How to Decorate Your Kitchen On a Budget

post from Suburban Spunk on 12 October 2011 11:35:04 PM. © Suburban Spunk

My kitchen started as a blank slate-

It currently looks like this-

thanks to several minor improvements (click on each to be directed to the original blog post): new Moravian star light fixture, chalkboard wall, above-cabinet accent lighting, ORB light switch covers, an upgraded sink and faucet, AND newly added decor.

I was able to decorate for around $100 for the whole space including a new rug, 3 new art prints and various accessories.

Let me start by saying that I loathe the awkward space between the cabinets and the ceiling in my kitchen. It seems like such wasted space. My dream is to one day install glass-front cabinets there for extra display/storage space but that's not quite in the budget yet.

For the first two years I occupied my home, I filled this space with a random assortment of vases that I had purchased for pennies on the dollar from a local going out of business decor store. I grew tired of that look, so then the space remained empty for several months. I finally decided this past week that I needed to add something. Being the frugal gal I am, I didn't want to spend a lot. I hit up my favorite thrift store and found some pieces to complete the look for just a few bucks each.

I also 'shopped' in my basement and found the iron scroll. It was from Old Time Pottery, purchased eons ago for $15. I spray painted the iron scroll green (it was originally a burnt orange).

This is still a work in process but for now, I'm just happy to have some decor up there.
My favorite part of the kitchen is the sink area though.

These new prints from this Etsy store make me smile-

Think they add some nice spunk to the kitchen.

The window sill is decorated with 3 canisters from Kirklands years ago, the' recipe for a happy life' printed on scrapbook paper and stuck in a dollar store frame, a faux plant from Nell Hills and a little serving tray from Hobby Lobby (I believe). I also have my new $1 DIY soap dispensers on display, originally posted about HERE.

Last but not least, the comfy bright rug purchased from Target clearance for a mere $6!

The most expensive decor piece in the room are the three prints above the window and those were under $20 each, so hardly a splurge. Everything else I had on hand or was thrifted. It pays to thrift, reuse what you have on hand and shop the clearance racks!

Last but not least, PAINT! I used leftover paint from another project and painted our pantry door a nice glossy black. The chalkboard wall was also done for $15...the quart of paint was picked up at Home Depot.

Have you decorated a room for $100 or less? If so, show me your pictures!
love, s

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http://www.suburbanspunkdesign.com/2011/10/how-to-decorate-your-kitchen-on-budget
.html

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Mens Shirt To Cute Skirt

post from Cut Out + Keep on 12 October 2011 11:34:43 PM. © Cut Out + Keep

Only have 2 mins to change his shirt into a skirt? No sewing = No problem!

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http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/mens-shirt-to-cute-skirt

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Day Of The Dead Wedding Couple

post from Cut Out + Keep on 12 October 2011 11:34:43 PM. © Cut Out + Keep

Bride and Groom wedding portrait

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http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/day-of-the-dead-wedding-couple

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How to Purée Carrots

post from How to of the Day on 12 October 2011 08:00:00 PM. © How to of the Day

The method of puréeing carrots is used in a variety of recipes, for example, casseroles, sauces, baby food, meatloaf, and side condiments.

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http://www.wikihow.com/Pur%C3%A9e-Carrots

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Faux Finish How To: Faux Granite

post from THAT PainterLady.com on 12 October 2011 07:19:00 PM. © THAT PainterLady.com

Faux Granite? Heck yeah!! Several newsletter subscribers have been writing in to find out about this painting technique. It’s a pretty good one to do on all sorts of surfaces. Really anything! And, yes, you can learn to paint faux granite… It’s easy – peasy! Once you are comfortable with the technique of painting faux [...]

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http://www.thatpainterlady.com/painting-technique-6-easy-steps-to-faux-granite/

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Halloween Cookies

post from Aileen's Musings on 12 October 2011 06:35:50 PM. © Aileen's Musings

I baked my usual holiday sugar cookies the other day, and finally manged to get them decorated today. I followed Sweet Sugar Belle's frosting recipe and tutorial on how to decorate cookies using a piping and squeeze bottle technique. I didn't do too badly just need a bit more practice and more squeeze bottles (it's so much easier this way!).
Take me to theShopping!

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http://aileensmusings.blogspot.com/2011/10/halloween-cookies.html

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Eggbotting for Halloween

post from Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories on 12 October 2011 03:26:36 PM. © Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories

In preparation for Halloween, we've gathered our tips and tricks for plotting on pumpkins with an Eggbot.

We first demonstrated printing on pumpkins with an Eggbot last year at Maker Faire New York.

