Wrap it up

Trying to be earth friendly is an ongoing battle especially at Christmas.   I hate the fact that all the pretty gift wrap ends up in the landfill because  it isn't recyclable.  paper gift  bags work for me and I always reuse  those I receive. I  also purchase fabric bags when I see them and hope the receiver  passes them along to another person. When the last of my gift wrap runs out (probably this year), I plan to use brown paper (Kraft Paper) which you can recycle.  The options for dressing it up are endless. Here's a few nifty ideas to get you thinking about the possibilities:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIgXw8EtKW5Y592m1duoBd3sfBZZlVf6E6TcfkwtXkY-RRTYMZmpM8hJ83dddWNsUp2ncAQtovU4uP32I8DVcbxWBNXY7I8BkwPj3W_AumiDlCbGoWMUTO16CVEexnF3NPYWhFIgTictS/s1600/38913984249965447_pP9gm4TY_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIgXw8EtKW5Y592m1duoBd3sfBZZlVf6E6TcfkwtXkY-RRTYMZmpM8hJ83dddWNsUp2ncAQtovU4uP32I8DVcbxWBNXY7I8BkwPj3W_AumiDlCbGoWMUTO16CVEexnF3NPYWhFIgTictS/s640/38913984249965447_pP9gm4TY_c.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>  Braided wine, a bit of greenery  and a pine cone.  What could be simpler than that?  Wrapping the twine around the package off center adds to the design element.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGg7I8o3C1iQsrUdtNKPkzJgaxf86zeDCu01QMe9akEkicMeinFJcfdCR_mJGI34niSlJwPw5XEA-kn61B5Z2LWkGqOZ24ghIh_5isBo68W0khOgAAbqR-Ehas7t9JQfUf3HYDnzjhQhh/s1600/81487074479177424_VNaA2V3s_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGg7I8o3C1iQsrUdtNKPkzJgaxf86zeDCu01QMe9akEkicMeinFJcfdCR_mJGI34niSlJwPw5XEA-kn61B5Z2LWkGqOZ24ghIh_5isBo68W0khOgAAbqR-Ehas7t9JQfUf3HYDnzjhQhh/s400/81487074479177424_VNaA2V3s_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> What a great way to share old photographs.  Copying them is so easy these days.   </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-y5TQwRIqPMuQqm4Ig3pPqdV880M6-V7tLSGbz4K5pHo63SAHmFPo0-u3gEdM_7E2SCm2iKeLbISt6AcSC_XkWOZHfMm1glRDFNX86iwF1fFEoMV6tX3z08FmeMMzDtjOAjKTU40WurE/s1600/103090278939924055_hK0xH24r_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-y5TQwRIqPMuQqm4Ig3pPqdV880M6-V7tLSGbz4K5pHo63SAHmFPo0-u3gEdM_7E2SCm2iKeLbISt6AcSC_XkWOZHfMm1glRDFNX86iwF1fFEoMV6tX3z08FmeMMzDtjOAjKTU40WurE/s400/103090278939924055_hK0xH24r_c.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><br />Love how the black satin ribbon looks with the green and the stamped gift tag.  The splash of cedar finishes the job.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6-2Q7six86uI-q93C6RJD54SNXTp-F5ewN5CumUNcH7PFVkKCb7mpqW69CDUl0neece9Hx6oX3YfKVsz4DLWU41opF8eShMt-HzKUbQOEey7boYYmAAsmicCdo9BVhQVvywvyMyR6TYT/s1600/193091902743148482_tGn6JbRJ_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6-2Q7six86uI-q93C6RJD54SNXTp-F5ewN5CumUNcH7PFVkKCb7mpqW69CDUl0neece9Hx6oX3YfKVsz4DLWU41opF8eShMt-HzKUbQOEey7boYYmAAsmicCdo9BVhQVvywvyMyR6TYT/s400/193091902743148482_tGn6JbRJ_c.jpg" width="376" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The name of the recipient becomes the major design element in this wrapping idea.  </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNk46EV72WQnGo1f68Oysd0MbOu0LjF_p3h3IAmsFg2hgT0NKPhNbzShsN9Tf24cu73y_RLwrx6LDvi0Kn_igLh5t1PIqGr9-hFMiUqcy0R6tqnWMfIRFfjFfL2aSMquA2qp7oPqpNZ5dC/s1600/5559199509513464_kcswB5wI_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNk46EV72WQnGo1f68Oysd0MbOu0LjF_p3h3IAmsFg2hgT0NKPhNbzShsN9Tf24cu73y_RLwrx6LDvi0Kn_igLh5t1PIqGr9-hFMiUqcy0R6tqnWMfIRFfjFfL2aSMquA2qp7oPqpNZ5dC/s320/5559199509513464_kcswB5wI_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>  Have you seen the lace tape that is so popular now ? I've been on the look out but haven't found it yet.