Flashback Friday....Chalkboard makeover

This project has evolved over two years. Chalkboards have been the rage in homes for several years now. In 2009, I wanted to jump on the bandwagon and make a chalkboard for my home. I had made one plate chalkboard in the kitchen, but I wanted something bigger. Finally, I rediscovered this picture that was under our bed. The glass was broken, the picture was scratched really bad, so I decided it needed a new life.


Before:

I bought some chalkboard paint and this is how it looked for a year! Now you know why you don't see more projects. I have too many started and not finished. Geez!

During:

First day of summer break 2009

Here is how it looks today! I love it. I painted the mat a pretty green with some free paint from Glidden, but was not satisfied. I then added some ribbon on top and love it. I also spray painted the frame black. Here is the new and improved chalkboard...

After:

How many chalkboards are in your home?

Bubbles, Bubbles Everywhere!

Our summer fun is going strong. We are checking things off our list, and big bubbles is on it. My boys and I, along with some friends had a blast making huge, colorful bubbles. Wednesday was the last day party fun with Evan and Landon. I have been doing pre-k with Landon this summer. We've really enjoyed them coming over twice a week. Oh, and I cannot wait to have a bubble day with my pre-schoolers! They are going to love it too.

I was inspired to make these bubble wands, and I had to try it out. The first time it did not work for me. Cameron was the first to get it going!

Watch out, here it comes...I figured it out.



This is so much fun and a must try activity.





Wanna know how? Sure you do!

Homemade Bubble Solution

You will need: distilled water, glycerin, and Non-Ultra/Classic Dawn Original Scent. (I used Joy and it worked fine!)

Step 1: Into your Mixing bucket add 6 cups of Distilled Water.

Step 2: Stirring SLOWLY so as not to make lather, add in 2 cups of Non-Ultra/Classic Dawn Original Scent (or Ultra Dish detergent if necessary).

Step 3: Stir in 5-6 drops of Glycerin (double the amount if using Ultra detergent).

Here is another recipe link with great tips.

Bubble Wand

* 2 dowels (we cut some 48" in half...so 24 " dowels worked for us.)

*1 metal washer

*cotton string ( aka butcher's twine)

*2 eye hooks (make sure the cord/string will fit through)

Tip: The first string we tried were thin. It worked, but I felt like I was fishing with my boys. You know, like getting the fishing line untangled from the tree or from a rock. It tangled up a lot. The next day we tried the thicker string and it worked great...no problems.

How to make the wand:

First, take the dowels and screw one eye hook into each of the wooden dowels.

Second, cut your string. One will be 35 inches long, and the second string will be 70 inches long. We wanted big bubbles, but you wouldn't have to have the string that long. Just double what you cut the top string to be.

Third, put the metal washer on the longest string.

Next, tie both strings through the eye hook. Tie the shortest string on top and the longest underneath.

Finally, dip the string into the solution. Keep the dowels together and bring it out of the solution. Now, slowly open it up and walk backwards.

If at first you don't succeed, try again. It's worth it.

You are set! Go make some BIG bubbles!

A Christmas Surprise

Remember my exciting find this past summer? I picked up this great gumball machine for $1.00. It even had money in the bottom of it! Well, I knew when I found it just what I would do with it. I saw the idea about a year ago on a DIY blog and then here, and loved it.

Here is the before:

After: meet Dino!

The fish tank...it is so stinkin' cute!

Dino's pretty cute too!

The boys were so excited about the fish. Caden hugged me and told me again today, "thanks for the fish." I'm excited it has such a cute, unique home!

The Beginning of a Great Makeover!

I've been wanting to make over Cameron's room for a while now. I found a perfect piece to go in his room, which spurred the make-over on. Cameron loves sports, so this is the theme for his room.

What is the perfect piece? I found a set of lockers on Craigslist for $20.00. I was so excited, and knew they would be perfect. The lockers were a basic tan. I wanted it to be red, so spray paint to the rescue! I love spray paint! What an easy way to transform something. Of course, the possibilities are endless. I used Rust-oleum spray paint to transform the lockers.


Rust-oleum Gloss Protective Enamel

Before:

After:

I love it! I love the storage too! Well, that is a sneak peek into his room makeover. The denim curtains and locker are new. Many more changes to come! What have you transformed with spray paint?

Check out some other great transformations and Shanty 2 Chic!

So Thankful...

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. Each year we head to the boys Great Grandma Wiley's home on Thanksgiving day. This is one of the few times a year we get to see all of Michael's extended family. Of course, his sister and her family from Minnesota were missed. Here are a few family pictures before we left. We were all tired and full, but Natural Dam is so pretty I couldn't resist.

I am so thankful for my kids!

I am thankful for my wonderful husband!

On Friday, every year we go to my mom's home for a second Thanksgiving feast! The food was wonderful! Michael and I made a couple of new recipes this year that turned out great! Michael made Rhoda from Southern Hospitality's sweet potato casserole. It was scrumptious! I loved it, as well as others. I made a buffalo chicken dip that I got the recipe from here. It was a big hit too, and perfect for snacking on later. This could be made any time! I will definitely be making both recipes again. Last, but not least, I cannot go to my mom's without bringing my pumpkin roll. It is so good! Along with eating and visiting, we always play games and have a great time. However, this year was cut short because my boys were not feeling well. Cameron ended up coming down with croup.

In 2004, I started the tradition at my moms for everyone to write on a tablecloth what they are most thankful for. It is fun to look back over the past five years and read what we wrote.

I am thankful that staying home for eight years has taught me to be frugal.

Take a look at my frugal table this year. Everything you see on the table came from yard sales! The cream colored table cloth is actually a shower curtain. The orange runner is a curtain. The rustic candle holders were free, and the corn husks were $.50 for the bag. This cost $3.50 for what you see! I forgot to take a picture with the dishes, and Christmas decor is beginning to take over, so here it is.

I am also thankful for YOU, my blogging friends!

My Thrifty Treasures...

I was handed money again this weekend to go to yard sales! I have the best hubby! This weekend I was fortunate to go out with my sister to check out the treasures! We had a great time! The fabulous Rhoda hosts this weekly get together. Go check it her blog out here and see what other goodies were found. You will be inspired!

I was excited to find a few things for FREE this weekend! Check that free pile too. My sister pointed these out to me. We have had two great camping parties for my boys. These would be fabulous for a tablescape for the camping party. They even look cool on my porch. (Not in this spot though)
I got four of them FREE!

Another FREE find. This puzzle will be great for the boys!

The following items were found with change in mind. Trash to treasure! I will stay busy making the following fabulous!

$.50

$1.00



Tray for $.10!!

Gotta throw in some kitchen finds!

$.50 checkerboard cake set. I love making cakes!

$.50

What is it? Can you guess?

$.25

Christmas is my favorite holiday. I love everything about it!

Christmas in July finds.....$.50.

$.50 decor

I was very excited to find this for $5.00. Our cd player broke. This is a 5 disc cd changer and more. There is not a day that goes by that I do not listen to music!

One of my favorite finds of the day. No need to change it. I LOVE it!

$1.00

Still wondering what the shiney silver thing is? It is a veggie steamer! I had never seen one before and thought it was so cool!

What treasures have you found recently?

Free Magazines!

I had several requests on how to get free magazines subscriptions from my previous post. I am getting yearly subscriptions to a lot of magazines for FREE! One I had to pay 1 cent...yes I sent in a penny! Ha!

The key is to follow a few frugal blogs and watch for the opportunities. I will try to post some in the future since there was quit a bit of interest.

If you are fixing to get married....you will not want to miss out on a free subscription to
"Get Married". Click on NWA Deals ...you will be on your way to a free magazine!

Have a wonderful day!

Frugal and Fun Finds!

I have decided once again to join in the fun and participate in Today's Thrifty Treasures for the over at Southern Hospitality. You really should visit Rhoda and check out some of the great things you can find at yard sales! Seriously....the possibilities are endless!

I feel that one big role I have as a SAHM is to make my hubby's paycheck go further. I love finding bargains. If you are patient you can find what you have been needing or wanting!

Books for 10 cents each!

Here are 4 name brand shirts I found for my DH. $1.00 each

A tart pan....$1.00



Christmas basket....25 cents!

Something to hold all my FREE magazines! It was 25 Cents!

All it needs is a little fixing up! Here is a list of free magazines I receive: Redbook, Parents, Organic Gardening, Elle Decor, Martha Stewart Living, Figure, Woman's Day, O Magazine, Women's Health, and Prevention.

Christmas tree...it really sparkles! (picture doesn't do it justice!)....$2.00

Pillow for my living room! $2.00

Brand new picnic caddy set! $2.00

Shelf with lights...I will put this in my laundry room/office! $6.00

I was excited to find a food processor. I've been wanting one! $3.00



The last set was found at a Thrift store. I loved it. Thought about painting it white. It came with a nice wooden turntable.

You know you are doing good when your dh tells you, "hey I want you to go to yard sales this weekend...here's the money!" Thanks honey! What fun finds have you found?

How Does My Garden Grow?

Our garden has come a long way from these baby plants.....

We have gathered some cucumbers, 4 jalapeno peppers (for homemade salsa), variety of lettuce, and 1 zucchini. Looking forward to the tomatoes, bell peppers (green, yellow, and red), beans, corn, watermelon, and pumpkins! I love how we have decided not to use any pesticides on our garden. Love fresh garden food and spending time as a family in the garden!