Easy Fall Home Decor

The cooler weather is on its way and with that comes the smell of autumn leaves, warm cider, and the beautiful rich colors. Here are a few ideas that go passed the pumpkins and leaves to make your home an autumn oasis.







Add coffee beans to your candle centerpieces. (Notice the woven basket used a riser.) You can also use candy corn pieces.

The Loopy Ewe

Debbie Mumm

Use a fall colored scarf as a table runner, or even a piece of burlap or old wooden board!

Good Housekeeping

Design Sherpa

Living with Lindsay

Add some unique tree branches to large vases or planters. If the branches are strong enough, you can even hang votive cups from it with wire.

Simple Solutions

Use large chunks of branches or tree to create a unique centerpiece.

Apartment Therapy

Or use just one wooden slab with candles and some fall accents. This idea looks really cute

with candles in a mason jar, gourds and fall flowers.

Design Sponge

Make sure to dress up the outside of your home too, not just the inside! Use cornstalks, mums, wagon wheels, garlands, season appropriate wreaths, burlap, pumpkins, gourds and more. You can even change your "Welcome Mat" to one more appropriate for the season.

Calla Magazine

Viette's Beautiful Gardens

This pumpkin has been covered with artificial flowers to make a festive centerpiece!

Fill a large bowl with everything autumn--- leaves, small gourds, berries, pine cones, and acorns.

Sullivan and Murphy

 

Use orchard's bushel baskets as planters for your mums and other fall flowers. 

Hensler Nursery

Use patterned paper and large letters in mix-n-match frames to create a festive addition to any autumn decoration.

Tatertots & Jello

Bed Time Story- A Book Themed Baby Shower

Start a library for the baby with this book themed shower.

1) Encourage guests to include a children's book in place of a card. By signing the inside of the book, the baby and parents will always remember the guests that helped create the library of books that were read to the child. Suggest that the book they bring is one of their favorites as child.

2) Decorate each table as if it were a bed. Use bed sheets or linen table cloths to "make the bed." Complete the look with a pillow, books, and a stuffed animal on one end. To save space, the tables can be pushed up against the wall with the pillow propped up as if it were resting on a headboard. Hostess with the Mostess

3) Use foam, plastic or wooden letters painted to match the color scheme. Set up random letters on each table for an ABC look.

4) Scatter children's books around the room. Remember to keep them away from areas that could cause them to get ruined-- beside a punch bowl for example.

5) Give away DIY personalized bookmarks as favors.

6) Pick a few favorites and create themed tables or food: Dr. Seuss, Curious George, Peter Rabbit, Pokey Little Puppy, etc. CraftPad

7) For a fun game, make copies of graphics from famous children's book and play "Name That Character."

Care for a Cup of Tea? A Tea Party Themed Baby Shower

1) Shop local thrift stores for as many of the items you'll need as possible.
        - Pick up mismatch tea cups, plates, sauces, teapots, crystal, cake stands, etc.
        - Look around for old bedsheets in vintage patterns. Of course, check for cleanliness and quality. Be    
           sure to look for toile or any pastel floral print.

2) Doilies and lace at place settings or with centerpieces add an old-fashioned feel.

3) Use soft pastels for dishes (whether real or disposable), flowers, invitations, and other details for the party.

4) Use cake stands, oversized tea cups, teapots and more create beautiful centerpieces. Fill with flowers, bows, etc. A Bloom in Time

5) Beautiful cloths or wallpaper can become a table runner. Wedding Bee

6) Turn over women's hats and fill with flowers and/or baby items.

7) For a whimsical feel, add dragonflies, butterflies and bumble bees.

8) A few coordinating candles and create a warm atmosphere for your tea party.

9) Add a few rabbits, pocket watches, & butterflies to connect your shower to the famous movie.

Bzzzzzzzz! A Bee Themed Baby Shower

For the "Baby-to-Bee" that is as "Cute-as-can-Bee," try a bumble bee and honey theme. It's especially cute if the baby's name will begin with the letter B.


