...A JEWELRY BOX MUST BE BUILT!

 

The girly side comes out & a jewelry box must be built.

 

So one day the kid who doesn’t wear jewelry; decides she likes jewelry & accessories & scarves & you know all that girly stuff. So we had to build a jewelry box so she can keep all MY jewelry somewhere, but we didn’t want the stuff to get tangled.  So I thought outside the box & went into a big box to find exactly what I needed.  I was able to match her wall & her rug. WOWZERS – the price tag was a little high & I went with it. I later found out that hobby lobby carries the exact same thing & I could have used the 40% coupon.  SADNESS!!!! But, I was able to make something large enough that the kid can put all her ribbons on. 

 

1- Metal grid

Purchased at Lowes,Home depot has the same stuff but not this design

2-  1x2 x 8  white  wood.
1 - box of wood screws

I cut the pieces of wood to size, just straight cuts. I suck at mitering. I then screw in each corner (I place the wood on the metal to make sure  that my edges match up
to the sheet)

Finally I screw in the metal to the top of the wood. I super glued jeweled rhinestones on top of the screws for added embellishment & to match the molding in the room. (link to follow)

TADA!!! A inside out Jewelry box is made

 

THIS IS EASY PEOPLE!!!  It took 15 min. tops. Add S hooks to hold your jewelry, dangle earings can hang from the backs. We used mini clothes pins (painted white) to hold up the ribbons, rings & other misc. items. Hat hangs on corner while the gloves sit on top of the boards. 

 

~Mel

Legal Eagle Stuff:  This project can be done assuming you have some general knowledge of using your drill & your circular saw. Please feel free to go the cheaper route & purchase this at hobby lobby using a coupon. Or you can do what I did and spend a little more money because I didn't shop around.

 

A ROOM FOR EVERY YEAR

My daughter Jo & I have an annual tradition; every time she leaves for camp (2weeks) I redesign her room. Expensive? No. Does she have any say? Yes & No, she would tell me what colors she wants & one inspiration. JUST ONE!  With that in hand I would run with it & write her snail mail with off the wall hints. She loved the element of surprise.

Hopefully I can spark some ideas with what I show you today. Like I stated before, it takes just one item for me to draw inspiration & I become this mad introvert; hunting for items, redecorating & trying to work with my tight timeline. But Mel, how can this be inexpensive? Well I will try to show you how to revamp what you have, utilize color & phase in certain items while phasing out others.  

THE HISTORY OF JO’S ROOM (feel free to go to the next topic, I will never know)

Jo (short for Jordan) goes to camp around July. In May I will start asking her what she wants. You can do this with any room. If you know in that you want to eventually change a room, start getting some ideas. Even though you might not be re-doing it at this time, do know that this is the best way to look for bargains that will work with what you want. Find a spot in your closet, garage, shed to keep items stored until you need it. HINT: (take a picture of what you stored so you know what you already have). Sadly I do not have any pictures of her first rooms that I redesigned; first year was white & little girl pinks & flowers. Then she went through her non girly phase and we stuck with just bold colors squares, her funky spirit started coming out & we did bohemian. Her favorite color is purple & we finally redid her floor & her purple room.  Her reincarnated 50’s -60’s girl came out & we went into a classic mode (some pics) & then eventually she realized that she was in love with everything classic even came to me & said she is bringing the 80’s back. I’m still waiting on that.

THE DETAILS.

SHOP AROUND for OOPS PAINT – big budget saver. Work with the colors you are looking for. By no means do you have to compromise on what you want, however if you carry your color samples with you & you may find something within range & save big.  

LIST~ NEEDS; Storage, Desk, Seating, Sleeping etc. etc. 

          WANTS; Color, Reading area, TV area, Music Area etc. etc.

PAINT HINT~ if you feel that you are going to change your room/area within a year, try changing one wall color & décor. Get a color for remaining walls to be lighter & somewhat neutral so you can change & match up the accent wall so it can be easier for you.  

LOOK~ at magazines, window shop & you may get an inspiration to kick start your project.

