Budget101.com Brings Back the Thank You Gift Program

This is an informational post for my readers.  Most of you might already know about the website Budget 101.  If so, you know it's an awesome source.  If not, it's worth checking out.

They have announced that they will continue the Thank You Gift Program in 2015.
For every 5 posts or threads that a member makes they get one entry in to the bi-weekly gift giveaway.
Past gifts have included:  food dehydrators, vacuum sealers, digital photo frames, bread-making books and accessories and much more!

You can read full details here:  http://www.budget101.com/content.php/3889-Free-Stuff-from-Budget101-com


Budget 101 covers crafts, do-it-yourself, freebies, coupons, money matter, recipes and so much more.
I know I plan to visit the site a lot from now on!

Frugal Friday With Marsha --- Christmas Gifts

Let me first say Happy New Year.  Yesterday had it's ups and downs, but for the most part if was a nice start to the new year.

Christmas is over, so now I can share the gifts that I made as gifts for Christmas 2014  :)

Let's start with the fabric bags that I made.  Each year I give everyone a Christmas sack with some candy and then little goodies.  Goodies that I've collected over the year, Christmas items that I buy on sale, etc.   In January I learned how to make lined fabric bags at quilt guild.  It was our community service project, giving the bags to the women's shelter. 
I had amassed quite a bit of Christmas fabrics, so thought it would be nice to make fabric fabrics to fill.  I did.....25 of them total.

I made a doll bed, quilt, pillows, and a rug for my 3 yr old granddaughter, Zelda.  (I'm in the process of making lots of these sets to lists in my online craft shops over the coming year)

I made a sock family for my 18 month old grandson, Killian.  (I am thinking of making lots more of these too)

I thought about making an apron for my son since he bbq's a lot.  While looking through a box of fabric for 'manly' fabrics, I ran across some Elvis fabric and fabric with records on it.
I will make my son an apron for his birthday in April, but stopped and made my mom an Elvis quilt for Christmas.

Throughout the year I made 42 hot pads with blocks that I had left over from quilt tops.  I didn't save a picture of them all made, but here is a picture of one of them in the making.  Every adult, or adult couple in the family rec'd 2 hot pads.  It was strange, that my oldest daughter didn't even own 1 hot pad.  She was using old t-shirts for hot pans on the table.  She will be getting 2 more for her birthday Feb.1.

Last minute I decided to also give each adult or adult couple a set of 4 coasters.  I made 10 sets plus 2 coasters.

 All in all, it was a nice handmade Christmas in additional to good deals I got throughout the year and at the last minute to make up my total gifts for the year.

I have pulled out a book that I bought 2 years ago and marked pages of things that I am going to start working on making THIS month and work on throughout the year instead of mostly last minute.
The book is highlighted here:



I look forward to the frugal posts you will share with my readers and myself this week!

An InLinkz Link-up

Writer's Unite--Welcome to 2015!

Happy New Year!

I feel that there are a lot of us out there who have already been working towards differences in our writing.
For me, I have been working on getting more affiliate links into my posts, in hopes of monetizing my blog more. 
I wrote before about getting a notebook ready to keep track of things that I am doing.  Things such as going back to older blog posts and updating them to add some affiliate links added where I can.
I am writing down as I go back in and edit each blog post.

I have a question for my readers---Over the years I have done a lot of different reviews.  The majority of those reviews included a giveaway.   Would it be ok to edit those posts to remove the giveaway portions of each post and leave them up as just reviews?  Or, is it better if I just leave those alone?

For my blog, I hope to keep up with my regular posting as well as find things to post in addition.  Most especially I want things to post on the days that I don't already have a regular post going up.

The only other place that I write is bubblews.  I'm sure most of you know that pay isn't what it used to be there, and not even close.  I still plan to stay, even with the New Year's Eve announcement.  I still hope that others will also stay with the site as well.

