April Highlights & Happenings

Spring weather in April has admittedly had it's ups and downs here in the Northeast. While we've had some warmer days, the snow has hung around and occasionally forced me and my projects back indoors. Forget April showers, more like April flakes. I guess it is too early to tackle the multi-day outdoor projects...but boy I'm rearing at the bit for some good work days! 
In the meantime it's time to finally start indoor seedlings! Remember last year's seed starter? I've learned a few new tricks, and I can't wait to share!

Fantastic Finds & New Obsessions
Between the discount shelf at Lowes, and my newest obsession, a local Facebook buy-sell-trade group, I'm having a hard time keeping my dollars in my pocket with all the incredible finds. Thankfully, I've also been able to sell a few things in that Facebook group to help fund my fantastic finds.
Ok, let me warn you, these before's may not seem all that impressive right now, but you have to look past the ugly to the quality bones and possibilities! 

Fantastic Find #1: I spied these on a discount shelf at Lowes while having some paint mixed. Reduced from $7.98 each to $1.00 I immediately had visions of a wall of flowy white curtains and immediately snatched them up. Slowly the rest of the rooms design has been filling in from that initial vision, and I think I've just determined an entire room's decor from one tiny find. 

Fantastic Find #2: This little file-like drawer set cost me $5. Yep, I said $5. Remember, you have to look past the outdated exterior and see all the many many possibilities!!

Fantastic Find #3: I've saved the best for last... this find came from the FB buy-sell-trade group I'm a part of, and it was FREE. Yes, I just gained 4 pieces of furniture absolutely free. I am over the top delighted, and so grateful for people who move and are ready to upgrade to new furniture. Aren't these awesome? There is no way I would ever be able to afford such great (and sturdy) furniture. 

Oh the possibilities! I can't wait to show you what I have in mind for each of these pieces!

April Posts & Projects
All in all April has been a productive month for me... Lots of projects ( bothshared and to be shared). This past month we laughed over my first time in a Home Goods store, I shared how I store my CD's, showed off my new library book basket, and even asked your advice for a vacuuming dilemma! But the two most popular posts this month were hands-down the Pottery Barn inspired Easter hostess gift, and the piano lamp turned bookcase lamp tutorial! 

For My Fabulous Facebook Followers
It seems many of you who follow along via Facebook have been missing my many tutorials and posts. Argh, Facebook...why won't you show my posts?? Well, if you want to ensure you see the latest and greatest I recommend also following along via Bloglovin. But for those of you who prefer to see updates via Facebook, here are a few tips to make sure you get my posts in your feed:
1. Add Home Made by Carmona to your interest/friend list 
2.Take the time to "like" my Facebook updates, or comment...then you will begin to see my posts more regularly. Plus I just love getting comments from you!
3. Click on the the "like" button again and click to receive notifications. The check mark indicates that you'll see my posts!

You make all my work worth the effort! I truly appreciate you following along, and please feel free to share your own projects, tips, and thoughts with me...it really means a lot to me!

I am very excited for May! The end of May means a break from school (which is a big thing for homeschooling moms like me!), and garden starters!

Happy May all!

Piano Lamp Turn Bookcase Lamp

Looking at my living room bookcases, I just kept feeling there was something missing. Then one day I realized what was needed...a bookcase lamp. That's what is missing, and not just because it finishes the look of a tall bookcase, but because lighting is function as well as fashion.

Have you seen those bookcase and art lamps? They are thin and sleek, and perfect in every way...except price. The lowest price I could find in the style I was looking for $120 each, definitely not in my itty bitty budget. 
My solution? Turn piano lamps into bookcase lamps. They have a similar style, although not as slim as the ones I had my eyes on. The best part is that I already owned one of these lamps (a hand-me-down from my mother-in-law), and I managed to purchase an identical one via a Facebook garage sale for $15! 

So why not just sit the piano lamp atop my bookcase you ask? Well, for one it sits way too high and looks unnatural, for another the cord isn't even a fraction of the length necessary reach the top of a bookcase. With just a couple small adjustments these piano lamps will look like they were always meant to be bookcase lamps.

First I began by removing the fabric base at the bottom and loosening up the middle portion.

Next remove the wire nuts and untie the cord. Detach wire nuts by cutting wires or uncrimping. These are crimp connectors as oppose to the twist-on wire nuts, so you will need a pair of pliers to open them. Next unscrew nut to remove the heavy lamp base completely.

Set aside the crimp connectors, you will need them later. 

It should look like this once you remove all the extra parts of the lamp.

Unless your cord happens to be very long, you may will need to purchase an extension for your lamp cord. Also nice (but not necessary) is adding a cord switch somewhere along your extension. I won't be showing you how to do that since there are directions on the cord switch and it is a separate task. 