DE-CLUTTER~ this is the time to figure out what you want, what you don’t need, get rid of clothes, outgrown furniture. Place it all on craigslist & facebook - they have virtual yard sales for most areas.  

BLANK CANVAS~ it works best when you are trying to paint re-do.

 

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF.

I will link how-to’s on the projects (stay tuned) 

We started with a stark white room, little lighting & carpet. We stuck with the carpet for the first few years & then eventually ripped it up (save the carpet- details later)
Here are a few pics for some inspiration of what you want, dont want & this may not all be in order.

This is a room we did for my friends son. If you dont think you can paint a mural, I will say YES YOU CAN!!!! It may not be as detailed as a master artist, but you can paint basic simple things that will wow people. The blue & green are oops paint. I had the mom paint the whole wall blue, as she lives an hour away & we only had one day.  I came in to do details & the grass. Using white paint as my pencil, I can play with placement & thickness before laying down the real color.

 i love my overalls.

the crazy kid "JO"

Now back to the kiddo's room -

 I call my brother & he helps me with the flooring. I chose laminate click lock wood flooring. It is inexpensive & easy to care for especially with a kid who jumps around alot & practices her rifle (color guard).  The wooden letters were purchased at Hobby Lobby for 50% off. the floral decals were purchased at the dollar store. Oops paint qt. $2

I painted one on each side of the door, implying that the door is the trunk (also white)

Don't be scared of making tree limbs. your lines do not have to be straight. Draw a line where you want your limb to be, lenghten it out to your desired placement & go back and widen it out. The bird with the musical note was over the side where all my daughters music gear is. She plays the cello & the piano. The other side is where the door opens to & I just placed hooks to hang backpacks & jackets.  You can print out a sillhouette of whatever you want & trace it. You don't have to be a professional to do this. I believe that given the right instructions anyone can do it.

IT'S AS EASY AS DOING SHAPES

see the stems on the flower?  not so straight, not perfect, neither is my circles or my petals. It has more charachter. I painted random flowers around the room. I did only one butterfly & the leaves are decals from the Dollar store peel & stick. 

 

I wish I had more pictures of the other room, we went into classic mode and from purple we transitioned to blue, black and white. See the light purple paint above? I didn't prime it. I painted a gray over this. ( DISCLAIMER: IT WORKED FOR ME, MY COLORS DIDN'T NEED TO BE PRIMED. SOME COLORS YOU DO NEED TO)

 

THE FOLLOWING PICTURES ARE FROM MY CRAIGSLIST AD.

 I sold the items that I used for her classic room

See the chandelier? I purchased this at walmart on clearance. $8 It was hot pink & I used it for her bohemian room. I then spray painted it black for her  classic room look. This was her little reading area. I added a on/off  switch so she can turn off by her chair side. The curtain was purchased at ross for $7.  I sold the chandelier for $20 & the Curtain for $10 making me a profit. If you take a picture of your items already displayed, you sell your items faster. People are less hesitant to 2nd guess if it will work for them. People are visual. Remember that when you trying to sell items.

 I had purchased these at target for storage space- of course clearanced. You can find great deals on after college sales. I used this & her larger trunk for her bohemian room, purple room & classic room. I got enough use out of them & it was time to move on.

Clearance chair - from target for her reading area.

 

NOW FOR THE MOST CURRENT - IM GOING TO BE A SENIOR PROJECT!!

PICTURE #1

I wanted a more grown up feel for the kid. She wanted green & that was it. She loves Marilyn, Audrey, Beatles.... So I ran with that. Target at the time had blue & green in thier dollar spot & I  added touches of the blue to keep cost a lower as this was the color of her last room. 

 

So let me show you what I kept & redid

I kept the kids name, i moved the letters  to the corner. The bookshelf  before was a large double book shelf. I took the top part off & made it smaller. I replaced the old spray painted chandelier & added a chandelier from IKEA- (I turned it into a plug in with a light switch) I kept the gray walls from the classic blue room along with the gray drums under the tv. I revamped the dresser & added texture. I made the desk and almost lost an eye.

