This is my bicycle. I bought it in Bel Air Maryland in 1990 shortly after I arrived at my Officer Basic Course for the US Army at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. It’s a Gary Fisher 13″ Marlin and I believe it cost me $400–making it (at the time) the most costly thing I had ever purchased… Keep Reading
DIY: Vacation Rock Doorstop Memento
It may not be summer yet, but it’s coming! Long days, kids out of school and, oh yes, family vacations! Here is an idea for an inexpensive but meaningful memento that the kids can make. A special rock doorstop! Yes, I know. It’s a rock. But it’s not just any rock. This was a beautiful… Keep Reading
Easy Sashay Yarn Scarf
I really enjoy knitting–mostly the brainless kind. You know, things where you hands can keep working and your brain doesn’t really have to be there. Something that I can do while having a conversation, watching TV or keeping an eye on a passel of kids in the backyard. Scarfs, washcloths, baby blankets–those kind of things. … Keep Reading
Disney Paint
Did you know that Disney has a line of paints for your home especially made to coordinate with their licensed products such as bedding and wall art? Well they do, and as of March you can purchase the Disney Ultra Durable paint in Walmart nation wide. As one of the Walmart Moms I was given… Keep Reading
I Learned to Make Soap!
I love learning new skills. I especially love learning new skills that are productive-things that can add to my life either by creating a better quality product or by saving money. Soapmaking is a skill that fits that criteria to a T! Homemade (or rather “hand crafted”) soaps are far and away a better product… Keep Reading
Mending: Replacing / Reattaching a Button
I’m going to be adding some mending tutorials over the next few months here at Frugal Upstate. While sewing from scratch can be expensive (seriously–check out the price of fabric!) and takes a bit of skill/practice. . . most mending is pretty easy to do and very cost effective. All you need to have on… Keep Reading
Tutorial: Easy Easter Egg Wreath
I have been wanting to make an Easter Egg Wreath for YEARS now, so when Walmart challenged me to create an Easter craft–I knew exactly what to do! Let me tell you–this was super easy. If I had realized how quick and easy it was, I would have made one a long time ago. The… Keep Reading
DIY: Flu Season Survival Kit
It’s cold and flu season! And not only is it flu season, but it’s one of the worst flu seasons we’ve seen in years. Boston declared a medical emergency, New York declared a health emergency, 49 states have recorded cases. . . Google even has a Flu Trend Map! So when Walmart asked me to… Keep Reading
DIY: Porch Snowflakes!
It’s winter craft time here at Frugal Upstate and Walmart challenged me to come up with a new take on paper snowflakes. It was perfect–for several years I’ve been wanting to decorate my porch with some sort of “snowflake” theme in January–something to combat the post Christmas decorating “blahs”. That’s exactlg why I had used… Keep Reading
DIY Floral Arrangement
Have you ever made your own floral arrangement? It’s easier than you think! The last time I was down to Walmart HQ in Bentonville Arkansas with the Walmart Moms, an expert from the floral department gave us a class on how to create a really professional looking floral arrangement. Now that the holiday season is… Keep Reading
