Tightwad Tess

Sewable Fleece Winter Wear Patterns

2012-02-03T13:21:00.000-08:00

Brrrr! It's cold out there. Free patterns below to sew all kinds of things out of fleece. Fleece goes on sale often and it is pretty easy to sew.

Long Mittens to sew from fleece

Fleece Hat from Family Fun

Fleece Slipper Boots

Quick N' Easy Fleece Earwarmer

Fleece Big Pocket Scarf Pattern

No Sew Fleece Blanket This pattern comes from Project Linus to sew for charity so why not make an extra and donate it to a Project Linus Chapter near you?

Free Printable Recipe Cards

2012-01-24T04:57:00.000-08:00

If you are sharing a favorite recipe with somebody else, why not put it on a beautifully designed recipe card? Here are some free printable recipe cards from the net.
Recipe Cards for All Seasons from HP
I like these because you can drag a photo of your dish to the card and print it out
Alenka's Printables Recipe Cards
3x5 and 4x6 Christmas, beehives, Fall
Free Printable Recipe Cards-the site
Large assortment of designs!
4x6
3x5
Graphic Garden Recipe Cards
A large selection of beautiful country style graphics-strawberries, ladybugs, dogs, monkeys, seasonal
Belly Bytes Recipe Cards
Cute graphics-hot pads, autumn leaves, coffee beans mouse

Crafts For Valentine's Day

2012-01-22T05:17:00.000-08:00

Make a card, decorate your home or create something special for your sweetheart!

Knitting
Knit a Heart Shaped Cloth
Knit a Heart Dischloth
Knit a Loopy Heart Pillow
Knit a Heart Kindle Cozy

Crochet
Valentine Scarf Duo
Valentine Refrigerator Magnet
Valentine's Towel Topper
Valentine Card

Free Printables
Catch My Party Valentine Printables
Children's Valentine's Cards
Printables for Kids from Family Fun
Valentine's Gift Tags from Good Gravy

Sewing
Make a Cupid Yard Flag
Girl's Valentine Shirt and Headband
Valentine's Hot Pad
Valentine's Tea Bag Holder/Card

Slice and Bake Cookies

2011-12-05T13:23:00.000-08:00

For those busy holiday times or maybe just having some fresh baked cookies on hand at any time, there are several recipes you can convert into slice and bake. I love cookies like this and some are sitting in my cookie jar right now. To set you on your journey correctly, here is a You Tube video from My Recipes on how to prepare slice and bake dough and then ways to cut them without squishing them.

 Slice
Slice and Bake Cookie Recipes
Land o Lakes has a whopping 61 recipes for Slice and Bake Cookies including
Melt in Your Mouth Shortbread
Butter Rum Sandwich Triangles
Chocolate Pinwheels

Cooks.Com has 762 Pages of Slice and Bake Cookies including
Chocolate Chip
Oatmeal
Sugar
and every cookie you could ever imagine. Yum!

Printable Car Games For That Long Drive to Grandmas

2011-11-10T13:23:00.000-08:00

Thinking about that long, long trip to Grandma's house? Here are some free printable car games to take along.
Moms Minivan has
Roadside Bingo
Car Bingo
Lines and Dots Game
Tic Tac Toe
Travel Scavenger Hunt
Battleship
Song Sheets
License Plate Game Rules

Free Savory Pie Recipes

2011-11-07T06:23:00.000-08:00

If you are planning that Thanksgiving menu here is a great freebie to use with your Kindle or Kindle App on your computer. I love Gooseberry Patch and they have put out a free pie cookbook. There is a lot more to pies than what you can pick up in your grocer's freezer.
Below is a review from Amazon/Circle of Friends.

Are you already thinking about how you can use that leftover turkey from Thanksgiving? Well this cookbook has a delicious recipe for "Old-Fashioned Turkey Pot Pie." It is simple to make because you use pie crusts you buy at the store, frozen mixed vegetables and cream of chicken soup. How easy is that? Some of the other recipes that will be great to try out this winter include: Sun-Dried Tomato and Parmesan Quiche, Asparagus Shepherd's Pie (ground beef, potatoes, cream of asparagus soup and asparagus), Spaghetti Pie and Beefy Slow-Cooker Pot Pie. Most of these recipes have vegetables in them which is good for you but they have some convenience ingredients like soups as well. This is a great collection of recipes for family cooking.

And it's FREE FREE FREE. (My favorite part).
Click on the link below to get your pie cookbook.

