by BlondieWrites on December 2, 2009
There are a lot of things to think about when there’s a baby on the way. You’ve got to come up with the perfect name for your little bundle of joy. You have to line up childcare when it’s time to go back to work, or make plans to stay home with the baby. There are clothes, diapers and supplies to buy. And there’s a nursery to decorate.
Decorating the nursery is a favorite part of new baby preparations for many parents. Until it’s done, you just don’t feel like you’re ready to welcome your child into the world. So many moms- and dads-to-be go all out, buying expensive designer cribs, bedding and décor. But if you’re on a tight budget, that’s money that could be better spent on more practical things.
That doesn’t mean that you can’t decorate your baby’s room in style, though. It just means you’ll need to go about it a little differently.
Here are some frugal tips for decorating your baby nursery:
* If there’s a certain motif you want to use in the nursery, create a baby registry and make sure that your shower organizer lets invitees know where you’re registered. That way guests will be likely to purchase the items you’ve selected in that motif. But keep in mind that if you choose a lot of expensive items, you might not get them, because your guests may be on a budget too.
* Don’t get your heart set on doing everything in a certain motif. If you don’t get all of the things you want at your shower, you might have to go with something else. If you get some of the items you wanted, however, perhaps you can buy the rest in a color that co-ordinates with them.
* Make some of the items for the nursery yourself. You could buy some fabric featuring the characters you want to feature in the nursery and make all sorts of things out of it. Curtains and blankets are easy if you have a sewing machine. You could also make decoupage wall hangings by cutting the characters out of the fabric and using Mod Podge to adhere them to a piece of wood, then top with another coat of it. And framed pages from children’s books or calendars also make lovely wall art.
* Visit consignment shops, flea markets and yard sales. You can often find great deals on gently used nursery items at these places.
* Go to outlet stores, or shop from the outlet section of your favorite online baby store. There are spectacular deals on new items to be found here. Some might have minor flaws, but in many cases they’ve simply been discontinued by the manufacturer.
Decorating your nursery on the cheap doesn’t mean it won’t be beautiful. With a little creativity, you can make it look just as wonderful as it would if you had spared no expense. And best of all, you’ll have more money to spend on diapers, formula, and those adorable baby clothes!
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by BlondieWrites on November 28, 2009
If you are like many other individuals, you enjoy Christmas. With Christmas comes gifts’, spending time with family, and Christmas decorations. While everyone loves to get Christmas gifts and spend time with their family, there are others who are most excited about decorating for Christmas. In a way, putting up Christmas decorations symbolizes the upcoming Christmas holiday. Perhaps, that is one of the reasons why decorating for Christmas is enjoyed by so many.
When it comes to decorating for Christmas, different individuals use different methods. Perhaps, the most popular method is buying Christmas decorations from the store and then hanging them or displaying them in the home. In addition to buying store bought decorations, there are other individuals who make their own Christmas decorations and then hang or display them. If you are preparing to decorate your home for Christmas, you may be wondering which decorating method you should use. Honestly, the decision is yours to make; however, you will find that each method has a number of advantages and disadvantages.
As previously mentioned, one of the most popular ways that most individuals choose to decorate their homes for Christmas is by purchasing store bought decorations. These store bought decorations can include items such as a Christmas tree, Christmas lights, Christmas tree ornaments, Christmas lawn decorations, and Christmas kitchenware. Perhaps, the wide variety of different decorations that can be purchased online or from a storefront retail location is the greatest benefit to buying your decorations. While it is possible to make your own Christmas lights or Christmas kitchenware, it is time consuming and you need to have special skills to do so.
In addition to the selection of Christmas decorations that you have to choose form, when buying store bought Christmas decorations, you will also find that buying pre-made Christmas decorations saves time. Shopping online is the best way to save time, when buying Christmas decorations, but you can also save time by buying your Christmas decorations from one of your local retail stores. As nice as it may be to make your own Christmas decorations, it is a time consuming task, especially if you have never made your own Christmas decorations before.
So far, it may seem as if you can benefit the most from buying store bought Christmas decorations, but it is important to note that you can also benefit from making your own decorations. Perhaps, the greatest advantage to making your own Christmas decorations is that you can make what you want. Since you know every inch of your home, you likely know what will look good in one area and what will look good in another. If you are looking for a particular Christmas decoration, such as a Christmas painting, and you are unable to find it, you may be able to make your own. While it will take some skill and time, it is almost always worth it to get exactly what you want.
