Halloween Decor on the Cheap

October is nearly halfway over with and I am barely writing my first post. So sorry. :/ This month saw the one year anniversary of me becoming a "blogger!" YAY!!! Let me tell ya... I never thought I would get to have a friendship with ladies who are literally thousands of miles away from me. It has been a joy sharing my projects with you and getting to know you in the process.

Also... drum roll... later this month will mark the 29th year of my life! Surprisingly, I don't feel sad about entering the final year of my 20s. I am so ready to put that decade behind me. ;)

These little celebrations have me in quite the festive mood this year! Just look at the fun invitation I created for my birthday:

I used StoryBook Creator 4.0 and took a grand total of 5 minutes to complete it. Don't you love it?

I don't normally decorate my house for Halloween but I had an urge to do so this year. Nothing big and crazy... just some dollar store decor here and there. Like this sign:

This greets my guests as they enter our front porch. Sure the thing swings like a monkey at the slightest breeze, but I think it looks creepy cool. ;)

Once you enter the porch, you have a mixture of sweet and scary. No, I didn't plan this out. Besides, the mouse will only be up another 3 weeks and then the whole area will compliment each other. That autumnal pail will be up for at least another 2 months. That brown pail used to be a this color. Remember? I already had the spray paint and used autumn decor from last year. The mouse... ahhh... let me tell you about the mouse...

Those little guys are all over my house. EEEK! I saw Martha Stewart use them last year and I searched in vain all over for them.

Would you believe... I found them at the dollar store! A pack had about 16 of them! Sure, they aren't Ms. Martha, but I luv 'em.

My summer wreath also received a minor update. Again, I just used my fall items from last year. I love the black ribbon paired with a small pumpkin.

In addition, I love all the ideas I'm finding on Pinterest, but I need to step back from too much spending. We are preparing to tile again before the weather gets too cold. I can't wait! I want the guest bath and hallway tiled so we can start our kitchen reno. :D

I'll be posting again very soon with a product review. You'll see...

Halloween Mantle

It's the second most wonderful time of the year! Pumpkins, gourds, acorns, yellows, reds, oranges, and... CANDY CORN! I am ready for fall, ya'll! Even though it was a high of 90 today in my little nook of the desert, it didn't dampen my desire to decorate my mantle. Eeek!

I took it easy last Halloween and had very "kid-friendly" decorations here and there. This year, my 10-year-old is a bit braver and my 2-year-old... is... such a nut. Nothing scares her. She actually called the skulls I pulled out from storage "pretty." Yes, that's my silly willy.

I used all of last year's decorations and threw them together with projects I've done throughout the year. I only spent $4 for this mantle display. Vases are my favorite thing to use during ANY holiday because you can fill them with practically anything. For the sake of keeping costs down, I filled one with a candle I already had, but stuck some fall leaves in there to jazz it up a bit.

I have found many of my vases at GW and enjoy finding clever fillers for them. Take a look at this fun idea:

Those are black river rocks found at the dollar store. I've seen blogs where people paint these with chalkboard paint, then write things on them with a chalk pen. I was going to do that until I found out that was going to cost me almost $10. Instead, I bought a bag of black rocks ($1) and wrote on them with white-out (FREE). Yeah, buddy!

Remember my brassy, GW lantern I fixed up here? Well, it was quite lovely in our guest bath when I was aiming for a coastal feel. Now, it is holding spot for a scary skull...

Throwing in some more of my GW finds over the year, here is my finished Halloween mantle:

The only thing I purchased was the black crow, headstone, rocks, and the gray, torn material (each only $1). Not exactly "child friendly" but my weird kiddos love it. ;) This week, I'll be working on TWO Halloween wreaths. LOVE!

Linking up with: Amaze Me Mondays, Debbie Doo's, Keeping It Simple, Made By You Monday, Nifty Thrifty Tuesday, Good Life Wednesdays, Twice Owned Tuesdays, 20 Below Thursday, A Creative Princess, Freshman Friday

Happy Anniversary, Home!

Ello poppets!

Well, it's been ONE YEAR since we moved into our first home! I have to admit, there were times when I desperately missed having a landlord (because fixing an AC on your own is tough), but I'm incredibly thankful we had the opportunity to buy. This home has seen its share of birthdays, holidays, movie nights, game nights, and karaoke nights. It has watched us as we played in the front yard, teaching our oldest how to catch a football and spike a volleyball. It has provided us with a fireplace, where our toddler loves to dive off of, sit at, and color with crayons. Happy Anniversary, home. You've been so good to us! Looking forward to many more memories.

