Tablescape - decorating on a dime

I have an older table and mirror that was given to us by my husbands grandmother's sister. I love this table and mirror! It is solid and also, the perfect size. I am repainting it this spring to match everything else. 

So now I need your opinion. Does this look okay? 

I made this my little country area. I love the prim/country look, but can't afford to redo my whole house right now. Little bits at a time. :) I do not have an outlet on the landing, otherwise I would have a lamp there. I have the perfect little lamp too, it sad I can't put it there. 

I need to know what you like about it, don't like about. What you would change, not change. PLEASE give me your feedback. I really appreciate it! :)

(Oh, and Nester has a great post on decorating your table top. Check it out!)

All advice is welcomed, I will NOT be offended or hurt if you do not like something. I Truly want to hear ALL of your thoughts! :)

 

p.s. the flowers in the corner are going to be moved, I just haven't figured out where yet. 

Thrifty Thursday

Today was a little less eventful at the thrift store. I wasn't able to get there at 10 (when they open) so it was slim pickins. But what I did find, I am just thrilled with! Mostly because they were all on sale. I didn't even know it until I went to pay.

I found a blue and green button down for the hubs (I hope he likes it). I really like the colors, and I adore him in blue. He has the most amazing blue eyes!!! :) Anyway... ;}

The shirts was $3.50, on sale for $.50!!! I know! I don't know what kind of sale it was, all I know is I only paid half of 1 dollar!

I also found a cute little egg basket for $.25 (I remember these from the dollar spot at Tarjay last year). I am using it to hold some ribbon and stamps. 

I also found a cute little dinner candle for $.40 (also sold in a pack from Tarjay). I am always looking for cute little candles to put on my night stand. This find was perfect as my previous candle just burned out last night.

My final purchase was an incredibly beautiful skirt (NWT's) from Nordstrom! Priced at $7, but on sale for half off, $3.50 ya'll!!!! Whoo hoo! Now I really can't wait for next fall!!!

So my total purchase for the four items was only $4.65! The hubs will be happy with that price :)

So, any of you have a great thrifty item to share? I'd love to hear about it!! 

Paper Craft Wednesday

Of course, when I decide I am going to start a routine, life would happen! :)

I have been so sick since Friday. I was able to muster up some energy to get a paper craft done for today, but it's not what I had planned. 

I saw this done earlier last week and thought these would make such cute little Easter gifts for the reader in your life.

Paperclip Bookmarks! Theses are just too cute, and so super simple to make. You can even craft them while sick! :}

All you need to make these little guys is a few basic scrapbooking supplies. I used the Making Memories Garden Party line. I heart this line soooo much!

Choose a template and the paper you want to use. Trace the image on the back of the paper.

Cut the image out and embellish as desired. Attach it to co-ordinating paper. 

Cut a small piece of co-ordinating paper to attach to the bag of the bookmark. This will hide the paperclip.

Now you have an incredibly adorable and super easy-to-make bookmark! Makes a great gift! And it's perfect because you are using items you already have on hand. The cost: FREE!

These are sure to make every recipient so happy to start that new book. :)

Thrifty Thursday

Ok, so here is my other idea. Thrifty Thursday! Every Thursday I go down to the local thrift store (which is only open on Tuesdays and Thursdays). I can't wait to see what great items I find! Usually pretty awesome things. 

Last week I found these:

Vintage Rocking Chair $8 In perfect condition! (structurally)

Miss Pig $2. She was not with the chair, I found her with the kids toys. I don't normally gravitate towards pigs, but for an extra $2, how could I resist such a cute piggy to live on my chair? Just look at that dress! Sooo flowy. :-)

This week was Amazing! I'll be honest, I am not supposed to be spending $$$ this week. I wasn't even planning on going to the thrift store - for about 5 minutes! :) I knew I just had to go. So I prayed! I said "Lord, I am looking for a set of nesting boxes with a country theme to match my decor and I need it to be cheap." I left it at that and off I went. I didn't really see much that I wanted, so I made my way to the back (where they keep all home decor items) and it took me minute to look over everything. I swear, they were not there on my first glance. I turned around to leave and then I saw them! 

How perfect!! Thank you Lord!!!!!!! :-D I almost did my happy dance right there! It was just too good! And they were only $6!! I was floating on cloud 9 I tell you. 

As I went up to pay, I noticed something that was not out before and at $.40, I couldn't resist that either! ( I heart crowns!!)

I know the picture is blurry, it was a dark day, hard to get decent lighting, etc.... :)

and then I turned around and saw this for $.50! Perfect! Already distressed and everything. and Green!!! :)

Such an adorable candle stick holder! I am one happy thrifter I tell you! 

I also found a brand new Banana Republic dress shirt for the hubster. 

So every Thursday I will be sharing my Thrift Store finds, and again, I would love for people to link up and show their great finds. It doesn't have to be from a thrift store, just something you think you got a great deal on. 

