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5 Simple Up-cycling Ideas to Beautify Your Home

By on August 10, 2011 in frugal & simple

Guest post by Victoria Coombs from He Holds Everything.

If you’re anything like me there are many things in your home that are not being used but you are having a hard time just getting rid of it! Well, little did you know this is the perfect  place to be! All you need is a little time – trust me, all I have is spurts of time with six kids running around. Here I will list 5 ways to up-cycle, or repurpose, things that are common to most homes.

Dry erase board from a picture frame

Supplies:

An old frame
Scrap paper or fabric
Dry erase marker to use with it

This one is super simple. Take the picture out of the frame, label desired scrap paper with list name –i.e. groceries- and put into the frame (or fabric pulled tight around the frames’ cardboard insert). Keep a dry erase marker nearby to add to your list. Dry erase marker can be erased using a paper towel or rag… honestly, I just use my finger.

Magazine Rack from a closet door

Supplies:

Plantation style bi-fold closet door (one section)
Paint
Magazines to hang on it

I got this idea from my amazingly creative sister-in-law. All you do is take one section of a plantation style bifold closet door, paint it whatever color you wish, and presto! You have a magazine rack to either lean against a wall or you can secure it to the wall to alleviate floor space. Either way, it’s a much welcome change from the days of having magazines piled high in a basket. Just slide half of the magazine through the slats and let it hang at the binding. This way, each cover is partially displayed for easy selecting.

Yo-yo hair clips from old clothes

Supplies:

Old clothes (I used my daughters’ baby clothes that I adored the pattern of)
Buttons (from old clothes)
Scissors
Two sizes of circle templates – jar lid, CD, small plate, etc.
Sharpie marker
Needle
Thread
Contour hair clips – any clip will do, these are usually just lying around
Hot glue gun or fabric glue

There are definitely more details to these hair clips than to the other ideas, but once you make one you will see how easy it is and find yourself addicted to making them. Trace two circle templates (differing in size an inch or so) with your marker. Once you have cut out your circles, place them good side down. Start from the top of the fabric (bad side), insert your needle through to the underside, then back up to the topside. Do this all the way around the circle. When you get back to where you started pull your thread tight to synch the fabric. Then secure your thread by tying a knot and cutting. Repeat with next piece of fabric and layer them with synched side up. Place button over opening and sew button on through both fabric “flowers”. Secure contour hair clips to the flat side with glue at all corners and let dry.

Candles made from old candle remnants

Supplies:

Cute container – tea cup, jar, or any other cool hollow vessel
Old candle pieces
Tapered candles
Microwave safe container
Knife, or something equally sharp
Stir stick
Skewer

These are great for making your money stretch or as gifts. And you can personalize them to the receiver’s taste or décor! First cut the top part of the tapered candle a half inch smaller than the height of the container (the wick should still be taller than the container). Cut up the left over candles into chunks about an inch cubed. Place cubed wax pieces around the top of the tapered candle to hold it in place. Pack as tightly as possible. Put the remaining pieces of candle into a microwave safe container and place in microwave for thirty second intervals until completely melted. Tie wick of tapered candle around skewer, so that the skewer is resting across the top of your container (this holds the wick in place when the tapered candle begins to melt). Pour melted wax into the container until it reaches right about the top of the tapered candle. Let cool, and enjoy your new creation!

Wall hooks made from skateboard trucks and wheels

Supplies:

Trucks and wheels from a skate board
Screws
Screwdriver

This last one is a super simple idea for a boy’s room. Screw the trucks into the wall in whatever pattern you desire or just one by itself, and use it to hang jackets, backpacks, etc.

Victoria Coombs is a wife to a wonderful husband. Mommy of six in a blended family. My passion is to learn something new every day about my Savior and the world around me. She blogs at He Holds Everything.

 

 

Comments { 14 }

Frugal Play Kitchen Food

By on July 27, 2011 in frugal & simple

Our play kitchen has been one of my daughter’s favorite toys. She loves preparing goodies like her mommy and sharing them with all our guests. And now her younger brother follows suit. It inspires such creativity and delight in them and is a fun toy for all her little friends as well.

