Glass Bead Magnets~

This is a post from my Archives. Originally posted back in July of last year. But I thought it was worth sharing again. I just love a tutorial~

Here's a fun and easy project. (Great for doing with the kiddos.)

You will need:

Glass beads: I like the large (1-1 1/2") size but you can use any size. I found mine in Target in the flowers and vases section. A whole bag only cost $4.99!

Scrapbook paper: or in the case of the bee magnets, I drew the image myself and photocopied it...shrank it, enlarged it etc. And the toile magnets are made with pieces of fabric...I love TOILE! And have I mentioned before how much I love BEES?

Scissors

Mod Podge: Of course!

Magnets: I use the round ones you can find at any craft store.

Hot Glue: To glue the magnets on the back.

The way I actually made them is by cutting the paper (or fabric) into squares just larger than the beads.

I put Mod Podge on the flat side of the bead and centered the image just where I wanted it (you can see the image even when the Mod Podge is not dry.)

I didn't put a coat of Mod Podge on the back of the paper although you certainly could, but I did coat the back of the fabric with Mod Podge.

After the Mod Podge was sufficiently dry, I cut around the edge of the bead trimming the paper (or fabric) as close as I could.

Then I hot glued on the magnets.

VOILA!

I have seen them made by layering on different papers etc. which can make them much fancier, but I usually make them with my kiddos and so try to keep it as simple as possible.

These are also really fun to make into push pins. Simply use a smaller sized glass bead and hot glue flat headed push pins to the back instead of magnets. Easy Peasy~

Happy Crafting~

Fun with Photo Transfer~

Just thought I'd share this little project I made for my AD.OR.AB.LE neice who just turned one!

It was so simple, and turned out so cute!!

Using my favorite iron-on image transfer paper (Avery brand), I found a photo of my cutie-patootie niece and printed it out on the paper.

I cut it out and followed the package directions to transfer it to some fabric.

Then I just made a little "pillow" out of it by cutting out two pieces of fabric and sewing them with right sides together.

I then turned them inside out and stuffed with polyfil.

I always finish by handsewing the opening shut with an invisible stitch.

I made a very small pillow because I intended it to be an "ornament". But you can make them any size. I didn't add the ribbon, however, because I thought my sister might want to choose the ribbon to match her daughter's bedroom.

Look how cute it is hanging in my tiny neice's room! Love it~

Photo from Holly's Haven

Have a great Wednesday~

Inspire-Me Tuesday~

I just love architectural salvage pieces! But sometimes I'm left wondering what to do with such goodies. In this month's edition of 100 ideas Flea Market Style by BHG, there were a couple of fun ideas for salvage pieces that I thought I'd share!


First up... Look at these awesome outdoor lanterns! Made from table legs and newel posts. So clever!

I especially loved this idea because it takes no work. zero. zilch. Just place an old, chippy piece of porch railing on your desk, and VOILA!~ a mail sorter. No work...now that's my kind of decorating!

All pictures from BHG

This issue is chock full of great ideas (and lots of eye candy too!) You might want to go grab yourself one!

Have a great Tuesday~

A Winner and Another Winner~

Okay, so if you have read my blog for any length of time at all, you have probably noticed that I always post at 12:01 AM. Always. (Well, I don't actually sit here waiting to hit the publish key right at the stroke of midnight, I actually write my entries in advance and choose the publish option to make them publish at 12:01 - like you really care).

But I had one of those weekends, so here I am Monday morning scrambling to post so that I can tell you all who the two lucky winners of my 200th post drawing are...

I know you've been waiting anxiously...

If you haven't then at least pretend that you have...

So...

Here...

They...

Are...

The winner of the number pillow (or personalized bolster) is Learn Me English!

The winner of the $30 Shabby Nest Etsy shopping spree is Jessica! (Awesome photography on her blog, by the way!)

Congratulations to my two winners! Please leave me a comment or drop me an email and we'll get you all set up!!!

If you didn't get a chance to look around my Frugal Friday Linky Party, make sure you drop by today! There are absolutely fabulous frugal decorating ideas from tons of the great minds out their in blogland! I'm so glad so many of you participated. Because it was such a success, I think I will make this a monthly event! So be thinking of what to share with us in May!!!

