An Answer and a Project

I apologize about Feature Fridays. They’re not abandoned.  They’re just put on the “wait list” until I’ve gone to all parent/teacher conferences, staffing meetings, and wrestling meetings.  It takes some time to put them together, and I just haven’t been able to devote the time they need.  A couple of weeks?

One of my favorite reasons for writing a post is to answer a question from a blogger!  Thank you, blogger!  You’ve made this so easy for me!  She asked about the landing at the top of my stairs (you know, the one with the sleeping bags and gorilla hand?).  Here is a picture of it.

I took this picture several months ago, so it’s a little different now (ie. I actually have candles in the candle holder).  Anywho, she had asked about the painting.  Here’s the story.  I bought it Marshalls last year in the clearance section.  It looked like someone had opened up a pop bottle, and it sprayed some pop on it.  I wiped it off.  It was on clearance for $17.00.  Score.

Oh.  By the way, you see that door to the right in the picture below?  That’s the guest bedroom.  I’ve got big things happening in there.  Big.

And lastly…I never feel like this deserves a post of its own.  Poor little bugger.  Ever buy these little notepads at the store?  I do.  They’re ugly.

How about now?  Snazzy, no?

Simply cut some scrapbook paper to size, spread on some paper glue, and smooth on.  Between this idea and the internet, I don’t know what has changed my life more.

By the way…took the day off of work tomorrow to go see this.  No, I’m not joking.  Movie fan here.  It’s worth it.

Just ONE

Let me make this declaration.  I am a FIRM believer that you do not decorate for one holiday before another has taken place.  Firm.  Believer.  Thanksgiving and Christmas are two very different feelings to me, and I don’t need decor mixing ‘em up.  However…

I couldn’t resist a jump up on just one.  So I’ve seen others taking part in this project, but Eddie Ross’s was my dream wreath.  The colors were perfect, and that bow sang to me.  He used about 80 ornaments.  I did not. 

I hit up the dollar store and bought these tubes of ornaments for, well, $1.00.  The pink ones I picked up for 1/2 off at Michaels.  I had to have the pink.  Oddly enough, I actually had to buy a package of wire hangers at the dollar store.  I didn’t have a single one!  Wire hangers and I don’t really get along.

Like Eddie says, unwrap the wire and form a circle out of the hanger.  Then, just thread the ornaments on in assorted colors.  I hot-glued the hook to half of them like he told me to.  The other half, I didn’t.  I regret that decision.

Of course, the only problem now is that I didn’t buy enough ornaments for two of them.  Inside the den is where I keep the kids’ white tree, and I thought this would be a cute entrance.  Looks like I’m back to the dollar store for more!

Until then, let’s just pretend.

Okay.  That’s it.  Back to Thanksgiving.  No more talk of this stuff. 

Staring at Stairs

My friend Beth is having a big ol’ party.  We’re talking “call the cops and get these hoodlums outta here” party.  Okay, fine.  I regret to inform you that I’m just not cool enough to be invited to one of those parties.  I’m also going out on a limb to say Beth isn’t cool enough to throw one of them.  However, we DO both love staircases!  So as soon as she spread the word about her staircase party,  I was alllllll over it.

Generally speaking, you’re bound to step on a half-eaten Barbie doll or a sharp piece of a Bionicle.  Somehow I got lucky on this day, and I was spared. 

The stairwell is the first piece of house that greets my guest, so I knew it had to be something I liked.  Of course, what my husband isn’t aware of is that this is a nice, beautiful, blank pallet for some wainscoting.  Soon, dear.  Soon…

And lastly, the reality. Look closely, and you’ll find a sleeping bag (oops. wait…looks like two are there), a lightsaber (never know when one might come in handy), and possibly a gorilla hand?  Like you don’t have a gorilla hand on your landing.

Wanna see my dream staircase?  Seriously.  I have dreams about it.

Notice:  No gorilla hand on the landing.

Still Harvesting

Oops.  Sorry.  I haven’t posted in a few days.  Wrestling season officially begins tomorrow.  As a coaches wife, that means widow season.  So, I spent some time cherishing what it feels like to have a husband.  Now…back to work!

Over the summer, I bought some decorative wood pieces that needed some love.  The tray, I turned into this.  The wall pocket, I turned into this.  If you look closely at the back two, you’ll see that they fit into a fall theme perfectly.  However, the wood just didn’t seem right. 

I slapped some leftover paint on there and sanded it down to my liking.  As a matter of fact, I’ll probably sand it some more.

I’m pretty sure the box was $1.99, but I could only imagine what a “normal” store would charge for something like this.

Oh yeah—if you ever want to spruce up some every day candles, simply wrap some floral or berry garland around them.  I bought this at Michaels for $1.00 last year, and it’s just enough to say, “Hi.  I’m a candle.  I’m celebrating fall.”

Fallin’ Up?

Uhhh have you SEEN all the fabulous links from the party?  You people are aMAZing!  I thought I could do a “highlights” post today, but I’m still not through all of them.  I’ll work on getting that around tomorrow.  Thank you SO much for all your great ideas.  Keep ‘em coming!  The party’s not over.

