Here are some tips I wanted to share with you on how to find great bargains at yard sales, garage sales and flea markets:
1) Be open minded. Try to imagine what an item could look like with a fresh coat of paint or stain or some new fabric. To get the best bargains you have to look beyond the dust, bad paint job and stains. Most old pieces of furniture have "good bones" and are made of high quality lumber with great details and craftsmanship but will usually have some wear and tear. Remember that the worse a piece looks, the better the price is going to be.
2) If you find a piece at a yard sale try to imagine how you could repurpose that item to fit with your furnishings. An old bureau can become a storage cabinet in the dining room. Old luggage can be used for storing blankets, an old trunk can be repurposed into a coffee table. Tool boxes or hat boxes are great for storage. Picture frames can be made into bulletin board surrounds. Baskets are always great for all types of storage and you can even recover sturdy shoe boxes with fabric to use for storage as well. Old wooden ladders can become a plant stand or a night stand. Your options are only limited by your imagination.
3) Finding the yard sales. I find the best places to check are Craigslist as well your local newspaper for a list of yard sales and garage sales in your area. Specifically look for large church yard sales or fundraisers that have alot of items in one space. Also look for townwide yard sales that have alot of sales in the same town which saves on gas because everything is close by.
4) Use MapQuest to map out the yard sales you want to go to. They have a great tool under their "options" tab where you can choose "Allow MapQuest to reorder stops". This then puts all the addresses in order. This is a great tool especially if you're not familiar with the streets and also prevents you from having to backtrack.
5) Start early in the morning to find the best items. However, don't be an "Early Bird" which is someone who comes before the time the yard sale is supposed to start and tries to buy things as the seller is still in the process of setting up. Most sellers will get annoyed at you and some will even advertise that early birds will pay double.
6) Bring cash and have it in small bills(mostly $1's and $5's) and bring lots of change. Also, only bring the amount of money you want to spend and don't bring more than that. It's very easy to see a great "bargain" and because you have the extra cash, you end up buying an item but then you never end up using it. Also, to prevent yourself from overspending, ask yourself if you really need that piece, if the answer is no, don't buy it.
7) Don't dress up too nice in expensive shoes, designer clothing or drive up in a very expensive car. If the sellers see this they will charge you alot more because they will think you have alot of money to spend.
8) Make yourself a list of items that you are looking for and be sure to include measurements. Always bring a tape measure with you so you can measure the items you want to buy to make sure it's going to fit in the space. There's nothing worse then finding a fabulous piece and getting it home and realizing that you can't use it anywhere in your home because it's too big.
9) Make nice with the seller. If you are friendly with the seller he more than likely won't charge you as much when it comes time to make your purchases.
10) Buy in bulk. Be sure to look around the entire sale before you pay for anything. Check to see if you can find more than one item that you want and then bring them all up together to pay for them. You can then ask the seller if they will for example take $5 dollars for everything. I have found that when you ask a specific price this puts you in control and the seller will usually say yes.
11) The art of bargaining. Bargaining at yard sales, garage sales and flea markets is expected and can actually be alot of fun too. For example, if a seller is asking $10 dollars for something, you can then ask if they will take $5 dollars. They may say yes, or they may say that they will take $7 dollars for it. I think that at this point, the bargaining should stop because over-haggling simply takes the fun out of it. At this point you should just make the decision to take the item or leave it behind. If it's something you absolutely cannot live without, I would say to buy it, because the price you'd pay at a retail store for the same item would probably be more than twice the price you paid at the yard sale.
11) Finally, and most importantly when going to yard sales, JUST HAVE FUN!!
***Tell me about the great bargains you found at your local yard sales and garage sales!!***
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Sunday, June 17, 2012
HOW TO MAKE A POLKA DOT TABLE
I found this small table at a garage sale for just $1.00 dollar. I wanted to do something fun and whimsical and use it on my deck for drinks.
How to make a Polka Dot Table:
1) Working outside, I first gave the table a light sanding all over using a small grit sandpaper. Wipe it down with a damp cloth or paper towel to remove any dust from the sanding.