Another advantage to making your own Christmas decorations is that, as previously mentioned, you can make whatever you want, however you want to. When most of us think of homemade Christmas decorations, we tend to think of decorations that were created from scratch. The reality is that you can make your own decorations with existing Christmas decorations or traditional craft items, if you want to. For instance, you can easily make your own Christmas table centerpiece by using a glass bowl or large candleholder, artificial flowers, sand, or even Christmas lights. Despite the fact that you did not make each piece of the decoration yourself, you altered it enough whereas it can be considered a homemade Christmas decoration.
The overall goal of decorating for Christmas is to bring the Christmas spirit into your home. In all reality, that is the most important thing. It really shouldn’t matter whether you choose to make your own Christmas decorations or buy them; the same goal will be accomplished.
Popularity: 2% [?]
by BlondieWrites on November 28, 2009
Are you planning on decorating your home for Christmas this year? If so, have you completed the first step? When it comes to decorating for Christmas, the first step is getting the decorations. Unfortunately, in today’s world, many families are finding it difficult to afford “extras,” including Christmas decorations. However, there is good news. If you are on a budget, there are still a number of different ways that you can get your home decorated for Christmas. You can do so with low-cost Christmas decorations.
When it comes to low-cost Christmas decorations, it is important to remember that different people associate low-cost with different things. Just because you think a particular Christmas decoration is low-cost doesn’t necessarily mean that someone else will. For some individuals, a low-cost Christmas decoration is an item that only costs one dollar, for others it is five, and for others it can be fifty dollars. That is why it is important, when looking for low-cost Christmas decorations, that you keep this in mind. However, no matter what your view of low-cost is, there are still a number of different ways that you can go about decorating for Christmas.
Perhaps, the easiest way to save money while decorating for Christmas is to not buy any Christmas decorations. If you decorated your home for Christmas last year or in recent years, did you save your old Christmas decorations? If you did save your old Christmas decorations, you may want to think about using them again this year. Although it may be nice to have brand new Christmas decorations, they are not required. Not only can you save money by using your old Christmas decorations, but you might not have to spend any extra money at all!
In addition to using your own used Christmas decorations, you may want to think about using other people’s old Christmas decorations. During the summer and sometimes during the early fall, you may be able find local yard sales. Yard sales are a great place to get used Christmas decorations for an affordable price. If you are unable to find a yard sale, you can also purchase used Christmas decorations online. You can easily find a collection of used and sometimes even deeply discounted new Christmas decorations by doing your shopping on an online auction website.
Although you can save a fairly large amount of money by buying used Christmas decorations, as previously mentioned, there is a good chance that you want new ones. If this is the case, you still have a number of different options. You should check your local dollar stores, discount stores, and even department stores. Many of these stores, around Christmastime, have a large selection of Christmas decorations, at an affordable price. If you are looking to save the most money, it may be a good idea to visit your local dollar stores. Some dollar stores sell really nice Christmas decorations for a dollar and sometimes even less.
It might even be possible for you to make your own Christmas decorations, with items that you already have inside your house. In fact, this is how you can turn your old Christmas decorations into new ones. Simply by altering your existing decorations in one way or another, for instance by adding a bow, you could make your old Christmas decorations like new. You can also take a simple candleholder and turn it into a Christmas candleholder with a little bit of creativity. The same can be said for a number of other items that you likely already have inside your home. This is another way that you could avoid spending any money on Christmas decorations.
As you can easily see, there are a number of different ways that you can go about finding or making your own low-cost Christmas directions. Although you may be worried about the quality of those decorations, you shouldn’t be. Most times, it isn’t necessarily about the Christmas decorations themselves, but they way that they are presented or arranged.
Popularity: 2% [?]
by BlondieWrites on September 23, 2009
When you want to add new decorative touches to your home, you don’t have to buy expensive department store brand products. Shop online and find a variety of items to choose from and many at discount prices.
A simple yet tasteful addition to your home décor is decorative candles. Candles add an inviting and welcoming atmosphere to a room. The fragrance of a candle burning makes a person feel at ease.
