Received Free Wood

I admire those people with talent. You know the ones, your probably one of these people yourself. The creative folks; one of those who knit, crochet, & sew. I have tried pursuing these crafts while growing up. My parents (who both came from large families) influenced me. I've watched and even participated in some of the many crafts. The underlying motto was always 'do it yourself'.
I would not call myself skilled in any of  these mediums. But I love that example having been taught to 'do it yourself'. 
Dad sometimes, but mostly Mom, delved into every craft I can think of. Maybe they are better described as creative outlets or creative phases.

Remember Artex Painting? Candy making? The rave of Macrame Hanging Plant Holders & several other items. Latch Hooked items? ie. like a beautiful rug.

http://www.herrschners.com/220_img/5537370000.jpg

I've watched her as she has sewn many clothing patterns, Made quilts, Decorated cakes from birthday's to wedding cakes, she has both Knit & Crochet'd sweaters, afghans, tablecloths, baby blankets. etc.
My mentor for all craft worthiness is definitely my Mom.

With her 'never say never' attitude that has encouraged me throughout the years, that if I wanted something....anything, whatever it is...that I should make it myself.

Saving Money is easy if you put your hand to it. My husband and I both come from a design college, having degree's with art in our backgrounds makes perfect sense for us to design, & create, 
build & construct whatever we wish to have. Our raising 4 children and his working full time, never seemed to leave any time for the such. Only recently have we been able to conquer some of these ideas.

HANDMADE TWIN SIZE BED

Hubby wanted to make a twin size bed for our youngest daughter. So I was like -- Go Ahead.

HEAD BOARD

HEAVY HEADBOARD

HANDLES FOR CARRYING

This is solid wood people. Weighing in at 300# pounds.Well I never weighed it. But it requires two men to lift it.
Stained with a Cherry wood stain from Mini-wax.
Turned out great in my opinion since it's really only our first attempt at furniture building.


What can you attempt? Certainly constructing a bed is a reward & time consuming. But if you didn't want to make a big furniture item you could start small. 

Here's a couple ideas;

BHG

http://images.meredith.com/content/dam/bhg/Images/2013/2/15/101872554.jpg.rendition.largest.jpg 

Pick out someones initials & decorate according to their favorite colors. They could hang or set on a shelf in their room, & make the  recipient very happy.

BHG

http://www.bhg.com/christmas/gifts/cheap-christmas-gifts/?sssdmh=dm17.705615&esrc=nwcu112613#page=18

Owl's are just all the rave right now. My daughter would love this in her room.

BGH

http://images.meredith.com/content/dam/bhg/Images/2013/8/5/102050276.jpg.rendition.largest.jpg

Very inexpensive yet creative. Try looking for picture frames at yard sales or Dollar Stores. Love the string wrapped around the frame, and even woven around the lamp shade. Make this to have a cheerful family gift.

Until next time
See Ya
Connie

Entryway

Entryway;

I am so glad to have this blog being my new adventure. Do you remember the Sound of Music Movie?

Well, of course you do! Don’t you just love the story and the songs? I love the song Julie Andrews sings as she plays the role of ‘Maria’ when she’s starting her new assignment at the Trapp’s household. She sings ”I have confidence in confidence alone, cause it is plain to see, I have confidence in me” and she continues the song right up to the doorstep, gets interrupted, then looks up to GOD and says “Oh Help”.
I'm on assignment too...or maybe it's a mission. Anyway I have started my new assignment of; tackling our household & organizing our possessions. I am making heads way on the many unorganized areas, but I often verbally say “Oh Help”. 

I know the rewards it makes me feel to have solved even the tiniest problem. We are renting, but that doesn't mean I can't make this rental home look and feel homey. Right? 

Might as well start at the very beginning, that’s a very good place to start-haha, (laughing) because these words are also a song Maria sings as she is trying to teach the children to sing, remember?
“DO-RE-MI?”  Okay, enough. 
The instant, you come in the front door you face a stairway, or your looking into the mirror attached to the door of a very narrow closet. 

STAIRWAY

I would love a mudroom with places for coats, backpacks and everything else. Pretty sure the landlord would love for us to build his home a wonderful mudroom. Since we did get approval to do some painting. I needed solutions right away.

 Here's how I temporarily conquered the entryway problems. 

FULL

UNATTACHED SHELVING UNIT

First thing I did was to place a shelving unit for all of our paraphernalia. We brought this from our previous home. I haven’t attached it to the wall, like it’s supposed to be; instead it is just standing there. These shelves get very full over the course of a week and I am always reminding everyone to put their belongings away.  However, I love the fact that as I gather things throughout our home that do not ‘belong’ where I found them, that I can put them on their shelf. I even have things on the top that belong to Grandpa, and also to our oldest son. Returning to them ASAP. 

I do not have enough little baskets for everyone, so instead I am using some boxes we're collecting form Costco trips to cut down to fit on each shelf.

MAKE YOUR OWN STORAGE BOXES

And why not make your own storage boxes?

You are re-purposing an item that is functional and less expensive than a brand new–plastic bin. 

Just needs some pretty paper glued on and I haven't finished that yet. Still have an issue for shoes and boots to figure out as well.

                                  Okay! Onto the closet

 I have increased the hooks in the narrow closet just to accommodate our seasonal coats. {It’s cold out right now} No overhead lighting so it’s very dark. This narrow closet requires I only hang things on one side, or else it would feel even more cramped.” Aaahhh, it’s a dungeon.”

Crunch Time

Every feel the CRUNCH?

I do, especially this time of the year, with all the parties, gift purchasing & then exchanging, family visiting, etc.
Whew!

The list making is in full force here. All wishes and of course everything I'd like to accomplish.
Some things can wait & even get rescheduled to a different month.

However...
There's one thing I will not put off & that's telling you;
That you can also have the greatest gift. The best present that I ever received was my salvation through Jesus Christ. I know, and am 100% sure that if I were to die today, that I'm going to Heaven.
Receiving GOD's only son Jesus into your heart will insure that you too will be in Heaven...Truly this is the greatest gift.