Stuff to Buy at Goodwill: Make Your Own Fancy Cards!

 Here is another post in the "Stuff to buy at Good Will" Series!

Check out the aisle with the office supplies and cards!
You can often find whole wedding invitation kits for a down and dirty price.

 You don't have to have a wedding in your future to use the lovely paper, notecards, stickers, and other great stuff in those boxes.

How To Save $$ on Patio Planters!

Yikes!  

Have you SEEN the cost of already planted patio planters at the nursery or Farmer's Market?

There are at least eight big patio planters here that need plants!

Even at $25 a pop....that would be a budget breaker for me!

Here is my lower cost solution for big good looking planters!

I use perennials for accent plants.

Yup....

all those plants that need dividing in the big gardens find a temporary home in the planters!

Spring Painting Projects

I never knew that I could emulate Pablo Picasso.

In fact....I am JUST LIKE Pablo Picasso!

Seriously.....read the quote!

I paint things not as I see them....but how I think them!


I have always envied artist who can paint pictures.
Alas....that is not a talent that I will ever have.

BUT....give me a can of Spray Paint and a beautiful sunny day....and I can make things look the way I think them.

I have been really busy painting STUFF around Sweetwater!

Reupholstery: Should You or Shouldn't You?

We have a nice little chair here that originally came from the thrift store.
It is a nice size.  It fits into small spaces.
It is reasonably comfortable for an occasional chair.
It has a caned back which made it simple to just make a new cushion cover to fit with the decor.
(Would you believe this is the best photo of the chair I could find in my archives?)

Alas....Marvin has decided that the caned back of the chair is a terrific scratching post!!!

Remind me again why we love our pets!? 

 I knew that having the chair recaned not worth it for a thrift store chair.

Or more to the point....to reupholster or not?

How To: Mantle Decor

 Did you know that there are RULES for decorating a mantle?

Yeah....who knew?

I have been decorating my mantle for years....and never knew that there are rules I should be following!!!!

I know this because?
I ran across this blog post from THRIFTY CHICK DECOR
and
This one from TIDBITS AND TWINE

so I went back in the blogging time machine to see how my past mantles have followed the rules I didn't know I was supposed to follow!


It was enlightening!

I especially noticed how less than marvelous the photos are!

I really am trying to improve my photography!!!

But back to the subject at hand!

The Ultimate Teacher Appreciation!

Well....you know I can't just sit around blogging all day!

So...I do some other stuff too!

I have the privilege of serving on the St. Louis Park Public School Foundation Board.

The foundation is dedicated to enhancing learning for the students in St. Louis Park.

There are a variety of fundraising efforts that make granting money to teachers possible.

One of the programs we sponsor is "Gratitude Greetings".  Parents/students can donate to the foundation and send a personalized message of thanks to the staff who make such a difference in our schools.  I know personally how touching it is to receive a heartfelt message from a student or parent.  It really does have a greater impact than another personalized coffee mug!

But talk about teacher appreciation!

The man in the photo below is Thomas Friedman.

He is a three-time Pulitzer Prize winning journalist.

Almost No Sew Removable Ottoman Cover

It's time for Part Two of the Kate Spade inspired mini-redo of the guest bedroom.

Yesterday was all about pink polka dots!

Today....it is all about green and white stripes!

 You have to admit that these two prints are iconically Kate Spade!

This is the green and white fabric that I found for accents in the room.

I did want a little brighter green more like the color on the Kate Spade bag....

BUT....when you find something this close to the inspiration and it only costs $.90 a yard...

YES...$.90 a yard...

There was really no question about the purchase!

I liked the idea of an upholstered ottoman to sit in front of the love seat!

This little bench turned ottoman is the perfect size!

Kate Spade Guest Bedroom Refresh

My latest project is one of those domino effect deals!

You know.....like the "If You Give A Mouse a Cookie" scenario! 

The Sweetwater version goes like this....

I bought this great looking pink polka dot fabric to make some fun place mats to go with the Desert Rose dishes we inherited from Mr. S's mom.

But then....I found this fabric in the stash....and these place mats at the thrift store for $.99!
So now I have eight plain pink mats and there will be eight more reversible ones as soon as I finish making them.

No need to make the polka dot placemats....

What to do??

Pinterest exploration of course!

Eureka!

My pink polka dots are so VERY Kate Spade!

The fabric was the perfect inspiration for a mini-makeover in the guest bedroom.

Indoor Planting

I have a LOVE HATE relationship with April!

It is a hard month for gardeners in Minnesota!

Some days the temperatures soar.....I tiptoe around the yard doing a happy dance!

The next day....snow showers cover the tulips and pachysandra....brrrrr!

My green thumb is understandably itchy!

Two Reasons for my Blogging Break!

Some of you may have been wondering....

"Where in the world has Sweetwater Style been these last weeks?"