Frugal Friday~

Welcome to this week's edition of Frugal Friday!

Before we get in to my Frugal Round-up for last week, you may have noticed that I added a little something new to last week's link-up.  Underneath each post, there was a like button.  I thought I'd test it out and see how it went last week, and it looks like some of you joined in on the fun.  The like buttons are just a way for you to vote for your favorite links.  They are not connected to Facebook...they are just for the link party.  I thought it would be a fun way to make things a little more interactive.  So starting next week, I'm going to post my own favorite links for my Round-up AND I'm going to post one link that was the "FAN FAVORITE" for that week.  All you have to vote for the FAN FAVORITE  is click the like button beneath your favorite posts.  You can even vote for more than one post!  And if I get my act together, I'll try and get a special button for both my Frugal Round-up posts and the Fan Favorite posts so that the winners can proudly display them on their own blogs!  So visit and vote!

Now on to my Frugal Round-up...

First, Welcome to  Heardmont shared her pretty stencilled closet.  I just love stencilled walls...and admire those patient enough to do them!

Next, Wildwood Creek shared her pretty storage dresser.  I have a similar dresser, and now I'm inspired to finish it!

Pear Tree Cottage shared her lovely fireplace redo.  I'm really lovin' the fresh, clean look!

Finally, The Painted Home shared her cozy guest room.  Makes me want to come visit!

Now it's your turn...

You know "da rules!"

1. Please link directly to your post and not just to your blog.
2. Please link back the Shabby Nest (you can use the pretty new button on my side bar to make it easy.)
3. Please visit other participants and leave them comments! Help them feel "the love!"  And don't forget to "like" your favorite posts so they can become the "FAN FAVORITE!"

Our new mac toy

I have a long and sordid story to tell about all the troubles we've had with crappy computer components. But I'll save you 20 years worth of grief and just speed up to yesterday's exciting instalment.

I went to work yesterday, bringing my son along as school is out. (YES!) We packed up the 'ol laptop and some movies so he could sit in the lunchroom while I wallpapered yet another firetruck.

But... troubles galore hit us from all directions.

I brought the wrong laptop. Oh yes. We have TWO crappy loaners to choose from. One runs at 60% capacity and I grabbed the one at 3%.


I brought the wrong cord. We have a few of those as well. Mix and match you know.


So we borrowed a cord. Strobe light type of connect but if you held it just right...


Ahhhh. Of course. Crappy 3% laptop  doesn't accept dvd movies. Riiiiiight.....


I looked around the extreme mess we'd made of the lunchroom with our jury rigged system and before I mustered a temper tantrum, I simply and calmly resolved to be

DONE. SO DONE.

I announced to my son we were heading to the Mac store  for a new laptop. NOW.

Ever make a very big decision in 30 minutes flat from start to finish? That's so not me but it was yesterday.  I basically blew in those doors with my debit card ready to burst into flames. My firetruck was waiting and my boy needed his movies!

We ended up choosing a new 13" MacBook Pro. My intent was to get a $500 refurbished variety. Until I saw the new screens.

Don't even THINK about old technology! Go for the LED screen.

Plan B was officially in full effect and this laptop became MUCH more than just a means to entertain a 12 yr old.

This thing is itty bitty to me. At a whoppin' 13", it's pretty compact. I REALLY wanted the 15" screen but I also had to accept some reality. Price AND portability. This thing was a lot more compact to cart around. And that's the whole point this round.

(truth be told? The 15" in my price range was sold out.. )

No matter. This will also be my new Starbucks laptop. :) For now. Until, you know, I can spring for that 15" screen for myself and all...

Gotta tell ya, I really hate laptops because of their keyboards. I always use to bring a full size honkin' keyboard with me when using the others. Not cool.

Until my fingers landed on this one.

The keys 'feel' rubbery to the touch and grab your fingers. LOVE them. They also have tiny led lights under them so you can see at night. It's pretty cool. :)

Got a mouse too. The cord is on the short side for right handers though, so not sure what's up with that. I like the cordless varieties but dislike worrying about changing batteries on the road. We went easy this round.

Easy to buy and quality all the way

What I really like about buying from Mac is the fact that your options are bundled and limited. You decide what you need, then decide if the price is ok for your budget. If not, there are others to choose from.  But you KNOW everything is top of the line no matter what you choose. And that makes me hand over my money in comfort.

I'm also a Mac fan because of how easy they are to navigate. I have to know too much with PC's. I don't want to know lots. I just want to punch typing keys, load my pics and have fun, ya know?

We did not go with all the bells and whistles because my son may need a laptop for school next year. I decided on this purchase with that in mind. Maybe by that time I can have my own...

