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Inexpensive Wrapping Paper

August 7, 2015 By Erica Deuel Leave a Comment

inexpensive_wrapping_paperIt’s that time of year. We are thinking about school and getting back into routines. The long nights of summer are quickly coming to an end.

You may be thinking about teacher gifts, back to school presents, or maybe you are one of those super organized/plan-ahead type of people and Christmas gifts are already be on your radar. (I spotted one store setting up a Christmas decor aisle the other day and I almost lost my mind.)  Whatever the case may be, regardless of the time of year, gift giving is a constant. I want to share one trick of mine with you.

You can remove spending loads of money on wrapping paper from your concerns. Although the color, patterns, and occasion wrapping paper is fun, it can add up. I have found that the simplicity can be just as beautiful and way more economical. Minimalism is in, this is one way to take advantage of that trend!

DIY_wrapping_paperIn most large home improvement stores (like Home Depot and Lowes), they sell painters paper. This paper is intended for laying on the ground while you paint to protect your carpet or other flooring. The large rolls are really thick paper. That roll can be hard to work with. There is usually a shorter roll next to the big rolls that is around $2.00. This is the stuff! The paper is not as thick, so it wraps well and stays in place with any tape.

wrapping_small_packagesThe bonus is how the shorter roll is so much easier to work with than regular sized wrapping paper! I love it. So often when you use regular wrapping paper on a smaller gift, you don’t need half of what you cut off. I know for me, I then wrap it back around the tube or just throw it away. This shorter roll is the perfect size for those smaller gifts. There is also no need to worry if you have the right wrapping paper for special occasions, because this paper can be used for anything.

repurpose_painters_paper

personalized_wrapping_paper

brown_paper_packageI buy twine or rope at the Dollar Tree (in the utility section) to wrap around my gifts. It keeps the cost low and that stuff can be used for other projects as well. One of my favorite things about this kind of wrapping paper is the way you can dress it up. Let your kids color on the paper, save money on a card and just write on the paper, leave messages, or stick in your business card or another little goody (like a print). You can embellish as much and as far as your imagination can stretch!

personalized_giftwrap

easy_wrappingIf you have ordered something from my shop, then this wrapping job is not new to you. You’ve seen it, but now you can do it! How about it!? Will you run to get a short roll of painters paper for your wrapping paper needs?

What item have you re-purposed lately?

I hope you had a good week!

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Repurpose Kids Chairs into Wood Shelves

April 11, 2015 By Erica Deuel 2 Comments

kids_wood_chair_makeoverI have a problem.

I can’t let go of sentimental things. Items that have a story. It may be like hoarding to hold onto them, but I like to think of it as a repurpose-ing gift. Can you relate?

My boys received these little wood chairs from their uncle, after he did a trip to Africa. I love that he found them for my boys and brought them clear across the sea on a plane just for them. So thoughtful.

wood_carving

wood_carved_chairsMy boys don’t really fit in them now, but I could not stand to take them to Goodwill. As I sat staring at them, I was inspired to try to make shelves!

They are made from strong wood and the carvings on them are simply gorgeous. What a perfect solution, if I could only pull it off. In hopes to not ruin the chairs completely, I roped in my handy husband. I stood by for mental laughs, smiles, and to document the experience.

He started by cutting the seat with my Ryobi miter saw, so just about two inches still stuck out on the back side.

cutting_wood_chairHe used some small scrap pieces of wood to help stabilize the seat from not moving. He used wood glue and screws to keep it all intact.

making_a_wood_shelfThis next part was just genius. He used a 1/2″ drill bit to carve out three little slots in the top of a little piece of wood that he screwed to the wall. He then screwed three little screws into the back of another piece of wood that he attached to my new shelf. These three screws sunk into the drilled out holes on the wall. This technique created a sturdy, strong attachment of my shelves to the wall. It does not shake at all. Perfect!

