Brooke and Kallie do a great job of making their homes look like they could be featured on the cover of a magazine, and the best part is, they do it all on a budget.  I have gotten many ideas from their blog, and I have learned a lot of tricks, but when I found this post, I was blown away.  I am going to make a confession, other than blinds and a couple valances, every window in my house is bare.  I know that having curtains seems to warm up the space and make it feel more like home, but I always just figured I would have to wait until I could afford them.  I also thought I would have to bribe my mom to help me finish them, but I now stand corrected. 

If you  think making curtains on your own would be too difficult, please, read on!  You’ll be shocked how easy and inexpensive it can be!

Once you’re finished, be sure to head over to All Things Thrifty, dive into their archives, and prepare to be inspired! 

Monday, April 5, 2010

I have to say, I had a nearly impossible time trying to decide which post to feature, but I finally just picked one with the intentions of emphasizing that, THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO SEE!!  Oh yes, I went there, I am owning the caps lock!  I finally decided on this post because as I was searching through her archives, I happened to glance up at the dischelvement of my children’s art supplies and gasped in horror.  I need organization people!  Anyway, without further adieu, here’s Sarah:

Four ca-ute projects under $5!

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Totally and completely adorable, no?? I still have to find more art supplies that are scattered throughout the house, but I absolutely positively adore it:

Spray adhesive, scrapbook paper, spray paint and a knob later:

And for my final trick of the evening, I give you 60 cent wood cuties you can find at any craft store:

Hot glued magnets to the back and you get new magnets for the Bub:

I did all of these in just a couple hours and they were F.U.N. I’ve got a couple more little projects to do to the toy room and then I can’t wait to show you!

How beautiful is this?  Check out Crafty Sisters for the full tutorial.

When it comes to saving space, and providing a nice place for guests to sleep, I can’t think of many things better than futons.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I know that futons have gotten a bad wrap from a design stand-point in the past, but they really have come a long way.

Many people think of the cheap black metal frames, when they hear the word “futon.” This is because most futons people have seen are those found within college dorm rooms. However this is not the best example of what a futon is. There are many different styles of futons, and each part has multiple variations, allowing for an infinite amount of combinations, and in turn ensuring there’s a futon that’s perfect for you.

First there’s the frame. While many futons do have a metal frame, they’re also available in wood. Wooden frames are sturdy and look good in a variety of settings. Also, wooden frames use slats to support the mattress which results in a more even and therefore a more comfortable, surface to lie on.

Speaking of the mattress, they’re no longer limited to cotton and polyfil. You can get them with an exterior made of several fabrics, including leather, and numerous fillings. Some have bed springs like traditional mattress, while others are made of space-age memory foam. They come in all levels of firmness from the most soft to the most firm, which means you can find one that suits you.

The last part of the futon is the futon cover. Most people either don’t know these exist, or forget about them, because most college students don’t have the budget for them. However they are an essential part, as they keep the futon safe and clean. They come in a wide variety of materials and designs.

So as you can see. Futons are a very versatile and stylish piece of furniture to have in your home, and not just for the college dorm room.

Here is a great recipe for a disinfectant spray that can be used for anything from cutting boards to toilets.

2 c. water

2 or 3 drops natural soap

12-15 drops of tea tree essential oil

12-15 drops of lavender essential oil

Mix the ingredients in a bottle and spray away!

I am in love with this picture wall.  I actually showed my mother one similar to this one and said, “Someday I will have that in my house!”  Well, my three kids are there, my family is there, my idea is there, but that  is NOT my wall.  The beauty about my mom is that she actually follows through with the ideas she gets.  Me. . .Not-so-much. 

I wanted to post this, not only because it looks so darn fabulous, but also because it is a really inexpensive way to fill up a blank wall. 

The frames are available at IKEA for only $2.99 for a set of 2 9×9 frames.  

Then, all you have to do is  print some pictures that you love.  I sent these to Costco.  Since the frames were 9×9, and they didn’t print 9×9 photos, I simply put a 3 inch border around the picture and had them printed 12×12 then cut the border off.  The prints were only $2.99 as well. 

I really LOVE this idea, and I can’t wait to get one up in my own house, that is if I ever follow through:)

I made this skirt for my little girl for less than $0.75!  For a full tutorial on how to make one of your own, click here!

I just wanted to wish everybody a happy and safe holiday!  I know this is a bit last minute, but if you’re a procrastinator like I tend to be, check out this great article for ways to throw an inexpensive New Year’s Eve party!