Hodgepodge Vol 270

It's Hodgepodge time. Head on over to Joyce's blog to see other people's answers.

1. If you could sit beside and/or jump in any lake in the whole wide world today, which lake would you choose and why? Definitely Lake Okoboji in North Iowa. I love going there for vacation. We have a condo for one week a year that is right on the lake. My family used to go there all the time when I was a kid. Every time I go back, I'm transported back to my childhood.

2. What's your favorite 'fruity' drink? I don't drink a lot of fruity drinks. I like strawberry banana smoothies. I really love the Naked Fruit Juice mango flavor. 

3. I read a list here of thirteen things to do right now to simplify your life. They were-

clean as you go I'm not good at cleaning, it would definitely simplify my life if I did that. 

re-evaluate your relationships (cut toxic ties) I have re-evaluated my relationships in the past, I find if I stop trying in relationships where the other person isn't trying, I'm more happier.

unsubscribe (too many blogs and websites) I should weed down what I subscribe too, I have a program where I put in all my blogs that I subscribe to and it just shows me when they post new things. Now, that I've figure out how to do that on YouTube, I spend less time on those sites.

de-clutter I should de-clutter, technically I am decluttering (I'm really failing at it) because I'm moving soon.

write down your daily goals I don't really have daily goals, maybe if I wrote down that I was going to this room done at then end of the day, I'd actually get things packed up and sorted.

reply to emails right away This one I'm pretty good at

forget multitasking You know they do say that when you multi-task it's harder for your brain to focus on everything. I don't multitask that much. I do have a tendency to do things on my computer when watching movies, but mostly because I'll fall asleep if I don't.

create a morning routine I have a morning routine when I have to work in the mornings, otherwise I'm good if I remember to eat breakfast.

re-evaluate your commitments (which hobbies and responsibilities are most important to you) I'm trying to do this. I'm trying to make more time to do my art because it makes my life less stressful. But, I shouldn't really be concentrating on doing art right now.

say no I don't really have this problem. Unless my boss asks me to work a bit extra.

clean up your computer There's actually not that much on my computer. This computer is pretty new, and most of my stuff is actually on USB drives.

and plan your day ahead This kinda goes with my daily goals. I don't really have a plan. Unless I have to work, I don't plan much.

Which of the tasks listed do you currently find most helpful in keeping life simple? Which item on the list should you adopt in order to simplify your life this month? I like replying to emails right away. That way I don't forget to do things. I also try to get my bills paid right away.

4. What did you do the summer after you graduated from high school? I believe I did some kind of get ready for college program. I remember going and staying at the dorms on campus and being in a program with other people my age.

5. Are you a fan of podcasts? If so what's a favorite? I don't listen to podcasts.

6. Do you think today's fathers have it harder, easier, or just different than fathers in the past? I'm thinking they have it easier. I think of the times when they had to work on their farms 

7. Tell us one way you're like your father? Or not at all like your father if that's easier? I love to read
8.  Insert your own random thought here. So, it's been really hot here. We had a heat advisory all this past weekend. And now we have buckled roads. And then there's that whole high humidity and wind that can create tornadoes. I hate tornadoes. I've never actually seen one, but they freak me out. Sadly, that's one of the things you just have to deal with in Iowa. Can't beat summer in Iowa (and technically, it's not even summer yet.) 

Garage sales haul

Not too exciting of garage sales this weekend. I had yesterday off because I'm working this afternoon. I walked about 4.15 miles. One of the sales I wanted to go to, didn't start until 10AM, so I waited until 10 to start out. I went to four sales yesterday, and sadly the one that didn't start until 10 was a bust, it had a lot of antique things for antique store prices.

I found a few things though, the second sale I went to:

 I've been collecting Care Bears lately, I also found this cute necklace of a girl with an "m" on her dress. I thought it'd be great to use on art.
This next sale I spent about $5 at:

 I picked up the shirt for the fabric, it's a burn-out velvet. There's a dresser scarf I plan to send with a future PL. There's also a day-by-day calendar of word searches, like I really need another 'activity book'

I picked up some alphabet stickers, a foam ladybug sticker, some napkins and a glass ball. I figured I could use these for art.
Today, was a little better, I walked about 3.48 miles. Sadly, most of the sales I went to were duds. I had 4 on my list, I found another one while I was out.
The first sale I went to:

 I couldn't pass up the Yoshi (I think that's who it is), and the mushroom head guy. The purple dragon is very soft and I just love the turtle. Those were $1 altogether.
At this same sale they had this birdhouse:

 that they were asking $100 for.
The next few sales were not very interesting, I did pick up a few free things:

Mostly for my co-worker who is collecting superheroes.

I was really annoyed with one sale, that I basically walked out of my way for. They advertised as being open Thursday and Saturday. Last night they changed the time due to heat, and when I went over there today, it didn't exist. And when I looked on the facebook page I got it from, they had taken down their ad.

