Craft Coupons There is an App for That

After my cell phone died, my DH and I decided to leave the dinosaur ages of phones and enter the world of smart phones. I had intended to buy a basic phone, but the current promotions actually made the smart phones an affordable alternative.

I have slowly been exploring what this phone can do. I was pleasantly surprised to find that some of the free apps available include ones for JoAnn Stores and Michaels. I frequent these stores regularly and always cut out the coupons or download the ones that come to my email box. The problem is that on occasion, I forget to bring the coupons with me or I make a stop that I had not planned on making and am without my coupons. The free app lets me download coupons targeted to smart phone users.

For instance, this week I had a paper coupon for JoAnn's that was a 40% off one non-sale item in the store. The sales clerk informed me the 50% coupon on my phone was only available to smart phone users. I had not missed it when I was cutting paper coupons. I was able to give my paper coupon to my shopping companion and use my smart phone one for myself.

I will still be cutting coupons and comparing the best offers available. I have not been able to find an app for AC Moore, which is the store I do most of my brick and mortar craft shopping at yet. I hope that that will change, as they are the coupons I most frequently forget.

This is just one more way to save a little cash and increase our craft dollars.

Merry Christmas

Our family has our big celebration on Christmas Eve. We host an open house for both families that begins in the morning and ends sometime before Christmas Day. It is a tradition we love and look forward to every year.

My presents are wrapped. The cat afghan will be a late present I am afraid. Despite some late night efforts it just was not meant to be finished on time. Thankfully there are plenty of other gifts so I don't think it will be missed.

I wish all of you a safe, happy, and enjoyable Christmas!

Have you Ever Had the Project that Fought Back

The Kitty Afghan has claws. I mean this thing is fighting back. I frogged three rows two days ago and completed 5 yesterday only to have to frog them all completing two more before bed time. I suspect it is that hurry up and screw up mentality that is kicking in, but it is so frustrating.

This project is taking on the aspects of the old samplers children were taught to do to improve their skills. Along this path, I have learned how to read a chart, improved techniques for changing colors, learned to use yarn bobbins, and now I have realized a real need to improve my technique for weaving in ends as this became one of the reasons for frogging yesterday. As I pulled out the last of the rows to get to my mistake, I pulled out a row underneath due to bad end weaving. I researched some better techniques yesterday and hopefully when I look at the two rows I completed last night the pattern is now correct. It is like the 12 Pains of Christmas Song, when one cat is off they all are off!

Thankfully, all the other Christmas presents are not only finished, but wrapped. DH finished the food shopping last night and my Aunt will be over to help us start prepping for the big Christmas Eve bash tomorrow. This afghan battle is not the end of the world. The recipient has plenty of other gifts waiting for her. A late Christmas gift is hardly the end of the world.