Budget Tips — Budget Wise Home
January 9, 2012

How to Arrange a Gallery Wall

Ever wonder how to get the perfect picture gallery wall?  I have to admit that I always struggle with arranging a gallery wall full of pictures.  So this week I’m putting together a guide to help you get it just right.  It does take some time and planning, but it’s worth the effort.  Here is a great guide to get you started on creating your gallery.

 

Before you hang anything, arrange your frames on the floor until you are happy with how everything looks.

Come back tomorrow for some fabulous ideas on how to hang your gallery right the first time, without putting a million unneccessary holes in the wall!

Posted at: 4:40 pm by |Filed Under: Picture Display | Leave a Comment
January 6, 2012

Colorful New Years Decorating

Budget Tip of the Day: Colored Frames

Here is another easy DIY project you can do with picture frames you already have.

Apply 2 coats of spray paint in your favorite color and watch your walls transform.  Or, once again, pick up a bunch of old frames at any thrift store.  There is always a HUGE supply!

For bigger impact, add a crisp white matte when you frame your picture.  It’s so easy and a perfect way to add color in a smaller dose.  You’ll probably catch a lot more people looking at your pictures too.

 

 

via about you

So are you ready to add more color to your life this year?  I sure hope so!  There’s no excuse with all these easy tips.  You will LOVE being surrounded by your favorite colors every day.

Have a great weekend and I’ll see you back here Monday for more decorating fun.

Posted at: 11:00 am by |Filed Under: Adding Color | , 1 Comment
January 5, 2012

Colorful New Years Decorating

Budget Tip of the Day: Colored Lamps

One of the easiest ways to add a pop of color in any space is with lamps.  Why?  Because everyone already has them or needs them.

 

This is such an inexpensive change that will dramatically change the look of your space.  Grab a can of spray paint and apply 2 coats to a lamp base you already own or use.  Or head to the thrift store and pick up a cheap one.  Try to look past the dated color and re-imagine it in your favorite hue.

via A Home in the Making

A bold color can instantly turn something from the 80′s into a fabulous, modern piece.  It’s one of the easiest projects and you get instant results.  Top it with a crisp white shade and you’ve got a brand new lamp!

 

via decor pad

 

Come back tomorrow for more colorful new years decorating.

Posted at: 11:00 am by |Filed Under: Adding Color | , 1 Comment
January 4, 2012

Colorful New Years Decorating

Budget Tip of the Day: Colorful Art Piece

If you’re not sure where to start with color, a large scale art piece could be the perfect jumping off point.

via BHG

You don’t need an expensive painting either!  There are tons of colorful reproductions, posters, vintage art, etc, that are very inexpensive and readily available online or at home discount stores.  Again, find something with your favorite colors and just go with it.  Hang it in a prominent spot such as above the fireplace to create the perfect focal point in your space.  Artwork is an easy way to inject pops of color and personality in your home.

 

Come back tomorrow for more colorful new years decorating.

Posted at: 11:00 am by |Filed Under: Adding Color | , 1 Comment
January 3, 2012

Happy Colorful New Year

Hi Friends!  I’m finally back.  Sorry I’ve been missing during the past few weeks.  I enjoyed some much needed vacation time away from the computer with my family.  I hope your holiday was a good one and that you are ready to start this new year with COLOR!!

That’s right!  This is the year for you to bring more color into your home.  People constantly give me compliments about all the pops of color in my home and are always saying how much they love color.  So I wonder what is stopping them from bringing it into their own homes.  It’s easy and you don’t have to be a professional designer to do it.  Here’s my rule: If you love it, use it in your home.  That’s it!  Color is a serious mood booster which makes now the perfect time of year to inject a little more of it inside.  This week is all about overcoming your color fears!

 

via BHG

Budget Tip of the Day: Paint the Front Door

Ever since I painted my front door blue just over a month ago, I have been getting compliments left and right.  It’s crazy what a difference it has made to my house and I LOVE coming home to it every day.  Anyone can do this in just a few hours and there’s no reason not to.  Throw out all the rules and choose your favorite color.  Why not?!!  Visit my door post for the complete how to.

 

Happy new year!!  Come back tomorrow for another colorful new year tip.