Now you will need to connect your extension wire. But before you do, thread the wire through the round middle portion of the lamp you removed...later this will house the connection between the old wire and extension wire. 

Strip wire, and connect  the old and new cord using the crimp connectors you set aside. 

Note: If your original cord was long enough simply reattach this cord in place of the extension cord.

Next stuff your crimp connectors into this round lamp midsection. Also wind and store any excess cord in here.

This is what it should look like when you are done. It is ready for use!

I attach this lamp to my bookcase by using screw-in hooks on either side. Then I can simply snap this lamp into place, and if ever necessary, I can simply slide it out to remove it. 

These lamps lend a little extra light to our dim living room, and also cast a gorgeous decorative  down light on my newly styled bookcases! 

I love that lighting is both functional and decorative! 

Vacuum Decor?

One day I would love to know what it feels like to put my vacuum away. Vacuums should be designed to look like a decor accessory, because mine is always out...and yet, my floors never stay clean for longer than a few hours a day. I'm serious, I rotate the vacuum between rooms, one day I vacuum my bedroom and the hall, the next the girls rooms, the next the living areas, and back to my bedroom again, but somehow the mysterious carpet imps keep my floors looking like they were never cleaned. At this stage in my life I feel like giving up...and admittedly some days I just throw my hands up and say "meh, no one is coming over anyway". Inevitably those are the days someone drops by. 
I've also resorted to a cause and effect punishment; making it the girls task to vacuum and pick up the little bits of paper and hair and who-knows-what-that-was... after all, they are the perps in this maddening case of the missing "clean" from my floors. Yet, those floors will not stay even remotely tidy for more than a couple hours.
There must be a solution. But what could it be?? This ad reads "girl seeking suggestions", anyone have any?

Library Book Basket

My girls are big readers, and big mess makers, and big on losing things. Not a good combination for taking advantage of a "free" library...I believe I'm paying my way in fees.
So when I take a moment to write about buying a library book basket, you'll have a better idea of why.... when you have kids even the smallest organizing detail can make a huge difference.  

This beautiful basket cost just $8 at 50% off via TJ Max. It was a bit scratched up, which sadly makes it perfect for my girls to store their library books... Then I don't have to stress that they will destroy a beautiful or expensive basket over time. 

The girls sprawl out nearby this basket, warming themselves atop the living room vents as they read. Making this one spot their reading nook means they put the book back into the basket as soon as they are finished, which means no lost books, and less overdue fees! 

We also keep our library book bag in this basket, and book marks nearby. 

It is amazing what a simple basket and a plan can do. It is one less stressor for me as I try to teach my girls responsibility...after all, nothing is more frustrating than lecturing over a misplaced book. Now we are all smiles and good books.

Speaking of good books, here are a few of my favorite library reads! *Big smile*

Hostess Gift: A DIY Basketful of Spring

Looking for the perfect hostess gift for that Spring party or Easter dinner you've been invited to?
I saw these gorgeous wire bags via Pottery Barn (currently no longer available), and thought it would make a lovely hostess gift! 
Even better, you can make 3 or 4 wire bags yourself for the cost of one roll of hardware cloth ($8-$14), rather than spend the $18- $25 per wire bag via Pottery Barn (depending on the size). 

(via Pottery Barn)

I love the idea of stocking these wire bags with everything one would need for a romantic picnic indoors. Crackers and cheese spreads, sparkling drink, chocolates, biscotti...whatever makes for a nice little evening in for your host and hostess. 

Another option would be to make a bigger heartier basket an entire family can enjoy. Fill it with things for the kids and parents to enjoy together as a family, or maybe something they can break out for the party itself....hostess choice. 

Making these baskets is much easier than you would think. It takes a moment to gain some "technique", but it is as simple as folding and weaving together two pieces of hardware cloth. The nice thing about making your own DIY wire bags (besides the oh-so-cheap cost) is being able to customize the size, shape, and color to your liking without spending more. 

Materials: All you need is a roll of hardware cloth from your local hardware store, some wire clippers or shears, and roll of picture frame hanging wire. 

Follow my tutorial for making wire baskets which can be found here. The only changes you will make is if you are using hardware cloth with smaller squares, then you need to use picture frame wire rather than the thicker galvanized steel wire. It allows you to more easily maneuver while weaving...you can also skip a few squares during the weaving process since they are so small.

One thing I don't show you in my wire basket tutorial is how to make these twisted handles. It is as easy as it looks! Simply twist together two pieces of galvanized steel wire (use the wire that comes with your hardware cloth, used to keep it wrapped up). Then thread your handle through one end of the basket and twist closed, and then the other end.

Once you are finished making your DIY wire bag, then comes the fun part! Decorating and filling it with goodies! You can weave some twine into your basket, or weave pretty ribbon around the handle for an extra festive touch.

I like to use a little moss or grass as an organic element to decorate with. It really lends that air of spring to it!