Check out: Sweet T Events for photos of a baby shower that used this theme on a tight budget.
1) Create a bee-hive out of a balloon, yarn or streamer, and store bought bumblebees...

 Frost Me

2) Serve food on yellow supplies with black tableclothes, or vice versa.

 The Little Things

 Manolo Brides

3) Serve honey themed, yellow or "B" foods (Brownies, bagels, biscotti, banana, brocolli, beans, berries, etc).

4) Create a yellow and black candy buffet. Jelly beans, black licorice, lemon heads, lemon drops, oreos and others will make a great selection.

 Design Dazzle

5) Embrace rich black, white and yellow fabrics. Check out toile or damask. Add yellow grosgrain ribbon for a nice accent.

6) A beehive shaped cake will be the hit of the party, especially if surrounded by bee cupcakes or cookies.

7) Add yellow and white flowers or poms to centerpieces. Make it even more fitting by adding small bees to the flowers.

Frost Me

8) Teddy bears can be used to create a honey themed centerpiece. Buy a small wooden pot at a craft store, fill with yellow hot glue, add a small twig as a stir stick, and attach a bumble bee or two.

9) Find great craft ideas here.  The balloon bumblebees are adorable!

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! A Baby Shower Fit for a Prince or Princess...

Think Pink! or Think Blue!

1) Make the cake in the shape of a castle, or create a diaper cake that looks like one. You could also do a pillow with a crown, or a frog cake! Simply Sweets                                           Piece-A-Cake

2) Spray paint sand castle molds to be used as centerpieces.

3) Make or cover pillows to look like a pillow that a crown would be presented on. Remember fancy fabrics, cords, and tassels really make the look!

4) Add frogs around the room for a fairy tale feel.

5) Make crowns or purchase some from a fast food restaurant. Paint them or decorate them. They can be used to put around vases or pots of flowers.

6) For a princess party, add shiny confetti, jewels and sparkles. You can also add pink feather boas for a girly addition.

Quack Quack! A Duck Baby Shower

Guests will be waddling to a baby shower with these ducky ideas!

1) Float rubber ducks in blue punch.

 

Your Complete Party

2) Fill vases, fish bowls, or other clear glass containers with white styrofoam balls of various sizes. Place a rubber duck (of an appropriate size) on the top.

 

Hostess with the Mostess

3) Float blue balloons in the air.

4) Place blue vases with yellow daises, tulips or roses on tables as centerpieces.

5) Buy ducks of all kinds during Easter when they're easy to find!

6) The illusion of water can be made around ducks on a table by using blue decorative marbles or blue basket fill.

7) Laminate large orange duck feet and secure them to the floor with a sign saying "Waddle This Way."

8) Neatly fold and stack white, yellow or blue towels and place them on a table with a rubber duck on top.

9) Use a wash tub as a cooler to serve drinks out out.

10) Use smaller washtubs with basket fill or even real water and rubber ducks as centerpieces. Add bottles of lotion, bath wash, etc. to the centerpiece for a complete bath time look. The bottles can then be given to the mom as a gift.

11) Create a cake that looks like a bathtub or pond and "float" rubber ducks on top. If you've created a bathtub, don't forget the bubbles!

 Harlow's Bakery

12) Serve all yellow food: egg salad, lemon fingers, lemonade, deviled eggs, chicken noodle soup, etc.

There's a Baby Blooming-- Flower Themed Baby Shower

Is everything coming up roses?? Here are some ideas to help you plan a flower themed baby shower.

1) Buy potted plants to use as centerpieces. Wrap the pots with fabric and attach with a beautiful matching bow. After the shower, give some of the plants away--- or use them as prices. You can also take some of them home and plant them in your flowerbeds.

2) If using silk flowers, search dollar stores for bundles of flowers. Use a pair of scissors to trim up any frayed edges.  If you desire to buy more expensive flowers, sign up for coupons from the store you'll be buying them from.

3) Five balloons can be attached to make them look like the petals of a flower, with a balloon of a different color as the center of the flower. These can be used in an entry way, or around the exterior of the room or party area.

4) Decorate cheap flower pots with bows, fabric and baby items as centerpieces.

