I like practical DIY projects that I can use on a regular basis. 

This project was easy to make, affordable and it’s really cute, if I do say so myself.

I made it on a girl’s weekend awhile ago with some of my favorite people. (Yes, we sat around and did crafts!)

You’ll need:

A frame (I chose a square frame, but any shape will do. But choose a good sized one. My frugal frame hint? If you don’t like the color of a thrift store frame or the $3 Wal Mart frames, spray paint them. Just remove the backing and glass. I buy as many  .50 cents garage sale frames as I can find!)

A swatch of fabric that is a little bigger than the frame (upholstery or thick material works best)

Glue gun (a.k.a. my best friend)

Magnets (the round ones that are strong)

Step 1:

Remove the glass and frame backing.

Step 2: 

Cut fabric to fit just a little bigger than the frame hole.

Step 3:

Stretch fabric and hot glue the material to the back of the frame:

Papers and pictures adhere easily thru the fabric to the fridge with small bubble magnets.

I use my memo board to hold a picture of our Compassion child, a picture of a Russian family who needs our prayers and recently, I added a photo of my new niece who is coming home from Ethiopia. My sister and her hubby leave today, so please pray for them!  (You can follow their journey here).

I found these great paper weights at the Dollar Store. You can slip a picture under the glass. I decided to make mine into personalized magnets!

I just cut out a circle the size of the paperweight and used some stickers I had:

I attached magnets to the back:

Mine say: Pray for The Persecuted Church, Pray for Russia, Pray for Ethiopia!

My garage sale love runneth deep. I love the unknown…the next treasure around the corner.

I love what a $5 bill can buy!

Here are a few of my favorite finds so far this summer:

1. A unique $5 wicker drawer unit:

2. A $5 white cabinet for my laundry room (they were asking $8):

I added a little black paint and a red knob:

4. A lovely $5 glass house:

(What do you think I should put in it?)

And this next item actually cost me two $5 dollar bills, but who’s counting? 

It’s my favorite piece. Don’t you think it has a lot of character?

It’s an antique printer tray turned table. It even came with the glass on top.

I just finished an easy, but meaningful project.

I have a huge stack of kid art. My creative kids have produced some great artwork and it’s been sitting in the top of my closet in a box. Year after year, I add to it.

I’ve always wanted to display some of my favorite pieces, but didn’t know where to start and I figured it would be a costly project.

Until I found these frames at WalMart for less than $4 each:

Since I go to WalMart often, I decided to pick up a frame on each visit.

I trimmed the art and have started a beautiful gallery:

I made a little alcove between the laundry room and entry our art gallery. I would love to add some special clip lights to highlight the pieces, but there aren’t any outlets.

Do you have any ideas for lighting?

I feel happy every time I walk past my kid’s creations!

For every good do-it-yourself project I share with you, there is at least one untold disaster.

I’m a Mom, not a renovator/artist.  I have three kids (one that is 2, so that raises the total even more). I have a limited budget and I’m messy.

So, disaster, is but a paint spill away.

I don’t want you guys to think that my weekly projects always go as planned. Because they don’t. I just don’t usually talk about the laminate bookshelf I spray painted three different times because the paint wouldn’t adhere to the laminate.

But it did adhere to my skin. For 3 days. I was blue, just like a Smurf.

Or remember my fancy pantry door? What I didn’t tell you is that I spray painted the door inside my garage. My hubby rigged up something so it could hang and I could get even coats. What I wasn’t counting on was the paint grabbing onto every dust particle in the air and covering everything in the garage with a fine red dust. It took weeks to clean it up.

Another example is the wall in my toddler’s room. I found a can of Magnetic Spray Paint on the clearance aisle at WalMart. This stuff is not cheap, except I found it for just a couple of dollars. My big idea: paint part of a wall and let my daughter use it to hold magnets.

Brilliant, right?

