Saving Money: DIY Mantle Decor

I don't know about you, but I LOVE Pinterest. I really love looking at home decor ideas in particular. I am always browsing looking for new ways to spruce up my home decor. 

Last week, I saw this idea, on Mom 4 Real, and knew I had to do it (without breaking the bank).

I know large frames usually cost upwards of $50 and so I ventured to Goodwill with Riley on Sunday to check out what they had. I ended up finding a large framed picture (in gold) for $2.99. Can't beat that! 

I brought it home and stripped the picture frame down so all that was left was the frame (no glass, no picture) and set it down on an old towel on our kitchen table and painted the frame white using white Acrylic paint. I applied the paint with a paper towel to give it a worn, vintage look.

After letting it dry, I tied red ribbon around my Valentine's Day wreath and hung it on my mantle. I did a twist on the idea from Mom 4 Real based of this image. And also did a smaller version of the large one (far left).

What I really love about this idea is it is easy to use all season/holidays, you just switch out what hangs from the frame.

I love this idea to personalize a space using a letter.

 This is a fun summer time look, or a way to dress up your mantle for a birthday party.

I also LOVE this idea, a Christmas card holder! A great way to display all those holiday cards from loved ones.

In other news, we are gearing up for a huge snowstorm here tonight. They're calling for 30+ inches where we are. Ry and I are headed to the store after her nap to stock up on diapers, water, & chocolate (the important things!). Hope you all have a wonderful Monday morning! 

-A

Friday Favorites

Every Friday, I will share some things that I am really loving that week. A great start into the weekend and maybe it will give you some ideas. We have a Nor'Easter coming our way for tomorrow so a nice relaxing, cozy day at home for us. We'll probably try to get outside for a bit and play in the snow, but Ry isn't too sure about snow yet. We'll see!

Here are my favorites things this week..

Once Upon a Child

They buy and sell gently worn baby and children's clothes, equipment, etc. They have locations all over the country. We went for the first time last weekend during their 10 items for $10 sale just to see and boy were we pleasantly surprised! We walked out of there with some great late winter/early spring clothes for Ry. A lot of what we got her were Baby Gap clothes for $1 each! Here she is in one of the dresses.

The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks

 I really enjoy reading a book and then seeing the movie version. I am a big fan of Nicholas Sparks and I recently found out this book was going to be his next movie coming out in April 2015. I just started it a few days ago but it is wonderful. 

These Stride Rite shoes for Ry. We just got them today during their Buy One, Get One 40% off. She has really started taking to walking and we want her to have some shoes that are good quality that will support her ankles/feet/legs as she ventures into walking. You can find ones like hers here.

I have watched American Idol from the beginning and I've got to say, I really love having Harry Connick Jr., JLo and Keith Urban together. Their dynamic is hilarious. I literally laughed out loud last week during one of their jokes. I'm also really excited to see these contestants more. There seem to be some really awesome talent!

Riley's first birthday is fast approaching (only about 2 weeks!) and we are going to do a Zoo/Jungle theme. I wanted a craft for some of the older kids to do to keep them entertained during the party and saw this idea! How cute! You can find the tutorial here.

Have a wonderful weekend!

-A

DIY Photo Collage Letters

I have been thinking of some new DIY home decor projects to work on and thought of this idea. A photo collage letter. I made mine as Christmas gift for my parents. I found the letter of my maiden name at Michaels, for me it was the letter "T". I would get the larger letter because otherwise you won't fit the pictures. Then I printed collage 4x6 prints from Walgreens. The wallets were more expensive (and you get 4 of the same picture) and the 4x6 prints were way too big. The collage prints on a 4x6 were perfect because they were small enough to fit and only $0.39 per collage picture. I opted for black and white photos because I think they look classier that way. Here are the directions..

What you'll need:
-photos
-wooden letter
-black paint & paint brush
-glue
-mod podge
-scissors

1. Paint your wooden letter black (so it isn't obvious where gaps are) and let it dry.
2. Once dry, cut out your collage pictures and arrange on your wooden letter the way you'd like the finished project to look.
3. Remove pictures a few at a time trying to keep them in the order you had them placed on the letter and glue them to the surface then let it dry.
4. Once dry use scissors to cut along the edges of the letter so the pictures line up with the edges and really make your letter shape.
5. Coat the letter with a thin layer of mod podge to set it then let dry.

A great gift idea idea that is afforable, easy & special.

Happy holidays!

-A

DIY Christmas Ornament: Salt Dough Handprint/Footprint

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup salt
• 1/2 cup water
• something that will make a circle cutout of your dough (a cup works well!)
• ribbon
• Optional: paint & paint brush

Directions:

1. Mix the salt and flour in a large bowl
2. Create an opening in the middle of your dough and add your water to it
3. Knead your dough until it is smooth 

4. Roll dough out on a floured surface

5. Cut a circle out of your dough and move to the side *Make sure the circle is big enough to fit your child's hand*

6. Create another (small) circular cut out at the top center to string ribbon through afterwards.

7. Place your child's hand in the center of the circle and press down

8. Bake in the oven at 200 F until dry. About 45-60 minutes for thin ornaments, 2-3 hours for thicker ones. Check occasionally to see if it is dry. You can also let it air dry overnight.

9. Once dry, you can paint the handprint, add your child's name & year, "1st Christmas", etc. and string ribbon through the small hole to hang on your Christmas tree.

Enjoy this inexpensive way to add a personal touch to your family tree or home decor.

-A

DIY Silhouette Decor

Check out this easy DIY project for a nursery/playroom!

1. Print out silhouette images for whatever characters you'd like (for us Riley's room is jungle themed, so I did a giraffe, elephant & lion), make sure it is big enough to fit nicely in the size frame you are using. I usually use 8 X 12. Go to my pinterest for already pinned Easter Silhouette Images www.pinterest.com/alindquist310/
2. Go to a craft store like Michael's and choose fun patterned scrapbook paper, some for the background of your frame and some for the actual Easter silhouettes.
3. Cut a piece of scrapbook paper to fit your frame.
4. Cut out your Easter image and trace it on another piece of scrapbook paper (preferably a different pattern)
5. Cut out traced image and glue to the other piece of scrapbook paper.

And you are done! That simple! And it looks awesome!! You can use this idea for many things like a child's room, other holidays, a party..whatever!

Here's an example of how I used this idea to decorate my daughter's nursery!