Creative Juices Decor

Ahhhhhh Pottery Barn.  The gorgeous pictures, the GIANT price tags.  If only we could re-create for less everything we see in that magazine.  Well today’s post will give that a try  – Pottery Barn for under $10.00.  Yep, that’s right, this next project cost me around 6 bucks.  When I was at the thrift store I spotted this lonely round board.  It was almost 2 feet around, insanely heavy and covered in laminate but I thought hummmm……this has some CLOCK potential!  So I bought it for a whopping $1.50. Here is the lovely BEFORE picture: And here is the AFTER: Now how I got there.  :-) First I distressed the plastic and wood by sawing the edges, hammering the center, and quickly sanding the entire circle.  I didn’t spend a lot of time doing this because I had another idea to help with the distressing which you’ll see in the next few steps. Next step was to figure out the best way for me to put on the Roman Numer...

Today I’m just going to give a few tips on how to change your place from drab to fab.    I promise if you follow these simple ideas you can really make a difference in how your home feels. 1.) ADD GREENERY!  I understand that some folks can’t keep a plant alive for the life of them but there are some really nice faux plants out there too.   Sometimes they cost a lot – but they add so much to a room – definitely worth it.  I just bought a beautiful palm tree for 35.00 at the thrift store (I was very lucky)  High end furniture stores I worked for sold these same trees for $250.00, but I’ve run across less expensive trees at home discount stores too.   Photo from my house 2.) Create LAYERS and TEXTURE!  An example would be a nice textured blanket (or fluffy sheep skin !) thrown across the edge of the sofa or chair.  Prop layers of mirrors or frames against a wall, overlapping them slightly.  Stacking books with a co...

This was a family favorite growing up.  My mom made these all the time (Thanks mom!) They have always been know as “Pink Cookies” to us and it seems the perfect cookie to serve up on Valentines Day! Warning: These flirty little cookies contain lots of sugar. If you are a regular blog reader, you know I try to stay away from processed white sugar but sometimes I say, It’s OK    They are extremely easy (a must on my blog) and happen to be gluten free. INGREDIENTS: 3 egg whites 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar 1/4 tsp. salt 1 cup sugar 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract 1/2 cup chocolate chips Few drops of red food coloring. DIRECTIONS: Place egg whites in a large mixing bowl.  Let stand at room temperature for 30 min.  Beat till foamy.  Add cream of tartar and salt: beat till stiff peaks form.  Gradually add sugar, one tbsp at a time, beating on high till stiff peaks form again. (about 5 min)  Add food coloring.  Gently f...

I'm over at Tater Tots and Jello today!  For those that haven't checked out Jen's blog it is FANTASTIC!  Here is a sneak peak of what I did!  I posted the shortened version on her blog and  I'll have the LONG extended unrated version (for those that are interested!) posted on my site in a week. 

Letter Décor is very popular.  It’s so fun to personalize a space or label an area.  I have had so much fun collecting the different ways you can make these fantastic letters starting with my own set that my friend Abby made for my daughter out of SCRAPBOOK paper and mod podge.  To get the edges distressed she used a brown scrapbook inker to rub along the edges.  I LOVE them!  Mandy from Mandipity kindly gives us a tutorial on how to make these in fabric! MATERIALS NEEDED: Wooden letters [we bought them at Michaels for $3.50] Fabric [I used turquoise and white damask that I found at JoAnn Fabrics] Mod Podge Scissors Paint Brush First, trace the shape of the letter onto the back of the material that you are going to cover it with: Cut the shape out of the fabric: Apply Mod Podge to the letter, and apply the fabric cut-out: [it was my first time using Mod Podge, and now I'm a huge fan!] Apply Mod Podge to the top of the letter: Let it...

My mom was the best at making up party games – not sure how she did it because we didn’t have the internet back then! Seriously,  how do you do ANYTHING without the internet?     Maybe you just had to be an EXTRA super mom and make a trip out to the library or something.  Man, I am glad I have the internet so I can be in my PJ’s with a cup of tea looking for party games.  But thanks mom for always having fun games at my birthday even before the internet came to be.  :-) Most of these games I found off a Fun and Games site. First game: The CHOCOLATE game: Ahhh…..Love.  How could you not like a game called the chocolate game?  Adults would like this one too. What you’ll need: One dice. Some items of clothing which can be quickly put on like a hat, gloves or oven gloves, scarf, etc. Bar of chocolate on a plate (leave the wrapper on), knife and fork. [HINT: If you don't want to see your bar of chocolate finishe...

One of the very first blogs I subscribed to was Rhoda from Southern Hospitality .  You can tell she just likes to have fun and enjoys life.  She comes up with the best design ideas and is a big time thrifty shopper!  (my kind of gal) Here is her wall with a bunch of collected thrifty items! This picture below from Pottery Barn is lots of fun with the black and white on top of a light robins egg blue wall.  Also the three dimensional bird nest adds just a spark of texture to the wall.  Love it! For those looking at the pictures saying,  I could never figure out how to put all my stuff together and make it look “right” Sarah from Thrifty Décor Chick (also one of my first blog subscriptions!) did a great post on How to Decorate Your mantle .  It will really help with understanding how to accomplish that “designer” look when you add framed prints to your wall or mantle. Personally I ADORE doing a plate collage on my walls.  It is visual...