In a previous post I shared how we used Ikea cabinets in our new home in order to keep costs down. When I was planning this kitchen and looking at pictures on Pinterest and in magazines, those that were outfitted in head to toe Ikea often looked uber modern and a bit sterile. I found that
Ikea Kitchen Part II – The Details Read More »
After reviewing my May calendar, I realize that Mother’s Day is less than two weeks away! May is always a crazy-end-of-school-wrap-up month for me so now’s my chance to start thinking about a thoughtful gift for mom. This month I get the opportunity to lead the craft at the Mother/Daughter retreat a Tuscarora Inn and
Embellished Ikea frame for Mother’s Day Read More »
2013 was spent building our new home while we hunkered down in a small rental that my son Jack referred to as “the cozy house.” The challenge of building a house during a recession is that the home we sold had lost 25 percent of its value yet the cost to build remained static. So,
My Ikea Kitchen – Part I Read More »
Over the past few years, Debra and I have organized several bake sales. Along the way, we’ve discovered a few tips that help boost profit and make the sale run more smoothly. This past Saturday, our local MOPS (Mother’s of Preschoolers) group hosted a community Easter Egg Hunt. Debra and I were asked to coordinate
10 Tips for a Successful Bake Sale Read More »
I recently used Miss Mustard Seed’s milk paint to give my kitchen counter stools a makeover. In my old kitchen the black stools contrasted nicely with the all white cabinetry. But 12 years and 3 kids later, my stools were showing a lot of wear. And in my new home, with the base cabinets painted
Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint Meets My Kitchen Stools Read More »
My mom made this crocheted coverlet in the 70’s. Over time, parts of it have started to disintegrate but I hated to throw it out – just too much sentimental value! Rather than having it just sit in my closet, I decided to cut out the good parts and make decorative throw pillows. Using pillow
Upcycled Crocheted Coverlet Read More »
As the weekend approaches, my thoughts turn towards hospitality. It’s easy for me to make excuses to not have people over: too tired, too busy, house too messy, too limited with resources, etc. etc. etc. But, I know that pushing through those excuses is good for both me and my family. On the birth
We had a great time at the Tuscarora women’s retreat this past weekend. We did a couple of craft workshops, showing the women how to make these fabulous flower pins using old sweaters. For the zinnia type flower, any sweater will work ….wool, cotton, polyester, etc. Icut a 1 1/2 inch wide strip, 16 inches
Upcycled Sweater Flowers Read More »
I love to decorate with items that evoke memories and maps are a great way to commemorate a favorite location or special place. With GPS now built right into our smart phones, paper maps seem to be becoming a thing of the past. Before throwing out though, consider upcycling them into a beautiful wreath to
Don’t throw out those Candy Canes just yet! Here’s an easy way to upcycle them for Valentine’s Day. Don’t have any? Head out now, where stores are selling boxes of Candy Canes for 75 – 90% off. They’re not expensive to start with so we’re talking about 25 cents per box! Here’s how: Supplies: cookie
