WFMW: Cute Compromise

A chandelier at Lowe's for $99 made my heart sing. Recent car troubles meant I had to dig deep to finish our remodeling on the cheap. Lampshade, $4.99, skirt, $3.99 = $8.98 for a cute, cottage light fixture. I simply put a lacy skirt over the shade, nothing more. When I finally do get around to getting that chandiler, the shade can then grace a lamp (yes, Nester, I'm working on lamping it up.)

For more great ideas, scope out the WFMW tips!

Come on over to the other side

Except for installing the new light fixture, the other side of the kitchen is pretty much complete. It looks a lot like the flip side, obviously. Our galley kitchen is so spacious now, funny how removing a couple of very small walls can do that for a space.




Like the barn star? It was an ugly green when I found it at a surplus merchandise store for $4.99. A few strokes of some paint and glaze transformed yet another piece of the puzzle.


Funny how a little paint really does go a long way..... it works for me!

For more WFMW, scoot on over to see the gang at We are THAT family.

Old World Charm

In all of the inspiration kitchens I found, a great structural range hood with lots of detail always jumped out at me. A local store was eliminating their appliance section, and I scored a new range hood for $25. Of course, a plain metal one was not my idea of a charming addition, so DH built a new cover for it with a sheet of sand ply, some scraps of 2x4s, molding that ties it into the rest of the kitchen and a pretty carved wooden piece for the front.

The construction cost for the cover was about $25, so for a total of $50, it was well worth the price to add so much charm. I took leftover glaze from the china cabinet and gave some dimension to it. DH made the project a true labor of love, spending nearly an entire day building it. Bless his heart, because the odd angles of our ceilings were not fun for him. However, I think my reaction when I got home from work that day was almost as excited as Christmas morning when I opened my ring from Tiffany's.

To find some more inspiration, see Kari & Kijsa and the Trash to Treasure gang

Coming Along...

One half of the kitchen is finally complete! With just a couple of projects left in the next couple of days, we hope to have a finished room very soon.

Like the light? It is a pendant fixture, but instead of a $20 glass shade, it's a $2 spring metal pail from Hobby Lobby. I simply used wire cutters to get rid of the handle and a Dremel to cut a whole in the top for the fixture to attach just like it would to the intended shade. Easy peasy! It was a 10 minute project, saved me about $18, and is unique, quirky and fun. Those little green pails on the window sill came from Target's dollar spot, and nicely hold sink stoppers and rings while the dishes are being done.

The only thing left is curtains for this window. I have no idea what kind to make, although I already have a beautiful citrus green linen. Any ideas?

Trimming it out

Using a staple gun to put the fabric on the chair had one big drawback -- there was going to be at least one place where they would show.

To remedy that, I put black grosgrain ribbon on with the first staples, layered in with the fabric. Once I had all the fabric on to my satisfaction, I used cloth hot glue to put the ribbon onto the chair.

Finished edges with a finished look!

Rewarding Reveal

So you wanna see some results, eh? Well..... OK! Remember those chairs?

Before.....

During......

After!

I love, love, love them! A sweet bird told me about the poshness of their original home -- and I feel so blessed to have a set of six of these lovely, lovely chairs, which was a mere $125 total! Come back tomorrow for hints on how I did them.....

Organize with Style

I cannot keep a resolution to save my life, so I didn't make any. Although I have not made any resolutions this year, I know that many of you have getting organized on your lists. Since you are trying to get your stuff together, think about making it pretty while you are keeping it organized.

Candy in boxes and bags is messy. (No, this candy is not mine -- it belongs to DH and the kiddos.)

Candy put into jars and glasses is neat and pretty. Remember that yardsale find that held wooden cranberries up until last week? 50 cents at a yard sale. The candy canes look cool hanging out in a water glass.

We all have to have this stuff everyday.

Why not wake up to a beautiful bathroom counter instead of a messy one? My toothbrush container is a small fish bowl, while a pretty cut glass candy jar holds my Q-tips.

These containers were all clearance rack, yard sale, thrift store or flea market finds. How do you keep it neat and pretty?