I worry that fall decorating doesn’t get the recognition it deserves around here, so I made sure to do a few arrangements before the ol’ red and green start coming out around the house. 

I’m hoping this will prove to you just how cheap holiday decorating can be.  I don’t think I purchased anything for full price.  After-holiday-shopping.  It’s critical.

I purchased a whole container of these acorns for $2.00 at Target last year.  They were normally $7.00!  Huh?  The f.a.l.l. pumpkins and the textured balls were both on clearance at Michaels.  Pine cones?  Courtesy of my backyard.

So, if I’ve said it a million times, I’ll say it again (that doesn’t even make sense).  Don’t spend big money on holiday decor.  There’s just no need.

Speaking of saving money!  My design girl (yeah, that’s what I call her) is offering my readers a spectacular deal right now! 

She is offering all of you the following choices:

$20 off a custom blog design
$10 off any pre-made template (Check out her holiday pre-mades!  Wonderful!) 
$5 off her print line

Please go visit her site and fall in love with all of her work.  Oh, and she’s not done yet!  She’ll be back with another spectacular offer next month!  This girl is GOOD!  Having her design my blog was no accident. :)

It’s here! It’s here!

Christmas shopping is upon us, everyone, and I’ve been waiting ever-so-impatiently for this party! I need some ideas!

Well, just to get this party started, I thought I’d show you my brilliant idea for inexpensive gift giving.  Frames.  Yup.  Frames.  Everyone needs them, right?  However, I decided to bling mine up a bit.

The whole concept behind this party is to save money, so I didn’t allow myself to go out and buy anything.  Nothing.  And believe me, I’ll explain why that was so difficult in a moment.

I used some plain ol’ picture frames, added some ribbon, and attached a broach to it.  It’s like a brand new frame!

My issue with both of these frames is that I would have gone with a MUCH bigger ribbon.  However, we’re talking free here.  I get the shakes just thinking about the ribbon I really wanted.  Grr.

The broaches are my grandmother’s, and I wouldn’t dream of giving them away.  However, I’ve seen similar broaches in numerous consignment and antique stores.  What an easy, inexpensive gift!

Okay.  It’s your turn!  Link up to your specific post please.  We know you have great blogs, but we want just the post with the idea!  Thank you for joining us!

Feature Friday Interruption

I’ve been so nervous about this post that I’ve avoided it for months.  That’s what I do. I avoid.  I’m not a business person.  There are those who are “savvy” and then there are those who are, well, me.  It started a few months ago when I was telling my husband that I needed a new camera. 

ourcommunity.com.au

The conversation went as follows:

Me: “I really need a new camera.  Ours sucks.”

Him: “You don’t need a new camera.  It works just fine.”

Me: “Yeah, well, I need better pictures for my blog.”

Him: “Yeah, well, your blog doesn’t earn you any money, does it?”

Woops. He got me on that one.  So…I’ve added advertising on my blog.  Would you like to get the word out about your business, shop, or blog?  Perhaps you know someone who would? 

www.fg-a.com

If you’re interested, you can find all the information you need on my “advertise” page.  I’m sure savvy people would go out and get advertising.  Nervous people like me just cross their fingers and hold their breath in hopes of advertising coming their way.

If nothing else, I hope you don’t mind that I interrupted Friday Feature for featuring myself. :)

See you on Monday, right?  I. can’t. wait.

A Surprise Find

Me:  It just seems like I had more fall decorations than this.

Husband:  You could always use that bin labeled “Thanksgiving” in the garage.

Me: HEH???  Uh…could you go get it please?  And could you run?

TWO years ago, I bought this wheat arrangement at Target, and I completely. forgot. about it.  It was $39.99.  I think I bought it for $9.00.  We are talkin’ two years here.

I do remember that I bought it because it tied all my dining room colors together.  It validated my use of this difficult color on my walls!  And, yes, I’ll pay $9.00 for that any day.

In other news, the countdown has begun!  Please don’t forget that NEXT Monday is our “I Can Make That” party!  I can NOT wait to see all the things I’m going to have to add to my Christmas projects list.

Please join us!  I imagine I’ll be posting at 12:00AM.  I’ll confirm and remind again this weekend!

Festive Feather Wreath!

Thank you for all your comments about the new blog.  I have to admit that it’s taking some time to get used to!  Does that mean I had my old design for too long?  Nah…

So today I got started on some fall/Thanksgiving decorating.  My friend Beth made this wreath a couple of weeks ago, and I knew I had to make one too!  Copying is a form of flattery, right?  Right, 799?

She was kind enough to give you a tutorial, and I was dumb enough to forget.  Well, I was actually dumb enough to think I had already taken pictures of it.  Nope.

Just for you, I went back and “pretended” a tutorial.  I don’t know that this wreath is the best, but it was definitely the cheapest.  I didn’t even take the plastic wrapping off.  That way-no mess.

I purchased a few of the “skinny” boas in ivory.  It was buy one, get one 1/2 off, so I spent about $20.00 total.  More than I would have liked, but I’m in love with the wreath.