5) Cakes can be made into flowers in many different ways. Create a garden look on the cake with artificial flowers, decorate one big cake to look like a flower, make small flowers on cupcakes, or create edible flowers out of soft candies and toothpicks.

6) Make tissue paper flowers for decorations around the room, on tables or to mark a mailbox.

7) Make a baby bootie bouquet.

8) Use a flower pen to sign the guest book.

E-I-E-I-O... A Barnyard Baby Shower

Are you trying to create a farm like Old McDonald's?? Try some of these ideas!

1) Decorate your venue with straw and straw baskets, and galvanized buckets! Fill with flowers, baby items, material (gingham, paisley, or cow print) or stuffed animals.

2) Complete your decorating with stuffed cows, horses and other farm animals.

3) Make a small sheet cake into the shape of a barn and then use cupcakes as animals around the barn. Make chicks, pigs, or lambs. Here's a picture for inspiration, or try this.

4) Ask all of your friends that have kids if they have any farm toys you can borrow! Most little boys have some type of tractors, animals, or cowboy toys.... To mark who loaned you what, put their name or initials on a piece of masking tape on the bottom of each piece. This way, the toy isn't permanently marked. Don't worry if they don't all match!

5) Look around antique stores & garage sales and ask friends & neighbors if they have old barn wood, wagon wheels, or small hay bales that you could borrow. This can create adorable entry decorations or to spruce up the decor around the room.

6) Create themed food: chicken feed (chex mix), hay (pretzels), and vegetables (garden). Get creative!

7) Hit Easter sales (if timing allows) for stuffed animals, baskets, and more. Many stores offer stuffed chicks, lambs, cows and other animals for Easter. You might also be able to find great favors!

8) Cow or handkerchief scrapbook paper can be used as place mats or  to emphasize a centerpiece.

Monkey-in' Around... Monkey Themed Baby Shower

The idea of decorating with monkeys has several options-- sock monkeys, brown cartoon monkeys, a full jungle theme or monkeys with bananas. You have to decide what branch of the tree you want to climb!



1) Decorate with bundles of bananas. Then, send some home with any guests that will take them!


2) Decorate cupcakes to look like cute monkey faces!! Or make a large cake in the shape of a banana!


3) Have small bowls of the banana candies (bought separately in candy stores) on tables for guests to enjoy during the shower.


4) If using sock monkeys, use browns, whites and reds. Incorporate the use of an old red wagon, or small red bicycle. Stars, stripes and polka dots work well also!

5) If using monkeys with bananas, create a rich feel with chocolate brown and yellow!

6) If using brown jungle monkeys, you may want to create a color pallete-- such as blue and yellow! http://www.modmonkeypartysupplies.com/

7) If using a full jungle theme, embrace the use of animal prints, palm trees, and all jungle animals-- giraffes, lions, hippos, elephants, etc.

8) Check out Oriental Trading for items such as these palm trees, or this inflatable monkey.

Thing 1, Thing 2, Or Does Horton Hear a Who?

Who doesn't just love Dr. Seuss!?!? Here are some fun ideas to really embrace the creativity of Dr. Seuss into your party!

The party should be decked out crisp red, blue and white! Polka dots, striped and solids work well for this theme. Each table in the room can be decorated for you favorite books, as well as foods inspired by different stories!


1) Serve devilled eggs with green filling! (Green Eggs & Ham)

2) Find your local teacher supply store for Dr. Seuss signs and wall hangings! You might also find pencils, bookmarks, or other items that make great favors!

3) Decorate cupcakes in red wrappers with blue fluffy cotton candy on top. (Thing1 Thing 2)

4) Use mint savers and red gummy savers in an alternating pattern (two of each) to look like the Hat from The Cat in the Hat. Set them on top of a white covered cookie-- maybe a white chocolate covered chocolate cream cookie. These can be used to decorate the top of a cupcake, or just as cute snack!

5)Stuffed animals that are Dr. Seuss themed are often sold at Kohl's department store. Also, look at garage sales, toy stores, and remember to ask all of your friends---especially those with kids! These can be used to enhance an adorable centerpiece.