Circle of Friends Cookbook - 25 Savory Pie Recipes

Free Kindle Book: Worry Less at Christmas Time

2011-11-03T15:31:00.000-07:00

Hurry Less, Worry Less at Christmastime:
Having the Holiday Season You Long For

This is a FREE book for the Amazon Kindle. If you do not have a Kindle you can find a download at Amazon to read it on your computer.

This useful book will help busy people learn to celebrate more joyfully, peacefully, and deeply during “the holiday season”—the days between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day—and on through the Christian celebration of Epiphany. Judy Pace Christie meets us where we are, in a frenzied, out-of-control frame of mind, and helps us begin to have a deeper understanding of the joy of the season and its deep meaning for our lives overall—and how that can be a starting point for a more abundant life in the new year.

Using the holiday season as an entry point, Christie guides us to a more helpful, Christian understanding of this time of year. Aspects of the liturgical calendar are introduced as part of this process, including the Christian understandings of Advent, Christmas, and Ephiphany. She gives us practical tools for coping with holiday pressures but above all stresses the need for transformation from a secular perspective to a Christian one.

NaNoWriMo!

2011-10-29T06:07:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be attempting to write 50,000 words in one month in the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). I don't know if I'll make it because it works out to 1667 words per day to write starting on Tuesday, November 1. I will be writing the second book in my Pecan Bayou Series--The "Quiet Please" Murder. If....I get to my word count. Wish me luck and be sure to check out my first cozy mystery novel about a helpful hints writer--A Dash of Murder.

Time for Pumpkin Picking!

2011-09-23T15:22:00.000-07:00

Here is a great website that is a part of Pick Your Own. If you are looking for a place to pick your own pumpkin, try Pumpkin Patches and More. This website provides a page for every state in the U.S. and 6 other country pages, listing the pumpkin patches, pick your own (PYO) pumpkin farms, hay rides, corn mazes, Fall festivals, Halloween festivals and events there.

Recipes Listed on the Pumpkin Patches Site

Traditional Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Butter!

Pumpkin cheesecake -
INCREDIBLE!!! You have to try this one!
Pumpkin Cookies
Pumpkin soup - even if you
normally aren't a soup lover; you'll love this one.
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
No Sugar Pumpkin Pie

The T Shirt Machine

2011-07-06T12:41:00.000-07:00

While reading a favorite blog of mine about autism, Aut-2b-Home-in-Carolina I found the coolest thing. The T Shirt Folding Machine. If you have a child with special needs or maybe just a child who can't fold a t shirt then making this thing is well worth the effort. I went out and bought a science fair board for my son's machine. Here is a You Tube video of how you put it together.

We are having to take it step by step as he wants to fold the whole thing up at once. Check it out!

Free Samples from Fireflys

2011-07-06T06:08:00.000-07:00

Free sample of Bare Escentuals purely nourishing moisturizer.

Free sample of Quest low carb protein bar.

Free sample of Honey Nut Cheerios.

Free sample of Shout Wipes.

Free sample of Splenda Essentials sweetener product.

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2011-06-30T06:04:00.000-07:00

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Free Samples

2011-06-27T05:01:00.000-07:00

Free sample of Members Mark Baby Formula.

Free sample of Avon Anew Solar Advance Sunscreen Face Lotion.

Free sample of John Frieda Frizz-Ease shampoo and conditioner..

Free sample of Jif To Go Peanut Butter.

Free Fourth of July Ebook!

2011-06-23T07:13:00.000-07:00

4th of July Crafts

4th of July Crafts: Sewing

Create a patriotic tote bag (Page 6) to carry supplies to the fireworks, applique shirt (Page 17) to wear and/or a stars and stripes pillow (Page 16) to decorate your home.

4th of July Crafts: Paper Crafts

Create a fun star pinwheel (Page 23) for your garden, a decorative wall hanging (Page 21) or a red, white and blue star wreath (Page 25).

4th of July Crafts: More Crafts

Crochet an American flag afghan (Page 31) or create a flag from inexpensive foam and scrap fabric (Page 36).

4th of July Crafts for Kids

Keep the kids entertained on the holiday or prepare them for 4th of July with these fun craft projects. Our favorite is the Patriotic American Flag Pin (Page 49). These are great activities for a group too.

4th of July Recipes

Find the perfect recipe for your BBQ or outdoor gathering this 4th of July. These other hand picked July 4th recipes from the Editor's of RecipeLion.com include Red, White and Blue Dessert Squares (Page 68) and Pork Kabobs (Page 58), and great grilling recipes, salads and refreshing summer desserts. Enjoy all of the red, white and blue recipes.

Click Below to Get Your Free Ebook!