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCrzdK2MGZWGw7R2T8cF7gRdBrmLQhyphenhyphenpaWEotLH4LQHowTD0nJsLC9kulhGPaP5cXwGy_YBp8we8LIhXm9XThdArmU9iRxLo-mR89vkkwkWK3XkfJUvyyvNr2D2bkIT107Ofnx_Imo27t/s1600/188095721906585463_dg5Xm1sI_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCrzdK2MGZWGw7R2T8cF7gRdBrmLQhyphenhyphenpaWEotLH4LQHowTD0nJsLC9kulhGPaP5cXwGy_YBp8we8LIhXm9XThdArmU9iRxLo-mR89vkkwkWK3XkfJUvyyvNr2D2bkIT107Ofnx_Imo27t/s400/188095721906585463_dg5Xm1sI_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCrzdK2MGZWGw7R2T8cF7gRdBrmLQhyphenhyphenpaWEotLH4LQHowTD0nJsLC9kulhGPaP5cXwGy_YBp8we8LIhXm9XThdArmU9iRxLo-mR89vkkwkWK3XkfJUvyyvNr2D2bkIT107Ofnx_Imo27t/s1600/188095721906585463_dg5Xm1sI_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Cutting snowflakes from different coloured paper and adding them to the plain paper works to add a spalsh of colour.  Simple butcher twine manages to look elegant with this pairing. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCrzdK2MGZWGw7R2T8cF7gRdBrmLQhyphenhyphenpaWEotLH4LQHowTD0nJsLC9kulhGPaP5cXwGy_YBp8we8LIhXm9XThdArmU9iRxLo-mR89vkkwkWK3XkfJUvyyvNr2D2bkIT107Ofnx_Imo27t/s1600/188095721906585463_dg5Xm1sI_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_FtxZYLAq9sHR5iB2eadtWoIO7VVBfMTcJ-uP37EW1NXSCWmTa9bbYwiL9h1BmkwgrHXAtni7vX-Jr1ZH6-jF_emzKBfYr0g-fDLIhwHuDzNxs9vPTiIDvIBGz1O7FS2YvYO7ZvaLFBv/s1600/112871534380616032_kZNh7f2L_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_FtxZYLAq9sHR5iB2eadtWoIO7VVBfMTcJ-uP37EW1NXSCWmTa9bbYwiL9h1BmkwgrHXAtni7vX-Jr1ZH6-jF_emzKBfYr0g-fDLIhwHuDzNxs9vPTiIDvIBGz1O7FS2YvYO7ZvaLFBv/s400/112871534380616032_kZNh7f2L_c.jpg" width="266" /></a></div> Who know the pages from old books could make such pretty wrapping material.  You can sew paper to make bags or else glue the edges together.  Adding red string makes it all so festive. You can do so much with so little!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUW2hay2B5vDxs-vZIYWJ4svV2A-Ukg2oAkmLjHbrFc6vuIQtkUx9SIMsY_0OOV8f0N6YizE_OB5Pg080rhm_VH8lPr_NeeSjMOc0pZdw4qjQ2QhoDV-4YRWxMMGuC72iRcE-zU-H9zkr/s1600/95560823312791833_dtCHt0F8_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUW2hay2B5vDxs-vZIYWJ4svV2A-Ukg2oAkmLjHbrFc6vuIQtkUx9SIMsY_0OOV8f0N6YizE_OB5Pg080rhm_VH8lPr_NeeSjMOc0pZdw4qjQ2QhoDV-4YRWxMMGuC72iRcE-zU-H9zkr/s400/95560823312791833_dtCHt0F8_c.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZAGWyPRYpmqviSu1VOFKajgwgnMvBwsFezSPXdCqaUwxM_coDlaCiyE4zOPTMIyY9wPSEvJjd4KVSIw3la3tSyYMLFdn7eTxpXHMIDUT9rQV0wZ27FfIOcWQB1C5Xsvr6FcdjHTwPRrH/s1600/226165212506502192_f7oQfZA0_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> I love this one with red yarn and kraft sticks with holes drilled in them. Of course it is the repetition that makes the design. </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZAGWyPRYpmqviSu1VOFKajgwgnMvBwsFezSPXdCqaUwxM_coDlaCiyE4zOPTMIyY9wPSEvJjd4KVSIw3la3tSyYMLFdn7eTxpXHMIDUT9rQV0wZ27FfIOcWQB1C5Xsvr6FcdjHTwPRrH/s1600/226165212506502192_f7oQfZA0_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZAGWyPRYpmqviSu1VOFKajgwgnMvBwsFezSPXdCqaUwxM_coDlaCiyE4zOPTMIyY9wPSEvJjd4KVSIw3la3tSyYMLFdn7eTxpXHMIDUT9rQV0wZ27FfIOcWQB1C5Xsvr6FcdjHTwPRrH/s400/226165212506502192_f7oQfZA0_c.jpg" width="266" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> Love this look with red raffia ribbon and strips of black and white printed paper.  What you add between the raffia is up to one's imagination. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenBrcTRBr-Jz3ZOjc3WE46IPRb6hBfiKpsh-g8iww1hhlzUwdCQqdGq6vaT22k7JbvJhlclGlgfxaLC6N5GW7K4K3piVLhswLliRrUufMwagKZiCcYvGC78n98-u0RhY64Rv3axVJF5Pa/s1600/214765475950755020_jSPRTG8i_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenBrcTRBr-Jz3ZOjc3WE46IPRb6hBfiKpsh-g8iww1hhlzUwdCQqdGq6vaT22k7JbvJhlclGlgfxaLC6N5GW7K4K3piVLhswLliRrUufMwagKZiCcYvGC78n98-u0RhY64Rv3axVJF5Pa/s400/214765475950755020_jSPRTG8i_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Coloured tape and a button on a string.  How colourful and simple? </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCaRlcskntRj3UtT8ltv5lGG-1tftrSA1hBtocC3wcwAiM87emQcB8vGhbqtcgYo1dRI6SzmyGQcClRB7IwM85uty78snrXAJTx-6RB_rQrihaUFlLGHMHKG-CGiltpqn8D_xLyXlueX6/s1600/221802350367479370_OL2t3APF_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCaRlcskntRj3UtT8ltv5lGG-1tftrSA1hBtocC3wcwAiM87emQcB8vGhbqtcgYo1dRI6SzmyGQcClRB7IwM85uty78snrXAJTx-6RB_rQrihaUFlLGHMHKG-CGiltpqn8D_xLyXlueX6/s400/221802350367479370_OL2t3APF_c.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> To get this effect I would use scraps of tulle or netting  and then over tie it with twine. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wondering what to do with that left over burlap?  Wonder no more.  I made burlap bags years ago to package driftwood Santa's I hand painted.   When you ravel out the tops and include a colourful yarn for tying , it looks very festive.  Burlap will also take a simple stencil using  paint. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUM7A_U2H_CI80JpJzNdNFgYCWJKrohIUjj6sy_qB05gcTeXXRAiZ7Q7TpQ5qn1IGRwD1BVjXKY7PRJS7J0J7gZkv4rnm_0KKpk8lzcNFmGmOd80eUzbqyJSeDVWnmLQRvui28tRIy3CQp/s1600/101119954105132567_xnnsaaw1_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUM7A_U2H_CI80JpJzNdNFgYCWJKrohIUjj6sy_qB05gcTeXXRAiZ7Q7TpQ5qn1IGRwD1BVjXKY7PRJS7J0J7gZkv4rnm_0KKpk8lzcNFmGmOd80eUzbqyJSeDVWnmLQRvui28tRIy3CQp/s400/101119954105132567_xnnsaaw1_c.jpg" width="265" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIkHleA60k76gs1aEvuzJUU_5EmXEpttFefEwALETV_DFsAGo8ujjCx5LM1MDKw706riRNka8cJJZ7zW1SrnkFHgqj_P_c43dTyVCIDxdJTgYRusP_St5TqFVMSqQo2QdOKVq_8WVeLFx/s1600/272467846177136631_nHgcisFF_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIkHleA60k76gs1aEvuzJUU_5EmXEpttFefEwALETV_DFsAGo8ujjCx5LM1MDKw706riRNka8cJJZ7zW1SrnkFHgqj_P_c43dTyVCIDxdJTgYRusP_St5TqFVMSqQo2QdOKVq_8WVeLFx/s1600/272467846177136631_nHgcisFF_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIkHleA60k76gs1aEvuzJUU_5EmXEpttFefEwALETV_DFsAGo8ujjCx5LM1MDKw706riRNka8cJJZ7zW1SrnkFHgqj_P_c43dTyVCIDxdJTgYRusP_St5TqFVMSqQo2QdOKVq_8WVeLFx/s400/272467846177136631_nHgcisFF_c.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><br /> Over wrapping newsprint with burlap and adding a lovely gift tag and pine cones looks very finished and inviting. <br /><br /><b> Find the links to these and lots of other gift wrapping ideas on my Pinterest  <a href="http://pinterest.com/mryall/gift-giving/">gift giving page</a>. </b><br /><br />

Wrap it up

Trying to be earth friendly is an ongoing battle especially at Christmas.   I hate the fact that all the pretty gift wrap ends up in the lan...

Read more »

Outside mount bamboo shades

<p>Hello hello! I’m back today to share a quick DIY project and a couple new tools I’ve started using lately. It’s been Christmas decor 24/7 around here and I gotta be honest, it was great to get something off the DIY list and use a tool for a change. (Insert tool man (woman?) grunt here.)</p> <p>If you’ve read for a while you know I’m a lover of bamboo shades. Over the years I’ve switched over from our blinds to the bamboo and I just love them. I think they offer more privacy and light filtering (depending on the kind you get), they let more light in (when you want it) and they are just <em>pretty</em>. :) I told you more about our bamboo shades <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/08/bamboo-or-blinds.