6) Borrow, buy or check out Dr. Seuss books to set up around the room!

7) Buy a set of Dr. Seuss stickers or print off small pictures of themed graphics and create picks for food or cupcakes by adhering them to toothpicks.

8) Fluff, boas, and cotton balls in blue or pink can be used to create the idea of Horton Hears a Who or Thing 1 Thing 2.

9) Paper lanterns or balloons can be hung from the ceiling for dramatic polka dots! Also, scrapbook paper can be cut into various shaped circles and set on the table around the centerpiece.

10) Companies such as Oriental Trading sell hats that look similar to the "Cat in the Hat" Hat. They would make cute party favors! Or could be used as decor!

11) A fish bowl of sweedish fish or a similar candy could be used for "One Fish Two Fish."

Check out this blog!

Yee-Haw! Western Baby Shower

Giddy Up!! Here are a few unique ideas to help you with your western baby shower!

1) Serve your guests western style with cornbread, chili, chicken wings, potatoes, chips and salsa.

2) You can also give the shower an old fashioned touch with homemade root beer or ice cream or spice it up with a salsa bar with different kinds of salsa.

3) Use bundles or bales of hay as decor around the room, or smaller one for decor on the tables.

4) Tip cowboy hats upside down or use cowboy boots and fill with flowers or baby items for a centerpiece.

5) Use red or blue bandannas as napkins.

Choo Choo! Baby Shower Ideas

Here are a few ideas for that Train themed baby shower you have to throw.

1) Cover your table with a white table cloth and make train tracks with black construction paper or streamers running down the middle of the table.

2) Use a train shaped cookie cutter to cut your foods into trains! Try cookies, brownies, sandwiches, cheese, etc.

3) Serve food on blue or denim colored plates/napkins/cups.

4) Dress a big stuffed bear in overalls and a red bandanna so he can be the conductor.

5) Set up a toy train set on the sign in table or cake table. Borrow one if you don't have one. The day after Thanksgiving or after Christmas would be a great time to buy if you want to purchase it!

6) Create train tracks on the floor in the room with black electrical tape. The tracks can lead from the front door, to the sign in table, gift table, cake table, food table, etc.

Party Planning--- A baby shower!

Trying to plan a baby shower on a budget?? Here are a few things that might help!

1) Buy a little at a time. Instead of buying everything for the shower at once, but a few things every time you go to the store. It will be much easier on the pocket book if you spent $5-$10 every week instead of $100 or more at once! Buy things that will keep well and store them in a safe place! One idea is to get a tote and keep it accessible to add items as you find/buy them.

2) Purchase items at discount stores. All your party supplies don't need to be purchased at a party supply store. Try dollar stores, dollar sections, Wal-Mart, Big Lots, etc. They have great deals! You can purchase things such as streamers, balloons, table cloths, basket fill, place settings, and more and save a big hunk of change! You will definitely want to check the durability and quality of some of these--- you don't want Aunt Betty trying to eat cake with a broken fork!

3) Plan early. Decide on a theme early in the game and plan quickly. This will allow more time to buy in advance and to shop for good deals! For example, if the baby shower will be in the middle of the year or later and you know you're hosting a bunny or duck themed shower, you can take advance of Easter deals for some decor or favors.

4) Use games as part of your gift. If you're playing a memory or pricing game, use the items to memorize or guess the price of as part of the gift you're giving the mom-to-be. Use a game that incorporates baby bottles to start off the mom's needed supply.

5) Utilize some of the decorations as the gift, also. You can hang a clothesline full of baby clothes, display clothes as a centerpiece, decorate with stuffed animals/books, fill baby bottles with tissue paper or candies, and more. Get creative! Centerpieces definitely make the atmosphere of the room, but you can still save money on them!

6) Add some pizazz to your table by placing a piece of colorful scrapbook paper that corresponds with your themes/colors at each place setting. It's cheaper than place mats and can be tossed after the shower. Also, shop for cheap material (by the yard or in the scrap bins) that matches or looks good with your colors or theme and can be used to spruse up your tables!