This is the desk I made with plywood. had home depot cut to size. I didn't paint it. I just added a gloss sheen to it. I made a memo board with the wall & within,added a dry erase board. The stencil I made from a cardboard box, FREE! All the green & black accessories along with the blue came from Target dollar spot priced at $1 -$2.50 ea.

 

I made a headboard from the pink foam insulation sold at home depot & her old ikea comforter. To many stains to reuse. I added gray pillow cases in different colors & added the blue. I kept the white down as is because I didn't find anything that would really work with the look.

I made her a Jewelry Box & placed it behind the entry door.

 

 

So you see it doesn't take a lot to change a room or its decor. You don't have to have deep pockets, just a little imagination & paint. I will start linking up how-to's soon. Stay tuned.

~Mel

DISLAIMERS & STUFF: It is a known fact, that I am a mad DIY'er. The ideas from the rooms above are from my crazed mind & potentially spun off from an idea that I saw somewhere or dreamt up. Not responsible for your new found addiction of rearranging, repainting or RE-anything.

~FYI'S OF MY DIY'S

My DIY~ FYI

So a little about my background~ I am self taught home improvement, photographer, face painter, muralist, senile DIY’er . When I began my journey in the home improvement world I had no clue what molding, junction boxes, or pressure treated lumber were. I was 18 when I joined the big orange box team & I was just looking for a fun job. Little did I know that I would get sucked into the mad world of do-it-yourselfers & contractors.  The company was new to Austin & I learned very quickly how fun, addicting & frustrating this all can be home improvement can be.  I have made many mistakes & look back with complete & utter disgust & embarrassment. I have wallpapered a bathroom with the wrong wallpaper & aligned it to fit the room & not the pattern. I have shocked myself, busted tiles & toes, slammed fingers, burned myself & much more.  I shot soda out of my nose when I first heard the word "nipple”, blushed when I heard male & female ends screw together & after growing out of all that immaturity now realize that it would become part of my (almost) every day vocabulary. I have burned; shocked, banged, almost lost an eye, broke toes, & lost many good pedicures to my addiction. With this being said I have gained knowledge, a fatter wallet & have the capability to test my husband’s limits without pushing him over the edge. So here is a few of MY FYI’s of MY DIY’s.

IT'S A SALE, A SALE...

Just because it is a sale, doesn't mean that it is a great deal. Just because you are recieving 10% with 12 months not interest no payments, doesn't mean you are not going to eventually pay 18% or more… read the fine print and ask yourself, can I wait for this “DEAL slash SALE?”

SHOP TILL YOU DROP…

Or till your head swarms with so many ideas, you don’t know what to do with yourself. Of course no money is involved in this process. WEEKDAYS are best for window shopping. Places are less crowded & you have time to ask questions. Before you window shop, you may look at some magazines to find some inspiration & ideas for what style you or might choose. You don’t have to stick to just one idea, you can merge your styles. Remember, window shopping helps tremendously when you are 2^nd hand shopping. Know your product, spot it quickly and find a great deal.

A GIFT TO THRIFT

Know your 2^nd hand stores. Every town/city has their own 2^nd hand store & there is always Goodwill & Thrift town. I’m sorry, but I seriously think that Goodwill is overpriced on their clothes. However, their furniture, baskets & records are usually great buys.  Thrift town has 50% off on certain color tags making great deals even greater. Salvation Army has AMAZING furniture since they pick up from the donators house directly vs. dropping off. You may even find several little vendors outside of the city that sell antiques & second hand finds.  Shop your thrift stores.

