Tag: Accessories

Gettin’ Thrifty With It

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When I was in Minnesota visiting my family, my sister and I went to a local thrift store.  I didn’t find much, but I did get a small lidded apothecary style jar for $1.49.  Last week, I went to one of our thrift stores and found a larger version for $2.99 but received 25% off, making it $2.25.  Not too shabby.

I also snagged a solid marble covered jar.  The price was originally $11.99, but was 50% off, making the final price $6.00. 

Here they are after reuniting with a long-lost brother from Minnesota:

One big happy family again.  The jars look great and add some interest, but I didn’t think they were great deals.  I bought 13 books in the same trip.  Again, not great deals, but definitely better than Barnes and Noble.  I am most proud of the deal I received for a new rug.

This is a 6 foot by 9 foot jute rug with rubber backing.  It originally was sold at Pier 1, so I should try to find what it sold for.  I didn’t see a price on the rug, but there was a $49.99 sticker on the floor, near the rug.  I saw there was some damage to an area and decided to ask for a price. 

The thrift store worker checked and came back to me with a good price of $25.00.  I asked if I could get a discount because of the damage.  She asked if I meant it was stained and said they couldn’t discount for that.  I explained the wear and she left to get her manager.  In the mean time, I brought the rug up and un rolled it to show the damaged area.

The manager saw it and agreed that the damage was worth a discount.  So, I got a 50% discount, making the price for my 6 by 9 rug $12.50!  I would say that is a great deal.

Bird-serk

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I have had a mild bird obsession lately.  It’s fair to say I’ve gone bird-serk.  We have a bird print or two, bird candle holders, figurines, banks, and salt and pepper shakers. 

V loves this little guy from Target:

I’m considering painting this one, but for $1.00, it’s not so bad.

I like how this set of salt and pepper shakers from Target perch on our plate rack, watching over our dining room.

So, technically this isn’t a bird, but it is a bird-cage candle holder.

I saw this felted wool pincushion on Etsy.  I hesitated to buy it, but figured, I save money on other things, so why not splurge on something handmade?  He’s cute and he comes in handy while sewing. 

Ev has a little owl bank hanging out with his pig and turtle friends.

I still haven’t satisfied my bird obsession, either.  I have my eye on two Amy Ruppel prints.  Remember the other from this post?  How adorable/clever is this little pillow?

I may have to do a little DIY version…

Let There Be Light

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Ben has a lot of great ideas, especially when it comes to accent lighting.  When we added this trim to our master bedroom, Ben got the idea to add hardwired rope lights inside.  After taking the time to drill through each header, Ben had the wiring ready.  Ben bought 3 to 6 foot long rope light strips from Home Depot.  The lengths of the rope lighting depended on the width of the door or window they would go over.  Ben plugged the lights in and wired in a dimmer switch.  We love how handy the lights are, especially now that we’re waking up in the middle of the night to change diapers.

I had been planning my office for quite some time, but over looked the lighting.  Ben suggested we install halogen puck lights to create task lighting.  We have two sets, one on each side of the upper cabinets.  The lights have two hidden switches located under my marble desktop.

I love how much task lighting I have now.  It makes my work so much easier!

How To: Make a Bird Mobile

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When I was pregnant, I found this tutorial on how to make a paper bird mobile.  I decided to make a little mobile to hang above our son’s crib.

I made some changes along the way, so here is the step-by-step on how to create this mobile:

1.  Print the template on plain cardstock or printer paper.  I prefer to lightly trace the template on my colored cardstock, giving me the option to erase my lines after the pieces are cut.  Cut out one set of the template. 

2.  Lightly trace the pieces on the cardstock colors of choice.  For this mobile, I made three sets of each bird using two different colors of green, chocolate-brown and white cardstock.  Be sure to mark the wing slit and hanging hole.  Cut out your cardstock pieces and erase your lines. 

3.  Place your template over a cut out bird body.  Use a cutting board and push-pin to poke a hole to thread your string through.  Use an exacto knife to make a slit for the wing to go through.  Do not make a box, as shown on the template.

4.  Slide the wing through the body and fold up slightly. 

5.  Add a very thin line of Elmer’s glue to each side of the tail on the main body.  Slide the cut tail onto the body.  Gently squeeze the tail and set it aside to let it dry.  After the tail has dried, thread a string through the hole.  Tie a few knots on one side and cut the extra off, leaving one to two feet on the other side.  The length of the string should vary and will depend on the final hanging height. 

6.  Buy or cut a tree branch to hang the birds from.  I prefer a branch with two or three small branches creating a V or W from one main branch. 

7.  Tie one piece of fishing line on each end of your branch.  If you have a V branch, you will have three pieces.  Make the pieces longer than you’ll need, allowing plenty of excess to tie a knot.  Tie all pieces together at the desired height from the ceiling.

8.  Tie each bird onto the branch, varying the height .  Make sure each bird is secured on the branch.  Once all birds are tied on, you’re ready to hang your completed mobile.  Screw a hook into the ceiling, hang the mobile, stand back and admire!

 

Recent Finds: Big Lots!

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A few weeks ago, a friend and I went to Big Lots! for the first time.  It’s actually pretty similar to the TJ Maxx and Ross stores we have in town.  The prices are great, but the selection can be hit or miss.  That’s okay, though.  We weren’t looking for anything in particular, but I did find these:

I love the mother of pearl candle holder as it is, especially for $4.00.  I thought it would make a great vase, too.  The flower tea light however is begging for a coat or two of spray paint.  Maybe a robin’s egg blue?  Not completely sure about that yet, but for $3.00, I was sold.  It’s actually like this one I found not too long ago from Michael’s. 

I have yet to visit a Home Goods, and I REALLY want to go.  Do you have any favorite shops?