Friday, March 30, 2012

"Spring-y" Front Door

Welcome...
Our front porch is ready for spring!

I made a new wreath for my front door this year. 
I usually hang up an "egg" wreath, but I used it for my mantel decor because the birds would actually  peck at it & it started to crack & peel the eggs!!

I was able to make this for $10.00
I found a big bundle of flowers on clearance & just removed the stems.  Then I arranged them on the wreath & hot glued them on.
I love how it turned out...it's bright & fresh!

Next,
 I tied some wooden carrots onto my plant holders with bright pink polk-a-dot ribbon!
It's a fun Easter touch...

Then I added this bunny to the wall as you walk up the steps...
This was one of the first Easter decorations I purchased the first year we were married...that was over 13 years ago!  It's still one of my favorites!
I'm so glad it's spring!

I'm sharing with these blogs:

Monday, March 26, 2012

Easter Mantel


We are now ready for Easter!
I decorated our mantel a little different this year...it's kind of a fun change!
I got the wooden plaque on clearance for $10.00 a few years ago...it was one of those things when I was shopping that I loved, but  I didn't love the price so much.  I went back after Easter &  it was on sale & I couldn't believe the price, it was the last one too...SCORE! I love it when that happens!
Then I added an egg garland that I got from Hobby Lobby & some tissue paper flowers to some some fake grass that I already had.
Another cute bunny...
An Egg wreath...

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Spring Cleaning Tips: Blinds & Baseboards


It's that time of  the year where most of my rooms feel like they could use a deep cleaning!  This week I started with my blinds...it took me 3 days, but my main level is done!  
This little lady motivated me...
She's getting to be just the right height to reach the blinds & she leaves all of her cute little finger marks in all of the dust!  She also puts her mouth right on the blinds attached to the french doors leading to the backyard...gross!  It was time to wipe them down!

How do you clean your blinds?

This is how I do it:
I start with an old sock...

Rinse it in warm water & ring it out so it is damp.

Slide your hand in the damp sock like a glove.

Now for the TEDIOUS part...
Take each slat between your fingers & your thumb & wipe away all of the dust! 
This will wipe the top & bottom of each slat at once.
(Every time I do this, I really wish I had plantation shutters with the WIDE slats. )
It would make this a lot easier & faster.
If your blinds are as dusty as mine were, you will probably have to rinse the sock out quite a few times.

Take it one window at a time or even one per day & they'll probably all be clean by the end of the week.
It isn't my favorite job, but it does feel great when it's done!
Next week, I'll start the upstairs...one step at a time!
Then every few weeks, I just take my Swiffer duster to dust them off  & that usually helps keep them from getting too dusty throughout the year.
Then usually ever spring & fall, I'll wipe them down with the damp sock.  It might not be perfect, but every little bit helps.

My next tip is for baseboards:
It's funny, but guess what cleans them off really good...
Baby Wipes!
I just go around the room & wipe the tops & fronts of the baseboards & you'll be amazed how much dust comes off! 
 I also saw a tip on Pinterest that said to wipe your clean baseboards with a dryer sheet & that it helps repel the dust from sticking to the baseboards.  I haven't tried it yet, but I will & I'll let you know how it works!

Monday, March 12, 2012

Master Bedroom Makeover

We recently changed our master bedroom.  
When I look back at old pictures, it's so fun to see how my tastes have changed over the years. 
Here it is before...
 I was totally loving red & gold!
And 
Here's the after...

I really love the fresh feeling the room has now!

Another before...

I don't think the bedspread really goes with the log bed or the checkered pillows on the couch!
And here it is now...

I'm really enjoying the lighter color bed spread...
 It makes such a difference in the room.

Here is another before...
And the corner now...

I stained the little dresser, which used to be in my entry way & I actually got the mirror for FREE! We fixed it up & I still might add some decorative wood to the top of the mirror to finish it off.

Here are a few pictures that explain what we changed...
I think changing the bedding & curtains is one of the most dramatic ways to change any bedroom.
I didn't realize how expensive nightstands can be, but I found some in the classifieds for $20.00.  If you want to see how they looked before you can see it here.