TOOLS FOR FOOLS

I’m frugal, very, very frugal. I like to find deals & save money. No I don’t buy cheap just because it’s easy on my wallet, it won’t be easy for my project. Remember the tools I bought myself for Christmas? Well I bought myself a RYOBI ONE combo kit all for the low low price of $99. I didn’t need anything industrial, I just needed to get small projects done. This kit came with a drill, circular saw, vacuum (dust size), and reciprocating saw & a charger all in one cute bag. It has helped me build an outdoor counter, a deck, a coop, a garden & saved my sanity.  My basic hammers, screwdrivers, utility knives come from harbor freight… of course I used my 20% coupon. I also keep an ample supply of measuring tapes. Just like socks in a dryer, the measuring tapes tend to get lost during a project. I keep an indoor tool box with my basic needs & my other items in the garage. Remember, in order to start any project you need the right tools, so know what you like, price it out & be patient, things always go on sale.

CURB PICKUP, BARTER, LIST/ BUY or LAYAWAY?   

When re-doing a room I like to sell the items that I am not going to use, either on craigslist or I hold a yard sale. I will try to sell it for as close as what I want to pay for something else to replace it.  Barter your services, if someone is selling something contact them to see if they will barter for their item. All they can do is say no. Look on craigslist or your local paper to see if someone is selling an item that will work for you.  Any item that requires assembly is always better if you can find it for less & already assembled. They did the hard work for you. Take a drive around a neighbor hood that is holding a bulk pickup or near trash day. Sometimes people don’t have the time to move things or donate them so they put them on curbside. LAYAWAY!!! Yes, people! My number one golden rule, if you do not have the cash, then you shouldn’t buy. I own no credit cards & I have managed to function after leaving behind a great find. Sure I had a few convulsions along with foaming of the mouth, but with one tranquilizer shot, all is right with the world. There are a few places that still offer layaway; YES, It is ok to LAYAWAY.  
 

IF IT AIN’T BROKE, DON’T FIX IT…

But sometimes when it’s broke, you can get a great deal. Look at the item, where is it broke? The legs? Is it visible, fixable? Take a moment to research it on your phone. Ask yourself a few questions.  Can you replace the piece? Paint it? Do you have the tools to fix it? Will fixing it still be less expensive then purchasing a new one? You can get amazing deals for pennies on the dollars. There is a product called PLASTIWOOD WOOD FILLER, it is an awesome product to have on hand. If you have an item missing a small piece of wood, missing a small corner or a small chunk of wood is missing, plastiwood can help. It’s a wood filler that hardens to look & act like real wood. You can mold it & build up to shape you need, sand it & stain or paint it. Liquid Nails glues down just about anything down. Mirror tiles are inexpensive & can be found at the Dollar Store. So don’t overlook the broken or the ugly.  You may have a diamond in the rough.

POINTS, CLUBS & EMAILS

They want it; you don’t want to give it. When companies request for you to sign up for their programs to get points, rewards or coupons, a lot of people are hesitant to give information.  I don’t blame them; I don’t want them to keep track of my stuff or my personal information. With this being said, I don’t want to lose out on deals either. So what to do? Easy, Fake it!  Grab yourself a new email, make up a name with either initials or use your favorite character’s name. There is no need for them to need your real name. At times I do however use my real address. Having what I call a “junk email”, helps filter out what you need or want & doesn’t let you clutter up your real email. Plus you can get great deals, first to know information & my favorite COUPONS.

A JOURNAL FOR THE CREATIVE

I so don’t do this, but as my mother use to say, do as I say not what I do. I am working on a journal; I am working on getting a little more organized in my idea books. A journal, a binder or even a coupon folder can work. Your journal should have measurements, color swaps & any other information that you may need to help make your shopping easier. My shame, I carry color swaps in my purse, measurements on lose pieces of paper & I’m always trying to dig up what I need to know. – DOES NOT WORK!

DOLLAR STORES

 Just because it’s a $1 doesn’t mean it’s a great deal. Some items are less expensive at regular stores, you can save anywhere from $0.12- $0.50 per item. Yes, this is just chump change, but adds it up along with taxes & you can save a few bucks. Don’t ever underestimate a dollar store, you can find great buys & discontinued name brands.

RE-CLAIMED STORES

What a great way to find high quality materials for next to nothing. I have been able to purchase cabinet hardware for a $1 that is special ordered at $8 apiece. You can find great cabinets, tiles, flooring & windows. More on this later.

