A Basket Case.....

     Hi, ya'll!  I am trying to consistently craft and blog because I just enjoy it so much, and I love getting inspiration from others.  So, I'll share.  Yesterday, while I was checking out the after- Christmas sales at Old Time Pottery, I spotted some maize baskets that I thought could be used as great shelves over the whirlpool.  Who hasn't forgotten their towel and had to scramble for one while sopping wet and trying not to fall and kill yourself.  Here's my solution:


 I am a big fan of the beach, as I'm sure you can tell.  I am always looking for more great ideas, so if you have any, please share.   This is such a simple project that doesn't cost a lot for shelving.  The larger box on the bottom is $9.99 at Old Time Pottery.  Be careful to find baskets with straight sides, so that the towels don't fall out.  Three bath towels are about all you can get in the basket, but that's more than enough for an emergency situation. :-) 




The smaller top basket only costs $6.99 at Old Time Pottery.  It is plenty big to hold several hand towels and washcloths.  I think the look was worth it for only $17.00 plus tax.  You have storage and shelving in one fell swoop!

Here's the side view to give you an idea of what they look like in the store. 











Here are the supplies you need: hammer, picture-hanging hardware.  The bigger hook works much better than the small one.  (The shelves kept slipping off the small hook, but not the large one.)







They also have cute cutlery baskets for $6.99 if you wanted to top it with three shelves instead of two. Have fun decorating!!!  You'll notice below, my girlie used it to organize bracelets. :-)

After-Christmas Wreath

Hola ya'll!  I hope everyone out there in Blogland had a wonderfully merry Christmas.  Mr. Verde and I had a wonderful time with the kids.  I love my family and have enjoyed spending extra time with the hubby.  Today, however, was my day for some alone Mommy-goes-shopping time, and I had a blast!!! If you haven't been to Hobby Lobby and Old Time Pottery for their after Christmas sales, go.

Okay. I know, I know.  When Christmas is over, it is time for the decorations to go bye-bye, but they are having some great sales on things not so Christmasy or not at all Christmasy.  Look at the pic of my newly installed wreath below.

I really do think this is the perfect winter wreath for January and February.  I don't know about you, but when March hits, so does Spring decorating fever.  The berry wreath was after-Christmas clearance at Old Time Pottery (normally $24.99, it's now $12.49).  The polystone C was 50% off at Hobby Lobby (normally $9.99, it's now $5.00).  The gold ribbon is leftover ribbon from years ago that I bought for $2.00.  I think you could find something perfect at the Dollar Tree, and who doesn't like great deals at the Dollar Tree.  I hope you enjoy this post and create something you just love!!! Drop me a comment or follow.  Ya'll come.

Life Long Learner Project #3,234,897.09543 (Just Kidding!)

Yes, I was inspired by my mother, some homeschool blogs, and a friend across the world to take advantage of this free time in the summer and help my soon-to-be third grader learn the fifty states. We just finished studying the five regions of the U.S. and I think it's important to know the states and where they lie and, am I dreaming?, their capitals?????  I think not. ;-) Anyways I was bribing my children at the Dollar Tree (Yes, I am a cheap skate!) and ran across a beautiful U.S. map for .....Can you believe it?.... $1. I was ecstatic.  Here was the answer to my dilemma.  Now I didn't have to visit a teacher store. (I live about 40 miles from the nearest one.  Did I mention we live in the boonies?) I didn't have to spend a bunch on educational supplies. You won't either. You probably have every thing you need at home.  I could begin the quest for geographical (domestic anyways) knowledge.  Let me just say, I took the easy route and learned the song......Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California.......Big Man, however, thinks it's hoakie, IMAGINE.  I digress... Anyways, here's what I did:

Step #1  I bought two maps.  One to hang on his bedroom wall.  Another to use in our progress.

Step#2   I grabbed our social studies book we are using, and used it to divide the states into the 5 geographic regions.  This will save you time.  Here they are :

Southeast: Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina.
Northeast:Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine.
Middle West: Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota.
West:Montana, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, Wyoming
Southwest: Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma


Step #3:  I used five different colors of scrap paper to separate the states into regions.  I chose pink for the southeast, green for the northeast, blue for the middle west, yellow for the west, and orange for the southwest. 







Step #4 I cut the paper into 1/4 inch strips.          

Step #5: I cut the strips to cover the names of states: Some double decker names may need a 1/2 inch strip. Tape the colored paper
over the names so your child can lift the paper to self check as he/she studies.

      









Then, viola, you are ready to study the Fifty Nifty United States..... sorry, I burst into show tunes often.

                                                                                                                     

Fallen off the Blogosphere

Yes, I know I have fallen off the blogosphere. But, since, I am my only follower, I think it's allowed.  I have been a thrift queen lately.  I thought I'd share a few finds with you. I visited our local Goodwill lately and came across these two items. The beaded
 jewelry box is sitting pretty in our great room. The tray, while cute will come under glue in a decoupage project soon. I will
 post pics as soon as I get to it. 
The beaded box reminds me of the fabulous beaded pillows I saw at Pier One a few weeks ago.  I aim to craft an adorably cheap and chic imitation this summer. I just love beading on pillows, boxes, clothing, etc. I guess it's the bohemian spirit in me.  Below is the boxes' new home:

As you can see in the pic (left), I love chipboard and acrylic scrapbooks.  Below I wanted to share a new layout I scrapped with the Page Maps book. It is a must have for quick layouts!  If you are interested in the ISBN#, just post and let me know.  My Friend, Amy, and I are hooked.  Ta ta, for now.  Court