This year also saw its share of home improvements. ALL DIY (very proud to say that). Looking around the house, there is still so much we would like to do, but for the sake of satisfaction, I wanted to look back and see how far we've come.

Garage Before:

Now:

 Guest Bath Before:

Now:

Nursery Before:

"Nursery" After:

Backyard Doors Before:

Now: 

This was one of my favorite DIY projects and I loved that it only cost us around $5!!!

Entryway Before:

Now:

 Tween Bedroom Before:

Now:

 Front porch Before:

Now:

I would love to end this post with a list of things I would like to accomplish for this next year, but that would defeat the whole "I need motivation" reflection. Instead, I bid you all a wonderful Wednesday. I'm going to curl up on the couch and enjoy a movie in our home.

Ten years later...

When I was pregnant with my first child, I couldn't imagine what the age of ten would be like for her, even in my wildest dreams. What would she be like? Look like? What would be her interests? I couldn't wrap my head around the idea of being a Mom to a ten-year-old girl one day. Then again, I never imagined she would be born on a day like 9/12/01.

Like almost all of America, I saw the terrorist attacks being replayed multiple times on 9/11. Replayed on every channel, over and over, like a nightmare you couldn't wake up from.

The following day, as I lay in my hospital bed, preparing to deliver my precious, innocent, baby girl into this world, I had fear. Deep fear running through me. What kind of world was I bringing her into? If this level of hate was happening now, what kind of hate would she be witnessing growing up?

At the time, I was unaware of the magnitude of God's gifts. He blessed my daughter with an enormous gift of love and forgiveness. She forgives. Truly forgives. She forgives kids in school who bully her and make her cry. She loves everyone she meets. She wants to travel to China to tell others about Christ. The girl doesn't have an ounce of fear or anger in her body. Her two favorite things: Taylor Swift and peace symbols.

Tonight, as we were remembering those whose lives were taken on 9/11, we unfolded a newspaper that we saved on the day of her birth. As a family, we reread and relived the events that unfolded on that day. We prayed for the families who are still angry. We prayed for peace. We prayed for people to love people.

My daughter is the best thing that's ever been mine.

Although I can't raise her in a world of peace and love, I know that she is going to show the world PEACE and LOVE. Happy 10th Birthday, my little ladybug. You are something amazing! I love you!

*~*~* Dedicated to the lives that were lost on 9/11*~*~*

DIY Twine Balls

Yoo hoo, bloggers! ;) How are ya'll?! We were hit with some minor setbacks these last two weeks, but we are slowly picking ourselves back up and brushing it off. Adoption hasn't happened yet... was postponed until Monday. We were notified 2 hours before it was to happen, so naturally we had this huge cake we had to eat. Couldn't throw it away right? Hahaha.

Anyway, to ease my frustration, I was finally able to work on some crafts! I've seen these done before and can't remember who did it first, so if you know, please tell me so that I can give credit where credit is due. ;) It all started with an inspiration that I found at GW. A dirty lonely platter seeking a table:

For $4, it was mine. Now, I had someone awhile back leave a rather... rude... comment about how my thrift stores finds seemed pricey. I recently discovered a thrift store on the opposite side of town that priced their items significantly lower. However, since I don't want to be making that 30 minute drive there and back, I will take my over-priced items instead. Thankyouverymuch! To me, the price STILL beats new, store-bought prices.

Anyway, after a couple of coats of some brown spray paint, it looked better:

Remembering the post I read ages ago about creating twine balls, I wrapped some jute and twine around balloons and coated them with my tacky glue spray can.

Once they were dry, I popped the balloon and removed it. The twine looked great and held strong, but the jute turned white and easily lost shape. I purchased that particular twine months ago at the dollar store.

LOVE the crazy looking twine ball, not so much the jute. Throw in some dollar store moss balls, jute wrapped around styrofoam balls I made here, bada bing, bada boom, and you have yourself a cute table centerpiece:

Remember that burlap table runner? I promised I would wait until fall to use it, but I couldn't resist! I blame it on the BHG magazine that was delivered to me today. Did anyone else see it? The fall leaves on the cover? *sigh* Be still my heart...

I had nearly all of these supplies on hand, except for the platter. Total project cost: $4! Yeaaa buddy!

Regrets, I have a few...

Hubby and I are approaching our 1 year anniversary from the day we bought our house. I can remember how envious we were when friends would talk about working on their yard during the summer. We longed for the day we could work on our own yard. Ah, to be young and dumb.