For more tips and tricks, see the fine folks at Rocks in My Dryer for WFMW.

Five More Windows Used

First, I must confess that I miscounted. There are 17 windows total. Yes, two more to find a home for. I am almost afraid if I add these into my home with the four that were already roaming around, it is going to be overkill. I'm not there yet, though!

As I mentioned, there were two sizes of windows, a few small ones and then many larger ones. For this project I used 4 small ones and one large one. The only other items needed were 8 L brackets, two packs of four, all bought at the mart full of walls for $1.97 a pack. Yep, $4 was the only cost for this project.

I, well DH, used the screws included in the pack to put the bracket in all four corners, at the top and again at the bottom. Once it was completed, I put a large window on top. If it is not level, you could use slivers of a cork, those neat little squishy dots of silicone (I have no idea what the real name is), that should do the trick. I was very lucky that mine worked well.

I know that beside my current sofa that the table seems extremely inporportionate. Hang in there with me, we are building a new couch in a couple of weeks. Yes, building. I am hoping it will be fabulous. If the picture in my head comes to life (and DH normally makes sure that it does), then I can't wait!

Oh, and I have a few more window tricks up my sleeve, too. Just wait and see.

Oh, I forgot! Notice the window above the table? I found it, and the matching one on the other side of the actual window, in an alley years ago. There are six panes in each one, and I simply taped black & white photos of my children in the windows. See, my love of windows is not a new found one . *wink*

Pretty as a Picture

How is it when you move around a few simple things can make such a big difference?

This mirror and plaque were hanging in random places in my home. They did not have much of an impact alone. However, once I realized they were both completely in the wrong spots and decided to pair them together, I think it turned out fabulous! I SO cheated in pulling it together, using a thumbtack to attach the ribbon to the plaque, and then again to the wall. Putting two tacks into the wall helps hold the weight, to keep it more sturdy. Using ribbon from my fabric/trim stash, I simply used a lighter to melt the ends of the ribbon to keep them from fraying.

I love quick and easy projects, and this 5-minute fix was a great way to give my living room wall a fresh look.

Pretty Ribbons

These beautiful bows are my favorite this season. They are outrageous to buy them, and you know that would never work for me! So I learned how to make them myself, when I bought a gift earlier this year at a beautiful boutique. I asked her to show me how, and she was so nice that she did!

You will need ribbon that is at least 3/4 inch wide, I like white because I can use it year round. First you make a big loop with the ribbon, and then keep going around and around and around. The more ribbon you use, the fuller and prettier the ribbon will be. For small bows you can use as little as 5 feet, but for big ones I suggest up to 5 yards. The average size bow needs about 8 feet of ribbon.

Once you have it all looped together, try to make the ends even, so the tails will be even. Next squish the ends together, so that you can determine the middle of the ribbon bunch.

Fold tightly so that you have a good crease as a cutting guideline. Next cut a long notch into each side, cutting about a third of the way into each side, so that you have about a third left in the middle. Next take a small piece of the same ribbon and tie it tightly around the skinniest part of the notch.

The next step takes a little practice and patience, but you will get it, I promise! Grab one side for leverage, and starting with the innermost loop of the loose side, pull down the loop tightly, pinch it at the base and twist it once or twice. Each time you pull the next loop, twist it the opposite way to give diversity. When all of your loops are twisted and turned, fluff and pull them until you have it just right.

It seems like a slow process until you have a few under your belt. Once you have it down pat, I suggest looping and tying a bunch at once, then twisting them and fluffing. To attach them to the gift, simply use self stick name tags and use the tails of the bow (after you pull them together and trim them neatly if needed) and put the name tag on top of the bow, using it like tape to hold the bow on. So easy, so elegant, so cheap! I made about 20 of these bows for a $2.25 spool of ribbon bought at Big Lots. I saw the same bows at a "frilly store" here in town for $2 for 3 of them. They turned out so very pretty.

Now go sit and watch your favorite Christmas movie and twist, turn and tie away. (Make sure to practice first so you don't miss the movie!) See what works for other people over at Rocks in My Dryer. To see how other people pull off being frugal, check out Biblical Womanhood.