You are only limited by your creativity! I wanted to make a longer wire bag for french bread, one for a sparkling drink, and one for whatever whim came my way.

Perhaps you aren't making these as a hostess gift, maybe you are the hostess, and you want to create a pretty little spring vignette as a centerpiece for your dinner party. 

You could fill your baskets with floral and organic elements. Create your ideal centerpiece that brings all the beauty and fresh scents of spring! Ahhh spring. 

My First Time...at a HomeGoods Store

I stepped through the automatic doors, took one look around me and whispered "oooooh noooo, I've just been taken hostage...by AWESOME". I know, I know, I'm a nut. See, I've never been in a HomeGoods store before and I guess I had partially expected a shop of antique like trinkets and furniture a grandmother would buy. What was I thinking?? Well now here I was, standing smack in the middle of the doorway, mouth agape, taking in the breathtaking beauty of what could only be my dream shop. I positively floated down the aisles, pausing to ooh and ahh at the pretty goods, then OOOH and AHHH more loudly when I looked at a tag.
I know, I'm a bit melodramatic when it comes to home decorating, but give me a break, I've been pinching my pennies and patiently waiting 10 years to make the house of my dreams! I look for every deal I can get my paint stained little fingers on. 

I'm working on my living room makeover, and boy is this budget a tight one. Well, you were asking where I got these gorgeous baskets you saw during the bookcase makeover reveal. And now you know, for once I sprang for a little something-something for muah! The big basket was $16.99, and the smaller one was $11.99.

How awesome are these? They are perfect for holding my big fabric bolts, and wrapping paper. No more leaning them in random corners of my house then bolting around trying to remember where I left that particular paisley. And if you didn't already know, I'm a huge sucker for pretty wrapping paper...and not because I'm a big gifter (my friends will tell you I'm not), but because they are fantastic for a variety of craft projects. Speaking of which, I also found several cute wrapping paper rolls at HomeGoods.

I'm also excited to have found a pair of 96" curtain panels for half price! Yes, that is $12 for long curtains that will frame the sliding door from my living room to my deck perfectly! *contented sigh*

Hey, in case you were wondering, HomeGoods did not put me up to this, I just thought you'd get a kick out of hearing my first ever HomeGoods experience. I mean, what warm blooded woman doesn't enter a strictly home decor store until she's 31?  *emphatic head shake* Its just not natural. Ok, but it was necessary...I needed to be sure we were complete debt free and had a savings before I introduced myself to kryptonite. Ask me in a few months if we still have a savings... *joking*

CD Storage

I seem to have a sudden multiplication of CD's lying around the house lately. Ugh, it's like we've never heard of an iPod (!!). Between recorded talks, and family members feeding my kids brand new music collection obsession, CD's are popping up with an alarming Tribble-like rate (sorry, my inner Trekkie emerging). I can no longer fit them in my CD "tower" (if you can call it that). So I thought it was time for a better, more attractive storage method. See those fantastic little fabric covered boxes on my newly completed bookcase (which you can read all about here)? Yep, that is my new hidden/attractive/effective CD storage!! Hey, if you have to keep them around, then why not make it less annoying to look at?

CD Storage Before
I hate to show you this... *head hang of shame*
This is how I was storing my CD's before. I can't even call this storage, it was more like stuffing miscellaneous disc's into any nook I could find. To be fair, it was mostly the kids fault. Yes, I just threw them under the bus on that one.  *cheeky grin*

With the work I've been doing on my living room, I am loathe to spend another penny...even on an organizing task. So while there are several types of CD cases that would be very nice to use, they will cost me more than a few dollars, and then I will need to purchase more storage for all those cased CD's.

For my needs, the cheapest solution, paper envelopes will do just fine. For those who may have different needs, I like the clear mostly round plastic holders.
I purchased these simple white disc envelopes from Staples, 50 sleeves for $7.79 (before rebates & coupons). These thin sleeves will allow me to pack the CD's in and get the much needed space! Truth be told, I don't use these disc's all that often, but some are computer software, or pictures from family that I'm pretty sure I'll get in trouble if I throw out.

I love these fabric covered boxes...the fabric reminds me of a suit. These are actually mini drawer boxes to an organizer I found at a thrift store several years ago. I use the drawer frame and the boxes separately for different storage purposes because I always prefer open storage.

Each box has a different category of disc's, so there was no need for me to create dividers. One is dedicated to computer software & games, one is for music & speakers, one is for DVD's, and the last is for pictures & miscellaneous disc's. 
I originally labeled them, but honestly we know which is which, so in keeping with simple decor I removed the labels and let the simplicity of an organized system speak for itself. 

Now all my disc's are neatly tucked away, never to be scratched or lost amid the mountain of CD's again!
Who doesn't love a quick and oh-so-easy organizing task?