Easy, Cheap, and Awesome DIY Gifts: Princess Treasure Box

Presents for kids can get complicated; there are a lot of toys out there that your kids will play with for a week, and then they will forget about them. If you can make a gift for your kid, it will be more memorable, and it will be more personal. A princess treasure chest is a great gift that will be fun to make.

To start you need a nice box. You can use a hat box r a Tupperware. Anything you decide to use can be altered to suit your theme. To personalize the box you can decoupage it using images of flowers and other pretty things. You can also simply spray paint it the favorite color of little girl you are making the box for. You can add ribbons, bows, rhinestones, and sequins to the box to make it special, and you can use markers or paint and stencils to write the name of the recipient on it. This box should be a little bigger than what you intend on filling it with because you want to leave room for her to add her own special items.

Some items are essential to complete this project. First you must find a lovely tiara or crown. You can make your own crown using grapevines, wire, flowers, ribbons, and hot glue. You can buy different crowns and tiaras from the local party store or dollar store.

There are many items that you can get cheaply to fill this box. I like to go to the local thrift store and dollar store when putting together these types of boxes. You can find many pretty scarves, hats, sunglasses, and jewelry at these types of store. Lace gloves and slippers are another a fun thing to throw in the box. You can also find inexpensive children makeup kits at the local dollar store, and you can get a lot of kid's hair accessories and toys there as well.

Another important item you will need for this present is a dress. You can find a dress at your local thrift store or yard sale. The dress you pick has to be perfect, and you might like to pick a few different dresses. Older prom dresses are great, and bride's maid dresses also work well. Something fancy with a puffy skirt will work well. Remember you can always hem and alter the dress, and you can add ribbon, sequins, lace, and rhinestones to fancy it up a bit.

These princess boxes are a lot of fun to put together, and the person receiving this gift will be more than thrilled to play with it for hours on end.

Paper Beads: Cheap, Easy, Eco-Friendly Crafts

Nowadays there are so many people looking for ways to recycle and reuse their waste. I think this is great, and I completely support it, and I have been practicing this habit for a long time now. I love to find awesome ways to reuse things that are lying around my home, and there are many fun craft projects that use things we would normally throw out.

If you are like me, magazines, junk mail and other assorted random papers start pile up around your house quicker than you realize. This article will discuss how to make several different beads out of paper. These projects are fun and easy for both children and adults, and they are inexpensive as well.

Paper beads come in a variety of shapes and sizes. I will first discuss the easiest way to make paper beads, and the tools for all of these beads. For these awesome projects you will only need paper, scissors, glue and a knitting needle or strong piece of wire. Gather together all of these items, and make sure to find all sorts of recyclable papers such as magazines, old mail, newspapers and papers from packaging.

The easiest bead to make is a cylindrical bead, and all you will need to do for this bead is cut a long rectangular strip from your favorite paper. Next spread a thing layer of glue along the length of one side of the paper. Now take your wire and wrap one end of the paper tightly around the wire. Simply wrap the paper until it is completely wound in a tight coil. Hold for a few seconds so the glue can dry, and you have created your first paper bead!

Another pretty bead you can make is the cone shaped bead. This is created by using the same shaped piece of paper as before, but this time you must trim the rectangle from the top left corner to the bottom right corner. This angle will give you a cone shaped bead. Just glue and wrap the paper tightly around and it will make a pretty cone shape. When creating this bead remember to start wrapping from the larger side.

An oval shaped bead is a lot of fun to make as well, and it requires a similar process as the last bead. For this bead you will trim the paper from the top left corner of the rectangle to the middle of the right side. You will repeat the same on the bottom of the rectangle. This will leave you with a point in the middle. Starting with the wider side of the rectangle, wrap the paper and glue it; remember to make sure the point ends up in the middle of the bead.

These beads are cheap, easy and fun to make; they save on waste, and they are a lovely addition to anyone's jewelry collection.

Fun and Free Ways to Keep Kids Amused

Kids are a lot of fun, but you have to be able to keep them busy. Kids have a great imagination, and if you can tap into that imagination you can keep them laughing and having a good time for hours. Here are some ways to keep kids amused for free.

My favorite kid game is I spy, and you can play this game anywhere. It is a fun game of guessing that you do not need anything to play. All you have to do is pick the spy to start, and let the fun begin. I usually will start as the spy and let the winner be the spy afterwords. It keeps the kids guessing because if they win they can than be the spy and the leader of the game. Now the spy must pick something in the room or the area of view, and they must recite the rhyme, "I spy with my little eye something that is ..." In the blank spot they must pick a color or a shape. Then the other players must take turns guessing what the leader was talking about. This is an awesome game that you can play for a long time.

Another fun game to play is 20 questions, but remember you don't have to stick to strictly 20 questions when playing this game. Again someone starts the game by picking a person. The person can be real or fictional, but they must be recognizable, and the leader must know things about this person. The other people playing than must ask questions that will help them determine who the mystery character is. This game is a lot of fun, and it can go on for hours. The best character I have ever chosen was Santa Claus, and I ended up giving away the answer.

