The Old Homeplace

Bedroom Redo Pictures!

{ 10:28, Monday, November 17, 2008 } { Posted in A Penny Saved... } { 7 comments } { Link }

Finally!!! I described the redo here in August and I am just now getting the pictures posted. I decided not to use tie backs and the guns are stored under the bed for now.

Before:

After:

In the last picture, just around the corner is the dressing area, closet, and bathroom. The valance is all that is new there.

Frugal Lamps-Yeah Right!

{ 09:22, Wednesday, August 13, 2008 } { Posted in A Penny Saved... } { 4 comments } { Link }

I am working on re-doing my bedroom. I still need to add some finishing touches and sew the pillow shams and curtain tie backs. My goal has been to make it look as nice as possible while spending the least amount of money possible. I’ve been doing pretty good so far. Here’s the break down as best I can remember:

2 comforters and a bed skirt bought on clearance at K-mart for about $30.00. From this I will get 1 comforter, 2 pillow shams, 2 curtain tie backs, 1 pair of lined curtains (I used an old sheet for the lining), 2 window valances, and of course a bed skirt.

I have a afghan that I crocheted using free yarn and 2 yard sale cushions, $6.00.

2 pair of window blinds, about $12.00.

Paint for the walls, $0.00. I used wall paint that was given to us and trim paint that I already had on hand. I did buy 2 pieces of trim for the edges of my bookshelves for less than $5.00.

I bought a used chair and table for about $100.00.

I am using picture frames and wall décor that I already have on hand.

My daughter is letting me use a footstool that she does not need right now so I need to make a slipcover for it.

I also need a dresser scarf and a couple of doilies for the bed side tables. I am hoping to find some fancy crocheted pieces at the flea market. I might also need a rug. Not sure about that yet. We also need some way to store some guns. They may end up on a rack in the closet though.

That leaves the lamps. I wanted one for each bedside tables. I decided to be frugal and environmentally correct so I purchased them at Goodwill for $9.00. But, the shades were not exactly what I wanted and I need to replace 1 switch ($4.00). I checked the price of new shades from at least 3 stores and then decided to cover my own using these instructions, Martha Stewart's Lampshade Slipcovers, and some wall paper leftover from another project. I went to Wal-mart where I found Martha Stewart’s new line of scrap booking supplies. I ended up buying about $40.00 worth of paper punch supplies, glue, and trim for the shades. I then realized that I could have bought 2 decent shades for that much money. But, I supported the local Goodwill and I am using up some leftover supplies. And I will still have the paper punches and glue for future projects…So even though this was not the cheapest way to go I feel pretty good about my frugal, environmentally correct lamps!

Oh, pictures will be forthcoming!!!

Homemade Laundry Detergent Review

{ 08:25, Monday, June 16, 2008 } { Posted in A Penny Saved... } { 1 comments } { Link }

Vickie from the Monthly Dishcloths KAL group asked me about the laundry detergent recipe I mentioned a few posts down. This is the one I used:

The Simple Dollar Detergent Recipe

I have read about making laundry detergent at home for years but this was the first time I actually made it. To be honest, I was not impressed. It turned into a gloppy, slimy mess that was inconvenient for me store and measure out.

As far as cleaning goes, it worked pretty well on normal loads but was a disaster in a really greasy load of work clothes. It left a mess in the washer tub that had to be removed with Fast Orange hand cleaner (I think I said GoJo hand cleaner to Vickie...sorry). I figure if the mess was that bad where I could see it, it would also be bad in other places in the washer that I could not see. I was afraid it might ruin the washer or the next load of clothes.

On the positive side, the clothes seemed softer after being washed with the homemade laundry detergent whether they were line dried or I used the dryer. I also add some essential oil...a few drops of Orange Valencia, if I remember correctly...when I made the detergent. It made the detergent smell good and the clothes came out smelling very clean, not really scented at all, which I really liked.

I had decide to stick with the store bought detergent, using less than the recommended amount on most loads and a little more on the greasy ones. Then Vickie sent me this link:

Homemade Laundry Detergent Powder

That would be easier to store and mix.....hmmmm.....I do like to make thing myself....hhhmmmmmmmm....

I might have to wait a little while to try the dried version.....I have got to use up the gloppy version first!

WWGD

{ 11:27, Tuesday, April 29, 2008 } { Posted in A Penny Saved... } { 4 comments } { Link }

...What Would Grandma Do? Or maybe WDGD...What Did Grandma Do?, would be more accurate. In her younger days my Grandma lived in the country, way out in the country. She did not have a car. She did not go town every day. She rarely shopped for non-necessities. I am wandering if the key to my living more frugally in the country is to live more like grandma did?

I have been thinking this over and I've come up with a few lessons from grandma:

1. Drive less....way less!

2. Consume less...way less!

3. Waste less...way less!

What frugal things did your grandma do that you can apply to your life today?