The heat has been very warm lately. We are in a heat advisory until tomorrow (I think). So, I get changing times due to heat. This morning it was very overcast and felt like rain, but all the radar said no rain.

What's new?

Friday, was the annual art walk. Here is one thing my friend's mom bought for me:

Saturday, I found a few garage sales, sadly they weren't as exciting as I wanted them to be. I walked 4.32 miles and spent $3.50

 some appliques, a birdhouse hanging made out of lace, cross stitched girl and balloons

 a snowman stocking, a couple vintage ornaments and a magnet

 some flowers and a couple scones

Today, I read that Hobby Lobby had the Paper Studio and Stampabilities on sale for 50% off. I needed paper and I've really been wanting a punch lately. I ended up spending about $47, but I found a great deal.

 12x12 all seasons paper pack, cupcake stickers, travel stickers, coffee washi, 'snail mail' stamp set and a 1" circle punch.
I *needed* 12x12 paper. One of the things I've been trying to do (and mostly failing), is putting a piece of paper in the back of my pocket letters, so my partners can't see right away what goodies I put inside for them. I didn't have a lot patterned papers to do this with, so I picked up a 12x12 paper pack today. I also wanted some colored cardstock, but because of the great find in the picture below, I put it back.
The cupcake stickers are for someone's birthday. I have no reason for buying the travel stickers. I wanted more washi and for some reason picked up this coffee set, I don't even like coffee, the other one has tiny +'s on it. They are foiled, which I love. The 'snail mail' stamp set has a snail and an envelope. I've been looking for an envelope stamp/stickers for awhile. I saw this set a few weeks ago when I was here, and wanted it, this time it was 50% off so I picked it up. I've also been wanting a punch lately. I found some punchouts someone had sent me and started using those for handmade embellishments. I really liked the smaller circle, so I bought a 1" circle punch today. I have been punching circles out of sticker backs since I got home.
Here is the great find:

 In the back is a Project Life starter set on clearance for $10.97. I calculated it out, it comes to not even 2 cents per card. There's also a stuffed monster, some heart flat backs, some teal/pink bows and some pink flat backs.
I've been watching some videos where people are buying the Project Life starter sets. They are marked at $29.99, the person I've been watching has been using her 40% coupon to get them for $17.99. I found this set on the bottom shelf of the clearance section, I couldn't find anything wrong with it, and when I saw the price I didn't think twice. I put a few things back and got that. I've been wanting Project Life cards for awhile, I didn't realize there were so many multiples in the set. I love it, though!
I can't pass by a monster, I love them. The rest of the items in the picture are for someone's birthday.
I also went to JoAnn's. I haven't been there for awhile, I just never found anything to buy there. Last Monday, mom went there for something, so I tagged along. I found their clearance aisle, which wasn't that impressive, but most items were marked at $0.50. Most of what I bought went into the picture below.
So, I went back today and picked up a few more things that also went into the picture below. I did find one thing for my friend's birthday:

 One of the items I bought, was marked at $1.97, but rang up over $2.00, I didn't notice it until I was home, and I wasn't interested in going back for the right price. So, I guess I won't be frequenting JoAnn's anymore. They have one aisle for papercrafting stuff, half of that is their clearance aisle. The other side of the aisle is punches and dies for die cut machines and cutting tools. There aren't any stamps, barely any stickers, none under $4.00. So, it's just not worth it.
This is what I was talking about. Every time I've bought something fun/crafty, I've been putting it in this bag for my birthday present to myself. Today I decided it was full enough:

 Plus, my birthday is on July 2nd. So I might as well stop buying before I remember what's in it. This way I know I'll have something I want for my birthday.

Hodgepodge Vol 268

I'm finding the Hodgepodge questions interesting this week, so I thought I'd join in. Head on over to Joyce's blog to see what other people answered.

1. Tell us about one fun thing on your June calendar. 

Garage sales again. There haven't been many in my neighborhood and I really want to spend some of my garage sale money. Plus, there's this event called, Junkin N June, where a bunch of antique shops around central Iowa have sales. I try to go for my birthday every year, because it's the last weekend in June, and my birthday is July 2nd.

2. How careful are you in the sun? Do you tan or burn? Do you make it a point to see the dermatologist every year? 

I admit, I'm not that careful. I rarely use sunscreen, unless I'm going somewhere where I'm going to be in the sun all day. I really should put it on when I go garage saleing, because I'm walking in the sun, but I don't. I do get a nice tan from my garage sale walks, I don't make a point to go out and tan.

I've never seen a dermatologist.

3. Describe a time when you wanted to 'throw in the towel'? 

Nothing's coming to mind. I kinda wanna do it for my move and just have it magically done, but that's not gonna happen.

4. What's a song you love that has a day of the week in the title or lyrics? 

I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas.

5. Are you a fan of berries? Which one's your favorite? What's the most recent berry dish you've eaten? Which blueberry breakfast food appeals to you most-blueberry pancakes, blueberry yogurt, or a blueberry muffin? 

