Clearance Couture: Target

I've already reached my max for March (bought this too). Kind of makes me sad looking at the calendar and seeing how many days are left......

But lookit what I got!

 

$7.48 wedges 

 

$3.48 dangly earrings

Summer, please come soon so I can rip the tags off these treasures.
Love, Me.

Crocheting a Blanket

I've recently begun yet another large project. Let's hope I actually finish this one...I have high hopes though! I wanted a blanket with multiple shades of blue (I'm thinking about a weebit of gray too) and I came with a vision of a concentric square look. I'm not quite ready to jump into the endless variety of stitches, so this is just a simple crochet. I figure the colorfulness of the blanket will keep it from being too simple. 

 

I did have to re-learn how to crochet since its been several years that I've held the needle. Basically I start with a slip knot and stick my needle through the loop, wrap with yarn and pull the original loop though making a chain link (or stitch). I realize that is a horrible explanation, so I could either show you sometime (maybe I should video tape it?) or you can search online for a good tutorial. My middle square was 45 stitches and I regret that I didn't count my rows, just kept going until it was square enough for me (folded it over to see if it was two even triangles, my stitching isn't consistent enough in tightness/looseness to count up to 45). And then I changed colors (tied the new color and snipped off the square color) and started crocheting around like a border. I did have to some-what start over when I learned I needed to add an extra stitch to each corner so that my blanket actually grows and doesn't become a giant beanie. I have no clue if these descriptions are even helpful at all, because reading insructions is no bueno for me, so I guess I will have to do some sort of video sometime so you can see what I am talking about. I am enjoying the fact that its just large enough to begin to keep me warm while I crochet! Definitely a winter project!

 

The first picture is more true to color, but you can see how the stitches change direction. I think that will be what compensates for my boring, straight-single stitching.

A Thousand Words

After looking through a bajillion photos of home decor--I found it. IT. The ONE. The snapshot that has bits and pieces of all the other favorites combined and not any of the extras you don't care for. 

 

(found here)

Polished, rustic, neutral yet colorful, rich texture and overall simplicity. And don't overlook those botanical prints--have I mentioned I love those??

Clearance Couture at Goodwill

I merrily skipped to the cash register with this one! A dress by Jason Wu for Target snagged at the Goodwill for $9.99! And now I anxiously await some warmer weather so I can wear this beauty out and about!

I've noticed that the Goodwill receives brand-new donations from Target, need to find out what day of the week that occurs! This dress would have cost $39.99 brand spankin new! $10.01 left for March...and unfortunately its already been spent--more to come on that!

Brownie Big Bites

It's been quite some time since I've shared some good eats with you all. Over this past weekend I made some brownie cupcakes (brownie mix into cupcake tins & liners) and topped them with a cream cheese frosting. The combination was quite enjoyable and were the perfect size for another great clothing swap! I used a dark chocolate brownie mix. The brownies cooked quickly, about 15 minutes per batch. And I topped them with this frosting.

All Grown Up

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! I transferred my blog into a full-fledged, 

real-deal ".COM"!  I will now essentially have two websites (theinspiredamericanwoman.blogspot.com and the-american-woman.com) and all my posts will update to both places. So if you're cool enough to have bookmarked my blogspot address, you won't miss out on a thing! It was actually pretty easy and will only cost me $10/year through the advanced options under my settings since I was already on Blogspot. I figured since I've kept this up for a year, I might as well take the plunge and make this thing a little more official. Slowly but surely I will be making some changes around here (like a logo or something!) and see where they take me. Can't thank you all enough for checking in here and reading my trains of thought! With enough of your support and a little luck I just might be able to turn this blog into a fun full-time gig. Hey now, I can dream, can't I? I've definitely got a looong way to go, but I am excited to see that I've made a whopping $2.41 so far (from the ads to the left). For sure going to be framing that check when it comes in the mail!! 

(found here)

Button Jewelry: Take 2

Wahoo! I found a glue to finally get this job done! Five-minute epoxy is my new best friend. Try it, you will be in love too. After my first attempt, I was a bit defeated about which glue to use. I mean Krazy glue is supposed to glue everything, right? Wrong. My button jewelry fell apart within hours. My father-in-law suggested I use five-minute epoxy, so I gave it a shot and it worked wonderfully.

The supplies:

Buttons

Jewelry bases/bobby pins

Epoxy resin

Epoxy hardener

Toothpick

Memo pad

Wire cutters (cut the tab off the back of buttons)

Combine a dime size of resin and hardener right next to each other on your memo pad/post-it pad and stir together with toothpick until mixture is clear (glue won't soak through). Then just dab a little onto whatever you're gluing together and let it dry. 

Which is like 5 minutes--hence the name Five Minute Epoxy!

Results: lots of fun accessories (rings, earrings & bobby pins so far).

So basically I am slightly button crazed right now, they're the best thing since sliced bread for shirts & sweatshirts and jewelry. All you pretty buttons better run for the hills. I've got my wire cutters, glue, needle and thread.

 And I am coming after you!