Extreme Makeover: Blog Edition

I love our new blog header! It was simple (once I got the hang of it and Bicho took a nap) and fun to do. If I am motivated enough, I will change it out with different pictures for each season or holiday. But I must give credit where credit is due. I found Clover Lane while blog hopping one early morning when Bicho wouldn't go back to sleep and wanted to swing instead. She has a great tutorial on how to make your own collage/blog header that is unique to you and your family without paying someone else to do it (or buying an expensive computer program). I am so excited I found her! I  feel like I share many of her values and thoughts on family life. Isn't it like a breath of fresh air when you find another woman who values virtue, thrift and the sacred calling of being a mother? Visit her blog! You'll love it! And you'll learn how to make a fun header for your blog :)

Lighten Up!

When I saw this project from Joy of Joys of Home I knew I wanted to duplicate it to add beauty to my own home. I had a little bit of trouble finding the necessary parts, so I'll tell you where I got mine in case you want to do it yourself! It was so much fun seeing this project come together. Here is what I started out with...

I found some fake candles at Savers (a local thrift store) - I bought three, but only two worked! From this, I learned a valuable lesson - always ask about the return policy. I tried to return the one that didnt work a day too late. But since I got them at $0.99 a piece, I just chalked it up to a beginner's mistake. After spray painting the fake candles, I bought 4" socket covers for candelabras (I got mine at Home Depot for $2.98 and they come in a package of two) that looks like a melting candle. For a light, I went to JoAnns Fabric Store and bought their "Best Value" silicone candle bulbs. It cost $0.98 for a package of two (!), which was a pleasant surprise. I expected them to cost so much more! Joy has pictures of the packages on her website, in case you need more of a visual on what you are looking for!

Project total : $ 6.93

And my finished result turned out like this...

This project was so simple and inexpensive! Even my husband was amazed at how great the candles looked without hardly any work and money! If you do decide to do the project, be sure to thank Joy on her blog for her inspiring work! And of course, let me know how yours turn out so I can share in your creativity!