House of Hydrangeas

I've only just recently started couponing, but I've always been a girl who loves a good deal.  I mean, don't we all? Well if you're looking for some good craft deals, you need to hightail it to Michael's.  I went there yesterday to get some supplies for Mer's shower and a couple's shower I helping host and decided to check out the sales advertised in the Sunday paper as well.  I have to say, I feel like I hit the motherload. I walked out with a total of $27.82 and a savings of $40.01!  Let me show you what all I got. Here's the rundown: 6 Memory/Photo boxes- I love to use these instead of photo albums.  They are much more stylish and efficient with space.  They are also great for hiding and storing any unsightly things you might need within reach.  Here they are displayed on our desk in our old house.  At a price of 6/$10 I just couldn't pass them up.  They are regularly $4 each. 4 spools of ribbon- All half off.  These will be...

I got in my circle cutter! And I can't wait to put it to use to make something like this... This, of course, is another wonderful idea from Martha Stewart.  I love the varying colors of the circles and the sizes of the banners.  Who would have thought a mini banner would look so cute hanging on a floral arrangement?  Now my mind is swimming with possibilities. However, I will have to save my banner making for another day because today I am preparing for my first "gathering" at our house.  And I'm very excited about it.  It won't be anything big, just a few of the spouses from Jon's work.  But I think it will be fun.  AND it gives me the opportunity to finally use some of my platters, pitchers, cake stands and serving pieces that we got at our wedding. I realize I have a whole lifetime to use all of the wonderful goodies we received, but I'm the type of person who wants to use things right when I get them.   I mean what's the point of having so...