Surprising bargains at Walmart

Let me begin by saying I'm not a big fan of shopping at Walmart. I watched a documentary on how the company works and I have been avoiding doing the bulk of my shopping there ever since.

For less than 12 bucks I walked out of the Heidelberg Walmart with a Women's Fleece Robe, Women's 2-piece pajamas, and 2 Disney Character two-sided fleece blankets.

Disney Cars Fleece Blanket 3.00 Clearance
Disney Princesses Fleece Blanket 3.00 Clearance
Fleece Robe 2.50 Clearance
Pajama set 3.00 Clearance

Gotta love those clearance racks!!

Winnie the Pooh Baby Shower Centerpieces

I found pop up cardboard Winnie the Pooh gift boxes for the bargain price of a $ 1.00 at my all time favorite store: Parkside Dollar which is located in South Park, PA.

These cube shaped gift boxes are adorable! Each have a collapsible lid and rope cord handle. I ordered Winnie the Pooh Mylar balloons from ebay (best deal) will stream out of the boxes. I'll use some inexpensive bags of dry beans inside the boxes to weigh down the balloons.

Party stores were charging 7.99 a piece for these balloons. I found an online store selling them for 4.99 a piece! http://cgi.ebay.com/Tigger-Pooh-Piglet-Eeyore-4-pc-Balloon-Set-Baby-Shower_W0QQitemZ280134456744QQihZ018QQcategoryZ3208QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemI

Winnie the Pooh Invitation Kits

Here are the adorable Classic Pooh invitations kits I found at Parkside Dollar. What a steal! I noticed that there were similiar classic Winnie the Pooh invitation kits at the South Park location last week.

If you want to add a cute seal to the envelope, both Dollar Tree and PartyCity sell Disney Pooh Baby stickers (2 sheets) for a buck.

Where to find high quality, low cost scrapbooking supplies

Fifteen years ago when I first started scrap booking we actual used... (gasp!) scraps... paper, index cards, old greeting cards, ribbons from various gifts, etc to make a one of kind scrapbook. As my friends started their families I enjoyed creating homemade scrapbooks for each of their new little ones arrivals. I figured this way all the new mother had to do is slip in the photos and jot down some notes.

These days scrap booking is more of an art form. Those days of using "scraps" are long gone. Stroll down an aisle in any craft store and you will be shocked to see these little tiny packages of stickers, papers, and various do dads costing you 1-5 dollars a piece. Turn your head to the other side of the aisle and you will be amazed at the amount of scrap booking 'gadgets' have appeared promising to make your scrapbooks prettier, more unique, and faster to complete.

To control my scrap booking costs, I search for the best deals on the items I know that I will use. In the past, I had a tendency to purchase items when I thought I may use which- as you can imagine- caused an accumulation of many more items then I will probably ever use.

So- stick to what you know you will use. If you have a project in mind, deem the item purchasable. Otherwise... back away from the scrap booking clearance items.

Let's discuss what stores have which items at what price!
Tuesday Morning
49.99 I purchased a Crop in Style rolling bag... MSRP 175 It was blue and most likely last years model by I could careless. They also had the matching accessories in blue which I chose not to buy.

In the clearance section of Tuesday Morning (which varies by store but normally can be found either in the farthest left corner of store or at the end of each aisle. It is worth a dig because often find exceptional deals on items ranging from baby gifts to Christmas cards to scrap booking supplies. Even the regular prices for their scrap booking kits, paper, and sets are a fantastic deal.

Big lots
Not a lot of scrapbookers realize that this is a hidden gem. You can find paper, scissors, add-ons, albums, glue, and more at deep discounted closeout prices. This aisle is usually towards the front of the store near the greeting card display.

Ollie's
I have to be really careful when I walk into this store because it doesn't take long for me to completely fill my shopping cart. Scrap booking albums... regularly 40 bucks... 5.99. It even had the matching paper kit inside. Paper, stickers, add-ons, ribbon, etc can all be found at super cheap prices.

TJMaxx/Marshalls
Most people wouldn't think to find scrap booking items here but once in a while you can snag a block of speciality paper for 1.00 or a mini scrapbook for 3.00. Regular Priced scrapbooks are still priced well below the so called craft stores.

Ross Dress for Less
Scrapbooks for pennies! I found the most beautiful scrapbook albums for 2.99- 9.99 depending on the size and manufacturer. Also be sure to check the same aisle for unique greeting cards.

Pat Catans
This popular craft store is known for its discounting but make sure to check out their clearance sections which is where you get the best deals. Recently I purchased a package of mulberry paper and thread stickers for a buck.

