The Alchemist's Halloween Banner

 I was at the library and found this cute book with pretty projects.  I don't really like Halloween for all the cheesy, cheap decorations.  I do however love holidays and make the most of making my own decorations.  Either I am too picky about what I like, or I just want to make it so I don't have to spend the money on high priced, cheaply make decor.

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Anyways, they have this cute garland idea, with the pictures to printout in the back.  I added a few of my own as well. 

I found an old book around my house and tore out a few pages to put through my copier/printer.  It took no time at all.  I had string and tape on hand, and that's all this project took.  So easy, and I think it's super cute, with a side of spook!

This bat was a favourite printout.

Right now it is hung in my office, but I may move it to the fireplace mantel.  Who knows.  

I hope you have a little but of inspiration to make simple Halloween decor.  It took no time at all to put together, which is a bonus!  

Have you made anything for Halloween?

Easy Thrift Store Chalkboard

At Christmas (I know, this is a little late!) we exchange names among my siblings for gifts. I drew my sisters name, and we both have a passion for all things Jane Austen!  So I was searching up ideas, and came across this book which I never got to read but I heard from her that it's a fun book:

The Jane Austen Guide to Life: Thoughtful Lessons for the Modern Woman

See, she just moved out on her own, so who couldn't use a little Jane Austen advice on life?!  

I also thought I wanted to make her a chalkboard (there, I finally got around to my point!) for her new place.  Who doesn't need a chalkboard.  They have cute ones out there on sale, but I was on a budget for this Christmas gift so I had to work magic to stay within that budget.  

I searched the thrift store and came across this old calendar box for $3.99!

Have you ever had one of these calendar boxes in your house?  Or do you still??

I picked out a pretty blue acrylic paint that I already had on hand, and coated the entire board except in the middle where I was going to put the chalkboard paint.

Next I found this recipe to make chalkboard paint on pinterest:

I cup of acrylic paint + 2 Tbsp grout.

I cut this recipe in half for my project and had lots!

Did you know that you can buy chalkboard paint in the store. $8 for a tiny can, or you can make it with a few supplies on hand!

After painting the chalkboard paint on I waited for it to dry, and rubbed chalk all over it to break it in.

Here it is:

I did my best at making fancy chalk letters.  Not as easy as others make it look!

Does this quote make anyone else smile?!  

I think it is such a funny line especially the way Tom Hollander says it!

What a cheap project to make:

Calendar Board: $3.99 (thrift store)

Acrylic Paint: Free (on hand small craft paint tube)

Grout: Free (on hand)

TOTAL = $3.99

So, will chalkboards go out of style soon?  It seems like they are everywhere!

And yet, I still don't have one in my house...

Reuse & Renew

I rarely ever spend full price for something, and Christmas is no different.  This year I bought most of my kids gifts second hand.  I know some people like that, and some would be repulsed, but honestly... I would not buy my son a $250 ipod touch, when I could get a almost new one on kijiji (second hand selling site), for $80!  He didn't care, and it does everything a new one would, so where's the problem.  I am GOING GREEN!  ...as they say.

So, my daughter was asking for a handheld game, and I found one second hand, and when I brought it home, it was in rougher shape than I thought.  Still didn't stop me from fixing it up!

Here is the before:

Ya, I told you it was pretty rough!  I scrubbed that sticker spot off, and here is what I did with the rest if it:

I used:

-nail polish

-permanent marker

-rub on stickers

The nail polish is my daughter's and the rub on stickers were from the dollar store that I already had in my scrapbook kit.

Here is what I did with them:

The "P" and the "star" are the rub ons, and the rest are just doodles.

I even did the side:

My daughter actually thought it was super cool that it was so funky!  

And, can I just say that after 5 months, all of the polish and stickers have not been damaged, scratched or worn off any bit.

So next time it's present time, think Reuse and Renew!!

How to Make a Shelf From a 2x4

My sister knew I was on the lookout for some gorgeous mirrors.  Ever since I saw this on the pottery barn website:

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So she called me up one day saying she found some beautiful mirrors at my favourite store (Homesense), and was describing them over the phone.  Anyways she bought them for me, and not for a great price, but when I saw them I was so in love with them that I kept them anyways.

BUT... first I wanted a shelf under the mirrors for going in my dining room, so I started looking around the house.

I found a stash of wood in my garage, perfect!

I found a 2x4 and started sanding...

I used Minwax American Walnut to stain the shelf.

p.s don't use bare hands when staining (lesson learned!)

Even a plastic bag is good enough when you don't have gloves.

I haven't put a sealer on it yet, but I have satin finish Varathane to use on it. Which you just use a paint brush to brush on.

I had considered buying a shelf from Ikea, but after spending money on the mirrors, I decided the shelf had to make up for the cost, and I am happy with the rustic look.

The anchors holding the shelf were cheap ones from Walmart that were white and I painted black.  I didn't think they were a great choice but  they were only 99 cents each, where as the others were $7.00 each. No way was I spending that much on 3 anchors.  Besides I like them now, and think the look of them is perfect (kind of like barn hinges).