I can't wait to see your steals! :)

Paper Craft Wednesday

I have two new things I would like to start sharing with you wonderful readers. One is a Paper Craft Wednesday. Each Wednesday I will share a paper craft with you including tips, techniques, and a tutorial. Eventually I would like everyone to link up their crafts to share with others. (I will share my other idea with you tomorrow).

So, to start of my new 'Paper Craft Wednesday' I am posting two items. One is the start of a chipboard 'house' book and the other is a Card.

The Chipboard house I created myself. I drew a template and cut it out of cardstock I had on hand. Cereal boxes would work great as well. 

Because I am a dork when it comes to anything technical, you will have to wait until my hubby gets home to get a free template of the house shape. So look for that soon! :)

I just love my birds! The door opens to show an image of a house that says 'Love is Spoken Here'. The paper and embellishment are from Amy Butler. I purchased these three yrs ago when I worked on a project for my parents who were moving across country.

The cover is done, now I just have 6-7 pgs to go. The theme of this book is "love is spoken here".

Now, here a is card I made today for a friend at church. Her birthday is this coming Sunday. The paper and embellishments are all Anna Griffin.

Here is the card. I kind of made this up as I went along. The top was just too empty for me so I had to add something. 

That's much better I think.

I hope you enjoyed that and I look forward to sharing something new with you tomorrow. Please let me know if this interests you. I would like to get a feel for how many people would benefit or enjoy Paper Craft Wednesday.

On a whim

Sometimes you just have to...

Forget about the daily routine

Sometimes you just have to...

Forget about the proper setting

Sometimes you just have to...

Let go of insecurities

Sometimes you just have to...

Be in front of the camera 

Sometimes you just have to...

Let loose, have fun, and take silly photos! :)

I am a dork and a video tutorial

I have had several people ask how I make my origami boxes. I wrote a tutorial here, but I have decided to embarrass myself and record me showing you how to be a dork, I mean, make a box.

Yes I am aware my head is cut off. What do you expect from a one-(wo)man show. :-)

I hope this helps those who care enough to watch. 

**Oh ya, I was going to upload this for V-Day, too late, I didn't feel like re-recording it** :-D

We have a winner!

Using Random # Generator, it picked #9.

Rachel from One Pretty Thing!!! Yay! :-D

Please email me with your shipping information. 

Because I am feeling rather generous (and wishing you all could have won) I am giving away something to everyone who entered!

Yup! You heard me right!! So send me your mailing info so you can get your door prize. This is only offered to those who left a comment on my 100th post giveway.

Such a Diva!

Has any Diva out there ever heard of these things? If you have (or haven't) there is giveaway going on over at Grocery Cart Challenge for it. 

Please! Tell me if you have one and if you like it!! :) I am very interested to learn more about these, they are rather intimidating to me at this point. :)

Mini Valentine

**Don't forget to enter the giveaway. Ends Friday @ Midnight**

How cute are these cards?!?!?

I found the most adorable book of Valentine Love Notes from Hallmark last year. And they have been sitting in my craft room since then. :) I pulled them out this year during our "girls night in" crafting party. One of the ladies gave me a little bag of gift tag cards she hadn't used. So, i decided to use those papers to make cute little lunch bag love notes!

     

Something I have started doing (ok, am going to start! lol) is putting a little note of encouragement into the hubs lunch bag. (yes he takes a sack lunch to work every day and yes I get up every morning to make it) I really want to put a scripture reference in the card to see him through his day. I think he would appreciate that more than some sappy little marketed line. Just being honest. He is not a lovey dovey kinda guy. 

     

I hope this gives someone some inspiration to make cute mini Valentine's cards, or to send some extra love to their hubbies during the day. You know they deserve to be reminded of their value. And who doesn't like that extra boost?

        

Repurposing your items

I sometimes find that the best form of retail therapy is to shop my house. Ok, reeeally, it's my husbands best form for me :-) lol.

I do enjoy finding new purposes for items that I truly love, that are not being used to their full potential. It typically goes like this: I am at (the store) when I spy something I cannot live without. Where will it go? How will I use it? Hmmm, I have no clue, but it's coming home with me anyway! 

I know once I get it home inspiration will strike (who cares if it's a year later, right?) :) Case in point: I purchased this tiered desert stand from a blogger. I was In Love with it, but had no "home" for it. The price was Amazing so I just could not resist. It sat on top of my hutch for about 3 months. Then, about a week ago, I had an amazing idea! 

I have been on the hunt for a smaller jewellery box but could not find one that suited the style in my room, or personal taste. As I was rearranging my room (per the nester's instructions) I thought, how would that tiered do-dad work?

I love it so much and I can not believe it took me that long to think of it! (please don't mind the dresser-that is an "I am refinishing this thing!" project taking place this spring!) :-)

So go see what you can find. Shop your house (or your sisters, mothers, brothers, neighbors, friends) and see what fun exciting things you can find (or steal from others-jk :) to repurpose. Be sure to send me a photo! I love to see how you reuse those "old" items.