I'm loving TSU!  I'm working on posting more there than just links to my writing and putting in other types of statuses as well.  I just find it a fun place to be.  I follow many hashtags of interest to me such as coupons and quilting.  It's an added plus to earn while socializing.  It takes time to establish connections to see the daily earnings rise.    I've already saved well over $200 just in the deals that others have posted in the couponing hashtags though.

Let me know what you are up to this new year!

An InLinkz Link-up

WIP Wednesday--Christmas is Past and the New Year is Upon Us

I skipped my post last week.  I hadn't worked on anything except Christmas gifts.  Boy, that rush of trying to get it all done in time.  I made it though.  I will be highlighting those things in my post on Friday.

Since Christmas I've completed a rug.  I will list it in my etsy shop later today or tomorrow.  Probably tomorrow as getting things made and listed, and promoting what's already listed is big on my list of goals for 2015.

I got in an order for a dozen dish scrubbies.   I've been working on those since Christmas as well.

Last night I got the sewing machine out.
I started to work on my sampler block to show this Saturday to get my next block.  The block is called Red Cross.  I stopped working on it after getting the pieces cut.

Then I went to my design wall and started putting my Five and Dime blocks into larger sections.  I was going for trying to get the top all sewn together before midnight, but it didn't happen.

Let's look at my UFO list.   I keep wondering about this.  There are just projects that I take to places.  Yo-yo's or hexagons to my stitch group, and then one project that I take to sit n' sew.  My sit n' sew plan right now is the fractured pineapple quilt until I get the top done on it.  That will be 6 months or so from now.
Otherwise, I really think I need to take down a project bag and work on that project until it's done, then move to the next one.

UFO's:

Rectangle quilt
challenge wall hanging
GoodNight Irene quilt/wall hanging
Yo-Yo Table runner
Emerald Island Fusique table runner
Five and Dime quilt
Fractured Pineapple quilt
Charming Stars quilt
Brown half square triangle quilt
? sets of doll blanket, pillows and rug
Hexagon flower table runner
re-do binding on blue and peach patchwork

I also have a list of projects that I have in bags, but haven't started yet.

NewFO's
Spiderweb quilt
Easter wall hanging
Cat wall hanging
Braid table runner
Sunflower pillow
Christmas wall hanging
Chevron quilt

And...here is the list of what I completed in 2014!

2014 Finishes:
Log Cabin quilt
Log Cabin wall hanging
Log cabin table runner
2 rectangle table runners
Quilt for sewing club at church
Applique Bunnies quilt
Penny Patch Quilt
Spoolin' Around
Hexagon table topper
Sunflower table runner and matching placemats
9 Trick-or-Treat bags
40 Hot Pads
Christmas bags
42 coasters
Elvis quilt
WIP at Freshly Pieced
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer quilt

I look forward to hopping around today to see what others are getting done!
I am linking up with the following blogs:

#cube Review and Giveaway hosted by MarksvilleandMe

I'm happy to be a co-host of this #cube giveaway that is hosted by MarksbilleandMe. If you are in to instagram, as so many are, you won't want to miss your chance to enter for a chance to win one of your own!

Easy entries using the rafflecopter form below!

#Cube Giveaway and Review 

Hosted by MarksvilleandMe

Co-hosted by Marsha's Spot

&

WamBam's Corner

Sponsored by #Cube

#Cube comes in three colors Black, White, and Black with a Rainbow stripe on it. I received the White #Cube. I have always wanted a  digital picture frame, and even though this only does #instagram pictures right now, I am more then happy with it. I put it right by my computer while I am working, so that I can keep up with all of my friends Instagram  feeds. 

#Cube is super easy to set up and use. You can do it all in under 5 minutes. The instructions are clear and precise. I was able to set it up in under a minute once it was set up the first time so I could share with my friends and family. 

I haven't figured out how to show just my own feed yet, and it is upgradeable so maybe in the future you will be able to see other social media pictures as well. I also would love to see a wood frame as another option, actually I can see this being available in lots of colors. 