7) Design your own invitations (and other necessary paper products.) Design companies can charge as much as $2 for an invitation, so they can become a big part of your budget. Take a few hours to learn a design program such as Photoshop or something as simple as Microsoft Picture It! Premium (found on most Dell computers). Then look around online for an inspiration of what you want your invite to look like, decide on a size, create a design, buy some cardstock and envelopes (found at an office supply store) and you're ready to go!

8) Make your own food! Some caterers will charge $5 or more a person for a shower's meal--- and most budgets won't allow for that! Make ham salad/egg salad sandwiches, serve veggies & fruits, chip and dips, cheese ball and crackers, etc. Of course a cute baby shower idea is to serve a themed meal-- all the same color, baby themed or baby sized.

9) Use the theme of the nursery as the theme of the shower. Then ask the mom if she has already purchased decorations that can be used to help decorate the shower.

10) Make your own cake-- or cupcakes! A bundle of cupcakes can be dressed up by placing them in a shape that correlates with the shower--- a fish, a monkey head, a baby's rattle, a duck, a teddy bear, flowers, etc. You can also decorate each cupcake to look like a cute baby's face!

11) Host the shower from your home or privately owned facility instead of renting a hall or banquet room. Of course, the area will need to be large enough for your guest list and have a flow that will work for a party of this nature.

Yard sale the right way

Are you a "yard saler??" Do you know what to look for when shopping through others' unwanted items? Remember, this is something that someone else didn't want--and there may be a logical reason why it's in the yard sale. Here are some tips and tricks so that you're not left with a piece of junk that's "non-returnable!!"

Baby clothes-
Look for stains around the neck of the outfit--this is a common location of stains that can become
deal breakers
Check to see if all zippers, snaps, buttons, etc are working and still attached properly--- check in
the bottom area of a onesie to make sure that snaps haven't been ripped off
Examine garment for any holes, rips, stains, etc.
Examine garment to make sure its been washed properly---has it become short and wide? Have
the colors bled? Is it an item that will become difficult for you to wash?

Furniture, Wall Hangings, Etc-
Check that all hardware is included and working properly--hinges, handles, pegs, posts, shelves,
and so on. If it's a picture frame or wall decor, is the glass in good condition? Do the pegs that
hold the glass in place work properly and are they all there?
Examine the wood (or material) to make sure its in good condition--is the wood painted? split?
bowed? swollen? can it be easily stripped and stained if you are planning to change the color?
Is the material/cloth ripped? Torn? Stretched? Stained? Smell bad? Covered in animal hair?
Speckled with cigarette burn marks? --- Check under cushions and pillows because you may
be surprised what's hiding. Maybe a grape soda stain?

Adult clothes-
Check to see if all zippers, snaps, buttons, etc are working and still attached properly.
Examine garment for any holes, rips, stains, etc.
Examine garment to make sure its been washed properly---has it become short and wide? Have
the colors bled? Is it an item that will become difficult for you to wash? Is it dry clean only?
Hand wash?
Hold the article of clothing up to-- Are the sleeves a good length? Does the garment hit you
where you want it to or is it too short/too long/too wide? Does the neck of the shirt suit you?
Is it a material/fit that's going to hug your body in all the wrong places? Have the bottoms of
the pants been cut to fit the previous owner? Do the cuffs of the sleeves, hem of the pants or
neck of the shirt have an area that won't lay straight or that will need ironing for each wear?

Shoes, Purses, Accessories-
Do the shoes have straps that will be uncomfortable? Is the heel on the shoe secured well or does
it appear it might break soon? Are the soles of the shoes worn out and slick?
Check the purse for rips, stains, busted pockets, sturdy straps, etc.
Do the clasps/closures function properly?

When shopping, just remember that you're looking through items that someone else didn't want and there may be a reason why. Try to find that reason!

New Uses for... a cake stand

Uses for a Cake Stand

Set a mood. Use cake stands as platforms for votive and pillar candles in assorted sizes.

Exhibit your treasures. Display your collections--old toys, jewelry, Christmas ornaments, etc.

