A Pinterest Burlap Idea (for your closet)...

Of course - who doesn't love Pinterest.  It's great fun 

to wake up to my emails each day and see 'who pinned what' 

from my boards.  Today I saw a pin and couldn't remember 

what it was (not all that unusual actually).

  And look...

Burlap covered hangers?  Perfect!  (and the staging? 

Laying on lace? - perfect too!)  Thank you Little Miss Maggie 

for today's inspiration.  It's beginning to feel like Fall here 

(yes - in the middle of August!)  

Burlap & Fall - they sorta go together dontcha think?

Do you have a Pin from your emails today to share?  

Let me know and I'll put it in a post!

Mix and Match Curtains - a Bargain Solution...

My living room curtains (the plain ecru curtains 

in the photo) are probably 30 years old.  

(You're welcome to roll your eyes at me ....)  

 When I washed them last week those old curtains 

finally gave up the ghost and all but 2 panels

 came out with tears and shredding.  

Curtains at these windows are a necessity.  

So using what was left -  here's what I came up with...

One remaining original side panel still adorns each 

 spanse of window (there are 2 sets of windows).

Then I used the rose sheer scarves to form another 'panel'.  
And the scarves?  Picked them up for about $2 each a few years ago
 just 'cause they were too pretty to not pick up at that price!

Can someone say window mistreatment?

 It's a bit unique perhaps... but at least now my windows are 

'dressed' and I can take my time to shop for replacements...or not...

Amazing the things you come up with when you're cheap frugal. :)

Linking to Metamorphosis Monday

and Modest Monday

Bargain Boutique Soaps...

I had a great morning strolling through yard sales in my 

little town.  And strolling it was - I took my

 time and just enjoyed the experience.   

I'm preferring this unhurried pace of life more and more!

Thought I'd share my favorite find with you...

 These little soaps are $10 for a set of 3 -

 according to the Ten Thousand Villages website.  

And do they ever smell wonderful!  

(By the way - if you don't have a TTV near you - by all means - shop their site!  

They are an awesome Christian fair trade ministry with delightful unique goods!)

But the going price for me just this morning?

$1 - for 4 bars!  Now how fun is that?  

I find boutique style soaps and candles with some regularity 

at garage sales.   They are great for gifts and

 sometimes (like today) for my own pampering!

 So if you haven't been to a yard sale for a while - 

go with relaxation in mind.  

Chat with your neighbors, 

make a new friend and find a treasure or two.

  What a great start to my day it has been!

Menu Monday (A Frugal Tip and a Breakfast Casserole)...

Very early in our marriage I realized that the one place we could 

make choices to stretch our budget was at the grocery store.   

Monthly menu planning may save in the kitchen - but not necessarily money.  

Rather - I chose to shop the sales and lower priced items - 

and make my meals from what I had on hand.

  That included cooking for guests.  My meals were more simple... 

but those savings added up and we paid off our

 home long before many of our peers.
(On just one income with extra medical bills.)

Fast forward to today....  I have a girl's weekend getaway 

coming up.  My contribution to the meals will be a 

breakfast casserole.  My goals?  1. Quick (mostly able to prepare ahead)  

2. Inexpensive 3. and Gluten Free.  I will be shopping at my 

local discount grocery store which equals savings 
without the 'sales and coupons' headaches. 
(Since eating gluten free - coupons have not been a great option.)

 The store rarely has hash browns but usually has tater tots.  

So... I am searching for recipes with that in mind.  

And look what I found!

   Bacon Breakfast Bake via Bubble Crumb

Go check out the recipe.  This will be a snap to put together 

in the AM.  I can  bake the tater tots, saute the veggies and 

fry the bacon (or use cooked sausage or ham - depending on what I find) 

all ahead of time - and simply assemble onsite.  Easy Peasy!

Bottom line - figure out what food you have to work with - 

and cook from that.  

The internet makes this a snap...but you can search the 

index of your cookbooks too!

Thanks Pinterest and Bubble Crumb! 
Linking to Modest Monday

From Country Curtains to Country Skirt...

I'm all about thrifty ways to do and get stuff!  Lately I've been 

frustrated with my tired wardrobe - so I decided I would try 

to actually make something (it's been years!) 

  I had a simple skirt in my closet (the plum piece on the left below) 

I used as a pattern.  But first - I needed some fabric.  

These were my 'on hand' viable options.  I loved that brown daisy 

dotted swiss - but decided against it in case I messed up. 

 The red teeny check fabric is actually vintage curtain panels - 

so I had some ripping to do to get enough fabric.

Isn't it adorable?

Essentially - I just laid the skirt onto the fabric and cut it a 

little larger on each side.  Just 2 side seams folks! 

I did this times 2 - because I added a lining.  

(Out of old solid cream curtains I found for almost nothing!)

I wanted to mimic the drawstring waist of the original skirt.  To form the ties - 

I just eyeballed it and folded the fabric onto itself to cut a straight line...

It worked!...

 My original skirt was long with a plain hem.  

I chose a slightly shorter version and added a ruffle.  

 The great thing about sewing?  You choose your own length - love that!

This would be me - slightly graying hair and all.   

I love how green it is outside right now - we've had lots of 

gentle spring rains.  I'm gonna love this skirt.

And who knows?  I might do me some more sewing!

Linking to Transformation Thursday