Being Frugal

Hello friends!

Today I wanted to share with you a very simple card.
I know what you're thinking, "Melina, make a simple card....Noooooo"
hahahahaha detect the hint of sarcasm? I know, all my cards are simple.
I LOVE simple. When I first got into paper crafting, I knew my projects would never measure up to others because I don't use lots and lots of layers or embellishments or big, bold stamped images...well I have been known to do 1 large stamped image a time or two ;)....but I digress.....anyway my point is I create simple projects.
I really think it all stems from being a frugal person in all aspects of my life. We live in a small house, we drive older cars, we shop for clothes only when the ones we already have are too small (for the kids anyway, if that's me and Brandon, we lose weight! ha) or have rips and stains, I still have shoes in my closet from the 90's and I still wear them! We grocery shop twice a month and our menus are planned so when we go grocery shopping we're not just picking up anything....we know what we need when we get there.
Now, don't get me wrong, if we need something, we get it. But, as I sit here and type this I'm looking around my house and most everything in it has been given to us or bought at a discount. I hate paying full price!
I am a SU! demo and I get new stamping supplies by selling old or making handmade items and selling them. I build the money up and then make 1 big order.
We believe "debt free is the way to be"! Now I assure you we have a ways to go to be that way, but we're slowly trying to make it there.
One thing I have been asked along the way is how we get to go on vacations every year. You know there are some people that don't take a vacation each year!!!! GASP! Our family would absolutely go mad! We love doing our weekend getaways and our 1 week vaca each year. Well, it's simple really. *Don't indulge daily* whether that be eating or shopping. My husband takes his lunch and he doesn't stop at Starbucks every morning! :) When we go shopping it is a necessity not a luxury. And, as far as our kids, they don't get everything they want when we go shopping. But we've found that they appreciate everything they do receive. Example: Each of our children get a pack of wrapped undies at Christmas from their granny (my husband's grandmother). We all know that's what it is going to be. Our kids are the only ones that actually open them! They come to us and say (whisper) look mommy, I don't have this kind! or Wow look. Now some people might think oh that's sad. But, we believe it is very respectful and humble that our kids appreciate the little things.
Anyway, being frugal is how we get to go on our little getaways. We love our vacation time. Even now, we're looking at campers (used of course) to cut down on hotel costs for our getaways!
Okay, so I've went overboard with telling you about our frugal lifestyle just to say that's the reason I love simple paper crafting and this card is no exception:

Supplies:
card stock ~ white
Ink ~ Marina Mist, Early Espresso
Stamps ~ For All You Do, Silhouette Sentiments
Accessories ~ Early Espresso taffeta ribbon, circle punch

I love it's simplicity. Less is more...I say! :)

Before I go, I want to tell you about a blog I came across today. Thanks Trudy! ;)
Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings. They have a challenge on the 1st and 15th of the month. On top of their challenges though, their design team posts projects during the week. Great projects! Their current challenge, of which I'm entering this card, is black and white and of course, you have to use ribbon! Check it out: RRR #5

Thanks so much for listening to my 'ramblings' today.

Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina