Here's a fun contest opportunity

I saw this contest on Facebook and thought I would share.  This looks like a great family activity, especially so if you can win the prize.  Busch Gardens is so much fun!!




Tampa Bay Times/Busch Gardens Christmas Town contest on Facebook

Tampa Bay Times

Christmas Town is back at Busch Gardens Tampa! Enter our contest and one grand prize winner will win eight park admissions, Mrs. Claus' Family Feast vouchers and complimentary parking!

ENTER HERE: ---> tbtim.es/christmastowncontest 

Deadline to enter is Monday, December 8th at 8am. Good luck!

You must like the Tampa Bay Times Facebook page as well as provide basic contact information to enter.   This sounds like a really fun way to spend a day, if you ask me.

Greeting card and broken mirror upcycle

                                                                 
I do not like throwing things away, as is obvious from the projects I do.  Not only do I dislike throwing useful items away, I am appalled by the waste I see around me.  It just irritates me!

However, I do enjoy re-purposing items that may otherwise end up at the landfill.  For example, I happened to have a metal frame which, in a prior life, contained four mirrors.  Several of the mirrors broke once the frame hit the floor, but I really liked the neat little pattern of the frame.  There is something nifty about an intricate metal frame, in my opinion.

Since the dreaded broken mirror incident, I have been trying to determine what I could do with the cool metal frame.  It has taken some time but inspiration finally struck!  Rather than using the frame in a traditional sense, I decided to create a little motivational reminder.  What better way to remind myself to always have hope than to put it up on the wall?!  After all, it is difficult to ignore something that is right in your face.

As I love combining the colors pink and black, I searched through my used greeting card stockpile and found cards with a pretty combination of pinks and oranges.  I then fired up the printer, found a font I liked, and printed the word "hope".  Next, I taped the letters to the cards and cut them out.  Last but not least, I used my go-to product of choice - Mod Podge - and affixed the card stock letters to the former mirror backing pieces.  Easy-peasy!

I now have no excuse to ever lose hope as I have a sweet little reminder hanging on the wall.

Reward Apps - CheckPoints - The App That Pays You Back

Like many, I have been trying to earn extra money to help with the old monthly budget.  Fortunately, I have found several apps and web sites to assist me with my goal.  I thought it would be helpful to start listing them so others may enjoy the same benefits as have I.  First on my list to share is  CheckPoints - The App That Pays You Back.  It is free to download and available for both Android and Apple phones through their respective app stores.

The object of the app and corresponding web site is to build points.  These points can be exchanged for a variety of gift cards, gadgets or charitable contributions.

There are several ways to build points.  When accessing the app on your phone, you are able to "check in" to local retailers.  A check in simply means you click a "check in" button by the retailer's name and are immediately rewarded with points.  Points range from 2 to 10 for this activity.  You are also able to view videos, download apps and even scan products in stores to build additional points.   Additionally, the web site offers surveys, videos and miscellaneous earning opportunities from which to choose.

Although this program offers the ability to earn extra money, it certainly won't replace a full or even part-time job's income.  However, this is one of many apps and sites I have learned to use daily and have earned several gift cards.  My favorite reward from CheckPoints so far - a $25 Shell gas gift card.

I have included a link below that will take you directly to the site.  If you choose to open an account, I would appreciate it if you used my referral code - ladybugcents.  We will each receive bonus points. However, if you are not comfortable with that option, simply leave the referral section blank.  Either way, I hope you reach your goals.

CheckPoints - The App That Pays You Back

Paper towel tube flowers

Super easy, quick and cute; a fun project for any age or occasion.  These little jewel-centered flowers are made from paper towel tubes, spray paint and plastic gems.   A hot glue gun is also helpful.

Simply flatten the cardboard tubes and cut off 1/4" slices.  Fold each of the strips in half and apply hot glue to the outside of the fold.  (Which will be the center of the flower)  Add as many of the folded strips as you like as you continue applying hot glue to the fold (center).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

I happened to have some orange spray paint and decided to give that a try.  I admit, getting spray paint into all of the nooks and crannies was not the simplest procedure.  But I like the way it looked once painted. All that was left was to fire up the old glue gun again and attach some gems.




I think these flowers add a festive look when sprinkled across a tabletop. They add a sweet little pop of color and whimsy.

Oh boy, flowers!! And the need for a small vase.