I'm really happy with this change & I'm loving that it is more classical, hopefully it won't be outdated any time soon!
I did decide to go with a white comforter because you can always add more color with pillows if I need a change later on, which knowing me, I probably will!

I'm sharing with these blogs:
Home Stories A to Z
Kurtz Corner
My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia
Not Just A Housewife
Organize & Decorate Everything
Savvy Southern Style
My Girlish Whims
Ginger Snap Crafts
Thrifty Decorating
Fireflies & Jellybeans
The 36th Avenue
Jillify It
At The Picket Fence
Kristen's Creations
Finding Fabulous
Mom 4 Real
Chic On A Shoe String
Funky Junk Interiors
Craftomaniac
The Girl Creative
Cherished Bliss
How to Nest for Less
Somewhat Simple
Making the World Cuter
Vintage Revivals
Beneath My Heart
Thrifty Decor Chick

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Framed Key Decor...

Today was one of those days that I started switching around my decorations...it must be spring fever! 
Then I got the idea to make this.

I really love how it turned out & I decided to hang it on the hall tree in my entry way. 
It was a nice change from the wreath I usually hang there.

I love using stuff that I already have around the house to change things up a bit...

All I did to make this was:
 -Take a frame & remove the glass front.
-Line the frame with scrapbook paper of your choice.

-Then I took this key that I got from Hobby Lobby a while ago & tied a long piece of  ribbon to the top of it.
-Then I wrapped it around the top of the frame & replaced the backing to the frame.
-Hang it from the hook with the ribbon & tie a bow.
 I didn't even glue the key to the paper so I can switch the key & the paper out for other holidays if I decide too!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Making Your House a Home...

 The blog Mrs. Hines Class is having a linky party called "Making Your House A Home " where you share tips on how you do this.  I think this is a great idea & thought the title was pretty catchy too...
My blog is titled Love Of  Homes,
 " Making our house a "Home" one project at a time!"

I think there are so many different things that make your house a "HOME".
 For me the most important thing about my home are the people who live in it...my family!  
They are the reason I work so hard to make our house a "home". 

 Our family consists of me, my husband, 4 kids, a dog, a bird & fish...This at times is chaos!
Organization is a must & helps minimize the chaos.  
I think it's so important to teach your kids how to clean up after themselves, it's easier for them to do this if they know what's expected of them & if they know where all of their things go.  
I love that saying, "everything has a place".   
We have designated areas where things go, which makes clean up so much faster & easier.

A place for shoes
This basket is right by the front door & we also have one by the door going out to the garage.  
This helps with finding shoes when we are running late too, because they should be in one of the baskets.

*Coats:  Everyone has a hook in the closet.

*Backpacks
This hall tree is in the laundry room, which leads to the garage.  It also holds shoes.  The kids know that's where they go, which also helps with getting out the door on time.

*Toys  
These can take over the whole house...so we have different storage containers to put them in. 
This bucket holds all  of their "Bey Blades"
And makes clean up so much easier.

In the family room we have designated areas for Wii games & remotes.
These are in the console under the T.V. 
This trunk is used to hold more games and accessories      .

I think Chores are also an important part of  keeping up a home.  

I also think this is tricky because I didn't want my kids to be the type that would only help around the house if they were paid.  
So the only chores my kids get paid for are making their bed & cleaning the bathroom.  The rest they are expected to do because we all have to help if we live here!

They each have specific jobs  for cleaning the bathroom & they do it together & are done in about 10 minutes.  The first time I "showed" them how & they've been doing a great job ever since. 

The reason I thought they should be paid to make their beds is because I wanted this one to just become a habit & it worked!
 I love it now because whenever I go in their rooms in the morning their beds are made... 
It's just part of their morning routine, which is a great habit to have.

Lastly, I love decorating my home!  It makes me Happy!!
 Here are a few of my favorites:
Our wood shutters...we made them.

Our Entry Way...
Our Master Bedroom

My daughter's nursery...you can see more of it here.
How do you make your house a "Home"?