Well Christmas is passed.  Bittersweet this year because it was sooo hectic trying to get everything done, decorating, gift making, shopping, wrapping.   I was finishing a gift for my sister Christmas morning and wrapping Chris' gifts while he was sleeping Christmas morning.  Next year will be different (I vaguely remember saying something like that last year - but I could be wrong).  I bought some pretty decorations this year thrifting that was fun - packing them away - not so much.  Chris and I picked out a beautiful tree this year and it was the first one we stamped open!  Have to invest in a new stand next year this one had a leak so we couldn't water the tree so it didn't last as long as I would have liked.  But it was still beautiful!  Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and remembered the reason for the season.

The coolest thing happened to me Wednesday when I was getting my gas.  I was waiting behind a woman who was paying cash, the lane next to me opened up but I just stayed where I was since I was reading on my phone.  When she was finished she came to my window and said that someone bought her groceries for her that morning so since I was so patient she was paying if forward and gave me $20.  So I'll be paying it forward too.  Wouldn't it be nice if we all made an effort to do something nice for a total stranger.  That's the real spirit of Christmas.  So Merry CHRISTmas everyone and Pay It Forward!

Getting ready for craft shows.  Feedback welcome.  Also for sale right away - message me for prices.  Thanks for looking.

 

More theirs and mine...

Another "theirs and mine"... their platter $64 - mine $.50 plus sharpies and about 20 minutes plus bake time.

Theirs ($65).....and mine ($1.50)

Coupon Ladies' Yard Sale

Fall coupon ladies' toiletries and household cleaners yard sale was this weekend and maybe next weekend also.  These ladies stock their garage with products bought with coupons and I mean stock it - from deodorants to laundry detergent.  Everything in the picture cost $35 that's it.  They sell enough to pay the taxes and whatever is left they donate.  It's a win - win.  The shampoos (Head & Shoulders and Tresemme) alone would be $20 and 9 boxes of Kleenex at $1 each would be $29 total. Then there's the Glade Plug-in and refill, Colgate toothpaste, Febreeze air freshener and fabric freshener, Finish Dishwasher Pods, deodorant, Windex, gum. Quite a score I'd say.

...more Autumn...

$25

Autumn...

Creative Living by Marty

Distressed signs are something I've just started but I like them a lot.  

This one is in my dining room.  I plan to make them to sell.  

Some ideas for signs I'm thinking about, Good Eats, Believe, Read,

Life is Good, Dream, Noel, Relax, Joy, Family.... suggestions??

Another magazine idea.  I took a metal shelf from my garage and painted it white.

Practice for making Christmas wreaths, 

just in time for football season, 

it's a little bigger than I planned though.

Another copy theirs on the left mine on the right.

I love getting ideas from magazines and catalogs and

 putting my own spin on it - a "thrifty" spin of course.  

I saw this beach themed candleholder in a 

magazine ($40).  My version - less than $4!

One $2.50 thrift store tray +  

 4 legs from an old table +

 paint =

$5 Thrift Store Dresser

So Goodwill wanted to get rid of this dresser.  The top was warped and the drawers wouldn't shut right.  I said I'd take it for $5 and they said yes.  

I replaced the top with 3 6" x 1" pieces of plywood.  Painted the dresser two shades of gray.  Replaced the knobs with round discs and added 1 1/2" lucite starfish pieces and lined the shelves with black and white contact paper and voila.

I also made some curtains to hide the ugly view of the window on the patio from a sheet I bought at a thrift store.  So much nicer walking into the patio from the deck now.  I already had everything from previous purchases so the cost was minimal.

I finished my changing table turned buffet for my dining room.  I bought the changing table at James 27 Thrift Store for $30 and they delivered!  It started out dark brown so I primed it - it took two coats of primer and three coats of the blue.  I'm really happy with how it came out.

So I planted my usual tomatoes this year.  I planted the cherry tomatoes in an Earthbox and then the full size tomatoes is a regular pot.  Again, this year the cherry tomatoes developed blossom end rot.  I lost the first 8-10 tomatoes.  I googled it to see what I needed to do.  After the first several articles I was pretty convinced my tomatoes weren't getting enough calcium.  The articles suggested things/chemicals to buy to solve the problem but I was too lazy to go out and buy something so I smashed up two of my calcium vitamins and dropped them down the watering shoot and in two days I was picking perfect tasty tomatoes.  Problem solved!

White Shoes!

So I've been on the lookout for a pretty pair of white shoes which surprisingly is not easy to find.  Today after work I stopped by Goodwill and City Thrift for my usual look.  Check out what I found at City Thrift!  Brand new Style & Co., original tag still on to the tune of $59 marked down to $44 which I stole for $6.98!  At Goodwill l found the brand new, still in the package, leggings and tights in the pic for .99 each!  Leggings for .99!  The little cage was just and extra bonus.  Yard saling tomorrow - I'm looking for a corner shelf - cheap.  Several neighborhood sales - my favorite.  Hope they don't get rained out.

I absolutely love Pinterest.  There are so many talented people out there.  I love seeing what they come up with.  Like for instance I searched baby shower gift ideas and saw some many cute things.  Check out what I made for my friend Romina and her little Adelina who will be here very soon.  I think she's waiting to come into the world on my birthday.  I told Romina I would be happy to share.

Decluttering!!

Major decluttering taking place.  Car load 1 to donate.  Dining room now clear!  Yay!!!

GARAGE NEXT!!!  That's going to take a while!

Clutter clutter clutter...

Attempting to clear out some clutter.  My garage is terrifying.  Plus I need to make room for new projects!!!  Yes I have a problem.  If you see anything you are interested in please message me for prices.  Thanks.

 

 
 

Better Late Than Never

2014 was by far my most favorite Christmas tree in a long time.  The shape was perfect (thanks Chris) and the decorating style had a touch of my trip to Louisiana.  Next year my door and tree will be much earlier projects!