Fabulous on a Teachers Salary

NOT HAPPY

2010-08-24T17:11:00.000-07:00

I have so many projects to post however it is NOT possible without our camera, which is so conveniently NOT working. So now you see that I am NOT the happiest momma, but I will NOT complain about it again. I will just pray that it gets fixed fast so I CAN fill you in on some fun things I have been doing including the new bed frame that I got for just $.99, some front porch fun, and a Monkey B-day Bash.

So until then, craft-on crafters.

Fabulous Dress

2010-07-17T17:26:00.000-07:00

I have been missing from the Blogging World due to Vacations (I know you can shed a tear for me.) I am not complaining about it I just have an excuse for being a slacker. However my list of posts keeps growing, this one I wanted to share before we leave for a family reunion at the “Happiest Place on Earth!!!”

I found this little treasure at Savers for .99cents and my wheels started turning…

Thanks to my moms AMAZING tools we created this….

I am proud of the way the apron turned out even though I am NOT a pro with the sewing machine, my daughter will be one styling girl in California this week.

SEE YA IN A WEEK!!!

Travel Organizer

2010-06-28T15:15:00.001-07:00

YEA, its time to get out of the heat and go on our first summer vacation of the year!!! Every year we have the great opportunity to spend some time in the lovely Durango, Colorado and we LOVE it. However, this year we will be taking a 2 year old little boy who is VERY (understatement) active. Subsequently, I am trying to be as organized as possible to help tame my son on the long road trip.

I found this nifty thing at Savers for $0.99.
Ironed on the words,
Then added some frills!

Now to see if this helps my kids for the long trip ahead.

Super Father's Day

2010-06-24T07:17:00.000-07:00

I have been so late in my postings largely because my dear husband is home over the summers and he, for some reason, makes me feel like being on vacation every day. But in tribute to him and how our little family feels about him here is how we celebrated "HIS" day...

I had to wake up the kids to help me give dadda his breakfast, they were not impressed.

I got the shirts 1/2 off at Hobby Lobby months back for only $1.50 each and bought iron on printable paper with a 50% off coupon for under $4. Grand total for all 4 shirts $10!

Pretty in Purple

2010-06-17T21:35:00.000-07:00

This post was featured on Blue Cricket about a month back but for those that didn't see it...

I finally got around to redoing this adorable chair that I got at Savers for 1/2 off, making it a whopping $2.50.

Lets get started! First to undo the seat of the chair, it was super easy 3 screws and off it went.

The spray paint ended up costing the most, after a 40% off coupon to Hobby Lobby it ended up being $3.

The hardest part of this whole thing was deciding what leftover fabric to use in recovering the seat.

My daughter ended up picking out this cute paisley fabric. I ended up just stapling over the previous set.

And for a final touch...

Now I just have to put it back together again.

Ta-da...

This whole project cost $5.50 for the chair and the paint, all the rest of the stuff I had on hand. It does pay off to keep things, still trying to convince my husband;)

Patriotic Dress

2010-06-13T17:05:00.000-07:00

It would be an understatement to say that I am NOT a seamstress. I would love to be, the things I would do, dream on DaNell. My mother is one of, if not THE, very best seamstress that I have ever met and while I lived with her for many years my desire to learn on the sewing machine was slim to none. Oh, the things I could have learned, kicking myself. However, if I even want to sew a straight-line or a simple dress I have to try. I got this old fabric from my aunt who was going to get rid of it, and after a year of storing it I decided it wouldn’t be a waste if I ruined it so here is what I came up with.

Not the best but without a pattern I think it turned out okay. Plus she wore it to church and played around at home and no rips or tears so we did AOK!!!

Planter-Chair

2010-06-13T06:20:00.000-07:00

I know that this has been done, redone, and done again HOWEVER it is my first go around. I was given four chairs from a friend and have just now redone the last one.
I decided to do something more BOLD and go with an Apple Green spray paint.

