A Few Inspirations and Their Looks for Less

I got the Pottery Barn catalog in the mail a while back, and began perusing it.  For some reason, I have been on a "hosting" kick lately--kind of loving all things related to tablescapes, dinner parties, linens, and kitchen.  I kinda started crushing on this ridiculously expensive set of salt and pepper shakers I found in the Pottery Barn catalog (let's be honest, I would have a hard time spending $40 on a small set of dishes, so a set of salt and pepper shakers is out of the question for this thrifty girl!).  But I also remembered seeing this adorable set at Target, for a mere $2.99...now that I can work with!  And if owls aren't your thing, I also really liked these other little creature sets from Target (here and here).

I also fell in love with Naomi's pom pom Anthropologie table runner she used at her Thanksgiving dinner (I couldn't find the image on their website, they must be sold out, however I have a sneaking suspicion that it is out of my budget), but it comes from the Nomades Table Linen collection.  I found this knock-off tutorial on the blog "At Home on the Bay", and plan on trying it!  I don't think it would be very hard to replicate, and would go with a lot of tablescapes.

I also needed to make stockings for our little family this year.  Our old ones were not looking so great, Landon still didn't have one and I know that we will for sure have a fourth member of the family by next Christmas :) Pottery Barn also had some beautiful faux fur stockings, and I was also inspired by some that I found on Pinterest.  So for less than the cost of 1 Pottery Barn stocking, I whipped up 4 new ones for my fireplace.  I borrowed a stocking pattern from a friend, because I loved the size of hers.  What really makes these different than any standard stocking, is the heavier and textured upholstery fabric and faux fur cuff.  They are made the same way you'd do any other one!  I used pom-pom trim for my loops, so much simpler than trying to make my own faux fur pom pom, but you still get the same look.  If you are in need of some new stockings, maybe this will inspire you!  They are a project you can whip up in an evening or two.

Have you found anything lately that you can replicate or find elsewhere for less?  I want to hear!  It's always fun to find or make an affordable alternative!

JOY to the World: Holiday Letters for $5

I always find such inspiring (often intimidating and/or expensive) projects all over Pinterest.  This is definitely not one of them!  This project comes together in a matter of minutes, and adds a lot of pizzazz to your holiday decor.

I was inspired to do this project by this pin, but sadly it did not have a tutorial linked to it.  But I knew I could probably replicate it fairly easily, and I was very pleased with the results.

My supplies cost me right around $5 (assuming you already have mod podge and basic supplies).  I bought 3 paper mache letters and some gold glitter paper from Hobby Lobby (don't forget to use a coupon on one of the items you purchase, if they aren't already on sale!).

I did have my husband spray paint the back and sides with gold paint we already had, but I don't think it is necessary.  Especially if you choose to do a gold glitter paper.  If you opt for a silver glitter paper, you might want to paint the back and sides a silver or gray for a more cohesive look.

Trace the letter backwards onto the back of the glitter paper.  Cut out the letter.  Apply a thin layer of mod podge onto the front of the letter and lay down the cut out paper that matches the letter.  Firmly press down on the paper (rest a heavy book on top of it for a few minutes, if desired), let set and dry.  Then use as decor wherever your heart desires!  Obviously, the possibilities are endless.  Any word can be used!  NOEL would also be one I would love!   (Keep in mind the cost will go up some if you use a lot of letters, but it is still very affordable decor!).  And any color of glitter paper would also be very beautiful.  Silver or red would be very festive.  I have it set on top of my piano.  It would look gorgeous on a mantel, bookshelf, end table, etc.  

I hope you give this project a try.  It really comes together quickly and inexpensively (my favorite kind of projects), and really adds to the existing decor in my house.  Happy Holiday Crafting!

Leftover Candy Corns...

It's not a problem I normally have, to have a slew of leftover candy corns.  But if your stash isn't dwindling, as quickly as mine did, I thought some of these ideas were adorable ways to use them up, that aren't all "Halloween-y".

These candy corn penguin cup cakes are from Naomi's instagram (of the fun blog, Love Taza).  From what I can tell, they are oreos, candy corn, and mini chocolate chips.  They look easy and fun, for any time of year!

These are adorable little pretzel turkeys, that look simple and easy!  They would be a fun place setting for the kid's table at Thanksgiving!  For some more "turkey" inspiration using candy corns, I can't get over how cute these nutter butter turkeys are, or try out variations of the Reese's peanut butter cup turkey, here or here!