It can be quite an investment to buy various wooden or felt pretend food items for her kitchen, so we decided to go the frugal route and re-use all of our own empty canned/plastic containers from our own personal use. It gives my daughter such delight to be using the “real” thing in her kitchen!

I simply took an assortment of empty food items – milk, juice, butter, sour cream, cereal boxes, canned goods, etc.- washed them thoroughly, stuffed them with scrap paper and then sealed them securely with clear packing tape. If they had a lid (as in the peanut butter, yogurt, etc), we sealed the lid on with glue. It is also helpful with these jars to secure the label on with packing tape to make sure it doesn’t peel off. It took a bit of time to build our stash as things were used up in the kitchen, but soon she had a good supply of food items to make everything to her hearts content!

There is no end to the frugal enjoyment of pretend food preparation with recycled containers from our own kitchen!

Comments { 31 }

Simple Homemade Gift for Cherishing Little Hands

By on July 5, 2011 in frugal & simple

Post by Contributing Writer, Michele Augur.
Those little hands grow so quickly!

Capturing children’s hand prints is always a fun way to cherish precious childhood moments, and share them as gifts with others, too.

For Father’s Day, I embroidered my children’s hand prints, and framed them as a gift for Grandpa.

It didn’t involve any special embroidery techniques; just a straight backstitch. No sewing machine was needed; I did most of the hand stitching in the car on a short road trip!

My small project (with just 2 hand prints) only took a couple hours, and was much less messy than a previous paint project.

I cut a small scrap of unbleached muslin fabric to fit the frame, and each child chose what color thread he/she wanted their hand print to be.

Then, using a pencil (scraped from the bottom of my daughter’s book bag), I traced each child’s hand onto the muslin fabric.

[Ideally, you may want to iron the fabric first, but I was in the car. Guess the wrinkles give it more of that child-made look?]

Then, I just embroidered onto the pencil tracings. I also embroidered the year onto it, since the years fly by so quickly! It’s ok if you’re not an “experienced,” proficient sewer. Those lines can be a bit wiggly; just like those children’s hands!

I added the completed project to a $1 frame, and packaged up the gift. Total cost: Less than $2!

Comments { 14 }

Simple Healthy Summer Meals

By on June 7, 2011 in frugal & simple, recipes & kitchen tips

Photo Credit: Kirti Poddar

Note from Lindsay: My heart is full this week as I process all the intense images and knowledge I gained this past week in the Philippines. My body is also taking its precious time to adapt to the time change. Sleep has been avoiding me. I’m just trying to take it easy and pray for the Lord’s grace to just focus on my priorities this week. Going to launch right into our June theme where we will be sharing about cultivating simplicity and intentionality in the kitchen. Join us!

Post by Contributing Writer, Michele

Summer is usually a time of impromptu gatherings with friends, overnight visitors, and busy children’s activities in our family. On those hot summer days, standing in front of the oven is the last place I want to be, but everyone still needs to be fed.

To keep from resorting to ice cream for dinner (most of the time), I love having some frugal, simple-prep meals/ingredients on hand, using a combination of “once-a-month” meal preparations, a slow-cooker, and fresh produce.

Beans & Grains

Cook up a big batch of beans. You can put them in the slow cooker, if you just can’t bear to turn on the stove, and put it in your garage or shady porch to cook during the day.

I usually find black beans or chickpeas/garbanzo beans pretty versatile for summer meals. Store extras in freezer containers or baggies (stack bags flat in the freezer) for future meals. You can do the same with grains, such as millet or brown rice. (Cooked rice is perfect for making a fried rice to go along with a stir-fry!)

Some fun summer bean meals:

Photo Credit: roland

Blender Meals

On a hot day, a nutrient-rich smoothie can be a welcome side to a meal. You can make a Green Smoothie or a Fruit Smoothie, adding in plenty of whole milk yogurt or kefir. A chilled, blended soup can be refreshing on a hot evening, such as:

Eggs

When talking with fellow “real food” blogger friends last fall, most of us mentioned the favorite “busy day meal” trio of Popcorn, Smoothies, and Omelets (toss in some garden veggies!). Stuffed Deviled Eggs, Omelets, or even a “breakfast for dinner” of scrambled eggs & soaked waffles are simple, nourishing meals that won’t heat up the kitchen.