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </p> <p>I mentioned the privacy/light thing, and there are some that are a lot more tightly weaved than others. I recently replaced a couple on our main level that weren’t as tightly woven (less privacy) so I had one of the old ones available to install in our guest room upstairs: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TC74xts7CaRCvNyWz266v1vK8ajaED63GA-WPVeXvX53QImYMwjCcFjWOYgynAbh395V2jS6R0zxfhhdHsnly-safMuAEH20LDNOuGESoT3Ofb9GcNcXJFcEl1E1clb3BodSo2VNJvE/s1600-h/IMG_4099%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixQgcDRtUpsLqDcJs4BQLbyDLe02kgeKuLrclLknL7CJPhEaNCqK8aaj4N2PJ82SjvYC20d-otKQKThkdESzrASaYTLyq7bZ3yXMUWxcc7TGNnMTzM_uj-wFLfa_EmBWQFsqhF1TjJFo/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="320" /></a></p> <p>This window has been nekked forever and I always feel bad for our guests who sleep in here. This is easily the brightest room in our house – which I’m sure is just lovely first thing in the morning for those who sleep in here. :)</p> <p>And yes, the walls are <em>still</em> blue, pink and purple. At least there’s a bed in here, <em>OK</em>? </p> <p>Because this shade is 72 inches long, for our longer, main level windows, it’s way too long for the upstairs window, which is shorter. This allowed me to do one of my new favorite fixes – hang the shade outside the window instead of inside the window frame. </p> <p>I gathered my tools: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYTl6VQctGSa_JQU1VZmSsvslhVGz5wZqGbfnjRD-Il72EEPQw3o1ixfc0MRwOSAyAE-fiwMojNy9a4hB-_OnTKufsVaAtrKS2W3vplY1KpeEDYPWT9_fRgevi5zEplRZcRVXY2O29VI/s1600-h/IMG_4097%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hanging bamboo blinds" border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbeJS-zUZsv_RXfF_0fVLl8De3xfMjTEeAabfSh1EG-AcAyellqMG5K12MyvV9Bf_00dGQ8VBpN9dCvMR182Cd8FQmETTYZOqQV3YzWZMT21r2ujN2K-eBfeSvIulORoNCcttJQFN-04/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="hanging bamboo blinds" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I did end up needing a drill too, more on that in a bit. If you install a shade inside your window frame, you probably won’t need any anchors – just screws. The framing around the window is enough for the screws to bite into. </p> <p>And if you decide to do an outside mount, like this one, if you go right above the window you’ll probably catch something. Because my shade is so long, I went way up, and luckily caught a stud up near the ceiling: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1RQBKI-89ODa2BhguMqL5UWrjEQlDzLh6vSHIeaYW5foNjkIKi4NIdLD18MUrfDC4_7H24qXfH7IuE47DWd40Bl_IVlNgoOxLO51pyX-KquwB5ISQapQDkUbhsU_IU9YVpBb49_IZ7I/s1600-h/IMG_4101%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="hanging bamboo blinds" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANDsv4dUK4ZNST7hvHT92gb3LobBvYRmO7gkfk74a3rpyt9WSBskPvrpxvfpps_jp3hWsRhGqpFO4izKWSR7MUPjx8EtGOsGzL1aQDfaKh2VDQVuRTJkFST1JUWx0bhWeXspy8BefA2s/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="hanging bamboo blinds" width="320" /></a></p> <p>I used my stud finder to find out where my studs were. Just for fun, stick one on your husband and let it beep. Hilarious. ;)</p> <p>Once I knew where I could safely hang the brackets (without them eventually crashing down), I marked where the holes needed to go: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnecEA6xLcgB8sBoPFP_OpLv6oko9p3Ywd_Vs-LEo9kHB0WPV9k5DhHf-vnK87pCBFk9KNWo_JgQ9Fgku-fEVfQi0oJD6594TXM7udLCTu241pDVyPigHH8u331aM9jrEyyUK1rRuB-LY/s1600-h/IMG_4110%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hanging