Valerie Aguinaga ,  is an amazing, young mom of four and has been diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  Please help her by spreading the word to your friends or by donating  $10, $20, or even $50 if you can.  I don’t have to explain why I am so emotional about this story…but WOW…let’s all do what we can to help!!

You can see her story and find ways to help right ***HERE***…THANK YOU So MUCH!

P.S……If you’re wondering how I know her, well…I don’t…..but I can still help….

I love this Good Idea from Michaels.  It’s all about making your own fabulous rings with stackable buttons and wire!!  See the complete post of Button Rings HERE.

Material List

Project Instructions

Cut 14-inches length of wire.

***TIPS***Decorate rings creatively. Hold two colors of wire together when forming the ring. Wrap second color around top of ring. Loosely wrap around ring, wrapping around top of ring when finished. Add loops of beads at top.

Say goodbye to August and HELLO to our new friend September!  That’s right, it’s the beginning of the month and time to check your calendars.  Here is a Good Idea…Look for Birthdays, Anniversaries, and any other types of celebrations and get your cards out, or make some celebration-appropriate cards.  The beginning of the month is a great time to get cards and gifts ready to send.  (This way, we aren’t late!!)  I prefer to make my cards rather than purchasing pre-made store-bought cards.  But, whatever, to each their own, RIGHT??!!  I have even seen some cards that are store-bought and then embellishments are added and that is cute too.  But if we are being truthful here, it really doesn’t matter to most people.  But, FOR ME, I like to let my friends and family know that I put a little extra effort into thinking about them…that’s all.  So here is an Anniversary card I made for this month.  It’s fun…super easy, and just a little twist in your typical schedule!!  YEAH…let’s break up the monotony, and make some cards!

Here is a side note to our card making; just in case you were wondering…I purchase most of my supplies at Hobby Lobby, Scrapbook Stores, or Michaels.  So this little flower came from the Hobby Lobby in a package of 6!

**IS THERE ANYTHING FOR FREE?  Here is a Good Idea..Let’s Make a Trade!!  This post is dedicated to TWO specific sites that are FREE to join AND….you are free to donate as well as receive!!  How great is that???!!!!!

So the first site is called “Free Cycle“  This is a place that is location specific and you may place almost anything on it that you would like to offer for Free.  You may also accept other people’s items for free.  There is a registration..but no fee, and a few simple and logical rules to follow as well, but it’s fantastic if you have stuff you want to get rid of or are looking for something as well!!  Here is their info…The Freecycle Network™ is made up of 4,854 groups with 7,587,333 members around the world. It’s a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It’s all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer (them’s good people). Membership is free. To sign up, find your community by entering it into the search box above or by clicking on ‘Browse Groups’ above the search box. Have fun!

The next site I wanted to talk about is a fairly new site called “Gails ‘List a Wish’ Foundation” that is primarily for parents. You have to register here as well, but it too, is FREE.  They also have simple and logical rules to abide by, and that keeps everyone happy!!   Here is their info…“Believing In The Love For Family And The Power Of Helping Others” A new non-profit organization that brings parents together to offer or trade “family friendly” items.  Children’s clothes, toys, diapers, formula, coupons, furniture and even groceries are examples of things being traded right now.  Our mission is to unite parents, so together we can make a difference in the quality of life and overall well being of children and their families.

Here’s A Great Idea for today.  Make a batch of brownies…I prefer Betty Crocker…they are so soft and moist…..and then EAT THE CENTER.  You will love every bite!  YUM