New Year = "New" Finds

Out with the old, in with the new.  I guess it's that time of year.  Time for change.  For most, that adage pertains to habits, typically bad ones, that need to change.  In another respect it pertains to home items.  Out with the old, in with the new.  

If the holidays delievered good fortune, than many folks are making room for new items in their homes which means the old stuff hits the curb or better yet Good Will and other thrift stores. 

I happened to stop at our local mission yesterday located conveniently across the street from the post office where I was dropping off a few packages.  Hmmm, I guess it doesn't hurt to peek in and see if any new goodies have arrived.  I didn't stick around too long, but long enough to score a rather good find.



A great Ikea find, leaning so appropriately against my Ikea chair.

 A large 23" x 23" art piece from IKEA with a heavy, real wood frame and mat.  I couldn't pass it up.  The frame has a bit of scuffing along one edge but it will be a great little project.  I'm planning on sanding the wood and staining it with black wood stain and popping in one of own black and white pen and ink drawings. 



The "boogered up" spots that will need a little attention.



See how these little trips to the thrift stores become addictive?  You just never know what you are going to find.  This particular mission store has a barrel lid steamer trunk that I've been keeping my eye on too.   Do I have room for it?  "Ummm, No."  But it's so cool.

Anyway, be on the lookout for discards because you just may discover the "gem" of the day.  I guess that's a bit lofty for an IKEA picture frame.  We''ll say a GREAT BARGAIN FIND!  There, that's better.

Here's to "Happy Finding!"

Winter Squash?

No, your eyes are not deceiving you.  I took these pictures on January 3, 2012.  I keep seeing posts about people wondering how to decorate for Winter once they take down their holiday decor.  I say "decorate with pumpkins and gourds!"  Well, not really.  Why can't I part with these little guys?  They have been sitting quietly in their bowl in a somewhat hidden kitchen counter-top location, minding their business as the hub-bub of the holidays have come and gone.  Possibly feeling a little heartache and resentment toward the evergreen cuttings that have taken residence in their place for the past month.

So, a little experiment . . .

Well, it's a nice contrast but something just doesn't look right.  I guess our minds tell us that pumpkins and evergreen don't mix.  (I feel like I'm giving a public service announcement).  

So, what should I do with these buggers?  I can't throw them out just yet.  One gourd did dry out on its own which makes me want to dry the other ones out by some means.  I'll have to look into this.

In the meantime, a question.  When do you de-decorate for the holidays?  When do you undo all you did for Christmas?  My grandmother used to say that the tree and decorations stay up till the "Wise men reach Bethlehem".  I can't remember if that's a Tuesday or a Thursday. ;-)  (kidding)

As of now, everything is still up indoors and out and as you can see, even Autumn items are lingering.  What is socially responsible?  Perhaps I'll at least unplug the timer for the topiary lights outdoors.  "SIGH"  

GO GREEN in 2012

Do you resolve to go green in 2012? Make your home a green home. Learn to conserve energy and use less water. Recycle products and repurpose old items as decorative solutions around your home. And of course introduce some GREEN into your color scheme this year through the use of wall paint or accents.  It's a soothing color that I can't live without.

Please visit the Frugal Interior Design Website to browse some of the featured "Green" topics

. . . and a HAPPY NEW YEAR to you!

Happy Holidays From The Frugal Tree

BEST WISHES TO ALL!!!

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$0.25 Ornaments, Customized!

Well I guess it's nearing that time . . . holiday and seasonal clearance. As the "big day" approaches, steeper discounts seem to be popping up to rid and thin stock of holiday ornaments and decor. Oddly enough, I never seem to take part in these great deals as I typically am buying new holiday decor at the beginning of the season and am "decor'd out" by the end. Perhaps I'll try to be a bit more attentive this year if I head out after the holidays to do any shopping.

In the meantime, I found these great little picture frame ornaments for 25 cents a piece at the local Dollar General store. I knew I wanted to use them this year with the silver and crystal theme I have going on indoors.

Hmmm, what to place within the frames? Photos? Cut up holiday cards? I knew I wanted something displayed within that would equally match the color story in the room. I remembered I had a silver metallic sharpie marker. I took out the front display paper in the frame and flipped it over, using the back as the "new" display surface. I used the silver marker to draw straight, diagonal, overlapping lines to create the look of brushed aluminum or nickel. I grabbed one of my many fine-point, black Sharpie markers (I love these things and use them like crazy) and wrote out some holiday words that came to mind.

Should I hang them on the fireplace mantel or set them amid the mantel's decor? Perhaps hang them vertically down a small wall area? That vertical look must have stuck in my mind. I looked at the grapevine tree and its somewhat plain trunk and thought, there is my vertical surface. I thought I was done with this tree, guess not. Now I am . . . I THINK?

I love the new shimmer these little frames give to what was a rather dark area on the tree.  Are you still "fussing around" with your Holiday or Christmas trees too?

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Holiday Greeting Cards As Simple Decor

I've received a few holiday cards that perfectly fit the design aesthetic used this season throughout the home.  So, why not incorporate them more?  I know framing cards is nothing new but seeing as I have never done it before, I figured I would share how nicely they can become a decorative piece . . . a frugal decorative piece.

Whenever I see unique frames for cheap at thrift stores, yard sales, etc, I snatch them up.  They come in handy for spur-of-the-moment projects such as this.  If you need one in a jiffy, head to DollarTree.  You can easily modify one of their frames with spray-paint or other accessories to make it better suit your theme.

A holiday card speaks to the color story used in this room.
Added to an equally appropriate frame, it becomes a frugal decorative element.

I have a few more "perfect cards" that I can use in other rooms, so guess I'll be digging out some of my back-up frames for use or modification today.

Quick Peanut-Butter Blossom Cookies with a Twist

Well, it seemed like good, cookie baking weather today. Kind of overcast with a chill in the air. Traffic was a bit crazy so I kept errands local, putting off more serious shopping since it was getting too close to noon. Yes, I can't handle holiday commotion. Who really can? I suppose some love being out among the hustle & bustle, but not I. I'll opt to hit the stores early in the a.m. next week to finish up.

In the meantime, during some local runs, I picked up "the cheater's way" to peanut butter cookies . . . thank you Pillsbury. Oddly enough, the one thing required to make peanut butter cookies into blossoms, Hershey Kisses, were out of stock. Yes, I had a myriad of other Hershey Kiss varieties staring me in my face but I wanted PLAIN ONES!!! (and apparently, so did everybody else.)  What are the chances?

After a run to another store I found them. Thank heavens. Anyway, they are done, the house smells warm and inviting and I thought I share a simple addition I do to make my PB Blossoms a bit more unique. Are you ready? It's REALLY SIMPLE . . . I roll the dough in cinnamon-sugar before baking. The cinnamon really adds a special, extra touch (or should I say taste) to the exterior of the cookie. Now I only have to TRY to resist eating them all. (I'm craving one now due to this post!)

Cooling cinnamon peanut-butter blossom cookies. 

Of course home-made peanut-butter cookies are wonderful, even without a "kiss" but in a jiffy, these Pillsbury ones are great and the cinnamon trick makes them seem a bit more home-made.  It'll be our little secret.