Thrift Store Makeover - Gorgeous Faux Mercury Glass Lamp

Today's post is about a thrift store makeover and I was very impressed with this one and had to share.  This lamp was purchased from a thrift store for a few dollars..

Before

Here's the finished product!

After

It turned out AMAZING!  It is a faux mercury glass lamp and I must say, it looks like the real thing.  She did a great job!!  Check out Lisa's Creative Designs to see how she did it!

Free Printable Art for St. Patrick's Day!

Do you have an an extra 8x10 and 5x7 frame? I have made some St. Patrick's Day art. All you have to do is print it out and frame it!

This cute button shamrock is the 8x10 printable.  This inspired me to make this button shamrock.

Click HERE to download

This sequin shamrock is the 5x7. You will see the small border when you print it out. Of course, it could be an 8x10 if you wanted.

Click HERE to download

Enjoy and Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!



These free printables were made using resources from Obsidian Dawn, Scrappin Cop and Ruthenia Alba via Deviant Art






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Guest Post - Dining Under Beautiful Lights

Hello, everyone, I’m Mari, a writer from Arcadian Lighting, a terrific online source for all things lighting. One of the things I love most about my work is doing guest posts because I get to visit (and learn so much from) great blogs like Frugal Home Design. Jamie's post about refurbished chandeliers was extremely interesting. It actually inspired today's topic, Dining Under Beautiful Lights. No matter your style, there is an amazing array of light fixtures available to hang above the dining table. We hope you'll be inspired by the lovely lights I brought to share with you today. Please enjoy!

Here's another creative chandelier to add to Jamie's collection--recycled green wine bottles hung from a metal circle. This is one of my favorite dining rooms—one can only dream of enough shelves to hold and beautifully display china and serving dishes.

An unexpectedly large hanging lantern works well even when hung over a small round table in this light and airy dining room because the eye is not stopped as we are able to see through the clear glass panels.

Hanging globe pendant lights like this one are not only beautiful but can budget-friendly as well. This white paper version is lovely in dining room with an Asian influence, but would work well with many other styles.

It takes a certain fearless personality to hang two ornate chandeliers in contrasting colors above a modern dining table and colorful chairs. We admire the sense of personal style.

Lovely little glass pendants are simply perfect for this slightly feminine dining space. Lights like these can range from the inexpensive to pricey custom designs.

This rattan and bamboo bell pendant light would work beautifully in a dining area that begs for something unexpected over the table.

A grouping of small pendants can have big visual impact when hung at varying levels over a large circular or oval table.

Another way to hang multiple lights is place them in a row down the center of a long dining table. These clear glass beauties highlight chunky vases of gorgeous orange tulips. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

 

Dine in style with beautiful light fixtures and pendant lights at Arcadian Lighting!

Decorating for St. Patrick's Day

 

graphics by Obsidian Dawn

I realize many people do not decorate for St. Patrick's Day but for those of you who do, I have a nice round-up of crafts and home decor tutorials to share plus some very cute ones for the kids, too.  I  hope you enjoy..

St. Patrick's Day Craft and Home Decor Round-Up

Wall Decor Ideas - Mirror Walls

Many people display collections on their walls.  Some of these are framed photos, crosses, plates, artwork and the list goes on and on.   A wall collection can change a room that is drab into one that is dramatic and beautiful-especially a mirror collection.  The best thing about mirrors is you can find them very inexpensive at places like Goodwill, local thrift stores, garage sales, resale shops, flea markets etc. You can find all shapes and sizes and if you keep your eye out for them, you can have a stunning collection for your wall in no time.  Have a look at some of these beautiful mirror walls....

mirror wall @ My Romantic Home

What I love about this collection is that the mirrors are all framed in white and that there are different sizes and shapes. This is a truly beautiful collection with all of the different type mirrors, especially the ornate and very detailed frames.. love them!  I found this one at My Romantic Home. There's even more photos at the link.

mirror wall @ Alkemie

These mirrors are gorgeous.. I love ones that are hung by chains!  It looks like mainly hanging mirrors and a few regular ones and only one with a frame and it's a green stained glass frame.. so beautiful!  This one I found at Alkemie. Be sure to check out all the other stuff at the link too!

mirror collection @ Cupcakes and Cashmere

I like how this one is neatly grouped into a rectangle... the different shades of browns in the frames all go very well together and I like the variety of different shapes of the mirrors and designs of the frames.  They look great on the colored wall, too!  This pretty wall I found at Cupcakes and Cashmere.


