So. Much. Stuff.

Just like Blonde on a Budget, we're doing a MAJOR purge with our shopping ban.  And let me say, it's been eye opening.  The girls got rid of so much clothing and still have plenty left in their closet.  

We call this pile "Clothes Mountain".  We joked about it but it really makes me feel embarrassed. We just went through their closet and dresser a few months ago so it's not like this is a year's worth of outgrown clothing.  In fact, most of this still fits them, it's just not their style anymore (apparently they're both VERY anti-pink now).  We do get a lot of hand me downs from friends but a large portion of this was purchased by us or my mom.

I work at a very low income school with lots of students who have very minimal clothing, maybe only two pairs of pants.  If those pants get stained or torn or don't fit anymore, they continue to wear them.  I've let my girls think that clothing is disposable and if you don't love what you have, we'll just go out and buy something new. I rarely try to mend or re-purpose anything and don't think twice about running to the store.  

Here's a perfect example of our issue.  A few months ago, I realized Matea only had one pair of jean shorts and I decided she needed more.  We ran into Walmart that day and spent $15 on two pairs of shorts.  Now those shorts are in Clothes Mountain, each worn only a handful of times because she decided they weren't comfortable.  Yes, it's only $15 but how many times have we thrown away just $15, only $10, etc.?

I'm hoping our shopping ban will teach us a few things about buying clothes.  

1. We all wear the same 12-15 outfits all the time so we really don't need 70 different shirts.

2. Just because something is on clearance, doesn't mean I have to buy it.

 

3. Only buy things we truly love.  If we're talking ourselves into liking something, it's a no.  If there's the slightest hint that it won't be comfortable, it's a no.

4. We don't need a million multiples of everything.  2-3 hoodies is totally fine, we don't all need 6 or 7.  The girls can easily get by with 2 pairs of jeans each.  A colorful kimono for every freakin day of the week is excessive.

5. Remember that I can't force Bella to give up her sporty spice wardrobe and go back to the days of pink and ruffles and twirling.

6. Focus on buying far less but higher quality items that will last or have a guarantee.  Steve bought a pair of $89 Kuhl pants (we only paid $22 on clearance though - woot!) that started coming apart at one of the seams.  Instead of tossing them, he contacted the company and they repaired them for free.  We want to work on buying more brands like this that really back their product.

So, back to school shopping is going to stink because this year, it's pretty much non existent.  And it's always been a really BIG deal in our house.  Each of the girls already got 4 or 5 new items before we came upon the idea of a shopping ban and now all they're allowed is one pair of jeans and a first day of school outfit.  Not even our standard new undies and socks to start off the year!  I know my mom will read this and want to make up for our ban by taking the girls shopping but they truly don't need anything.  Need vs. want, that's what we need to take away from this.

Shopping Ban

It's been a long time since I've blogged but our family is beginning a little adventure and I think this blog is a great place to keep track of our goals and results.

A few weeks ago, I read this blog post that was linked on our budgeting software's Facebook page (You Need a Budget).  It was written by a young woman who undertook a year long shopping ban after realizing she had accumulated way too much stuff and was doing a lot of unnecessary shopping.  It's totally worth reading even if you think a shopping ban is crazy.

I was really inspired and sent the link to Steve and told him I wanted to do our own Gonzalez Family version.  We did a two week long no-spend challenge a few years ago but I really wanted to do something bigger this time. 

We got the girls on board and used some of our recent 8 hour car ride to Oregon to discuss our terms.

So, here's what we're looking at...

3 month long shopping ban

-began on July 18th

-ends on October 18th

Approved Purchases (items we know we'll have to buy)

1 pair of jeans for each Bella and Matea

Birthday gifts for Tina and Shane (try to make all other gifts)

Steve shoes

Matea's birthday party (aim for $200 total)

School supplies - only what is on list, no "fun" items, shop the house first

Kelci work pants, 1 pair

First day of school outfit for Kelci, Bella, and Matea

One Go Ruck Event for Steve

Project life vertical page protectors

$100 for next month's girls' trip (which was planned months ago)

Acceptable Spending

Groceries

Fuel

Utilities

Necessary cleaning supplies and toiletries (no fun or extra items, only once we run out)

Girl Scout events

Extracurricular activities (baton lessons, volleyball, swim)

Pictures for scrap booking but no supplies

$100/month for dining (currently spending about $250) 

  

One Yard Wonders - Strapless Bandeau Shorty Jumper

I've been doing tons of sewing lately and almost zero picture-taking and posting.  Custom orders, baby gifts, freezer paper stenciling, zippered pouches for staff appreciation week have all kept me busy.  I just finished the cutest custom order ever but only took a crappy cell phone pic:(

It's a newborn peasant dress with a matching doll wearing the same dress.  How adorable is that?!  I wish I could take credit for the idea but my friend who ordered the set gets all the credit.  I'm thinking about listing a few of these in my shop since I think it's a really nice, unique gift.