Photo Credit: sporkist

Batch Grilling

Not just for burgers; use the barbecue grill, and cook up a whole chicken, big batch of meats, or veggies while the coals are still hot! Leftover cold grilled chicken or beef is perfect for summer salads (such as Southwest Chicken Salad) or sandwiches. Grilled veggies or sausages are delicious in an omelet or soups, as well as Grilled Veggie Sandwiches.

Photo Credit: coanri

Fresh Produce

You may be gleaning produce items from your garden on an as-needed basis (such as lettuce, tomatoes, or carrots). But if you have a veggie drawer or fruit basket full, prep them into salads or veggie trays for quick snacks or appetizers (perfect for those drop-in guests!).

Use a melon baller to make quick work of a large melon, and toss together a fruit salad. A bowl of a nourishing homemade creamy dip is a great option to have on hand, too, with your veggie trays.

Cold salads can be made into meals, too! Stir in some shrimp or canned salmon, and serve in a wrap or stuffed into a bell pepper for a fun picnic meal.

You don’t have to do all your prep-cooking on one day.

Just make extra when you do cook a meal, and put it in the freezer- alongside the Strawberry Ice Cream! What are your favorite summer meals?

Comments { 14 }

How to Make a Flannel Swaddling Blanket

By on May 23, 2011 in bellies & babies, frugal & simple

Written by contributing writer, Trina Holden.

Swaddling has been the secret to many babies sleeping well, but most blankets are too small once the baby grows past the infant stage. This blanket is made from a 45in. square of cloth – a generous size for swaddling, draping a car seat, or even a play blanket when the baby is older.

You can often find cute coordinating nursery prints on sale so the total cost of a blanket can be as little as $6.  I love to make them for new moms because I think no one should have a baby without one of these great blankets!

What you need:

1 yard, 10 in. of 45 in. wide flannel fabric

1 yard, 10 in. of 45 in. cotton fabric in a complimentary print or pattern

Matching thread

Scissors

Iron and Ironing board

Sewing machine

Pins

Step One: Trim and Pin

Lay both squares of fabric on top of each other, right sides together. Trim edges to a tidy square. Smooth wrinkles and pin all the way around the four sides.

Step Two: Sew

Sew all around the blanket with a straight stitch, using a ¾ in. seam allowance, and leaving a 6 in. opening for turning.

Step Three: Trim Corners

Clip excess fabric from the four corners of the blanket so the corners will be able to turn nicely.

Step Four: Turn and Press

Turn the blanket right-side out, using a blunt pencil or knitting needle to poke corners out neatly. Iron the blanket, pressing the seam allowances inward at the turning hole – you will be top stitching this closed.

Step Five: Finishing

Set your machine to a decorative stitch if you have one, or just use a zig-zag stitch. Choose a thread that will stand out against your fabric to add to the decorative effect. Sew all around the outside of the blanket at a ¼ in. seam allowance. This will close the opening you used to turn it and keep the blanket from rolling and wrinkling along the edges.

Now go wrap up the nearest baby in your lovely new blanket!

Comments { 23 }

Make Your Own Nursing Cover

By on May 17, 2011 in bellies & babies, frugal & simple

A nursing cover is a huge asset to have as a new mom as you begin exploring the world of breastfeeding. I have been making my own for several years now. I love to give them as gifts to new moms because they are so nice to maintain privacy and comfort on the go. Nursing covers can be relatively expensive and easy enough to make in the comfort of your home with some basic supplies and simple sewing skills. I usually spend no more than $8-10 for all the supplies necessary for this project. Here is a little tutorial of my most recent cover for your use. This is a large nursing cover, measuring about 42″ x 30″ in the completed product. Most of the standard nursing covers on the market are far smaller and make it more awkward to keep yourself fully covered. I purposefully made this latest one significantly larger to test. The recipient shared that it was a huge improvement! You can certainly adapt the pattern to your own needs by adding extra or decreasing in size as desired.