My boy thoroughly enjoyed his new movie experience! The screen clarity is like looking outside. I liken it to HD TV. Crystal sharp and clear. I beg you to go check out what I'm talking about next time you're in the market for a computer/laptop. Because I want any blogger that messes with photos to see what I'm talking about.

This thing will also be so fun to take camping with us. :)

The next recycle depot run will make me smile from ear to ear. And I'll make sure we make a stop at Starbucks with the new laptop to celebrate it all. :)

I'm pretty frugal. But one thing I won't be frugal about is good money well spent. Whether it be PC or Mac will be your call to make. Stay current and you'll love blogging all the more.

(Mac doesn't know who I am or what I did. I bought this baby with my own money.)

What's your last heat of the moment purchase?

Lucketts Part Two

One of my favorite things to see at Lucketts had nothing to do with what there was to buy. It was the wonderful outbuildings (not outhouses) on the grounds.

(photo borrowed from Casey who also loved the vendors sheds at Lucketts)

Most were filled to the brim with delightful items for sale by vendors.

I loved gazing at the architecture of each building. Many were made from old doors and windows, and most had a touch or two of beautiful moudings.I think I may have mentioned before that my dream home would be on a few acres with no neighbors in sight. And have about five different outbuildings including a big ol' barn that would be used for family gatherings instead of animals (even though when my boys get together it tends to sound like a bunch of animals.) I don't think that dream will be coming true anytime soon so in the meantime I'll just drool over these. . .and maybe figure out how I can build at least one outbuilding in my backyard.
Isn't this a perfect spot for outdoor eating? Or, since I already have similar pillars, maybe I could build something like this. . . A girl can dream, right?

You Inspire Me Shadow Box

You know how I love to create Shadow Boxes.  I couldn't resist using this new Marianne Design embossing folder (DS0912) I just received from Joan's Gardens to create the opening in this shadow box.  The center of this embossing folder is not cut out when embossed but the small decorative cuts in the design do cut out at the same time the design is embossed on your card stock.  I cut the center out of this embossed design in order to create the opening in the shadow box to reveal the sentiment.

To start with, I cut two 6" squares of white card stock.  Two sides were scored at 1/2" to create the "wall" for two sides of the shadow box.  These score lines are to be creased well with a bone folder.   For this card, the Marianne embossing folder was centered between the two score lines on the piece to be used for the top of the shadow box.  It was run through the die cutting machine.  Scissors were used to cut out the large center of the embossed design.  

For the inside of the shadow box, a piece of card stock was cut 5" x 6".  This covers the inside of the shadow box.  I wanted an embossed area under the cut out top opening, so I used the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder.  I just placed it across the center of this piece because the end portions do not show.  The JustRite "Kindness" stamp set was used for the frame and sentiment.  They were white embossed on another piece of purple card stock and cut out with scissors.  The be sure the sentiment was exactly where I wanted it, I flattened both the top and bottom pieces of the box, lining out all outside edges.  There was dimensional tape on the back of the sentiment and it was placed right in the center of the opening.  Perfect fit!  

I wanted to add some additional embellishments to the front of the card.  Four Marianne corners (LR0143) were cut, embossed and placed on each corner.  There are two different corners in this package.  Two Marianne "Garden Branches" LR0151 were die cut using white card stock.  I would normally use green card stock for leaves,  but I wanted to use only purple and white on this card.  These two branches were placed on the left side of the opening in the embossed design.  Both the large and small flowers were created with the "Blossom" flower punches.  The small flowers were arranged on the white branches and one each of the large flowers attached on each upper corner.  Kaiser Craft Pearls were added to the center of each flower plus on the corner pieces. The pearls add "elegance" to the card, don't they!   One white Cheery Lynn "Mini Butterfly" (DL112) was also added.  Three pearls were also added to the body of the butterfly body.  A bow was added  to complete the front.

To attach the two sides of the shadow box, a long strip of ScorTape was added on the backside of the top piece.  Before removing the protective cover of the tape, the score line on each side of the top and bottom, were creased again to form a crisp fold.  The tape shield was then removed and pressed down the backside of the bottom piece.  You now have a completed box.  When you create this type of shadow box, it will fold flat by pushing the box to one side.  I like to add the punched border on each side of the box.  To do this, I use a piece of card stock 6" x 6" and punch down the two sides.  Scor-Tape  is added to the two long sides of the shadow box and centered over the backing.

I hope you love all these new Marianne Design products as much as I do.  As you know, all these products can be purchased from Joan's Gardens.  Below is a picture of the Marianne Embossing Folder I used for this card.