Guest Post from Hometalk

Today I have a guest blogger. Jakob from Hometalk.com who wants to talk about some neat new ways to make your own gift wrapping. With the holiday's coming up I think you will enjoy!


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DIY Holiday Gift Wrap

True, there’s still a good amount of time before the holidays but if you are interested in making gift wrap from scratch there’s no better time than now to start keeping an eye out for materials.

First of all, understand that wrapping gifts going to friends and loved ones with self made coverings isn’t just about saving a few dollars on those rolls of paper which can often be very generic looking, too loud, or to blah.

When someone takes the time to uniquely wrap a gift the extra effort shines through enhancing the experience of the one receiving it.

In essence, presentation says a lot; even when the focus is giving!

That said, here are a few ideas for the DIYer who wants to go the extra mile and make their own wrap:

Fall leaves: Yes, believe it or not this is an amazing way to cover smaller gifts. Ideally, try and collect leaves that have already changed color but are not so crisp they’ll disintegrate when bent. Then, take some large swaths of news print or other paper and start gluing them on. After you have a nice layer and they are dried place in a safe place until gifts have been purchased and are ready to be wrapped.

Newspaper/magazines: Certain gifts may be related to popular culture or current events. Wrapping them in images from newspapers or magazines sometimes makes the anticipation all the more exciting.

Wood scraps: Very often lumber businesses will allow others to search through their waste and take what they want. This is a perfect opportunity to find pieces to make boxes for gifts that can then be painted. Occasionally you may find some scraps from trim carpentry that can also be used as decorations around the sides. When all is said and done going this route is like giving two gifts in one!

Old posters: Let’s face it. There comes a time when certain things just don’t mean as much as they once did, a prime example being old posters. If you feel it’s appropriate try using them as wrapping paper. They are fun and can bring back a lot of memories.

Photographs: This is one of my favorite ways to wrap gifts. First, take pictures of the intended recipient of the gift, of the two of you together or simply random shots. Then, just like with the leaves stick them firmly to swaths of paper, let them dry and place in a safe place until the gift is in your possession and ready to be wrapped.  When the present is received I promise it will take a while before your loved one opens it up, as they will be so curious to check out all the images –and effort, you put in just for them.

Jakob Barry is a Hometalk writer.  Read more articles like this one or get help with your home projects on Hometalk.com.


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Great ideas Jakob!

Google Analytics

So today in between calling chimney cleaners, pricing storage units, and looking for a place for us to move to...I took a break and looked at my google analytics page. 

I haven't looked at it much lately.

Guess I have been a little busy. ;)

But I have noticed that I was getting A LOT of traffic from pinterest. Like over 70k hits this month!

Which is really exciting for me.

Anyways, I thought I would look at the key word search for a sec and get a good laugh at what people search for. 

At first it was just going through a lot of misspelled words and how to questions.

Then I have to say it just got weird.

Here is some of the highlights of what was on my list:

-my mom teaches me about testicles
-man hair
-little boys in the bedroom naked
-dominican crazy
-reborn dimples
-adults who look like little boys 

Seriously how would the first one and last one get directed to my site?

Have you checked your google analytics page lately?

Take a look and tell me what you find.

Sponsor post- Wallums

Wall Decals is the way to go for adding personality to a wall without a huge commitment.

Now that we are looking at getting a rentals, Wall Decals are looking awesome to me right now.

Wallums has great wall decals.

Right now they are having a special of free shipping when you spend over $50.

Go and check it out, I think you will be inspired.

A little bit of me

Do you have a friend that you just love to be around because they make you feel like you a fun person to be around and they laugh at your stupid jokes...eventhough you know they are just plain stupid.

Or someone who feels pain when you feel pain and joy when you feel joy?

That is my friend Sheli at a little bit of me.

I met Sheli a couple of months ago and I am so glad I have.

Sheli has an amazing heart and she is so encouraging.

Right now she is currently trying to adopt and decided to homeschool 3 of her 4 kids! Whoa.

She also has been asked by incourage to be one of their writers!

Today I am guest posting over at her site and on Wednesday she will be posting her first article on incourage!

So proud of you Sheli!

Go and check out Sheli's blog to give this girl some encouragement that she has given me so much of. 

Do you have a friend that makes you walk away and feel good about yourself?

A dresser and a chest

Well another week has past and we still haven't found a place to move to... we have 26 days!!!!

But who is counting?

Excuse me as I go hyper ventilate.

On an update, I have decided that in order to keep my sanity I will not be painting any more furniture until we get settled into our new house.

I just can't handle the stress.

But no worries there are a few projects that I have done that have not been put on this blog yet.

I got a lot of questions about the colors I used from last weeks pop of color side tables.