And if your candy corns are stale, or you are all sugared-out, you and your kids can make a sweet little card, inspired by this handprint turkey, or this Thanksgiving card.

Have fun using up that leftover candy corn!  Now I wish I had some left...I will have to plan better for next year!

Decorating with Paper

I decided to jump on the "batty" trend and make a statement on my wall this year for Halloween.  Paper is a really inexpensive product and can make such a statement!  All of the decorations here are made of paper (the bats and banner).  I made the banner years ago at the scrapbook store using their die-cut machine.  So I really didn't need any special equipment.  Paper is an easy thing to use to add a lot of drama for your upcoming Halloween get-together!

Here are some fun links using paper to decorate for Halloween...

I want to replicate this spooky idea for a centerpiece

simple and fun banner chains

the perfect cake topper 

eery silhouettes 

And if you are wanting to give a bat collage a try, here are a few of my inspirations...

bat collage over a door

in a living room

and a template if you want to cut out some of your own bats!

The perfect project to do while watching a suspenseful movie!

Spooky Banner and Wreath Tutorials

Remember my post on simple ways to decorate your mantle for the spooky holiday?

Well here are two simple tutorials to help you.  Both of these cost $10 or less.  You might even be able to make both of them for $10 total, depending on what you have on hand!

First tutorial, for the simple feather wreath.  You'll die at how easy it will be to make this.  It will take you less than 5 minutes!

All you need is a feather boa, a wire wreath form, a dollar store skeleton, and a few scraps of ribbon or lace.  Simply wrap the feather boa around the wire.  Use hot glue if you need it, but I found that I could secure it by putting a section through the wire pieces that stick out along the circumference.  Simply attach the dollar store skeleton using some yarn or ribbon, and then run a wide piece of ribbon around the wreath to hang it wherever you need to add some festivity!  

The second tutorial is for the simple burlap banner.  

If you carefully cut out the triangles and maximize your fabric, you really don't need much. 

I used my silhouette machine to cut out the shapes, but don't worry if you don't have that!  You can go to your local scrapbook store and use their die-cut machine, if they have one (they do here, if you are a local AZ resident).  Or, print off your desired shapes and use scissors or an x-acto knife to cut out the shape leaving a stencil to use.  I think this method would also work super well (it's also really inexpensive) and be fun for kids to help!  Maybe next year I can do this method with Landon.  

I didn't have a foam brush, so I just used a wadded up paper towel to dab on the paint, and it worked just splendidly!

After they thoroughly dry, secure them to yarn, ribbon, or twine and drape around wherever you please!

I hope these simple tutorials inspire you to add a little "umph" to your decorations without breaking the bank.  Our homes, however big or small, decked out or minimal, they are ours!  And I love that having a few decorations out can lift our spirits and keep us excited about things, even if it is just the small things!

Halloween Decor: Dollar Store and Thrifting

I can't even begin to explain how excited I was for the weather to start changing and for the autumn activities to begin in full-swing!  However, I pulled out the tote full of my autumn and Halloween decor, and was sadly disappointed in the very little bit I had tucked away.  Thankfully, real pumpkins and gourds can really add a lot without hitting your wallet too hard (and last all season if left uncut/carved too).  However, I wanted to have some more festive Halloween and spooky decorations.  But having just moved and spent a nice chunk of change on that, the spending had to be minimal.

So, I decided to peruse a couple of my local Dollar Trees, and was pleasantly surprised at the loot I found!  Between that and a few thrifted items and things I already had on hand, I was able to pull together a pretty festive and spooky mantle above my fireplace!

I was thrilled that I scored the creepy crows and adorable glittery jack-o-lanterns for $1/piece!  Once Halloween is over, I plan on turning the jack-o-lanterns around so you can just see the pumpkin.  The skeletons, skull, and spiders were other fabulous dollar store finds.  I was so impressed with this decor being only $1/piece, because I noticed nearly the exact same items in other craft stores for at least quadruple the price!  I also picked up a package of cobwebs to have strewn across the final product.  I was impressed with how realistic they look, and one package has proven to be more than enough!

The books are thrifted, and I pick them up over time.  If you can't find a vintage/beat up book, even just different sizes of books in neutral colors will give you the same type of look.  I'm sure you can also rip at the book spine and take some sandpaper to rough up the edges on a book that looks too "new".  The books work great to give different height and dimension across this huge mantle!  Plus, I use the books year-round for decor, not just during the holidays, so to me, they are worth picking up when I see them!

