I think Pinterest was created for two groups of people: people who love to decorate and people who would love to figure out how to decorate. I have never had the decorating knack. I was not naturally inclined and never really saw someone who was passionate about decorating. Disclaimer: That doesn’t necessarily mean there were no decorators around; it just means, if they were, I never really noticed.
I say all that to say that since getting married, I’ve had more of a desire to figure it out. So, in the last couple of years I’ve begun taking baby steps. Baby steps for me and for our home.
I’ve been taking baby steps in the living room. And, my latest attempt to liven up our space is by adding some color to our couches.
BEFORE: Here’s what they have looked like for a few years.
I first experimented with pillow covers made by using hem tape. And, when I did, I realized I had just tapped into a whole world of potential. I got so excited that I shopped around and bought a sewing machine. These pillow covers can be made either way. Here’s what I did.
Measure The Pillow
Mine are 19″. In order to account for a 1/2″ hem all the way around, I added an inch to that number when cutting the fabric.
Cut the Fabric
I cut three pieces of fabric. The first was 20″ by 20.” Then, I cut two smaller panels for the back of the pillow (the goal is that they would over lap in the back. So, the directions I found said that I should cut two pieces 4″ inches shorter. However, since my pillows are fairly flat, I adjusted the numbers so that I could get the most use out of my fabric. I cut one that was 20″ by 14″ and another at 20″ by 12″.
Here’s what that looked like.
Then, I lay the two smaller ones face down on the big piece, just like a pillow cover turned inside out.
Then, I pinned it all up…and got so excited that I was so close to the finished product 
Then, I sewed a seam about half an inch around! Then, I just turned the whole thing inside out and stuffed my pillows in!
After: Ta-da!
The goal was to turn them around and sew a half inch seam in the front for a little character. However, I didn’t get very far, as I realized that I’ll need a different needle for my sewing machine. Yes, I’m a total newbie at this! 
I’m now on a mission to find a print fabric to accent these. There are a couple I love. However, they cost approximately an arm and a leg to purchase. So, I’m waiting for the right fabric at the right price. Meanwhile, we are taking baby steps in the right direction around here
What DIY home decorating project have you done lately?
We love lasagna in our family. And we definitely don’t believe in buying it pre-made. We are a homemade lasagna family. It’s also a staple for having friends over and taking to friends who’ve had babies because it freezes beautifully. HOWEVER, ricotta cheese being a main ingredient was getting pretty expensive. Most of the time it runs $6-$20 depending on what brand you get. I eventually started substituting sour cream, which is actually awesome, but I missed my ricotta.
So I decided to try and learn to make it. And guess what? It’s crazy simple and CHEAP!
What You Need
4 cups of whole milk
one cup of buttermilk
1/3 cup of heavy cream
Cheese cloth
Strainer
What To Do
1. Mix all ingredients in a sauce pan and boil on medium high heat.
2. After about 10 minutes the liquid and solid will start to separate. This is how you know you are doing it right. Take off burner.
3. Having placed your cheese cloth in a strainer, use a slotted spoon to pull the solid out of the liquid from your sauce pan. Place the solid pieces in your cheese cloth.
4. Depending on how try you want it let it strain for 5-10 minutes.
5. Use in recipes or store in your refrigerator.
Have you ever made fresh ricotta? Is it worth the effort?
I love this time of month! There seems to be no shortage of brand new coupons being released. Keep your printer busy and print these coupons to add to your monthly savings.
Save $1.00 off when you buy any ONE (1) box of POST Shredded Wheat Cereal (9.25 oz or larger)
Save 65¢ off when you buy any TWO (2) packages of DOLE® Fruit Smoothie Shakers
Do you have a particular day of the week you do your shopping? Or, is that a separate trip? If you do and you love freebies, we should call that day Freeday! Maybe we should all shop for our freebies on Fridays just for fun. 
I’m guessing that whether you shop for your freebies on Monday or Friday, you still love getting those freebies. Here’s this week. Happy Freeday shopping to you!