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Comments { 35 }

Simple Moving Tips

By on March 4, 2011 in frugal & simple, making a home

Box #108 headed for the basement

Since our recent move, I have received numerous requests for any simple moving tips I might have to share. Yes! I certainly learned a lot through the process and learned the best tip (#3) from a dear friend who had moved some 30 times! I knew she properly had it down and were worth taking note. So we delay the start of our March theme to talk some practicals.

1. Weed out as much as you can before moving.

My goal was that we would not take anything with us that we did not absolutely want! We sold a bunch of things on craigslist, gave stuff away, or consigned items. This made it so much easier to start fresh.

2. Pack your stuff for their destination room.

Start by picturing your new home and where you would like to relocate your goods. Sketch our a map if desired. Determine as you pack where they will be put in your new home. Chose a color for each new room in your home and then tape a construction piece of paper in that color on the box. When you move the boxes, then you can know easily where each box is going and then it is easy to unpack!

We selected RED as the kitchen color, GREEN as the basement, BROWN as garage, ORANGE as the kids room, etc. If you have a lot of furniture, you could also tape the colored paper on to them as well to indicate destination room. The friends and family that helped move us made several comments that this really speedied up the process of unloading our truck. They quickly were able to recognize and determine the destination of the colors.

3. Make a master spreadsheet of the contents in each box.

Rather than just randomly labeling each box with the contents, we chose to use the number system with a master itemized spreadsheet. I would number each box starting at 100 and make a quick list of the contents of each box on my spreadsheet. Each box would simply get the number written on several sides.

So for example, box 118 contains silverware, pots, pans, and glass vases and had a red piece of paper on the top (indicating its destination was the kitchen). Box 121 contained humidifer, potty chair, travel bags, etc. It worked beautifully!

This was extremely helpful especially in the initial packing stage. If I packed something that I needed it was so easy to find that box and bring out the item and return it to its location after use. Of course the kids got sick in the middle of our packing, so to find the humidifer was easy. I knew it was in box 121, even if there was already 25 boxes packed in our garage. It was also extremely helpful for a speedy unpacking. It seemed a crazy idea initially…but hey, I knew where all my plates were with one quick glass at the spreadsheet!

4. Use red duck tape to label all your essential boxes.

Pick up some red duck tape with which to wrap around all the sides of the boxes of your essentials. This includes anything you will need right away – bathroom stuff, bedding, kitchen essentials, etc. That way you know you need to unpack these first even if you don’t have energy to attack everything else.

5. Keep simple meals for your moving week.

As to meals for your family during a move, I just bought easy freezer meals, canned soup, and burritos for the week. I made sure they were meals that I only need one pot to prepare. I used disposable plates and the like. This made it really easy without mess.

Other means that we found helpful for keeping it frugal: find free moving boxes and paper on craigslist! Then repost them for another’s use when you are done. This left us with just packing tape and duck tape as the only things we had to purchase. Use the help of family and friends to help you move! Feed them a simple lunch, and they will be happy!

Hope that is helpful for any of you all!

Comments { 32 }

Frugal & Natural Christmas Decor

By on November 30, 2010 in frugal & simple, making a home, natural & green

Photo by Michele of frugalgranola.com

This post is written by contributing writer, Michele Augur.

Decorating with found items is both frugal and beautiful! As we bring in items found on walks, our family savors the scents and colors of the season.

I honestly don’t spend a lot of time decorating (and I’m certainly not trained in floral design!), but it is a joy to bless my family and friends with a festive and comfortable atmosphere.

I created the wreath in the photo above, using tree boughs and holly sprigs from the woods around our home. (If you live in the city, ask a neighbor if you can snip some branches from their overgrown holly or juniper bushes!) Carry small pruning shears with you on walks, or just gather fallen items from the ground.