Candles for Decorations
In the days before electric lights or even oil lamps, candles were used for light in the evenings. There were courting candles that were purposely made small to limit a couple’s time together. And if guests overstayed their welcome until the candles burned down, they were obliged to leave. In modern times, we can enjoy the candle’s scent without being dependant on their light.
Candles aren’t just for candelabra. There are many shapes and sizes to choose from to decorate your home. Shop online and find discounts on all kinds of candles to decorate your home. There are candles to suit every style and room of your house.
Unique Discount Candles - Room by Room
For the kitchen, there are a variety of discount candles that look like food or drinks. Fruit pies, jars of fruit, even pizza candles are available at discount prices. There are beautiful cocktail candles, lemonade and iced tea, that look good enough to drink! There are food candles that look like French fries, salsa, baked potatoes, waffles and even eggs. Place them on a serving dish and it will look like you are ready to eat.
For conversation starters, the spilled food candles are very amusing. The selection includes spilled milk, ketchup, coffee, soda, ice cream and hot chocolate with marshmallows. Think of your friend’s surprise when they see it is a candle! The pie slices are very appetizing, and arranged in a decorative tin or dessert plate, will be particularly eye-catching.
You can buy gorgeous discount jar candles that are layered with different scents. You will be able to enjoy differing aromas as the candle burns down. The colors can be matched to any room in your house and the fragrances will enhance each room. For a rustic or country décor, the country bucket candles will fit right it. They come in assorted scents that will please everyone.
Shop for Other Discount Products
While you are shopping online for discount candles, you can also find bargains on many other products. The online malls and discount sites offer a variety of products for your shopping convenience. There are discounts on sporting goods, tools, pet supplies, electronics, computer supplies, and auto parts.
In the comfort of your own home, you can shop at your computer for candles and other great items. You have the opportunity to choose products you want and have them delivered directly to your home. The best discount products are available to you at your own convenience. Start shopping today to spruce up your home with gorgeous discount candles.
Popularity: 1% [?]
by BlondieWrites on September 9, 2009
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by BlondieWrites on September 2, 2009
Designing or rearranging your living room or family room may be too difficult a task. You need an artistic and stylish eye to be able to create a good design that not only you, but others, will like because the living room is usually the first area seen as you enter the house.
The money involved in redecorating your living room is also a major factor to consider. Furniture and decor of good quality are not cheap, especially if you are considering hiring an interior designer to do the job for you.
What if you are on a tight budget? How can you have the nice stylish living room or family room that you want?
There are actually several ways this can be done. Make use of the existing furniture and/or fixtures if you are thinking of creating a new design for your existing living room. You may just need to clean them a bit to make them look new before placing them in their new location. Older furniture that you’ve had for quite some time may require repairs to make sure they are still sturdy.
Before you start moving things around, you must visualize how you want your living room to appear. Try browsing through some home improvement magazines for a style that may be attractive to you: you need not have all the decor and furniture seen in the magazine for your room to look nearly the same. Just let your mind work and your creative instincts do the job.
Some old things that you thought you would never use again might just find their perfect place in your “new” living room. Make sure that it does not look cluttered or heavy. Try to make everything as light as possible so that your room appears comfortable and relaxing as well as pleasing to the eyes. By changing the lighting of the room you can create a totally different effect. There are several options for quality lights and lamps that are not terribly expensive available.
If you are designing a living room in your new house from scratch, you may want to do some homework first. Borrow some home improvement or interior design magazines and browse to find decorating ideas that appeal to you. You need not hire an interior designer to do the work for you as it will be an added expense.
You can do the design yourself by just being imaginative and creative; with the help of a guide, it will be a breeze for you to do. Ask for help from a friend you know who is experienced in decorating for advice and/or help.
The first to determine when decorating a living room is how you want the walls to look. Using wallpaper may be stylish but it is costly; and if you think long term, most wallpaper does not last for more than a few years. It can be easily torn or marred especially if there are children or pets in the household around so it might be to your advantage to use paint.
To save money, it is advisable to have similar colors throughout the house, not just in the living room. Besides the money saved, it is pleasing to the eyes to see consistency in color.