I cut a circle out of the middle of the seat, all by myself mind you. I think my husband was a little nervous because he happened to need to clean up the yard right next to me as I was cutting. I can be a little clumsy so I took that as true concern for my well being as well as the handsaws.

Ta-da!! My little version of a planter-chair, I am almost finished with the front porch just in need of a inexpensive bench. I will be keeping my eyes OPEN. Oh & I found the greatest deal on an out door light but I have a little sprucing to do.

As Easy as 123...

2010-06-09T16:20:00.001-07:00

Well, I wish! I have been MIA because a few minor-ish projects that took some major time and because they are not yet complete I thought I better just give a sneak preview of the Master Bedroom projects we have been working on...
A built in Bookcase from my very helpful husband!

We have redone about all the furniture in the bedroom.

Sneak peak of the final result

I think (HOPE) we should be done early next week and then I can give more details on our projects.

Dancing Ballerina

2010-05-30T07:49:00.001-07:00

My daughter had her very first dance recital yesterday and at the very last minute I decided to have a little get-together at the house after. I found this cute little idea...

http://www.party-ideas-galore.com/ballerina-birthday-party.html

Here is my version...

All I needed was - 4 sheets of tissue paper, a twist tie & 2 pieces of construction paper, hot glue

Just make a pom pom (Martha Stewart's) with the 4 tissue papers and adhere the cut out top to the pom pom, adorn if you would like (or if you have time)...

I am so Proud of my baby!!!!

Monkey Business

2010-05-27T10:09:00.000-07:00

A friend had a baby shower and I was able to do the decorations for it. We decided on a Monkey theme (which totally works out because that is my sons 2nd Birthday theme, yeah jumpstart). My sister had done a bridal shower with a branch centerpiece and it turned out ADORABLE, so I thought monkeys might work as well. Here is what I came up with…

First you have to get a pot and decoupage it with some cute scrapbook paper…

Burlap was on sale last week so I picked some up and decided to make a table runner from it, and I hot glued some ribbon around the edges.

On to the “FUN” (sarcastic tone) part, finding the branches. My own little monkey came with me on my journey to find the perfect branches. I found some up the street but it was attached to a huge dead tree and with my arm out the window dragging it down the street outside of my car I thought “I must look pretty silly, I certainly feel it;)”…

I used some plaster to keep the branches in place and then I got to go WILD decorating the tree…

She had a beautiful shower with so many friends (she is well loved, deservingly so) that wanted to share that night with her…

I didn't get a picture of the finished monkey gift table I made but here it is during the redo... (By the Way it was $.99 at Savers)!!

Enjoy that baby boy!!!!

I'm Showing Off...

2010-05-23T11:28:00.000-07:00

I am super excited to be featured on Blue Cricket Designs, one day I'll let you in on how I managed to fall into this opportunity its sorta a funny story;)

Check it out ...

http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/2010/05/thrift-store-chair-revamp-by-fabulous.html

Oh, the joys of having a Teacher Spouse

2010-05-23T09:20:00.000-07:00

Summer break is now upon us and once again a list of TO DO’S is awaiting our time. I think my husband has a bitter sweet last day of school, excited to vacation and spend time with the family yet a fear of “The List.” A list of things I need (or should I say WANT) done has been accumulating in my head for 10 months now. I have been dreaming of the day I can put my muscle man to work.

About a week ago I started dropping subtle hints… Wouldn’t it be nice if…? Don’t you think that would look good? How would you like (showing him a picture)? He could tell my mind was racing and my heart was pounding trying not to show my excitement for the next two months of dare I say it… CRAFTING. Around our house that can sometimes be a bad word “crafting.”

Here are a few of the projects that I am DETERMINED to get to…

What do you think about this unique idea? I want to change it up a little but here is where I got the inspiration... http://thelennoxx.zymichost.com/category/browse-by-style/modern-browse-by-style/page/5/

And this headboard I LOVE at http://www.centsationalgirl.com/

A built in Bookcase is in the works as I type, this is not the picture just an idea of how I want it done in our bedroom. (Thanks Honey isn't it nice to relax at home;)

And this is the motherload of projects I saw this and immediately I had stair envy. I HOPE to get to this we will see. http://www.centsationalgirl.com/

It is definitely going to be a great summer for me, and hope my husband finds time to relax!