Marvelous Mess

I made a mess all over the living room floor,

but after 10 hours of wrapping tons of gifts,

it was a beautiful display!

Are you all wrapped and ready to go?

Snow Pretty!

After weeks of seeing other bloggy pics with all the pretty snow, we finally have some!

Quick Fix for a Yard Sale Find

A few weeks ago I posted about a Saturday of yard sale & thrift shopping. Among those things I found a pretty glass jar for a quarter. Sweet hubby thought it was a lost cause, pish posh! I knew that plastic lid would pop off easily, making it easy to clean.

A 25 cent steal, the plastic gasket was not tight and easy to remove.

The $1.00 tray I found along with a 10 cent doile and a bunch of wooden cranberries from my Christmas stash made a pretty display on my dining room China cabinet. (Notice my very first card there in the corner. I plan on arranging all my cards around this display.)

How do you show small Christmas touches in your home?

Threads of Thrill

My dear, sweet hubby finally indulged me in a day of fabric shopping at the world famous Sir's Fabrics in Fayetteville, TN. This is the biggest bunch of fabric I have ever seen!

There are three buildings in all, two are connected and the third is across the street. I got fabric for as little as 25 cents a yard! I also got designer fabric for $5.99, that was $23.99 at Hobby Lobby for the exact same fabric. I have no idea how they do it, but I can't wait to go back soon!

The only problem with all the beautiful fabric is now I have a long list of projects. I got pretty French inspired fabric to do a new shower curtain for my bathroom, new fabric and trim for my upcoming bedroom redo, pretty 25 cent/yard fabric for a simple table runner, and gorgeous bright colors for aprons.

If you are within driving distance of this store and love to sew, you must make a trip there one day soon. You will love it -- but I hope you can get out in less than 4 hours (cause ya know I wanted to spend even longer there!)

The Big Reveal

This southern girl thinks those "lotus" origami flowers look more like magnolias.

I recycled the prisms & gems from last year's Paris themed tree to fill in the spots.

I was afraid too many flowers might be overpowering.

The tulle was another great Dollar Tree find.

Two short rolls, found in the bridal section, added another layer of prettiness.

How is your tree coming along?

Beauty on Budget

Strolling around the dollar tree this weekend, I noticed that they have some beautiful things, if you know where to look!

This garland was made with objects bought exclusively at the Dollar Tree. It contains one garland, two spools of wired ribbon and one strand of lights. Total: $4. I wrapped the ribbon around something round, and then gently pulled it out so it would be in a spiral. I then carefully placed it around the garland, which was bunched carefully with the lights. It may not be as pretty as a gorgeous $100 version in a catalog, but I think it gives them a good run for the money.

What works for you? Share it over at Rocks in My Dryer with others for WFMW fun!

For more gorgeous garlands, see what others have up at Nester's Garland Party.

Oh My Lucky Stars!

Following up with Monday, we went about making our lucky star garland for the tree. I scrounged some scraps from work and cut them in strips at the office on the paper cutter (much easier and straighter than me with a pair of scissors :). Oh? You wanna learn to make the stars?? Check out the video below. I'll wait right here for you to come back.

So then you practice the stars until you get it just right. It takes a little bit, be patient, you will get it, I promise.

So now you can do the lucky stars! To get them on a garland, first you need to get some ribbon. I got this varigated kind (its a pretty blue to white) at Walmart for 47 cents. Measure and mark off your ribbon in 8 inch (or so) increments. Don't worry, I just used the lines on my table as guides. You can do it in shorter lengths if you want more stars or longer if you want fewer.

Since you have got it all wound off the spool, wind it back on there. Now tie knots on top of each mark you made. Tie loops on each end for help with hanging the garland.

Once you are all tied up (sorry for the pun, ok, not so sorry, I gotta get my giggles in somewhere!) Start making the stars over the knots. (For my stars, I used 23 inch long paper, cut into one inch strips.) It takes a long time to make a long garland, so just sit down and watch your favorite Christmas movie and fold away.

Voila! A beautiful project for less than $1.

Run on over to Rocks in My Dryer for more tips and fun!