Back in May, we decided that our "major summer redo" would be our front yard. It has an odd layout, pathetic dead grass, and these tiny "lava rocks" that we would kick up whenever we stepped in them. After receiving numerous quotes on what it would cost to get the yard we wanted, we decided to roll up our sleeves, and do the work ourselves. Easy right? Did I mention we live in the desert where temps reach 100 plus in June, July, and August? Did I mention our particular city reached a record drought period? Here is the yard: I can't believe I'm friggin showing this to you

Oh! Did I mention the lone rosemary plant? See those stepping stones? They lead to a corner. A rosemary corner. ???

"Where's the rosemary," you ask? It died when we had a record breaking freeze. Yes, this is the city I live in... record breaking freezes AND droughts in the same year.

Working in the yard has SUCKED! There. I said it. Here is where we are at, and it ain't much:

First, where there is grass, we don't want grass. We wanted to create a divide, where one side would have broken concrete pieces (made to mimic flagstone steps) and the other side would be our desert landscaping.

Using our garden hose (technical work here, people), I laid out the design I wanted for our "wall." Once we were happy with the design, we started digging. We dug about 4 inches deep, and flattened the ground as best we could. Then we started laying in our rocks (reused from the rosemary section of the yard) and making sure it was all level. Lastly, we filled in the gaps with dirt.

Is this how to properly build a wall? Probably not. It works for us and cost nothing. THAT makes me happy. I don't have a photo of what it looks like now. We added a second layer of rocks and planted a Japanese Boxwood at the end of the wall. The plant is nearly dead and I am annoyed.

Any suggestions from readers? Photoshop would be awesome if anyone cares to play around with our yard. Anyone know of some desert plants/trees to save me from a project fail?

T is for Tags

If you've been keeping up with my posts as of late, you have probably read about my latest business venture with Creative Memories. *happy sigh* I think I love them even more now as a Consultant, than before when I was just a customer. I really don't want this blog to turn into a plug for my business, so I will try and limit the amount of posts I have about them.


In this case, I couldn't let this go without sharing it with my fellow money-savers, penny-pinchers, new uses for old thing-ers? ;)


There is this gadget called the TAG MAKER. Oh my word... let me show you how it works and then I promise to explain how it will be a blessing to you all.

Obviously, it's a shape maker that.... makes tags. You insert some heavy cardstock, or scrapbook paper, and out comes a cute tag.

Then, you insert the top of the tag into another slot, and you've got a hole to string ribbon, jute, twine, or whatever you want through it. Simple, right?

Well, this little guy usually goes for $27. BUT, through the month of July (and that is ending very soon) it has been marked at 15% off. That's $20.25 for this tag-for-all-occasions maker!!


For some of you who are thinking, "why do I need a tag maker?" Let me give you some insight into how this will help you save $. You can use it to create tags for:


1) kids' presents (because children don't appreciate a $3 card anyway)
2) CHRISTMAS TAGS (hello! no more itty bitty tiny little stickers. Now the whole families name can fit on there)
3) labels for your herbs/cleaning products/etc.
4) backpack IDs (once you laminate them)
5) VALENTINES DAY exchange cards for kids 
6) and of course, scrapbooking!


Honestly, I know you clever bloggers can come up with more uses. The possibilities are endless once you have the perfect paper to fit the occasion. Personally, when I think of all the kid birthdays we are invited to (church, neighbors, school, family, friends), this gadget pays for itself in one month. Just look at what a friend of mine did with the tag maker:

She created an advent calender for her kids! This tag maker has been a huge hit at my home parties and after purchasing one for myself, I knew I had to share it with you. I'm sorry I took so long to do so. The 15% off sale ends this weekend!  

As an added bonus, just because I love my bloggers so much, I'll throw in an extra gift to the first 3 people who purchase one through my site:


http://www.mycmsite.com/sites/amandarodriguez1


Here is the link to get straight to the shape maker:
http://www.mycmsite.com/sites/amandarodriguez1/Content/Shop/Product.aspx?sku=637571&path=/Hierarchy/Paper%20Scrapbooking/Tools/Cropping%20Tools/Makers%20and%20Punches

Please send me a message too, telling me you processed the order, just in case they come in, out of order. Remember, the first 3 who purchase a tag maker 1) through my site and 2) before July is over, will get an EXTRA GIFT from me. 

