CHEAP BEDROOM MAKEOVER

Remember the movie, Purple Rain? Well, I love Prince and the movie so much,
 I painted my room purple. 

I enjoyed it while it lasted, but the room appeared smaller that it actually was. The easiest and cheapest solution to begin a makeover is with paint. I purchased a gallon of primer and a gallon of Colorplace semi-gloss antique white paint from Walmart, both for under $30 and got to work.

Let me tell you, it took a couple of coats. That stubborn purple was just peeking through everywhere.

I got these mirrors from Ikea, a while ago, and painting around them was a task in itself!

And oh yeah, I chose the hottest day to paint. I was sweating like a banshee. What was I thinking?

Well, after a week of priming/painting, here is the finished product. My daughter's friend, Hope, gifted me a robin's egg blue candle and from there the color theme began. I purchased the white owl from T.J. Maxx for $9.99. The beautifully crafted wooden apple was an incredible find from Unique for only $2.49. I purchased the white sheets from Walmart for about $18.00 and the white down comforter was a steal from Target for $24.99. These beautiful pink Gerber daisies purchased from Gray's Florist added the right pop of color.

Purchased the Life is Beautiful pillow from T.J. Maxx for $12.99. Using the colors from that pillow, I went to Hobby Lobby and purchased fabrics to make these chevron and paisley throw pillows for less than $8.00 a half yard.

tutorial coming soon

         I picked up this white linen/metal basket from Unique for $2.49 and used it as a plant holder. 

Cateracterum Palm from Home Depot

  I already had purchased this area rug from Target and it added a bold graphic print to the all white room.

 This heirloom cherry blanket rack retails for $45, but I lucked up and got this one from Unique for $5.99. 

*updated w/fresh yellow flowers*

Added all up, this makeover was under $120.

But looks like a million bucks!

(at least to me it does!)

DO YOU TUTU? I DO!

If you wore a tutu, as a little girl, it was probably because you were either in ballet or played princess. Why would you want to wear one as an adult? Because you watched Sex and the City and saw Carrie Bradshaw wearing a tutu in the streets of Paris and New York.

And we can't forget the incomparable Marilyn Monroe in this ballerina photo. Classic!

Well, let's make one. All you need is 2-3 spools of Tulle available at Walmart, ribbon or elastic.

Carrie wore green and white, but mine will be black.

Take your measurements and add about 12 inches when cutting the ribbon, so you can tie a bow.
(so if your waist is 30 inches, cut the ribbon at 42 inches, you'll have six inches on each side.)

If you use elastic, subtract 3-4 inches from your measurement.
(so if your waist is 30 inches, cut the elastic at about 26 inches because it will stretch)

Next place the tulle at your waistline and see how long you want it. I cut my tulle 36 inches long so when I fold it in half, it will be 18 inches long, right above my knee.

I was able to cut 24 strips from one spool of tulle. I ended up using 2 1/2 spools, so that's about 60 strips of tulle.

I tied the ribbon around my home office chair (find something wide and sturdy) and folded the tulle in half and slipped it under the ribbon.

Created a loop with one hand, while holding the ends.

Grabbed the ends with the same hand and pulled through the loop.

Pulled the ends to tighten the knot.

Repeated this process all around.

Here's the finished product.

I ended up taking all the strips off the ribbon and remade it using 3/8 inch elastic.

Elastic was better, because I didn't have to worry about keeping the knot tight.

LEATHER IS TRENDING PART 3

Leather will always be trending. I've made two faux leather shirts for my son, here and here, this time, I'm gonna make one using real leather.

I went to Walmart and bought a boys size 2XL Hanes sweatshirt. Since this is for my son and he prefers a slimmer fit, a mens sweatshirt would have been too bulky. And once again, I'm gonna use my old leather coat.

All I need is the back panel of the coat, so I cut off the surrounding material.

I cut the bottom off, because it was too long.  Used a ruler to center the leather panel. And traced the panel on the front of the sweatshirt and then cut it out.

Next, I turned the sweatshirt inside out and pinned it on the sweatshirt. 

After constantly sticking myself with the pins and about an hour of sewing, here is the finished product.

Here's my son rockin' it.

I love how he's not afraid to wear my creations!

CRAFT-MATIC

I was in Target the other day and spotted felt buckets with winter themes like snowmen, snowflakes and reindeer similar to these. They were so cute that I was gonna buy one for each of my co-workers. I said to myself, "I think I can make that".

While in Walmart, I picked up some craft felt for $2.88, magnetic strips for $.97 and wiggly eyes for $.97. Popped in A.C. Moore for super tacky glue.

didn't use the glue sticks

I used a shoe box top to make the stencil for the snowmen.  I didn't want to freestyle, so I used crushed red pepper seasoning for the head, bottle of Voss water for the middle and a spool of netting for the bottom.

I carefully cut it out and used one piece of white felt and traced 4 snowmen.

Next, I just played around and made different hats, a bow tie, cut out some buttons, and used the gold felt for the noses and a pipe.

I suggest doing a dry run and decorate the snowmen before gluing.

Lastly, I peeled the backing off of the self sticking magnetic strips and placed on the back of the snowmen.

VOILA!!