Thriifty Decor Chick: DIY decorations

<div align="center"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hello and welcome! </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPS-Z0Dy92l3ol0xE_1S61us1Ub-cNMStO1RbnaM0lj5raYlyA1JQqCHeXatOyJPplUMErfMR5AQLIcbt-4LImgctQ9UgLHDC-lxhKkyOQAS1FeoKHjQTaSUm4L8WSDkqYbYFlj__fMo/s1600/finished+star+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPS-Z0Dy92l3ol0xE_1S61us1Ub-cNMStO1RbnaM0lj5raYlyA1JQqCHeXatOyJPplUMErfMR5AQLIcbt-4LImgctQ9UgLHDC-lxhKkyOQAS1FeoKHjQTaSUm4L8WSDkqYbYFlj__fMo/s320/finished+star+003.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>Another sunburst mirror has been in the making around here. I know they've been popular, and perhaps over-done, but I don't think they'll ever go out of fashion. They make such a big impact, are simple to make, plus inexpensive.  All you need is a mirror, some spray paint and a glue gun.  For the sunburst, you can use just about anything you have around the house. <br /><br />I'm making this sunburst mirror using paint sticks and BBQ skewers. But I've seen it done with twigs, driftwood, paper, silverware, chopsticks, etc. <br /><br />If you want to see how I made my sunburst mirror (well, technically it's my sisters, cuz that's who I made it for) see below! <br /><br />First, I cut out a circle of card board - it's from the top of a pizza box, cuz that's what we had for our gourmet dinner last night. I figured I could use it to lay out the paint sticks and skewers. Waste not, want not, right?<br /><br />I just the skewers and paint sticks all out on the counter to make sure I was clear on my spacing. And just to get a rough idea of how it would look, and if, in fact, it would look good. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WUg848eCe932xNr5iXlY4jLtE1f9nXnJZjW8e_BjvqPNUWqk0_POk60kC1OuwjYBPWwBdnNv2ptgxRWt-sYZlM4N_venIVS7VYzZAh1TlqIeCc7WAiWDuYHSRDD3VtqIpElcUHe6Pbs/s1600/april1+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WUg848eCe932xNr5iXlY4jLtE1f9nXnJZjW8e_BjvqPNUWqk0_POk60kC1OuwjYBPWwBdnNv2ptgxRWt-sYZlM4N_venIVS7VYzZAh1TlqIeCc7WAiWDuYHSRDD3VtqIpElcUHe6Pbs/s320/april1+011.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Being allergic to anything that requires measuring, I used the precise art of "eyeballing" the spacing and lay them all out on my cardboard, using my hot glue gun the hold them together. NOTE: Don't be skimpy with the glue. I don't want skewers falling on my sisters head while she sleeps, cuz this is going over her bed! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5zQJw4u15o3Hn9pkIRHmDD9dGX3UpmUsHZ0sWTQ1Cd-ibuvJtGz95mA_9r_aUuAqNpx8yu3rWUjRJgTRzGrqYSKIvU_J6Rx_BF45EtVkwL3a0GFce_r0yikkIwVjs9af9HY1-ZgEEwE/s1600/april1+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5zQJw4u15o3Hn9pkIRHmDD9dGX3UpmUsHZ0sWTQ1Cd-ibuvJtGz95mA_9r_aUuAqNpx8yu3rWUjRJgTRzGrqYSKIvU_J6Rx_BF45EtVkwL3a0GFce_r0yikkIwVjs9af9HY1-ZgEEwE/s320/april1+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I then took the sunburst outside on a dry, and somewhat non-windy day, to spray paint. I gave it three light coats of the paint, and then I let it sit there for a couple of hours to make sure it was good and dry. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I then attached the mirror, using the <em>precise eyeball method</em>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the back of the cardboard I glue-gunned the you-know-what out of the picture hooks and wire to make sure they stay tight. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0Bz1enhmXfZUOhD2YnAp5HM5ZFKvRsq9xSjTp6sd_bOt56Yug5eCD3zHjg-zttR95QqyDZ5DnRoSyfmUZGcb4R_AAYuuRwM5noQN4XD9fQKxBSI24U1fZph3G490Z5j4_4ZYvaB4UZA/s1600/lissa's+sunburst+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0Bz1enhmXfZUOhD2YnAp5HM5ZFKvRsq9xSjTp6sd_bOt56Yug5eCD3zHjg-zttR95QqyDZ5DnRoSyfmUZGcb4R_AAYuuRwM5noQN4XD9fQKxBSI24U1fZph3G490Z5j4_4ZYvaB4UZA/s320/lissa's+sunburst+009.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And, here we are - the finished product: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPS-Z0Dy92l3ol0xE_1S61us1Ub-cNMStO1RbnaM0lj5raYlyA1JQqCHeXatOyJPplUMErfMR5AQLIcbt-4LImgctQ9UgLHDC-lxhKkyOQAS1FeoKHjQTaSUm4L8WSDkqYbYFlj__fMo/s1600/finished+star+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPS-Z0Dy92l3ol0xE_1S61us1Ub-cNMStO1RbnaM0lj5raYlyA1JQqCHeXatOyJPplUMErfMR5AQLIcbt-4LImgctQ9UgLHDC-lxhKkyOQAS1FeoKHjQTaSUm4L8WSDkqYbYFlj__fMo/s320/finished+star+003.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">From the final product you may see where I <strike>made a little mistake</strike> had a <em>slight</em> <em>eyeballing miscalculation.</em> Can you see it? Oh, well, don't tell my sister - maybe she won't notice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The final sunburst mirror measures 30" x 30". So it's a pretty decent size, big enough to take the place of a headboard in a bedroom, or to hang in a substantial blank space!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYemJy8uwgFo9x5cUl2VbrvBxU00DI4zxWLU6XSVBafYk1cxBVCNxgAcf5uRQsK1f4gVWiNspP4oUPhe-iyAm4hP7zthjIQoETjlHGgkXrJKKNdN7yjsxy7G8Qv8qVUVJvrlOWNBpupA/s1600/april1+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Cost breakdown:</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mirror = $3.99</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Spray Paint = $3.89 </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Paint Sticks = free at any paint store</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">BBQ skewers = free (cuz I had them)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cardboard = free (minus pizza!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Picture hooks, glue, a Lil wire = free (pilfered from Big A's tool box) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>TOTAL</strong>: $ 7.88 (plus a little glue, etc.) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now, I've compared before, but check out the price of this wooden mirror!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fymoho-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0063USMF6&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Or this one!!!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fymoho-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B00B7HB39C&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They're so pretty - but I'd rather spend the time to make my own, and spend 8 bucks! Not too shabby eh? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I like the idea of adding a little bling to these sunbursts, such as little glass tiles or tiny circle mirrors (that I have a few packages of), but for now we're going to go rustic. I'm not sure if my sister likes bling. She lives in the country, in a house with exposed wood beams and a stone fireplace, so yeah, I'm confident with staying rustic. I hope she likes it. And I really hope it doesn't skewer her in the eye! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>