I love berries, strawberries the most, with a little water and sugar, yum! Village Inn sent me a thing in the mail where they have a strawberry crepe meal, looks so good. I got chocolate covered blueberries for Christmas. I have to admit I don't eat them that much. I'd take the pancakes, I love pancakes and blueberries are pretty good, too.

6. What's something you want to do before your next birthday? 

Like anything? Cause I would love to go shopping for crafty stuff at Micheal's, Dollar Tree and JoAnn's in a town south of here with my friend. I'd actually love to do that for my birthday.

Or maybe you're thinking of a bucket list thing, I'd really love to have a vacation. I don't really know. It's coming soon (see above).

7. June 1st is National Say Something Nice Day, so let's all say something nice here. 

I was discussing this with my co-workers today, we decided that means every other day of the year, we can be mean. ;) How about thank you to Joyce for coming up with these questions every week, even though we know she's got a ton of other stuff going on her life.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

Like I said, I have to move soon. I wish I could just have a bunch of people come over and help me sort and pack. When my parents moved, my mom's side of the family came over and helped. I mentioned that to my dad the other day, and said I'd love if they did that for me, even though we know they won't. I wanted to make sure I had most of my crafty stuff done by June 1st, because I'm gonna crack down and go into cleaning/sorting/getting rid of mode. I even requested a few days of work off to focus more on it. I'm really stressed about it.

What's been going on in my life?

In about a month, it's my birthday (July 2nd), and I'm getting excited, I'm not sure why, it's never very exciting. I try to make it exciting, but it just doesn't work out.
So, every time I go shopping, I take all the exciting stuff (stickers and craft stuff), and put it in this gift bag I got from the Dollar Tree, and I will do a giant haul on or around my birthday.
We got some new puppets in at the library, so I checked some out. I love my job!!!
A couple fish:

another fish, a dinosaur, elephant, muddy pig and what's called a Gulp.

 My plates have been dying lately. I got these Pfaltzgraff plate set when I moved into my first apartment in 2004 (I think) from my mother's friend, and they were not new when she gave them to me. The smaller ones have been doing this when I put them in the microwave:

 I'm not exactly sure what it is, but I'm afraid to touch them, in case they fall apart. I was microwaving hot dogs yesterday, had one in there a total of a minute and a half, and the last 30 seconds, I could hear it cracking, and then it started giving off a burned smell. I'm kind of afraid to put the large ones in the microwave.
Saw this interesting car when I went to Target/Dollar Tree/Hobby Lobby

 And a few of the things I will use in PL's

 word stickers, some alphas and some packing tape.

Happy Birthday stickers, erasers, and Dollar Tree paperclips.

I worked a long week last week, lots of people were sick, and I had to work on my day off, which wasn't all that bad, but after 4 days in a row and just anticipating that day off. By the time, Friday rolled around, I really needed some time off. Saturday, I wanted to spend money to celebrate getting through the week. I talked myself out of it, and then looked at the Hobby Lobby ad and saw that Paper Studio stickers were 50% off, that sealed the deal.
I finally found the puffy ice cream stickers at Target, so bought two of those.

I was planning on swapping them out in my facebook group, but people are bothering me lately. It could have been the stressfulness of work, I don't know. I put up an album of stuff to trade and then people weren't putting much up on their end, so I got frustrated, and deleted the album. I ended up with a few good swaps, but I finally gave up. I'm not sure if I'll swap these out or not. That's all I bought at Target.
The Dollar Tree, I picked up some stickers, the Happy Birthday stickers, the elusive paper clips. I was so excited to find the paper clips, they are another thing I'm not sure why I buy, I don't really use them. They are really fun to send in PL's though. The Happy Birthday stickers are for my penpal, her birthday is in July as well, I thought it'd be fun to send her something.
Hobby Lobby was last. I basically went there to get some alpha stickers. I still haven't found the ones I want to replace. I have these smallish ones that are black and sparkly, that I love, but I've been using them up. I don't know where they came from, so I can't really replace them. I've been looking at Target, Walmart, Dollar Tree and Hobby Lobby, but striking out. I've asked for them on Crafty Lori's wishing videos, but my wishes never get granted (I shouldn't say never, I did wish for Happy Mail for my birthday today, and had two people respond).
I also visited the clearance section in Hobby Lobby, can't go in there without checking them out. I don't recall what exactly I bought, except that packing tape in the picture above. I am loving mailing things out lately. I'm using my pretty packing/duct tape. Then I take some stickers I never use and decorate the envelopes even more. I don't think you could call them boring.
That was Saturday.
Sunday, I basically slacked off, I had a ton of movies due at the library today, and I didn't finish all of them, oh well, I just re-requested them.
Monday, I went to lunch with my parents which turned out to be a bad idea. If you saw my last post, you know they've been in Greece (or around there) for the last two weeks. I was really upset about that. Greece (and Ireland) is the one place I would love to go to outside the US. But, they never asked me (my mom disagrees). So, I said something about that, my mom said she asked if I had money for a cruise, and said I said no. If that's the conversation I remember, they were discussing a cruise down (around?) the Mississippi, and no that's not something I'm interested in, but somewhere the destination changed and they didn't ask me. So, somehow it's my fault that I didn't get to go along. This is how my mother is, it's never anything she's done, and she's never wrong. Then we got into discussing my moving (I have to move at the end of July), and stuff she thinks I haven't thought through. She never believes that I think about things, and that I might know what I want. I enjoyed the food, so that was a bonus.
We went to JoAnn's after that. I never go to JoAnn's anymore. They remodeled awhile ago, and the aisles are wicked tiny, and they seem to have very little papercrafting stuff anymore. I did find a clearance aisle and bought a few things, including some solid colored pink washi. I don't have any solid colored washi (I guess I do now), so I thought that was something good to buy. I did talk myself out of some owl washi, because I won't use it. I'm really good about hoarding all my owl stuff. One of my mail buddies collects owls and butterflies, I'll probably be sending her some more of my sorted out stuff.
Tomorrow is June. I'm going to get sorting. I have been ignoring it lately, I have too much stuff, I know I have too much stuff, and I just don't want to go through it all, sort, get rid of, and clean. It's not something I look forward to. I think if I just put my music on, and focus, I should be ok. I see a few trips to Goodwill in the future.
Next up, this week's Hodgepodge questions.

