I just wanted to let you all know that I am FINALLY home from the hospital and will post pictures very soon of my new little baby boy. He was born Sept. 2, but due to complications with me, I didn’t get released to go home until today–3 days longer than expected. So sorry for the lack of posts. I will hopefully be back in full swing soon.
Welcome-We’re Up & Running
Hi everyone! Thanks so much for taking time out of your day to stop by. I am so very happy to say that I am finally up and running after a long process of transferring this blog to a new system. You may have noticed a few changes, but things will keep running pretty much the same here. Don’t worry, the Budget Tip of the Day is right below this post. I will continue to post a new tip each day as usual, plus all of my own decorating projects and updates mixed right in.
The best part is that you can now leave comments on every post! Woohoo!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE COMMENTS and I read every one, so don’t be shy. Let me know what you think, if you’ve done a similar project, if you have a cool idea, or just want to say hi.
Over the next few weekends I’m going to give you a recap of some of the projects I’ve tackled this year and bring you up to speed with all my decorating madness that I’ve got going on right now. Baby #3 is due in about 7 weeks so I’m working like crazy to squeeze as many projects in as I can before that time.
I’m excited to share the budget tips with all of you this week: DIY Mirror Projects. We’re going to have lots of fun.
Thanks again for stopping by and have a great week!
M3SUMXY8CFNTTech
Quick Decorating Ideas
Image via Martha Stewart
Budget Tip of the Day: DIY Charging Station
Image via Martha Stewart
Keep all your electronic devices and cords organized, hidden, and most importantly, charged by making your own charging station. It’s a quick decorating idea that is easy to do if you’ve got a nightstand or dresser with a drawer, back, and outlet close by. Drill one hole in the back of the drawer and then drill another hole in the back of the dresser, making sure the two align. Thread the cords through both holes and secure together with a clip, leaving enough slack so the drawer can open easily. Plug in your devices and you’re good to go.
Decorating with Stencils
Image via Woman's Day
Budget Tip of the Day: Stenciled Canvas
Image via Woman's Day
It’s very easy to become an artist and create a beautiful masterpiece when decorating with stencils. All you need is a stencil, some craft paint, and a canvas. Pick up a stretched canvas at any craft store. They usually cost just a few dollars and come in a variety of sizes. Secure your stencil on the canvas using repositionable spray glue or stencil adhesive. Apply your paint with a foam brush using dabbing motions. Let dry and apply a second coat. Let dry completely and carefully peel the stencil off. If you don’t want a white background, just paint the canvas another color first and then proceed with painting your stencil. There’s no longer an excuse for empty walls with this easy and affordable solution.
Cute Vintage Dresser
I bought the most darling vintage style dresser and nightstand from the thrift store about 4 months ago. I fell in love with the cute, vintage style and thought they would be perfect for a little girl’s bedroom. At the time, I didn’t know I was having a boy, so I bought them just in case I did end up having a girl. When I found out I was having another boy, I decided I would refinish and put them up for sale. Although I really didn’t want to part with these cute pieces, they were taking up too much space in our garage.
So here they are, all fixed and finished.
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They were in pretty bad shape cosmetically, and the nightstand drawers and panels were totally broken.
But I knew they had great potential. I forgot to take a before picture of the dresser, but it looked just like the nightstand did before.
But I knew they had great potential. I forgot to take a before picture of the dresser, but it looked just like the nightstand did before.
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I had lofty plans to paint out the gold trim with a cute color, but it was going to take me too much time. I wanted to sell them at our yard sale we had this past Saturday, and there were just too many other things to do.
But I like how they turned out. Nice and simple with a little pop of green.
But I like how they turned out. Nice and simple with a little pop of green.
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I didn’t sand these. If you use a good primer, most of the time you really don’t need to sand things before you paint. A good coat of KILZ primer is all they needed. KILZ is an oil based primer and is by far the best one out there. It is a headache to use anything else. It gives you such great coverage with just one coat. I use the spray kind which makes it super quick and easy to get a coat on. Then a couple coats of white paint (with a roller) and voila!
The handles are painted with Krylon Ivy Leaf spray paint–my favorite color ever.
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I listed them in our local online classifieds and they both sold within minutes–literally! I was very happy and also a little sad to see them go. After you work so hard on something, it’s a little hard to part ways.
But now we have more of our garage back and room to bring in other fun projects–much to my husband’s chagrin. He is always so skepitcal when I bring an old piece of furniture home. But once I am done and he can see my vision, he totally gets it. And I never say “I told you so.” Ok–maybe just sometimes.
But now we have more of our garage back and room to bring in other fun projects–much to my husband’s chagrin. He is always so skepitcal when I bring an old piece of furniture home. But once I am done and he can see my vision, he totally gets it. And I never say “I told you so.” Ok–maybe just sometimes.