 

Posted at: 4:00 am by |Filed Under: Adding Color | , Leave a Comment
December 12, 2011

My Advent Calendar

I hope you all had a great weekend!  As promised, I’m back to show you my advent calendar tree.  This was totally FREE to make and I LOVE how it turned out.

 

I took a drive on a few back roads and gathered a bunch of sticks.  I stuck them in this white vase that I already had.  It was perfect!  Then I printed out the cards and numbers from this printable advent calendar, punched a hole in each corner, and attached some ornament hooks.  The boys had fun helping me hang them randomly on the branches.  I customized each card with an activity for each day till Christmas.

 

 

 

Here is a list of the activities printed on each one:

  • Drink hot chocolate.
  • Write a letter to Santa.
  • Go on a drive to see the Christmas lights.
  • Make a gingerbread train.
  • Read your favorite Christmas story before bed.
  • Stay up an extra 10 minutes tonight.
  • Make Christmas cookies.
  • Make your teacher a gift.
  • Make a Christmas craft.
  • Go see the Christmas train at Daddy’s work.
  • Go see the lights at Temple Square.
  • Play your favorite board game.
  • Go out for a treat.
  • You choose what’s for dinner tonight.
  • Sing Christmas songs around the piano.
  • Read the story of Jesus’ birth.

 

I repeated a few of those to fill in the rest of the days I needed.  It has been so much fun so far and my boys love it!  My oldest can now read, so it’s extra fun for him to discover the new activity each day.

Here’s one more look at our tree.

 

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December 2, 2011

Advent Calendar Ideas

Budget Tip of the Day: Paper Chain

I was hoping to show you what I’ve been working on for my advent calendar today, but my printer broke!  Don’t printers always seem to stop working right when you really need to print something?!  So I’m off to find a new printer this weekend, so I can finish this project.  I will for sure post some pics next week.  But in the mean time, I still have another advent calendar idea for you.  This is pretty simple, but it reminds my of my childhood.  Did any of you grow up making paper chains every year like me?  We LOVED making chains out of construction paper and tearing one off each day.  This one here is a little more fancy.  You can dress it up with fabric, felt, or cute paper, and glue an activity or scripture to the inside to make each day something special.

 

I hope you’ve enjoyed the ideas this week.  It’s still not too late to make one.  Have a wonderful weekend, enjoy the season, and I’ll see you back here on Monday!

Posted at: 4:40 pm by |Filed Under: Advent Calendar Ideas | , Leave a Comment
December 1, 2011

Advent Calendar Ideas

Budget Tip of the Day: Advent Jars

Here is an advent calendar idea that you can put together using any jars or bottles you have on hand.  Think mason jars, baby food jars, old bottles, etc.  Use old fabric scraps or paper to decorate each one.  Add some numbers, fill them up, and you’re good to go.  Need some ideas for what to fill them with?  Try small treats or ornaments, or write a Christmas activity or scripture on a piece of paper for each day.  You don’t need to spend any money to make the countdown to Christmas lots of fun!

 

 

 

 

 

Come back tomorrow for more advent calendar ideas.

Posted at: 4:45 pm by |Filed Under: Advent Calendar Ideas | , Leave a Comment
November 30, 2011

Advent Calendar Ideas

Budget Tip of the Day: Shoe Organizer Advent

This shoe organizer advent is simply genius!  I was so excited when I came across it and just had to share in this week’s round up.

Head over to Eighteen 25 for the full instructions and the free printable numbers.  Basically, you print out the numbers from the templates they give you, cut them out, and secure to each pocket with a clothespin.  Then fill the pockets with your goodies.  It’s so cute, simple, and easy!

 

Come back tomorrow for more advent calendar ideas.

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November 29, 2011

Advent Calendar Ideas

Budget Tip of the Day: Free Printable Advent Calendar

You are going to LOVE this advent calendar!  Not only is it SO dang cute, but you can literally put this together in minutes because most of the work is done for you.

 

 

Head over to Living Locurto to download the FREE printable.  You can even customize all the cute “treats” inside and change them up if you like.  Print everything on Christmas scrapbook paper to make it extra festive.  All you really need to do is cut everything out and put it together.  So easy and budget friendly!  I love all the great things you can do without spending a penny!

 

 

Come back tomorrow for more advent calendar ideas.

Posted at: 12:00 pm by |Filed Under: Advent Calendar Ideas | , 1 Comment
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