bamboo blinds" border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhem26AJ-GSaW4grwBZtWm7oJLqG4h2xby7uXByF9Dn7a0_Dhgbem-31BkNUIuwynRINla71JhGmSm6yQd8rHsFDANB4j1_aiZzCjnxUnE59TSB6Uk9n2ulld8m2z4G-9Fe3yfuuRCa1uI/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="hanging bamboo blinds" width="400" /></a></p> <p>If you like to have extra peace of mind, you can put all four screws in. Anymore I only do two or three and they hold up fine. </p> <p>You’ll want to drill in with a bit to give yourself a good start for your screw: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_OVVJ1cF5c6wIc6dn0YOkoNFjvGtx48mlEoQzKL_uRXwKo76doXx3Qfm_-_ZxsBan_O945TPlrrEJz3NJmKNaTfshyE81JckX3EbEisa50xp6Of94QfW-RHlw-trEzozYdaCXyRRzPo/s1600-h/IMG_4111%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hanging bamboo blinds" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-b4m8ucX3r6cquzR2hWVeIkqB46utmJfGRo3nXLkQKPFOpwc-qX006YZ53vzx3eqVfnzTlsW8Yt-7wh4us93sYpDcv9_PK3mtwGWn8PRTDuvmqvKH42Mv3oDs_fZKSjuDMxtB1-eeyeU/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="hanging bamboo blinds" width="306" /></a></p> <p>This also helps to determine if you’ve hit a stud or not. If the bit goes right through the drywall, you’ve missed the stud and will need an anchor. If not you’ll feel the resistance of the wood as you drill. </p> <p>Here’s where my first new “tool” comes in – I found this at my True Value months ago and I LOVE IT: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqseoNgVA7xUMnCFczaQNAlJuG0UmShHIDFfsA7TdVuVZIYxm7NNxsjNDqdgJuaB0lTFUzumdtjIp9XGuuplGzgTMJ4EqQlz5Tfbmk3WPemkJG_iuULonCLxO2C75_lmQWSlnQ8tOzFHs/s1600-h/IMG_4104%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hanging bamboo blinds" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfbTnh6hs1LZawwI0wi1d913cQApb5DQBBplT4B1cMHUYHuWQgyIV5nRoXkDY35JajmsQTpIQJD_C4PEIm6uIToFtGPNRoknxi7VWD4aFBL1Gp7pDPqAncBvO1aXSXDCO72xVSidGSFM/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="hanging bamboo blinds" width="320" /></a></p> <p>It’s this magnetic arm band thing and you wrap it around your arm with the Velcro. This True Value has an end cap with all this “as seen on TV” stuff on it and this was there. I think it was $20? Twenty bucks of awesome, I tell you <strong>what</strong>. Especially on jobs like this, I am ALWAYS dropping screws or wing nuts or whatever. This keeps them right where I can reach them and they don’t go anywhere. </p> <p>And it’s soooo fashionable too, be sure to let all the cool people see you in it: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vdS15wvoFdc/UNM7BBge40I/AAAAAAAAZYY/Xj53ldnQvDg/s1600-h/IMG_4140%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nb2A6TnUuW0/UNM7BpE87cI/AAAAAAAAZYg/UExWBVXvqJg/IMG_4140_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="320" /></a></p> <p>That’s my attempt at a tough face. Failing. </p> <p>I have a thing with as seen on TV stuff by the way. I have an odd fascination with all of it. No snuggie here yet. You? :) </p> <p>Next up, you’ll need to drill your brackets into the wall. For this I used my next new tool, the Master Mechanic Swift Driver Ratcheting Screwdriver (say that three times fast): </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15osMCkNMkud2d3EYIjnbjDXIPhUq4sus4tDlVQHL6cm0gr6yy9sKjTtMz3NX4y64_4RzkKO0fvhDEksn_D-5cTNrSPty9EvTHmGiOv2gjic3_GkO453_4pWh1IDwkPP1lX15vEyhS6g/s1600-h/IMG_4121%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="ratcheting