2) Then spray paint the entire table with Rustoleum Ultra Cover Primer in white. I painted two coats, letting each coat dry thoroughly outside before applying the next coat of paint. For a drop cloth, I use a shower curtain liner from the local Dollar Tree Store.
3) I then spray painted the top of the table in the Krylon Short Cuts Spray Paint in the turquoise blue color. I painted two coats, letting each coat dry thoroughly outside before applying the next coat of paint. Krylon doesn't have this color in the larger cans and I had to use the entire small can for this project.
4) Then I spray painted the leg and feet in the Rustoleum Ultru Cover Spray Paint in the Satin Ivory Silk color. I painted two coats, letting each coat dry thoroughly outside before applying the next coat of paint.
5) To make the polka dots, spray some of the turquoise spray paint into the paint cover and then dip the eraser from a pencil into the paint. The pencil eraser makes a perfect size circle for the polka dots. Then I made the random polka dots all over the leg and feet of the table by pressing the eraser with paint onto the table to make the polka dots. Then let it dry outside thoroughly.
6) I painted the saying "Life is Good" on the top of the table. I sprayed some of the Satin Ivory Silk spray paint into the paint cover and then used an artist paint brush to paint the saying onto the table. Then let it dry outside thoroughly.
*Note: I used the spray paint for the polka dots and the saying because the table is being used outdoors and spray paint is more resistant to the weather. If you are using the table indoors, you can use any type of craft paint.
**Send me your whimsical, fun and wacky painting projects, and I'll post them to my blog!!***
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| BEFORE |
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| AFTER (Check out the Polka-Dots!) |
How to make a Polka Dot Table:
1) Working outside, I first gave the table a light sanding all over using a small grit sandpaper. Wipe it down with a damp cloth or paper towel to remove any dust from the sanding.
2) Then spray paint the entire table with Rustoleum Ultra Cover Primer in white. I painted two coats, letting each coat dry thoroughly outside before applying the next coat of paint. For a drop cloth, I use a shower curtain liner from the local Dollar Tree Store.
3) I then spray painted the top of the table in the Krylon Short Cuts Spray Paint in the turquoise blue color. I painted two coats, letting each coat dry thoroughly outside before applying the next coat of paint. Krylon doesn't have this color in the larger cans and I had to use the entire small can for this project.
4) Then I spray painted the leg and feet in the Rustoleum Ultru Cover Spray Paint in the Satin Ivory Silk color. I painted two coats, letting each coat dry thoroughly outside before applying the next coat of paint.
 |
| Tools used: Drop cloth, Sandpaper, Primer, Ivory and Turquoise Spray Paint, Pencil and Artist Paint Brush |
5) To make the polka dots, spray some of the turquoise spray paint into the paint cover and then dip the eraser from a pencil into the paint. The pencil eraser makes a perfect size circle for the polka dots. Then I made the random polka dots all over the leg and feet of the table by pressing the eraser with paint onto the table to make the polka dots. Then let it dry outside thoroughly.
6) I painted the saying "Life is Good" on the top of the table. I sprayed some of the Satin Ivory Silk spray paint into the paint cover and then used an artist paint brush to paint the saying onto the table. Then let it dry outside thoroughly.
*Note: I used the spray paint for the polka dots and the saying because the table is being used outdoors and spray paint is more resistant to the weather. If you are using the table indoors, you can use any type of craft paint.
**Send me your whimsical, fun and wacky painting projects, and I'll post them to my blog!!***
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
HOMEMADE DECORATIVE FLORAL WREATH
Making your own decorative floral wreath can be done very easily as well as very inexpensively. A decorative wreath can add a great look to your front door to greet your guests or you can hang one in any room in your home to match your everyday decor. They also make great one of a kind gifts.
Below are the step by step instructions on how I made my own summer wreath for under $20 dollars:
1) I bought the below grapevine wreath at a yard sale for only $1.00. I thought it was really ugly plus it was very dusty because it probably spent years in someones basement, but I knew I could make it look great. These grapevine wreaths can be bought at any craft store.
