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What kills creativity and how to get it back

/ admin / 9 Comments

Sometimes my creativity is firing on all cylinders. I’m full of ideas and energy. Then there are those times when it’s as elusive as rain in this Colorado drought. That’s where I’ve found myself the past couple of weeks. Ideas wouldn’t come and if they had I would not have had the energy to implement them anyway.

I’m pretty sure I know why.

Anna, Abigail, my dad and I spent the morning cleaning out the horse trailer. This was the 4th of July, Independence Day. I love the 4th. I love what it stands for. I love the history and I love this country. I still believe in the American Dream, still believe that what our forefather’s fought and died for is worthwhile.

By Tomi Price

But this year was different. This year, though the heat was suffocating, we closed all the windows in the house against the smoke that burned our eyes. This year we watched the sky, orange and eerie with smoke. We worried for those closer to the fire, those whose homes and businesses were being destroyed.

We checked Facebook, and other sites for updates on the Spring fire burning south of us. We read reports of 300 foot high flames  rolling north like a giant tsunami, firefighters powerless against it. We calculated it’s distance to us, and tried to remember what, if any natural defenses existed, then realized the dry the conditions and dry lighting posed an even greater threat.

Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control

I talked to the girls about how we would evacuate if needed, where we would go, how we would reconnect if separated, and we put plans in place. Because I’m a planner and because I refuse to go down without a fight, I contemplated plans for saving our home should the fire reach us and I ran my plans by my firefighter brother. I know this is unlikely, but my girls depend on me and I’d rather over prepare unnecessarily than find out too late that I was overly optimistic.

So on the 4th, we cleaned the trailer. It was still full of construction supplies from a renovation. I was hoping to clean out the garage and make some shelving for lumber before tackling that task but the pre-evacuation line was now just a mile or so away from our home. With two horses, a calf, two cats, two dogs and almost 40 chickens, we needed a plan, needed to be prepared. That meant the trailer needs to be ready and available.

Taken from a Southwest Airlines flight – photographer unknown

When reports came of rain in the fire area, I cried. When the rain reached us, I stood outside and with the rain falling on me, I cried again. Never mind that it lasted less than 5 minutes and wasn’t enough to make mud. It was rain and with it a promise that maybe this drought would not last forever, that someday my creek and pasture might return.

Two weeks ago, we’d celebrated my parent’s 50th anniversary. It had been a full week. Family arrived from out of state. The 30’ x 60’ tent was erected in my backyard. A dance floor was built, lights hung, and food prepared. A old friend agreed to sing, play guitar, be the DJ for special requests and provide sound equipment. The porta-potty was delivered. Invitations had gone out weeks before.

By Matt Brown

It was perfect. “Like  a scene from Parenthood,” my daughter Katie said. And it was. Nearly 70 friends and family gathered. We ate, danced, sang, and reconnected with some we’d nearly let slip away. At 2 o’clock in the morning, when I finally fell into bed, my heart was happy and full, but my body was exhausted!

The next day, with a houseful of company, I realized my well was having serious issues. Rather than pumping water, it was pumping sand, then it quit pumping all together. I was fairly certain the bottom of the well had caved in, but all of the well guys were busy. With very little snow this past winter and virtually no rain this year, mine wasn’t the only well having issues.

By Shannon Lynne Bechaver

Five days and several hundred dollars later, we had water in the house again. It was a temporary set up, connected to a water tank that needed filled almost daily from 10 miles down the mountain, but we could exist. Two days after that, a well company arrived and confirmed my suspicions. The lower part of the well had collapsed. They were able to make some adjustments and within a couple of hours, the well was working again. Next week, in a effort to avoid further collapse, they will add a new liner to the well and we hope the well will continue producing enough water to carry us through the drought.

Fatigue and stress. 

These two, more than anything else can kill my creativity and I’ve had plenty of both in recent weeks. I was lamenting to my son, that while I’ve accomplished practically nothing since the party, my brother has managed to rip up carpet, remove tile flooring and lay a new floor. Joseph reminded me that dry wells and wild fires are not insignificant events. He’s right, of course.

Source Unknown

Sometimes life is stressful and we do get tired. Things outside of our control invade our lives, thwart our plans and steal our energy. Fortunately, this is a temporary situation and I’ve found 5 strategies for re-igniting my creativity. Maybe some of them will work for you too.

1. Rest

Sleep. Be lazy. Putz around the house doing little things or nothing at all. Just rest. It’s fuel for your creative engine.

2.   Read

I’m a reader. I read to keep my mind sharp and challenge my thinking. I read to learn. I read for fun. I read to relax.

So when I’m tired and stressed, reading helps me unwind. I usually reach for one of our old Sonlight Curriculum read-aloud books. Reading out loud to the kids remains among my most cherished memories.  It doesn’t really matter so much what I read as long as it’s light and fun.

July 5th. Source Unknown

Source Unknown

3.   Do something completely unrelated

When creative thoughts are difficult to find, it helps to do something completely unrelated. Sit on the porch and watch the hummingbirds. Go to a Demolition Derby, or a movie; anything to disconnect for a minute or five.

By Abigail Bennett

By Abigail Bennett

4.  Enjoy other’s creativity

I read other’s blogs, flip through magazines, browse Pinterest or watch HGTV. I let other’s creativity inspire my own.

5. Start

After I’ve rested, I just start. Usually, this involves a tape measure. I revisit the space I know I want to tackle. I measure, then re-measure. I might choose a fabric, paint color or flooring. It doesn’t really matter. I just start.

If I’ve allowed myself to rest and disconnect, that’s enough to open the spigot and the creativity starts flowing again. This time the bathroom was the object of my measuring and I can’t wait to get started!

I’m a little embarrassed to show this. The bathroom is simply horrible, but I’m excited to transform it!

 

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How to Replicate Reclaimed Wood: getting that barn wood look without breaking the bank

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I love old wood. It has character, patina, and a history. I always imagine it has a story to tell.

Our family used to have a big, old, barn. It sat on the land that ancestors homesteaded in Indiana in 1834. Sometimes, I would look at the hand hewn beams and imagine those who had built it generations ago. First, the trees would have been felled. They did not have chain saws. The work would have been backbreaking, accomplished with only the sweat and effort of men and beast.