"Story and a Meal"

2010-05-21T21:42:00.001-07:00

For the past few months I have been trying to implement "Story and a Meal." All I do is make a meal with my two little helpers and have the meal revolve around a story. The kids seem to LOVE it!!! I just do it once a week but I think I am going to try to squeeze it in more often, Here are a few of some memorable ones.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the moral of this story and it was fun trying to convince my son to help so that he could eat the bread in the end;)

My mother in law bought this book for my daughter around Valentine's Day so of course we found a meal for this story.

This one is obviously a shoe in for "Story and a Meal." Funny thing is that my daughter refused to eat the green eggs for the longest time, just like the book. Yet at the very last minute she tried them and guess what? She loved them SAM I AM!!!

Also, if I don't have the book I usually can find something online for them to watch.

I LOVE Savers

2010-05-21T20:31:00.000-07:00

I found this beauty (I say beauty because I have no idea what it was previously used for) at SAVERS for $.99; yes you read that right $.99. So of course I had to find a place for it in our home.

The total cost of this project…
Table- $.99
Spray paint - $1 (cheapest one at Home Depot)
Particle Board- $3
TOTAL= $4.99

I wonder what these two cut outs were for, drink holders, flowers, food, ????
I just cut a particle board to fit the top of the table.
I covered the board with fabric using a glue gun

My daughter is enjoying!

Now I just need to figure out how to adorn the walls in her room.?.?.?

Garden

2010-05-19T08:52:00.000-07:00

This is our second year trying to make a little garden, and it has luckily been very successful. I was super hesitant about trying to grow anything for several reasons, the Arizona heat, poor location for a garden, and my lack of a green thumb but its been relatively easy.

Mint

Onion Blossoming

Tomato's Growing

Jalapenos are out of control. 2-3 times a week we have been getting about this many. We have bottled, gifted, cooked with and still we have too many from just one plant!

This is the biggest one that we have gotten so far.

RicRac ROSE BOWS

2010-05-14T09:26:00.000-07:00

Some how hair bows around this house just seem to disappear and at $3-7 a pop I have resorted to making my own. They range from levels of easy to easier or I just wont try, like I said they just run away anyways. My mom had given me some leftover RicRac awhile back and I have been trying to decide what to do with it and here is what I came up with….

Needs:
Glue gun
RicRac
Felt
Clips
Beads
Scissors

Start with a good amount of glue in the center of your felt...

Continue to glue around the base in a circle and secure into place...

Cut around the rose and then cut a circle of felt and glue the clip onto the back...

Add any FUNK you would like...

Great Deal

2010-05-13T07:57:00.001-07:00

I found these items at Savers Monday this week, the candle holder was $ .99…

And this wonderful thing was ½ off making it $1.50 (by the way the placemats were a Savers Monday find a while ago the set cost me $.99 aren’t they cute?)...

Lets get started merging the two, I painted the wood a nice light blue color… …

After it dried I took some sandpaper and roughed up the edges a little and detailed it with some cream colored paint…

I finished it all off by attaching it to the candle holder and displaying it in the kitchen with a cute little bird…

Centerpieces for under $1

2010-05-11T11:21:00.000-07:00

A friend asked me to make centerpieces for an end of the year music recital so my mind started racing with ideas until she told me her budget $0-$10 mind you this was for one serving table and 30, yes 30 serving tables. That is impossible RIGHT??!!

My community is still being built so I took my WONDERFUL husband to the dumpsters and had him diving for items we could use. YES, he does think am a bit out of my mind but he plays along. I found some empty paint cans, and some Styrofoam, I guess I should say “my husband found” them. So all I had to buy were the sheets of scrapbook paper & EVERYTHING else I had just lying around.