DIY Sunburst Mirror (Under $8!)

Hello and welcome! Another sunburst mirror has been in the making around here. I know they've been popular, and perhaps over-done, but I don't think they'll ever go out of fashion. They make such a big impact, are simple to make, plus inexpensive. All you need is a mirror, some spray paint and a…

I've got a great idea for decorating your porch or any area outside. Make a Holiday Porch or Garden Pot.  It's essentially free - using planters you already have, branches and dirt!  (If you're nervous, you could attend a garden center workshop or class on making porch pots, as most garden centers will be happy to help.)  Or you could do what my Mom and I did a couple of years ago just wing it!  They came out great, and were really easy, so it's now a Christmas tradition.  The awesome thing about this is you can decorate them for the holidays, remove the decorations after the holidays, and the greenery will last months.<br/><br/>First, scour the woods, or your yard, or your family's yards, for pine boughs. Get some really big ones, some  medium and some large.  Mix up the textures or stick with one flavor...  I chose to use three different kinds of fir. (I'm no gardener, so I can't tell you what kind they are!)<br/><br/>We have one pine tree in the yard.  One.  So, we did what we had to: clad in ski masks and black clothing under the cover of darkness, we filled the back of the truck with boughs stolen from my parents house. Only joking - they said we could.  However, if we didn't have that option, Lowe's and the local garden centers do sell bundles of boughs.<br/><br/>Anyway, I piled all the branches in my gorilla cart and wheeled them to the front porch area.  The first year we did this I learned not to put the pots together and <em>then</em> try to move them.  Large containers of dirt and branches are heavy and awkward.<br/><br/><a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/making-pots-009.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-667" height="300" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/making-pots-009-300x300.jpg" title="making pots 009" width="300" /></a><br/><br/>So, I put the branches on the ground in piles of large, medium and small.  And then I put gloves on, because I had sap all over my hands...<br/><br/><a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/making-pots-013.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-668" height="300" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/making-pots-013-224x300.jpg" title="making pots 013" width="224" /></a><br/><br/>I took the pots and filled them with dirt.  I didn't have enough dirt <del>I'm too lazy to dig dirt from the yard</del>, and I didn't want to leave holes in the yard, so I bought a bag of plain dirt from Lowe's. It was under $2 for 40 lbs.  (A note here about buying dirt - if the dirt is stored outside, and you live in a cold climate, be sure to make these pots before the dirt freezes.  Otherwise you will have to put the dirt in your living room for 3 days to let it thaw - don't ask how I know this.)<br/><br/>A note here - when I plant live plants I usually put empty plastic bottles in the bottom of the pot to take up some space and save on potting soil, especially if my planter is large.  However, in this instance I filled the pots up with all dirt.  Do <em>NOT</em> put plastic in the bottom of the pot to take up space, because you want plenty of room to push the branches way down in.  You don't want all of your hard work blown all over your yard during the next big wind!<br/><br/>Put the largest branches in the middle and in the back, and jam them in the dirt.  (While I did this, I had "We're Jammin' " by Bob Marley going through my head.)  Next fill in the pots with the medium and the small branches.  You could easily trim your branches to make a more uniform look, but I wanted mine to be huge and rustic.  Turn the planter and just fill in any holes or blank spots.<br/><br/>In the beginning they look really ugly.<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_669" align="aligncenter" width="225"]<a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/making-pots-018.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-669" height="300" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/making-pots-018-225x300.jpg" title="making pots 018" width="225" /></a> Ugly![/caption]<br/><br/>But keep turning and filling in. ( Meanwhile, ignore your husband when he looks at the planters, and then at you, as if you've lost your marbles.  Ignore the Time Warner tech who looks at you as if thinking "the poor dear thinks that looks good".  Ignore them, because they will look good, when you're done. )<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_670" align="aligncenter" width="300"]<a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/making-pots-022.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-670" height="172" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/making-pots-022-300x172.jpg" title="making pots 022" width="300" /></a> Not as ugly...[/caption]<br/><br/>The next step was to add some bling.  I had only a few <em>OLD</em> dollar store decorations on hand. So I just used them for now. I used twist ties to secure them to the branches.  And, I twist-tied the bows to a stick and stuck the stick in the dirt in the front of the planter.<br/><br/><a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/making-pots-028.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-671" height="138" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/making-pots-028-300x138.jpg" title="making pots 028" width="300" /></a><br/><br/>I think they look pretty good.  I am definitely stopping at the craft store later today to grab a few more berry-type stick-like ornaments (that's what they're called!).<br/><br/>So I'm happy this is done, and it was 70 degrees today, so I didn't have to freeze doing this.<br/><br/>But now we really need some snow to cover up all of this mud!  C'mon Mother Nature!  This is Central New York, not Miami!!!

Holiday Porch Pot

DIY Sunburst Mirror (Under $8!)

Holiday Porch Pot

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