[so cheap, so easy]: Cloth Napkin DIYs

Remember when I had that awesome giveaway? I gave away a gift card to West Elm. Well, I felt left out, so when I was ordering the gift card, I found a little somethin' somethin' for myself. Sometimes that happens to me. I can't help it. The cloth napkins sucked me in, and I bought them.

I bought two sets of four each for $12. You can't beat that. I made pillows with one set. No cutting, and even I can sew a pillow (with a little help).

image from Pottery Barn

These next beauties are from Pottery Barn. I bought a set of six block print napkins for $25. I'm not saying they are the cheapest napkins you can buy, but they were originally $39. Such a deal. (It's a reflex, me always justifying my purchases.) I've only used one so far, and I used it to cover these small lampshades. I love them! Of course, the cylindrical lampshade was the easiest, but I managed to make the other one look decent as well. You would never know they were covered with napkins. Well, you would, because I just told you.

I'm not sure what I'll do with the other napkins. They are so beautiful. They all have a different, coordinating pattern. In the past, I've used napkins to cover canvases, or I've framed them. The possibilities are really endless! Perhaps I will just use them at the table--THAT would be crazy.

[color kreyv]: Black

Who would have ever thought that painting your walls black would look so fabulous? I love it. It's so absolutely sophisticated, and the white contrast is dee-vine. I think I would do black in a formal dining room, except I don't really want a formal dining room. Hmmm. Who wants to paint their formal dining room black, so I can enjoy it? Anyone, anyone?

image from Elle Decor

image from Style Files

image from Decor Pad

Bam! Pow! Pop!

Ummm, hello. How fabulous are these rooms? I love the pops of color in these rooms. I could totally get on board with something like that. You see, I'm a bit of a Neutral Nelly when it comes to design (and my clothes). But this, this is so non-committal. And, wow, what a statement!

I secretly want to paint my armoire. Secretly, because my husband isn't exactly on board with this idea. You see, there's nothing wrong with the armoire. It's actually a really nice piece of furniture. If it happens, it will have to be a well-executed plan. He will be on call, and I will get to work. He'll be so tired when he gets home from the hospital, he won't notice for a couple of days...not until it's too late. Moo-ahh-ahh-ahhh (evil laugh). I mean, whatever, I haven't really thought about it.

image from Jackson Paige Interiors

image from Elsa Soyars

Image from Imagine Living

Are You a Collector?

I've never been a collector. The reason? I throw everything away. Even when I was little, I would get rid of the things I didn't want in my room. When I came across something I didn't want, but wasn't quite ready to throw away, I'd give it to my little brother. He had a lot of "little treasures" in his room. In fact, last time I was in Utah, he and his wife went through some of his things that were still at my mom's house. We had a good laugh at some of the things he's hung on to. I wonder if I had anything to do with his need to keep things.

I want to start a collection. I love to entertain and would love a great collection of white serving ware. It's on my list of things to do as soon as I have enough room. (The list is rather lengthy.) I also love really old bottles. One method of making a collection look clean and streamlined rather than cluttered is color. I love the look of these collections. What do you collect?

image from 6th Street Design School

image from James Cleary Architecture

image from French Larkspur

[kreyv of the day]

image from Elle Decor

[so cheap, so easy]: Toy Car Display

Have I ever told you how sorry I feel for myself that I don't live near an Ikea? If not: I feel very sorry for myself, because I don't live near an Ikea. In fact, I found a great plot of land just a couple of miles from my house that would be the perfect location. I'm just sayin'.

I saw this idea on style files. This is a magnetic knife rack from Ikea. (I'm sure you can find them elsewhere, but I'm still bitter.) If I had a little boy, I would be all over this. This is fabulous in so many ways. It's organized, it's functional, and it looks great. What else do you need?

image from Style Files

[color kreyv]: Purple

I don't know why the [color kreyv] series always takes me down memory lane, but it does, so just go with it. When I was in the eighth grade, I had a solo in the chorus production. I sang, "My Boyfriend's Back." (There was also a "Purple People Eater" number, which is how I got to this story. Purple People eater, purple rooms. I'm all over the place, I know.) Later that same year, I had the starring role in the eighth grade play. Eighth grade marked the end of my singing and acting career.

I never had an awesome voice, but I still sang. In fact, I also took piano, gymnastics, dance, voice, volleyball, softball, basketball, swimming, and I don't know what else...a lot of different things. But, I never stuck with one thing, so I was just okay at a lot of different things. I wish I would have stuck to one thing or anything for that matter. I think I will force and bribe my kids to stay in their lessons.

Maybe on some level, I knew I needed to give the less talented people a chance to shine. I hope that Celine Dion and Jennifer Aniston appreciate my sacrifice.

image from Marie Claire Maison

image from House to Home

image from Abode Love

[so cheap, so easy]: Wooden Letter Collage

For tutorial, visit eighteen25.

[so cheap, so easy]: License Plate Art

For my full feature and tutorial, go to  eighteen 25.

