Cheap Therapy

With so many big projects that tend to eat up my time and money.

I've gotten into a funk.

The blah, sore, can't quit staring and wishing for things I really don't need.

Do know what helps me with that?

People telling me to quit it. ahhahaaha

Also just being able to do something fun, simple, and colorful and also cheap.

Off to the dollar store  (sound the trumpets)

With the sun shining weather and so many people planting things that grow.

I remember my thumb is not very green and refrain from herbicide.

It's just not pretty.

So I found this fun ribbon and foam ring and fun butterflies.

Then the crowning touch?

Drink umbrellas!!!! a couple dollars for 144 of them. 

Yes, this craft has been seen on Pinterest, it is where I saw it as well.

As usual I did not read directions just looked at the pretty pictures. 

Honestly how hard could jabbing umbrellas be?

It looked a little lumpy.

Maybe the ring is too small.

hmmmmm, I will fake it. :) 

 A quick burst of color TA-DAaaa!! 

See, feeling better already and no monthly payments.

whoot whoot

Give it a try, it's amazing how creating something makes you feel a little saner

You're a mean one Mr. Grinch

You really are a heeeeeel....but are you a wreath?

Oh but you will be :)

Dollar Tree to the rescue!  Spray paint with green and I wanted to do moldy purple spots but I only had blue.  Blue can be moldy, right?

Then gather up a bunch of ribbon and tulle and anything else you can think of to stick on there.

I went with red and green with a little blue. 

Now cut some strips and knot that bad boy on there.

Make them different length and just have fun. 

I still had paper left over from the "pills" so I cut out circles and glued them on in random places.  Mostly "moldy purple spots" kept playing in my brain. 

Then to bring the star of the wreath out, thanks to Goodwill treasure hunting.

Now we have a totally grinchy wreath. 

He doesn't seem like the mean one, does he?

I did have to give him a butt lift because he was pooching out my wreath. 

I am still thinking of what to put in his hands, maybe a fork, or ornament, or candy cane, or sign.

So many possibilities,......hmmmm maybe a frame with a heart in it.

Why do I always end these post with a question?

What's a "T" reef?

Ok, so I was on Pinterest and saw this amazing idea.  When I clicked on it for details I ended up on a rabbit trail.  Click after click and still no directions and then finally I had success!!

Yet they were far more organized than I want to be or am capable of.

After cleaning out my craft room I had realized I have been keeping the pizza cardboard.  Why?  I have no earthly idea.   Then it clicked!  Round, wreaths are round and a friend of mine loves tea.

Eureka!!!!  Craft inspiration coming into view.

So I glued two of the boards together to strengthen.  I used wood glue because wood glue is awesome on cardboard. 

While that is drying I found some paper that went well together.

Also in colors I know she would like. 

Plus it's got a "fally" feel to it.

The third pizza round is cut out like a wreath.

Oh you will need some clothes pins but they are sooo cheap. 

I used wood glue on the clothes pins as well.

Wood glue dries pretty quick and really makes a tight bond. 

So this is the wreath after I covered it in paper.

Make small cuts all the way around to fold them onto the back.  For the middle cut an X then continue to make smaller cuts so they look like pie wedges and fold them to the back and glue. 

Don't forget to cut a round piece of paper to glue on the back.

I also glued a braided ribbon around the edge to hide all my sloppy work. 

Also glue on strips of paper to the clothes pins...I guess you could paint then but I opted out.

Arrange your clothes pins where you want them and then glue down. 

Yeah, I coordinated the color of the tea.  I like tea but I love coffee.

My friend likes it.  The reason for having one is so when people come over they know what kind of tea is available.

I asked my daughter to run to the craft room to get the tea wreath.  She ran off and time ticked on.  I thought to myself, " hmmmmm I wonder if she knows what I meant"  I hear her come back up.  "Mom, what's a T reef?"  I went back down and showed her what I had made.  She said it was cool, and what was it.  I explained the concept and what I was trying to do.  That is when it hit, this was the "tea wreath"!!!

She burst into laughter as she explained what imagery was in her head.  Now I want to make a T that looks like a reef.

the cheap, the colorful and the mundane

Well summer is over and I am left with two abandoned pool noodles.

No we don't swim with them up here.  Swimming is an indoor sport in the Pacific Northwest.

These were left over from doing the roof span in my grey and yellow patio.

Naturally I have been on Pinterest for days on end and have found this genius idea. 

Add tape, a little struggle and viola', instant wreath.

Ok the beginning of a wreath.  Or a really big circle.

I went with wreath.

I made two, both of them for two friends of mine. 

One likes simple and earth tones with green.

And the other loves bright colors. 

I hope they like them.

But ssssshhhh, sometimes they read this blog so don't tell 'em.

I have a functioning desk in my  craft room now.  It is perfect timing!!!

As it is football season and I no longer have to sit and watch instant replay.

I can create pretty things for my friends.....YAY!

Now on to a dilemma.

Or just a mundane wall.

I've recently changed the art on my wall and it has left the wall color kinda,...well BLAH. 

The empty space is for my daughter's pic when they come in.

The painting I did a few years ago.

Was inspired by a trip to Portland and some amazing artists there. 

The guitar had a broken neck and my husband was going to throw it out.  So I rescued it and made it a real "guitar hero". 

What drives me nuts is the wall color is so blah my furniture is blending in.

The chair is a wassily chair and it's grey.  The couch is actually a sagey green but looks grey int he pic. 

My carpet is blah but can't do much with that.

I have dark brown roman shades and gauzy brown curtains.

Also dark brown wood accents.

Now can anyone give me some ideas about what color to paint my walls so they aren't so mundane?

Pretty please?

More Christmas stuff

This here is a wreath I made with dollar store stuff.

Bought a wood wreath and wrapped it with ribbon.  Also bought at the dollar store, bow, sign, foam for hand cut outs, pom-poms, and the left over candy canes from a garland.

The things I made were those lollipops from 40 cent wood cut-outs and chopsticks. Glue two to chopstick and paint and add glitter.  Then use small ribbon to cover the edges.  This is for the family I mention previously, so I went over to outline their children's hands.  The foam sheets last so much better than paper.

I also added stickers to mark the year.

I also made another cake stand.  This one I went for a nature inspired feel.

Once again dollar store goodies inside and inserted into Styrofoam disc that is secured to bowl by hot glue.

Glue bowls together with glue for glass.

This is the back side.

Once again  Tada!!

I am going to go decorate the family's living room sometime this week.  So hope to post pics of the completed room. :)