2) First I cut all the loose vines and thick branches off to make it look neater. I did this outside because I knew it would make a mess. I was able to break most of the branches off with my hands, but some I had to use wire cutters to break them off.
3) I then wrapped green floral wire around the entire wreath by simply wrapping it all the way around making sure that all the branches were secure.
4) Then I hosed down the entire wreath with my garden hose outside to clean up all the dust as well as any excess pieces that were not secure and I let it dry outside. I probably should have hosed it down first before I started cutting off the excess branches because the wreath was so dirty.
5) Then I added some spray paint to lighten it up so it looked more summery. Using a drop cloth outside, I first used an ivory colored spray paint and then I used a turquoise blue spray paint and randomly sprayed light squirts of each color all over the wreath being careful not to cover the entire wreath with paint because I wanted some of the original color to show through. Let it dry outside.
The cost was under $20 dollars and that includes the cost of the spray paint. If you've every priced these wreaths at a floral shop or craft store, the price would easily be triple the price I paid.
**Cheap Tip: For a drop cloth, buy a plastic shower curtain liner at the dollar store. These can be used more than once and are great for large or small projects.
***Another Cheap Tip: When you go to yard sales and flea markets make yourself a list of items you will need for the project.
Below are the step by step instructions on how I made my own summer wreath for under $20 dollars:
1) I bought the below grapevine wreath at a yard sale for only $1.00. I thought it was really ugly plus it was very dusty because it probably spent years in someones basement, but I knew I could make it look great. These grapevine wreaths can be bought at any craft store.
 |
| "BEFORE" I had to look beyond the bad and try to imagine what it could look like with a little creativity. |
2) First I cut all the loose vines and thick branches off to make it look neater. I did this outside because I knew it would make a mess. I was able to break most of the branches off with my hands, but some I had to use wire cutters to break them off.
3) I then wrapped green floral wire around the entire wreath by simply wrapping it all the way around making sure that all the branches were secure.
4) Then I hosed down the entire wreath with my garden hose outside to clean up all the dust as well as any excess pieces that were not secure and I let it dry outside. I probably should have hosed it down first before I started cutting off the excess branches because the wreath was so dirty.
5) Then I added some spray paint to lighten it up so it looked more summery. Using a drop cloth outside, I first used an ivory colored spray paint and then I used a turquoise blue spray paint and randomly sprayed light squirts of each color all over the wreath being careful not to cover the entire wreath with paint because I wanted some of the original color to show through. Let it dry outside.
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| The wreath after it was cleaned up and spray painted. Tools needed: Drop cloth, Spray paint, floral wire, wire cutters and glue gun |
6) Buying the floral stems. If you've ever priced these out, they can be really expensive. Luckily, I had found at yet another yard sale an entire garbage bag full of floral stems for just $4.00. To get the cheapest price on these, I suggest that you go to your local yard sale, garage sale, flea market or even Craigslist to find the floral stems you need. You can also go to the dollar store for these or the local craft store during the sales and be sure to go armed with your coupons.
7) Adding the floral stems to the wreath. Using the wire cutters, cut the stems about 2 to 4 inches from the bottom of the flower. Then all you have to do is just easily stick the stems into the grapevines and they usually hold nicely. For any flowers that are loose or for any that fell off the stems use your glue gun to secure them to the wreath. Continue doing this by filling in the empty spaces until the wreath is completely filled in.
8) Then I wrapped some pretty blue and silvery ribbon that was also bought at a yard sale for just $1.00.
7) Adding the floral stems to the wreath. Using the wire cutters, cut the stems about 2 to 4 inches from the bottom of the flower. Then all you have to do is just easily stick the stems into the grapevines and they usually hold nicely. For any flowers that are loose or for any that fell off the stems use your glue gun to secure them to the wreath. Continue doing this by filling in the empty spaces until the wreath is completely filled in.
8) Then I wrapped some pretty blue and silvery ribbon that was also bought at a yard sale for just $1.00.
