Today I’m joining a few blogging friends for an upcycle challenge. I have saved a white Tide pod container for an easy makeover. In the fall you’ve probably seen the orange ones made into pumpkins. The white are popular for snowmen in winter crafting. Since it is white, it is perfect for a bunny head for spring.
For the last few months I have re-evaluated each room and its furnishings as I packed up everything for the new floor. This week I want to talk about our “stuff.” I have found that I love being in a room with less furniture and decorations. I have given away and thrown away lots of “stuff”. If you feel like your home is cluttered, disorganized, or has too many unwanted items, then it’s time to clean it out. A home that feels spacious and minimal makes for a more comfortable, less stressful environment. Decluttering can also be a somewhat therapeutic process, helping you eliminate things you no longer need from your life and start again. You should aim to declutter regularly to help keep your living spaces clear and your drawers and closets organized. Use a checklist to help you declutter every room of your home and be prepared to get ruthless with your decisions over what to throw out and what to keep. I’ve made a basic De-Clutter Checklist by room – fill free to update with other rooms and types of items. It is available as a PDF for you to download and print.
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Back in 2008 when I had a booth at a flea market, I got a cheap mirror at a thrift store to hang in the shop. It had a thin wooden frame which I painted white. When I closed my shop, I put the mirror in the second bedroom. It’s not a very attractive mirror with its little frame. Over the years, I’ve read all sorts of blog posts about people making a frame larger with wood, paper mache, etc. They were all rather complicated. So I kept thinking.
Is there anything more satisfying than walking into a clean and welcoming home after working hard all day? Your home is your refuge from the world and all its ills. It’s the place where you can kick off your shoes, let down your hair and relax. A space that allows you to be yourself without concession or compromise. As such, your home should reflect your tastes, personality and preferences. Still, for the eco-conscious, it may seem that this involves more than a little compromise. Is it really more expensive? Can it really be done on a budget? Read More
For quite a few years, I wore a cute blue 4th of July summer sleep shirt. It is a dark blue with a cute embroidery decoration on the front. When I could no longer use it, I put it aside planning to make a patriotic decoration one summer. This past January when I was purging and organizing my craft supplies, I made a promise to myself that I would use or lose lots of old items I’ve saved for crafts. Today’s simple craft is based on my old night shirt and an embroidery hoop.
I’ve been in love with every rag wreath I’ve seen on lots of blogs. It’s a simple concept – cut or tear material into strips, make knots on chosen wreath form, voila a wreath. My craft today is my version of a rag wreath for spring and Easter. Many blogs have shared various versions of a rag wreath using different knots. I’ve seen really a pretty wreath with just tied bows all over it. I remember seeing a wreath where the strip of material was folded and the ends were pulled though the loop. Sorry I don’t remember where I saw that. Let’s just say I forgot the KISS principle (K keep I it S simple S stupid), and began to complicate my wreath. It took time but I’m very happy with the result. Read More
Several years ago I bought some inexpensive faux wood chargers at Walmart for about $1.99 each. They are a dark brown with wood markings. The main problem with them is that they are not as large as I would like. I’ve really wanted the sliced wood chargers but am not willing to pay the price.
Last year, when I was exploring my favorite thrift store, I found a vintage 4th of July t-shirt. It had a cute print and was sized 3X. No, I’ve never worn 3X, but I knew it would give me lots of material to make something. I look for vintage material to upcycle for pillows, table scarves, and art.