Great Finds - DRESSER!

Okay, we've all heard of thrift stores, garage sales, and Craigslist, right? 

 Maybe even finding things on the side of the road or by a dumpster...like when I found my current WHITE DRESSER (below) just sitting next to the big dumpster at my old condo complex!

Dresser found at dumpster. Originally in green with white specks.

 I ran back to our unit and asked my daughter (a teenager then), to come out and help me get it inside. Needless to say she couldn't believe I was asking her to do that..."Mom!!??...someone's going to see us"!!  Don't worry, she's now 28 and embraces the concept!

Well, I LOVE finding great bargains I can re-purpose or sometimes resell at no less than 100% profit, or if I need a new piece of furniture it's a thrill to find something a fraction of the cost, and maybe even something with character and history!

So, next time you need a new piece of furniture, don't forget to look for a bargain first before running to buy something new....and KEEP YOUR MONEY IN THE BANK!!!

Garden from Cuttings

I think it's safe to say that everyone loves a beautiful lush garden, right?

Below a purple Butterfly Bush started from a little branch stuck in ground two homes ago, still thrives.

This is not the best picture but you get the gist. It was planted here to hopefully cover the part of the fence that doesn't look so great. And it eventually did!

Purple Butterfly Bush grown from cutting/clippings

I know for me, gardening is a cure-all medicine.  And growing a garden is not very hard (for little or no money!), provided you have some space. 

The cutting here is on its way to blooming soon

THE STARTED PATCH:  Here my helper grandson  (isn't he the cutest!!?? I love being his "gama"!), waters what I call my 'tarter patch'.  I find a spot where the sun/shade combo is good to get plants started, then I transplant them to a permanent spot.

You never want to start plants where they get too much or not enough sun/shade.

 

If you see here, to my "gardening assistant's" left, the Butterfly Bush is starting to touch the fence

NO SPACE?  NO PROBLEM!  If you don't have ground space, try hanging baskets or potted plants near a sunny window. These tiny wonders can bring life to any space! Like this cute pot, which was stated from...clippings!

 EVERY thing below is the result of splitting, taken from another garden spot, or cuttings.

From left to right: Berries & Cream roses I got as cuttings from my mom's yard. Below that roses is Sweet William that came from seeds scattered by shaking old plants from another area of the garden. In the middle it's Garlic Chives that were split off another area where a bird actually dropped a seed I guess (not taking credit for that, other than I did not pull it out when I first saw it), and last on the right is Mexican Primrose transplanted from the front yard. They didn't always look this good, but once they took - there was no stopping them!

BERRIES & CREAM: Rose bush started by sticking a cutting in the  ground

 Next time you get together with your mom, sister, or friend - exchange cuttings, split plants or share seeds! My friends and family know that I am constantly growing things and will share my bounty with them, or they can share with me! I hope you are enjoying your garden...in or outdoors!

CHEERS TO ALL US SUPER FRUGAL DOMESTIC DIVAS!!!! 

The Miracle of Seeds

Here you see a  lemon baby plant I've started by saving the seeds from a lemon I got from the store.  I plan to transplant to our garden in only a few months.  So exciting!!

Lemon tree from seed

You can do the same thing with other fruits, such as apples, peaches, apricots, pomegranates, ect. In fact I have some pomegranate trees to feature soon.

There is no reason why you have to run to the store and pay $25+ for a tree when you can just start one of your own with seeds from fruit you eat. You pay good money for that fruit...make last!  I've done this before many times (in a pre-blogging era) with great success.  

So, go ahead an save your seeds and get them started on container near a sunny window.  When they're several inches tall, transplant them to the spot when you would want them permanently.  You should consider how much sunlight the tree will need and select a location that will provide the right sunlight for the best production of fruit.  Happy planting!!!

An Old T-shirt's New Life!

Getting rid of tired old t-shirts?? Well, you can give them a new life as AMAZING new tops and flowers!!

The scarf "straps" can be switched out. The small flower is so cute too!

Or if you have little girls around, they could be dresses for them!

 All you need to do is cut around the sleeves, leaving about 1/2 inch to fold back in the seam. Then fold the tops and sew in place in about an inch fold. 

Then just thread anything through...a scarf, like shown here, or a ribbon would be great.

And PRESTO!!! You have a fantastic new top!!

 

After cutting around the leaves and folding the top, thread the "scarf" through with a safety pin attached to one end.

 Thank adjust to fit evenly across wearer's shoulders and tie a bow.

 In the event you decide to use the SCRAPS to make a flower, just glue pin backing with hot glue or needle & thread, and secure to top.

Enjoy changing the "straps" to match any bottom or handbag you have!