One of my favorite fun and free way to keep kids occupied is by building furniture forts. All you need for this is a couch or a couple of chairs, blankets, pillows, a broom, and some other household furniture. Start by setting up two chairs directly in front of a couch. Next stack pillows on the line in between the couch and the chairs this will create a third wall for your fort. After the pillows are stacked up drape a blanket across the chairs and onto the couch. You can use some heavy books to hold the blanket in place. Add some personal touches or expand your fort using ottomans and brooms. You can also make a sign for your fort out of cardboard and markers for an even more personal touch.

Kids can be a lot of fun as long as you keep them occupied; it does not have to cost you a fortune to have a good time with children. I hope these ideas have made your day a little more fun, and remember use your imagination!

Updating Your Bedroom on a Budget

You Don't Have to Spend a Fortune to Update Your Bedroom

So have you been laying in bed thinking I wish I had some money to fix up my bedroom? I know I have, and I am here to tell you that you can update your bedroom for under $200. Here are five great tips for updating your bedroom.

Color is everything in a bedroom and it sets the mood you are going to be in as soon as you wake up so it is very important to the mood and style of your bedroom. You can find cheap paints on the discount rack at many home improvement centers. If you are not sure about changing the entire rooms color simply paint one wall or two. This will add depth to the room while adding a new flare for your senses.

Another way you can update your bedroom is by adding a textured finish to the walls. You can keep the color you already have when creating this effect. Simply use a large dry sponge to add a detailed textured effect to the walls with a new color. This technique is simple and all you have to do is dip the sponge in paint and press it lightly to the wall moving in an overlapping pattern until the wall is fully colored. Remember when doing this to blot the sponge first or you will end up with uneven color.

Updating your bedroom can be accomplished by changing the lighting in the room. Lighting creates ambience and allows the room to be used in different ways. Buying a new lamp or adding a ceiling fan can completely change the atmosphere of the room, and these items can be purchased second hand or at discount prices.

To update your bedroom on a budget you can add a border around the room using stencils. These items do not cost a lot or take much time to complete. Using a stencil is simple, and all you will need is a stencil brush, some paint, and a good stencil. Stencils come in a wide variety and are very in expensive.

Another simple and inexpensive bedroom update can be made by changing the curtains. Curtains are inexpensive and can be made at home. First measure your curtains and figure out how much fabric you will need. Go to your local fabric store and check out their clearance rack. You can always find great deals on fabric on these clearance racks. To make your own curtains simply sew a hem on the top and the bottom, but make sure the top hem is wide enough to fit your curtain rod. This curtain will add a fun and personal style to your bedroom.

Updating your bedroom on a budget does not have to a struggle, and there are many minor changes you can make that will guarantee your bedroom a new style so be creative.

Three Fun and Free Ways to Show Your Love

 

When you love someone, it is nice to show it to them. If you want your relationship to last and you want your significant other to feel loved, you have to make sure they know how much you love them, but showing your love does not mean you have to break the bank. Here are some fun and free ways to show your love every day!

My first favorite idea for showing your love is the secret note. I love to write love quotes are a simple I love you on a scrap of paper. Then I will stick this note into my boyfriend's pocket so that when he least expects it he finds a sweet little note from me. This idea also works great if you decide to make your darling a bag lunch for work. Just make your love their favorite sandwich, add a cookie or an apple, and a little note that says something special.

Another completely free way to show your love is by helping your significant other out. It is easy and simple, but this idea is usually overlooked. A simple helping hand can show the person you love how much they really mean to you. Take the garbage out, do the dishes, or even just make dinner. Anything to help your significant other out will show how much you care about them because it shows that you value their time. This also shows that you are being considerate, and this is an important part of a healthy relationship.

Showing your love is important in keeping your significant other happy, and a great way to show your true feelings is to give your love a massage. I am not saying go out and buy a bunch of funny oils or weird vibrating machines. A simple foot, neck, or back rub does not require anything fancy. If you do want to bust out some heated oils or some fancy tools feel free, but don't feel like you can not give a good massage without them. Giving a massage is simple as long as you remember these few tips. Remember to start softly; you don't want to hurt anyone. Slowly increase pressure until your partner is comfortable and feels good. Move your hands in circular motions and work up and down and out. A good massage works the tension out. Also remember to end slowly; a massage is like a workout; it is important to have a warm up and cool down session.

Showing your love is fun and it does not have to make you go broke. You can show your significant other how much you care in many simple ways. You do not have to buy any expensive gifts because actions speak louder than roses, and a gift from the heart is a much more powerful message than a gift from your bankroll. So I hope you have enjoyed my suggestions, and I hope you have made someone you love very happy today!

4 Cheap and Awesome DIY Gifts for Kids

 

Buying gifts for kids these days can be a hassle. There are always product recalls and most of the time toys are over priced and can be out of stock. Why not make your own gifts this year? Homemade gifts are personal and can be customized to suit the recipient perfectly. Here are some inexpensive and great gifts you can make for kids right in your home.