Assuming that the lighting and floor finish are already in place, the next thing to consider is the furniture and/or appliances you would be placing in your living room. It is possible that your living room will be your entertainment and family room as well, especially if you do not have a small amount of space in your house.
A nice, soft couch would be nice to have in a living room. If you find the leather couches in home furniture stores too expensive, you can always look for a suitable alternative in smaller shops. Be sure to take advantage of closeout sales and garage sales that you may find in your neighborhood where you may be able to find a real bargain.
You may also want to check out auctions, online or offline, to find great deals on some home decor. There are usually several choices in these auctions - just make sure that you get your money’s worth. As for online auctions, be cautious on items that are priced unrealistically low. Always buy from trusted sellers or those with several positive reviews.
There are many ways you can achieve a good and stylish design for your living room without spending an exorbitant amount of money. Budget should not be a problem in achieving your desired living room style.
Popularity: 1% [?]
by BlondieWrites on September 2, 2009
Decorating your home doesn’t necessarily mean breaking your budget. However, most of us have no idea of where to start - budget or no budget. We may have a general idea of what we like (or don’t like), but turning those ideas into a reality is not as easy as it seems. With so many styles to choose from, it’s no wonder we have difficulties in getting started.
The best way to start on your decorating project is to decide where you are now (decorating-wise) and what needs that you and your family have that must be incorporated. Are there small children that can be injured if they fall on a table’s sharp corners? Do you have pets that will ruin a white sofa?
Will you be decorating only one room or your entire house? You will need to decide if you want all of the rooms of your home to be decorated in the same style. Once that decision has been made, you can start planning your first room.
The interior design process begins with a plan. Look through design magazines or home design websites for pictures of rooms that catch your eye. What do you like about them? Is there a common theme? This will lead you to your own personal design style. You will probably find that you are especially drawn to certain styles and find some designs that you downright hate!
Think about what activities will be done in the room. Will there be just one activity or more than one? What furnishings will each activity need? For instance, chairs and a table for a sitting area or a desk for an office area.
Decide on your budget. How much can you afford to spend on flooring, paint, furniture and accessories? Spend your money on furnishings that are well-built and will get the hardest usege. Remember that a room doesn’t have to be completed all at once if your budget doesn’t allow it. Some of the best designs develop over time.
When decorating your home, keep in mind that personality is what will keep your rooms alive. Even a sleek, modern style can have personality and doesn’t have to be cold and sterile.
Interior decorating should first incorporate the practicalities such as budget, space planning and special family needs. Then, worry about the ambience and style of your rooms.
Planning your decorating project will help keep it within budget and the final result will be worth the initial effort it took to plan it.
Popularity: 1% [?]
by BlondieWrites on September 2, 2009
When you say Victorian furniture many people think expensive. But you don’t have to pay a lot of money to get the Victorian style in your home. Her are some helpful tips in achieving your goals on a budget.
Many times in Victorian house they had big windows that are too high for ready-made curtains that you can buy in the store. But to achieve the look you can make the curtain yourself. The first thing is to get cafe clips and a cafe rod. Depending on the look you want just have to buy the material. If you’re going for a romantic look you should use a lace tablecloth. If you want a fresh summer look, start with a sheet. It doesn’t matter what kind of look you’re trying to get, you just have to make sure that the fabric is longer then the height of the window. With the excess fabric you can fold it over double so you can make a top ruffle, and then attach the cafe clips about every six inches. Then the last thing would be to slide the rings over the rod and you’re done! Depending on your taste you can add fringe or tassels.
You can change the look of a table instantly. If you don’t have a round table, you can just get one of those assemble-it-yourself tables. Many discount stores sell them for under $10, so there is no issue of money here. First you should put a simple tablecloth over it. If you would like to get a puffy look you can tuck the ends of the fabric so it kind of balloons on the floor. The second layer would be a smaller lace tablecloth or a square piece of fabric that covers only the top of the table. You can really have a little fun here when picking the colors and patterns.
As for the tops of the table, you can put pictures or paraphernalia. Getting a gold metal picture frame will blend anywhere. If you have a wood frame you can always paint over it to match your décor.
These little tips can help you create a Victorian style on a low budget. So you can create the home of your dreams.
Popularity: 1% [?]
by BlondieWrites on July 19, 2009
Summer is in full swing and flowers are in full bloom. If you remember back to when you were a child, you probably can remember using flowers for more than bouquets for Mom. Here are five flower craft ideas you may remember and can use with your own children.