Have a great week~

Frugal Friday Linky Party~

Welcome to the Frugal Friday Linky Party!! So glad you all could join us!

Here are the rules...please link directly to your post...not just to your blog. Please link back to this post if possible. And the most important rule...leave our participants lots of bloggy love...comments, comments, comments~

Now, grab a diet coke (or other beverage of your choice), kick your feet up, and enjoy these frugal decorating ideas!

Sproost defines my style~

I found this fun website via one of my readers, Tracy at Loving Pretty Things. Go visit and take their quiz to help you define what your style is.


I am 38% French Eclectic


38% Nantucket style



and 24% Rustic Revival

So what would I call that? Rustic French Beach Cottage? Ha! What's your style?

Don't forget about tomorrow's Frugal Friday Linky Party!!! Come link up with your Frugal decorating ideas! We'll have a great time!

Have a great Thursday~

Stuff~

Okay, so I'm lacking in the title creativity department but this post is a bit random. Stick with me here, my dear readers!

First, I wanted to thank you for all your warm comments yesterday on my 200th post! The drawing is still open, so if you haven't had a chance to enter, please go to yesterday's post and leave a comment.

Second, news on the demise of my dear Nikon D60's LCD screen. I took my poor baby camera to the camera store yesterday to be shipped away for repair. Unfortunately, the warranty doesn't cover it. Sigh. Ah well, just about 2 weeks and I'll be able to post new photos. Hope y'all can bear with me until then. It is driving me crazy not to be able to take photos. I hope I don't miss magnolia blossom season entirely...I've been waiting to get some photos of those lovely blossoms...and all of my projects are just waiting to be "revealed" on this here little ol' blog. Note to self: Camera bags on high ledges and toddlers DO NOT MIX!

Third, for those of you who are new to my blog, or who missed my button wreath tutorial, I shared it yesterday over at Blissfully Domestic. Hop over and learn to make one of these little sweeties!

Finally, don't forget that Friday is my Frugal Friday Linky Party!!! I know that all you creative geniuses out there in blogland have wonderful frugal decorating ideas to share! So come by on Friday and link up! Then we can all be inspired by budget-friendly decorating ideas! Can't wait to see you there!

Have a great Wednesday~

200th Post GIVEAWAY~

Welcome to my 200th Post!! It's hard to believe I've already reached 200 posts on this little ol' blog of mine! I've been having so much fun that I haven't noticed the time passing.

I want to thank all you, my lovely readers! You make my day with your sweet and supportive comments. You make me happy when I'm blue, and you spur on my creativity. I am so thankful that I've found such a lovely and supportive corner of the blogosphere!!

To celebrate YOU and 200 fun-filled posts, I've decided to give away a little bit o' love! Since we're talking numbers (200 of them to be exact) I thought it would be fun to give away one of my number pillows. The winner can choose which style of pillow - the personalized bolster or the number bolster - AND which number she (he? - not to leave out any of you guys that read my blog) wants on the pillow.

Number Bolster Pillows

Personalized Bolster Pillow


Just leave a comment on THIS post by Thursday night at 11:59 pm EST , if you want a 2nd entry, post about my little giveaway on your blog, and then leave me a 2nd comment telling me that you did.

If you are a new reader to my blog, leave me a comment on this post telling me that you are new, and then join my followers on my side bar. I will enter you to win $30 of merchandise from my Etsy store.

And don't forget the Frugal Friday Linky Party this week!!! Post your frugal decorating ideas then come here to link up!!!!

Here's to the next 200 posts!

Inspire-Me Monday?~

Because tomorrow I will be celebrating my 200th Post...and doing something fun here at the ole blog...I decided to make today Inspire-Me Tuesday Monday.


I got my new issue of Country Living this past week, and I just had to share a few of the photos of this wonderful old Texas barn-turned-home. I *heart* it thoroughly!!!

Hope y'all enjoy...






I love the fact that the chandelier is swagged over to the bedside table rather than hanging above the bed where you would "expect" to see it! And the industrial sconce on the other side of the bed is unexpected as well!
What a fabulous entry! The bench has a perfect rustic patina and a toile pillow to boot! Love that!

