No Cost Gift: Doll Pajamas

My girl's received 18in. dolls for Christmas, but only one set of clothing. So, they were very excited to get new pajamas for their dolls as their Valentines gift.

There is a collection of American Girl Patterns which are out of print, but the lovely people over at AGPlaythings have gathered scans of all the patterns and allow them to be downloaded free of charge. You can see and download the patterns here.

I chose a couple of different patterns and used fabric and notions from my stash to craft these super cute pj's.

Happy Girl's and no cost to me. It's a win-win situation.

No Cost Gift: Tossing Game

This year for Valentines I decided to give a gift to my kiddos, but not spend a penny on them. So, for the boys I made this simple tossing game.

All you need are a couple of different size cans, a couple of bean bags, and a ribbon to mark the line to toss from (so everything's fair!).

Everything packs up into the larger can for portability.

It would have been nice to spray paint the cans, but I didn't have any on hand. So, you get what you get.

My little guys love it, and it didn't cost a penny.

Valentines for Free

As anyone who has entered a store in the past few weeks knows Valentines is upon us.  The overwhelming displays of red and pink hearts, flowers, goofy cards, candy, and fuzzy creatures are the first sign.  

The stores would like us to think we must have these things in order to show our feelings for our loved ones.  I'm happy to report I have not succumbed to this desire. (Now after the holiday, when things are on clearance, all bets are off...) 

Lest you think I am a holiday grouch, we will be celebrating the holiday.  My husband and I will be having a quiet candlelight dinner at home.  I will be making the obligatory heart shaped sugar cookies.  And, we made my oldest daughter Valentines to take to school.

The first two events only require items from my pantry.  The last was a bit trickier, but we got lucky.  I found bags of Nestle Crunch Fun Size candy bars on clearance for $1.50.  It had just so happened that I had printed two $1.00/1 MFQ (here) and used one doubler to make the candy free. (I bought two bags. . . mom must have chocolate too!)  Then, surprise, a $1.00 OYNO popped out at the register.  

We made $1 on that chocolate.  I figure that will more than cover the cost of the card-stock, tape and ink we used to print her little cards for all her school buddies.

They turned out great!  (Yes, I know the picture is horrid.)  They are much simpler than the gaudy things you find at the store and they were free.  Who can beat that?