Count Your Blessings

All month of October I wanted to make some sort of "blessing" board.  I wasn't sure what exactly I wanted to do but I knew I wanted to do something and have it ready by November... Well October rolled on by... and then November.  Here I am on November 29th and I FINALLY made my "blessings" board.

I went with the dry erase method by using a glass frame.

It was pretty easy to make and has a lot of meaning... I like those kind of projects.

I started off with a 14" x 26" photo collage frame... and removed the collage mat from behind the glass.

I picked up some nifty beige burlap (I think that is what this is called) from the fabric store... with some extras to make a few extra and some cool decor projects.

I put the burlap behind the glass... which was the most challenging part of this project.

I cut a decal with "Count your Blessings" with numbers 1 - 10

And wahlaa!

I have a few extra frames ready for YOU! If you are local I would be happy to make your Blessing board for you.  If you would like to buy a decal kit, please email me: designedbylauren@yahoo.com

You can also replace "Count your Blessings" with another saying if you wish (ie; My Favorite Things, What's for Dinner?)

The Benefits of {OCD} Obsessive Couponing Discounts

Last night I made a plan to go to Publix bright and early the next morning. As I began to get my coupons ready, I became giddy inside... excited of the savings headed my way.  Going to bed was tough for me.  It almost felt like the night before Black Friday were you become too excited to sleep... I began to wonder... "have I lost it just a little for being this excited about going grocery shopping?"  Finally I fell asleep...

My internal alarm clock woke me up around 7am and I was READY TO GO! I grabbed my coupons that I prepared the night before and took off for Publix.  I thought it was a great idea to get there by 8am, thinking it would be relatively empty. Umm... the day before Thanksgiving... not so much.  Either it was a bad idea because it was packed OR a really good idea that many others shared with me.

Either way, my plan was still set in motion to ONLY get the items I preplanned to purchase.

Well let's just get to the good stuff, shall we... The savings:

Total before savings: $96.44

Amount I paid: $26.48

"Oh my goodness, that's A-mazing!!" You say! "How on Earth did you do it?" You ask?

Savings Breakdown (just a few... this is very time consuming!)

• Planters Mixed Nuts: $4.29 each / BOGO Free - $1/2 Publix coupon - $2/2 manu Coupon = $0.64 each
• Betty Crocker Muffins: $2.59 each / BOGO - $0.50 Coupon = $1.04 each
• Cool Whip: $1.95 each / BOGO - $1/ 2 = $.048 each
• Ricola Cough Drops: $1.79 each / BOGO - $1/2 = $.40 each
• Nestle Refrig Cookies: $3.39 each / BOGO - 2 - $1 coupons = $.70 each
• Marie's Dressing: $2.99 each / BOGO - $1 coupon = $0.99 each
• Ritz Crackers: $3.69 each / BOGO - $1.50 Publix coupon - $1/2 manu coupon - $1 Target coupon = $.09 each
• Oscar Meyer Bacon: $3.5 each ($7) - $2/2 Publix coupon = $2.50 each
• Kraft Mac & Cheese: $1.29 each - $0.70 Publix savings = $0.59 each
• Breakstone Sour Cream: $2 each ($4) - $1/2 coupon = $1.00 each
• Yoplait Yogurt: $0.50 - $0.50 coupon = FREE
• Carmex Lip Balm $1.49 - $0.50 Publix savings - $0.30 coupon = $0.20
• Crisco Canola Oil: $3.49 each / BOGO - 2 - $.55 coupons = $1.20 each
• Moist Flushable Cottenelle Wipes: $2.69 - FREE coupon = FREE
• Phili Cream Cheese: $2.05 each ($4.10 for 2) - $1 coupon - 2 $0.80 Publix savings = $0.75 each
• Capri Sun: $2.69 each - 2 $.69 Publix savings - $2/2 Publix coupon = $1.00 each

Do you have any A-mazing savings? Pass along the tips in the comments section.

{PRE} Black Friday Sale

Since this weekend, I have been hosting a {PRE} Black Friday Sale on my Ten23 Designs Facebook Fan Page.  There are a lot of decals for up to 50% off and the sale will continue this evening as well as tomorrow evening, followed by a HUGE Black Friday Sale!

I hope you come and join in the fun... if you have any special requests for items you would like to see go on sale, please let me know.  This is a friendly open invitation sale.

{Sneak Peek} Holiday Decals

This morning I woke up and began working on a few holiday decal designs for my Ten23 Designs shop.

The 11" personalized family name ornament decal is only $12. This comes with an optional Est. date at no cost... AND... This decal is currently BOBO FREE so you can buy one for yourself and give one as a gift, OR give two as gifts... OR... well you get it. 

These large holiday ornament decals are very festive.  This package includes 5 decals (2 - 11" and 3 - 6") ~ They read HO HO HO Merry Xmas... and I am currently offering FREE customization if you would like them to read something else.  These are only $20 for all 5.

Add cheer to your door by adding Santa on his sled.  This design is only $10 and comes with "Season's Greetings" or other wording of your choice.

One of the great things about decals is that they can be used on so many different things... like a refrigerator door for instance.  This cute swirly tree is only $15 and is topped with the perfect little star.

For those that want to make a larger impact on the reason for the season, the King of Kings in the shape of a Christmas tree decal is the perfect find.  It measure 2' wide by 3' tall.

Tis the season...

Any other designs you would like to see / have for this holiday season?

Holiday Ornaments {Giveaway} :: Coming Soon

Heads UP ^

This week I will be hosting a giveaway with our new personalized holiday ornaments kits on my Ten23 Designs Blog...

The WAGON: From His to Hers

When my son turned one (now 12), he almost instantly did not want to ride in his stroller anymore.  Even though he was pretty light, there was no way I was going to carry him around everywhere when he did not want to walk.  So in comes a wagon.  It was a bright teal wagon with a side door and seat on each end.  It was perfect!

So now 11 years later, my 1 year old daughter decided she doesn't like being in the stroller too much either.  Maybe it's genetics... who knows?!?  BUT I did have a good idea on what she would like... a wagon! I searched the online classifieds and found the SAME wagon for only $20... his was $80 over a decade ago so the $20 deal was a bonus.

Now he is was a little boy... and she is a little girl so I wanted to make hers a little more, little lady like... so I turned to my dear friend... KRYLON, who just happens to carry a great spray paint made for plastics.

This is her in the wagon before the transformation...

I first sprayed it with the white primer since the teal is a darker color.

After I let that dry... and it didn't take long, I sprayed it with the Krylon Fusion for Plastic spray paint... I use this spray paint at least twice a month to give my thrifty finds new life.

For the wagon, I used bright pink and finished it off with touches of granny apple green. 

She absolutely loves it... and so do I!

I am entering this project into the DIY Club Project Party... wish me luck!