decorating
Golf Ball Pumpkins
How does a non-golfing family end up with a bucket of golf balls? I imagine it’s the usual way. We scavenged for them. In our version of “I Spy” we search the beach at low tide for golf balls hidden under rocks. At the top of the cliffs above the beach there is a park and it seems some golfers like hitting balls into the ocean. Naughty, naughty. Collecting the golf balls is great fun, but I needed something to do with the growing collection other than take up an expensive hobby play golf. My daughter and her friends transformed the first bunch into emojis. That project was super cute, but…
Repurposing Denim Belt Loops to Hang Towels
I recently read a New York Times article entitled 5 Cheap(ish) Things That Could Disproportionately Improve Your Life. I’m ALL about improving my life on the cheap(ish). The author, Tim Herrera, wrote this: “I never would’ve thought a thin, black, six-foot iPhone charging cable would change my life. Yet here we are, and that magic cable is the Amazon Basics lightning-to-USB iPhone charging cable (also available in micro-USB). This little wonder of PVC and copper wiring solves an irritatingly modern non-problem problem: the three-foot leash that is the stock charging cable usually bundled with most smartphones. Cue the tiny violin. But once you’re able to roam just a little farther,…
Trash to Treasure Mirror
Pop quiz! Do you remember the trash I pulled out of our neighbor’s dumpster? Then I fast walked raced home with it like “there’s nothing to see here, nothing to see.” It still makes me feel weird. But I loved it! Still do! I turned that junky object into a 4th of July wreath, which I thought turned out pretty cool. I also laugh at my own jokes, so take all of that self assessment with a grain of salt! I mentioned this junky treasure might not stay a wreath. As the decorating fates would have it, I came up with a more practical use for it and I’m nothing if not…
Our Best Hidden Storage Purchase
Have I waxed poetically enough about how moving to Ireland meant downsizing? MAJOR downsizing? Get out your teeny, tiny violins. I’d say we got rid of 60% of Handy Husband’s our stuff. Start playing your sad tune now. The truth is, I don’t even miss Handy Husband’s most of that stuff. Even with all of that downsizing, I still knew storage would be a challenge. Think about all the stuff you store in your home – craft supplies, office supplies, Christmas ornaments, extra blankets, tools, all the shoes you can’t wear now that you have to walk everywhere, etc. My babies shoes! I can’t part with them. Yet. Homes in Ireland don’t…
Natural Rock Soap Dish
The last day of our trip to the U.S. was pretty special. First, we got to spend the morning playing with friends. Can’t go wrong there. After that, I ran into my very first piano teacher. There are a few people God gifted with a sweet spirit and an abundance of talent and she’s one of them. You really need to see her portfolio of oil paintings. Then, my son got a lesson on how to operate the tractor bucket. Apparently, he now thinks that makes him qualified to help Grandpa make hay next year. He’ll be 8. Finally, we capped the day off with a trip to the creek…
House Number Sign From Wooden Spool
It’s been quite awhile since I’ve shared a Junk Whisperer project. I missed them! I missed The Junk Whisperer more though. And yes, that is shameless flattery. I’ve invaded her home and I need all the brownie points I can get. Me + Children = Lots of noise, mess and groceries. Now, back to the point of this post: a good “why didn’t I think of that” project. When The Junk Whisperer shares her projects with me I usually have nothing more clever to say than, “that is SUCH a good idea!” over and over and OVER. It’s mildly embarrassing. This project started with an old wooden spool, similar to…
Junky 4th of July Wreath
I went dumpster diving and found treasure! Let me clarify something though. Dumpsters in Ireland are called skips. They range in size from 2.5 cubic yards to 35 cubic yards. You can also order a gigantic bag for your yard waste/other debris and that is called a baby skip. Aw, so cute! Aren’t you glad for all the random information you learn on this blog? Here’s what a skip looks like when it’s being hauled away on the lorry. This is not the one that held my treasure though. It held some old windows that were replaced in our house. I walk by skips in front of houses and businesses…
Memory Rocks
“Tell me a story, mama.” Every night when I go through the bedtime routine with my son, he asks me to tell him a story. A real story. THE PRESSURE!!! He likes stories with drama and danger the best. Like that time I got a flat tire going 60 mph down I-84. Or when the security guards at JC Penney used to duck behind garment racks when they were trying to catch someone stealing. The problem is my memory is TERRIBLE when it comes to these little, every day memories and experiences. Especially ones from decades ago. I’m not sure what I’m doing with all my brain cells, but saving…
Wine Rack Upcycled Into a Display Shelf
A million years ago when Handy Husband and I grew up and started purchasing real furniture, we bought a buffet table for our dining room that included a built-in wine rack. Here it is in our last house. I miss that old house, by the way. Turns out we prefer a mixed drink over wine in this house and the wine we did keep on hand was properly stored in a wine fridge. The wine rack has bugged me, off and on, for YEARS. First, half of this piece of furniture is a waste of space. Second, that thing is a dusting nightmare. Third, it looks dumb without wine. I’ve wanted to take the wine rack…
Vintage Key Project Inspiration
I about tripped over myself with excitement when I realized the keys to our Irish house were old-fashioned. It’s probably my favorite part of the house, even if it did take me two weeks to figure out how to unlock the back door. True story. Vintage locks are tricky! We recently got a new back door with a boring modern key. Sure, the door is more energy efficient and secure, but couldn’t they make the keys just a little more interesting to look at? Now I have two vintage keys that are of no use to anyone, but me!! That’s also why I feel okay sharing pictures of these keys on the…