My favorite part of the living room are the quilted sofas. STUNNING!

What don't I love about these old salvaged clock faces? I need to find me some of those!

All photos from Country Living

This kitchen makes me want to sit down and relax while someone else makes dinner. HA! I just love the cupboard, the letters that spell out "peas", the metal chairs, and the layered plates above the windows...not to mention the chandy.Mmmmm.

This month's issue of Country Living is chock full of bargain decorating ideas...perfect for those of us with Frugal OCD (obsessively consumed with decorating) disease. And don't forget my Frugal OCD friends...this Friday is my first Frugal Friday linky party! Let's all get together and link up to share our Frugal decorating ideas!!! Hope you'll join me!

And....make sure you stop by tomorrow to celebrate 200 posts with me!!!

Frugal Friday~

Hello Everyone!!! For today's Frugal Friday, we're going to talk about Art. Art on the cheap! The great thing about art is that it is fairly subjective. That leaves those of us who are looking to beautify our space without spending the big bucks a myriad of different options!

So today I wanted to share with you all a few fun and inexpensive ideas to pretty up your walls.

First of all, if you haven't discovered these next blogs, you will thank me for introducing you. The Vintage Moth, The Graphics Fairy , and Vintage Printables are all blogs that share hundreds of images...for free! I have found amazing images on these blogs. And all you have to do is print them out and frame. VOILA! My cute little bird egg prints are just one example of the great things you can find.

Some of you may remember these Toile prints from my bathroom. They are nothing more than framed wrapping paper.

This fun idea is from the Princess' bedroom. Simply glue some old doll clothes to a piece of scrapbook paper. I have this in a shadow box frame, but you don 't need a shadow box. You can get the same effect by leaving the glass out of ordinary frame.

Don't be afraid to use objects as art. For this piece, inspired by Cherry at Cherry's Jubilee, I glued a skeleton key and a little magnet to some upholstery webbing. Easy Peasy!

Many of you have asked, so for next week's Frugal Friday I thought we should have a LINKY PARTY!!! Be thinking of Frugal decorating ideas, and then next week we will all get together and post our ideas using Mr. Linky!!! Can't wait to see you there!

Have a great weekend~

Beautify your Bookshelves~

The following is a repost of a piece I did for Blissfully Domestic back in October...hope you all like it!

Bookshelves are necessary, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be pretty. Follow these tips to make your bookshelves beautiful.

• 
  Use pieces other than just books. Think art, memorabilia, plants, even an old clock. Try to vary shape and texture to add interest.

Try to color coordinate. This isn’t always possible, but can be accomplished. You might even try laying your books down with the pages showing rather than the spines.

Use books as pedestals for art objects by stacking them on their sides and placing objects on top.

Try to put books of similar heights together.

Make sure you don’t push books all the way to the back of the shelf. It looks nicer to have the them toward the front of the shelf, and books actually need airflow.

Do something unexpected like hanging a painting or photograph on the front of the bookcase.

Remember less really is more. Don't fill in every little bit of space. Remember to leave room in your bookshelves for your eyes to rest.

All photos from Pottery Barn

By following these tips, your book shelves can be the talk of the town (or at least your book club.)

And before I let you go, I just want to add that my pillows got some bloggy love over at Creativeadoration yesterday. And speaking of pillows, I have also finally listed the sweet Crowned Birdie pillow in my Etsy store!! Some other cute new things too...hop over and check it out!

Have a great Thursday~

Sigh~

Little Mr. Three managed to pull my camera bag off its perch (which I thought was out of reach). It crashed to the ground, and despite the bag's padding, my LCD screen is broken. I could cry. Let's be honest, I did cry. Here's hoping they can repair it so I don't have to purchase a new camera. (That's not exactly in the budget right now.)

So if you don't see any new photos for a while, you'll know why. I guess it's just one of those weeks, huh?

Happier posts for the rest of the week...I promise~

Inspire-Me Tuesday~

First of all, I wanted to thank all of my wonderful readers for going out of their way to cheer me up! I got great advice, fun emails and lots of bloggy love and it made my day! You all ROCK!

