Decor on a Dime

This cute display was put together with thrift store finds, and dollar store purchases. You don't even need a vinyl cutting machine to accomplish this look. Just print your letters on a color printer and cut them out. Use a glue stick to adhere them to the glass and fill them with candy. Arrange them on different heights of boxes and cover with batting or some type of white fabric. Scatter artificial snow and ornament balls around and you're done!

Home Made Gifts

For Christmas I made sugar scrub and put in little jars for all the ladies.  I haven't heard yet how they are enjoying it.

I also made lotion bars from bees wax, shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil, and grapeseed oil.  They are divine!  You can use them on your cuticles that get dry this time of year, hands, elbows, legs and knees, and feet too.  I did not add any oils for their scent alone.  Everything I used had value as a skin nourishment.  There are dozens of recipes out there, just find one that suits your needs and go for it.  Side note: a double broiler works best to melt the ingredients. (Thanks Mom!)

This is my latest project.  It's a quiet book for my 2yr old nephew.  The cover was embroidered by a friend, as well as inside the cover.  

The first page features a blank face with different hair styles, eyes, noses, and mouths to change out and make different faces. 

The next two pages include a set of knees with different band-aides, and shapes in different colors that button on and off.  The pieces are attached by cord to keep them from getting misplaced.

 These two pages include a shoe to practice tying, and a mailbox with a letter for Gabe from Aunt Tracy!

 The last two pages have a weaving mat to practice dexterity working with your fingers, and a clock face to round it all off.

Soup or Sauce Mix

This is a downloadable book with the recipe for S.O.S. Mix (Soup or Sauce)  It's gluten free and can be used in dozens of recipes!  You can print the book for free!  Click on the title above for the link. 

This is another one of my projects from Christmas.  I made it for my Sister-in Law.  I picked the platter up at an estate sale and my husband said "What are you going to do with that?"  I said, "I don't know yet, but it will be beautiful!"

Confident in my abilities to make beautiful stuff from ugly things, I set about my task.

There is a floral patter engraved on the front, and that's what drew me to it, along with the ruffled edges.  I used steel wool and then washed it to be sure the paint would stick.

I painted the front and back and used Cricut to cut the vinyl lettering.  I also attached a hanger to the back, but I really like it on a stand as she has it displayed.

Finished Product

This is the table that my husband and I have been working on. It didn't take as long to make as it did for me to get the pictures posted!

After completing the construction and painting, we found the glass top and the back plate for the door knob at the Restore also. It was $15 and $5 to have it cut to size.  I think the back plate was $0.50! Couldn't be a better deal!

If you try this out, you could upholster the panels, collage pictures, or any number of things. Please come back and post pictures if you decide to do something similar. I'd love to see how it turns out.

{A CHARMING NEST}: {DIY Door Casings}…the easy way.

{A CHARMING NEST}: {DIY Door Casings}…the easy way.: Check out this blog to see how this couple made a drastic change in their doorways with a few simple improvements.  They look great!