venting

UGH! So, my parents are on a cruise in Greece. And I'm really jealous. My brother and his girlfriend are with them. It feels like everyone but me got to go. My brother keeps posting stuff on Facebook (or at least I guess he still is), I stopped following him last Monday. My mother can't not have contact with me, she sent me an email today saying they were off to some fun adventure and what did I want for my Greece souvenir. What I'd really like is to be there with them. I have no desire to go out of the US, except for Greece and Ireland. So, when I learn almost second hand that they are going to Greece a month or so ago, and that I get to take care of all their crap back here. I'm a bit bummed.
I don't have much to distract me from the fact that they're there. I've tried to not talk/contact them because that makes me more depressed. I've really thrown myself into my art to distract myself. I know it won't be better when they get back because then I'll have to hear all about it. I wish I had somewhere to go, someone to hang out with for about a month so I didn't have to hear about it.

Boring shopping haul

I've been watching too many of people's haul videos and then going shopping and realize once again, that my stores are not near as exciting as other people's. I did have to pick up some boring items this week.

 All of these are from the Dollar Tree. A box of snack size ziploc bags for a swap, some legal size envelopes (maybe some day, I'll have a pocket letter thin enough to fit in one of these), some nail polish, rubber gloves and sponges.
I'm doing a swap through a Facebook page where we're sending snack size ziploc baggies filled with art goodies to partners. I didn't have any at home, so for a dollar, why not. I picked up some legal size envelopes. I have a pen pal, but my envelopes are not big enough for a regular size piece of paper. I figured these would make it a little easier. Plus, if I ever make a pocket letter thin enough, I could theoretically mail them in a legal size envelope. I got lazy a few weeks ago and stopped trimming my fingernails, so I thought I'd pick up some nail polish. I love this color, it reminds me of a mermaid's tail. I have to say, I'm kinda anal about chipping it, though. I'm afraid that when I get back in my crafting room, I'm gonna chip it and be bothered by that. I'll probably give up on nail polish, so it's not bad that I only spent a dollar for it.

 This is from Walmart. I've been needing some glue, and I didn't want to go to Hobby Lobby because everything is so tempting in that store. The tacky glue was $1.97. I also realized I need some more alpha stickers, so I picked up these two sets for 97 cents each, I'll probably have to go to Hobby Lobby to get some more. I have some black sparkly ones that I love, but I'm not sure where I got them.

And these are from Target. I originally went for glue sticks and pocket letter pockets. I had a few pockets left over from when I was trading lots of ATCs but I noticed the other day, I was running low. I believe these were the most expensive thing I bought all day for $4.99. I didn't find any tacky glue at Target, so I had to go to Walmart for that. Awhile back, I bought some glue sticks at the Dollar Tree, but then it didn't work so well. I'm hoping these Elmer's ones will work better, they were $2.29. The bookmarks were in their clearance section. They were originally $3.99, and I love these, I feel we find quite a few left behind in books at work, and I love collecting them, I've never seen them in stores, but when I see them in people's hauls they are a little expensive for my tastes. These say they're scented, which I don't care about. I am planning on making a pocket letter with a sweets theme, plus I want to make a birthday flip book with a sweets theme, so I think these will work to send along with both, they were $1.98. I'm always planning to send erasers, and failing, with my pocket letters. These were in the Target dollar spot and matched one of their card sets, they are pretty cute. I got them for $1.00.

