Inspired by...

Lately, I have been challenged by the section of Proverbs 31 that describes The Wife of Noble Character.  I have read it many times in years past and each time something different resonates with me.  Most recently, it has been the parts about how she works with her hands and makes things and works vigorously instead of sitting idle.  By no means have I conquered anything in the passage, but those parts struck me because I have always just had the mindset that I don't have enough time to work on things & should just pay for them (esp if I can get a good deal).  But, I have been trying to seek ways that I can make/do things that I currently pay someone else to do.  Granted, I don't have much time, so they have to be simple... but I have to start somewhere...

This year, I really wanted to get some new decorations for Fall.  I LOVE the fall- the colors, the cool in the air (which is just getting to us today), the pumpkins, the thankful attitudes that start off the holiday season.  It is just my favorite.  This year I did not want to spend much money on adding to my decor, but still wanted to freshen things up a bit... enter Pinterest.

At first, I was hesitant because I thought it would just be another time waster with no point.  However, I was wrong.  Don't get me wrong... it can definitely be that if you let it- no doubt- and I do tend to waste some time looking around.  But, the best part is that I can actually put some of those ideas into reality.  So here are my most recent ventures... 

I found tons of fall wreaths that I loved.  So, I combined several of the ideas I found and this is what I came up with.  The wreath form is a pool noodle that we did not really use... just used some trusty duct tape to keep it together, wrapped it in burlap and hemp twine.  I made the flowers and leaves out of felt and put them all on alligator clips so that I can take them off and change out what goes on the wreath through the year... so we will see what I add to it at Christmas. :) 

This is a combination of 2 banners/buntings that I found.  I loved one I saw with buttons (and I have a ton of those), so I combined it with a more formal idea of using a word or phrase.  A little cutting, sewing and painting later... and voila!  I found tiny clothespins in the office section at Walmart & they are perfect to hold each piece onto the twine.  I did not sew the pieces together because, like the wreath, I figure I could use pieces and change it up for other holidays and seasons.

Ok- so this is not what I imagined for this cute little letter B.  Originally, I found a site that had these letters wrapped in yarn... again I have a ton of yarn, and thought 'How Simple!'  Man, was I wrong.  B has to be the hardest letter ever to wrap, and there is apparently some technique that I have yet to master, so I changed my plan.  Instead I used more burlap & yarn to just cover the letter and make it simple.  It may be one of my favorite projects... figures, since it is nothing like it started. :) 

This one was not on Pinterest, but I thought I would add it anyway.  I saw in the Family Fun magazine a recipe for these 'cookies.'  They are actually whole wheat tortillas cut with cookie cutters, sprayed with cooking spray & sprinkled with decorator sugar.  You bake them for about 5 minutes @ 400 degrees.  They are more like chips, but they pass for cookies with my 3 yr old & they are so fun to make.  He helped with it all & loved it.  Such a great 'baking' project for little ones with short attention spans. :)

This is not really a great picture of Molly's outfit, but it was the only one where you could see both parts that I 'adjusted' and I figured I would use it.  We don't really go all out for Halloween, but I found some fun shirts this year for the kids & we attempted to get fun pictures at a local pumpkin farm.  Anyway... back to the crafty part.  I made the leggings (like babylegs) from a pair of socks I found on sale... just cut off the foot part & turned under the ends and hand-stitched them while we were in the car this past weekend.  I wanted to make a tutu for Molly that was all of the colors of her shirt & Evan's, but ran out of time & a friend told me she found cute pre-made ones at Walmart for her girls & they only cost $5.  I went to the ribbon aisle to see what I could use for embellishment & found this perfect pink trim!!  I just hand stitched it in about 45 minutes (sewing machine was pre-occupied by a friend).  It turned out great & now we have a tutu that is not just for Halloween... so it was a win-win. :)

Lastly, (I don't have a picture...kinda self explanatory) I found a recipe for making your own laundry detergent.  I know that there are other ways I could probably cut things to help our seemingly shrinking budget, but this just struck me as so simple and cost effective that I had to try it.  So far, I have really liked how well it cleans & our clothes smell just as fresh as before.  I spent about $10 on the supplies, and the lady who posted the recipe said she gets about 576 loads from those supplies.  That is huge savings in my mind!  We shall see, but so far I think it is something I will continue to do in the future.

So, I have been busy putting ideas to work and trying to save money doing it.  I will get back to posting family stuff soon, and will keep posting the things I try.