Once felled the trees would have had to be relocated to the building site, where the painstaking work of shaping the logs would take place. I would imagine the community gathering together to lift the mammoth beams into place. My mind would picture the roof and walls complete and animals safely sheltered in the stalls while a blizzard howled. I’d see a distant relative patiently milking a Jersey cow all the while talking gently to her as her big, soft, brown eyes, gaze lazily back at him.

The barn is gone now. Time and weather had taken it’s toll. The good wood was harvested to be sold or re-used and the remaining structure was burned. Even the footprint left by the structure is gone, erased by new grass and with it, all evidence of it’s existence.

But I see it still. When I look, I see the barn, standing strong along with the farmhouse that used to stand next to it. I see the people who lived and loved and struggled there. I see young children running and playing, older children pumping water from the well. I see a grandmother picking beans in the garden and a wife working over a hot stove in the summer kitchen. I see men toiling in the field behind a team of horses and a plow, or forking hay from the haymow with snow piled high against the exterior walls.

These are the stories kept and guarded by old, reclaimed barn wood. Wood reclaimed from barns isn’t the only reclaimed wood. It’s come from old, one room school houses, factory floors, demolished department stores. The sources are as numerous as the stories they could tell.

Reclaiming it. Re-using it. Repurposing it. This  resonates within me. It honors those that first fashioned it from a tree in a forest into the useful thing it became. It honors the stories, maybe long forgotten, but there still the same.

Once, reclaimed wood was inexpensive and easy to obtain, but as decorating trends have changed and evolved, the demand has increased, prices have risen and inventories have dwindled.

I’m a purist. In my mind, there’s no substitution for the real thing. By definition, new wood does not have the same history. It’s devoid of stories and the patina possible only with time.

I’m also a realist. It’s not always practical nor affordable to use real, reclaimed wood, and some projects just don’t need it. So, I learned how to get that barn wood, aged look with minimal effort, minimal expense and no harsh chemicals.

Next time you need barn wood for your project, give this a try.

Pre-made stain solution ready to apply to wood

Make the solution:

Tear fine, steel wool into pieces and add to white vinegar. I generally make about 1/2 a gallon at a time. To do this, simply  add 1-3 pad of fine steel wool to the vinegar container. (I usually only use one.) You could also combine them in another sealable container. Stir or shake and allow to “steep.”

After half and hour or so, this solution will work to age wood. Simply apply the solution to your wood with a paintbrush.

And that’s it folks! Really. That’s all you need to get that reclaimed barn wood look.

But, here are a few tips to help you get the look you’re really after. They almost blend in with the aged picnic table.

1. The longer you allow the solution to “steep”, the darker the treated wood will become. The solution used in these photos has been “steeping” for approximately two months. It also tends to become rustier in appearance with time.

2. The stain will darken as it dries on the wood. It takes a little time for the color to develop.

From top to bottom: As you can see, the oak is much darker. It’s been approximately 15 minutes since the stain was applied. The next board is a 2 x 4. Next is a naturally aged piece of lumber for reference. The pine board is last. The white streaks are because I lightly sanded it after it had dried.

3. If you want your project to be more rustic, the wood can be distressed prior to staining. Here are some of my favorite ways to do this:

  •           Lay the wood on gravel and walk on it.
  •           Place a chunky chain on the wood and bang it with a hammer.
  •           Scratch with a stiff wire brush.
  •           Use a wire brush wheel for a drill to create circular marks in the wood
  •           Use a wood burner, or propane torch to add burn marks

4. The solution reacts with tannins found in the wood and different woods contain different amount of tannins. If your wood is not coloring like you want, try brewing strong, black tea, and applying it first. Allow it to dry, then add the staining solution. The solution will react with the tannins in the tea, that have now soaked into your wood.

Treated 2 x 4 is on top. Next is the naturally aged lumber. I lightly sanded the dried oak piece and placed in on top of the natural piece so you can see how closely the color matches. The pine piece at the bottom has multiple coats of stain. You can see how it’s really starting to darken.

5. Multiple coats will result in a darker finish. For a subtle finish, “steep” the solution for only half and hour and apply only one coat. For a darker finish, allow the solution to “steep” longer, apply strongly brewed black tea before applying the solution, and apply multiple coats.

6. Experiment and test on a piece of scrap or the bottom of a project before applying to the entire thing. You can create everything from a soft, subtle gray, to a more rusty look, to ebony. Because this is permanent, make sure you are creating the look you want.

Left to right. 2 x 4 board. The top of it has a single coat, the lower half has two coats. See how much darker and less red it is? Next is the naturally aged piece. Then, the pine board. The bottom was sanded and had a second coat. The top had a single coat. Finally, the piece of oak. Notice how is is more gray than the pine pieces.

7. After the wood has thoroughly dried, you can seal it with wax or polyurethane. If using polyurethane, use water based as oil-based products will yellow with time, changing the look of your project. Annie Sloan offers the most well known wax product. It’s not inexpensive but a little goes a long way. If you can find it locally, you can save the shipping charges and several companies are now offering comparable products. I often see them at Vintage Markets and antique stores. Rust-Oleum offers a wax alternative that is supposed to be easier to use than wax while still providing  ultra-matte protection that looks unfinished. It can be brushed on, or they also offer a spray can version. (In the interest of full disclosure, I haven’t tried the Rust-Oleum product yet. I am looking forward to testing it on my next chalk paint project.)

Same as above only in reverse so you can see it in different light. This stain has been steeping for a very long time. For a more subtle result, use the stain sooner.

8. The solution can be brushed, wiped or sprayed on.

9. Any steel, such as nails and screws, can be used in place of the steel wool. Steel wool just breaks down more quickly, and the finer the steel wool, the quicker it will breakdown. If you’re impatient like me, stick to the steel wool.

10. When your stain has steeped to the desired color, strain it through a paper towel to prevent continued breakdown of the steel wool and the solution will not continue to darken.

10. Have FUN! This stuff is fun to experiment with!

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Granny’s Fresh Strawberry Pie

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The timing was terrible. I’d hope to have the mess cleaned up and the evidence destroyed before anyone knew what I’d done. I was in the kitchen, getting a bucket and a rag when I heard a voice, “What happened here?”