9) TIME TO FACE FACTS: I've come to realize that a preschooler can make a large bow look better than I can. So, I actually bought a large pre-made bow at the craft store. This was the most expensive part of the wreath and was just under $5.00 dollars after I used my discount coupon. Yes, this goes against every tightwad part of my being, but it definitely prevented me from getting completely aggravated by trying to make one myself.
Below is the AFTER picture of my summer wreath. It really looks great on my front door.
Below is the AFTER picture of my summer wreath. It really looks great on my front door.
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| "AFTER" |
****Please share with me your pictures of the wreaths you've made and how
you did it "On The Cheap", all it takes is a little creativity!******
**Cheap Tip: For a drop cloth, buy a plastic shower curtain liner at the dollar store. These can be used more than once and are great for large or small projects.
***Another Cheap Tip: When you go to yard sales and flea markets make yourself a list of items you will need for the project.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
COFFEE TABLE - What it says about you
I was taking a look at my coffee table this morning and I realized it may be saying alot about me. This is my primary space that I land when I need to slowly wake up in the morning with my cup of tea and it's the place I land at the end of the day when I need to wind down. Today on my coffee table are books, mail, notebooks, moisturizer, a candle, to-do lists, grocery lists and more lists(yea, I'm a list maker). I really do alot on my coffee table and if you didn't know me better you could think that I was a slob just by looking at my coffee table. The only time my coffee table looks nice and "decorated" is when I have company coming, other than that, it's usually cluttered with lots of stuff.
My current coffee table is wrought iron with a glass top, very nice, but functionally limited. Here is a picture of a coffee table that I love. I especially love the baskets for lots of storage(to hide all my junk). Maybe I'll find something similar at a thrift store or even Craigslist and be able to make my version of this $525.00 dollar one(Yikes!). Remember when looking for that great piece, it's all about being patient. I'll just add this picture to my list of things I'm looking for when scouring the yard sales this spring. Having a picture helps alot so you'll know exactly what you're looking for and won't have to go by memory alone when trying to find a similar piece.
Did you notice there are quite a few movies and TV shows that have made reference to the coffee table? Here are just a few that I came across:
The Big Bang Theory TV show. I don't think I've ever seen any other TV show have the cast sitting around a coffee table to eat dinner instead of eating at a dining or kitchen table:
Do you remember the movie "When Harry Met Sally" when the couple were fighting about the wagon wheel coffee table and how ugly it was? I have to say, I agree with that:
How about the Seinfeld episode when Kramer published his coffee table book about coffee tables - and the book turned into a coffee table. (I still laugh at that):
HERE ARE SOME OTHER UNIQUE AND CRAZY COFFEE TABLES:
FISH TANK COFFEE TABLE - Beautiful, but...doesn't it look like it would be a pain to clean?
PAC-MAN COFFEE TABLE: Brings back memories, pure nostalgia:
Last but not least, this is some kind of alien dog, but I love the unique-ness of this and that someone actually uses this in their home:
How many of you remember playing games on the coffee table as a kid, or eating pizza around the coffee table while watching a movie? What are some of your fond memories sitting around the coffee table?
My current coffee table is wrought iron with a glass top, very nice, but functionally limited. Here is a picture of a coffee table that I love. I especially love the baskets for lots of storage(to hide all my junk). Maybe I'll find something similar at a thrift store or even Craigslist and be able to make my version of this $525.00 dollar one(Yikes!). Remember when looking for that great piece, it's all about being patient. I'll just add this picture to my list of things I'm looking for when scouring the yard sales this spring. Having a picture helps alot so you'll know exactly what you're looking for and won't have to go by memory alone when trying to find a similar piece.
Did you notice there are quite a few movies and TV shows that have made reference to the coffee table? Here are just a few that I came across:
The Big Bang Theory TV show. I don't think I've ever seen any other TV show have the cast sitting around a coffee table to eat dinner instead of eating at a dining or kitchen table:
Do you remember the movie "When Harry Met Sally" when the couple were fighting about the wagon wheel coffee table and how ugly it was? I have to say, I agree with that:
How about the Seinfeld episode when Kramer published his coffee table book about coffee tables - and the book turned into a coffee table. (I still laugh at that):
HERE ARE SOME OTHER UNIQUE AND CRAZY COFFEE TABLES:
FISH TANK COFFEE TABLE - Beautiful, but...doesn't it look like it would be a pain to clean?