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I hope seeing this project gives you a little inspiration and some ideas of what you can
do with old pieces in your home. Paint really can be your best friend.
do with old pieces in your home. Paint really can be your best friend.
Dollar Store Decor
Budget Tip of the Day: Twine-Wrapped Wreath
Pick up a roll of twine and a floral wreath base from the dollar stoe and you’ll have all you need for another fabulous dollar store decor piece. Simply attach one end of the twine to the wreath using glue or tape and continue wrapping around until fully covered. Secure the other end with a little glue. String a pretty ribbon through the wreath and hang on your door for a welcoming and affordable front porch addition.
Come back tomorrow for a new dollar store decor tip.
Images via Budget Wise Home
Dollar Store Decor
Budget Tip of the Day: Ball Storage
Pick up a mesh laundry bag from the dollar store and you’ll have instant storage for all those sports balls that are cluttering up your space. Use an over the door hook to hang from the back of a closet door, or stow away on a hook in the garage. No need for fancy containers with this fantastic $1.00 option. There’s nothing better than when functional meets cheap!
Come back Monday for a new dollar store decor tip.
Images via Budget Wise Home
Dollar Store Decor
Budget Tip of the Day: Dollar Store Art
If you’re in need of something to fill your empty walls, the dollar store could be the perfect place to find a great If you’re willing to dig a little, you just might find a great art print you like. You don’t need a picture frame for this one either. Pick up a piece of foam core board (also at the dollar store) along with your print and you’re ready to go. Place your print on the foam core and trace around it. Use an exacto knife to cut the foam core. Be sure to place something protective, like a piece of cardboard, underneath while cutting. Use spray adhesive to secure your print and then hang on the wall using removable picture hanging strips or a claw tooth hook. That’s it! A great art piece for just $2.00.
Come back tomorrow for a new dollar store decor tip.
Images via Budget Wise Home
Dollar Store Art
After roaming through the dollar store, I found a big stack of art prints. Most were pretty tacky, but after digging through all of them, I did find one that I kind of liked. After I brought it home, I liked it even more (my husband thinks it looks tacky–to each his own, right). I also found lots of foam core board, which is a perfect way to mount pictures and eliminate the use of a picture frame. You can use foam core with any print or any photo and it will look great.
If you’ve never used foam core, here is a quick tutorial to show you how it’s done.
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Place your print on the foam core and trace around the edges.
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Use a sharp razor or exacto knife to cut the foam core. Make sure you place
something protective, like a piece of cardboard, underneath while cutting.
something protective, like a piece of cardboard, underneath while cutting.
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Spray the foam core with spray adhesive and carefully place your print on top.
Use your hands to smooth out the print to make sure everything sticks.
Use your hands to smooth out the print to make sure everything sticks.
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There are a few options for hanging your finished piece on the wall. Command picture hanging strips are easy and you can remove them without damaging the wall. Just peel and stick.
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Or you can use a claw hook like this one below. You can buy small packs of these at any craft store for cheap.
They are really easy to use. The little claws just poke right into the back of the foam core.
Hang the hook on a nail hammered into the wall.
They are really easy to use. The little claws just poke right into the back of the foam core.
Hang the hook on a nail hammered into the wall.
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Here is a close up of the foam core from the side.
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Here is the finished product. I tried hanging this in a few different spots in our bedroom.
Sorry about the glare on the first one. I couldn’t get rid of it.
Sorry about the glare on the first one. I couldn’t get rid of it.
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Still not sure where I’ll use this print–maybe in my office. I’ll have to think about it. So the total cost for this was $2.00! If you have tons of bare walls, but don’t want to spend a lot of money filling them, then see what you can dig up at the dollar store. Most stores bring in new and/or different items every few months, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t find something right away. You can also find a ton of regular picture frames to use for any other photos or art you have. Most of them look kind of cheap, but a fresh coat of spray paint in a fun color will do wonders and make them sparkle.
Faux Satin Nickel Shower Rings
I had so much fun at the dollar store this morning. I just roamed the aisles and got tons of ideas to share with you guys for the budget tips this week. My boys were troopers and there were no tears until the last five minutes while standing in line. A major accomplishment! I found some great things and had fun with this little project for today’s budget tip. Here are some more pics.
I started with these plastic shower curtain rings ($1.00)
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A little satin nickel spray paint will do the trick!
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And Voila!
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Not too shabby for a dollar and a can of paint I already had. This is a great alternative to real satin nickel hooks or rings. Although a pack of hooks isn’t outrageously expensive, you can save ten to twenty dollars by doing this instead (every dollar counts when you’re on a budget, right?!). Just because these are shower curtain rings, that doesn’t mean you can’t use them for curtains. These would work great with grommet curtain panels!
I hope I can give you all a little dollar store inspiration this week.
There are hidden treasures in there if you’re willing to do a little digging.