The top was painted Lagoon but rustoleum and then the white is blossom white also by rustoleum.

Both pieces I will show you today were painted with the blossom white.


Today I have a dresser with a matching mirror and a chest to show you guys.

Here is the after!

This item is sold.

Now I have a chest. But it looks like a small dresser.

 See you can't tell that it is a chest on top with a drawer on the bottom.

Here is the after.

This item is for sale for $200!

Let me know if you are interested!

I am linking to these parties.

Monday: The DIY Showoff, Skip to my Lou, Between Naps on the Porch Tuesday: Tip Junkie, Today's creative Blog , 

House of Grace , Just a Girl Wednesday: Blue Cricket Designs, Domestically Speaking, Someday Crafts Thursday: House of Hepworths, Shabby Chic Cottage Friday: Miss Mustard Seeds, My Romantic Home, Funky Junk Interiors, Shabby Nest, Finger Prints on the Fridge Saturday: Tatortots and Jello, Be Different act normal Sunday: Under the table and dreaming, I heart naptime 

Shaklee's Defend and Resist

Now that cold and flu season is quickly approaching us I thought this would be a good time to tell you about my experience with Shaklee's Defend and Resist complex.

The description says this:

When you first feel that tickle, get the protection you need with Defend & Resist Complex. It gives you not one, but four clinically proven immune-supporting ingredients: echinacea, black elderberry, larch tree, and zinc. Each supports, enhances, and promotes a healthy immune response.


When I read, "feel the first tickle". I thought how will I know when I feel a tickle in the back of my throat. I honestly didn't think I would know. But then I woke up one morning and I actually felt the tickle in the back of my throat!

It is the feeling when you wake up in the morning and just know that sickness is coming. You don't know when, but you know it is coming fairly soon. 


That morning I took 6 tablets and did the same thing for 6 days after and you know what?!

I didn't get sick. I didn't get a runny nose, or a cough.

And you want to know what else?

Mr. Genius also woke up a couple of days later with the tickle in his throat. I mentioned the Defend and Resist and his response was taking herbal pills were well...stupid. He took his regular cold and flu over the counter medicine...and he got sick!

This happened a couple more times. Of me not getting sick, and he getting sick.

Yet he still doesn't really believe in the "herbal pills".

Some people are a little more stubborn then others. ;)

One this I can tell you is that both Mr. Genius and I didn't get the flu vaccine last year. Just because we couldn't find the time. Mr. Genius got the flu and I didn't.

So I think it is safe to say that the Defend and Resist complex works!

If you have any questions about the Defend and Resist or other Shaklee items please feel free to contact my Shaklee rep,  Debbie Clinton. She is a wealth of knowledge who has used Shaklee products for over 14 years!

PS: This review was out of the my true opinion and I in NO way get any incentive for anyone else buying products from Debbie. 

Pop of color tables

First of all let me start off by saying that we have a contract on the house!!

 via

Phew!

And now do not have to have a perfectly clean house! Which makes for a much happier mom. ;)

I truly believe that either you can be a happy person or you can have a perfectly clean house. You can't have both.

Now comes the part where we have to figure out where we are going to call home.

Sometimes I am jealous of my kids and the fact that their biggest decisions are if they should use crayons or markers.

Being an adult is way over rated.

In part of the negotiation we are having to leave our washer and dryer. Which we are too upset out. The washer is not a favorite of ours.

So we are having to buy a new washer and dryer. The first question I have for all of you out there. Front loading or top loading?!!! I need your opinions please! Don't hold back. I have heard about mildew with the front loading ones. Have any of you experienced that?

Also, I hope to work on our house tour video this week.

But first I wanted to show you some side tables I just refinished.

I first got this idea from Eddie Ross.

I just loved the table. I love the white and then the pop of color on top. It is subtle.

I got these side tables.

And here is my Eddie Ross knockoff version.

Aren't they fun?!

Also we have come into the time in our lives where we decided to get rid of the changing table.

After all Romeo has been potty trained for 7 months and he has been too big to use this table for over a year. 

Anyone in Chicagoland interested? I am selling it for $140. Baskets, changing pad, and cover included.



Have a good week everyone!

I am linking to these parties.

Monday: The DIY Showoff, Skip to my Lou, Between Naps on the Porch Tuesday: Tip Junkie, Today's creative Blog , 
House of Grace , Just a Girl Wednesday: Blue Cricket Designs, Domestically Speaking, Someday Crafts Thursday: House of Hepworths, Shabby Chic Cottage Friday: Miss Mustard Seeds, My Romantic Home, Funky Junk Interiors, Shabby Nest, Finger Prints on the Fridge Saturday: Tatortots and Jello, Be Different act normal Sunday: Under the table and dreaming, I heart naptime 


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