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2011-06-13T08:15:00.000-07:00

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Don't Throw Out Broth

2011-06-12T11:12:00.000-07:00

I like buying organic broth to cook for my gluten-free child. So often, I find I can only use part of the container. The directions on the carton say to throw it out ten days after it is opened and refrigerated and this leads to wasting money and food. My solution? I now freeze the broth in ice cube trays and put them in a ziplock bag. When I need a cup of broth, I simply take out 3 or 4 of my "broth cubes" and add them to my recipe. Buying organic is expensive. but necessary for my son's diet. Freezing broth helps me to be able to afford a gluten-free diet!

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2011-06-11T06:25:00.000-07:00

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Mix Up Your Own Bug Repellent

2011-04-09T13:39:00.000-07:00

As the mosquitos get ready to descend upon us, have you ever considered using something other than the canned sprays you find at the store?

Here are a couple of ways to mix your own.

1. Use Pure Vanilla. The artificial stuff won’t work. Don’t be a tightwad. You can dab it on your wrist or you can mix it with water to make a bug spray.

2. Plant lavender. Bugs don’t like the smell of it.

3. Make Some Witch Hazel Bug Spray
Put together a few drops of witch hazel and essential oil like lavender, peppermint or tea tree
Add 1/2 liter of water
Put ingredients into a spray bottle and shake
Spray clothes and exposed skin before going outdoors.

How to Manage Pet Hair

2011-02-25T11:45:00.000-08:00

Have a dog or cat you just love but the management of the shedding is over taking you? Here are some ideas for picking up that pet hair.
1. Put a rubber ribbed sneaker on your hand and brush hair off furniture.
2. Take a roll of tape with you in the car to remove hair from clothing. Simply stick tape onto area and pull off pet hair.
3. Put on plastic gloves then get your gloved hands wet. Pick up pet hair with wet gloved hands.
4. Use a damp sponge.
5. Keep a whisk broom in each room your pet sheds in for quick pick ups.
6. Brush your pet often.

Make a Robe from a Favorite Sweatshirt Pattern

2011-02-08T05:09:00.000-08:00

Here is a link to instructions on varying a pattern to make a robe and instructions on how to make it. This cute idea was listed on CraftandFabricLinks.com and looks pretty simple to make. It suggest using your own favorite sweatshirt pattern and then making some adjustments to turn it into a robe.

Free Printable Thank You Cards

2010-12-31T11:25:00.000-08:00

Writing thank you cards doesn't need to cost a lot of money, especially if one of your resolutions is to be frugal in the new year. Click here to download this card and print it out for FREE. This card was designed for a standard small envelope in most office supply aisles.

Free PECS for Autistic Families

2010-11-23T06:38:00.000-08:00

I am always on the lookout for PECS (picture exchange communication system) for my son. If you want to buy these little pictures it can be very expensive. The other choice is take a lot of pictures or find pictures on the internet for your child. These pictures help autistic children who may have trouble using speech to communicate to others. Here are some sites to find some free communication symbols for your child.

The Internet Picture Dictionary
This site has many many cartoon like drawings of items. I successfully found pictures for car and dog but couldn't get any kind of cookie. So you won't find everything but there is plenty there to choose from.

Speaking of Speech (Materials Exchange)
This site offers free PECS in a pdf format. The PECS are organized into categories and there are several of them on a page. The therapy games section of this website is outstanding. There are games to work with your child in many academic levels. There is so much at this site!

Children With Special Needs
This site has both cartoon and photo symbols. Their categories include actions (my favorite is the "don't bite" symbol), feelings, holidays, food, toys, body parts and more.

Great PECS to help your special needs child communicate!

Free E-Cookbook Download for Thanksgiving

2010-11-15T14:34:00.000-08:00

Here are 30 Thanksgiving Recipes from Recipe Lion. This is a great site with plenty of yummy recipes. The recipe book contains recipes for turkey, mashed potatoes, desserts, stuffing and more. If this is your first Thanksgiving to cook, this might be a big help!

Thanksgiving Cookbook from Recipe Lion

Make Christmas Affordable

2010-11-13T16:24:00.000-08:00

If you are trying to save money right now, the idea of all of the extra expenses at Christmas can be down right depressing. Here is a strategy to lessen the stress and help you enjoy the holidays.

Make a list of all the purchases you will need to make for Christmas. Make sure you include things like decorations, food, teacher gifts, and a budget for gifts you forget about. It should something like this.

Food:
turkey-$20
baking supplies-$40

Gifts for Immediate Family:
Daughter 1-
Dollhouse-$35
Grandma J
Subscription-$15

Once you have your list made you might want to have parts your family can see and parts they can't. Daughter #1 doesn't need to know what she is getting while you check out your shopping list.

