Minor Changes and a Gift Wrap Idea

I went thrifting today! Yay! It isn't often that I feel compelled to tote my toddler around to potential break-happy zones, but I bit the bullet and did it. He was...alright...and I did score a few treasures.

This vintage white mirror was one of them. Only $1.49!

Here's the Before...

and another Before...

I'm constantly changing this thing! Anyway, while the books {from the first and second pictures} have yet to grow on me, which do you prefer? Brown or white mirror? I'd love to hear what you think!

While we're here, I'd love to share another quick budget-friendly idea! This is a card alternative. Everyone knows the price of greeting cards keeps climbing {and can frankly be out of control}, so awhile ago I started using these instead!

Library cards and pockets are available at my local teacher supply store. I pick them up there for literally pennies {I think it's like $.03/card and maybe $.05/pocket}! I simply write a quick note on the card, slip it into the pocket and attach it to my package. They come in a wide variety of colors, so they work great for almost any occasion! I love using them for baby shower gifts {especially when the person receiving the gift is a teacher}.

Think of them as the new "library card"! Yep! I'm a cheese ball...

I Steal From Little Boys, for the Sake of Design!

So...I'm a horrible mama, and I may have just lost my "Mommy of the Year Award" with this one!

I was recently looking at our dining room shelves and decided that, although I love that some of the vintage vases and bowls we collected for our wedding are on display, the shelves may be lacking texture.

While changing Preston today, I spotted this in his room.

Then, I stole it! Now, I have nothing against softball. In fact, I played it all through elementary and all four years of high school. I even played on a co-ed league during college {I must add that I am by no means a pro, but I give it my best shot}! My father still plays on a league, and we go to watch every chance we can. I want Preston to love the sport and grow up with it like I did. My dad lived{s} for the game. Growing up, we were drug to every tournament, double-header, and all-nighter he played. I loved to stand behind the fence and race after the ball when my daddy hit a home run. Later, he used to make me go to sleep with my mitt under my mattress and toss the ball above my head {while laying in bed} one hundred times a night {so I wouldn't be afraid of it coming at my face}. Anyway, I'm off subject, but I felt the desire to explain that before I show you what I did to this poor, poor ball.

The pictures will pretty much sum it up...

When finished, I noticed a huge problem. It looked more like a GIANT lemon than a topiary ball.{CRAFT TIP: If you want to make jute lemons, use baseballs and not softballs.} Then, a lemon shaped light bulb came on in my head. I grabbed this...

Yes, I know this is sideways. I cannot seem to fix the issue.



Adding just a bit of detail, and to distract from the lemon nubs on each end, I wrapped the green twine around the center a few times.

Now, it reminds me more of a coconut! I'm not saying this is a good thing, but I guess it does add some texture to our shelves and helps balance out the brown metal mirror. I have no idea how long this pathetic little craftcapade will stay there though. Gosh, those shelves do not seem to bow so much in person!



On a happier note, we are making headway on the dresser in my studio {I swear everything always takes three days longer than I plan on}. Remember this?

Well, it was primed.

It's also been painted, and the new knobs are on! I'm really liking it, but I have to put everything back together, so that post will come soon. I promise, because remember my dining room table?

It's still about half that full, and we need to eat dinner there again at some point!