Craft haul

So, May's first garage sale weekend was sad, but I think part of that was that there weren't any craft supplies. I went to a sale this weekend and bought $6.00 worth of craft supplies. It was also a co-worker's sale, so maybe I felt obligated. I had five sales on my list for the past weekend. One of them was not very close to the others, so I was going to go to that one on Friday, but then it rained. I was also making art and lost track of time. 

Saturday, I woke up and it was 37 degrees and my weather app said it felt like 29. I dug out a somewhat heavy coat and started on my way, and then got hot three blocks later. 

The first sale I went to, I remember it being very good last year. There were quite a few things I wanted, but I don't like to pay over $2.00 for things at sales. I did pick up a ledger and an address book.

 I thought the address book might help me keep track of my swaps. Sadly, it's very small and doesn't really give me room to put all the information in it, it was only a quarter so not a big deal if it doesn't work out.
As I was walking to the next sale, I noticed this giant domino in someone's front yard:

Also on my way to the next sale, I noticed this customized license plate:

 It says 'GR8SKOT'. I figured it was from Back to the Future, Doc says Great Scott! a lot.
The next sale was a bust, so I wandered along to my co-worker's sale, and found a few things to buy:

 A sheet of chipboard birthday stickers, sadly they were wet from the day before, so I aired them out. I have books on them, flattening them out right now, but it's only like 1/3 of the sheet, so I hope they'll work out. A sheet of chipboard Halloween stickers, I picked these up for my penpal, she really likes Halloween. Some project life cards. I have been wanting some of these for awhile and I had just watched Amanda K's video on getting some in the mail, so I really wanted them. There are a lot of doubles, but since I didn't have any before, it's better than what I had.

A gorgeous cut metal Christmas ornament. I really didn't need this, but it was just so gorgeous. Some black heart dangly earrings. I have been looking for simple black earrings for awhile. Some felt Thanksgiving stickers. I'm not sure why I bought these, I don't really create for Thanksgiving, but the squirrel was really cute. A 'friends' stamp, I've been seeing people use small stamps in their pocket letters and flip books I want to start doing that. Some journaling bits, I have already used a few of these in a couple flip books I made this weekend. Some fabric flowers, love these, also used one in a flip book. And a cupcake stamp, I'm planning on doing a 'sweet' theme for a future pocket letter.

The last 2 sales were also busts. Yesterday, I woke up and my eye was twitching, did that almost all day. I have no idea why, but it made it hard to focus on anything, I basically watched youtube all day. I finally went into my craft closet about 7pm and finished a few things so I could get them mailed out today.

Find anything good this weekend?

Target and Dollar Tree Haul

Now, I have my fix in crafting supplies. I went to Target and Dollar Tree. I went to Target because I needed antacids and Target has the best tasting ones (at least that's my opinion), that was the most expensive item I bought. I decided I would visit the dollar spot and the clearance sections. Sadly, there wasn't much in the clearance sections. 

Here's what I found:

  
A minion sticker set, sticky notes (why do I keep buying these?), a cute pen (totally for my desk at work, and he's so soft), some ombre-ish tags (they're actually cut like banners on the bottom), and three rolls of washi tape.
Next up was the Dollar Tree. I always wander down every aisle because you never know where you're gonna find stuff.
Here's what I got:

 some memo tags (I actually picked up two sets of these, there were 8 in each), some dimensional owl and under the sea stickers, two googly eyed monsters (I love these, they give me such joy), and some heart jewel stickers.
I found most of these stickers (except the under the sea stickers) on the shelf at the bottom of the sticker section.

 Some binder clips, a pencil case, a set of labels, some duct tape, a notebook.
I bought the binder clips to send out with pocket letters, the pencil case for the pens I bought last week, the labels for my packages (I reuse a lot of my mailing envelopes and need something to cover up my address), the duct tape for the packages as well, and the note book to use when I go garage saleing. When I go garage saleing, I walk, so I have to have my addresses easily accessible and the purse I use is not that big, so I'm hoping this notebook holds up, I also like to write down how much I've spent.

And the gummies. I love gummy food, and the Dollar Tree has a great gummy section. There is a bag of chocolate covered blueberries at the top, worms, fruit, peaches and bears. These will be gone in a couple days.

Sad Garage Sale Haul

After being so excited for the weekend, it was very disappointing. I woke up super early on Friday, got all my morning stuff done and went to a sale before work. I talked myself out of everything, except for a bunny I picked up for my mother. 

 After work, I had plans to go to a neighboring town's garage sale that benefitted their Humane Society, and I spent all my money on baked goods:

 Which isn't bad, it was about $3.00, I was most excited about that little tiny mouse in the first picture. He's from Cinderella, he was 5 cents, but they gave him to me for free.
Saturday, my friend and I were going to a different neighboring town's city-wide sale. I had to work at 11, so we were going to be done by 10. Sadly, I feel that there weren't as many as before. Last year, I bought a bunch of stuff, this year, I spent $1.50.
I bought a bottle of water, and two action figures for a friend. The thing I'm most excited about is the free bead doll in the next picture.