Crayons are always a great gift for kids, and I have never met a kid who didn't love crayons. You can make awesome rainbow crazy crayons using crayon remnants for little or no money. Simply gather broken bits of crayons that have been left over and cupcake pans. If you have paper or foil muffin cups that is good, but oil will work just as well. Lightly oil the cupcake pans or fill them with muffin cups, and add the crayon pieces until the cup is about an inch or so full and bake in the oven at 350 degrees. It will only take a few minutes and when they are cool you can pull them right out.

Another great kid's gift is the keepsake box. Find a nice durable box like a cigar box or something similar. Next cut out pictures of things that your kid is interested in and glue them to the box in a nice arraignment. Now cover the box with a sealer or modge podge and allow to dry. This box will be there special box for keeping all of their little treasures. Before you give them this present remember to include a special little item to start their collection.

Homemade play dough is another kid's gift that is fun, easy, and cheap to make. You can make this dough by simply using 2 and a quarter cups of cornstarch, 2 cups of baking soda, and 1 and a quarter cup of cold water. Add the water to the dry ingredients while whisking. Heat the mix until it becomes thicker than pancake batter. Next put dough on a plate and cover with a wet cloth. After it is cool you must knead it. This dough will last a while. You can add color to the water before making dough for fun if you like.

Another fun gift that will get kids to take a bath more often is the treasure soap. Find a cool little present at a local dollar store such as a plastic figure or a fancy ring. Next buy some premade soap base or use soap scraps that you have at home, and melt them down. You can use a cupcake pan or small Tupperware container as a mold for this soap. Fill it with wax paper and pour a small layer of melted soap and let it cool for a little while. Next add the toy and cover it with soap. These surprise soaps are fun and creative.

There are many fun gifts that you can make yourself for kids. You do not have to spend a lot of money on presents for children. These projects will make your gifts more personalized and special.

Update Your Bathroom on a Budget

 

My bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the house. It is the room where I can draw a warm bath and relax. If you love your bathroom, but feel like it needs a new look I am here to tell you that you can update your bathroom inexpensively and easily with a few tricks. This article will give you five tips on how to update your bathroom on a budget.

First you must think of your bathtub because that is where you spend most of your time relaxing in your bathroom. A new shower curtain is the first step to updating your bathroom. You can find bath curtains for cheap at many local home good stores. Remember to pick your curtain wisely because you will have to coordinate everything else along with it. After you hang your curtain trim a few inches off the bottom and spray it with vinegar; this will decrease the growth of mold.

Now that you have a new theme or color tone for your bathroom you will need new hand towels to match. You can find many varieties of hand towels for cheap, and if you want to customize them to match your décor you can attach some iron-on patched to them for style. If the hand towels you already have are a lighter color you can dye them to match your new curtain, but remember to consider what colors mix well with each other. If you dye a yellow towel blue it will probably come out green.

A simple and useful way to update your bathroom is by adding shelves. Shelves can alleviate closet space and clutter, and they can give you room to add some knick knacks that you have always wanted to put out. Shelves are inexpensive and easy to assemble. You can even buy unpainted shelves from arts and crafts store that you can decorate to match the room. If you are afraid that you may not have room for shelves you can buy shelves that fit over toilets and in corners. There are a wide variety of shelves that can suit your needs and tastes for cheap.

Mirrors are an inexpensive bathroom update that is easy and accessible to all people. Mirrors come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. They add light and depth to the room, and they allow you to get a better view of the back of your hair as you are getting dressed. Mirrors can be found for cheap at yard sales and thrift stores.

Another way to update your bathroom on a budget is by adding a plant. There are many herbs that will add a beautiful look and smell to your bathroom, and they are very cheap. A few small plants lining your windowsill will add style to your bathroom. If you do not have a windowsill you can add fake flowers in a small vase to add color to the room instead.

There are many inexpensive ways to update your bathroom so be creative!

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5 Fun and Easy Fall Themed Crafts for Adults

1. Pumpkins Centerpieces
Fall is a great time of year for decorating your home with nature items. The autumn leaf change provides vibrant colors in all sorts of variations of red, orange, yellow, brown, and green. Acorns and pinecones are in abundance, and pumpkins, squashes, and gourds are showing themselves in the garden and grocery store. Using these items to create easy fall themed centerpieces is a great  home decor craft for adults.

2. Fall Themed Fabric Flower Bouquets

Creating fabric bouquets from felt requires only needle, thread, wire, scissors, and creativity. This fall home decor project is a great way for adults to create flowers that will last them for years to come.

3.Apples

Dried apple crafts are an obvious fall project. Apples are plentiful in the fall, and taking a country drive to see the fall foliage and pick apples is as American as well, apple pie. There are many craft projects using dried apples. Check out this article  to learn how to make a dried apple centerpiece.


4. Scarves and Hats

Fall brings the chill of winter, and the cool autumn nights will be even better with handmade scarves and hats. Whether you are crocheting, sewing, or braiding a scarf or hat for the autumn tempetatures; this is a great fall themed craft for adults.

5. Nature Wreath

During autumn we gather, and this is an appropriate time to make a beautiful fall wreath. There are so many items available; it would be silly to pass up on this fall themed craft. Use vines and branches for a base, and add acorns, pine cones, and dried berries or nuts to decorate the wreath, and don;t for get to add colorful fall leaves.