WALGREENS
Buy 1 MG217 Psoriasis Relief Cream, 3.5 oz $7.00
Buy 1, Receive $7.00 Register Reward
Pay $7.00, Receive $7.00 Register Reward
Final Price: Free
Buy 2 Alka Seltzer Plus Products, 20-24 ct $4.99
$2.00 Off With In-Ad Coupon
Buy 2, Receive 4,000 Balance Reward Points
Use two $2.00/1 Alka-Seltzer Regular or Plus Cold Product, 10 ct or larger from SS 1/6 (exp 3/31)
Or $2.00/1 Alka-Seltzer Regular or Plus Product from SS 1/27 (exp 3/31)
Pay $1.98, Receive 4,000 Balance Reward Points
Buy 2 Nature Made Vitamin D3 400 IU Tablets, 100 ct $4.99, regular price
Buy One Get One 50% Off
Buy 2, Receive 2,000 Balance Rewards Points
Use two
$2.00/1 – Nature Made Vitamin D Product – (coupons.com)
And use one $2.00/1 Nature Made Product, Any Walgreen’s Coupon from the Vitamins and Supplements Answers Book
(will automatically deduct $2.00 twice)
Final Price: Free, when you buy 2, Receive 2,000 Balance Rewards Points
CVS
Buy 1 Gold Emblem Jelly Beans $0.99
Buy 1, Receive $0.99 ExtraBucks, Limit 1
Pay $0.99, Receive $0.99 ExtraBucks
Final Price: Free
TARGET
Buy 2 Ortega Seasoning Mix Packets $0.60, price cut through 3/9
Use one
$1.00/2 – Ortega Products – (ortega.com)
Or $0.50/2 Ortega Product from SS 1/13 (exp 3/31)
Final Price: $0.10 each, when you buy 2
Buy 1 Poise Feminine Wash, 7.3 oz $2.99-$3.49, regular price
Or Poise Panty Fresheners, 24 ct $2.99-$3.49, regular price
Or Poise Body Cooling Towelettes, 20 ct $2.99-$3.49, regular price
Use one $3.00/1 Poise Roll-On Cooling Gel, Body Cooling Towelettes, Feminine Wash, Panty Fresheners or Personal Lubricant, excludes trial size from SS 2/10 (exp 3/23)
And use one
$1.00/1 – Poise Body Cooling Towelettes, Roll-On Cooling Gel, Personal Lubricant, Panty Fresheners or Feminine Wash, limit one coupon or offer per guest, Target Coupon – (target.com)
Final Price: Free
WALMART
Buy 1 El Monterey Single Burritos $1.00, regular price
Use one $1.00/1 El Monterey Product, Limit one coupon per customer from SS 1/27 (exp 5/28)
Final Price: Free
Buy 1 Aleve, 6 ct $0.97, regular price
Use one $1.00/1 Aleve Product from All You Magazine 1/13 (exp 3/31)
Final Price: $0.03 Moneymaker
Buy 1 Mt. Olive Relish Squeeze Bottle, 10 oz $0.96, regular price
Use one $1.00/1 Mt. Olive Pickles, Peppers or Relish from SS 1/20 (exp 3/10)
Final Price: $0.04 Moneymaker
What items are worthy of a special Freeday shopping trip?
Happy March! Spring is just around the corner. Are you as ready as I am? Here are some sale items to tide you over until Spring comes.
1. Digital cameras. I guess they want to get you ready to take pictures in the Spring and Summer
2. Humidifiers. Less sick people means overstock of these little jewels.
3. Small electronics like MP3 players, DVD/Blu-ray, TVs etc.
4. Winter sports gear. Check out used places too because since the new stuff is going on sale the used will be even more!
5. Frozen meals. There should have been a lot of freezer meal coupons in the Sunday circulars.
6. St. Patrick’s Day clearance. March 17th is the lucky day and so the 18th is the day to stock up on next years decorations and apparel.
7. Corned beef and cabbage. It’s a Saint Patty’s thing again. Stock up and enjoy.
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