I can’t recall when or how I first heard about the craft of needle felting. But it is a technique that I’ve admired for a while and wanted to try out. A friend of mine told me that the easiest way to learn was to use cookie cutters as needle felting supplies for shaping the wool. So, when I thrifted these Halloween cookie cutters, I knew it was time to try out felting wool once and for all!Read more ›
Fall Leaves Decor on an Autumn Sign
September 18, 2019 · By · 17 Comments
Like most people, I adore the colors of fall leaves. But even more specifically, I love leaves that are “mid-change”. The ones that showcase a gradient of colors in green, yellow, orange, and red. So, I decided that I really wanted to try to capture that magical transition by creating some fall leaves decor to showcase the change.Read more ›
Cake Dome for Fall Party Decor
September 11, 2019 · By · 34 Comments
Even though I am busy-busy-busy working on projects for my book, I couldn’t let the season go by without making at least one pumpkin project! And for this one, I went “garage shopping”, and came across this set of wooden bowls. I set aside the smaller ones for my book, and decided that the large wooden bowl might be perfect as a cake dome (and pumpkin centerpiece).Read more ›
Fall Apple Decor from Monkey Pod Bowls
September 3, 2019 · By · 15 Comments
Even though I had already upcycled some monkey pod wood once before, I decided that thrifting fate was telling me to do it again. You see, I came across these monkey pod bowls twice over the course of a few weeks. And, well– that’s a rarity for most thrift store “smalls”! After I saw them the second time, I decided they kind of looked like Fall apples, or rather, they could look like apple decor. Read more ›
35+ Upcycling Projects for Fall Wreath Ideas
August 27, 2019 · By · 6 Comments
Once the calendar flips over to a new year, I start the “Countdown to Fall” clock in my head. Honest to goodness, I spend all year looking forward to the first cool day after a hot summer. And once that day arrives, I can’t wait to welcome it on my front door. So, I decided to gather some of my favorite upcycling projects for autumn and fall wreath ideas.Read more ›
Book Decor with Reader’s Digest Books
August 11, 2019 · By · 61 Comments
For several years, I’ve wanted to upcycle some of the Reader’s Digest books that I often see at the thrifts. The ones from the ’50s and ’60s have these gorgeous patterned covers that are little works of art. So, I finally put a few to good use as book decor by pairing them up with some old photographs.Read more ›
Secondhand Slim Down: Twelve Pounds Gone!
August 1, 2019 · By · 20 Comments
I know it’s been a while since my last weight loss check in – in fact, two months have passed! And I was going to publish a blog post when I hit the 10-pound loss milestone, but an exciting curve ball came my way.Read more ›
Antiquing and Thrift Shopping in Charleston, SC
July 24, 2019 · By · 16 Comments
Several years ago, I visited Charleston, SC to explore their “secondhand scene” – the best antiques, vintage, architectural salvage, and thrift stores that I could find. I published the post and sadly didn’t return for several years. But, that all changed a few weeks ago when I had the chance to visit again! Read more ›
Pirate Sign as Nautical Wall Decor
July 10, 2019 · By · 34 Comments
I always have to check out the selection of cabinet doors whenever I’m in a Habitat ReStore. I can typically resist grabbing anything from the pile of usually-plain doors. But on this particular day, there was a bevy of intriguing blue and white doors for the taking. They had a very nautical look and I decided to transform one into a pirate sign to use as nautical wall decor.Read more ›
Starfish Decor from a Lighted Star Christmas Tree Topper
July 7, 2019 · By · 10 Comments
While working on my recent Thrift the Look: Beach Cottage blog post, one of the most challenging elements to find was a large starfish. I didn’t want to buy a real/dried one from a craft store, so upcycling one was my best bet. I just wasn’t sure what I’d find that could become the starfish decor that I needed.Read more ›
