Frugal Decor Idea of the Week: Ruler Table Runner... CUTE for back to school!

Hardware Store Decor
Turn hardware store supplies into cool craft projects for your home.
From: Ruler Drop Cloth Table Runner - Hardware Store Home Decorating - Country Living

http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/projects/hardware-decor-0211#slide-2

Frugal Decor Idea of the Week: 7/15/13

This week's idea comes from While He was Napping.... She wanted to make her a lantern that didn't cost a fortune... Here is the How to...







Here’s the How: 
1)  I took four 5x7” picture frames (from the Dollar Tree) that I already had, removed the glass and spray painted the frames black.  Give ‘em a good two or three coats.  You can also do a clear sealant over them, but I didn’t and have had no problems with scratches.  My paint was a matte finish, it’s what I prefer.  A glossy finish may give it a little “newer” look, if that’s the look you like.  Make sure you paint both sides of the frames.  Clean the glass while it’s out of the frames.

2)  After your frames are thoroughly dry, put the glass back in and wipe off any fingerprints.  Then, glue them together along the edges to form a cube, except the top and bottom are open.  I use LocTite glue.  E6000 and Gorilla Glue are other glues you could consider.  I did a thin strip of glue all the way down the edge of the frame.  Brace them while they dry.  Let them dry really well (like over-night, at least).

3)  I liked the lantern just like that.  But, I also liked the lantern from Crate & Barrel.  Yeah, the one with the $80 price tag.  So, I decided to take some vinyl and decorate the glass.  Vinyl is typically pretty easy to remove, so if I didn’t like it, I could take it back off.  I like it…
 

4)  I wanted to leave the top open so I could use a real candle in it without the worry of scorching anything.  I also decided to leave the bottom open for now.  If you want to close the bottom off you could use something as simple as a piece of cardboard painted black and glued to the base.  Or you could get a piece of plywood and cut it to the dimensions of your lantern, paint it to match and glue it to the base.  You could also consider putting a wire handle on it too.     


Do you have an idea and want to be featured on my blog? Send me a email to sillymom2three@gmail.com

Frugal Chick Decor Idea of the Week: 7/8/13

Here is a cute idea for all those flea market finds...

from 

Mid West Living

What a little spray paint can do! Choose a single standout hue to turn a jumbled collection of garage sale finds into a unified display for a wall, mantel or shelf.

Start with a group of related (but not necessarily matching) items. You could use a pile of old brass candlesticks, a menagerie of kitschy animal figures or a stack of tarnished trays. Our pick: a variety of dinged-up kitchen gear from antiques and thrift stores. Remove dirt and dust with a damp cloth. Spray on primer, then apply the final color with a light back and forth motion for even coverage. You may need a couple coats for rich, uniform color. (We used Krylon indoor/outdoor Cherry Red paint in gloss, krylon.com).

Do you have an idea and want to be featured on my blog? Send me a email to sillymom2three@gmail.com