Thirfty Shopping

I love spring because it means I will spend countless hours at garage sales, estate sales and thrift stores due to spring cleaning. Here are some features of great finds and also my tips and tricks for thrift store shopping.

 

 

Upcycled Lace and Doilies

When I'm thrift shopping and shopping at estate sales, I am always drawn to lace and doilies. I've been waiting to showcase just a few projects that you can create with them and I can't wait to hear what you think.

 







Doilies Necklace

 

Items Needed:

Necklace chain

Necklace clasps

Fabric Stiffener

Doilies or lace

 

 

 

Start by cutting your design out. I was inspired to create an asymmetrical necklace.  Next, using a paint brush apply fabric stiffen to both sides of your design. I let it sit for about 30 minutes and could tell a difference in the strength. You can also mix the fabric stiffener with acrylic paint to dye the color.  Lastly, using needle nose pliers and tweezers I chained together my design.

 

 

 

Lace Earrings

Items Needed:
Lace or doilies
Fabric Stiffer
Earring clasp

Use the fabric stiffener as listed above, wait til it dries and then open the earring clasp to complete your fabulous new earrings. These are great for bridesmaid gifts!

 



Last option, use fabric glue and fabric stiffer to adhere a beautiful lace design to a boring tank top or t-shirt. I would also recommend sewing a few stitches around the edges to secure.

 

 

Easter Eggs Decorella Style

There are countless ways to create beautiful Easter eggs, and I couldn't pick just one option to feature. I made quite a mess but it was worth it. 

For traditional pastel eggs use water with your dye, for medium tone use lemon juice and for bright colors use vinegar with your dye. 

 1. Use sharpies to decorate your eggs with patterns, phrases, names, designs or just plain doodles. Sharpies come in so many great colors that it's very inspiring to think of the possibilities.

2. Ombre eggs- using your typical egg dye continue to dip your egg into your dye to create the very on trend look. 

3. Mod podge your heart away! I used magazine clipping but feel inspired to use fabric, glitter, or just about anything you can mod podge. 

 4. Marbled eggs- Add a tablespoon of oil to allow a very texturized and organic look to your eggs. Each egg will truly be unique. I recommend just one or two quick dips into the egg bath for the best results.

5. Tie-dye with nailpolish. Drip a few drops of any nail polish color into a water egg bath to create a funky crazy look to your eggs. 

6. The golden egg- I dipped the left egg into gold paint and let it drip dry and used mod podge for the second and rolled it in a glitter bath. 

Create Modern Concrete Planters

I adore the simple things in life. I think concrete planters are beautiful. In one afternoon, I created several beautiful planters that could also function to best fit your needs.

Items Needed:

1 tub/bag of concrete (1 tub was $7)

Multiple lightweight  plastic containers or milk cartons

Optional:

Succulents

Cement Color  

Build your planters, cups, bowls or other items to size. I used multiple juice boxes, recycled plastic and more to create various depths and widths. In a disposable bowl or cup, mix together your cement and water based off the package instructions.  Pour into your designed container and let dry in the sun for 3 or more hours, based on the size.

Lastly, Brody helped me plant beautiful succulents into my planters. He's so helpful.

Another option is to paint the planters.

Ruffled Blog





Curb and Patio Appeal

I am in the final stages of decorating, sprucing up and preparing for our first veranda party on our newly remodeled back yard, drive way and front entry.

I'm interested in a patio heater since it's not quite warm enough to be outside all night. I think a patio heater would allow more outdoor entertaining through the season and provide potential light, decor and some have beverage stands for the adult beverage.  Patio heaters come in various sizes (free standing or table top) and in a multiple variety of colors.  I'm going to start with one patio heater and then see if I need to invest in a second heater. I especially prefer the outdoor heaters that don't require any electricity and can be moved to accommodate various furniture arrangements.

I also need to purchase a new mailbox (ours has been hit three times by construction companies and the utility company) but I'm hesitant if I should DIY a stone mail box or purchase another inexpensive one if the case that we may have another causality. I love this mailbox from Outdoorimpressions.net and I think I can create this. I think it would look nice with our new stone pavers and since our home is stone it would look very classic. Has anyone built their own mailbox and would recommend trying it?

I think a custom address plaque would look great with a new Stone mail box. I live on a busy street so the address plaque would come in handy as most of my visitors struggle to know which is my drive way.

I keep everyone updated as I put the final touches on my outdoor home projects.

Vote for Decorella in Metropulse Best of Knoxville

It's time again! Decorella came so close last year to wining a Best of Knoxville award. This year you should vote for Decorella in best local blog, best twitter account and best local website.

Vote today!