The first step is to choose your pumpkins carefully. Take a tape measure with you and remember that the Original Eggbot fits objects up to 4.25" in diameter and the Ostrich Eggbot can fit objects up to 6.25" in diameter. The larger pumpkin above is a little under 6" in diameter, and the little round pie pumpkin and the mini-pumpkin are about 4" in diameter.

Smooth pumpkins are easier to work with, as grooves and bumps can be difficult for the pen to navigate. Pie pumpkins tend to have a little less "character" than pumpkins sold for jack-o-lanterns, and tend to be quite a bit smaller, so they are a good choice. Overall symmetry makes things easier, too. Some decorative gourds have very smooth skin, which is nice, and can be interesting shapes, from pear, to ghost-like to very round.

Mini pumpkins usually fit well, and often have smooth stem-free top which is easy to fit into the Eggbot. Ones with deep grooves can be challenging, as the pen may leave gaps (like the one on the eye of the jack-o-lantern above) as it moves quickly down into the groove. They also may need a broader range of pen up/down motion to allow the pen to fit into the deeper grooves.

Most pumpkins will have a rough stem that won't fit well in the Eggbot's couplers. You can use a saw, a knife, a power sander, or many other tools to make a smooth surface on the stem for the Eggbot to couple to. You won't want to pick a pumpkin for the Eggbot based on its awesome handle-like stem.

Once there is a flat surface to work with, you'll be ready to put your pumpkin in the Eggbot.

It helps to have a large surface area to couple to the smooth skin of the pumpkin, so using the precision egg coupler is a really good idea. The rubber coupler on the plunger of the Original Eggbot grips into the stem end quite well.

When working with larger objects, especially in the Ostrich Eggbot, slowing the pen speed significantly may be necessary. It improves your precision and keeps the motors moving smoothly in spite of the huge heavy pumpkin they're turning.

Getting your ink flowing just before you start plotting is always a good idea, and especially so with glossy skinned pumpkins. Keep a slip of paper handy to bleed some ink onto before starting.

You can also use the Eggbot to transfer a design to the pumpkin for later carving. You can use a light colored pen so that it any remaining ink doesn't show up much, or you can remove remaining traces of Sharpie ink with rubbing alcohol.

And of course, you can always still use eggs. They're perfect for little ghosties.

The jack-o-lantern and bat tattoo designs shown are from the example files available on the Eggbot google code site, and the tree design is from the Open Clip Art Library.

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http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/pumpkinbot

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New Open Grid Gear: DJ Mixer Meets monome Grid in
MIDI + OSC Controller

It had to happen — button triggering, as popularized by the monome, here meets a conventional two-channel DJ mixer. But the layout I must say is quite spare and lovely, the work of the Japanese-based PICnome project. Furthermore, it’s Open Source Hardware, covered as I have recommended by a ShareAlike Creative Commons license (with no … Continue →

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http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/createdigitalmusic/~3/CyOvcGcMbeM/

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Tipnuts Weekly Update: {October 12th, 2011}

What’s new on Tipnut this week? Tooth fairy goodies, felt crafts, brussels sprouts recipes, a big DIY Halloween update and much more, have fun! Crafty Tooth Fairy Treats: {Tutorials & Freebies}: Plenty of sweet ideas in this collection, mainly tooth fairy pillows, pouches and boxes but there are a couple resources for printables as well. [...]

[[ This is a summary only -- Click the title Tipnut?s Weekly Update: {Today's Date} to see all the goodies ]]

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http://tipnut.com/october-12th-2011/

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Adorable Kids' Bathroom Makeover by Loving Your
Space

Elyse from

just shared her most recent makeover and it's ADORABLE! Take a look:
Before
Everything in this bathroom was builder standard. The bathroom itself was is great shape, but it definitely needed some pick me up.
And the after...

Aww, much better!This bathroom was done on an amazing budget. The big cost was the beadboard and paint but everything else was pretty inexpensive. She shows how she framed the mirror here which only cost $10!

She's still on the hunt for the perfect light fixture.
She created the prints in photoshop and the Ikea frames totaled $6.

The shower curtain and rug came from target.

On the opposite wall is a "boats" sign that she got from Tai Pan. It was all the wrong colors, but she loved it so much that she painted over it with diluted white paint and navy blue craft paint then lightly sanded over it to give it a bit of a distressed look.

She made the hooded towels following this tutorial.

My favorite project in her room are the towel hooks. Arent' they cute?

The faucet handles came from Ace hardware for $2.50 a piece. They were red but she spray painted them orange. I think they are so fun and add a lot of character to a kids space!

and lastly she used up the extra orange spray paint for the kids step stool to match.

I love it, Elyse! See more DIY projects at

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m-makeover-by.html