I have decorated our Mantel with lots of different ideas. Last year, I used a little more color but this time, I wanted to keep it more rustic and give it an outdoor feel. So, I thought about what Spring means to me…Birds, Branches, Watering Cans, Birdhouses and Green.

I have created a tutorial for you for the Mantel as well as how to paint the birds eggs that I have in the nest.

Start with the garland and large pieces

1. I started with the garland. Grapevine rope with some silk ivy cut and tucked in
2. Then some burlap that I bunched up a little
3. A galvanized antinque watering can at one end
4. And some Forsythia branches in Aqua Mason Jars

Add the medium pieces

1. Next came the medium size pieces, a birdhouse and nest
2. A treasurerd birdhouse that my Dad made years ago
3. And a nest that I made from a grapevine wreath {that I took apart}, spanish moss and eggs {tutorial below}
4. To give it some height, I propped up the back of the holder with a small clay pot

And then small pieces

1. A small birdhouse tucked behind a white teapot
2. Then a couple clay pots
3. The grass from the St. Patrick’s Day Mantel returns and a couple more eggs
4. And a wooden candle holder that I spray painted white and added a little egg to the top

The eggs were easy to do, but they did take some time. I also realized after painting them, I would have been better to use a solid egg, and not the hinged plastic eggs. But I used what I had on hand, it worked and didn’t cost me anything.

1. Place opened eggs on a board
2. Spray with white paint
3. Then paint with blue or the color of your choice {I used some leftover paint from The Sports Bedroom}
4. Then spray with Fleck Stone paint {I used plasti-kote brand}
5. And using an old toothbrush dipped in black paint, flick the paint to make the eggs speckled

After taking the pictures and putting the eggs back together, I did have to paint the seams a little more with blue and spray a little more Fleck Stone on them.

Everything I used were items that I already had, I just went shopping in my own home for them. Think outside the box a little, and don’t be afraid to experiment…even with a little spray paint.

Are you decorating for Spring? Join us in the Coffee Talk Community and share your ideas and enter to win a $250 Gift Certificate.

I’m linking to…Transformation Thursday, Show and Tell Friday, Weekend Wrap Up Party, Saturday Night Special, Centsational Girl, Made by you Monday, Monday Mingle, Spring Mantel Party, Easter Party

Since my cupcake decorating has grown so much this past year, and with the generous gifts from Wilton, my Sprinkles collection, was taking over the Baking cupboard.

Most days, my cupboard and counter looked like this…ugh! It drove me crazy.

Fast forward a couple years to a couple weeks ago, when Doug and I were visiting my Father-in-law and choosing some of the household items that weren’t needed anymore, as the house and farm have sold.

When…what do I spy with my little eye? A Spice Rack with Glass Bottles!! YES! Score! My Sprinkles will have a new home!

We packed the Jeep, until we couldn’t fit another single thing in, and headed home. I dumped the old Spices, washed the bottles, and filled to my heart content!

Now all of my Sprinkles are happy in their little homes!

My counter is back to normal and I can actually find which Sprinkles I’m looking for.

And my Baking cupboard…I can actually find what I’m looking for in there too!

Have you Re-purposed anything lately? Share with me in my Blog Frog Community or on Facebook!

I’m linking to…Saturday Night Special

Even though it’s always great if you can craft or bake for your Gift Giving. But, sometimes, it just is impossible, whether your time is limited or you just aren’t able.

Although these gifts are not homemade, I still wanted to share them with you and give you some ideas for Frugal Gift Giving.

On a recent trip to Walmart, heading to get some dog bones, I came across these gifts, and couldn’t help but take a few pictures. (Sorry, for the quality, they were taken with my cell phone) All of these gifts are under $10. I’ve combined the pictures, so that the post isn’t quite so long.

