DIY: Why buy it when you can make it?

I have often been called a borderline hoarder because I rarely throw anything away. True, not just because waste makes want and things are hard to come by. Have you ever heard the phrase "From Trash to Treasure? For the past thirty years I have acquired many supplies, beads, material, ribbons, yarns, tools for crafting, etc. so I put them in containers and pack them away for a time in the future when I may need them, hey you never know, one less thing to buy when I tackle a project that needs the materials I have saved.

Through the decades I have made a lot of things by hand. I have crocheted blankets, pillow covers, scarfs, hats, doilies, table runners and even tablecloths. I have taken dollar store flowers and made them into beautiful floral arrangements. Why go on a spending spree when you can make something with your hands practically for free? When keeping up with the latest decorating trends you will see things that are sought after within your choice of decorating style. Yes, everything you cant make but there are many things you can DIY, do the research, collect the materials and take a seat in your favorite chair or at your dinning room table and get to work. Patience is required remembering all things are not made overnight.

A lot of farmhouse decorators are adding touches of Boho in their decor which is right up my alley. Many Boho items are made out of yarn: the coasters, the macrame flower pot holders and the decorative wall hangers. In Home Goods I have seen where some of the flower pots have crocheted covers. Why, I can make those. I even went as far as making a hanging type pouch to hold my ferns. It mimics the hanging baskets that are found in Target except mine are made of yarn instead of woven basket material.I used two schemes of cotton yarn that I had and was able to make one for under three dollars. You can do a few rows each day as I did sitting on your sofa watching tv or listening to the radio and before you know it its done. I took breaks but truth be told you could make it in one day. Its so easy, no pattern necessary.

Spring is Springing up in My Home

Good things come to those who wait, this I have learned through the course of my life. In bringing my home to its full farmhouse potential I desired to find a round bird cage. I already have a square one but I wanted one that is round. I had my eye on one at Hobby Lobby and I even seen it in Michaels a week ago. The price halted me and I decided to wait for a sale. At times my mobility is limited but during the times when I can do a little extra I get out and catch some deals if a ride is provided. Gone are the days when I was younger looking like a pack mule walking down the street  from the bus stop with shopping bags, safe to say you cant do what you once did when you were younger but thank God you can get around as much as you can with God's Grace to do what you can when you can in your later years, health providing.

Back in October/ November 2019 it was announced that AC Moore was going out of business and Michaels would assume the spot that they occupy. Two weeks ago Michaels sent AC Moore customers a 20% card that can be used on all purchases regular priced and even those on sale with a few exceptions. The card can be used til the end of April 2020. I went to Michaels to see what they had and came away with some beautiful white long stem artificial roses. Buy one single stem get two single stems free, now that's a deal. I bought two single stem roses and got 4 more free of charge. As mentioned above I saw a round bird cage at Michaels but decided to wait to see if I could find one lower priced or if that one would eventually go on sale. I am so glad I made that decision because a day later I found some birdcages at AC Moore for a steal!!!! The price was so great I came away with three for $6.00 total, two large and one small. The cute little gray stone birds came from AC Moore at 70% the original price.

This is what I did with the bird cages. I simply added a battery operated candle and some greenery.

This is what I did with the Roses. I made a simply arrangement by mixing in some eucalyptus in between the roses and put it in a tall white glass vase.

Farmhouse Fall

Fall is taking it sweet time getting here but meanwhile I am decorating for the Fall. I am still working on projects right now so more pictures to come.  14 more days to go before Fall officially arrives, the weather is in back and forth mode. One day it feels like fall and another day it feels like summer, right now we are in between but in 14 days we will officially be saying goodbye to summer. The kids returned to school on September 5th the day after Labor day and the holidays are now just around the corner.

I made these two signs for my kitchen.

Chalk Boards

I found two chalk boards on Clearance at Michaels at 80% off. I painted the wood white and wrote on them with a chalk marker.

First craft project of Spring.

Picked up a few crates from Home depot and gave them two coats of stain, love the display options. Happy Spring!!!

Christmas Acccents

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Easy Christmas DIY. Grab you some old boxes, visit your craft store for plain brown wrapping paper and some gingham ribbon. Wrap the boxes and tie on the ribbon. I assembled my boxes in the basket with some white pine pieces and a few faux berries for extra cuteness, It was a hit amongst all my other Christmas decorations. I love the country charm it has added.

Craft: My Patriotic arrangement

Spring can't come soon enough..

but until then thought I would get started on bringing a touch inside for now. Picked up some greenery yesterday and filled my crocks with some. I also picked up the tea/coffee pot that matches the last set of crocks I purchased. I am going to take on a project in a few days I am going to try and make some primitive plates. Will post the project when I start. Hope everyone is having a great weekend. More snow arrives tomorrow. Warm inside, Sunday dinner cooking. Making a meatloaf, mac and cheese, yams and greens with biscuits. Yesterday I made a pot of homemade beef stew the recipe can be found on my recipe blog. Let's just say we will be eating hearty while the snow falls. LOL Enjoy your day!!!

Make your own potpouri

Toss it up in a pretty bowl and set in your rooms for a lovely Christmas fragrance. 1. Cinnamon sticks 2. All Spice 3. Cloves 4. Dried Orange slices 5. Star Anise