Be thankful for those small things in your life. You never know how major they are for someone else.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Small things = Big things for others
The simple act of playing outside seems like something to not be grateful for for most people. That's just what kids do, right? Well, for Superboy that isn't always the case, but for the past two days he's gotten to. It warms my heart to see him running, picking "flowers", looking for bugs, etc. with out having a seizure or "head drops". So, today, I am thankful for the small things. Some times something that is small, is actually something big for others.
Be thankful for those small things in your life. You never know how major they are for someone else.
Be thankful for those small things in your life. You never know how major they are for someone else.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
This seems to be a pretty big thing or fad that's going around now....recycling.
My husband has deemed me silly for doing this. He even said, "What? Are you trying to be the new Erin Brockovich or something?" Nope, but I love...and I do mean love, finding new purpose for things. Yes, it's good for the environment...blah blah...but it's even better for my budget!haha
Here are some things I've recycled or up-cycled;)
1. Plastic Water bottles: This is a new one for me. I don't want you to think I'm a "pack rat" or anything. I'm really not! My oldest son's birthday is coming up and I have some uses for them. The orange juice bottle I'm going to reuse to either hold the juice I'll be serving them or some candy or something. I'm not sure yet. The other bottles I'm either going to use to hold party favors or for them to drink out of. If I do that they'll have bright colored straws with them. We'll see...
2. Mason Jars and other containers: I save many of our spaghetti jars and other containers. They can be used for so many things! On the left is an old spaghetti jar turned colored pencil holder. In the middle was a hot chocolate container and the one of the right is a tin that I lost the lid to. It now holds crayons. I decoupaged them using scrapbook paper and mod podge glue. I'll probably add some things to them eventually. I just don't know exactly what yet;)
I'm working on an art and work space for us in our breakfast nook right now. This sits on top of what was my dresser. Now it's a buffet table/sideboard. It holds books, puzzles, and other arts and crafts.
3. Books: Below is a picture of a cross wall hanging I made using an old book I picked up at the Goodwill store. I know...I know....all you book lovers (and I'm one) are gasping! I flipped through the book some to be sure it wasn't something brilliant. I mean...I'm sure the author thought it was and it may have been...but you know;) Now it has another purpose:)
4. Tree Branches: I LOVE decorating with tree branches! I've used them on my mantel, in my Christmas tree, and just about anywhere else I feel like;) They can even be spray painted! I want to get a bigger branch, spray paint it white, and put in a nice planter in my living room or master bedroom eventually;)
5. Fabric: Old T-shirts, jeans, and other worn out clothes..I save it! I've used it to make fabric rosettes, scarves, and decor around my house.
6. Buttons: I save buttons off of clothes that have been dedicated to "file 13" and all extra buttons that come with clothes (ie. jackets, button down shirts, etc.)
7. Make what you already have into what you WANT:
The next one is probably considered upcycling. I have a dear friend that is extremely awesome at this and so I followed in her footsteps. Thanks friend..you know who you are;);)
I've been wanting to have a collage of mirrors so this is the beginning. Mirrors aren't usually cheap, or at least the ones I always seem to want aren't. So, I took the ones I already had and painted them white. I don't necessarily want all of them on this wall to be the same color, but for this purpose I did. This actually was in my bedroom, but I moved it here for Christmas. And so it remains;)
You see there are more branches here as well. I felt like it kinda tied in my mantel. What do you think?
Below: Buffet table decor in my dining area.
Below: Mantel (with another book wreath I made)
I know I probably have more I've done. I just can't think of it right now;) When I do I'm sure I'll post it..lol
So look around your house before you go out and buy something new! You may just a hidden treasure and find you actually have what you've been looking for :):)
My husband has deemed me silly for doing this. He even said, "What? Are you trying to be the new Erin Brockovich or something?" Nope, but I love...and I do mean love, finding new purpose for things. Yes, it's good for the environment...blah blah...but it's even better for my budget!haha
Here are some things I've recycled or up-cycled;)
1. Plastic Water bottles: This is a new one for me. I don't want you to think I'm a "pack rat" or anything. I'm really not! My oldest son's birthday is coming up and I have some uses for them. The orange juice bottle I'm going to reuse to either hold the juice I'll be serving them or some candy or something. I'm not sure yet. The other bottles I'm either going to use to hold party favors or for them to drink out of. If I do that they'll have bright colored straws with them. We'll see...
2. Mason Jars and other containers: I save many of our spaghetti jars and other containers. They can be used for so many things! On the left is an old spaghetti jar turned colored pencil holder. In the middle was a hot chocolate container and the one of the right is a tin that I lost the lid to. It now holds crayons. I decoupaged them using scrapbook paper and mod podge glue. I'll probably add some things to them eventually. I just don't know exactly what yet;)
I'm working on an art and work space for us in our breakfast nook right now. This sits on top of what was my dresser. Now it's a buffet table/sideboard. It holds books, puzzles, and other arts and crafts.
3. Books: Below is a picture of a cross wall hanging I made using an old book I picked up at the Goodwill store. I know...I know....all you book lovers (and I'm one) are gasping! I flipped through the book some to be sure it wasn't something brilliant. I mean...I'm sure the author thought it was and it may have been...but you know;) Now it has another purpose:)
4. Tree Branches: I LOVE decorating with tree branches! I've used them on my mantel, in my Christmas tree, and just about anywhere else I feel like;) They can even be spray painted! I want to get a bigger branch, spray paint it white, and put in a nice planter in my living room or master bedroom eventually;)
5. Fabric: Old T-shirts, jeans, and other worn out clothes..I save it! I've used it to make fabric rosettes, scarves, and decor around my house.
6. Buttons: I save buttons off of clothes that have been dedicated to "file 13" and all extra buttons that come with clothes (ie. jackets, button down shirts, etc.)
7. Make what you already have into what you WANT:
The next one is probably considered upcycling. I have a dear friend that is extremely awesome at this and so I followed in her footsteps. Thanks friend..you know who you are;);)
I've been wanting to have a collage of mirrors so this is the beginning. Mirrors aren't usually cheap, or at least the ones I always seem to want aren't. So, I took the ones I already had and painted them white. I don't necessarily want all of them on this wall to be the same color, but for this purpose I did. This actually was in my bedroom, but I moved it here for Christmas. And so it remains;)
You see there are more branches here as well. I felt like it kinda tied in my mantel. What do you think?
Below: Buffet table decor in my dining area.
Below: Mantel (with another book wreath I made)
I know I probably have more I've done. I just can't think of it right now;) When I do I'm sure I'll post it..lol
So look around your house before you go out and buy something new! You may just a hidden treasure and find you actually have what you've been looking for :):)
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