Hope you have enjoyed seeing all the mirrors! I am currently working on my own mirror collection. Maybe I'll be able to post a photo soon :0)

Old Framed Painting to Fabulous Chalkboard

I happened upon this fabulous framed chalkboard today and wanted to share......

old picture makeover @ Positively Splendid

Can you believe this used to be an old picture painting. Visit Positively Splended to see the
before photo and how she took an old painting and made it into this pretty chalkboard for her kitchen!  I've gone ahead and tagged this thrift store makeover because even though she already had the painting, you can find all kinds of framed art at thrift stores!  This would be a perfect thrift store makeover :0)

More clever chalkboard paint projects, ideas and tutorials !!!

Thank  you..... hope you enjoy :0)

Lightbox- Curb Find

Last summer I was driving down the road one day and noticed a lot of misc. "garbage" sitting on the curb waiting for the trash man to come.  I was a bit intrigued because it looked like there were a set of candles in bucket and some other misc. stuff.  I just couldn't help but pull over and check out to see what these people were throwing away.. Among all the stuff piled up I found this light box along with some wierd x-ray films.. I wasn't interested in the films but the light box did interest me.  I figured it must have been not working but didn't know for sure and thought it would be a shame if it actually worked and was thrown out.  I took it along with the candles :0)   I got home, plugged it in and to my amazement... it worked GREAT!  Here it is:

 

Light boxes are great for lots of different things from arts and crafts to photography... I really have found this light box to be very useful for me..  I normally don't go looking for trash but if I see something sitting at the curb with the garbage, I don't mind pulling over to have a look.  The saying really is true..... One person's trash can be another person's treasure.

Two Tiered Apothecary Jars for Valentine's Day

How cute are these!!!

two tiered apothecary jars @ Fake-It Frugal

I love these two tier apothecary jars at Fake-It Frugal.  These were actually made from Dollar Store glass vases and were inspired by some hurricane vases at Potter Barn.  I think they have turned out amazing!  Go have a look and see how she made them  :0)

Pretty DIY Decorated Candles

Potter Barn Knockoff Candle @ Iron Violet Designs

Iron Violet Designs tells how to make this gorgeous candle which is very similar to the ones sold at Pottery Barn.. pretty cool! 

glitter candles @ Momtastic

These pretty glitter candles I found at Momtastic along with instructions on how to make them.....aren't they fabulous! 

washi tape candles @ Sarah Hearts

Sarah Hearts shared these pretty washi tape candles.. This is a quick and easy way to give candles a whole different look.. Washi tape comes in all kinds of colors and patterns.  So pretty.. and easy, too!

bead and bean covered candles @ My little cottage in the making

Look what I found at  My little cottage in the making!  I love how the candles just have a strip around the  middle with beans, seeds, etc..  I love the idea of using seed beads to decorate candles like this! The beans look great too along with the covered pumpkins.. what a pretty fall grouping.

rubber stamped candles @ Craft Gossip

Craft Gossip has posted a very nice PDF file explaining how to decorate candles using rubber stamps! With the selection of rubber stamps out there, the possibilities are endless.



Happy Candle Making!

I won the Versatile Blogger Award :0)

The blog The Sunshine Bride has just awarded me the Versatile Blogger Award!  Thank you, Sunshine Bride!!

The rules for this award are:

•  Thank the person that nominated you with a link back to them. See above.
•   Tell 7 things about yourself. See below
•   Pass this award on to 15 newly discovered blogs and let them know that they’ve received an award. 

7 Things About Me

1.  I have a 18 year old daughter, 15 year old son, 14 year old step-daughter and a 4 year old son.
2.  I'll be married for 4 years this coming July.
3.  I just got a used sewing machine and I'm super psyched about it!
4.  I do most of my online shopping on Ebay.
5.  I have a PC but I secretly want a MAC.
6.  I couldn't live without my computer.
7.  I am addicted to all of the Real Housewives shows on Bravo TV :0/

 Drab to Fab- Very cute DIY projects, free printables, etc.  A very nice blog.

Brittney's Budget Crafts - Lots of very cute budget craft ideas! My kind of blog.

 Krafty Kat- Lots of very cute stuff.. love this one!

Ducks 'n a Row- Great blog with lots of great recipes, free printables ,etc..a great blog for all women.

Lookie What I Did - All kinds of cute crafts! I love the cute little owl header.

Omiyage Blogs -  Lots of very cute paper craft tutorials here and more.

Starshine Chic-  A little of everything here.. crafts, etc. Very cute blog!

The Lulu Bird- A very creative blog.. love the "Thought for Today" that is shared.

Thrifty Decor Mom-  Everything thrifty.. recipes, decor, etc. a very nice blog.

Trash to Treasure Decorating- Beautiful furniture transformations, lots of thrifty ideas and advice!

Thrifty Little Blog- A really nice blog all about being thrifty, DIY stuff and tips!

Everyday Mom Ideas- A cute blog with lots of great ideas, inspiration, printables, freebies, etc.!

All Things Thrifty- Cute, free budget friendly tutorials, creative decor ideas.. very nice blog.