Okay, you want to know the cost of the mirrors (I would if you were writing this post).  $35 each.  Worth the money! I love them!

So there you have it!  My new dining room...

WAIT, something is missing...

There.

A wide open space for my baby to ride in!  

(it had been raining for a week)

P.S.  Dining room table is my next project.  Hopefully soon, as we are eating on the floor!

Cost of Shelf:

2x4 wood:  free

3 anchors: $3.00

Stain: borrowed from sister

Total: $3.00

Circle Skirt

I found this sewing pattern awhile ago, and saved it, knowing it was SO easy, even I could do it!  I know... me use a pattern?!!

I was at the Dollar Store getting a few things when for some random reason I looked down the aisle with the pillowcases, and found the cutest pattern.  So I bought it for the skirt I have been wanting to make for awhile now.

Cute hey!  I know, you surprise me all the time Dollarama!

I bought the elastic band at the dollar store as well, and that's pretty much all you need besides a few pieces of paper to make your pattern, and your sewing machine.

This was what it looked like all cut.

Now, I did not do a full tutorial because Dana over at Made, did the most perfect tutorial I didn't even want to try, so I thought I would just send you over there for her circle skirt tutorial!

And I would just like to say that her daughter Lucy's measurements were the same as my daughter so it made it super easy to just copy what she did.  

Okay, here it is...

Cute and flouncy!

Remember the hairbands I made for my girls here.

"My, what a nice pillowcase you have on dear!"

The perfect amount of SWING.

You can find fabric in the most surprising places.  I am always willing to take something old and make it new.  Especially when the price is amazing!

Cost:

Pillowcases = 2 for $2

Elastic = $1

Total =$3

(* but I have just enough leftovers to make her another!!*)

25 Cent Skirt Redo

So I officially started my garage saleing this last weekend, and I will start by showing you this skirt that I picked up for 25 cents!! 

 I thought it was a cute colour combination and didn't even hesitate about the size of it.  I just bought it.  

I did try it on, and the colours were just not me, but they were perfect for my daughter.

So I put it around my daughter and cut the extra fabric off.

Then I took the extra fabric and made sleeves with it.

I am skipping all the steps because you could probably figure it out it's so easy, rather than going through a boring sewing tutorial with me!

Here is the back:

And a few shots of the front:

I am glad I was able to make a dress for my daughter because she is growing out of everything and this was VERY THRIFTY!!

Also today my sisters and I made some ties for our boys for my brothers upcoming wedding.  They were so easy I had to share them with you, and the link of where to find them to make your own:

Cute, easy fast ties...

(sister in law Meg, sister Chelsea, sister Angela, Me!)

And hey, I know I have been away lately, but I have been up to my ears in projects!  I can't wait to show you!!

Paper Banner

I went to a Bridal shower for my soon to be sister-in-law (remember the pillows I made), and at my sisters house she had this cute banner up all around her house... 

So I copied it!

I even called to have her send me a photo of the paper she used because I have the same pack, and I wanted to do this the easy way, and not think about it!

I added more blue to it so I could use it for different occasions.  I have it up because it was my husbands birthday.  And yes I decorate for his birthday!!  My kids love it! and secretly my hubby likes it too!!

I found a pattern online, and just enlarged it (a pattern of a triangle??!  I know, but remember I wanted to make something fast and not think about it).

I copied my sister and used twine, because I had some, and I do like how simple it makes the banner look.

I made three banners.  One for my fireplace, and one for my entry (across the photos),...

...and a mini one for my new table.  But before I show you the table, I have to show you the before of this perfect wall.

Perfect in the sense that it is an open canvas.  I have been looking for a table to go here for a long time, and was looking to fix one up, but when I found this one in my favourite store (Homesense) I just bought it, and I love it!

And decorated it...

Anyways, the banners are put away again now, but will come out again for Easter soon!

I know you probably see these banners around everywhere, but there is a reason why... they are so CUTE!

Share the Love!

Today is the day of Sweetness, right?!!  Well I saw these Valentine Smore's and HAD to make them, they were so cute!  

Posted by Crazy Domestic I seriously want to know where she found heart marshmellows though!  Because all I could find was the circle ones.

Can I just say they were delicious!  Mine were not as pretty but oh so yummy!

Now...  I have to tell you something...

I have the sweetest neighbour EVER!  She is an older lady, and someone I want to become!  She brings my family treats on every holiday, and on my birthday she drops a card off with the sweetest sentiment it makes me tear up!!  I had to do something for her on Valentine's!!!

Wouldn't you if you had my neighbour?

So I started with my daughter's outgrown shirt, and bloomers.

Cut some hearts out of the material...

Sewed this little heart on, and left the edges to fringe gracefully with age.

And filled it with rice.  

Why rice?

So you can heat it up in the microwave and have a nice little warming pack for anything from cramps, boo-boos, aches and  pains, or keeping you warmer!!!

Remember here:  I am a beginner sewer (if I keep all this sewing up I may not be able to use that excuse anymore)

We left a little love note and dropped it off with some of the Smore's the kids helped me make.

Did you share some LOVE today?