I re-purposed an old wreath frame and floral foam from a dusty old silk flower wreath. (You can often find these at thrift stores or garage sales, or purchase them on sale from craft stores.) I accented with a few of the silk/paper flowers. I also enjoy decorating with dried rosebuds, seed pods, and hydrangeas from summer gardens.

To attach the greenery to the wreath, I used a combination of floral pins (reused from the old wreath) and green floral wire. Some of the branches were also just securely pushed into the floral foam. Mine has a bit of a  “rustic” look, but if you prefer a more classic look, you can trim the branches with pruning shears.

For my thick wreath, floral foam was tied to the wreath frame. (But you could omit the foam, and just tie items directly to the metal wreath frame.) If you don’t have floral wire, you can also attach flowers and holly sprigs with a hot glue gun. I followed Melissa’s advice, and purchased removable hooks to attach a wreath to our glass front door window.

During the past few months, my daughter has enjoyed collecting leaves and other found items to make garlands for our home along with me. For the leaves, she would poke a hole with a toothpick, and then thread them onto string. (This made a simple Thanksgiving decoration.)

You can also add in dehydrated slices of oranges or apples to your garlands. As we approach Christmas, you can create similar garlands out of pine cones or holly, as well.

Photo by Michele of frugalgranola.com

I keep decorating simple by filling bowls, baskets, and cake stands (from thrift stores) with greenery, paper/dried flowers, and fresh fruit. Instead of trying to make formal bouquets, this is a way for little ones to contribute their favorite found items! (We had a bowl of beautiful fall leaves sitting by our front door this past month to greet visitors.)

You can also place some greenery, mossy branches, or holly springs in a vase or pitcher, if desired. (And even use it as a Jesse Tree for Advent!) Just use what you have on hand.

A picture from Lindsay's Christmas table - ornaments in a punch bowl

A bowl of bright red apples is easily replenished with seasonal grocery purchases, and decorated with a holly branch. Some red vintage glass ornaments fill a cake stand, and are accented by simple white candles. Look around your home for glass or wooden bowls or baskets that you could use for the season!

How do you decorate naturally for Christmas?

Comments { 8 }

Striving for a Peaceful, Organized Christmas

By on November 29, 2010 in building the family, frugal & simple

Photo Credit

Guest post by Kristi McKenney from Courageous Homekeeping.

As hard as it is to believe, Christmas is just around  the corner.  Are you ready?

Christmas is my very favorite time of year.  I love the decorating, the snow…or at least the hope of snow, the lights, the family traditions, the presents, the cookies and the baking.  Not to mention, the celebration of the birth of our Savior!  I love everything about Christmas.

Except the stress.

Sometimes it is easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed out around Christmastime.  There are so many demands.  For our time, our commitments and our money.

What are the areas where we feel stress this time of year, and how can we minimize that awful stress?

Money

Ooh, that’s a big one isn’t it?  There is always more money that could be spent around Christmas.  Bigger presents, better decorations, more food, more clothing…the list could go on.  Money stress can be a huge deterrent to full enjoyment of the holiday season.  How do you combat it?

Simple.  Make a budget.  And stick to it.  Make a list of people that you will be buying gifts for.  Decide together with your spouse how much you’re comfortable spending on each gift. Make sure to consider  parties, hostess gifts, food preparation, gift wrapping, and all the extra expenses you will be incurring this month.  Agree on limits and stick to them. Start small when your children are young so they don’t grow up with large expectations.

Note from Lindsay: Our Christmas budget is $500 ($250 for personal family gifts, $150 for extended family gifts, $100 for tree, hospitality, and outside holiday entertainment), and this is one we start saving in January. Makes the holidays less stressful for your future reference.

Activities and Commitments

One of the most enjoyable things about the Christmas season is all the activities!  So many volunteer opportunities, parties, family gatherings, etc.  But sometimes there is SO much activity and SO much to do that it feels more like obligation than a joyful opportunity.  How do you make it through without feeling like you’ve been hit by a Mack truck by December 26th?