The goodies were free.

So, I spent a grand total of $5.50 this weekend. Very disappointing. Oh, well, it's just the start of garage sale season. I have the next three Fridays off, so maybe there will be some interesting ones to go to. And because I didn't spend much at garage sales, I'm going shopping today (ok that really doesn't make that much sense), I need some antacids and I like the Target ones, so I thought I'd check out their dollar spot and clearance. I also need another pencil bag to put all my pens in I bought last week, so I'm going to the Dollar Tree. I guess I should just give up on not spending money.

Mini Walmart Haul and other stuff

I have been wanting to spend money lately. Mostly because I'm *trying* to not spend money. It works really well if you don't go out.

I went to Walmart for laundry soap, which was the most expensive thing I bought tonight (cause you know it can't be cheap), and ended up with a few other things:

Most of it is from the clearance aisle. Those pens were $5.00, they were originally $10.97 for 24 pens of assorted colors. There were two of them, so I could have gotten 48 pens for less than the original price. I don't need 24 new pens, so I certainly don't need 48 more pens.
I've gotten into closing my swap envelopes with decorative duct tape. This roll was 15 yards for $0.50, the packaging says $1.50, but it rang up as $0.50. I think it's kinda boring, but I could always go in with sharpies and color it.
I don't know why I picked up the sticky notes. They look like a text message conversation on an iPhone, there are 100 sheets, and I got them for $0.50. I'm gonna have to start sending sticky notes with all my swap packages. I found some shaped like envelopes that say 'Snail Mail' on them in my desk, they are wicked cute.
The cards in front are from We R Memory Keepers, they are travel themed, but there are a lot in the pack that don't need to be used for travel stuff. There are 18 sheets measuring 3x4 inches, so if I wanted to use them in pocket letters, I'd have to trim them down a bit. I could always use them for flip books. I seem to have been picking up a lot of travel themed stuff lately.
The candy is for work. We finished something pretty big last Friday and we have a group meeting tomorrow, so I thought it'd be a nice celebration.
I'm gonna need to buy a new pencil case to hold all these pens now.
I have to go to Target soon for antacids (because I like the taste of the Target ones, and I have cartwheel savings on it). I added cartwheel savings for The Hunger Games, Mockingjay Part 2, but when I looked at the price on the website and figured out what I would pay I've decided not to buy it. I plan to have the whole set, but I won't buy them until they hit $10, or below. DVDs are certainly not something I need more of.
I just realized I did need more colored pens. I have a set I use for something and they're felt-tipped pens, but they are really running low. I don't need 24 new pens, but I was going to replace these other pens soon, and they would have cost quite a bit more.

Anywho, garage sale season is starting (or has started), I went to a few a couple weeks ago, and bought 1 thing. Very disappointing, I think I even bought it because I hadn't found anything to buy, luckily it was only $1, so not a big spend. I did pick up a free Alf puppet, sadly he is headed for the trash. He reeked of cigarette smoke and after spending a few weeks in a baking soda filled bag he still reeks of cigarette smoke.
This weekend, I have a few big ones that I'm going to. Friday, there is a large sale in a neighboring town's fairgrounds and it benefits the Humane Society. Friday morning, I'm also going to an apartment building's sale, one I've been going to for years, before work.
Saturday, I'm going to another neighboring town's city-wide sales. Sadly, I signed up to work later that morning, so I don't have near as much time as usual. Let's hope I don't spend my whole paycheck that morning.

Last weekend, there were no sales in my neighborhood and it rained all day on Saturday. There will be a post on all my finds, either Saturday afternoon or Sunday.

Hodgepodge Vol 265

It's Hodgepodge time again. To see what other people answered, check out Joyce's blog.

1. What's something fun you're looking forward to on your May calendar?

Garage sales. I went to a few a couple weeks ago, but May is really when they start up. This weekend I have a couple big ones on my calendar, and someone to go with me, I'm really exited. 

2. What are some images that come to mind when you hear the word mother?
The kitchen, I don't know why because my mother was not one who stayed in the kitchen a lot, but I always think of those TV shows where the mother is in the kitchen. I also think of our garden, my mother spent a lot of time there.

3. What's something beautiful you own or have seen that's made of glass? 

I love stained glass windows. I don't have a lot of glass things. I try to stay away from glass ever since I sliced my hand open a few years ago on a glass glass and had to get stitches.

4. Was today typical? If not what made it unusual? 

It was pretty typical. Except for the number of holds I checked in. I work at a library, when you request something and it comes in for you, it's called a hold. I worked 4 hours at our front desk and I believe I checked in about 7 carts of holds. I can't tell you how much a cart holds, but I wouldn't be surprised if you could get more than 20 books on it, but less than 40. And these were books, audio books and movies.