One Lucky MarksvilleandMe reader will win one #Cube valued at 149.00. Open to USA and Canada residents. Begins 12/30/2014 and ends 1/13/2015 12:00 AM EST. MarksvilleandMe or any other blog listed is not responsible for prize distribution that will come from Sponsor #Cube. MarksvilleandMe wishes everyone who enters Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Unboxing, setup of #Cube

What #Cube has to say about their product



#Cube™ speaks to the enormous popularity of photo-sharing sites such as Instagram by enabling the socially connected to enlarge their viewing experience of photos and videos, from the smaller confines of a smart device. It is an extremely innovative, attractive, & easy-to-use wireless living photo canvas which showcases your favorite social photo & video streams.



Among the immensely appealing features of #Cube™ are:

·       A large 8” square LCD touch screen display, giving the retro-inspired #Cube™ a modern touch.

·       Real-time and instant continuous delivery of a stream of photos and video clips, enabling users to enjoy and display real-time social network images from friends, family, and favorite celebrities.

·       Rechargeability and built-in Wi-Fi as well as free wireless software updates that enable new features & application support.



You can purchase #Cube on Amazon.

You can find out more about #Cube on: 

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Google+

YouTube

Instagram

#Cube

Disclosure: MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.

All Business Monday---New Year Goals

I like to use the word goals over resolutions, even though I am resolving to make changes.
The problem with myself is that I make up a fine list of goals......I do rather well achieving them for some time.....then they fall by the wayside.

Last year I made out my list and even printed it 52 times.  I checked off throughout each week as I completed things on the list.  About May I just stopped.

Most of my goals do have to do with earning money:

1.  Get my paperwork organized and keep it that way---no more throwing stuff in piles here and there to get to it later.  Later for me is something months.   I will take care of any paperwork right away.

2.  I will work on my crafts and sewing daily.  Along with this I will promote a craft for 4 days each week.  I don't mean the same craft for 4 days, but a different one each day.  Originally I put this down as daily, but 4 is more realistic.

3.  I will stay up on my blog postings.  This will include adding more affiliate links in to posts to help monetize my blog.  I will find posts to do on days when I don't have a regular blog to post.

4.  I will be more social in my sharing of the work of others.

These are my goals as far as my earning goes.
You might notice that I say that I WILL do each one.

I want to add to the list that I hope to cash out somewhere, online or through the apps that I run, each day of the year.  I've already been able to maintain this goal in October and November, and I'm pretty close to getting it for this month too.  This just ensures me that I am always earning.

I'm currently reading a book call Go For It, that I will review this next Sunday.  It's a great motivational book.  I will link it below if you would like to preview it yourself before I write my review.

What are your goals?

An InLinkz Link-up

Super Sunday Reviews-- The Minimum Wage Millionaire

The Minimum Wage Millionaire is written by Bill Edgar.  The full title is:

The Minimum Wage Millionaire: How a Part Time After School Job Can Change Your Financial Life

Upon first seeing the title, I wondered just how could someone earn minimum wage, but still become a millionaire.  It take much reading of the book to see just how it would work.

The book is geared towards teenagers who are just getting in to the job market (and their parents).  Start from that young age, especially while still living at home, and I could very well see how the techniques that Bill Edgar teaches in the book, would indeed make you a millionaire.

I wouldn't say this book is ONLY for people just starting out though.  I could see anyone who wants to start using his suggestions, gaining immensely from them.  You may not come out a millionaire starting later in life, but you would be so much better well off.

I have already written a bubblew post with my full review.  I would like to ask that you click over and check it out so that I am not repeating myself here on my blog, if you would.  It will open in a new window so that you won't lose this page.

Book 12--52 Book in 52 Weeks Challenge--The Minimum Wage Millionaire

Disclaimer:  I rec'd a copy of this book in ebook form for the purpose of this review.  I was not compensated in any other way and any opinions are my own. 

An InLinkz Link-up