Start with a piece of particle board cut to 31x24. This was less than $7 at the hardware store. Because the overall look is very simple, I decided to cover the board with fabric to add more texture to the piece. (I wanted to cover it in burlap, but thought it would blend into my paint color. The possibilities are endless here!) I then attached my three spray-painted license plates with nickel furniture nails (less than $2).

Ceiling Medallions as Wall Decor

I was originally going to post this in the [so cheap, so easy] series, and while this concept fits under the "so easy" category, it may not always be "so cheap". Ceiling medallions can range anywhere from seven to one hundred dollars and up. If you're anything like me, the medallions that you would like best, would inevitably not be the seven dollar ones. It's just life, people. I do, however, think some people with that gift of finding deals could probably create this look for a reasonable price. And, if you try to justify think like I do, you would know that it's still a good deal considering the price would be cheaper than a large piece of art. You with me? Thought so.

image from Apartment Therapy

image from Nuestra Vida Dolce

image from Better Homes & Gardens

Guest Blogger at Eighteen25

I AM SO EXCITED! (That's me shouting with excitement.) Today I am being featured on eighteen25! Go visit and check out a new [so cheap, so easy] project.

Making a (VERY LARGE) Statement

Pet peeves: personalized license plates that no one can understand except for the person who made it up, stopping for a pedestrian just to have them wave you on (you go, no you go), and great, big walls with just a few itty bitty pictures. Let's not participate in any of these activities, kay?

I know it can be overwhelming to fill a large wall. You think it has to be just the right piece and that it will be too expensive. You're partly right. But, guess what? Making a big statement doesn't have to be difficult or expensive. Three words: Do It Yourself. It can be cheap AND easy, and aren't those our two favorite words?

(I'm pretty sure the person who's house that is in the Perfect Gray picture came to my house, saw my door art, and then went home and copy catted it. Just sayin'.)

image from Paula Caravelli

image from Darryl Carter

image from Perfect Gray

[kreyv of the day]

image from Home Klondike

[so cheap, so easy]: Framed Typography

I'm just going to warn you ahead of time. Like all of my projects, this one is pretty advanced, unless you know how to type and use scissors. Then you can probably handle it--if you really set your mind to it.

I have a gallery wall and wanted to add some typography pieces. I used magazine pages for both of the backgrounds. For the monogram, I printed out the letter J on my computer, cut it out, and glued it onto the background. For the lower, I printed the word directly on the magazine page. Cheap. Easy.

[color kreyv]: Yellow

Does it not seem that every little girl's favorite color is either pink or purple? Mine was yellow. I vividly remember my love for yellow in first grade. During computer time one day, we got to make a banner. (Yes, our computers had green screens, and the paper was hooked together. You know the kind with the perforated sides that had to be torn off? Some of you remember. You know who you are.) Most of the kids made banners with their names or some type of greeting. I made a banner with a sun on each side that read, "Yellow is nice." What? It is.

Yellow is one of those colors that I always see and love (especially when paired with gray), but it scares me to do in my own house. I think it's tricky to get the right shade. But, when I do find the right shade, I think I'll use it. By the way, I still stand by the fact that yellow is, indeed, "nice."

image from Velvet and Linen

image from Frederic Vasseur

image from Country Living

Springing Forward

Every time we have daylight savings, it takes me a good week to get used to the time change. I keep thinking, "Well, it's actually 6:00 instead of 7:00." But actually, it's not. The time has changed, so come to terms with it. (Tell me I'm not the only one who does this. Please. I'm sure the lucky people in Arizona don't do it. No fair.)

When I had a job in the corporate world, I preferred falling back as opposed to springing forward. Nothing worse than having to get up even earlier to go to work. As a mom, however, I actually like springing forward. See, my little Stella Bean goes to bed at around 6:30 and wakes up at 6:30. But now, she goes to bed at 7:30 and gets up at 7:30. I feel like I'm sleeping in!

Regardless of the time, I love these clocks. They are so beautiful and functional to boot. I wonder why I never buy clocks. I think I need to.

image from Pottery Barn

image from West Elm

image from West Elm

Guest Blogger at Hare Styling

Visit me over at Hare Styling where I'm guest blogging about some of my favorite [so cheap, so easy] projects! While you're there, check out Melissa's ideas!

Coolest House on the Block

I've always wanted a house (I could just stop there) that my kids and their friends love to hang out at. You know, the fun house in the neighborhood? The fun house in my neighborhood belonged to our friend Gayle.

Gayle had THE coolest house, coolest toys, and the food was to die for. (Her mom was always baking homemade bread--at least in my memory). Everything was the best at Gayle's house, and besides having the best stuff, her family was just wonderful. My sister and I still talk about her awesome pop dolls, playing in her mother's furs, and being brides walking down the winding staircase.