5. What is a quality you wish you could have more of?

Patience. I am not a very patient person. I notice it a lot lately, and I'm trying.

6. What's the next major purchase you need to make? Will it happen in the month of May? 

I don't really have one. I do have to move in August, so I'll have to put down a deposit on an apartment, that will be rather large.

7. What responsibility/job/work did you dislike while growing up but has proved helpful to you as an adult?

I don't have an answer.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

I've gotten into this new art craze of pocket letters. Basically you take a 9-sleeve pocket, fill it up with cards you've created and then fill it with goodies and send it to someone. I LOVE doing it.

Here are a few I've created:

This one the theme was flowers

 This one came together around a springish rub-on set I had

This one is a sea/vintage theme

 This one is hearts

 This one is just a spring theme

 And this one is gold:

I can't wait to make more.

Garage saleing

It's garage saleing time. I was going to go to a few yesterday, but after being on my feet all morning, I talked myself out of it.

I'm afraid that might happen more often this year. I open at the library on Friday mornings, I wonder if I just couldn't take an hour or so break and then go back out.

Anywho, I went to 5 sales this morning (it would have been 6, but one didn't start until 11). Most of the sales I went to, were close together.

I really wanted to buy something, mostly cause it was the first sale of the season I went to. There was also a box of stamps, but I didn't buy anything. I talked myself out of a cross stitched piece.

I picked up an Alf puppet from the free bin, there was a packet of colored paper I almost bought.

There were two more sales in the next block, I picked up a Care Bear for my collection for $1.00.

I had two sales left on my list, as I headed to one, I realized it didn't start until 11, it was 8:50. I find it weird that people wait so late in the morning to start their sales. I get out of the house at 8 or a little after, I'm not gonna wait around til 10 or 11 for a sale.
I didn't buy anything at the last sale either.
This makes me think about what's on my list for this year.
1. Buttons (always)
2. vintage stuff (mostly trim, but whatever)
3. Baked goods (always)
4. craft supplies

I'm not sure what else is on there. A few of my co-workers have asked me to keep an eye out for a few things. They know I won't buy it if it's too expensive.


I had a great post in my head, and then I took a shower, and it's gone. I've learned, I need to take the shower shortly after I get home, it feels really gross to let thee sweat dry on my skin. I walk everywhere, and I usually average about 4 miles everytime I go garage saleing. I didn't think I walked that much this morning, but when I got home, my phone said I walked 3.56 miles and burned 409 calories. I downloaded an app from Map My Run just to see how much I wander around in stores. I usually log my walking into the Map my run website, but I think the app is a little more accurate. I also like that it has a map, so I can see where I am. I mean, I don't get lost, but sometimes I not sure the best way to get to stuff.
Today, I learned I should drink a glass of water before I leave, and one when I get home. I switched purses today, this one works great. The one I had last year, was a little too small to hold my list of sales and my bag and my wallet.
Next week I work Saturday, so I have Friday off, I'm hoping there will be some good sales Friday morning. The week after that is a citywide garage sale of a close city, and I'm really excited about that.

Massive Shopping Haul

I know I should really go to bed and post this tomorrow, but I want to finish it while it's still on my mind. I gave myself permission to spend money on things today, with the idea that I wouldn't buy anything I didn't need after this (except for garage sales, because garage sales help me keep my sanity). So, I spent way too much money, but I should be set on things for pocket letters and anything I want to make and send through the mail.

I started out at The Dollar Tree:

 Gummy bears, that neat vintagey duct tape people keep talking about, and a few notecards. I've been decorating the outsides of my envelopes when I send them out, and this tape was just randomly sitting in a bin, so I thought I'd get it. I'm also loving sending cards with things I send out, I used to make the cards, but sometimes things would get delayed because I had to make a card, so I started picking up cards to just have. I totally talked myself out of the gummy peaches, surprise Hello Kitty chocolate eggs and a few other things.

 Some puffy alphabet stickers, some frame stickers, a couple sock coin purses, and a couple fabric tape rolls. I made a flip book last night, and I was adding some letters and realized I don't really have any alphabet stickers, so those were on my list for today, I really like these. The frame stickers were just cool. I love the sock coin purses, a few years ago, they actually had tiny socks, like baby socks that they made into coin purses, these aren't really socks. I bought one for a friend. I love that I found the fabric tape at my Dollar Tree after seeing it on people's haul videos on Youtube, and I bought two cause once you find it, you never find it again (like their neat canvasy pencil pouches).