Um, no. Because it was spray paint. But I didn’t want to waste money, so I did it anyway. She couldn’t sleep in her room for two days due to fumes. The overspray was horrible and the bonus? It wasn’t magnetic (I would have been much better off with the roll on magnetic paint). Of course, I didn’t learn this until after I painted the yellow Latex room paint over the gray magnetic paint.

A disaster.  

But rather than give up, I decided to be creative and flexible. Here’s how I fixed it:

Rather than buy roll-on magnetic paint that runs about $20, I found two magnetic dry erase boards for less than $20 for both. I adhered those over the non-magnetic mess I’d created. I used some bright pink paint to create a border to cover up the overspray. 

The magnetic boards didn’t cover the entire area, so I used some leftover rub-on alphabet letters.

Not exactly what I had planned, but still good, and most importantly, useful.

When your DIY turns DISASTER:

• Don’t panic.
• Rethink your plan and lay out all your options.
• Google-this is a great resource for stain removal ideas.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help,
• Buy used items to redo from garage/thrift sales so if it does get ruined, you haven’t invested a lot.
• Learn from your mistakes.
• Give yourself a break. Most DIY-selfer’s are trying to save money. It takes a lot of courage to paint your kitchen cabinets or rip out carpet. So, don’t be too  hard on yourself. Not everything always goes according to plan.
• Be realistic. If you expect perfection on every project, you will be disappointed.

Do you have a link or an idea for a fun, last-minute Father’s Day craft? Would you share it here in my forum? I know there will be some frantic searching this weekend for some last-minute gift ideas!

My kids and I saw this idea in the summer Family Fun magazine. 

We borrowed three round, flat rocks from our neighbor (who happens to be Mr. Rocky).

I set up plates with paint and each of my kids claimed a rock. They painted the rocks a solid color (even my 2 year old painted!)

It didn’t take long for them to apply a few coats or to get overheated outside. While they took an unplanned swim break in our plastic pool (with their clothes on-still trying to say yes), I used Sharpie markers to add some detail:

We celebrated early with my parents. They loved the cake! My mom chewed and thoughtfully said, “What exactly are the round decorations on the tie?”

My son said proudly, “That’s my leftover Easter candy.”

My Mom found her napkin quickly.

Nothing says happy Father’s Day like old Easter candy.

We love being in our backyard.

I use it like an extra room in our house, nearly year round. It’s like a giant playroom.

I bought our patio table and chairs at WalMart several years ago when they marked down the leftovers. I got a fantastic deal on the set (75%) off, even though a glass table wasn’t my preference, it has served us well.

Unfortunately, the metal edging has rusted. Our budget mocked me when I hinted at a new table.  

I asked my hubby if we could just replace the glass with wood. He had an even easier/better/cheaper idea!

He built a wooden table top to put over the glass!

It was pretty easy and only cost $50!

He even cut a hole for my clearance umbrella!

I used the leftover black enamel paint from this project and this one! (I really got my money’s worth on those two gallons!)

Now, I’m ready for a garden party! Check out Thrifty Decor Chick to see more!

I’m learning to see furniture in a new light. Instead of taking it at face value and current condition, I’m trying to take in the shape and lines and I’m wondering if I can find a new purpose for it.

Take this piece, for example. It’s a TV stand. But I thought it would work at the end of my daughter’s bead for a bench and storage.

I pulled off the thin piece of wood on the back and my hubby took out the shelves:

I bought some foam and adhered it to the top:

Check out more Goodwill finds at Thrifty Decor Chick!

Well. We did it! We switched our girl’s rooms. My older daughter loves her new room and my toddler is adjusting to her big girl bed.

I thought I’d show you the before and after pictures and a couple of the projects I did:

I spray painted the little candlier black that used to hang in the nursery. I love it hanging over the bed!

 

I painted the garage sale bed black and love the way it turned out.  See the fancy white monogram? It is actually a “W” I didn’t use for another project! I repurposed it since my daughter’s name starts with “M”!