I don't think the whole baking homemade bread and fur coats is going to happen at my house. So, does that mean I have to get a slide?

all images from Odeedoh

[kreyv of the day]

image from C.R. Laine Furniture

[so cheap, so easy]: By Melissa Hare

I'm so excited to have Melissa from Hare Styling guest post today! Melissa is beautiful, talented, and has impeccable taste. She has the kind of house that makes you want to go home and change everything about your own--in an inspirational way!I'm very excited to be guest posting for Jamie's [so cheap, so easy] series. I'm an event planner by day and an aspiring interior design blogger by night. I'm obsessed with interior styling and all things design related. I started my blog as a way to archive my collection of magazine clippings and photos of personal projects. Now I love finding new products, photos of beautiful spaces and design ideas to share with my readers. After being inspired by all the talented bloggers out there, I recently began attempting my own projects. I must say, there is something really rewarding about creating something great, for so little. Here are three of my favourite projects. I hope you enjoy!

To make this stylish chalkboard, I used an old frame and a can of chalkboard spray paint. I sprayed the glass with three coats of chalkboard spray and ta-da!

I purchased this chair online for $25.

All it needed was some leftover white paint and new fabric, which I found for $13 a yard.

My newest project is this magazine wall, created by using Ikea Ribba picture ledges ($14.99 each). For under $50, I was able to fill an entire wall in my office with my favourite magazines.

I hope you find inspiration from these cheap and easy projects. Thanks so much to Jamie for asking me to participate.

[color kreyv]: Orange

The first thing I thought of when I chose orange was a shirt that Jeremy used to wear when we were dating. It was bright, neon orange and had a Wu-Tang Clan symbol on it. It was too big. And, it was ugly. I hated it. I have to tell you that my husband is the best man in the world, but let's just say that I wasn't attracted to him for his sense of style! He was stylish in his own way (I guess) with his bleached-white spiky hair, baggie, underwear showing pants, and skater shoes. None of that exists anymore. In fact, none of it existed by the time we got married! You know I like me a good before and after!

Ten years later, I mostly just see Jeremy is his blue scrubs. It sure makes me miss that Wu-Tang shirt (total lie, I don't miss it one bit). So, what do you think of orange?

all images from Elle Decor

By the way, congratulations to our [restyle] winners from the She Wears Flowers contest: Jenny from Crossing the Bugger-Dixon Line, Jeanine, and Auntie K. Please email me at jamiejojoyal@hotmail.com, and we'll get started!

Finding Your Style--With Kids

There's this story that I was told involving Jeremy, his mother's coffee table, and a screwdriver. I think you can figure out the end. There's another story about a girl who spilled fingernail polish remover on her mother's formal dining room table. (Yup, fastest way to take off a finish...er, so I'm told.) There are countless other stories involving markers, Mod Podge (Jeremy again--this time on my area rug), and whatever else kids get their hands on to destroy furniture. It happens, but I am still a firm believer that you can have both a nice house AND kids. Do you honestly think I would wait until my kids are 18 to have nice things? Didn't think so. Now, if I can just figure out how to husband proof my house...Here are my tips for finding your style with kids:

image from Pottery Barn

(1) Get Organized: I personally think it's fun to organize. I may be weird, but I do. I love containers: bins, baskets, totes, I love them all! Find containers that you like, and keep your kids' toys in them. For many of us, it's unrealistic to keep all toys in the bedroom. I need toys in the living room--because that's where I live! Really, it's just another excuse to purchase a great basket!

(2) Be Practical: Though there are hundreds of beautiful fabrics I would just LOVE to have in my home, it's not going to happen (at least not with a one-year old). On the flip side, there are tons of beautiful fabrics that are kid proof. If you are purchasing a sofa, consider micro-suede. I swear to you, this is a miracle fabric. How do I know? Not because of Stella, because of my other child, my husband. He spilled red enchilada sauce on our white couch the day we bought it. It came right out with a little soap and water. Another great tip? Look at outdoor or indoor/outdoor rugs. They can literally be sprayed off if needed.

image from Pottery Barn

image from Decor Pad

image from HGTV

(3) Be Safe: Try to restrain yourself from buying that glass end table you love or the coffee table with extra sharp corners. Instead, opt for a leather or upholstered ottoman. In our house, the ottoman is the center of most of Stella's activities. I get a little extra piece of mind knowing she's not going to gouge an eye while cruising around. (Even if she did, it would wipe right off of the micro-suede couch and indoor/outdoor rug! Ok, that wasn't funny. I hope that never happens.)

(4) Don't Lose Your Style: Your space needs to work for everyone. While your living room shouldn't look like a daycare, it also doesn't need to look like a museum. It's okay if there are signs of children, they live there, too! If you are looking to purchase your child a table and chair set, buy one that matches the style of your home--not everything has to be pastel with Disney characters (unless that's your decor, I'm not here to judge)! There are so many wonderful, contemporary-looking toys and baby equipment. Paint the tables and chairs, find a fun, retro mini-kitchen. There are even modern baby swings! If you have to have it out, make it work! (So in love with this highchair!)

image from Monolo Home