A Thoughtful Place- Organization tips, cute crafts, pretty photos.. a thoughtful place :0)

Thrifty and Chic- TONS of great thrifty home decor ideas and some awesome tutorials!
 

Gorgeous DIY and Refurbished Chandeliers

I have always loved the the look of chandeliers.  Some of them are so beautiful and amazing!  Unfortunately, new ones usually come at a hefty price.. way more than I would be willing to spend. I wanted to take a look around and see some DIY ideas for them and maybe some that were make-overs and as always the internet delivers! I wanted to share with you what I found.  You will be amazed....

made over chandelier @ Suzie's Cottage

 Suzies Cottage

 She purchased this one used and really did a great job fixing it up! I love the crystals and the pretty roses on the chain. Visit the link to see before and after.

hemp pendant chandeliers @ Crafty Nest

Crafty Nest

I am crazy about these pendant chandeliers. These particular ones were made using hemp but I believe these could also be made using yarn, twine or even jute.  She also has shared a very nice, photo illustrated tutorial.

pretty diy chandelier@Brassy Apple

Brassy Apple 

I love this simple pink one made from wire basket forms.. how cool is that!   I like how it's dressed up with the string of pearls..and the pink chains look really cute.  Of course, if you were doing your own you could slather the pearls and crystals as much as you want. This would be cute for a little girls room. I really appreciate the nice, photo illustrated tutorial too.

aqua chandelier @ Shabbyfufu

Shabbyfufu

I am crazy about using jars and this is NO exception.. LOVE this chandelier.. especially the pretty blue color. There are lots more stunning photos and also an explanation of how this beautiful chandelier came to be.

  

diy chandelier @ My House of Giggles

My House of Giggles

Another pretty DIY chandelier with lots of strings of pearls and crystals... I LOVE this! Be sure to have a look at all of the pretty photos plus illustrated  tutorial.

diy chandelier @ Gus and Lula

Gus and Lula

Wow.. this one is gorgeous and there's an awesome illustrated tutorial on how to make it too. It's made using those string beads like you can buy during Christmas or you could use those long mardi gras necklaces which is what I think she used.  I love the blue color of paint that was used. That's another fun thing about this... when you are done making your own, it can be painted any color you want :0)

refurbished chandelier @ Frugally Minded Homemaker

Frugally Minded Homemaker

Can you believe this started out as a plain brass chandelier? Hop on over and have a look at the before photo. She's done an amazing job on this. I love the brushed silver look.

refurbished chandelier @ Design Mom

Spray paint can do wonders! This is such a pretty shade of blue.  It has that shabby chic look to it.. amazing!

refurbished chandelier @ Vickie Howell

Vickie Howell

LOVE this hot pink color..and can you believe she used fabric paint... oh yeah, she sure did and it looks amazing!! Go have a look at how she did it.



 I am super inspired by all of these gorgeous chandeliers.  I kept thinking I couldn't put one up because I live in an apartment but I don't have to actually mount it with a light. I could just make one and hang it up like I would a plant or something. It would still be a beautiful touch to any room.  Time for me to keep an eye out for an old chandelier....

DIY Paper Mache Home Decor

Earlier I was thinking about those neat paper mache boxes that you can purchase at the craft store and even though they are inexpensive, I still always figured you could make your own paper mache box some way.  I did a search to see if I could find a tutorial for one but I got side tracked with all of these other neat paper mache projects.  Look what I found:

paper mache covered bottles @ Loving City Living

Loving City Living  made these super cute bottles by covering them with paper mache made from pages from an old book and then a final coat of Mod Podge was applied... love that stuff! 

DIY paper mache letters @ Green Zebra Crafts

Green Zebra Crafts has the tutorial on how to make fantastic letters from any font you want.... by using, get ready....old cereal boxes!!!!! I think she's done a fabulous job with this and she has shared an awesome photo illustrated tutorial as well.

paper mache lights @ Reese Dixon

How about these cute yard lights made from paper mache by Reese Dixon . I bet these are all colorful and glowing when it's dark. I can hardly wait to try and made some of these myself.  Be sure to check out her very nice, photo illustrated tutorial showing you how to make these strings of lights.

paper mache bowl @ The Lulu Bird

This is a very nice DIY paper mache bowl I found at The Lulu Bird . She has really done a great job! I love the stitching detail around the top rim of the bowl. She has also shared the tutorial as well.

cute paper mache vase @ Life and Art by Andrea Rodgers

Life and Art by Andrea Rodgers  shared how to make this cute vase from paper mache.  I could see making a few of these in different shapes and putting together as a group display.  They kind of remind me of the bumpy texture of the old milk glass vases.. very pretty :0)  She shares the vase tutorial plus the paper mache recipe that always works for her.