screwdriver" border="0" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvUpBljOqTth5HYOzdCGhPgVRaXFzbdDdcQeB8bRmj-wUZpE6gjyA1l3bgCjufwdU_MHINRqui2PeICJ1NRIUmgT9W8ai6NXxOvqFa4NSTENPlMynOpOatfya73MjoNMm-RCHjfdO-kc/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="ratcheting screwdriver" width="360" /></a> </p> <p>The True Value folks sent me one to try out earlier this year and I have thoroughly enjoyed using it. It is SO much easer than a screwdriver people! I actually find it easier to use than a power drill sometimes – it’s hard to get control of a drill at times -- even I still have it skip out and I dent the wall with the bit. Once or ten times. </p> <p>This one is a great in between the power drill and a screwdriver – you use your hand to just ratchet it so it turns the screw for you. It’s hard to explain so I took a quick video:</p> <iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/n45w5S3izJs" frameborder="0" width="420" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p> </p> <p>Master Mechanic is the brand name for True Value and I have at least three tools from this line and love them all. Really pleased. The only thing is I wish this screwdriver was magnetic so the screws stuck on it on like my drill. </p> <p>It made quick work of putting those brackets up: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WsWiKQ5gTqIaRNv6qOjOD1jtOIHh-aim4HHqfq2eH2RrsWeYovS3pinfb_pPKWLFJm96Z2VpWEXznLZLXl_6Nktq5CwIzz9vhkkgrCkYEfQeOm2zPS5yAJ-u0WVy9EiDIaY_611Yvs8/s1600-h/IMG_4115%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hanging bamboo blinds" border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIpN8iiCdEfpokKaOe9aKzrsWN-c5vMh2vEN7mBHkt5CKV9qQyFVMrl6GAF2kaD6i6WbRO_31YNvCRzokCG5Gk35eeJteQmcY3q7G3G72rp7eOqZKdVzwfgqBVS3DplCal2dRdgDJQko/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="hanging bamboo blinds" width="440" /></a></p> <p>I hope you can see from this picture how the brackets are on the wall for an outside mount installation – you want the the metal part that the nut screws on to to be pointing down. Much like an inside mount, but facing out. (For an inside mount I put them sideways.)</p> <p>Once the brackets are up it’s easy! Just slide your shade on them and use the wing nuts to secure them: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUe7UPEVE-ZE07RSTVBp9vHcbdcWfj4tHKTr9hbfz1QKTeLiZBDeRWKKwoIUn75JRyxLkOysOccm2SEcXxmC-6ZS7wgeqnMi0TsOg5wq_PLi5C9Grzy7BHbEQKfPZt9dZLtXXr_UtMJig/s1600-h/IMG_4119%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hanging bamboo blinds" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJAuQt3iWye6oGvEUbZ2OmpRBRnkXf2elb52Ma5tMe5Tkg5P_Ix78EgJ-FyWj8t8CCBH-kZtnNZI9JJlOYHd7XbNd6ie4_OHF60rNj0MJ-OuitEI-WpZtkIqb8r5aBxsJFS3pZmDxoTw/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="hanging bamboo blinds" width="400" /></a></p> <p>And there you have it – a shade on the window, finally!:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlIgJU3LUC4zQzv6p9RwJLdxld8-qd8RXkJMBoatLp5VGoJaircX1GgZLRi8rMV-5RJNAGK3NiWi5Pvi0QVXqbLL1A280hwAiA6O-EDc_X38fY5m-PKWZ16cTFqLhckEwYH7Jj0-oYLc/s1600-h/IMG_4123%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hanging bamboo blinds outside mount" border="0" height="563" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YIlb5qzPohIHsik6tHW0Sb-UafA_ho9UPDEchMWhVB42FntYw-J6tU7kQHVSPqGCMaKMb-jl_guEftlWwMAyiT166kmHE8gTkeTCsf8-2FtwE3QKjufwcVQ_61TcN2n04kYwCvEf79w/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="hanging bamboo blinds outside mount" width="360" /></a></p> <p>Here’s the thing about hanging window treatments and shades really high – I love doing it because it gives the illusion the window is taller than it is. And I wanted this one high because this particular shade is still pretty thick at the top, even when