Remind yourself to do what you have to do. Place a cake stand (or two) on a table near the front door to hold letters to be mailed, bills to be paid, and your shopping list.

Show off. Display small photos and mementos, which look more important on a platform.

Raise the bar. Heighten the appeal of guest soaps and washcloths, or even use one to display your condiments for guests at a family get together.

Feel pretty. Organize your perfume bottles or jewelry on an elevated tray on the vanity table or dresser.

New Uses for.... Ziploc Bags

Use Ziploc Bags to:

1. Knead dough. Place dough in a Ziploc bag so your fingers don’t get sticky. Or slip your hand into the bag and wear it like a glove.
2. Store panty hose. Nude, Tan, Nearly Naked―they look the same out of the package. Tear off the corner of the package listing the brand, size, and color, then slip it into a bag. Store each pair in its own bag to keep hose organized and prevent snags.
3. Remove chewing gum or candle wax from a tablecloth, a couch, or carpeting. Gently rub gum or wax with a Ziploc bag filled with ice cubes until the substance hardens. Shatter gum with a blunt object, then vacuum up the chips. Carefully peel off frozen wax with a plastic spatula.
4. Pipe frosting. Snip off a tiny corner to use a Ziploc as a pastry bag.
5. Store homemade soup. Fill up bags, then lay them flat in the freezer. When the bags of soup freeze flat, you’ll be able to pile them up like stacked books for easy, space-saving storage.
6. Protect precious cargo. No bubble wrap? Slip a straw into the top of a nearly closed Ziploc bag and inflate. Remove the straw and seal to make a cushion. (Heirlooms, however, should wait for that bubble wrap.)
7. Break up graham crackers or vanilla wafers to make a piecrust. Fill a bag with the cookies, then roll a rolling pin over it.
8. Prevent a handbag from turning into a snow globe. Store pressed powder and other compacts in Ziploc bags.
9. Gather herbs from the garden. Before winter frost sets in, wash, pat dry, and freeze the herbs in Ziploc bags.
10. Ice an injury. Fill a bag with ice cubes to create a cold compress.

Re-Arrange a Room

With all the decorating shows out there that demonstrate how you can spend $500, $1000, or even $5000 to re-do a room, many of us having the desire to re-decorate a room in our home--if not the whole house. Well, let's be honest--- who has that kind of money to spend?? Not many of us! With that being said, let's see how the furniture you already own can be re-arranged to form a room with a different feel, a different flow.

The size of this room is quite unique. It's a lengthy room with three doorways- the front door, an extra wide doorway to the dining room, and a doorway to the hallway and stairwell. The furniture in the living room consists of two identical couches, a TV table and tower, one recliner, a glider rocker, and a few end tables.

Before the room rearrange, all the furniture was along the outside walls, making an open walk way and room, but not a very warm or "home-y" feeling space. By pulling the furniture up and creating a room divider with one of the couches, the size of the space utilized as a living room decreased and all walkways through the space were eliminated. By doing so, the atmosphere of the room was changed, just as the home owner wanted. Also, an entry way and designated walkway through the room was created- rather than having numerous walkways through the living space.

The couches were placed in an "L" shape with an end table in the corner of them. One of the end tables (with extra storage inside and shelves on the front) was able to be used as a coffee table in front of the couches. The TV table and tower were slid into a corner to make the most of that odd sized space, and the recliner was able to fit snuggly into another corner. The glider rocker, an end table and a sofa table all fit into the new "entry way" to create a more welcoming space.

All wall hangings were able to keep their location, except for one shelf that has to be relocated due to a walkway being created in the area where the shelf was at head level. The new "coffee table" was decorated with a simple place mat (found on clearance), basket and candle holders (found at a yard sale) that the homeowners already owned. A bouquet of bright flowers were put on the end table just inside the front door to offer some cheer for incoming guests. The family's willow tree figurine found a new location on display in front of a display of candles (found on clearance racks and at yard sales.) Due to a small child living in the home, several items had (and others will soon be moved) to find home on shelves out of reach.