Estimate how many weeks you have until Christmas. Is it 8 weeks? Then try to divide up the expenses into 8 weeks or cut it in half and try to spend half at each paycheck time.

Finally, calculate how much you can afford to spend this Christmas. Divide that up into your segments just like you did your purchases. Can you do this all in cash this year. If you have to use a credit card, use the one with the lowest interest rate.

Try to find the most economical sources for the things you need. You can go shopping for Christmas decorations at that upscale boutique or you can head to a large discount store or dollar store and find things. The price difference can be staggering.

As you shop and wrap make a list of what you have bought for each person and hide it somewhere like inside your favorite book. Put the cost of each item next to it on the list. This way each time you shop you can quickly estimate how much you have spent and make sure that you are not overbuying for someone (this part is for us forgetful folks).

Don't forget you can give gifts of time, baked gifts and handcrafted gifts and cards. Just keep that old fruitcake in the freezer. It needs another year.

Instant Oatmeal for Less

2010-11-12T04:43:00.000-08:00

Don't you just love those little packets of oatmeal in the morning. Add a little water and it's just like Mom's. If you are trying to cut back costs those convenient packets of oatmeal can add up. The process to create this fast food is so simple! Basically, take the oatmeal and grind it down to smaller particles that cook faster. Think about how long it takes to cook a whole potato and how long it takes to cook sliced potatoes. It is the same for oatmeal. Once you grind up your oatmeal in a food processor add a little salt and put it in baggies. You can add many, many things to create some delicious breakfast oatmeals. Here are some of my favorite instant oatmeal recipes on the web.

Instructables Make Your Own Oatmeal Recipe with pictures--I like this recipe because it takes into people who are on sugar free or lactose free diets.

Dollar Stretcher Instant Oatmeal Recipes--This article has ways to make the many varieties of instant oatmeal.

The Light Keepers Instant Oatmeal Recipes--If you have kids you have to check this out. They have recipes to make S'Mores Oatmeal and Exploding Oatmeal. That ought to put a pow in your breakfast.

What's Cooking? A Menu for Fall!

2010-11-10T04:48:00.000-08:00

The air is starting to turn crisp and comforting smells are wafting in from the kitchen. Anytime you cook at home rather than visiting a restaurant you are on the road to frugal living. If you cook for 1, 2, or a whole crew, let's do some Fall cooking!

For the Main Dish:

Baked Potato Soup

2/3 cup butter

2/3 cup flour

7 cups milk (can use skim or powdered)

4 large baking potatoes, baked, peeled, & cubed

4 green onions, chopped

12 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

1 1/4 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

1 cup sour cream

3/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp pepper

In a large Dutch oven, melt butter and stir in flour. Heat and stir until smooth. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly until thickened. Add potatoes and onions. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add remaining ingredients. Stir until cheese is melted. Serves 6-8.

The Bread:

"Red Lobster" Biscuits

2 cups buttermilk baking mix

2/3 cup milk

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 cup melted butter or margarine

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Combine buttermilk baking mix, milk, and cheese with a wooden spoon until soft dough forms. Beat vigorously 30 seconds. Drop dought by heaping tablespoons onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes until golden brown. While biscuits are still warm brush tops with melted butter or margarine combined with garlic powder. Serve warm. Makes 10-12 biscuits.

The Vegetable:

Smokehouse Cabbage

4 slices bacon, diced

1/4 chopped onion

1 lb cabbage, cut into 1 inch squares

1/4 cup nonfat sour cream

1 tsp poppy seeds

Place bacon in a 2 quart glass measure or round casserole. Cover and microwave on high 2 1/2 to 3 minutes or until bacon is browned. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon; set aside. Remove all but 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings; add onion. Cover with vented plastic wrap or lid and microwave on high 2 1/2 minutes. Add cabbage to onion; re-cover. Stirring midway through cooking, microwave on high 8 minutes or until cabbage is crisp-tender. Blen in sour cream and poppy seeds. Garnish top with reserved bacon. Microwave on high 1-2 minutes or until hot. Makes 5 servings.

The Dessert:

Ooey-Gooey Butter Cake

1 box of butter cake mix

1 stick margarine or butter, melted

4 eggs, divided

1 (16 oz) bag of powdered sugar (reserve 3/4 cup for top)

1 (8 oz) packaged cream cheese, softened

With a mixer, beat together 2 eggs with cake mix and margarine. Spread mixture into a greased and flour 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Mix together sugar (except for 3/4 cup), 2 remaining eggs and cream cheese. Beat until smooth. Spread mixture on top of dough. Sprinkle remaining sugar on top. Bake cake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Free Printable Assignment Log for Your Kids

2010-11-09T06:43:00.000-08:00

Homework getting to be a headache? This is the time of year when some parents really start finding out if their child is keeping up the the daily homework...or not. If you have started thinking maybe your child needs a little assignment book, here is a free page you can download and put right into their three ring binders.