It was my brother. He was dropping off ice for the party I hosted here last night. In November, my parents will mark 50 years of marriage, but we celebrated it last night.

I’d baked two pies Friday. I wanted to share the recipe with you and I thought it would be nice to have them for dessert when we all gathered for dinner at my mom’s house on Friday evening.

I was rushing out the door, a pie in each hand, when a daughter called to me. Sadly, when I stopped to change directions and head back inside, one of the pies failed to make the turn. It ended up face down on the concrete and that was the mess my brother found.

I took the remaining pie to my mom’s house anyway. My Great-Grandmother’s Fresh Strawberry pie is as much of a family heirloom as the antique dresser that stands in my closet. There wasn’t really enough to go around and the competition for a piece of the pie was fierce.

This has become a quintessential summer dessert in our family, right up there with homemade vanilla ice cream.  Give it a try. You won’t be disappointed!

Perfect Pie Crust

Makes 1 double-crust 9 inch pie

(Recipe from The Martha Stewart Cookbook)

Many years ago, while embarking on a quest for the perfect pie crust, I found this recipe in a Martha Stewart cookbook. It is hands down the best pie crust recipe I have ever tasted.

The original recipe described both a hand mix method and a food processor method. I’ve developed my own method using my Kitchen Aid. It calls for unsalted butter, but I’ve used salted interchangeably with equal success.

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) chilled butter

3 tablespoons chilled shortening

1/4 cup ice water

Kitchen Aid Method:

Cut the butter into 1/2” pieces. Place it in the bowl of a Kitchen Aid mixer. Add the shortening then the flour and salt and pulse to mix. Gradually, a drop or two at a time, add the ice water. Mix only until all the flour is incorporated.

Do not over-mix. There should be chunks of butter visible.

Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour.

Hand Method:

If you don’t have a heavy duty stand mixer, this can easily be mixed by hand.

Place the butter pieces, shortening, flour and salt in a mixing bowl. Use a pastry knife to cut the butter and shortening into the flour until it resembles very course meal and small chunks of butter are still visible. Add the water drop by drop until, pressing the dough into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour.

Remove the crust from the refrigerator. If it’s chilled for a very long time, allow it to rest for 10 minutes before handling.

Lightly flour a work surface. Divide the pastry into two balls. Pat each piece into a flat round then roll the dough until it’s 1/8” thick and slightly larger than a pie plate.

Fold dough in half and lift into the pie plate. Crimp the edges. Using a fork, pierce the dough around the edges and across the bottom.

Line the pie plate with heavy duty aluminum, so the dough does not shrink when baking.

Bake at 415 degrees until the pie is slightly golden, approximately 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking until golden brown.

Cool.

Granny’s Fresh Strawberry Pie

Make the Puree

2 cups fresh strawberry puree. An immersion blender or food processor work well to make the puree

1 cup of granulated sugar

1/3 cup of corn starch

1 1/2 cup of warm water

Place the berries and sugar in a pan.

Mix the corn starch with warm water and stir until smooth.

Add to the berries and whisk until well incorporated. The mixture will be cloudy.

Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly and cook until thick and slightly more clear.

Set aside and allow to cool. The pan can be placed in a cold water bath to speed the cooling.

Make the Cream Cheese Mix

Mix 2 packages of cream cheese with 1 cup of powered sugar and blend until smooth.

Place half of the mix into each of the cooled pie crusts and smooth evenly.

Final Steps

Clean fresh strawberries and remove the stems. If the berries are small, leave them whole. If they are large, cut them in half from top to bottom.

Place fresh strawberries evenly around the cream cheese mixture.

Top with the cooled puree and refrigerate for several hours.

Serve with whipped cream.

Tip: When strawberries are in season and more affordable, puree the strawberries. Place 2 cups in a freezer bag and freeze. When ready to use, thaw, add the other ingredients and proceed with the recipe.

Printable version can be found here.

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How to Whiten Whites. 3 Steps I Used to Revive Gray, Dingy Sheets

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When it comes to linens, I’m a purist. I like white. My bath towels are white. I still use flour sack, cotton towels exclusively to dry dishes. I prefer white dishcloths and white washcloths to remove my make-up and though I have some patterned sheets, my favorites are white. I just find that they are easier to keep clean and there’s something satisfying about bright, white linens snapping on the clothesline!

Photo from Etsy.com but no longer available

Before you protest, let me explain. While whites will show stains more readily, unlike some colors, whites can be washed in piping hot water. They can also be bleached to kill germs and eliminate that musty, mildewy smell that develops when a wet towel is left in a heap on the bathroom floor (not that my kids would ever do that!)

None-the-less, white can also pose some challenges. Not too long ago I was changing a bed for one of my daughters. I don’t normally do this. All of them are more than capable of changing their own beds, but for some reason that I’ve now forgotten, I was doing it. I was shocked to see her white sheets looking gray and dingy. They weren’t just a little off-colored. They were really bad!  In fact, I was ready to toss them into the trash can and head to Target. The Shabby Chic percale sheets at Target are my all time favorite. If you’re looking for sheets, you can read my recommendations here.

You might be tempted to think the color difference is shadow. It’s not. The dingy piece is the sheet and the white is an almost, new pillowcase of the same brand. The sheet was dingiest in the center where it got the most wear and where it is touching the pillowcase.

The only problem was that the sheets were not that old. They still have plenty of life in them. They just looked terrible. Because throwing away perfectly good sheets seemed wasteful and waste really rubs me the wrong way , I decided to see if I could actually revive them.

Thus began my quest to whiten and brighten whites. I’ve always felt like I had reasonably clean whites. I separate my laundry and soak and bleach my whites. But this was something different. This was going to force my laundry game to a whole new level and I hoped I was up to the challenge.

I started with a visit to Google.  I found lots of suggestions and as you might guess, some of them were contradictory.

Suggestions included: vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, Borax, Tide Brights and Whites, Oxi-clean White Revive, Original Oxi-clean, Bluing, Rit White wash and good old fashioned bleach.

I decided to start with things I had on hand.