SIBLINGS & STUFF

I haven’t mentioned my brother yet, but I have a pretty amazing brother who has blessed me with some awesome nieces; I think my sister-in-law helped with that too. He is so talented, from fixing computers & electronics to knowing how to build houses to making a lot of stuff. He is always a phone call away if I ever have a question or need help. You friends, family members, neighbors are limitless FREE resources. If you have a questions, need an extra pair of hands or need a little help, USE THEM!! Believe me, sometimes a DIY can turn into a DIT (do it together) job. Know that most of the stores you love have siblings too. EX: TJ Maxx, Marshalls & Home goods are all related. You can go to one store and find one piece, go to the other and find its mate. Please note, one store may be more expensive than the other. Why is this? I have no clue, but as an avid window shopper this is what I have found.

 

IF YOU LIVE IN AUSTIN, HERE ARE SOME PLACES YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK OUT.

(Remember I do not endorse these places, this works for me & my projects.)

 STORE NAME & STREET NAME ONLY- PLEASE GOOGLE OR MAPQUEST FOR TO GET INFO & HOURS

THRIFT TOWN

Stassney Lane

BEEN AROUND

Stassney Lane

GOODWILL

Brodie Lane

SALVATION ARMY

Congress St.

UNCOMMON OBJECTS

Congress St.

TREASURE CITY THRIFT

7^th street

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RE-STORE

Comal Street

 

Try these places to find great accessories for less.

ROSS, BIG LOTS, MARSHALLS, TJ MAXX, HOME GOODS, PIER ONE, WORLD MARKET, TARGET

 If you know of a place in Austin, share it. I would love to check it out. I’m always up for new things.

 

~Mel 

The Legal Mumbo Jumbo :  Although I am able to be very frugal, in no way shape or form am I responsible for your addiction to shopping, spending or expanding your collection of stuff.  

Before we begin... (disclaimer & all the other fun stuff)

 

 

 

 

 

Before we begin:

 A little about me, things you should know & this disclaimer stuff

ME

·               I am a self diagnosed ADD person. (Actually diagnosed as an adult)

·               It is a known fact, once I start a project, there is a 90% chance that I may start a few more at the same time.

·               I am in extrovert & can slump into introvert mode when I delve into a project.

·               I talk to myself…quietly in my head.

·               I begin projects first then figure them out later. (I’m working on this)

·               I window shop a lot & one inspiration can transpire into a slew of projects.

·               I wear many hats however don’t own any. Not even a baseball cap.

·               I know what I know & do what I do because I am a visual person. I see it in my head then attempt to do it.  I eventually research or read instructions later. (This gets me in trouble)  UPDATE – I have been skimming instructions beforehand now J

·               Right after my divorce I bought my first tools as a Christmas gift to myself. I didn’t even touch them till years later. (well maybe I used the hammer & occasionally drank a screwdriver)

·               I do most of my projects at night (even garden in the dark) then I am extremely tired to go to work in the morning.

·               I draw projects out on paper for my husband.  If I tell him how I want something done he just nods, puts his hand to his chin & says uh-huh. His way of saying I don’t know what the bleep you are talking about.  

·               I makeover my daughter’s room EVERY year. It’s tradition. Till she decided to cut the cord & move out for college.

·               I can smell something before you do & it’s not in the good sense (Get it?)

·               I’m a cheesy clumsy dork, I know it & embrace it.

·               Did I mention that I am clumsy?

·               I try to say something positive to a stranger anytime I have the chance. This makes their day & in return makes me happy.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

·               I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL (I didn’t go to school for this stuff, I just do what I do)

·               I DON’T endorse one thing or another. What works for me, may not work for you.

·               MY PICTURES - will be watermarked with MELJO’s PLACE. I give you authorization to share, so long as you give me a SHOUT OUT!!!! Hey!

·               Any picture that is from another source should not be used by you, unless you have written permission from the original source. I will make note if it has a creative common license, then you can use it all you want.