It was a quick project, and I love how it came together. Every once in a while one of my crazy ideas works out.

back_of_wood_shelf

DIY_wood_shelfold_cameranarrow_DIY_wood_shelfI love the new shelves. They were the perfect addition to that little narrow wall in between the corner and the window.

This is going to be our foster care bedroom. I can’t wait to show you more of it soon!wood_shelfDo you have any little chairs that would make cute shelves? Or better yet, do you have any sentimental things that you too are trying to repurpose or save before they hit the donate pile!?

Just use your imagination! I’m sure there is a way to repurpose that item!

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Hey Babe, Where Did Our Towel Hooks Go?

October 15, 2013 By Erica Deuel 10 Comments

repurpose_towel_hooksA few weeks ago I went to Ikea with my best girl and our sweet friends. It was a rare weekday trip without the whole crew. My mom kept the boys for us, so it was a girls’ date. It was so fun.

We browsed and brainstormed lots of ideas. You walk in that place and inspiration is everywhere. I got a few things to help decorate our foster care room, and as soon as we got home I was ready to put them to use.

But there was a problem.

brainstorming_room_design I got home and laid my new items in my inspiration pile on the floor, and I started to put the curtains on the rod. I soon realized I only had bought one hook to hold my curtain rod. FAIL!

Needless to say, I was disappointed. I did not want to figure out a time to go all the way back downtown to Ikea for a simple curtain rod hook.

As I pondered my Ikea fail moment, I remembered I had two towel hooks that I wanted to hang on the wall. It came to me like a lightening bolt: “could the towel hooks hold my curtain rod?”

After a little convincing that it would be awesome, I got Matt to help me hang them up. It totally worked! We now have unique curtain rod hooks. I love the repurposed and creative use for the hooks. I think it adds a nice charm to the room.

unique_curtain_rod_hooks

What do you think? Would you use towel hooks to hold a curtain rod?

I’m sure you have a story like this. Sometimes a failed moment can lead to an idea that was even better than the original. It just takes a spoonful of imagination! Just between you and me, I’m going to claim my “mistake” was done on purpose, after this post 😉

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Unique and Inexpensive Room Accessories

October 7, 2013 By Erica Deuel 1 Comment

Decorating could break your bank account, if you let it. It doesn’t need to though. There are simple ways that you can be creative and think outside the box to make and come up with decor that keeps your costs down and your spouse smiling at you proudly.

I want to share just a few things that I have done in our foster care bedroom that have been inexpensive, yet they are cute and all come together to create a statement room.

inspirational_wall_art

1. Frame scrapbook paper to create wall art. I cut a hippo silhouette out and glued it to another piece of scrapbook paper and stuck the two in a thrift store frame to create a fun, subtle wall art piece. This cost about $2.00 to create.

2. Buy solid or plain pillows and embellish them to create a more expensive/nicer look. I took a $3.00 Ikea white Ikea pillowcase and embellished it with a little paint. You can get the full tutorial here. This cost about $5.oo, since my pillow insert was a $2.00 thrift store find.

3. Repurpose items to create a unique look for less. I bought a ceramic owl salt shaker in the $1 section at Target and am using it as a cute statue on my shelf. I also bought a metal owl napkin holder to hold special books.

4. Recycle cool things for a new use. I turned over a barrel used to sell candy in a candy store and created a unique end table.

5. Think past the obvious. I bought a cute little metal pail in the paint aisle at Home Depot and am using it hold little stuffed animals.

6. Don’t be scared. Try something new. See if you like it. If you don’t, you can always change it. I don’t usually like my handwriting, but I tried my hand at writing a simple message “let them be little”. It worked!

Kid _bedroom_Accessorries

This room is coming together! I have a few more DIY to show you, before the full reveal is ready. If you missed the artwork that inspired it all you can read “There is A Whole World Inside Me” here. I am so excited to put this room to use. I hope you had a great weekend and were able to be creative and use that IMAGINATION!

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