Step 1 – Oxi-Clean

First, I filled my canning pot with water and Original Oxi-clean, added the sheet and brought the whole thing to a boil. When it was boiling good and hard, I gave the sheet a couple of stirs, turned off the fire and left it to soak over night.

The next morning I drained off the excess water and washed the sheet on hot with Tide detergent. When the cycle was finished, I hung the sheet on the line and let it dry. At this point, I could see significant improvement.

Step 2 – Bleach

Next, I repeated the wash cycle with hot water and Tide, but this time I added bleach. Normally, I would have used bleach the first time, but my research informed me that bleach can interact with body oils and actually cause yellowing. Bleach is an effective whitener, but only after oils have been removed from the fabric. How did this fact escape me for so long? I’d been using bleach incorrectly for my entire adult life!

Step 3 – Rit White Wash

At this point, the sheet was looking pretty darn good and I probably could have stopped there. However, during my quest, I learned about a product called Rit White Wash. My local Walmart didn’t have it, but I’d found it on Amazon.

In this photo, the sheet almost looks better than the pillowcase.

So, though I was happy with the sheet, I decided to try the Rit White Wash just to see if it could get even better. And guess what? It did! I can’t believe I wasn’t familiar with this product. It did such a phenomenal job!

So, what about those other suggestions?

Vinegar. Vinegar is an effective anti-bacterial and anti-fungal solution and it’s cheap. It also eliminates odors, softens clothes and does a pretty good job at whitening.  It’s all natural and safe to use, even around small children.

The lighting in this photo really shows how close the clean sheet is to the pillowcase.

However, the reviews on vinegar are mixed. Some think you can’t get a high enough concentration when using it as a wash additive. Other’s swear by it. Some claim in helps keep your washer clean and functioning well. Other’s claim the acids break down it’s rubber components. Though the jury is still out on vinegar, I’m inclined to give it the benefit of the doubt. I like it as a household cleaner. If you’ve used vinegar as a laundry whitener, let me know how it works for you.

Borax. Borax is a natural mineral found around the world. It boosts your detergent by raising the PH level, or softening the water. Though I did not use it on this experiment, years ago I used to make my own laundry detergent and Borax was one of the key ingredients. I’ve also used it to soak cloth diapers. It’s relatively inexpensive and it really does help your clothes come out whiter.

Tide Brights and Whites. I’ve never tried this product but the reviews are excellent so next time I need to whiten a dingy, old sheet, I think I’ll give it a try.

Oxi-clean White Revive. For my test, I used plain ‘ole Oxi-Clean. I already had it on my shelf and at the time I didn’t realized Oxi made a special formula for whites. Like the Tide Brights and Whites, I’ll try this product next time around.

Lemon. Lemon is actually an effective whitener and has the added benefit of being all natural and safe.

Baking Soda. I can’t imagine this hurts, but I’m not sure how helpful it really is.

Bluing. I really wanted to try this, but after step three, the sheet looked so good it seemed pointless. Like the Rit, it wasn’t available locally, so I did order some from Amazon. Next time I’m whitening, I’ll give it a try too.

It took a little effort, but I’m so glad I didn’t give up on those sheets. They are as good as new, but more importantly, I’ve learned some new things about whitening clothes! After my success with the sheet, I can’t wait to tackle the rest of my whites!

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Hurricanes, Drought and a Story of Hope

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A hot, dry breeze rustles the curtains reminding me that we are in the midst of a severe drought. For a moment this morning, I dared to hope for rain. The sky was gray and overcast. Rain was not in the forecast but sometimes the weather service gets it wrong. “Oh, please let this be one of those times”, I thought.

One step outside, one deep breath and I knew they were not wrong. The heavens were not going to open and give us the rain we so desperately need. Rather, smoke from distant forest fires obscured the sun creating the haze and with it a cruel deception.

Where there should be green grass, there is dirt. Scrawny cattle search for blades of grass to ease their hunger. Crops suffer and with them the families who have given their lives to producing the food that feeds our population as well as much of the world. Farmers and ranchers talk with furrowed brows in worried tones. We need rain. And we humans are powerless to produce it.

The curtains rustle again, drawing my attention back to the woman in front of me. She sits up in bed with her left foot propped up on a stack of pillows. In spite of the pain I know she’s enduring, her face remains beautiful. I listen as she shares her story.

Surround by drought this story is almost incomprehensible. 13 years ago and 1200 miles away Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc on all in it’s path. Then, like now, we were powerless against it.

Sadie’s story is the story of a mother forced to flee her home as a hurricane threatened her life and those of her children. It’s the story of survival, of resilience, of faith. It’s a story of community, and caring, of generosity and hope.

Before Katrine destroyed New Orleans and Sadie’s home, belongings and business, she owned a cleaning company. For eight years Unlimited Cleaning Services cleaned homes and business. It was hard work but Sadie is a hard worker and she was providing a living for her family.

On Saturday, August 27, 2005, two days before Katrina made landfall, Sadie packed her two children, ages 7 and 14 into her vehicle and commenced the 45 minute drive to Baton Rouge, finally arriving 7 hours later. Motels posted No-Vacancy signs. Gas stations were sold out of fuel, and traffic clogged the roadways.

Finally, Sadie and her children found an available hotel room. That room would become home for the next two months. Simple necessities, like food were hard to come by.

Food stamps were made available but it took a full 24 hours to make it through the line in order to obtain them. Even with the stamps it was difficult to find food and the food they could obtain was cold. Always cold and often military issued pouches. Finally, a church started providing a hot meal once a day.

With two children depending on her, Sadie struggled to survive, all the while worrying and wondering about her older two daughters. They had chosen not to evacuate with Sadie and in the aftermath of the storm, she could not find them. For 30 days she was left to guess at their fate. Finally, she learned they were safe. They’d survived.

Eventually, life in the hotel took on somewhat of a routine. Sadie obtained a job cleaning for the hotel that had become their temporary home. She was grateful for the added money but concerned about the children.

The local schools were overwhelmed and would not allow them to attend. With all of her mother love and determination, she approached a Lutheran private school, knowing full well that she did not have the means to pay the tuition. The school agreed to enroll the kids and to waive the associated costs.