Look what we came up with…

With the cans I covered them in paper and tied a ribbon around them. I used the big cans for the serving table and the small for each individual table.

I took and cut up the Styrofoam into rectangles, spray painted them black, added glitter, and then attached the wording.

They ended up costing me NO JOKE…...$0.25 per centerpiece. NOT BAD!!!

Fiesta

2010-05-06T20:08:00.001-07:00

As you can see from our menu board yesterday was our FIESTA!!! We enjoyed our own

Cinco de Mayo Party

at our home yesterday evening. It was full of fun, friends, and FOOD. WAY too much food!!

I wanted to share my moms enchilada recipe just because it's so easy and too yummy not to.

My very favorite Green Chile Sauce!
4 Boneless Skinless Chicken breasts
1 ½ bars of Cream Cheese
1 can of diced green chilies
½ finely chopped onion
2 tsp of cumin
Pinch of Chili Powder
½ cup of shredded cheese
1 large can of green sauce
Tortillas
Salt to taste

Boil the chicken breast until done, drain and shred them. Add the softened cream cheese, green chilies, onion, cumin, chili powder and mix. Scoop out mix into tortillas, wrap, and place into a pan. Smoother the tortillas with green sauce, sprinkle the cheese and bake at 350 degrees for 45 mins. I usually make them in the morning before the kids are up and leave them in the Fridge until cook'en time, it make for a very simple meal!

ENJOY!!!!

What have you Re-done for me Lately

2010-05-04T18:25:00.000-07:00

Now this pretty little lamp was a little more $ than I usually go for it was $3.99 but I could see its potential.

A little spray paint, and some detailing, turned out pretty good!

I saw these babies on the savers self for .99 cents and I knew I had to have them. I couldn't wait to hang them on our wall.

Paint, modge podge, and roughing up =...

The Case of the Missing Cheerios

2010-05-04T08:35:00.000-07:00

Case #ABC

The date was April 24th, 2010 when a faint giggling sound was heard in the upstairs master bedroom. At that approximant time the two children of the house were to be having quite time so I, the detective, went to investigate and here is what I found...

A FULL family sized box of Cheerios had been dumped and spread over the entire bedroom. I question those at the scene and fingers were pointed in all directions. I had to crack this case. Who was the instigator, who got the box out, and who decided commit this heinous crime?

After much intense interrogation, I finally got a full confession from one of the culprits, Brinley got the box out from the upstairs food storage closet and Owen committed the crime. Because of her full confession I let her off easier and made her help clean the awful mess (which she promptly fell asleep doing.)

However the ringleader got a more severe punishment he was put behind bar for the next few hours (okay just so you know it was nap time, he did fall asleep he didn’t just have to serve out his sentence awake;)

I was able to salvage the remains of the bedroom (thanks to a good vacuume!!!)

Sweet Party

2010-05-03T12:50:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Brinley's Candy Shop!!! For my daughters 4th Birthday we had a “Sweet Party.” I had so much fun with this theme, down to the smallest details come with me through a recap of this fun filled day with a definite sugar high;)

The pot was old and the paint was chipping so I had the idea to brighten it up for the party. I also added the lollipops that I made with tissue paper, cake rounds, a dowel rod, and ribbon.

The handmade ice cream cart!

More candies that I made along with the lollipops, they turned out so cute!

Cake made with a giant cupcake pan.

Welcome, the bags had an apron, a hair bow, and necklace for each guest.

I made the banner out of a bunch of inevpensive fabrics.

Happy Birthday!!!
A last Minute project... An old picture, the cricket, modge podge, and a couple of minutes got me this cute little sign! I made each one of the girls a hair bow.

Fun little game that consisted of tossing rings over lollipops that were stuck in the ground.
The party favors, ice cream bubbles.
They said "You're so sweet to share this day with me!"

The shirt hand made by my talented mother.