Sit down with your spouse and make a list of values that are important to you to during the Christmas season. Use the holiday evaluation questions to help guide you in this process. Do you want to make a point to volunteer?  Do you want to have ample time with the family?  How are you going to keep Christ as the focus?  Schedule the things you value on your calendar first as your priorities.  With all the other activities and commitments, decide if they support your values or take away from them.  If they take away from the values you want to keep during the season, don’t be afraid to say no. Limit your Christmas activities to 2-3 for the month and schedule them in now. Any more than this can certainly be overwhelming. Keep it simple and these activities will be so much more enjoyable as a result.

Preparation

After figuring out your money situation, your activities and commitments, it’s time to make some preparation lists.  Think about that company Christmas party.  Are you going to need a new dress?  New shoes?  Are your kids going to need clothing?  Are you going to need to bring a gift?  Are you going to need to bring food?  Thinking about all those things ahead of time will enable you to get things done on your own time.  It will save stress and probably money when you don’t have to run to the store, last minute, to buy one ingredient for a dish you have to make for the next day.

Discontentment

Discontentment is not directly related to the Christmas season, but boy can Christmas bring it out!  We are constantly comparing ourselves to others!

Whenever you have that nasty feeling of discontentment come up, ask yourself if there’s anything about the situation that you can change.  If it’s easily something that is within your control to change than do so!

However, if and when you find yourself in a situation where you’re feeling discontent and there is nothing in the situation you can change, remember this very important thing.  There are two very powerful thing you ALWAYS have control over… your attitude and your focus.

When I am feeling discontent about something, usually it is because I have decided that I don’t measure up in some way.  When I am feeling like that, who or what am I focused on?  Me.  I’m not thin enough, I’m not as pretty, my cooking isn’t as good, my house isn’t as decorated.  Do you see a theme?  Me.  I make it all about me.

And it’s not.

It’s about Jesus.  It’s about memories.  It’s about family.  It’s about love.

So…how are you celebrating Christmas this year?

So, how can you grow in cultivating peace in your home?

Kristi McKenney is a busy and happy wife of 12 years and mother to 5 kids, ages 10, 7 and 4 year old triplets!  She has found contentment in her God-given role, and most of her days are spent under piles of laundry, cleaning, chasing kids, baking cookies and cooking dinner.  You can find Kristi writing full time about God, marriage and family over at www.courageoushomekeeping.com.

Comments { 9 }

Natural Homemade Mascara

By on November 1, 2010 in frugal & simple, natural & green

Photo by Michele of Frugal Granola

Post written by contributing writer, Michele Augur.

After using activated charcoal as a natural pimple remedy (moisten your face, and dab a little as a “mask” onto the spot; leave on for 15-20 min, then wash off), I realized that it could also work as a natural, inexpensive mascara option!

I have purchased the Aloe Vera Gel from Mountain Rose Herbs, and use the activated charcoal from NaturoKits. I have also found activated charcoal at natural herb stores in bulk.
.

Natural Homemade Mascara

  • 1/8 tsp. Activated Charcoal (about 1/2 capsule)
  • 1/8 tsp. Aloe Vera Gel

Mix together aloe and charcoal. (I use a small baby spoon, since I’m not using them for baby food!) Then, dip in a clean mascara brush wand, pressing it against the inside of the bowl to coat it evenly onto the wand, smoothing out any clumps. Apply to eyelashes as usual. Wait a few seconds before blinking, to let the mascara dry, so that it doesn’t get on your cheeks.

I was able to remove the majority of mascara with a warm washcloth, just like typical mascara. (I haven’t usually purchased “waterproof” mascara, anyway.) The mascara has stayed on well, even when I got teary-eyed during a worship service, but I haven’t tried wearing outside in a downpour yet!

I haven’t tried storing this mixture, as it tends to dry out fairly quickly, and I don’t use makeup everyday. (However, experiment, and see what works for you! It might be feasible to store a little bit in a small airtight jar or makeup “pot.”) I was not able to successfully stuff it into an old mascara container, since this mixture is very thick and does not pour.

Comments { 82 }