pulled all the way up. So if it’s hung inside the window frame, it blocks a fair amount of sunlight. This way it doesn’t block any. </p> <p>But I find that when just drapes are hung SUPER high, like to the ceiling, and the shades (if there are any) are hung lower, it can look kind of off. Like you’re trying to make the window look bigger and you can tell. You shouldn’t be able to tell. ;) </p> <p>Once I get drapes up here it will really make that window look much taller than it is and will block out even more light for my lovely guests. :)</p> <p>One more thing off the HUGE to do list, it feels good! The list for just this room is a page long…2013 is the year of the guest room, I can FEEL it. </p> <p>Are you a bamboo shades person like me? Inside or outside mount? Or are you loving your blinds? </p> <p> </p> <p><em><font size="2">I was one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program as well as my writing about my experience. I have also been compensated for the materials needed for my DIY project. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.</font></em></p>

Outside mount bamboo shades

Hello hello! I’m back today to share a quick DIY project and a couple new tools I’ve started using lately. It’s been Christmas decor 24/7 ar...

Read more »

Easy, quick holiday card display

<p>Hello all! I hope your week is getting better with each day! </p> <p>I wanted to share a super quick, easy way I display our holiday cards – I started doing it a couple years ago and have been meaning to blog about it every year since. At least I don’t think I’ve blogged about it? Nearly 900 posts in and I lose track. :)</p> <p>All you need is some ribbon and a door. Told you, easy! OK, there are a few other minor things, but really, it’s simple. I change up my ribbon every year, but you could use the same year to year too: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9jXGrYjJnz8/UNC1_z-nfEI/AAAAAAAAZU4/RRRJugPM-_4/s1600-h/IMG_40383.jpg"><img alt="candy cane stripe ribbon" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOsSLDE_P23kHlU4Iqx_3_zrVbEfSz7RCgd2Gjs3IGMWCpvfB4QOCpFt0eyTlBjGxPikhwlhnqCgnuTaILonrLF8DTnDWkuvKYFVKzbKe975qDOpfKDy8hj6R1PhCC127qXpZA1mc2pFk/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="candy cane stripe ribbon" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I bought this candy cane stripe at Target years ago and love it.  </p> <p>I just wrapped it around our coat closet door and secured it inside with upholstery tacks (cause that’s what I had handy): <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9HZ5pifHIes/UNC2A7rxvoI/AAAAAAAAZVI/zjZz0ht0ZEw/s1600-h/IMG_4035%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="easy door holiday card display" border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6Z0RtCEu8xA8Iu1zP8Qy_ou1wiGlrEpzSIAKL_fcJlZ2bvGVQIt_H7iHYU6VTqqF4qLf-waz9d3pVhYdq40W-iZBmfQTc-tuIWtpJoszBuucd9xVwx-_hg6gDt3Y6Hybk1Zykz3unpU/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="easy door holiday card display" width="300" /></a></p> <p>Yes, it will put a small hole in your door, and no, no one will ever notice it. I just use the same holes year to year. </p> <p>Just wrap the ribbon around top to bottom and across the door. Then you’ll need something to hold the cards on. I found these little tiny clothespins years ago, I’m pretty sure at Hobby Lobby:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8DYO_f3crVE/UNC2BvLkMzI/AAAAAAAAZVY/Qu578Ml4NIg/s1600-h/photo%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="small