Now, on to Inspire-Me Tuesday!

Even though it looks like spring outside, it's still cold here in the Northeast, and I find myself dreaming about balmy summer nights and long warm days! So today's Inspire-Me Tuesday post features lovely sleeping porches and dining areas.

I love hte great chippy mismatched chairs at the table and the great toile cushion on the white slipcovered lounging chair!
The painted wood floor and candle chandelier simply make this space!

I adore the wood panneled walls and the striped ticking bedding on this sleeping porch!

The lovely whites and pale blues of this sleeping porch just whisper "summer" to me!

All images from BHG

What don't I love about this sleeping porch! The whitewashed walls and huge starfish lend a great coastal flair to the space.

Hope all of these great spots have given you that summer-dreamin' feeling!

Have a great Tuesday~

A little blue~

And no, I'm not talking about the color. It's a very Monday Monday and I'm feeling a little blue today. So I thought I'd share a few spaces that make me smile.

I'm so grateful for my friends in blogland. You all are a bright spot in my day. I'd love to hear the ways you make yourself feel better...pick-me-ups, funny stories, whatever might lighten my mood!

Have a great Monday~

Frugal Friday~

Frugal Friday really struck a chord with my readers! I'm glad. I think it's important to be able to create a warm, cozy environment for our families, but to be budget conscious at the same time. (Well, actually, the budget conscious part isn't just important, it's totally necessary!)

One of the easiest ways I've found to make something look finished and intentional in decorating is to add fabric. Now before you go thinking that adding fabric is adding $$, let me give you a few ideas. If you're anything like me, and you probably are if you are reading this blog, you enjoy changing out your decor every once in a while. My advice is to hold on to old curtains, or tablecloths, or sheets when you move on to something else. They almost inevitably come in handy.



Of course, if you don't have a stash of old curtains, you can pick up fabric inexpensively by purchasing remnants or using your coupons...(JoAnn's always has good coupons!) All of this said, let me show you today's Frugal OCD (Obsessively Consumed with Decorating) project.

This is my closet-home-office I mentioned in Tuesday's post. The picture is cut in close because the closet is still missing drywall (just keeping it real). Until it is finished I have this little table that fits right inside and holds my antique computer and printer. Under the table was looking pretty junky with the mammoth hard drive and speakers that this ancient computer uses. So I decided to cover it up! I used less than two yards of this great fabric and simply staple gunned it to the apron of the table, pleating it every 8 inches or so. Easy peasy...and much better looking than the mess underneath!
Have Frugal Friday decorating ideas? Let me know!

And before I go...my fabulous and amazing bloggy friend Kasey is hosting an incredible giveaway to celebrate her 200th post. Hop over and congratulate her!

Have a great weekend and a happy Easter~

Pillows~

So I have a bit of an obsession with pillows. They add such softness to a space. Here are a few of the old softies around my house...

In the kitchen...

In bedrooms (of course!)

The Princess' room...

The boys' room...

Recognize the little birdie on this pillow? One of my latest drawings...you will be able to find him soon in my Etsy. He's in the library right now on the hubby's chair (I haven't heard any complaining...yet)...

On my mudbench...

In the boys' room again...

In the living room...

Pillows are a great way to bring a cozy feeling to a room, and to keep it looking "up to date" without investing a lot of money.

Do you love pillows?

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall~

Want to know one of my favorite designer tricks? Add mirrors.

Mirrors are a wonderful way to bring light and the illusion of space to a room.

Don't feel like you have to hang all your mirrors on the wall. Mirrors look great simply propped against the wall as well. A large mirror adds substance to an otherwise small piece of furniture.




Just make sure that the mirror reflects something pleasant. For instance, I snapped a pic of my favorite mirror below because I loved the "still life" effect of it framing my entertainment armoire. (Don't look too closely...the mirror needed dusting.)


Mirrors don't have to be expensive to add a lot of personality. I purchased the mirror below but it could be made very inexpensively by simply gluing small tin tiles to a prepurchase frameless mirror.

Now go round up your mirrors and lighten up your space!

Have a great Wednesday~