The school then decided to help families, like Sadie’s, relocated and start over, if they desired. After completing the application process, Sadie was chosen for their program. The school identified a location, provided food, gas and hotel rooms for the journey west. That is how Sadie landed in southern Colorado.

Another charitable group arranged for an apartment for the family in their new town. They provided them with much needed winter clothing and filled their cabinets with food.

Furniture Row donated an entire houseful of furniture. They were allowed to choose three bedroom sets, as well as a dining room and living room set.

The Salvation Army learned of Sadie and her family and for three years they provided Christmas and birthday gifts and even paid off the loan on her van.

Fannie Mae allowed her to rent a foreclosed home for a mere $1/month for 18 months. People would see her Louisiana license plates and offer to help.

Little by little, with help and generosity of so many, they began to rebuild their life. Even still, it was hard. When her blood pressure was high enough that she needed to go to the emergency room, she realized that the only person she could list as an emergency contact was several states away. Sometimes the isolation was almost unbearable.

With little formal education Sadie needed a way to provide for her family. Cleaning had started taking it’s toll on her body so she considered other options. She obtained her CNA certificate and began providing in home health services.

In addition to providing an income, this helped ease the feelings of isolation.  And she was good at it! For a time she cared for my aging grandfather. We had used several different people from several different companies, and Sadie was far and away the very best.

In 2009 she began to develop pain in her left foot. Doctors performed a multitude of tests but could not reach consensus on the cause. Eventually, they determined she had rheumatoid arthritis. Though in constant pain, she continued to work and struggled to save, knowing she would eventually need surgery and she wanted to be financially prepared.

Finally, she could no longer stand on the foot and it became apparent that the time had come for the operation. Though she’d saved and prepared, scheduling the surgery took much, much longer than expected, depleting her savings account. Her car was repossessed when she was unable to make her payments, throwing her back into the dreaded isolation.

In addition to the financial burden, we soon realized that she would require 24 hour care for weeks following the surgery. Only one of her children still live in this area and he does not have the means to care for her.

This proud, resourceful, independent woman once again found herself in a desperate situation. She needed the surgery to be able to return to work, but did not know how to survive financially through the procedure and recovery.

There was also the issue of care. Who would care for her during the recovery time? The doctors made it clear that she would not be able to be alone as she would not be able to put any weight on the foot for many weeks.  With no family nearby, Sadie once again felt alone, isolated, and desperate.

My mom had met Sadie several years prior at church. Though sometimes described as bossy, my mother is generous and kind and a woman of action. She cares for people unselfishly and sacrificially when needed. It’s always been that way.

Our home always had a steady flow of people, some friends, some just people in need. She’d feed them, pay a bill, or provide a shoulder to cry on. When she learned of Sadie’s situation, she sprang into action.

Sadie had the surgery last week. It’s a long and painful recovery. The damage was extensive and the foot now contains all sorts of nuts and bolts. She will never have side to side motion again, nor will she be pain-free. The hope is simply that it becomes more manageable so she can return to work.

For now, she’s recovering at my parent’s house and trying to maneuver the painfully, slow process of seeking Social Security and other aid.

As I sat and listened to Sadie this morning she spoke of the day when she will once again be able to get a car, so key to ending the isolation she’s felt. She spoke of the kindness and care of people. “I just want people to know that people are kind. That they really do care,” she said.

But as she recounted her story, there was one theme that I heard repeatedly. Over and over and over again she said, “I am so blessed. I am so blessed.” No bitterness for the home that was lost or the things she’s endured. No hint of victimhood or entitlement. Just thankfulness, a sweet graciousness and a faith, tried as if by fire and found to be pure.

Note: My mom has set up a Go Fund Me page for Sadie. You can find it here.

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Family, Celebrations and Important Milestones

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It’s June and I’m back in Arizona. Yep. Arizona. In June. 105 degrees of dry, suffocating heat. I miss the cool breeze blowing off of my mountain and I remember why I no longer live here. But some things are worth braving Arizona in June. Like family.

My niece graduated from high school on Tuesday and today we joined in the celebration of her and her achievements while recognizing the importance of this milestone. It’s the start of that transition from child to woman. It’s new independence. It’s leaving the nest and chasing dreams. We are proud of her and marking this event with her is worth the trip. Even Arizona. In June.

Tuesday my nephew will turn 16. Another milestone. Another celebration. We will be here to share in it.

Friday we celebrated as my daughter-in-law turned 25.  We gathered with her family and played volleyball in the pool before sharing a meal. We laughed and exchanged stories with the family that welcomed my son as their own. Two families, united by the love of two people, celebrating one kind, smart, beautiful woman.

That’s what family does. We laugh. We celebrate. We share.  Even in Arizona. Even in June.

It’s been two and a half years since Jamie became a part of our family by way of marriage to my son, Joseph. I look around their home today and so much of the decor are things used for their wedding or received as wedding gifts. Their home is comfortable, stylish and inviting and Jamie is kind enough to let me share some of it with you.

One of 3 old windows used at the wedding to display photos and provide table assignments

Same old windows used as decor.

This globe was a wedding gift. “Where you go, I will go. Where you stay, I will stay.” Ruth 1:16   by Katie Lizzie Designs

Log candle centerpieces at Joseph and Jamie’s wedding.

Table centerpieces made using the wedding log centerpieces combined with little wooden rounds purchased at Hobby Lobby.

This table runner was used on the tables during their wedding reception.

Jamie made these using barn wood frames, loosely woven burlap and antique lace doilies. I love these! Antique hankies could be used instead of doilies.

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15 Free Ways to Decorate Your Home: Creating a Home You Love on a Budget – Part 3

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I was sitting here with my laptop, working on the last 7 of 15 Ways to Decorate Your House for Free. Then, I looked around and realize that right now, simply getting my house clean would make it feel like I redecorated! Some days are just like that, at least for me. Ok, some weeks are like that!

Though the broom is shouting my name, I still have 7 ideas to share. If you missed the first 8 ideas, you can find them here. 

9. Pine cones

I know these are typically associated with Christmas and winter decor, but I like to use them year around.  It’s an excellent, free way to add some natural elements to your decor as well as some texture.