Oh boy, I love fresh flowers!  And so does one of my cats.  The little darling has broken my flower vases by snacking on the stems and knocking the vase to the ground.  Glass does not respond favorably to a three foot drop to a hard surface.  

Be that as it may, I received a surprise bouquet of flowers yesterday - woot-woot!  Which meant I needed a small vase or container of some sort to display my pretties.  Of course,  I did not have one handy, thanks to my pudgy cat!

The first thing I grabbed was an old spaghetti sauce jar primarily because it was close at hand.  After trimming the flowers and placing them in my new "vase" they looked . . . less than wonderful.  

I decided to add a little pizazz by wrapping the jar with scrap fabric and securing it with a bit of coordinating yarn.  Finally, I sprinkled some paper towel tube flowers around the base of the "vase".  I have to say, I think it turned into a cute little display.

Now, if I can just figure out how to keep my Garfield sized cat from snacking on my flowers.

Dinette chair cover

Several months ago, I found four dinette chairs (with wheels) at a local thrift store.  I did not particularly care for the fabric but, for $25 for the set, I couldn't turn them down.  Since finding these babies, we have put them to use and have found they are quite handy to have.  With one exception . . . our cats.  The cats LOVE napping on the chairs!  Ordinarily, I don't mind our four legged darlings snoozing the day away.  That is, until I realized how much fur they left behind on the chairs.  Not only is the hair a nuisance to clean, we have friends who are allergic to cats.  The fur was making it difficult to include our allergy riddled friends over for a visit.  It was time to resolve this little issue in our home.

Originally, I tried making slip covers from an old sheet we had tucked away in the linen closet.  I thought slip covers would solve the  fur problem by allowing me to wash everything prior to our cat allergy pal's next visit.  That worked for about a day until the fur babies decided to play chase and ripped holes in the thin sheet material.  It was obvious that I needed to use a heavier weighted fabric if I had any hope of success with my new plan.

Thankfully, I was given a car load of fabric from a local homeschool mom several months ago.  Included in this bonanza were yards and yards are heavy weight cottons.  The patterns are probably not ones I would have chosen, had I gone to the fabric store and paid good money.  However, free fabric is pretty to me, regardless of the pattern.  That's just how I roll.

As I am not an expert seamstress by any stretch of the imagination, I had to keep the design really simple. And a simple design, in my opinion, involved measuring the length of fabric I would need to cover the back, front and seat of the chair.  I then added a few more inches to create an overhanging skirt.

Next came the oh-so-wonderful serger which is on loan to me from my Mom.  I am now in love with a serger!  This fabulous invention cuts and sews all in one fell swoop. I love, love, love it!

The final step needed to complete my new slip covers was to add a little skirt to each side of the seat portion.  Honestly, I didn't even measure the sides but rather "eyeballed" the length needed and used the serger to complete the corners then cut and trim around the entire bottom hem.

I am tickled with the results and now have washable dining chair slip covers.  Now it is time to host another dinner party since I can easily remove all cat fur from chairs. This little project won't win any design awards but suits my needs for the time being.  Free and functional - my favorite combination!

Paper towel tube gift boxes

What can you do with paper towel tubes, used dryer sheets and spray paint?  You can convert them into little gift boxes.  

I thought it would be fun to have a little gift for each person seated around the Thanksgiving table this year.  Nothing fancy or elaborate; just a little something that shows each person I was thinking about them.  Granted, the meal I cook should show them my devotion, but I wanted a little something extra.

These were simple to make which is of course my type of project.  I investigated my supply area and pulled a few things out.  The paper towel tubes were the beginning of my quest.  Next came a few used dryer sheets (and yes, I keep those things) followed by a few old greeting cards with cool little leaves.  Last, but far from least -Mod Podge.

I began by cutting each tube in half lengthwise and folding in the ends.  I then wrapped each one with a dryer sheet.  A little Mod Podge and some drying time and I was ready to paint.  

Originally, I tried using some off white colored acrylic paints but did not care for the look.    Instead, I chose a chocolate brown spray paint I picked up at our local landfill.  (From the free paint shed, woot-woot!)  The final step was to affix the greeting cad leaves and add a little glitter.  Not much glitter, mind you, just enough for a tiny sparkle.

As for what to put inside; I haven't decided.  Maybe a lottery ticket or candy.  Perhaps a note that expresses why I am thankful these people are in my life.  Shucks!  I could go "all out" and put all of that in each gift box.  Regardless of the contents, I am thankful for the opportunity to share this holiday with my family.  Life is good!