Oct 24, 2014 |
I love decorating, but let’s face it- sometimes it can be costly. I do what I can to avoid a strain on the wallet.
Happy Fall!
Autumn starts the holiday season at Bedford Manor. The above collage is from three years ago. I haven’t started to put out my decor this year but that will change in 36 hours.
I get a lot of decorating tips like most of us, from Pinterest. And my mom. She’s the Queen of Budget Decorating.
Just check out these fun and frugal ideas for bringing the colors of the outdoors, indoors.
Autumn Potpourri in Ceramic Basket
A small bag of autumn-themed potpourri adds color and fragrance. If you don’t have a holiday dish, use a glass bowl.
Leaves in a Basket
A garland of multi-colored artificial leaves can be immediately put in a simple basket. Place on your fireplace mantel, hearth, coffee table, or on a bookshelf.
Squash in a Planter
This is great for outdoor patios as well as indoors. Put a disposable container upside down inside a bigger planter, cover with newspaper or other buffering, and place assorted miniature squash and pumpkins on top.
Scarecrow in Leaves
A miniature Scarecrow sets well atop a small assortment of artificial leaves in a bucket or basket.
Apple Cider Arrangement
A single bunch of artificial apples with small flowers fits nicely in this Apple Cider Barrel.
Scarecrow on Butter Churn
A fun Scarecrow overlooks an assortment of silk flowers in a papier mache pumpkin basket.
All the decor in these photos was purchased at our local Michael’s Arts & Crafts store, for $5 each or less.
Now that’s Autumn on a budget. My mom’s got skills.
Hey, Mom . . . can you come over on Saturday?
And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
Bunco at Tiffany’s
Why I Don’t Go To Carnivals in October
Slightly Sweet: Pie Crust Cut-Outs
This Thing Called Pinterest
Another Post About Pinterest.
Nov 25, 2012 |
Take a look at these creative hand-made greeting cards and gift tags.
Winnie’s Inky Fingers
My camera doesn’t do justice to these beautiful originals from Winnie’s Inky Fingers.
When I first imagined my inaugural Holiday Gift Basket Giveaway, I immediately contacted Winnie. She eagerly created these one-of-a-kind sets to give to one lucky reader.
Look at this sample of her wonderful work:
Merry Christmas
Christmas Charm
Merry Little Christmas
Each card and tag is stamped, inked, colored, and embellished by Winnie. She’s been making them for family and friends and posting her work on her Blog, which is how I found her. She’s inspired me to try my own hand at card making. But hers are much, much nicer.
Let It Snow!
Snow Tag
Peace on Earth
Peace Tree
Joy
Joy Tag
Peas on Earth
Peas
I love the stories she has behind each card she makes with someone special in mind. Her cards are not only skillfully crafted, but done so with a backstory, with character and plot and memories and hopes.
One lucky reader will win all five sets: Merry Christmas, Let It Snow, Peace on Earth, Joy, and her humorous Peas on Earth. Each card and tag are individually sealed in a protective sleeve. Not only is she creative, she’s cautious!
This quality collection is perfect for mailing or hand carrying. You can use the matching tag on a gift or as an ornament. Winnie’s Inky Fingers Cards and Tags will be a delightful delivery to whomever you choose!
If you’d like to win this set of five matching greeting cards and gift tags, just follow the directions below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Nov 23, 2012 |
Turkey Hangover? Eggnog nipping and sipping? Black Friday basket filling?
What does the day after Thanksgiving look like where you’re at?
Here’s a glimpse of the fun we’ve had today!
Favorite Snack and Favorite Mug
Instagrammed!
Souvenirs from the Big Feast
Decorating Party Feast
Dot’s Decorated Tree
Knick Knacks
We slept in, cleaned this morning, and spent all afternoon decorating. When we were done, we settled in with our plates of goodies and watched MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET. The original.
And now it’s time to watch HOOPS & YO-YO RUIN CHRISTMAS.
Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, have a wonderful weekend.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Apr 4, 2012
I’m happy. I’m very happy!
I endeavored to beautify outside my house, and with cooperating weather and an assisting Mother [read: someone with more gardening experience than myself], I think it’s going to be a success.
I finally took the old pile of scallop bricks and cleaned them off of bugs and whatnot. This disturbed the yard lizards, as they lived between the bricks. I’m pretty sure they’re a little upset with me as they scurried back and forth today just waiting for me to stop wrecking their homes. Well, too bad, Longfellow! Too bad, Izzard! I was tired of looking at a cobwebby pile of brick like this:
And since we chopped down the tree last year, there’s been a stump in my front yard as well. So today, I took the brick and laid out a general idea for two flower beds. Last week I bought a canister of desert flower seeds: just sprinkle and water, and see what takes.
So now, instead of a stump and a pile of bricks, I have these:
This is my attempt at creative photography:
This is my Heavenly Bamboo that I planted a month ago. I took a new picture because I want to remember today.
I lowered the root ball for better protection. And had an encounter with the hugest black widow spider I’ve ever seen. Now, I’m used to seeing black widows out and about, but usually they’re either dead or dying, thanks to my monthly pest control guy. But today… apparently, she thought the opening at the bottom of the planter would make a good nursery and I didn’t discover the egg sac, or her, until after I fixed the Bamboo. As I was wiggling the planter back into place, she ran up the side. Of course, of course I screamed. More than just a little. Cuz this was one stinkin’ huge black widow. Complete with red hour glass. Talk about… well, ugly. Luckily, the Raid was within easy reach and after a few doses of aerosol poison and a beating with a big stick, Ms. Widow and her kids were no more. I conquered the Great Outdoors!
Yesterday I realized the lilacs were starting to bloom. They smell wonderful! I wish they lasted more than just a few weeks; and I wish they all bloomed at the same time.
Then, ta-da!, I finally hung the Topsy Turvy Tomato Grower. This is the finishing touch for today. I’m so very excited. We had some problems with the drill. I couldn’t get it to go more than a tiny bit into the hardened wood. It was really frustrating… until hours later (like, about 36), I realized we’d had it set on “reverse”. Yeah. That’s a conversation that ended in more than a few laughs!
I call him Fred. [I call everything “Fred”, but that’s another story..]
So. Yesterday nature came to my yard. And today I began to give back.
Now I just have to wait and see what happens. I’ll consider it a success if nothing dies in the first week.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