First up are the gifts for the chef or baker…

1. Ceramic bread pans, 2 packaged together ~ $9
2. Ceramic mixing bowl with a whisk ~ $9
3. Silver bread dish, it says “Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread” and it’s packaged with a bread mix ~ $5
4. White dishes, plates, bowls, etc. 4 in a box ~ $5 (I bought some of these last year and use them for everyday, they are heavy and well made, a great price)

Next are all from the $1 section, they would be great as stocking stuffers or gift exchange, even as gifts for your children to give their friends

1. Lollipop Soap
2. Lip Gloss
3. Christmas Shaped Soap
4. More Lip Gloss

And last are some Bath & Body Sets

1. Cupcake lotion and assessories ~ $9
2. Lip Gloss ~ $1
3. More cupcake lotion ~ $9
4. Lotion and Body Spray ~ I actually bought these at CVS, they were $4.99 each with $4 ECB (Extra Care Bucks) back, so I spent $2 on both

I hope this gives you a few ideas for Frugal Gift Giving, for more ideas, visit Life As Mom for Frugal Friday.

I continue to do 90% of my grocery shopping at Aldi’s. And just go to Kroger and Walmart for what is on sale and I have a coupon for.

I spent a total of $21.83 for 15 items. Some highlights…

Lemonade Drink Mix   $1.49

Black beans    $.69

Motts Fruit Snacks   $2.39

Spanish Rice Mix    $..59

My Kroger Trip

Bought these on the Mega Event Sale, I was excited to see that they are continuing the sale for another week, as I didn’t have alot of extra money for stockpiling this week.

Hamburger Helper    $.89  (bought 6, also used a coupon for.75)

Quaker Quakes             $.49  (my kids like these and they are one of the cheapest items to fill in to make your 10 items for the discount)

Freebies at CVS

Trip #1

SpeedStick        $2.49

Gel Pens              $1.99

2 Comp Books   $1.98

Total Spent   $6.91 (ouch, I know)

Saved $6.00 

Received $3.98  ECB

Trip #2

Kotex Pads   $2.49

Speed Stick   $2.49

Colgate Toothpaste   $2.75  (my 12 yo hates mint)

Candy Bar   $.50  (12 yo was with me)

Total before ECB & coupons          $8.81

Spent                                                       $1.86

Received $1.00 in ECB

For more great deals, please visit:

~CVS Deals hosted by Deal Seeking Mom 

~Shopping Trip hosted by The Grocery Cart Challenge

First, I turn them inside out and wash them. I put a drop or two of dishsoap on them and rinse them well.

Then I stand them up, sometimes over a glass or container to dry. Most of the time after a few hours they are mostly dry and then I turn them right side out and dry them a few more hours.

Reusing storage bags not only helps with cost but also helps the landfills.

I need to add too, that I don’t reuse bags that I have had raw meat in. I also try to use plastic reusable containers as much as possible but sometimes using a bag is necessary and a little easier.

Another way to save on your kitchen supplies is paper towel. I will admit that I do buy paper towel, mostly because I have 2 teenage boys and my youngest son is 12. I can get by with 3-4 rolls per month, by using my kitchen towels.

For more frugal tips, please visit:

~Frugal Fridays hosted by Life As Mom 

What you will need…

• Large Plastic Tarp
• One or Two Sprinklers hooked up to a water hose
• Kids that want to have some Summer Fun

Lay the tarp in the yard, turn the sprinklers on and have fun!

For more great blog carnivals, please visit:

~Frugal Fridays hosted by Life As Mom

~Finer Things Friday hosted by The Finer Things in Life

~Family Fridays hosted by Homemaker Barbi

While trying to decide what to do, we got out our Summer Fun List, it was pretty easy to chose, and we opted to take the afternoon and hit the beach.

We are lucky enough to live only about 15-20 minutes away from Lake Michigan. The two oldest boys weren’t with us, so we let Casey invite a friend, which made it much easier on Doug and I.

This is the view from the top of the bridge.

Casey running down the sand dune.

The water was really cold, I only went in up to my knees.

We had fun building a sand castle.

Even thought we stopped at the Dollar Store for toys on our way, and spent $4, it was still a pretty frugal trip.

For more great blog carnivals, please visit:

~Frugal Friday hosted by Life As Mom

~Family Friday hosted by Homemaker Barbi

~Finer Things Friday hosted by The Finer Things in Life

~Show and Tell Friday hosted by Raising 4 Godly Men

~Photo Story Friday hosted by My Chaos My Bliss