Thrifty Decorating - $200 wall art for under $20!

Around here, one of my favorite hobbies is finding ways to enhance my home for less.  That's what I love about the blogging world, there are so many great ideas right at your fingertips!

I first saw this idea over at one of my very favorite decorating blogs, Thrifty Decor Chick. The project is inspired by this set of Ballard Designs wall plaques:

Isn't it pretty?  For a mere $200.00 you can have it! 

OR

You can create your own version for a fraction of the price!

Sara over at Thrifty Decor Chick used scrapbook paper and spray adhesive, however my very favorite medium for creating inexpensive decor for my home is Mod Podge, so I used it instead of spray adhesive - here's how I did it:

1. Start out with 1/2 inch medium density fiber board (MDF), cut into 12"x12" squares. Home Depot cut it for me. I used 9 squares.


2. Spray paint the edges of your MDF board. I used Rustoleum Espresso Brown.


3. Select a variety of scrapbook papers and adhere to your squares with Mod Podge. I have generally been able to be relatively wrinkle free with my projects, but this large surface proved to be a challenge...the first few squares I did looked terrible! But I snooped around and snagged some tips from other bloggers, and I had much better luck this time! Put MP on the back of the paper and on your hard surface, then use a straight edge (like an old credit card - thanks for the tip Jen) to smooth out all the bubbles. Let dry before adding MP over the top of the paper.


4. Let boards dry completely.

5. Once dry, flip your boards over and use an X-acto knife to trim any paper edges that are overlapping.


6. Hang on your wall and enjoy the compliments!  Mine are nailed right into the wall so they are flush with the wall and perfectly even.

I get more compliments on this wall art than any other thing in my home.

I spent $16 for the MDF board, and I already had the spray paint and scrapbook paper.  And I always, ALWAYS have Mod Podge on hand.  However I recently ran across a recipe for homemade Mod Podge that I want to try - because you know I'm all about the thrifty!

Do you have any great thrifty decorating tips to share?

I'm excited to announce that this month someone will win a FREE whole-house carpet cleaning!  Keep watching for the official announcement with all the details - make sure to follow us on Facebook to receive all the updates!

My Dollar Store Solution For Removing Wallpaper From Drywall

The Prows House is seriously ALWAYS a work in progress.  We wouldn't trade where we live for the world - we have the best neighbors and friends - but sometimes it would be nice to trade up to a house that was fixed up just the way we would like it.  Although is that ever truly accomplished by anyone?

Anyway.... I'm always driving Jeremy crazy with one project or another.  Our main bathroom is in pretty poor shape right now.  When we bought the house, the bathroom had wallpaper on the walls.  In case you ever wonder, wallpaper and moisture are not a great combination.  We're big fans of hot showers in this family, and we must be much steamier than the previous owners, because it didn't take long after we moved in for that wallpaper to start rippling, and peeling at the seems.  I decided the wallpaper needed to go.

Now I'm no expert at removing wallpaper, but I had researched a few tricks online and got to work.  I soon ran into quite the dilemma.  Once the top layer, the "vinyl-like" part of the wallpaper was peeled off, the paper/glued down part was a nightmare to try to remove.  It should have come off so easily after the soaking I gave it.  I quickly realized the problem.  The wallpaper was applied directly to the drywall!  There was no smooth layer of paint, or even primer to make the soaked pieces of paper and glue easier to remove.

I tried to research solutions to my problem online.  But mostly I found posts that said it couldn't really be done, or questionable companies trying to sell expensive wallpaper removal kits.  I wasn't about to take a chance on shelling out my money for a product that may not work.

I was so embarrassed whenever company came over and wanted to use the bathroom.  Partially stripped walls with splotches of adhesive everywhere looks way worse than rippled, peeling at the edges wallpaper.  It was bad.  I finally couldn't take it anymore and decided that I needed to experiment, to try something.  After all, it couldn't get any worse, right?

I had read that fabric softener works well to remove wallpaper.  But I knew I had to be careful scraping off the wallpaper, if I didn't want to make gouges in the drywall.  I headed to the dollar store, picked up a spray bottle, and a cheap jug of fabric softener.

I was still not sure what I would use as a scraper.  The paint scraper at the dollar store was quite sharp, and was sure to do some serious damage to the drywall.  Then I ran across this 2-pack of sanding blocks.  It was worth a try, right?

It worked like a charm!  I filled my spray bottle with fabric softener, sprayed a generous amount onto a section of the wall, and let it sit for just a minute.  I didn't want it to be too saturated, as I wanted to make sure the drywall didn't get ruined.  I then peeled what I could, and used the sanding block to sort of "file" away the excess paper and adhesive.  I immediately wiped the excess moisture from the wall with a dry rag.

I'm so glad I didn't waste my money on one of the expensive products online, that may or may not have worked!  I spent under $5: 1 spray bottle, one jug of fabric softener, and 2 sanding block packs.  I can tell that I will have to purchase more of the sanding blocks before the project is finished - but I will still be into it less than $10.

I'll keep you posted on how the bathroom makeover works out!  Do you have any great DIY tricks or tips you'd like to share?  I love all the help I can get in the ongoing adventure that is my "homemaking".

Proper Technique for Cleaning Spills From Your Carpet....

It happens to the best of us. You're entertaining family or friends, when somebody accidentally knocks their drink with their elbow! Yikes! Diet Coke seeping into your beige carpet! Your guest feels horrible, and you're trying to smile it off so he or she won't feel so bad, but inside you're cringing.

Our first reaction is to grab a rag and scrub. But this actually is counter-productive. By rubbing the spill, you're actually working it further down into your carpet, making it more likely to create a stain that will be difficult to remove.

So what should you do?

You will need to start with a clean, white towel. Sop up the spill as much as you can, using multiple towels if needed. Blot, blot, blot until you're sure there's no way you can possibly blot up any more of the spill. Remember...resist the temptation to rub!

Next, dampen (but not soak) a clean white towel or rag with warm water. Continue to work on the spill, blotting with the warm, damp towel until you can no longer see the spill.

If you are unable to completely remove the spill with this method, you may then try a mixture of 1 part water to 1 part distilled white vinegar. Mix in a spray bottle, and lightly spray the spot and blot up with a clean white towel.

Following these steps will be your best chance for cleaning the spill and avoiding a stain that is set deep in your carpet.