I put them in bowls, baskets and metal containers. Small pinecones work great in vases. My daughter, Abigail has put them in a tall,  clear vase along with battery operated fairy lights. They can be made into wreaths, painted for any season and made to look like roses or zinnias.

Pinecone Zinnias, from A Fanciful Twist

How To Make Pine Cone Flowers More

Pinecone flower from The Better Nester

10. Paint

Paint can be used to up-cycle furniture, remake an old light fixture or transform a room. A front door, freshly painted in a bold, vibrant color completely alters your exterior and creates curb appeal. You probably have paint left over from other projects, but if you don’t, most cities now have a Habitat for Humanity Resale store. They always have partial cans of paint for pennies on the dollar and you’re contributing to a good cause in the process.

Home Depot usually has a section with discounted paint as well. Paint colors that don’t come out quite the way the customer wanted them end up in this area. I recently bought an assortment of their little 8 oz sample sized jars in fun spring colors for $.50 a jar. I didn’t really have a plan for the paint, but for the price, I figured someone in my house would want it for a project sooner or later.

11. Branch tea light candleholders

When my son got married two and a half years ago, we made all of the centerpieces out of large branches from my property. Equipped with the branches, a saw and a 1.75” forstner drill bit, my dad created dozens of candle holders.

These are rustic, beautiful and free. And, because they work in any season, they are so versatile!

12. Old picture frames

Old picture frames can be purchased for next to nothing at garage sales. For a unified look, paint them all one color. For an eclectic look, just mix and match. They can be layered, empty, on a mantel. Several of them can be grouped on a wall to create a statement. Use them empty, or frame photos, quotes or bits of lace.

https://i1.wp.com/www.kellyelko.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/staircase-gallery-wall1.jpg?resize=440%2C660&ssl=1

Gallery wall, Bless’er House

Decorating with Empty Thrift Store Picture Frames | www.andersonandgrant.com

From Anderson and Grant

13. Quilts and throws

Quilts and throws are, of course, practical. They cover our beds and keep us cozy while we watch our favorite shows on tv. They can also take up a lot of room. I don’t think I’ve ever met a single person who said they had more closet space than they knew what do with.

So rather than try to carve out a piece of that precious real estate, just put them on display. Drape them over a sofa, hang several from a old ladder in the corner of a room or stack them on the bottom shelf of a sofa table.

This might kill 2 birds with one stone: a great use for the beautiful antique ladder we found in our garage, and new towel rods to replace the awful ones in our upstairs bath...

From Pinterest

https://i0.wp.com/1.bp.blogspot.com/-cfrTplRCcmo/VMgcTq1UHOI/AAAAAAAANxI/d7iIvmFHz6I/s1600/zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzdisplayingquilts3.jpg?resize=640%2C586

Photo from Ana White

14. Baskets

If you have baskets taking up space in a closet, why not pull them out and put them to use. If you don’t, second-hand and thrift stores always have them in abundance. I put them on top of armoires, hang them on walls, and keep my eggs and my bread in them. Tired and dated baskets can be given a clean, fresh look with a little spray paint. Stencil a number, design or initials on your baskets.

This shallow basket hangs on the wall of my dining room, but it’s not just decorative. It regularly gets pulled into use, usually when I’m entertaining. It makes an awesome vegetable basket!

When hosting large parties, this basket gets lined with a flour sack towel and is used to hold bread or rolls. Rather than find a place to store it when I’m not using it, I let it contribute to my decor.

15. Display your hobbies

If you’re a quilter, put your fabric stash on a bookcase or in a cabinet with glass or wire doors. A wooden box can hold paints and be put on display. If you don’t have a wooden box, an old drawer works great. Readers can display books.

We have horses, and though some might think it’s strange, we have halters hanging in the mudroom. If we need to catch a horse, they are quickly and easily assessible and they are a tangible reflection of our lifestyle.

Your decor doesn’t have to be perfect. It needs to represent you, who you are and what you love.

This cabinet could just as easily hold a quilter’s fabric stash.                    From Creative Cain Cabin

The key to free or nearly free decorating, really, is to shop your own house before heading to the store. What do you have that can be relocated, re-imagined, re-used? Don’t forget to shop your yard. Branches, leaves, flowers can all be used to help create a beautiful decor. Be bold. Be creative. And most of all, have fun!

I’m off to see if I can silence the pesky broom.

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15 Free Ways to Decorate Your Home: Creating a Home You Love on a Budget – Part 2

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If you follow along on this blog you know that two weeks ago I shared the first 3 of 15 free or nearly free decorating ideas. I intended to write about the same topic last week, but Mother’s Day, and my daughter moving out took me in a different direction.

So, here we are again with more affordable decorating ideas.

4. Branches

Most of us have access to a tree or two from which we can harvest some branches. This is a wonderful, free way to add nature and texture to your interiors. Use them to fill vases, create a place to hang jewelry, fashion a natural headboard, make a piece of framed art, build a towel or coat rack, or make a lampshade.

Jewelry holder, Funky Junk Interiors

 

Twig lampshade, Shabby Creek Cottage

You can buy this at Amazon, or simply fill a jar or vase with branches from your yard.

Headboard. Found at JenLovesKev.

5. Dishes

Rather than keeping all of your dished behind closed doors, put them on display and let them contribute to your decor. This works really well when dishes are the same color, even if they aren’t the same pattern. Feel free to mix and match.

Grouping items increases the visual impact, so rather than place individual pieces around a room, group them. For example, if you have several pitchers of different sizes, group them together and put them on display.

White dishes on display. French Country Cottage

I love the white with wood. Dear Lillie Blog.

Here’s one from Martha Stewart with brown transferware.

The dark cabinet interior really sets off the white dishes. I love the juxtaposition of the rustic cabinet and baskets with silver plate, crystal and fancier dishes. Desire to Inspire.

Dishes don’t have to be white to display well. Image found on Pinterest.

Even chippy shelves work well for display and decorating with dishes. Found on Pinterest.

6. Towels

Towels make a great decorating item simply because we all have them. Roll them up in a basket, place them on a shelf or a chair, or hang tea towels to create a valance.

Tea towel valance. If you don’t have a curtain rod, just use push pins to attach it above the window. From Debbie Doos.

