Gifts for under $30!

Okay - not everyone is crafty. I get that. I myself have battled a glue gun or two. Projects don't always turn out as nice as we would like and certainly not nice enough for gift giving standards.

So for those of you who are not in tune with your crafty side I have come up with a list of great gift items that are all under $30. Yes - 3 to the 0.

This best part about these gifts is that they look more expensive then they are. No one will ever know that you spent so little....unless your like me and accidentally leave the tag on!

Under $30
The jeweled peacock from Anthropologie
Peace Cake from Fred Flare
Self Watering Pot from Urban Outfitters

Under $25
Wall mounted fish bowl from Target
Cheers wine glasses from CB2
Around clock from MOMA

Under $15
Miniature Herb Garden from Delight.com
Elf Candleholder from CB2
Bodum Pavina tumblers from Crate and Barrel

Be sure to check back in a week or two when I post the best under $30 items from online crafters and artist. It's homemade - just not in your home.

Until then...happy shopping!

What do you mean these books are free?

I have recently rediscovered a long lost friend from childhood. My local library.

When I was a child I visited our neighborhood library in NY often. It was walking distance from our house and seemed to have an unlimited supply of Judy Blume books for me to read.

We recently moved to a small New England town and I decided to visit the town library (pictured above). I'm glad I did! They have a wonderful selection of DVDs - many new titles and classics that you can't find at your local video store. There are rows and rows of cookbooks and crafting books available. Town information (voting, stats and upcoming events) are available as well.

The most exciting thing about our library is that I can access it from home! By going on to the website and logging in my library card number I can browse the catalog. Not only my branch but all of the ones in Central Massachusetts. I can request books from other branches that they will ship to my library and notify me via email when it has arrived. I can renew and update my list at anytime by logging on to the site.

The library in our town also has a yearly sale of books people have brought in through the year. Thousands upon thousands of books! I went on the last day of the sale this year and for $5 I was able to fill a bag with all the books I could.

So - visit your local library - it is well worth it.

Oh yeah - and it's FREE!

Let there be light!

Eddie Ross - former Top Design Contestant and a Senior Style Editor at Martha Stewart Living posted this wonderful DIY/budget friendly/genius idea for revamping a lampshade. This would be really simple for anyone to do and more importantly - really inexpensive!

Before & After - Custom Lampshades, Three Ways

Posted using ShareThis

Oh by gosh, by golly....

That's right - it's almost time for mistletoe and holly! The holidays are right around the corner and it is time to get shopping and crafting!

I plan on doing a lot of homemade gifts this year. Money is tight and I always feel it is a little more personal - not that folks don't love a new sweater this time of year!

Here are some ideas for your gift list!

DIY personalized calendar courtesy of A Little Hut
Fabric Covered Journals from Country Living (image above)
Holiday Crafts from Amy Butler
Quick Quilt from J Caroline Creative

Crafty and creative is the way to go.

Money is tight and Santa is laying off elves.

Yay - I have a blog!

This is super exciting. Although the title of this first post sounds like something I should have a doctor look at. Eww.

So - after years of reading everyone else's blogs I have decided to start one of my own. I have been a fan of crafting and design blogs for quite some time. There are lots of people out there with great ideas - and I will be linking you to lots of them! This blog will about crafting and design and how you don't have to break the bank to achieve either.

As a museum exhibit designer at a small history museum I am very often doing my job with a tight budget. The same goes for my own home! I decorate and design using items I find in thrift shops and at yard sales. I even make things myself which adds a special one-of-a-kind touch to everything.

I look forward to sharing my thoughts and ideas with you. I hope to hear from you as well!