She wanted a fairy room. I didn’t want to do characters, but I added a few fairy touches. I got these little dolls (ornaments, I think) for $3.99 each at TJMaxx. I left the red curtain arch that used to be over my toddler’s crib. It’s actually red tab top curtains from Target and I used finials to hold the curtains in place.

The little suitcases on top of my daughter’s desk came from a garage sale too. It’s amazing what you can find! They are stuffed full of doll clothes.

This is the armoire from the other room. Since our toddler didn’t need a desk and our 9 year old did, we moved it. I decided to mix the black and white furniture. I used a Scrapbook Rub-On Damask ($1.50 from Hobby Lobby) to add a touch of black to the armoire.

I love the simplicity of this project! It’s so easy and affordable, but offers a big impact!

Inspiration:

Aren’t these birdie pillows cute?

I am not an artist, but I can fake it sometimes. I just drew a branch, a bird and some leaves on colored felt. This is my second attempt. My first bird looked like a marshmallow with a beak.

I discovered after the fact, that this article, actually has a printable pattern for the birds!

I love the punch of color on my bed!

Total project cost: $2.60

Lately, garage sales have been my favorite place to find dollar deals. I’ve been heading out early with Amanda from The Eck Life. Last weekend, we found these cute matching picture frames. I thought they would make great chalkboards. She put her adorable chalkboard in the laundry room.

I just taped off the ugly floral part and painted the center with chalkboard paint.

I like the way it turned out. But it felt a little boring to me.

So, I got out the spray paint. (I taped over the chalkboard part, so I wouldn’t have to redo it).

Yes, now that’s more like it. Plus, red just calls for a sassy note to all the eaters in my kitchen, “Take it or leave it!”

Check out Rhoda’s for more thrifty inspiration! 

Some other fun bird projects:

Remember this little $8 thrift store find?

I’m so glad I asked your opinion on what to do with it. There were so many fabulous ideas, I was wishing for a duplicate or two. I loved the idea of putting it in the kitchen and making it a

message center and also of painting it pink and using it for my daughter’s accessories.

But I didn’t go with either of those.

(I did discover that it isn’t from a church and isn’t that old. I didn’t learn it’s original use though.)

Here’s what I did:

I spray painted it with a high quality black enamel paint. (The kind that doesn’t require any sanding. What can I say? I’m a lazy decorator).

An empty wall and a box of photos, special linens, mismatched dishes and antique salt and pepper shakers from the great grandparents farm solidified my decision to create an heirloom shelf.

I used scrapbook paper to line the small drawers and one of the square spaces. I found some cute coordinating ribbon and although it looks like it’s hanging from a funky knob, I’ve really secured it with heavy-duty hangers.

I hung a teacup passed down from some family members on an “S” hook in one of the holes on the shelf ledge.

Adorable damask push-pins keep old photos in place.

Every other year, we travel to a Family Reunion on my hubby’s side and we enjoy a fun family auction. I’ve collected a box of special treasures, plus a few items passed down from my family and my hubby’s maternal side. But that’s where I’ve stored them, in a box.  

Until now.

For the “W”, I printed out a  font and traced it onto a blank stencil sheet. It was so easy!

P.S. One of our family treasures is a Civil War picture from the 1860′s of my hubby’s great, great, great grandfather. Anyone know where we can get it restored?

 Swing over to The Remodeling Guy’s Round-Up to some more before and afters!

Spring passes quickly around these Southern parts, but I hold on for as long as I can.  We go from cool to very hot overnight.

The article suggests using glass paint. It can be found at most craft stores. (Since I was only using the plates for decorative purposes, I used the black acrylic paint I already had).

I bought 3 wooden frames for $1 each. I removed the backing and glass and spray painted them cream to match my room.

I gathered some of my scrapbook paper (if you don’t have any, you can buy it by the sheet for just cents).

