Make A Baby "Taggie Blankie"

I call it a "Taggie Blankie". The whole idea came about when I was desperate for something for Sarah, my "Taggie Baby". She always had to have a tag of some kind and if I wasn't careful I would find her toting around a pair of panties just for the tag. It was a comfort thing for her.

Well out of that desperation was born the idea of the "Taggie Blankie" The idea is simple, a small, soft blankie that they can carry around with tags around the outside edges. Really easy, really inexpensive.

You will need about 12 pieces of 3" ribbon in different textures, colors and designs, the most important of which is textures, to appeal to babies sense of sight and touch. Then you'll need (2) 12"x12" pieces of fleece.

Take your fleece pieces and lay them together with their backsides together and then stitch around a few of the designs in the center to keep it together. Then fold each of the ribbon pieces in half and pin them between the pieces of fabric leaving about 1" sticking out. Run a straight stitch around the edge of the blanket about 1/8" inch from the edge of the blanket. Run another straight stitch 1/4" to 1/2" inside the first. To form a double straight stitch. Finish it off by stitching around any other designs within the blanket that you see fit.

Total cost is less than $5.

Money Saving Grocery Tip

One thing to remember when trying to save money is most, now remember I said most, store brands are identical in quality to the name brands. Most taste or work the same, some are even made by a name brand company and have the store brand label.

There are some products that I have tried that do not work like, or taste like their name brand counter part. In that case take advantage of the "money back" guarantee that most products come with.

One example is Pantene Shampoo and Conditioner. It is one expensive luxury I allow myself. I love the way it makes my hair look and feel. I tried the Albertson's brand, or version. Right on the label it said, compare to Pantene. There is no comparison. I didn't even like the way it made my hair feel. It was easy enough, I took the bottles back to Albertson's and they refunded my money. No questions asked.

Free Dinner and Fire Safety Seminar

Now most people I know would love to have a Free dinner at an upscale restaurant such as Ruby River or Red Lobster. I know I can't pass it up!

Now here is the catch, you have to sit through a very informative and very worthy Fire Safety Seminar.

Really! That's all! It is a great seminar, and yes, their ultimate goal is to sell you some very expensive, albeit good, fire safety equipment. However, they will not attempt to sell you anything that night! I mean that in all seriousness. They give an amazing and eye-opening presentation on Fire Safety while you are eating your dinner and then they send around a small card. You write yes you would like them to come to your home at a later date, write the date and your name and address on the card and they show up to give you information on their Smoke Detectors and Fire Safety Equipment. Or, you write No on the card and hand it back. It's that simple. They really are the first no pressure sales company I have ever seen do this. I was totally impressed.

Now, if you are interested in attending their dinner and seminar, please e-mail me at tyclayhope@yahoo.com with your preference of Restaurant, Red Lobster or Ruby River and I will e-mail you back with your choice of dates.

I would highly suggest this seminar for anyone with children at home. It truly is an eye-opener!