Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Mouse on a Budget!

This week's House Mouse Challenge is "On A Budget", to make anything that would cost less than $2.00, not counting the stamps and inks. I didn't even own this cute stamp! Carolyn Bounds of P.M.S. etc was nice to send me some House Mouse images... thanks Carolyn! So, for the next House Mouse Challenges, I'll be using the images that she sent me. Make sure to visit her blog, she's one of the House Mouse Challenge Design Team and you'll sure love her and all her creations.

Can you tell that my mice are on a budget? They can't even afford a Halloween Costume, so Mom made this costume for them but Mom was color blind, so they ended up with White, Pink Pirouette and Riding Hood Red, but they are actually pretty happy with it.

And, not only I was able to make a card for less than $2.00, I was able to make a little something to match my card for my daughter. When I was shopping for school clothes for her a couple of weeks ago before school started, she wanted to stop at Jelly Belly store and they have this candy corn on sale for .25 cents for a 9 ounce bag. I was debating if I should get it because they're not the typical Halloween candy corns and I wouldn't be able to use them for Halloween but it's PERFECT for this challenge! (just glad that I didn't gobble them up when I first got them).

And now, the fun part of the challenge... you have to work out the cost for everything you used.

Stamps
:
Sweet Find by House Mouse Design ~ Excluded

Ink
: VersaFine Onyx Black, SU re-inkers ~ Excluded

Paper
: They're $4.50/24 = .18/sheet (Chocolate Chip = .09 cents, Whisper White = .09 cents, Pink Pierouette = .04 cents and Riding Hood Red = .04 cents)

Accessories
:
Chocolate Chip gross grain ribbon ($1.99 / 18 feet = .11 cents/feet), Pink brads ($1.99/50 = $.03 x 2 = .06 cents), plastic bag ($2.99/50 = .02 cents), Fruit punch stickles ($1.99/bottle = .05 cents) and Candy Corn for .25 cents.

Card Total = .09 + .09 + .04 + .04 + .11 + .06 + .02 + .05 + .25 = .75 cents

My time figuring this out..... $20.00! Laughing Out Loud
Sharing this card with you... PRICELESS!

37 comments:

Alex said...

I totally love these Catherine - and I soooo need to find a store that sells that color candy corn!!! It is perfect for a project I am working on!! Cute little images, and I love the challenge! *STAMPIN HUGS* Alex

Emma said...

This is fantastic and such a bargain. Thanks for joining in with HM&F. x

Carmen O. said...

OMG Catherine, these are so adorable. You have inspired me to take this challenge. That candy corn you got is perfect. I really hope to get this stamp someday. I love candy corn and Halloween!

Carolyn Bounds said...

Catherine, you are too funny...$20.00? Hahahahaha!! I love your card and that fun candy corn. Now, I am going to be on the prowl for some nontraditional candy corn too:o)

Thank you so much for the very nice words {blushing profusely}...you know I love ya too AND your inspiration-filled blog:o) When you run out of images...or get tired of the ones I sent...give me a shout.

Hugs!!!
Carolyn

Lee said...

Catherine!!! SO dang cute and I swear we think alike!!! This is very similar to my House Mouse SOTM club card I'm working on!! But without the budget! LOL I soooooo want to participate in my first ever House Mouse challenge, so I'll be coming up with something!! And please, please pm me or e-mail me your addy....I have lots of Mousie stamps and would love to share images!!!!!

Cindy Haffner said...

Hee hee they are so cute, love those colors on them, they do look happy.

Bethany Paull said...

I laughed at "my time...$20.00". Precious card. Love the sugary look of the candy from the Stickles.

Ami said...

I am not always one for cutsie stamps but I love House Mouse and always have. AND what could be better? I love candy corn hahahah. What a great card. LOVE IT.

finnabair said...

one of the cutest cars I've ever seen.....

Denise said...

Soooooooo cute! Love it.

Janine said...

So sweet!!!

Mary said...

How cute! I love the matching treat bag!

Dawn said...

This is really really cute. Love that they match the candy in the bad. Great idea!

Rose Ann said...

Your card and topper are just adorable, Catherine!! I love the non-traditional colors, and with sparkle....just perfect!! Love your story too!

Angie Tieman said...

Budget schmudget! hee! hee! Your mouse card and treat bag are actually adorable, even on a budget! Don't know how you did it! lol!

Kristine said...

OH, you're sooo GOOD!! :) LOVE that cute little card, and candy topper!! Where did you ever find pink/red halloween candy? YUM!! You're really did the math, didn't you?!! holy cow...better than I would've done for sure! GOOD JOB! :)

Diane said...

Oh my that is sooooo cute!!!!!

Ann said...

This is SO cute! Love that red & pink candy corn, the HM stamp is adorable, and the stickles are the perfect finishing touch! :D

Kristin Eberline said...

Soooo cute and clever :O) You always manage to entertain me while you awe me with your creativity! ♥ your project...

Julia Aston said...

How super fun is this in the pinks! that image is just adorable and the colors match your candy perfectly! very cute!!

Lynn Put said...

Super cute card and candy topper!
Love the glittery candy costumes!

Donna Baker said...

oh my! I love your story & this house mouse image (esp colored the way they are) totally makes me smile!!

Stacy Morgan said...

Super cute and a great gift idea. Glad you could play, hope to see you next week.

Rita said...

Luv both your card & candy topper! This is such a cute image!

Unknown said...

Ack! How cute is that! And it matches the candy perfectly!

Lori Barnett said...

Super CUTE! I'm so glad you posted the candy :) I've never seen candy corn in pinks. How fun is THAT! And it's awesome on the HM stamp!!! LOVE IT to PIECES!

Laurel said...

Aww... this is so cute! Love what you did, and you are too funny!

~Denise Lynn~ said...

Awesome job with the challenge Catherine! This is super cute! Love that image and your coloring. What a neat bag topper, yummy! :)

Swaantje said...

This is soooo cute!
I love the bag topper.

The image ist so cute!!!

dpkennedy said...

Not only is this adorable but it's cost effective! LOL! I love the colors-how cool that they match the candy corns you already bought! Mmmmm...I love candy corn!

Janneke said...

Wow !!!! Great card ;)

Thanks for joining in with HM&F

Heather D. ~ Fresh Brewed Designs said...

WOW!!! I LOVE your card!!! So cute!!! I was just thinking about candy corn and looking for an image of it:) lol!!! This is so so so sweet!!!
I love your "budget and price figuring part" lol. It was hard!!! lol!! I just gave up and guessed:) lol!!!

Tina said...

So cute and how clever to color them to match the actual candy corn.

Tina said...

So cute and how clever to color them to match the actual candy corn.

Sankari W. said...

beautiful card C! love the jelly belly touch! I could eat a whole bag they are soooo good! love the whole calculation for your card - esp the part where you say that the time for you to figure out the cost - was more than the cost of the card -- but you are RIGHT - that you sharing the card with us is priceless!!!
:) Sankari

Tara said...

This is such a great card! xx

Brooke S said...

Halloween is one of my favortite holiday ever and Candy corn is what makes it all perfect.. To have them together SWEET!!! what a cute stamp set!!! I love the spin on color so cute....
Hugs
Brooke