Secure the ends down with a glue gun (or staple ‘cause I got tired of waiting for it to cool) and continue to wrap until you get to the end.

Hang it in several places in your home because you can’t figure out where you want to hang it.

Hang it and walk away.

Me New Blog!

Ta-Da!!!!!!

Wait! Don’t leave! It’s me. It’s just a “new me.” I’ve been waiting for this moment, and I’m so happy to reveal it to you!

I’ve got lots of things to say, share, and announce, but for now know this much…

Danielle at The Design Girl is a genius!

Feel free to take a look around, explore, ooh, and ahhh. I’ll be back!

If this isn’t cozy, I don’t know what is…

Well, the Halloween decor is coming down, and I’m moving onto another holiday.  I can only imagine what I was looking for when I found Aunt Ruthie’s site tonight, but I am sooo glad I did.

Her house is the epitome of cozy and warm and inviting, and I knew I had to share it with you. She’s got a pretty substantial following, so who knows what rock I’ve been hiding under!

 

Yes.  That’s her kitchen.  Yes. That’s her view from her sink.

 

She has windows.  In her house.  With shutters.  Love…

Oh sure.  There’s a million and one things I could have said.  The pictures spoke for themselves.  Well, now I’m off to re-evaluate the way I decorate for fall.

Feature Friday!

Already?  That went by fast!  I have to admit that when I went to post these ladies’ blogs on here tonight, it almost didn’t happen. I couldn’t stop reading them!  Hopefully, that says something about how good they are!

Kelly from Much to do with Nothing is my idol.  She decorates so beautifully, yet so frugally, it’s amazing.  I still haven’t come to terms with this idea.  “Custom” sconces without an electrician.

A before bathroom.

The after bathroom.  GoodNESS.  It’s just so pretty.  The lighting is perfect.

Here’s another one I wish I was talented enough to come up with.  Straight out of Candice Olson’s mind, right?  Nope.  Just something Kelly whipped up. I WILL make this someday.  Mark my words.

Here is the picture that started our relationship that she doesn’t know we’re in.  This was the first picture I found of hers, and I saved every angle of this room immediately.  I dream of my guestroom looking just like this in a few weeks.  Well..I might put a bed in there.

Next, Jennifer at Tatertots and Jello (sounds like my life) is just one more blogger who touches something and it turns to gold.  Can you tell why I love her already?

One word:  Burlap.  She loves it just as much as I do, but she does such cuter stuff with it!  Darn you, Jennifer!  :) I could never make these tassels!

I don’t have a single pumpkin on my porch right now.  Jennifer has these.  That she painted.  And stacked.  And put ribbon on.

Here’s my favorite part!  This is a “before” picture of her kitchen.  Absolutely lovely, right?

Apparently not lovely enough.  Look at what she did to the place!  I could seriously just sit and stare at all the little details here.  Oh…the curtains?  Burlap.  She made them.

Well, off you go!  I know you’re just itchin’ to see more, so go say hello to these wonderful bloggers!  I hope I can spread the word just a little for them!

A Giveaway and…a Giveaway

Do you know Danielle over at Design Girl Blog?

Well, if you don’t, you’re missing out.  She does some fabulous work, and I had to spread the word about her

She’s giving away a FREE photo blog makeover.  This is quite a significant value, and all you have to do is become a follower to enter!  Wanna see just how good your blog could look?

 

In other news…I entered a giveaway at Today’s Creative Blog recently, and I won.  Let me repeat—I won.  If 99.9% of the universe won the lottery, I would be the .1%.

If you remember anything about my love of all things paper, you’ll understand just how big a deal this is for me.  I have $50.00 to spend at Tiny Prints, and I can’t contain myself.

There’s Christmas cards, address labels, stationary, and more.  I’m obsessed with the choices!

And then…I saw this.  Remember my profession of love?

She’s promoting a special holiday line at Tiny Prints.  Do you think it was destiny?  I think it was Gwyneth reaching out to me.  My husband thinks I’m nuts.  Yes, Gwyneth, I will buy them.  Just for you.

Cone Trees

Original title? No.  However, I’ve got a fun project for you! I went to JoAnn’s the other day, and they were having a mega-sale.  I wasn’t even going to buy anything, but I went into a frenzy when I saw everyone grabbing things and running for the registers.

I snatched up a couple of these cone trees (on sale, of course) and some yarn (1/2 off).  I had no idea if the picture in my mind would turn out, but I wouldn’t be out too much money if it didn’t.

So, I hot glued, I twisted, and I turned all while I watched my husband put pizza rolls in the oven cook dinner.

I must admit.  They look pretty nice in their new home.

I bought the chunkiest yarn I could find ‘cause I knew I’d want it to have a lot of texture to it.

Oh sure, they’re not perfect by any means, but they sure were an inexpensive way to fill a space that I had been struggling with.

Not bad considering they’re underneath my $2.00 burlap window treatment and my $2.00 plant from Lowes.  Now I’m on the hunt for something little to fill that blank space on the wall.

Hmmmm…always something, right?