PAC-MAN COFFEE TABLE: Brings back memories, pure nostalgia:
Last but not least, this is some kind of alien dog, but I love the unique-ness of this and that someone actually uses this in their home:
How many of you remember playing games on the coffee table as a kid, or eating pizza around the coffee table while watching a movie? What are some of your fond memories sitting around the coffee table?
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
UPSIDE DOWN BUILDING - TOO COOL!!
Some of you may be wondering why I'm writing about an upside down building and not my latest "frugal" project. Well, for those of you who have the word "tightwad" tattooed on your DNA like I do, you can appreciate this. I don't have a digital camera. Yes, I'm probably the only American who doesn't have one. I do have a very old 35mm camera that uses film, which for any project photos will be time consuming and not very effective for a daily blog. So, I'm currently looking for an(of course)inexpensive digital camera so I can share photos with you at lightning speed. So, in true "frugal fashion", I'm checking out Craigslist and some pawn shops to see what's available.
Until then, I thought I'd share with you a building located in Orlando Florida that was built upside down. I love this building, it's such an imaginative design. It's built to look like it was blown over by some form of Mother Nature. I think it is truly "COOL"!
Take a look at this photo, did you notice that even the palm trees are upside down? Also, on the right side of the photo, it appears to be resting on top of another building. Gotta love it!
Check out the street lights that actually work and turn on at night and the columns that look like they are about to crumble.
When you see this building in person, the longer you look at it, the more things you notice, it is really something to see.
Do you have any decorating ideas that are really "out there", "crazy" or completely "off the wall"? I'd love to hear about them!
Until then, I thought I'd share with you a building located in Orlando Florida that was built upside down. I love this building, it's such an imaginative design. It's built to look like it was blown over by some form of Mother Nature. I think it is truly "COOL"!
Take a look at this photo, did you notice that even the palm trees are upside down? Also, on the right side of the photo, it appears to be resting on top of another building. Gotta love it!
Check out the street lights that actually work and turn on at night and the columns that look like they are about to crumble.
When you see this building in person, the longer you look at it, the more things you notice, it is really something to see.
Do you have any decorating ideas that are really "out there", "crazy" or completely "off the wall"? I'd love to hear about them!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
2012 New Year's Resolution - Fulfilled!!
Happy New Year to everyone! Today is my first post on my new blog and this has fulfilled one of my New Year's Resolutions to start a decorating blog. I have a lot of decorating projects I want to do over the next year, and hopefully you'll join me in the fun!
Here is a list of some of the projects I want to do this year:
1) Strip, repaint and rejuvinate an old yard sale bureau
2) Antique my wrought iron bed frame
3) Organize my home office once and for all
4) Fix the framed mat on the dining room picture(my cheap-decorating-gone-bad moment)
5) Find some old unique bedside tables and refinish them.
6) Put down some sticky square linoleum in the kitchen to cover up the ugly ones.
7) Do something new with my old kitchen table and chairs(not sure what yet).
8) Recover some toss pillows.
9) Paint my metal file cabinet.
10) Start a flower garden so I can have fresh flowers in my home all the time.
What are some of your decorating goals for 2012?
Here is a list of some of the projects I want to do this year:
1) Strip, repaint and rejuvinate an old yard sale bureau
2) Antique my wrought iron bed frame
3) Organize my home office once and for all
4) Fix the framed mat on the dining room picture(my cheap-decorating-gone-bad moment)
5) Find some old unique bedside tables and refinish them.
6) Put down some sticky square linoleum in the kitchen to cover up the ugly ones.
7) Do something new with my old kitchen table and chairs(not sure what yet).
8) Recover some toss pillows.
9) Paint my metal file cabinet.
10) Start a flower garden so I can have fresh flowers in my home all the time.
What are some of your decorating goals for 2012?
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