My Budget Train Detailed Derailed

If my bank account and budget was a train, it would have derailed and exploded. A brief history lesson,  I grew up in a somewhat middle class at best family. My mother always worked hard and her efforts were spoiled by an alcoholic husband. She always worked hard and sacrificed for her family. This was a stepfather and not worth writing much about. When I was fourteen,  my mom met my Dad ( stepfather but my Dad.A wonderful man) Anyway, Dad had health problems but was a hard worker and encouraged my mom to become a stay home mom. We were absolutely delighted and loved her being home.They had a small business and did well, not rich, but we always had what we needed and we were fed and happy. We truly loved mom being at home!

Fast forward,  I grow up go to school while working 60 odd hours a week and marry at 21. My husband haf a great work ethic. We were doing well. If we wanted to go out big deal, we went out. If we wanted this or that we usually got it. We planned a baby and were blessed with a little lady when I was 24. I stayed home until she was in school because I wanted to be the person to raise my child.I loved my mom being home and wanted that for Miss.J. We loet income and I contemplated returning to work when she was a little bigger but with the average expenses for clothing, gas, child care and so forth,  it was a waste of money for meto work. So eveventually, it was time to work but unfortunately,  this time was matched with the unexpected loss of my husband. Unfortunately, this meant that working would not enhance our family income but become necessary. I worked and cared for my daughter as a young widow.It was a trying time to say the least. Fast forward and life took an interesting but life changing direction again, as life's curve balls usually do. An unexpected turn of events found a six year old family member in need of a foster home placement. Two years later, I became the adoptive mother of this little girl and her newborn brother. so, within 2 1/2 years of losing my husband,  I was now a widow with three children. After a maternity leave of eight months, I returned to work but quickly learned that my son's health management would be a full time endeavor. Due to health problems relating to fetal exposure to drugs and alcohol,  my son would need around the clock care. When he came home from the hospital, I was informed to not expect him to see his first birthday. (Happy to report he's a thriving wonderful seven year old!) I had to stop working to care for Mr.K. So, we've been on a tight budget with little room for fun!

So, with having to juggle a thin budget, I've learned to be creative . I'm always looking for ways to save money. This January,  I wrote iut a budget. It was going pretty well. At least, the bills were getting paid and beginning to pay down debt. We relocated at the beginning of summer to an area that we have been interested in. I personally would love to leave this state but I'm out voted, yet once again.  So, I've decided to try to "Bloom Where I am
Planted!" ( Quote Author unknown to me.)

So, now that summer is winding down, our fall schedules will begin. I decided that now thatMr.K. wwill be starting the first grade that it's time for me to go back to work . I've piddled here and there to make extra money with online endeavors including blog jobs, freelance writing, an Etsy shop and craft shows. However, I'd like to continue my odd jobs with a stable income to speak of. It's incredibly hard to budget when the income is tight. So, as I learn to pay down debt, save money and save for important occasios, this novice beginner of learning to coupon,  save and so firth, I'd like to invite you along to share experiences. People feel to share your wisdom.

Time to get this derailed budget and financial house in order. (I Hope.)

Blue Skies ahead? I think I see some bumps ahead?

Rainbow Graduation Banner Tutorial

We Love to do arts and crafts projects in our home. I often craft with my Cricut machine for parties,school projects, fun and I even sell cute confetti/ table scatter!

I wanted to create a colorful Graduation banner to celebrate Miss.Z's High School Graduation!

I consider her school colors as a theme. However, I wanted less drab of a banner. Something that she may wish to keep and decorate her room with. At very least,  something fun and colorful!

I decided to go with a rainbow theme. I just love rainbows. All of the colors together!

Well, I must say that I love the beautiful projects that can be found on Pinterest,the wonderful Etsy, Instagram and so forth.However, when it's your first time making something, sometimes it's not Pinterest material! I will share how the banner was made. However,  keep in mind that I would recommend assembling the pieces together on the side or sew them together. I used a tag style and strung them with fishing wire adding ribbon for color. I weaved the line through the tag notch on the top if each piece. It allows too much play for the pieces in my opinion. There's a first for everything and this was my first banner!

I cut out the pieces of my banner with the Cricut and two cartridges: Basic George and Tie the Knot!

I cut out Tags in a 2 1/2 inch size. I cut Circles to place each letter. I cut each letter to fit the circle base. Unfortunately,  it's been a few weeks and I don't recall the exact measurements of the circles and letters. I planned my strategy in advance. I knew that I wanted rainbow colors. I chose to plan on the circles being placed in a pattern opposite of the tag. I wanted each similar letter placed in the same color of circle.

Tag pattern: Red,Orange,Yellow,Green,Blue and purple.

Circle Pattern: Purple,Blue,Green,Yellow,Orange and Red.

I chose the letter pattern in my preference.

Once the pieces were cut, I placed the tags in order on the floor.
Next, I glued the circle onto the tags with Tacky Glue.
Then, I glued on the letters.

Once the paper was dry, I tied a knot in the beginning of the fishing line. I weaved the clear fishing line through each tag. Be sure to add each tag in order. I began from the first letter of each pattern. I tied off the end of the fishing line. Choose the length of fishing line that you desire based upon the size that you want the banner to be.

I then hung my banner in the wall. I tied colorful ribbon to each end if the banner. I then tied in rainbow order additional ribbon to place between each tag to keep the letters spaced apart. I then clipped the ribbon to lengths that I liked. Second lesson: If I were to create a tag style banner again,  I'd pre-cut the ribbon to be the same length. I'm not perfect by any means but I enjoyed making the banner for the graduate!

I was happy with the result. I would have liked the banner to have been closer inbetween the letters. It was my first banner and a learning experience. I kept the banner up for a week. Then, I took down the second half of the banner with Miss.Z's name leaving the Congratulations to celebrate the end of the school year for the children! We enjoyed three weeks of a colorful rainbow banner!