 More stickers. I love owls, you will see a lot more in this post, and I'll probably have to make an owl pocket letter or flip book to justify how many I bought today. I saw the pearls I've been seeing, so I got the teal, there was only one of these. The pen is really cute, every time you click it, it changes sayings, I thought it would be fun to include with some happy mail to someone. And some activity books, if you've been reading for awhile, you know I don't need anymore of these, I just love them.
I didn't take a picture of the tiny buckets I bought to use as garbage when I create, I'm really good at just throwing my garbage on the floor, I thought these would help, or the sponges, cause who really needs to see pictures of sponges.
Next stop, was Target

 The multi paper pad set from the dollar spot for $3, mini envelopes for $2, flag paper clips for $1, some clothespins for $1, two Scotch tapes for $.88 each, and some tags for $1. I saw the paper pad set last week, and talked myself out of it, and then proceeded to think about it all week, so I bought it, I'm not sure I'll use it, but I can send some of it for goodies. I bought two of the tapes because I thought I could send one for goodies as well.
I noticed there was a set of 12 clothespins with pastel decorations on them in the dollar spot for $3, if anyone's interested.
I also picked up some socks for a wish I fulfilled on Lori's wishing video. And some blue mountain dew. I used up the last of my gift cards which I feel I used way too much on crafting supplies.
Next stop was Walmart

 I went in the sticker section all because CheapCraftyGirl says she finds a lot there, bad decision, I totally blame her. Panda stickers, monster stickers, robot stickers and a tiny clipboard.
The sticker aisle is not the aisle to go down, and I only looked at the 97 cent stickers. I picked up the tiny clipboard because I love the miniature notebook paper on it, it was also 97 cents.

 Xmas tree clothespins, 3 bottles of purell, flower clothespins, some gummy watermelon. These two packs of clothespins were sitting in a box of miscellaneous items in the crafty aisle. The Xmas ones were 10 cents, I thought I could save them for pocket letters next Christmas. The Purell's were in the clearance section for 75 cents each, I thought I could send them along. The gummy watermelon just looked good, until I got home and realized it said sour.
There are no pictures of the nightgown and flats I picked up.

owl stickers, robot stickers, mini forest stickers, gold script letter stickers, owl stickers and cat/dog stickers. All of these were 97 cents. So, can you see a pattern of owl stickers? I picked up the gold script because I really liked the look of it. And the others were just cute.Last stop was Hobby Lobby

 Most of what I picked up was in the clearance section, which I always visit, but I usually limit myself to stuff under $1, I went a little higher today.
Round paper clips for $1.79, washi tape for $2, jar die cuts for $1.99, and a hedgehog charm for $2.
I should be well supplied for paper clips and clothespins for pocket letters now. I picked up the washi mostly for the checkered one, I've noticed when I look at washi there always seems to be one I want and one I don't. I'll probably send the British flag to someone. I love these little jar die cuts, everyone seems to be obsessed with the jar thing, I'm not really interested in punches or stamps, but I liked these.

 owl stickers, monster stickers, travel labels, ATC size cards and bags, sea themed ATCs, travel themed ATCs, mini gift cards and an owl needle craft.
Again with the monsters and owls, these were both $1.99, they have a kraft paper background look with glitter and there's two sheets in each pack. So, this is a really bad picture for those labels, basically they're address label size (like to address a package to someone), I thought they were really cute for $1.79. The ATC sized things I think will be perfect for backgrounds, and the bags I can put things in in pocket letters, they were all $1.50 each. The mini gift cards are a burlap pattern, they were $1. And an owl, it looks like you thread colored thread through the holes, that was $3.59

 The pack at the top was called Baby Sn@p pack, tiny x-acto knives, refill tape for my tombo dispenser, two 6x6 paper packs. I bought the paper pack because it has some very cute not baby cards and elephants, it was $5.99, I'll probably sort out the baby items and swap with someone, I don't know anyone that's having a baby anytime soon. The whole reason for my trip was for tape refills and 6x6 paper. I really wanted double sided paper, but paper is expensive, the paper was $5.99 each. After making my flip book last night, I want to do more, and then I ran out of tape, I used my 40% off on that making it $7.19, cause tape is expensive too (originally $11.99 for the three-pack). I didn't have any6x6 paper in my comfortable colors, someone sent me a pack of bright 6x6 paper in the past and I used that, but it was a little bright. I picked up the knives because I don't have a craft knife and they were cute, they were $1.99

 

There was also a trip to Wendy's for lunch in there. I totally weeded down what I picked up at Hobby Lobby after guestimating how much my original pile would be.

I went after work about 1:30, and got home about 6pm. It's always nice to be on my feet all day. I finally had supper at about 8:30, and I'm now winding down to go to bed. At least tomorrow's my day off.

I really want to start creating something new, but my craft space is a hallway, and when I get out everything to create, it looks like this:

That's looking to the east, toward my bedroom, I'm standing at the west at the top of my stairs, somewhere in the middle is the doorway to my living room. So, it's not very convenient, and since I suck at organizing my craft supplies, it all comes out. It's much nicer at the moment, there are patches of floor, but I still have to take large strides to get to my bedroom. Also, it's been very warm lately (80 degrees in my apartment), so the AC guy is coming soon, and he has to have access to all the rooms. So, I might have to hold off of creating for a little while.