1) Dandelion chains are something that children all over the country have made through the years. They’re almost the epitome of summer fun, especially for small children. And, because they don’t need many components, they’re easy enough for small children to master. Here’s how to make them:
Pick dandelions - the longer the stem, the better. Tie one dandelion onto another, close to the flower, with a double knot. Continue until the chain has reached the desired link, then tie the two ends together.
You can also split the stem part of the way down and then insert the stem of another dandelion until the flower reaches the stem. Continue by splitting the stem of that dandelion and then repeating until the chain reaches the desired length.
Make rings, bracelets, and necklaces for your children to enjoy.
2) Pick summer’s fragrant flowers and flowering herbs. Pull the petals from the flowers and allow them to dry. While the petals are drying, make a small bag out of a light, airy fabric. Include a draw string to create a potpourri bag that can be closed. Fill the bag and then pull the bag’s strings to keep the potpourri inside the bag.
3) You can also decorate fabric by hammering summer’s flowers to make a natural design. Cover a wooden chopping board with two to three layers of paper towel and then place a piece of fabric on top. Place the flowers or herbs you’ve chosen in a design you’d like; place another piece of paper towel on top of the design. Thoroughly, but gently, hammer the entire area where the plant matter is located. Remove the paper towel and plants. Use an iron, set to the fabric being used, for approximately 45 to 60 seconds to set the design on the fabric.
4) Pressing flowers is an age-old craft that your grandmother may have enjoyed. Gather a bouquet of flowers you’d like to press along with cardboard about the size of a book, newspaper, tissue paper, and heavy objects (large phone books and bricks work well). Layer the cardboard with newspaper and tissue paper. Place the flowers onto the tissue paper but don’t allow them to touch or hang off of the paper. After you have the flowers situated, place tissue paper, newspaper, and then cardboard on top followed by heavy books. Leave the stack for 2-4 weeks and then remove the layers to see how well your flowers have pressed.
5) Drying flowers is another craft from days gone by. The easiest way to dry flowers is to pick a bouquet, tie it together, and then hang it upside down in a warm, dry, dark place. The air must be dry so the flowers won’t rot, and dark so the flowers don’t fade. You’ll want to check the flowers every couple of days to see if they are dry to the touch. This process could take several weeks. When they are dry, you can store the flowers in a dark, sealed container until you’re ready to use them.
You know that summer’s flowers are temporary. To enjoy their beauty after summer is over, use one of these five flower craft ideas. Enlist your children’s help to make these crafts and they’ll be able to share them with their own children.
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by BlondieWrites on October 8, 2008
Just because there aren’t thousands of dollars available for decorating doesn’t mean that a bath can’t be unique, dramatic and thoroughly satisfying. Here are a half dozen frugal ways to spice up any bathroom.
1. Collections of inexpensive mirrors add both light and space to any bathroom. They reflect colors, faces and other decorations and add character and interest. Mirrors are much more effective when grouped together rather than being a scattered mass simply hanging on a wall.
2. Pictures or prints can be massed on a wall. For maximum impact hang them closely together rather than separated. Pictures can be striking if they have a ‘theme’, such as:
The frames or photos have a uniqueness in common - oval shapes, women only, pets
This decorating tactic works best in a powder room, rather than a full bathroom, because of the high moisture.
3. Needlework makes a striking wall accent. For instance, sampler patterns from Colonial America are easily available and a few samplers grouped on a wall create a totally unique bathroom.
4. For color and charm, throw a rug on the floor. In a dull or drab bathroom, a rag rug or oriental carpet will add charm and beauty. Just be certain to use a non-skid pad underneath, especially if anyone will be stepping out of a tub or shower.
5. Collections can spark interest and admiration. Pottery is an unusual accent piece for any bathroom. Or you might consider old bottles, perfume atomizers, shaving mugs or other flea market collectibles.
6. Color is the quickest, cheapest and easiest ways to change any bathroom. Unusual colors on a bathroom wall, like melon, chocolate brown or peach, will add drama. Accents like brightly colored towels in a monochromatic bathroom will provide an outstanding accent. Add living color with plants or freshly cut flowers.
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