The banner and wreath are both homemade and super simple and inexpensive!  I will have tutorials up on both of them in the next couple days...so stay tuned!

If you don't have a fireplace or mantle, don't worry!  I used to decorate the top of my piano similar to a mantle-top.  You can also do the top of a bookcase, small entertainment center, or shelf.  I'm sure there is a spot in your home to glam up if you are dying to decorate!

Mother's Day Idea: Instagram Magnets

So, I gave my mom her mother's day gift early, so that I could post this idea for you all to use if you want!

I know it isn't an extremely unique DIY, I've seen it floating around blogland/pinterest.  But Instagram magnets are seriously easy, fun, cute, and most anyone (especially a mom!) will love them!

use them to make a collage...

...they can help you hang up fun things on your fridge...

...or just be there to give you reminders of happy memories all on their own!

I used this tutorial from Megan at And Here's to You, Mrs. Robinson.  I didn't do everything exactly as she did, but pretty close.  I left more white space around each picture, like she wished she had done.  And I didn't use a paper cutter, just scissors to cut the pictures out, because I didn't have a paper cutter handy.  I loved her instructions on making and printing out the collage, they worked great for me!  

While working on these, I made the mistake of stacking them on top of each other.  The magnets sometimes left a little mark on the picture they were sitting on (major bummer, but they still were fine enough to give her!), so that is why, when I gifted them to my mom, I had torn paper in between.  Plus it kinda looked cute that way!

Purchases

-          small tiles at Home Depot for under $3

-          magnets at Home Depot (and then got smart and ordered a bigger amount off of Amazon for around $5)

-          created the collage on picmonkey (free)

-          printed the collage at Costco (less than $2)

-          mod podge and brushes, already owned

-          glue gun to glue on magents, already owned

Good luck!   It was too hard to narrow down a few, so I made my mom a ton.  She can either rotate them out and change things up occasionally—or just have a fun collage on her fridge, even if she doesn’t need to hang anything up. 

I am working on printing off a collage to make myself a few.  This is a project that comes together quickly, once the collage is printed.  My favorite kind! 

These could also be a fun gift for a dad (either your own dad or husband) if he has a magnetized filing cabinet or something where he works.  I am trying to think of other ways to "back" the tiles (like a heavy duty thumb tack?) so they can be used on other surfaces.  Any ideas?!

Armoire turned Pantry DIY

Well I live in a small house, so you have to get creative with how you use your space.  My friend Julianne told me about her garage sale, and so I hopped on over and got this armoire for $10!

After getting it home, I decided to turn it into a pantry (of sorts) for my kitchen.  I love the concept of open-shelving, but when you don't have double-paned windows, dust is an enemy you are constantly fighting.  No one wants to walk in and see dust all over my food and dishes that they are about to use.  I love the way it turned out!

It had some really cute detailing on it already.  The hardest part was just sanding it down.

Put a few coats of paint on.  Sanded the edges for a more chippy look and to show off the fun details.  (Didn't even glaze this one, since some of the underlying black paint showed through and gave it a glazed look).

Brett (my handyman husband) took a drawer out of the lower half of the top segment, and created a second shelf there--I forgot to take a picture of that before and after).

And of course, I use the top to shelve some of my pretty platters, fruits, and vegetables.  It adds a nice touch and makes it look more like it belongs in the kitchen.

I hope that the next place I live will have a pantry.  If not, I have this!  If there is a pantry, I can use this in a bedroom or craft room for other storage options.  Really, it was a good buy!

Since I have been shopping at WinCo now, and buy more things from their bulk section, I invested in some heavy-duty, plastic canisters from Ikea.  At $3.99/piece for the larger size, the price really can't be beat.  They are perfect for storing pasta, dried beans, whole wheat flour, etc. in my new "pantry"!  The bottom 2 drawers hold tupperware, bibs, dish cloths, dish towels, etc.  I am thinking about using all of my glass baby food containers and turning them into spice jars.  Maybe Brett could install a few spice racks on the inside of the doors on top?   Then I can buy my spices in bulk too.

What do you think of my armoire-turned-pantry?  Have you done anything creative with a piece of furniture, and used it for purposes it wasn't necessarily intended for?