WalMart carries a fantastic Martha Stewart line in the craft section. I picked up a package of glitter bird stickers (you can use any stickers, just buy large, unique ones) Here are some Gardenia Stickers by Martha Stewart stickers for less than $1:

Once my frames dried, I cut the patterned paper to fit the frames. I placed the fun sticker in the middle of the paper and put the frame back together.

Some fabulous DIY ideas from around the Internet:

~A fantastic kitchen makeover (my real life friend)

~Amazing homemade garland (love this frugal idea!)

~Spring silhouettes (I want to try to make these)

Because I can on this Good Friday.

Plus, our relationship needs a little intrigue once in awhile. Instead of showing you my latest project, I want you to help decide what to do with this gorgeous item I found at a thrift store:

I wanted to add a touch of Spring to my dining room table (the one that looks pretty, but only gets used on holidays).

For nearly 5 years, we’ve just piled stuff there.

This project is so simple even my kids could do it.

{I didn’t let them because I don’t play well with others}

I turned these white plates:

Into Spring plates (in about 15 minutes):

With some easy-to-use, rub ons!

Here’s how:

Cut out desired transfer. Center it, use credit card to rub on transfer and slowly pull back paper.

To remove, just scrape off!

I get most of my DIY ideas from magazines like Country Living and Better Homes & Garden 100 Decorating Ideas.

She longed to sit with the rest of the family around the dinner table.

And it was a beautiful wish, really, except we only had four chairs.

When we bought our 5 pc (table included) dinette set five years ago, we were a family of four and no more. 

So we thought.

The set cost around $500 and has years and years and (crossing fingers) years of life left.  Since it’s expandable, I thought I’d just move some furniture around and add a couple of chairs.

Each chair cost $225.

I finally came up with a solution (much, much cheaper by the way) and I love it!

I opened the built-in leaf and enlarged the table. I moved the chairs around and left one side empty and strapped on a booster seat.

I added one of my garage sale treasures: a mismatched, chippy-painted bench:

And I saved hundreds of dollars! Plus, I love the casual, eclectic look of it.

I find that during these uncertain economic times, I’m more comfortable using what I have and holding off on big purchases. 

Are you doing the same thing? Talk to me.

Y’all know I have a thing old stuff and for junk. So, this is right up my alley. Even if you don’t like to repurpose old things, I think  you’ll still marvel at how good I am at stealing ideas from magazines!

Supplies Needed:

3 Tins of graduated size

copper tubing (Lowes or Home Depot plumbing aisle)

5/16 Threaded still rod (hardware aisle)

2 – 5/16 in. lock nut

4 – 5/16 in. flat washers

small piece of plywood

5/16 in drill bit

Jig Saw, scroll saw or coping saw

Hacksaw (for cutting threaded rod)

crescent wrench (tighten nuts)

First, gather some old tin containers in varying sizes:

These are actually pretty inexpensive (I’m not talking about collectible tins at pricey antique stores) if you can find them at thrift stores, garage sales or your own storage. There are several products you can buy sold in similar tins (like butter cookies, coffee) if you want new ones.

The graduating size is important. So, take your time and shop around. It took me a couple of weeks of looking here and there to find these.

Next, find the center point of the largest tin’s lid with a compass:

Use the compass to draw the circle onto a piece of plywood that is thinner than the inside depth of the lid:

Talk someone you know into cutting out the circle OR Do it yourself and impress me! (My hubby used a jigsaw).

Seriously adorable, huh?

It makes the perfect centerpiece to hold napkins, salt & pepper shakers, etc. I found this adorable idea in Better Homes & Garden’s 100 Decorating Idea quarterly magazine and they put it on a desk to hold post-its, pens and paperclips!

Total project $15-$20

Total time: 1 hour

P.S. I just discovered a fun new carnival called Make & Tell at The 6 o’clock Stitch, where you can link up and share new projects every Monday! There are some great ideas!

My 9 year old daughter wanted to make a few changes to her room. She’s in between the character bedding stage and the free-spirit teenager bedroom style.

In other words, I can still have my way with her room.