After a day of working part-time for my sewing job, shuttling kids, and barely being able to keep my eyes open thanks to allergy meds, I decided I wanted to take on a project.  I looked through my One Yard Wonders book this weekend and realized that in the 18 months or so since I bought it, I haven't made one damn thing even though there are several patterns I want to try.

I decided to make the Strapless Bandeau Shorty Jumper for Matea (pages 194&195).  Let me say this could not have been any easier.  It literally took less than 30 minutes from start to finish and turned out even cuter than the picture, if I do say so myself.

How cute is she?!  She'll be finished with kindergarten in just a few weeks and I've been really sad thinking about her being in first grade and gone all day just like Bella next year.  No more snuggles with mommy in the two hours we have together between her pickup and Bella's.  In some ways, I think sending her off to first grade will be harder than kindergarten. 

 (Namaste)

But back to the jumper...I think even the most beginner of seamstresses could handle this.  I was a little worried about the strapless aspect but I used a nice wide elastic which kept it up well.  She ran around and played outside and didn't flash me once!  I used a vintage sheet from my stash because I wanted something light and summery and I love this aqua color with my girls' Mexican skin tone.

And Matea approves of the outfit too!  She asked me to modify it a little and turn it into a bathing suit pattern so we'll see how that goes.

SALE

All rag dolls in my shop have been marked down to $20!  

Take a quick peek, there are some real cuties listed.  Shop here.

Pinterest Inspired Headboard

Wanna know a secret? Crafty Papa and I have never had a real bed. I mean, we have a bed frame but we've never had a bed with a headboard and foot board. In every house we've lived in, our master bedroom sort of looks like we just finished college and have no money. Now only half of that statement is true:)

I pinned this headboard and knew we could make it for almost-free...

Source: domesticcharm.blogspot.com via Kelci on Pinterest

The new place we call home has hidden treasures all over the property. We've found an old wood burning stove that we use in the back yard, another wood burning stove that was rotting but Pops used the legs as a base for an outdoor table, a washing machine tub for campfires, old metal fencing I used for a jewelry organizer, vintage pencils and bottles, the cutest vintage metal cart and tons and tons of old wood.

This project couldn't have been easier. We picked out wood planks that were still in decent condition and gave them a good brushing to get rid of debris. Then we gently screwed them onto anchoring strips (and I really do mean gently, the screws just barely go into the wood planks because we didn't want to risk splitting them).

I used my Cricut to cut out the "Mr." and "Mrs." stencils and used paint I had left over from another project. I couldn't adhere the stencil to the wood because it was so rough so I dabbed the paint on instead of brushing.

Our only cost was the hardware to hang it. Not too shabby. It makes a big impact in our bedroom and definitely makes it feel more finished.

Quilting

I started a new quilt this week and realized that I never shared the last one I made. In the midst of moving during the holidays, I decided to make my mom a quilt for Christmas. And I even finished it in time for Christmas with a few days to spare!

I used this tutorial from Cluck Cluck Sew and used only fabrics I already had in my stash except for the back. I must have really loved her quilt because I pinned it twice on Pinterest and didn't realize they were the same quilt!

I've always stippled my quilts but decided to do something different this time. I free motion quilted the borders and straight line quilted the blocks. Honestly, I didn't love the straight line quilting. It definitely made for a much less puckered back but I just really like the crinkly look that stippling creates.
Now I'm working on a scrappy log cabin quilt using this tutorial from Red Pepper Quilts.

Of course, I'm piecing the blocks only using fabrics from my overflowing scrap drawers. I've done a lot of rainbow-ish primary colors quilts so this time I'm trying to go with a different color scheme...pink, yellow, green and blue with gray sashing. I'd really like to make a queen size quilt for our bed but that's a whole lotta blocks to piece! But it would look fabulous with my gold chevron curtains, don't you think? (that's the view from my sewing desk in our bedroom...don't hate)

Handmade Holidays

I had grand plans for lots of handmade gifts this year (especially for my girls) but we moved on December 1st which forced me to reevaluate my list. I knew I still wanted to make gifts for the girls' teachers because they get a ton presents and I really wanted ours to be something different. I bought fabric from fabric.com using a great coupon and used Jona's fabulous Shopgirl Apron pattern.

I've used her pattern so many times, I've lost count. It really is easy and I like that it allows for some variation with appliques or special touches. All three teachers loved their aprons and really seemed to appreciate the handmade nature of their gift which was nice.

My girl even got in on the handmade gift giving. She made a ruffled scarf for her BFF. As much as I like teaching her how to sew, the control freak in me can't stand to watch weave all over on her strip of fabric like a drunken seamstress.

I'll have to share pics soon of the new place we call home sweet home. We moved out to the country on three acres and so far, we're all loving it. Really, one of the best decisions we've ever made. Moving right in the middle of the holidays was super stressful but waking up to this view every morning totally makes it worth it.
Satellite reception is spotty and our internet connection is slower which means I've been spending more time sewing. Funny how that works. I've listed a few new dolls in my shop and am working on some chevron stripe bags (that will be really hard to list instead of keep).