·               If you have any questions about any projects, I will try my hardest to answer them in a timely manner, as honest & as accurate as I can be. Any questions on love life, mental help, children, spouse or any other therapy will NOT be answered. If a REAL therapist can’t help me, by no means can I help someone else. Somehow my daughter managed to turn out all right.

·               I do help a lot of people out. I am a good listener, a positive thinker & believe that everyone has something to offer someone. If I don’t know something I will direct you to someone who does.

·               I believe in the power of uplifting others & assist them with reaching their goals.

·               I am not perfect & can make mistakes, feel free to tell me, just don’t be ugly about it.

·               I take all CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM to heart. I need to learn

·               What I share with you as far as deals; sales, discounts, coupons etc… may not be valid at all locations, stores or surrounding areas. Please don’t hurt a fly if you get upset & didn’t get what you wanted.

·               My ways of showing you how to reach your goals or be positive should be used only as tools to get you in the right direction. I am not a professional therapist. But based on my downfalls, my past/current experiences, I will share stuff with you. LIKE A FRIEND. In the end, you do what you need to do for yourself.

DISCLAIMER ~ now the fun stuff.

·               IF YOU LOOK AT MY PAGE, READ IT & DO….  I am not responsible for your boo-boos, items, & or anything else that didn’t become.  I have been hurt, I have made many ER runs, & I have had all 3 come out; blood, sweat & tears. I have been rewarded just as much as I have had to walk away from things & start all over. I will try my hardest to give you step by step instructions of how I did it & how it worked for me. AGAIN, REMINDER: It may NOT work for you & you MAY have to tweak a few things so it can.

·               IF YOU DO NOT LIKE SOMETHING I MADE, DID OR ATTEMPTED TO DO… no biggie. I may like it now & in a month not like it at all. Either way, you don’t have to read it or do it & by all means don’t leave a mean comment. That’s just UGLY.

·               I DO NOT ENDORSE ONE ITEM OR ANOTHER- The products I mention are based on what works for my projects & what I personally like. I am not getting paid to endorse any link or product I share. I will let you know if I am.

·               COPYRIGHTS- PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, respect copyright laws. Please do not add a link to your comments without permission from the original owner. Please do not use any pictures that DO NOT have my watermark (Meljo’s Place) or any other creative common license. Apparently personal injury lawyers are looking for new ways to make money & changing over to copyright infringement.  (that was a joke based in my head & in no way based on any proven studies)

·               MY OPINIONS, COMMENTS, OR IDEAS are just that!  My dysfunctional, chaotic brain is always on the go & may make me state something silly, crazy, funny, sad or by accident, hurtful. (see lawyer comment above) With no intention & by accidental purging of the brain do I mean to defame, humiliate and or hurt someone's feelings. PLEASE ACCEPT MY APPOLOGIES IN ADVANCE IF I DO any of the said above- I SERIOUSLY DIDN’T MEAN TO & if you personally know me, I will be very upset & guilt ridden if you believed that I did. (That comes from my Catholic, hispanic upbringing)

·               ALL COMMENTS ON THIS SITE are the opinions of the individual authors & cannot be held responsible for what’s on their mind or duct tape their fingers so they won’t type anymore. I will try my hardest to edit comments but I can barely edit what comes out of my mouth to keyboard, let alone others. Politeness is not guaranteed. (future sign idea for retail customer service areas everywhere)

·               THE ACCURACY OF EITHER MYSELF, READERS, CONTRIBUTERS, EXTENDED FAMILY, FRIENDS etc… are not guaranteed to hold water in anything. Please feel free to Google, YouTube, go to your neighbor & or actually go to a library open a book & find out the truth on your own. Whichever way YOU decide, it will be on your own accord. You may realize that we are all nuts & that maybe the route you need to take is to figure it out on your own or hire somebody. 

  

If you decide that you can handle a crazed DIY'er, who loses sleep, rambles on & is, slightly clumsy, well I say WELCOME!  Now let's be positive, reach our goals  & go have some fun.