was a follower of this blogger, but after meeting her IRL, I will not be following her any longer.

But on the other hand, I was pleasantly surprised to see how many other bloggers were exactly how I thought they would be!

For example, Shelley from The House of Smiths. She is 100% EXACTLY how she comes across on her blog. Bubbly, Happy, Enthusiastic, and Lovable. She is such an inspiration to what each and every blogger should be!

The theme for the conference was "Just Be You".
This was great timing for me, as I have been struggling with the concept, brand, and direction of Our Thrifty Ideas. The theme has helped me focus on what their blog is, where I want it to be, and how to get there! (fun changes coming!)

I also got to meet the incredible Ana White. Ahhhh! This is a saying that she has in her work space. She talked about how she looks at it whenever she does a project or a blog post. She makes sure that it is 100% her. All of the other words are qualities that describe her, but above everything, she says to "Be Yourself"!

Of course one of the main stresses of the weekend was if I would be cute enough to blend with these incredible women! Being an "I shower when I get a chance" mommy, it was a pleasure to get ready 3 days in a row...but also a major stress.
But I think my outfits turned out ok!

They held classes about the basics of blogging, techniques to use on your projects, turning your blog into a business, and getting yourself noticed in the media. Oh, speaking of media...If you don't know yet, I love to watch Studio 5 on KSL. I have a slight girl crush on Brooke. I love her personality and what she stands for. So when she walked in the door to be a guest speaker, gah! enter "lift chin from floor" here.

I'm surprised this picture is not blurry, as I was shaking so hard I could barely stand still! Meeting her was incredible.

Oh, did I mention that the conference was held at the beautiful Thanksgiving Point during their Tulip Festival

I can't wait for next year and having an amazing time with some new fabulous friends!

Wait, what? You want to see more pictures?!

Pictures include: Shelley from House of Smith's, Kari from Newlyweds on a Budget, Summer from Summer Scraps, Bridget from Bridgey Widgey, Amber from Posh Ideas, Celeste from A Lotta Living, Jeanee from Dirty Laundry

If you are wishing you had been there, you can find some recaps of the classes on the SNAP! website. And I hope that you sign up for next year's SNAP! conference so that we can meet each other IRL.