7. Food

Rather than hide your fruits and vegetables away in the fridge, place them in a bowl on the counter or in the center of the dining room table. Using a variety provides color and interest whereas a single food creates more drama. Just use whatever is in season, or items that your family will eat.  Lemons heaped in a white bowl are beautiful and fresh. Fall apples in a basket are warm and homey and they smell great too.

In American, we tend to refrigerate our eggs, but when I lived in Europe this was not the case. Eggs were found on a shelf, not in a refrigerator. Since then, my eggs are usually kept in a basket on my countertop. It frees up space in the fridge and adds a farmhouse touch to my kitchen.

Yes, I know there’s all kinds of concerns about salmonella and other nasty things. I can only say I have been doing this for many, many years and never experienced any illnesses.

From my kitchen

If you like the look, but worry about the safety, simply create your own display eggs. Make a small hole in both ends of an egg. Blowing in one end will push the contents out of the other end. The empty egg can be placed in a bowl or basket with others contributing to a farmhouse decor for just a few cents.

8. Dryer sheets

I don’t know what it is about closets, but have you ever notice how newly laundered sheets go into a closet smelling fresh and clean, but when you take them out they have that not quite musty, but certainly not pleasant smell?

You’ve probably had those times, like me, when you pull sheets out of the closet to make up the guest bed and they just don’t smell good. So the clean sheets quickly go into the washer and you hope you can get them clean and dry again before your guests arrive. I really hate that.

It happens with towels and clothes too. You can spend a small fortune buying scented drawer and shelf liners and while they are certain pretty, you never really see them. Many years ago I started using dryer sheets to keep my linens and clothes fresh. I just layer them among the fabrics. Fabric items come out smelling clean and fresh. When the dyers sheets start to lose their fragrance I simply change them out for new. It’s cheap and it works.

Come back next week for more free or nearly free decorating ideas. Happy decorating!

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5 Personal Observations About Kids Growing and Leaving

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The ticking of the wall clock slowly calls me from my sleep. I can feel the sun and hear the birds through the open window. I resist opening my eyes. Something deep in my consciousness shouts that I don’t want to face this day.

Before sleep can return my heart starts racing with feelings of impending doom and all hope of sleep slips away. Slowly, it penetrates my consciousness. This is The Last Day.

Less than two weeks ago, I was in Arizona for my son’s graduation. I smiled, and laughed and celebrated his accomplishments. He’d earned his MBA. I was proud of what he’d accomplished and proud of the man he’s become.

I was relishing the time with him, keenly aware of how rare and precious these times have become. Then my phone rang. It was the first indication that there was tremor in the force, that my world was about to be shaken. Again.

My daughter, Anna, full of excitement and energy declared that she’d decided to get an apartment. She was moving out, just days after I return. What?!? I’d only been gone three days and she was making decisions that would change my life.

I knew this was coming. Eventually. It was inevitable and ultimately good, but like a punch in the stomach it took my breath away and I struggled to stay calm.

Anna

We’ve talked about this day, but it was supposed to be that day in the future. Next year, when she’d graduated from college, then she would move. I’ve started purchasing things I thought she’d want when she sets up a home of her own. But I thought I had a year. A year to prepare myself, to figure out how to do this with something that resembles composure. This feels too soon.

Still, here we are. The Last Day. The year of preparation, vanished like the mirage that it was. As I write, she’s still in bed. Soon, she will rise and finish her packing. We’ll load my pick-up with the last of her things. For now, I let her sleep. Her last night at home, in her bed, under my roof. I don’t want it to end. So I tip toe around the house, careful not to make noise that would wake her.

When you talk about the pain of kids leaving home, some will look completely and utterly puzzled. They simply can not understand the sadness. Some celebrate. One couple dropped their last child at college, turned and gave each other high fives. They’d done it. Finished. They’d raised their children. No sadness. No nostalgia. Just joy at a job well done.

I wish I were more like that. I want to be better at this. I want to walk through it with poise, strength and grace. It’s really nothing remarkable, kids leaving home. It’s comes with the territory. Somehow, knowing this does not make it any easier for me.

So I grieve. Where I want poise, I feel panic. When I reach for strength I find weakness. Instead of grace, there are tears.

Perhaps, with time and distance, in a half a dozen years or so, when all of the kids have left and I’ve had time to adjust, to create a new life, a new home, I will have words of wisdom to share. Perhaps, when the loss isn’t so new and the pain so fresh I will have something different to write, something with which to comfort parents who, like me, are smack dab in the middle of this season of life. Perhaps.

But today, I grieve. And the vulnerability feels scary and feels too much like weakness.  I’d prefer to stuff it in a dark corner of my heart, shackled and gagged, silenced and forgotten. I’m more comfortable wearing a mask of strength than this raw, reality of grief.

I’d ignore it if I could, even though I know that only by forcing myself to acknowledge the grief, to look it square in the face and feel it can I know the personal growth that follows.

Someday I will analyze this process of letting go. Today however, I will content myself with making a few observations.

1. It hurts.

For many of us, when our kids leave home, we are filled with grief. Yes, we are proud of our kids. We  know this is inevitable, even right. Of course  we are happy for them. We see their excitement and enthusiasm and we want to rejoice with them. But the thing is, it hurts.

We know that the life we’ve spent decades building is slipping away. It’s changing. We will no longer share the silly little day to day things. We will no longer wash our faces and brush our teeth together as we get ready for bed at night. I won’t hear her car pull into the drive at the predictable times, or jump at the scream from the other room as she encounters a tiny spider. A thousand other simple, seemingly unimportant little things will change, things I used to take for granted.

It’s not that it won’t be good, but it will be different. Gradually, Anna became my friend. For twenty-one years she’s has lived under my roof and I will miss her fiercely. Tonight, when I go to bed and walk past her empty room, I will know a season has passed, never to return.

It hurts.

2. Comparing my sadness to other’s does not help.

I know mothers who have lost children, spouses who have lost wives, parents dealing with addictions and mental illness. I know my situation pales in comparison. I know this. In my head. But my heart, that’s a different story. Reminding myself that someone else’s pain is greater should lessen my mine, but somehow it doesn’t work that way.