Click Here to Download the PDF file for the Daily Assigment Log

Book Review: Miserly Moms

2010-11-07T04:42:00.000-08:00

Miserly Moms: Living on One Income in a Two-Income Economy

This book is an oldy but a goody for people who pursue the frugal lifestyle. Written by Jonni McCoy it breaks down frugal living into several categories based on her "Eleven Miserly Guidelines".

1. Don't confuse frugality with depriving yourself.
2. Give up things that provide the least value.
3. Keep track of food prices.
4. Don't buy everything at the same store.
5. Buy in bulk whenever possible.
6. Make and grown your own wherever possible.
7. Eliminate convenience foods.
8. Cut back on meat and poultry.
9. Waste nothing.
10. Institute a soup and bread night once a week.
11. Cook several meals at once and freeze them.

These rules make up part of the structure of the book but it is also rich with recipes that help save money. Our family favorite has been the spaghetti herb mix. She also gives you strategies to deal with many of life's issues for frugal people like affording a baby, deciding whether or not a mom should be at home or work and then managing whichever situation you find yourself in. She also gives some great tips on things like warehouse clubs and credit cards.
If you like to make your own household cleaners, she has several recipes for things like window cleaner and oven cleaner. She even has recipes for things like face creams and bug sting spray.

Below I have the Amazon listing. You can also look for this at your local library.

Be Your Own Santa-Toy Making 101

2010-11-06T12:09:00.000-07:00

This is a reprint of the original article.

With all the disturbing reports of lead based paint and other dangers existing in imported toys maybe it's time to try a simpler toy. The art of making toys goes back hundreds of years but it seems nowadays people can find any toy conveniently so the idea of creating a toy is almost extinct. My grandmother made a spare income sewing stuffed animals and toy clowns for a hospital gift shop. Going up to her attic where to look through all the dolls and stuffed animals was a wonderful thing. If you have ever thought about toy making for a child in your life here are some free patterns as well as some book suggestions. If you can knit, crochet, sew, or work with wood you are already Level 1 Elf Qualified!

If the toy you plan to make is for a small child-watch out for choking hazards. Instead of a small plastic piece for an eye stitch an eye with needle and thread. Also watch out for the type of paint you use. Make sure it is nontoxic.

U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has two informational brochures on the subject of choosing appropriate toys.

Which Toy for Which Child Ages Birth Through Five

Which Toy for Which Child Ages Six Through Twelve

No matter what you do make sure your toy is SAFE for your child.
Make sure it is age appropriate

No sharp corners or ragged edges

If the toy has hair, sew it on well to prevent choking.

Watch for a string or pull-rope that could cause strangulation
If you make a toy box make sure it has a safety latch that will keep it open and prevent it from falling unexpectedly. Put an air hole in if your child should fall in to prevent suffocation.

Don't give a small child a balloon. This is a choking hazard.

Make sure your toy is sturdy. If you are making it for a child you know will be rough on it then choose something like a stuffed animal not a whirligig.

Here are some links to sites that feature FREE toy making patterns and supplies.

Free Teddy Bear Pattern

Holly the Clown (Crochet)

Koala Bear (Crochet)

Crocheted Penguin

Perky the Cat (Knit)

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2010-11-05T17:18:00.000-07:00

We recently had a family birthday and I wanted to make something different than the boxed cake mix. I started out with a butter cake mix and tub of chocolate icing.

It turned out really well and I only had to add in three extra ingredients.

Here is the recipe

Chocolate Chip Caramel Bundt Cake

1 box cake mix
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup Kraft Caramel Bits
1 tub chocolate frosting

Topping:
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup Kraft Caramel Bits
1/2 chopped nuts

Prepare a bundt pan and preheat the oven to 375. Mix together boxed cake mix according to decorations. I used a butter cake mix but this would also work with a white, chocolate or yellow cake mix. After you have mixed up the cake mix add in a half cup each of chocolate chips and Kraft Carmel Bits. Pour into bundt cake pan and bake according to cake mix directions.

After the cake has cooled, remove from the bundt pan and turn upside down. Frost the top as you would a donut. Mix together chocolate chips, caramel bits and nuts. Sprinkle over the top.