After looking through a couple of magazines (and having a mild heartache at bedding and room decor prices), we agreed she just needed a few big girl touches.

So, I thought a canopy over her bed would be fun.  I bought a long white tab top curtain. (I got mine at Ikea, but they are available just about everywhere). 

I bought different colors of wide ric rac that matched her quilt from a fabric store.

I spaced the ric rac strips out on the curtain. I heated up my glue gun and she helped secure each piece:

I bought two cheap curtain rods and attached the hardware to her ceiling. I threaded the tab top ends thru one rod and hung the other end of the curtain by draping it over the other rod:

I’m really pleased with how it turned out! It gives her bed a canopy-feel and cost approximately $25. 

I found some crystal hanging things (I think they were ornaments) to hang on the bottom of the candle holder.

I glued a strand of fake pearls on the bottom to hang it:

Turned out pretty cute:

Once upon a time there was an end table. It had a southwest flare. My style changed, but my budget didn’t, so I gave my little table an extreme makeover.

I love this lamp I found at Target. At first glance, it looks like an average light.

Until you turn it on:

The lovely damask pattern comes to life in the light. I love the way it coordinates with my damask bedding.

This lampshade really inspired me to customize this lamp (another clearance aisle special from Tar-jay) in my favorite new corner of the house.

The first house my hubby and I lived in a million years ago benefitted from my stencil-happy hands. I think I stenciled every room in the house! I haven’t stenciled in awhile and thought it would give this lamp a neat touch. It’s such a cheap and easy way to customize.

I taped the stencil to the inside of the lamp. And added black acrylic paint.

Have y’all heard of junk shopping?

Some call it junk-tiquing, others trash to treasure.

It probably should be called “I can’t afford real antiques.”

Call it what you may, but I enjoy it.

I like mixing old things in with new and my bedroom is full of both.  Today, I want to talk about old tin. There are so many great ways to use these old ceiling tiles.  Here are some great projects using old tin.

I found mine at a flea market for $2-$5 a piece. But don’t let that stop you. You can actually find some great affordable pieces on Ebay (buy old tin)  Mine has the original white paint that is now chipping off:

I’ve seen picture frames made from tin and I thought this would make a cool double frame.

Please note: This rusty old tin is sharp!

Please also note: My hubby was very involved with this project.  

Please note the above note: I didn’t want to get a boo-boo.

First, cut an X in the center of the tin. We used tin snips, but if you have a jigsaw or dremel saw, they work best. (And let’s just pretend I know what a dremel saw is, shall we?)

Next, carefully pull back the four triangles that make up your X. We used pliers.

My two favorite guys working on a home decor project: Beautiful! 

This is what the tin should look like with all four pieces pulled back with pliers. (The picture opening on mine is about 5×5). I just taped pictures to the back of the ‘frame.’

And since I’m putting this unique frame in my bedroom, I thought it should hold a picture of me and my hubby.

When we were 10 years old. (Yes, that is my ‘fro picture).

Aren’t we darling? My kids laugh every time they see it. What is so funny?

I actually have some new stuff in my room too; it’s not all junk. Here’s a short tour.

I have a fun, easy project for you this weekend!

My hubby and I had a great time experimenting with a DIY clock.

There are so many great ideas out there. I love this Chalkboard clock:

As soon as I can find a globe at a thrift store, I want to make this for my son’s map-inspired room. It’s cut in half at the hemisphere lines!

Of course, I could buy this one at Etsy.

My Mom has this unique clock from Uncommon Goods. It’s a reindeer made from kitchen items like a loaf pan and measuring spoons. I love it, but I’d love it even more if I could make it!

Of course, I started with something easier.

That involves power tools.

Can I get a grunt, please?

Items needed:

Dinner plate (from my white dishes)

China Drill bit (these are also called Mason bits)

Clock kit (I got mine at the WalMarts in the craft section for under $5)

Numbers are optional. I am using metal scrap booking numbers I had in my craft cabinet.

My Plate and Supplies: