Frugal at Home

I hope you’ve been enjoying all the frugal craft ideas I’ve been posting over the past few weeks. I’ve really enjoyed finding the projects for you. I’ll be honest though, I haven’t started on my craft project yet this year. Maybe I’ll start in March.

Today, I have a really fun one that looks pretty easy. I remember creating something very similar as a child. If I, a non-crafter, could do it as a child, chances are you’ll have no problem!

This tutorial shows you how to create the photo plate pictured above. The supplies are minimal and would be easy to find. I think it would be a great gift for a grandparent or even to display in your own home. I don’t think you’d have to do a photo, you could decorate it with just about any kind of flat material.

Head over to Craftaholics Anonymous to check out the tutorial. Oh and be sure to come back and comment if you give it a try and how it turned out!

Happy Creating!

I was really excited to find this tutorial. I know how popular the black and white silhouette pictures are right now but gosh they are expensive to have done professionally.

This tutorial will show you step-by-step how to make your own. Plus it looks simple enough that even a crafting novice could do it. The out of pocket expense would also be very small, especially if you were able to use an old frame or find one inexpensively.

For the full tutorial head over the The Anderson Crew’s blog HERE. Also, you may want to turn down your sound before you click as this site has music running in the background.

Happy Creating!

I know lots of you moms have loads of artwork made by your kiddos and I’m sure refrigerator space is running low. I found a fun idea over at MUS that you might be interested in. This might be a great way to display all that art you’ve received.

I’ll warn you though that MUS is a Dutch blog so it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to read any of the comments. Luckily though she just has pictures so you aren’t missing out on any instructions.

Go HERE to see her great idea.

Happy Crafting!

I know many of you don’t have lots of storage space and what little space you do have is likely stuffed to the gills with your stockpile items. So where do you put ribbons, thread, patterns, important paperwork, etc.?

If you’re sadly lacking in organization like me, here’s a great tip. Start collecting boxes. I would recommend interesting ones with flap-style lids. Then cover them with pretty paper. Voila! A box that looks pretty left out. Fill it with all the things you don’t have room for in your closet and stack them on shelves or leave out on a dresser or counter.

Craftzine has all the instructions on how to transform a boring box emblazoned with a company logo into the stylish option you see above. The box will likely be free. The tacky glue and paper you may have to buy but check your Michael’s ad on Sundays. They often have specials on scrapbook paper and 40% off single item coupons.

For complete instructions, go HERE.

Happy Creating!

Isn’t this wreath cute? Would you believe me if I told you it only cost $8 to make? Head over to Our Delighful Life where she shares the instructions as well as a few pictures to inspire you to try it yourself.

I think it would be a fun activity to do with a small group of friends or even older children.

Happy Creating!

I am not much of a crafty person. I try, but usually fail miserably. Despite this, I am going to attempt some craft projects this year. I’ll be sure to let you know if I fail succeed.

In the meantime, I thought I’d start providing you with simple craft projects you can do yourself, easily, on your budget. So tune in on Sundays, I’ll post frugal craft ideas and I’ll try to keep it simple.

Today’s is a really cute idea on how to add a simple ruffle to a child’s sweatshirt from The Idea Room. If you use scrap material you already have on hand then this could be an easy, free thing to spice up a boring hoodie or sweatshirt. Amy has all the instructions HERE as well as a very precious model.

Even if this cute sweatshirt isn’t enticing, you will want to check out The Idea Room anyway. This stay-at-home mom of five has some amazing craft ideas and projects. Some are way beyond my level but I still enjoyed checking them out. They might just inspire you to get your craft on!

Happy Creating!

We’re wrapping up Spring Cleaning for less. Here are some recipes for you to make your own homemade cleaners.

All-Purpose Cleaner

• 2 Tbsp vinegar
• 1 tsp Borax
• Hot water
• A few drops of a mild dish detergent
• 10 drops of essential oil (optional to give it a fresh scent)

In a 16oz spray bottle put vinegar, borax and hot water. Swish it around until the borax has dissolved. Then add the drops of dish detergent and fill the rest of the bottle with water.  Finally add the essential oil if you choose.  

Window Cleaner

• ½ tsp mild dish detergent
• 3 Tbsp vinegar
• 2 cups water 

Mix up all these ingredients into a spray bottle. 

 
Furniture Polish

• 1/3 cup boiled linseed oil
• 1/3 cup turpentine
• 1/3 cup vinegar

Mix well before each use.

Have a recipe you’d like to share, fill out the form below and I’ll try to include it next week!

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Has your doctor told you to cut back on the salt? You might want to tell him you’d rather not! Check out all these great uses for salt.

Make Vases Sparkle!
Did your hubby or kids give you flowers for Mother’s Day? Once your bouquet is past it’s prime you might discover deposits of minerals on the inside of the vase. If you scrub the ring with salt and then wash with soapy water it should clear away the residue.

Make Your Own Polish!
To make your candlesticks candlesticks shine like new or remove green tarnish from copper pots, make a paste by mixing equal parts salt, flour, and vinegar. Use a soft cloth to rub it on. Then rinse with warm, soapy water and buff back to its original shine.

Remove Wine from Carpet!
Wine stains on carpet can be so hard to get rid of. But there’s hope if you can catch it while it’s still wet. First, pour some white wine on it to dilute the color. Then clean the spot with a sponge and cold water. Sprinkle the area with salt and wait about 10 minutes. Now vacuum it up.

Restore Your Sponge!
Sponges usually get grungy way before they are actually worn out. To restore sponges soak them overnight in a solution of 1/4 cup salt and 1 quart water. Now you don’t have to buy new ones!

Speed Clean Dough!
I love to make gingerbread cookies at Christmastime but one of my least favorite tasks is cleaning up the counter after I’ve rolled them out. Make short work of the mess by sprinkling the floury countertop with salt. Then wipe away the mess without the sticky lumps.

Do you have any secret tips for Salt that you’d love to share? Leave a comment.

We’re almost to the end of the Spring Cleaning for Less series. I hope you enjoyed it! For the next two Fridays I’ll be sharing a few homemade cleaning product recipes. If you have one you’d like to share, send it to me with the contact form below.

And if you’re just tuning it, check out the other topics we’ve covered:
Got Lemons? Don’t Make Lemonade!
Vinegar is Vine-Great!
Don’t Ditch Your Dryer Sheets
Super (Baking) Soda
Amazing Ammonia
Loving Rubbing Alcohol
Mix It Up With Club Soda
Incredible Cornstarch

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Welcome to the Spring Cleaning for Less Series. I’ve got a few more super powers to introduce you to before I bring this series to a close.

Today’s super agent is cornstarch. That small box can pack a powerful punch. It’s not just for thickening up grandma’s gravy recipe. Look at some of the other things you can do:

Freshen Carpet!
I know you’ve heard of doing this with baking soda but did you know it works with cornstarch too? Sprinkle a little cornstarch on your carpet. Wait about half an hour and then vacuum like usual.

Remove Ink Stains!
Don’t let ink stains on carpet be the end of the world. Mix milk with cornstarch to make a paste. Apply the paste to the ink stain. Allow the concoction to dry on the carpet for a few hours, then brush off the dried residue and vacuum it up.

Unscortch Clothing!
If the iron left scorch mark on your favorite shirt wet the scorched area and cover it with cornstarch. Let the cornstarch dry, then brush it away along with the scorch mark.

De-Grease!
If you had an especially messy cooking day and find that grease splattered onto your wall, don’t worry! Just sprinkle cornstarch onto a soft cloth. Rub the grease spot gently until it disappears.

Polish Silver!
If your silverware has lost it’s sparkle, make a paste by mixing cornstarch with water. Use a damp cloth to apply this to your silverware. Let it dry, then rub it off with a soft cloth to reveal the original shine.

Do you have any cleaning tips with cornstarch? Please share!

Don’t forget to checkout the past Spring Cleaning for Less Agents:
Got Lemons? Don’t Make Lemonade!
Vinegar is Vine-Great!
Don’t Ditch Your Dryer Sheets
Super (Baking) Soda
Amazing Ammonia
Loving Rubbing Alcohol
Mix It Up With Club Soda