I hope this room makeover can be inspiration for you if you've been wanting to try something like this also. Good luck with your re-arrange and be sure to comment and tell me all about it!

Thanks for visiting and have a great day!
Krista

New Uses for.... Velcro

Use Velcro to:
1. Hang pieces of art or photos on a wall. Stick several strips of Velcro to the wall and to the back of a lightweight frame.
2. Prevent a jacket or a blouse from gaping open. Sew small pieces of Velcro between the buttons to create a smooth surface.
3. Keep a rug in place. Stick pieces of Velcro to the floor and to the bottom of the rug.
4. Stop seat cushions from sliding off kitchen chairs. Place strips of Velcro on the chair and on the cushion.
5. Organize toys. Affix a Velcro strip to the wall and Velcro pieces to stuffed animals to make cleanup fun for toddlers.
6. Keep track of the remote. Use Velcro to attach the remote to the side of the TV when it’s not in use.
7. Remove pills from sweaters. Use the hook side of Velcro to pull off pesky balls.
8. Restrain wayward cords. Keep them in one place with a strip of Velcro.
9. Keep a pen or paper handy. Place a small piece of Velcro next to a desk calendar and on a pen so you can jot down to-dos ASAP. In the car, stick a notepad to the dashboard or the door of the glove compartment and you’ll always have paper for a brilliant thought or a last-minute errand.
10. Picnic in peace. Keep a tablecloth from flying away by applying Velcro to the underside of the cloth and to the picnic table.

New Uses for.... Coffee Filters

Use Coffee Filters to:
1. Diffuse the flash on a camera. When you’re taking a close-up, soften the brightness by placing a coffee filter over the flash.
2. Strain wine from a bottle with a broken cork. Place the filter over a pitcher or a carafe and slowly pour the wine into it.
3. Serve popcorn or other snacks. The filters act as disposable bowls, so there’s no dishwashing.
4. Make yogurt dip. Use a rubber band to secure a paper coffee filter over the mouth of a deep cup or jar. Slowly pour 8 ounces of plain yogurt onto the filter. Let drain for one hour. In a bowl, mix the thickened yogurt with 1 small minced garlic clove, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve with crackers.
5. Heat up leftovers in the microwave. Use a filter as the protective covering over a bowl or a plate.
6. Prevent soil from draining out of flowerpots. When repotting, place a filter at the bottom, over the drainage hole, then add the soil.
7. Prevent scuffs and scratches on fine china. Use flattened coffee filters as spacers when you stack your dishes.
8. Protect hands from Popsicle drippage. Slide the wooden stick of an ice pop through a coffee filter so your hands stay mess-free.
9. Serve pita sandwiches. A circular filter is the perfect size for carrying a sandwich on the go.
10. Clean windows and glass when you’re out of paper towels. Coffee filters leave no lint or other residue.

New Uses for.....dryer sheets

Use Dryer Sheets to:

1.Freshen smelly shoes. Insert a dryer sheet into the offending pair and let sit overnight.
2. Remove static from clothing, hair, TV screens, and computer monitors. Wipe the surface with a sheet.
3. Clean pet hair from the floor or furniture. Rub a dryer sheet over the spot where Fluffy left her fur.
4. Replace a sachet. Keep a dresser drawer smelling fresh and clean by placing a dryer sheet on the bottom of it.
5. Loosen caked-on food from a pan. Place a fresh sheet in the bottom of a dirty pan, fill with lukewarm tap water, and let sit in the sink overnight. The pan will be easier to clean in the morning.
6. Tackle suitcase and gym-bag odors. Place a dryer sheet in your suitcase or gym bag so your clean clothes won’t take on the odors of the dirty ones.
7. Prevent old books from smelling musty when in storage. Stick a dryer sheet between the pages of your beloved copy of Pride and Prejudice.
8. Wipe up sawdust after working in the garage. Rub a dryer sheet over the fine wood particles.
9. Prevent thread from tangling when sewing. Run a threaded needle through a dryer sheet right before you begin your handiwork.
10. Dust venetian blinds. Close the blinds, then wipe up and down with a dryer sheet.