Community Cake

This ice cream cart started out just a thought and a few pieces of wood. I wish I would have taken more pictures as it was being made. It turned out so cute and the kids LOVED it!!! The front is just an old picture frame and we cute out a magnetic board, sprayed it with chalkboard paint.

Each of the boys got a brightly colored shirt with their names on them.

The Boys, aren't they all so adorable:)

Pretty Girls!

Birthday Girl

Candy Buffet
Ice Cream Table
Aprons Mom Made
Play Ice Cream In the Ice Cream Cart
Invitations

Dear Justin,

2010-04-28T08:27:00.001-07:00

While you were at school I decided it would be nice to spruce up the home a bit with a few new decorations. I know that that is not the number one priority, especially on your list, however I am feeling quite crafty right now and needed an outlet. And I can explain…

It started out as a mess trying to figure out what I wanted to do, but don't worry its all clean now! Here is what I did...

Do remember the counter top before? It was a little bland...

But now doesn't that look much better?

How about the Armorie, wont it be much more aesthetically pleasing to watch TV now?

Before

After

And this .50 plate look what could be done with this...

A little modge podge and ready to go!

What do you think about a chalkboard dinner menu? I think I may need mom to make me one permanently!!

So what do you think?

Now I wouldn’t be so quick to blame me for all this spontaneity you can blame Beth the creator of The Stories of A 2 Z blog. She really is a bad influence on me, I already have 3 more project for the upcoming days. With her around our home may just become more fun to look at, the nerve. One more thing you should know, I only spent $40 at Hobby Lobby and I used a lot of things we already had so that’s defiantly a bonus.

I do know dinner isn’t ready yet and the last load of laundry isn’t folded and put away but I can order a mean Chinese take out and we could enjoy it our newly revamped kitchen. What do you think?

Love,
Your Devoted Wife

Now to see if he even notices;)

Play Closet

2010-04-27T10:02:00.001-07:00

The term play closet may sound strange to many people especially when they hear bits and pieces of a conversation with my kids. An example “Mom can I go play in the closet.” Yes, it sounds a bit bizarre however I have found that the smaller the space the better for children. Brinley could hangout with Grandpa under a table with a blanket over it forever.

Plus as much as we love our home it is starting to feel a little small already and with no end in sight we have to make every nook count.

We have had a vision of a fun filled, organized, colorful, educational, ext. you know a dream space since we moved in. With the help of my parents, my grandpa’s company, my uncle Doug and Justin here is our attempt (its nice to know people.) I shouldn't forget IKEA without you I would have had to work a lot harder to create. THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP!!!

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

LOVEN IT!!!

We still have a few finishing touches I will post later.

I am having a hard time deciding what to do with the door. We bought a solid wood door to make a homemade Dutch Door and now I can't decide what color to paint it. Blue, black and white checkers, yellow? The possibilities are endless, I will sleep on it for a few more days.

Savers Monday

2010-04-27T09:55:00.001-07:00

I love Savers not only can you find good deals you can find AMAZING deals. Each price tag has a different colored... purple, green, blue you get the idea & every Monday one of those colors is on sale for a whopping .99 cents. This past Monday it was the blue tags and boy were the blue tags good to me. For under $20 I found these beauties...

I am so excited to get started turning other peoples trash into my treasures!

2010-04-23T09:38:00.000-07:00

Hello my name is DaNell I live in a cute little house on the West side of Phoneix with my 2 kids and hard working husband. I am living the American Dream... home, cars, kids, husband, you know all the fixings of a perfect life. However I have dreams that cost more than we make.

You see my husband is one of those do gooder types that wants to make a difference in the lives of children so insteed of chasing GREEN he is teaching World History and Religons at a near by High School. It has been such a growing experience these past 7 years trying to stay on budget but allowing me too stay home with my kids and allow creativity. There are days when mac & cheese may even cost too much for us and other days when we will jump in the car on the way for steak and potatos. I have succesfully managed $20 a week for grocieries for months on a time, I have dressed my kids for pennies, and I am now trying to create a DREAM home on a teachers Salary, come with me!