OK, there's my small plug. :) Have a great weekend! I've got a home party and then, nothing but home projects. WooHoo!

News from the home front

My toddler is still not potty trained. At what age do Mothers start to say, "oooh. Your child is still in diapers? I see." Maybe if I have a goal in mind this would work better. Potty trained by Christmas? The girl loves her diapers. Especially now that my Mother-in-law bought her those Pampers Prints with little pink flowers all over them. Why would my toddler want to give up those for Ariel undies??? She doesn't even know/like Ariel, Barney, Dora, and all those other cartoons displayed on them.


My Creative Memories business is taking off rather nicely. I gave myself a 30 day goal and I'm thisclose to reaching it. Of course, this also means I have quickly realized that "working at home" can very well turn into a 6 hour work day. I feel like I'm on the computer, phone, and Facebook all the time. Anything to promote a new business right?


With the extra "work hours" I have been putting in, I will indeed be working on some home projects this week as my down time. One of those involves painting my ceiling fans:

Yes, you heard right. Every single ceiling fan in my house is either dated or black. I will be painting them in an attempt to make them look new again. Anyone ever tried this? This week, I have to:


paint 2 black fans
give 4 ceilings a fresh coat of paint (b/c the rooms are all done except for that darn ceiling)
stain a wood mirror frame I found at an estate sale


Has anyone stained anything recently? Any tips for a newbie? I found this pretty mirror at an estate sale for $10 and thought it looked like one Hobby Lobby was selling recently (for $40).

I immediately wanted to paint it white, but then we were given a new dining set. The set is a gorgeous dark wood and now, I want my mirror frame to match it. Any products you recommend for staining?


Finally, thank you, to the ladies who participated in my Newbie Summer Link Party! I enjoyed looking at your ideas/projects and I even met some new people in the process! I'm quickly approaching some milestones with "Mama's Little Ladybugs." I'm almost at 100 friends, I am nearing my 100th post, AND I have been blogging for almost 1 year!!! This is pretty exciting for me as I never expected anyone to give a hoot about what I did. What was created for family only has turned into a huge network of friends. Thank you to the ladies who always leave comments, who have followed my site, and who email me regularly. You have made this so much fun! Hmmm, perhaps a giveaway once I reach each milestone?

Have a great day!

Big News!

ACK! I am so sorry I've been absent from the "land of blog" lately. There have been major developments in our lives that took up all of my free time.

Before I announce my big news, I want to thank all the ladies who are still posting to my Newbie Summer Link Party! There are only 4 days left and you are welcome to post multiple projects!

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE PARTY!

Speaking of projects, I haven't had a chance to create one single craft. Reason? Well, the first bit of news is that after a year of being an avid digital scrapbooker (word?), I decided to join a business called...

Maybe you've heard of them? I've been using their digital software for over a year now to create some of my scrapbook pages. I love their digital products because everything is stored in my laptop. I don't need a craft table, or scissors, or glue... none of that! Here are some pages I've done in the last year...

My babies at a "pumpkin patch" at a local church.

 Halloween with a cat, a flower, and Mama was a ladybug. ;)

Last day of school for my older baby.

My fireman and I. swoon.

Seriously, I love their products. I enjoy creating special albums for my daughters. Eventually, I signed on knowing that even if I didn't sell a thing, I would be having fun. Thankfully, I have been blessed with generous and supportive friends who made my kick-off weekend a success. If you haven't heard about Creative Memories, you are welcome to visit my site:

http://www.mycmsite.com/sites/amandarodriguez1

or you can message me. I love talking about my job. Really. I do. :D

Now, the second bit of news is pretty exciting and a major factor as to why I haven't been able to craft a thing. On August 9th, my hubby is going to sign ADOPTION PAPERS declaring him the legal parent of my 9-year-old!!! Ever since we married, over three years ago, he has been trying to adopt her.

Our First New Years

I had her at a young age, and her biological dad walked out of our lives when she was 6 months old. She has never known a "Dad." One of the reasons I married my husband, was because he stepped up and took on the role of "Father" without me asking him to.

 He loved her from the start and never hesitated to call her his own child. After three years of battling lawyers, we have come to the end of a painful past and the start of a new family. He's been her Daddy in her heart, but now she gets to have him as her Daddy on paper. She's thrilled that we will all finally have the same last name. ;)

 

So, I hope ya'll can forgive me for the lack of posts. I've got an adoption date to prepare for. I will no doubt be a crying mess that day and will definitely share some adoption pictures with you all! Have a great weekend!