Books and creative ways to buy

Do you like books? I think most people like books although there are some people who hate to read and I really don't get that. However, for those of you who do like books I have two creative ways to buy. First Amazon is having a 60% off sale of former New York Times best sellers. If you know of a great one that you have already read - leave a comment here. I'd like to know which ones are "winners."

The other day I stumbled onto a used book outlet. I am definitely going back. You should drive around places in your city that have outlets - usually they are warehouses and see if you have one too. They usually just have little signs in the general ares. I got a plastic bag full of hard cover books for $7. That's about 20+ children's books. They had all kinds and the only rule was you had to be able to close the handles. Those bags can fit a lot of books! This one was in Logan but I am sure they can be found in any city.

I have also found good deals on books at garage sales. Especially ones that are held by former teachers - they usually say this in their add. I got a whole year of scholastic books for a few dollars. They were all mint conditions (they were the ones the teacher would read to the class - kids didn't touch them) and most were classics like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and Corduroy.

Books can get expensive so if you can find an outlet- which gets its inventory given to them by used book stores or thrift stores- you can save a bundle. Do you have a creative way to save money on books? Let us know?

Book reviews, patterns for Easter clothes and other randomness

Happy Thursday - it almost Friday- are you excited? Easter is coming and I want to make the kids something for Easter (good sewing practice). Joann's is having their simplicity pattern sale this week so I am heading there to check it out.

If you've ever been to a craft store the week of a pattern sale you know it is almost impossible to look at a pattern book so I search for patterns on-line and write down the numbers of the ones I like so I can just grab and go. Here are some patterns I found that I like:

The first one (above) is my favorite because even the boy stuff is cute. I don't understand why there are so little patterns for boys but millions for girls.

Here is another girl and boy pattern. These would all be cute for Easter.

Have you ever tried making baby shoes? I did from a website pattern and they took me forever! Maybe I need a better pattern or maybe they are just hard because they are so small. I don't know but these shoes make me want to give it another chance.

Oh and I rented this book from the library and I want to order it. It is great. If you sew at all but not ALL the time you forget stuff - like zippers, modifying patterns etc and this book has photo illustrations so if you ever forget you are covered!

Other randomness:

This week I finished watching the Lightening Thief movie and reading book 1 and 2 of the Olympian series. I have to say I thought the movie was okay before I read the book but after reading the book I don't get it. They left out all the GOOD STUFF. They made a totally different storyline. Almost nothing in the movie is like the book. The book is so much better than the movie.

I don't think it will be as hot as Harry Potter but it is good. I think Harry Potter is so unique because it created an entire new world (with history) from scratch.

Have you read it? What did you think?

American Crafts Warehouse Sale

I am very excited to announce the return of the American Crafts Scrapbooking WAREHOUSE Sale. So excited. I've been anticipating this all year...really because they said they were thinking they'd do one in April too...but they did not. A couple weeks ago I even contacted the people who write the American Crafts blog to see if they'd be doing it again. So I was pleasantly surprised when I received the announcement in my e-mail this morning.

If you are in the Utah Valley area, this is my personal FAVORITE scrapbooking sale of all time and one you MUST VISIT. Usually I'll go in places and still feel like everything is priced more than I want to pay. Not the case with this one...and I'm hoping it's as good as last years. (Feel free to visit my post on my other blog about the sale last year...I show some products and prices.)

I didn't know a lot about American Crafts last year, but they are now my favorite! I LOVE their ribbon and have started using ribbon more regularly in scrapbooking and crafts. I LOVE their Thickers letter stickers. I wasn't much of a fan of these types of things before, but I LOVE them now. I love their cardstock and paper and albums. Seriously. Stop. By.