When DIY doesn’t PAY

When DIY doesn't PAY - part of the Cheap Tricks series on The Domestic Fringe. Help you Live for Less.

Note:  If you click on the images in this post, they will take you to the full DIY before/after or how-to. I think we’re the DIY generation.  We want to do everything ourselves.  Not only that, we want to be good at it too! Dare I say, pinnable. Every time I’m up to my elbows [...]

I Found It On Etsy

Pac Man Ring on Etsy

I have a pot of spaghetti sauce simmering on the stove-top and I’m waiting for my bread to rise, so I  opened my laptop in order to waste a little time. Usually Pinterest helps me while away the minutes, but I realized I hadn’t been on Etsy in quite some time, so off I went, [...]

Before & After: New Paint & Gallery Wall

DIY: Gallery Wall

If you follow along on facebook, you know I had a coupon for a free sample of paint, actually two samples.  I’m not great at choosing paint colors.  I have 5 gallons of the ugliest paint on the planet to prove my history of bad choices, but I am extremely impressed by Valspar’s spring line [...]

Minted: Wedding Invitations, Art Prints & So Much More

Minted: Wedding Invitations Collage

I just fell in love in love with an online shop called Minted.   Minted is a “global community of independent graphic designers and an online store that prints and sells the best of their designs in the form of paper goods.” Their mission statement says it all. “Our purpose in life is to uncover [...]

Ordinary

Chinese style painting by child

My tagline says “making life extraordinary”, but no amount of fancy words can make today extraordinary.  In fact, it’s feels EXTRA ordinary. Early Morning Emails from Teachers -  No Coffee -  Too Little Sleep -  Lost Homework – Alarm Clocks that Didn’t Ring Some days the ordinary is absolutely overwhelming It makes me want to [...]

Wild & Precious Life

signature banner

Source: etsy.com via Tricia on Pinterest Originary art found here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/93115625/wild-and-precious-life-11×14 So tell me. What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? The clock is ticking and the pages on the calendar are flipping.  What’s your dream – your goal for 2013? What is it you will do this [...]

Glitter Deer Silhouette: A DIY Project

Glitter Deer Silhouette on wood

Glitter makes everything better. I heard this mantra sung by women on Pinterest, and even a few of my friends buy into the idea that our world should sparkle. For a while, I hesitated to embrace the shiny of it all.  Oh, I saw the twinkle in their eyes, but I remembered ill-fated projects of [...]

Book Shelves – A DIY Makeover

Home decorating with books

Every so often things need to get changed up in my house. They also really need to be cleaned, because when I leave all the dusting to my ten year-old daughter, places get overlooked.  Sometimes entire bookcases get overlooked, for a long time. I am quite proficient at procrastination though, and I can almost always [...]

Some Make it Beautiful: DIY

others make a place beautiful 3

SOME PEOPLE LOOK FOR A BEAUTIFUL PLACE OTHERS MAKE A PLACE BEAUTIFUL Isn’t that so true? Now, granted, some of us do a better job making our places beautiful than others.  Beauty is in the eye (and pocketbook) of the beholder.  I do not do nearly as good a job as most people, but I [...]

Brought to You by The Letter “R”

Mixed Media art

Today is one of those days that leave me thinking I should get more sleep or drink more caffeine.  A little of  both would probably be beneficial. That is why today’s post is brought to you by the letter “R” for “Random”. ***** First I want to put your nutritionally balanced minds at ease.  I [...]

Art: The Act of Making Things Pretty

henna hand tattoo

At least that is my definition  of art for today. Yesterday I told you about our exciting Saturday at the Garlic Festival, but I left something out.  I hate to leave anything out, especially the good stuff and there’s plenty of that. My mom looked at me late Saturday afternoon and said, “Visiting you is [...]

My Confession & A Work of Art

Folk Art in Vermont

I must confess. Now listen up please, because I will only say it once.  I cannot  bear the guilt and shame of repeating myself. As I sit here sniffing my cinnamon spice cookie candle, I am ready for fall. Almost! There I said it.  I feel like a terrible weight is lifted from my shoulders.  [...]