Another Handmade Gift

If you don't want to give a Christmas-themed gift as a present, here is another idea that is inexpensive, yet looks great! The basics are to buy a few matching picture frames from Goodwill, or any thrift shop for that matter, pick out some scrapbook papers to frame, then paint the frames in a coordinating color. The recipient of the pictures I made has a black and white damask theme to her bedroom, so I found some damask paper at Michael's which I backed with black paper to make it pop, then I used hounds tooth paper for the background. And of course I painted the frames black! I attached picture hangers on the back and also attached black and white ribbon so she can decide which method to use. And here is the end result:

Countdown to Christmas!

What is the best present for a Christmas enthusiast, you ask? How about a handmade advent calendar? Or if you are strapped for time, like me, you can make a semi-handmade advent calendar =). My advent calendar started with the Karen Foster Design countdown calendar , which is so simple to decorate! Just get 5 or 6 coordinating scrapbook papers and some other embellishments. Cut the papers down so they are a little bit bigger than the boxes then move them around until you have an arrangement you like. I suggest taking a picture just in case the dog hits it with his tail or the kids decide to 'help you out' =) :

Now you are ready to embellish away! I found that the best way to really make the paper stick is to use spray adhesive (non-adjustable), then use an X-Acto knife to trim away the excess. There are endless possibilities to what you can create, but this is how mine turned out:

I sure hope my friend likes it as much as I do!

That's A Wrap!

With Christmas being less than 2 weeks away, most people have all (or most) of their shopping done, leaving them with a pile of presents begging to be wrapped. If you are like some men I know, you just pop the present in a garbage bag and proudly stick a bow on top, but half the fun of opening presents is seeing the pretty packaging and knowing there must be something good in there. And if you are anything like me, you want your presents to look fun and enticing, but don't want to blow your budget doing so. One of my favorites ways to wrap presents is with brown postal wrapping paper because it is so versatile, so here are 3 different ideas I have starting with the same basic paper:

Basic and Natural

Citrus Punch

Traditional Red, Green & Gold

The best part about the wrapping is it can be done for super cheap! The brown paper was purchased at the Dollar Tree store. It's 30in.x15ft. and pretty sturdy. The snowflakes were also bought there - 6 for $1. The ribbon is from Michael's, which has great sales on ribbon this time of year. And to add to the festiveness, I just placed some branches from our tree trimmings in a picnic basket.

For those odd shaped presents that are impossible to wrap with wrapping paper, just use fabric remnants. Here is a stick horse I wrapped with plaid fabric and finished with an inexpensive iron star and name label:

Finally Catching Up With the Rest of the Decorating World!!

After long admiring the rough, natural look of burlap curtains, I've finally decided to make my own! Well, I have yet to learn how to sew, so technically my mom will be making them for me, but the point is that I will be up to date with the whole burlap curtain craze. I'm so excited to finally start on them this weekend after overcoming a bout of the flu. Hopefully everything goes well and I can post pictures of them early next week. Maybe if I get really ambitious, I can make some pillows or a table runner with the leftovers! Stay tuned
!

Etsy Design #1 & 2

Visit my Etsy page to see my Halloween and Pumpkin sign!http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30294721

Picture Frames on the Cheap!!

Everyone wants their home to look nice, but after buying expensive furniture, who has money left for accessories? Ok, well some people do, but I sure as heck don't! But I'm ok with that because I think being on a budget causes us to tap into the left side of our brain (or is it the right side??) and use a lil creativity.
Here is a little project I stirred up in my head when trying to think of a way to frame some pictures without spending a fortune. I headed over to the local thrift store and picked up a couple of cheap (about a buck each) ugly picture frames.

I also scored a couple of beach mats for $1 each, but didn't even use 1 whole mat. I used primer that I already had and paid 20 cents (with a coupon) for a bottle of craft paint and also incorporated some old fridge magnets that my Grandpa was going to toss out (I love free stuff!). Sooo, with a little bit of time and elbow grease, I turned those sad little picture frames into what I think is beautiful!

New Girl In Town

Hi Everyone! I'm new to this whole idea of blogging, but thought I might give it a try. I love love love decorating and design and I get these grand ideas, but usually forget about them, so I am hoping that by writing a blog of my ideas and projects I won't lose my ideas to the black hole I call my memory, never to be seen, or thought of again. Please join me as I embark on this new adventure. I hope you like my ideas and can use them as well!