My kids thought I was crazy...

when I told them I was going to make a tote bag out of the dog food bag. But, now they aren't so sure:-). I think it turned out great! The bag material is like tyvek, very heavy duty and water resistant. I lined the inside with a contrasting, yet coordinating fabric and attached these purse handles that I got on clearance at Michaels. It measures about 16" wide and 12" high.Ok, so this may be going pretty far as far as reusing and repurposing, but I am pretty proud of the final product. What do you think? I have another dog food bag, do you think I should make another? Do you think anyone would buy it? I would LOVE your feedback!
For more inspiring ideas, check out Make It From Scratch over at 11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven.
And for more frugal ideas, visit the Festival of Frugality at The Might Bargain Hunter.

A Great Deal on a Great Homeschool Magazine!

If you want to get a great deal on a great homeschool magazine, now is the time! I have been receiving this magazine for about a year now, and have really enjoyed the articles and resources it always includes. There are articles that will encourage and inspire you, as well as great homeschooling resources like complete unit studies and science experiments.

I wanted to tell you all about The Old Schoolhouse Magazine's Fall Special. You can get two years of the magazine, 6 fabulous physical gifts (no downloads!) worth over $120, plus the current issue of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine that is full of ideas for the new school
year, so you start receiving your magazine in a flash!

It really is one of their best deals ever and you don't want to miss out. In fact, they've got a really cute Homeschooling with Heart tote bag (valued at $13.95) for the first 1000 to subscribe. About half of them are gone, but you should still be able to get one if you hurry!
(They will remove the info from the subscription page when the bags are all gone.) The total value is over $212, but you receive it all for only $39 - 50% off of cover price! Plus subscribers get their online monthly Teacher's Toolbox which focuses on a different topic each month, giving you words of encouragement, hands-on teaching ideas, book recommendations, field trip ideas, and a bonus download item.

Take a minute and check it out today. You can view older issues to see if this is something you are interested in, and the Teacher's Toolbox feature (which is fairly new), is a great resource for your schooling, too.

Need Some Ideas? Here are the Carnivals!

I forgot to link to these Carnivals earlier this week, so better late then never, I say!

Make It From Scratch was hosted by I've Got a Little Space to Fill.

The Homesteading Carnival was hosted by HowToMe.

The Carnival of Homeschooling was hosted by Dana over at Simple Pleasures

Take some time this weekend to browse and get some great ideas that may motivate, inspire and assist you in making your home a sweeter place and your Christmas a homemade one.

How to Have a Sane and Enjoyable Christmas!

A number of years ago, I realized that the only way I could make Christmas a stress-free and enjoyable time was to plan way ahead of time, shop all year, and take the last minute stresses away for my husband. And, of course, put the focus back on Christ our Savior, and reason for this celebration, after all.

Well, I believe this year may be a little different because we will be moving the beginning of December:-), but I wanted to share a great resource that will help you get on the right track. And you need to start NOW!!! It is not too early to plan for a wonderful holiday season. In my Inbox today, I received information about this wonderful resource:

The 12-Week Holiday Planner for the Christian Family
by Sheri Graham

Here is some of what is included for only $12.95:

• Blank monthly and weekly calendar pages for planning your year

• Weekly "To Do" lists showing exactly what needs to be done each week

• Thanksgiving and Christmas Menus forms

• Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Recipe Card forms

• A Holiday Self-Evaluation form

• Shopping Lists

• "Sheri's Tips"- tips to make your holidays meaningful, shared throughout the ebook

• Christmas Craft and Gift Ideas

• Memory Making Ideas for the Family

• Holiday Journal Pages

• Many, many forms such as:
  
  Christmas Gift Shopping List
  Gift Making Checklist
  Christmas Card Checklist
  List of Baked Items to Share/Give Away
  Favorite Meals to Freeze for Later
  Decoration Ideas
  Needed Supplies to Purchase This Week
  Holiday Baking Schedule
  Kids' Gift Idea List
  Christmas Gifts to be Shipped

• PLUS!!! This ebook includes "The Glorious Coming: A Jesse Tree Celebration of Advent" - Jesse Tree devotionals, ornaments, and instructions to make your own Jesse Tree!

• PLUS!!! Some of our favorite holiday recipes!

I have to confess that I am in no way being compensated for promoting this item - I haven't even been in contact with these folks. I just saw it and knew it would be a wonderful planning tool for so many of you who get stressed out over the holidays. Since it is an ebook, you can buy it and print it out today to get started. And you will never have to buy it again - just print out new pages each year!

Here is the link, in case you want to check it out more for yourself. And if you are participating in a Jesse Tree devotional/ornament group swap, then you won't even have to buy another book for your devotions - they are all included, too!

I am going to start laying out my planning for the holidays now, since the next two months are going to be a little crazy in our house. I already have almost all my Christmas shopping done, so that is one thing I am WAY ahead on:-) Just a few more things and it will all be done. That takes ALOT of stress out of the holidays!

The Cutest and Simplest Clothespin Bag Ever!

I decided that I really need to make a clothespin bag and was considering crocheting one out of plarn (plastic yarn made from plastic grocery bags) until I found this one online at The Family Homestead - it is made out of a toddler denim shirt! It is TOO cute and SO simple that I just HAVE to make one like that. Only one problem - no more toddler clothes! My kids are big now and I don't have any of their little clothes left. I guess I will just have to stop at a thrift store and find one for pennies:-)

Tip Nut also had a list of 11 different patterns for clothespin bags just in case you are looking to make one.