How to make an UGLY space pretty...CHEAPLY

I must apologize for not posting in some time...but I got so excited over a recent project, I just had to share.  I wish I had before pictures of the light on my landing (you know, that unused space between flights that you're always wondering what to do with), but I do not have pictures, so you will have to trust me when I say that the light was a hideous thing straight out of the 70s.  Anyway, my mom and I tackled it today.  It all started because I bought a "Starry Night" panel from a yard sale.  It was $15 find; a former dorm room piece, a room divider.  I had no idea what I would do with it...I just knew I had to have it.  I mean, it was 15 bucks ($20 actually, but she took $15)  I couldn't let it sit under a horrible light!  It had to go.  We started with the panel.  I unscrewed the very old, weak joints and mounted it on my wall.  I have to say, the thought of it would never have occurred to me, but my mom took one look at this thing and knew.  I let it sit in my foyer for weeks.  I looked at it a hundred times.  Finally, I asked momma...  Here is what we came up with-

After I hung my art (they are doors to a trifold room divider), I took off the awful light fixture cover. The my mom and I stood they and stared at it.  We brainstormed, and my mom mention rice paper.  SOOOO we went to my craft room and started digging.  I ended up using a piece from a wallpaper sample book my girlfriend gave me.  So we fixed that ugliness with a piece of paper!!!   It looks fabulous! See that!?  WEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

THANK YOU MOMMY!!!!!!!!  I really wish I had a before pic...you have nooooo idea what an improvement this is!

Rag Ruggin' 2

Okay, so I am obsessed with rug making.  I think most people can relate.  You take an interest in something for awhile....who knows how long it will last.  Probably until I find the next thing.  In any case, it is cathartic.  Being a high school teacher, I am used to making multiple decisions in a matter of minutes.   Multitasking.  That is how I survive my job.  Making rugs is nice for me because I don't really need to use my brain.  I just do it.  No thought; and I like that.  Anyway, I have been selling them at my pet store (yep...my hubby and I have a pet store) as rugs/beds for dogs and cats.  I am thinking of trying to make enough to open an Etsy store...I don't know-

As you can see, I am having fun doing it!  

Rag Ruggin'

So I have been on a rug kick lately.  It's a bit addicting.  It's awesome because I am creating beautiful rugs while repurposing old clothes, sheets, curtains, etc.  I originally got the idea from Sugar Bee Crafts Blog.   I also love an activity I can do while hangin' with my kids or watching TV...keeps my hands busy without much though, ya know?  So I begin my experimenting with a simple crochet stitch style rug.

This project has actually translated into selling these as pet rugs in our pet shop, Dart Frogs To Dogs.  My mom's dog enjoys lounging by the fire.  MUST BE NICE!  Due to their popularity, I have also begin selling them on EBay.

The above pictures are miniature braided rugs for dollhouses.  Of course, if you check out my Barbie House post, you will see that my daughter is real into it right now.  She just loves these little area rugs.  Some of these are listed on EBay as well (I am the bestnest11)...but I need to hide them or she would take them all!

I then began to mess around with braided rag rugs of a bigger size.  These take longer because I need to hand stitch the braids together, but they are awesome.  Needless to say, my family got a lot of rugs this Christmas!

I am enjoying experimenting with different colors and textures.  You never know what will happen!