clothespins" border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpl3dDX-JH0AWU_E9oKQiSNyffoS_CL77__3aZ31VkWM0bzLaWQ9aDsm-KYtd4Gr8e1a6SDkECXUHSAnQa79yl_KuDy0Big7XQpWSFpeTEHvSQpcy4AEsr2d-kT2dCLQcfZ9AZe7DIYk/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="small clothespins" width="320" /></a></p> <p>They aren’t super strong but hold a card just fine. </p> <p>It takes about five minutes to set up and no time at all to add new ones as the cards come in: </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5P2g59GiB_Y/UNC2CUQ-GeI/AAAAAAAAZVo/MrDPxr2oZ5M/s1600-h/IMG_4042%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="" border="0" height="507" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKWsYUV_dDSTf9oMnDXeJ-5sRGZUuDfNGxA5IBONAod1UiOccxoA3EFqS-dnTXmIdKmFyUwHzCKmrOa7DzSqLcOnsL2QHfRHFKYgyQ7DiG6AOsoz_SfLK7u5JHBilsV1wK5LQkanFbyo/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="320" /></a></p> <p>And I love having it out in the open where everyone can admire the pretty cards: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DoimJBARzDI/UNC2DDRS6qI/AAAAAAAAZV4/OYy7NBLrO-8/s1600-h/IMG_4032%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="easy door holiday card display" border="0" height="675" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih51XtpKrFkYEJRRf-rriQJRs4gAVuFPLdAqH0s4vJF0UQek8Mdt2FXn2L8e8OI9f4i2X3Y6lStkD_N83T7QlOn-8fcmyg1LD9SNZxugcQU-zezXyoaKY5oXm1dAvPPgMWgy3h8M-AkJE/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="easy door holiday card display" width="450" /></a></p> <p>Last year I put a big puffy bow in the middle to make it look more present-like, but I lost a lot of card space with that bow, so it’s gone this year. :)</p> <p>By the way, I’m pretty darn proud of myself. That closet is <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-coat-closet-dun-dun-dunnnn.html" target="_blank">still organized</a>!: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5nkdvhsd9MU/UNC2EbYg_bI/AAAAAAAAZWI/ShbfvOZ-al4/s1600-h/IMG_4037%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLdYqWzU5UJMfBmcDM7Zut65i_vxKQpSDs7o79eAGkoO483DQdsdJT8RHR8aODVwg_MFsBvcZi19LmIsITCJhbnC936Opf9_59hRgrf9Uvil9PsCfLjdqiFNsATUV_ru8FTeepYqVWSc/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="320" /></a></p> <p>I added a few more cards today that we received over the weekend and there’s still plenty of room for more: </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3km9Dm8da8k/UNC2FJCjlxI/AAAAAAAAZWY/6d3h33xNgtE/s1600-h/IMG_4088%25255B18%25255D.jpg"><img alt="easy door holiday card display" border="0" height="651" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNJxIh0kv79VB8PytaQI_GICE1XL0w-vDq8ct4ePkAivMi5-KTutsjzmHbf-a6vMt5La9zDENdyvuLpkoY_ifCC2qeNUuTNFY230lltE-YC1FaX29FKlspMQOX__GvNMVh52wJbMl4Xo/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="easy door holiday card display" width="400" /></a></p> <p>You know, for those who send their cards out at the last possible minute. Like…uhh, someone I know. Someone who is typing this. </p> <p>We never got a good family pic this year (tried up to the last minute but getting the college girl home and us all looking decent at the same time is nearly impossible) so I’ll be gathering some Facebook pics to put something together. My plan is to get them out by Friday. They may turn into New Year’s cards. :)</p> <p>So how do you display your cards? Do you send them out every year? Are yours out already? It’s become one of those things that I’ve decided to be OK with <em>not</em> doing if I don’t have time. Most years something's got to give! :)</p>

Easy, quick holiday card display

Hello all! I hope your week is getting better with each day! I wanted to share a super quick, easy way I display our holiday cards – I sta...

Read more »