Hobby Lobby, Joann Fabrics, and Michael's
All three of these craft superstores offer coupons galore. Each will accept their competitors coupons. If you need extra, check at a local coffee shop on Sunday nights and often they will give you their leftover newspaper extra coupon flyers. Also if you sign up online, you will receive additional coupons in your email.

Winnie the Pooh Baby Shower.. on a budget!

I am co-hosting a Winnie the Pooh themed baby shower next month. Instead of purchasing those crazy expensive paper decorations I found great deals of Pooh themed items that can be used by the parents to be for the nursery.

After hours of research, I found that PartyCity has the best price on tableware. I could not resist this adorable "BabyDays" theme.

We chose to alternate the Pooh themed napkins and plates with solid lavendar ones found at one of my favorite dollar stores in South Park, PA.

This week at Party City they have the plastic rolls of tablecloths on sale for 6.99. Considering this will cover over 11 long rectangular tables it is a steal. The lavendar roll matched up perfectly with the dollar store paper supplies!

Party City has a clearance sale going on. If you take the time to dig through the bins, you can find some great deals. I scored a huge "Congratulations" banner, a stand up Pooh cardboard centerpiece, and Pooh stickers for a buck a piece.

For centerpieces, I found pop up cardboard Winnie the Pooh gift boxes for the bargain price of a $ 1.00 at my all time favorite store: Parkside Dollar which is also located in South Park, PA. These gift boxes are huge! I ordered Winnie the Pooh mylar balloons online (best deal) which will be held down by these boxes. I'll use some inexpensive bags of dry beans inside the boxes to weigh them down. I'll be sure to post a picture after the baby shower. Party stores were charging 7.99 a piece for these balloons. I found an online store selling them for 4.99 a piece!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tigger-Pooh-Piglet-Eeyore-4-pc-Balloon-Set-Baby-Shower_W0QQitemZ280134456744QQihZ018QQcategoryZ3208QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I found the invitation kits at Parkside Dollar in Robinson Twp a few months ago when I first found out the couple was expecting. Each kit contained 12 invitations.

Here are some of the great deals I have found recently:

TJMaxx

Pooh snowsuit 4.00 (clearance)

Ross Dress for Less
Fuzzy Blanket 3.99
Three wicker baskets with cloth liners 5.99 (pictured)
3 Flannel Receiving Blankets 2.99

Gabriel Brothers
Ceramic bank and photo frame 3.99 (pictured)

Pooh Bookends 2.99 (pictured)

Biglots
2x3 Magnet photo frame 1.00 (pictured)
5 piece Classic Pooh gift set 10.00

Tuesday Morning

Set of 3 Classic Pooh Stuffed animal hangers 2.98

Pooh Mirror for Automobile 7.98

Pooh stack tog 4.98

Target
Classic Pooh lamp 7.98 (clearance) (pictured)
Classic Pooh pillow 2.98 (clearance)
3 set of Classic Pooh booties 2.98 (clearance)

Classic Pooh infant sleeper gown 4.98 (clearance)

Classic Pooh Summer 2 piece outfit 2.98 (clearnce)

Classic Pooh Summer 2 piece outfit 2.98 (clearance)
Classic Pooh Holiday Ceramic Frame 2.98 (holiday clearance)

Classic Pooh Holiday Zipup Cotton Sleeper 1.98 (holiday clearance)

Walmart
Crib sheet 3.00 (clearance)

Parkside Dollar
Classic Pooh Invitation Kits-12 count 1.00
Hard cover Books 1.00
Classic Pooh stationary- 25 count 1.00

So how am I going to use these great bargain finds to transform the firehall into gorgous Winnie the Pooh Themed Co-Ed Baby Shower!!!

First of all we'll create instant decor by hanging a clotheline across the back of the hall. Using wooden clothpins we will hang all the Pooh themed clothing items along with a some Steeler and Pirate themed items and a few homemade decorated onesies.

Many of the small Pooh items I have purchased will be worked into a large diaper cake centerpiece designed by my friend, Jennifer Thomas. Her contact informaton will be posted in a later post.

I found four large canvas boards in our basements. I am hoping to be able to sketch the Pooh Baby Days pictures onto the canvas for painting. If it works out well, it could be used as a signature mat that could be later hung in the nursery!

Confessions of a Bargain Shopaholic!!

I am known to my friends as the bargain shopaholic. I love a deal and have a rare talent for finding exceptional buys. Since I am always being asked the question, "Where did you find that?" or "You only paid what???" I figured I would share my shopping secrets and successes. Welcome to Christie's dangerous world of bargain shopping. Grab your handbags, put on your sneakers, and get ready for a shopping adventure!