3. Their presence lingers.

In her article on empty nests, Susan Bonifant put it like this:

“When the kids leave, they leave that behind – a feel and rhythm in the house that took years to evolve. The sting of empty nest is sharpest when that feel still exists after the activity from which it evolved is over.

Know that it isn’t just a change in what you do and who you see that will move you back to the center. It’s the new feel and rhythm that will grow around you.”

Hmmmm. It’s not something we can just get busy and fix. I’m not good at waiting. I’m a fixer, but this takes time.

It doesn’t happen overnight, nor once and for all. When the first, then the second left the nest, it took time for our family to evolve, to feel normal again, to find a new rhythm. This time is no different and remembering that brings me tremendous comfort.

4. I haven’t lost them. 

The relationships are different, but not lost. They are still my kids. I am still their mom. I can still love them, enjoy them and know them. Every once in a while they might even still need me.

Raising these kids is the single greatest joy, honor and challenge of my life. It utterly astounds me. These children were entrusted to me. Me!!  I was given the magnificent privilege of knowing them, of loving them, and that privilege remains. Love does not have an address.

5. I will be ok.

I’m still a couple of years away from an empty nest. Age has taught me that two years will come and go in the blink of an eye. Tonight I will go to bed keenly aware of the room sitting empty next to mine. One by one the others too will leave.  They will build their own lives and make their own marks on the world.  It will be hard. There will be tears, but I will be ok.

I won’t try to avoid the grieving process. I will allow myself to feel all of the feelings. When the silence becomes loud and oppressive, I’ll listen for the echos of the family that once was.

I’ll breathe deeply. I’ll count my blessings. I’ll reflect on the chapters of our life and family. I’ll rejoice in the family we still have, even though it’s different than it once was. I will find a new rhythm, a new feel and I will be ok. Better than ok.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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15 Free Ways to Decorate Your Home: Creating a Home You Love on a Budget

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She’s among the gentlest, sweetest young women you’d ever hope to meet. When she sings in church on Sunday, with a voice like an angel and her face radiant and glowing, I get the distinct feeling she’s sitting at the very feet of God.

Through the week, she patiently teaches little girls the art of ballet. It’s more than just plies and pirouettes. It’s instilling grace, discipline and confidence. She’s investing in those little girls, in the women they will someday become. She serves endlessly and loves selflessly.

When I noticed the email from her in my inbox, I smiled. I haven’t seen her in years and it was a joy to connect. She was asking for decorating advice. You see, though her heart is big, her budget isn’t.

Just an assortment of jars, some clippings from my yard and a piece of burlap.

A Starbucks Frappuccino jar serving as a vase and yard clippings.

When looking through Pinterest or browsing Pottery Barn, or even Hobby Lobby, it’s easy to believe that you need deep pockets in order to create a beautiful home. This simply isn’t true.

So, in honor of my sweet friend, over the next several posts, I’m going to share 15 free or nearly free decorating ideas

1. Jars:

I hate waste. Maybe it was the way I was raised. Maybe it’s because I’ve spent time in countries where poverty thrives like a cancer, choking out life and hope. Maybe it’s from trying to raise five little ones on a tight budget. Maybe it’s all of those things, but for whatever reason, I hate waste.

Image credit Jarful House. This is a fun centerpiece

Image credit  Jarful House. A jar, paint, a bracket and a piece of wood.

As a result, I often have a cabinet full of old jars of all shapes and sizes. Spaghetti sauce jars. Jelly jars. Tall skinny jars from Sun-dried tomatoes. Jars from an occasional bottled Starbucks Frappuccino. Short, fat jars from who-knows-what.

It turns out that jars make a great, free decorating accessory. Use them as vases, drinking glasses or storage. They are great containers for cotton balls, Q-tipps, and bobby pins. They can hold craft paint brushes, , pencils, make-up brushes and kitchen utensils. They can be painted, embellish with ribbon, burlap, lace and decoupage , and little things can be glued to them.

When using jars to decorate, try grouping several together to increase the visual impact. They can be the same, like in the beer bottles below, or you can mix and match. It doesn’t really matter.

Beer bottles!

2. Books

Books make great, versatile decorations. Old books can add age and character to a space. New books can be decorated with craft paper, burlap, wrapping paper or fabric.

Image credit Little Vintage Nest

Image credit Dot Com Women

If you want a unified look, create your own spine labels. For an eclectic look, simply mix books of all sizes, colors and ages.  Lay them on their sides and stack them. Prop a single book open or allow several to lean up against each other. Hang them on a wall for a clever wall display. They can even be used to create a fun, inexpensive shelf or a decorative box for holding treasures.

Image credit to Make and Do Crew

 

Here’s one from Fixer Upper

Image credit Nikki and Nicholas

3. Book pages

Most of us have more books lying around than we know what to do with, and if we’re honest, some of those books will never be opened again. Why not use the pages to create beautiful, free decor? Here are some ideas:

Book page Wreathes

Image credit Lace Crazy

Image credit Beehive Art Salon

Image credit Robin-Happy at Home

Book page Garlands

Image credit Tip Junkie

Image credit Love Embellished.

Book page Decoupage  – Glue shapes cut from book pages to jars, tins and boxes.

Image credit The Wicker House

Book page Basket of Eggs

This is such a fun and inexpensive idea. Simply decoupage book pages over plastic Easter eggs. These are displayed in a grape vine wreath, but you can get the same look with a bowl of twigs gathered from your yard.  Add stamps if desired.

Image credit Sew for Soul

Book page Wall Hanging

I love this! It’s simple, beautiful and again, versatile. Just choose your favorite quote.

Image credit Hogg Barn Antiques

Book page Lamp Shade

There are lots of options for covering old lamp shades with book pages. One of my favorite is using an illustrated book for a child’s room.

Image credit Amazing Goodwill

Book page Flowers

Simply beautiful. A bowl of flowers crafted from the pages of a book.

Image credit Love Embellished

Are you overwhelmed? Inspired?  Decorating doesn’t have to be expensive. Take a look around. What do you already have?  Are there other ways to use them, transform them or re-purpose them? Be creative. Be bold. And above all, have fun creating a home you love!

(Disclosure: While everything on this page can be created DYI, some of these images came from Etsy pages and the items are also available for purchase. )

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