Friday Finds Under $5: Message Board Remake

I am a lover of lists. I can't help it. I am constantly writing lists of things...grocery lists, to-do lists, projects-to-be-completed lists, etc. With little Hudson occupying so much of my day, I find that I often just have 15 minutes at a time to complete a task. And with all the things that I am keeping track of in my brain (when did he eat last, when does he go down for a nap, don't forget the laundry in the washer, etc.) it sometimes takes me a while to decide just what I want to do with my 15 minutes. But by the time I decide, my 15 minutes is now down 7 minutes...

Sometimes I watch Chopped or Iron Chef America  if I want to clean the kitchen in a hurry, but sometimes even that doesn't help.

Last week, I used my kitchen chalkboard to write a HUGE list of stuff that I needed to accomplish. Then, when I was given a little free time, I just glanced at my list and got to work. It totally helped me to accomplish 17 times more than I normally would have done without my list.

BUT I love having a quote or a Bible Verse on my chalkboard. And I think it would be helpful to have my list movable - so that I could take it from room to room as I work. 

Again, Pinterest came to the rescue - I now have this fun little board. 

While browsing Pinterest, I came across this adorable project from Burlap and Lace.  I followed her instructions exactly! (except I turned my paint chips sideways. I can use the board in either direction)

Her directions were simple. Her inspiration was adorable. I am pleased with the results. 

You should try it too! 

I had thought about trying to use a frame that I already had on hand - making this project totally free. But in the end, I am loving the cheap Walmart frame. 

Hudson Says: My little green chair...

While mom's washing my clothes (I just can't figure out how to not spit up...) I thought I'd help her out and write today's Friday Find Under $5.  

   I'm not sure if you have met my mom or not...but she is always painting something...

 And this week was no exception! I was just hanging out in my Bumbo seat...one minute she's talking to me in high pitched tones. The next minute, she's got out her sponge brush and a free quart of paint from ACE. 

She tells me that this little project was for me. She bought this little chair that would convert into a stool for 50 cents. 

 I'm told that's a pretty good deal.  And she keeps picking up little wooden toys for me. 

She kept saying something about that ACE paint with the primer built in would cover anything, making it great for thrift store finds. I guess it was a pretty easy thing to paint once she got that stubborn sticker off the front. 

 But I told mom she needs a challenge every once in a while. 

I was ready to try this chair out right away. But mom said it had to dry. 

And so I waited... 

And waited...and chewed on my hands some...

and played on my playmat...

and waited some more. 

And finally, it was time to give it a try. 

Mom insisted on holding me up...I guess I'm not as steady as I think I am. Ignore my spit up splatter...it's pretty common these days. 

And then I flipped the back of the seat to the ground and tried it out as a step stool. 

I'm sure that I can soon use this little item to get into all kinds of fun places!

Friday Find Under $5: Don't be afraid of the Blue Bonnets

Today, our FFU$5 comes from my next door neighbor. She and I especially like to visit Goodwill on the first Saturday of each month. "Why?" you may ask... Because EVERYTHING is 50% off. Furniture, clothes, funky dishes....EVERYTHING.

And today's title, for some reason, reminds me of a silly skit we used to do when I worked at Mt. Lou San Bible Camp ("From the North, From the South, From the East, From the West....It's the BLUE MONKEYS!!") Call me crazy...Guess you had to be there...

Back to the Blue Bonnets...

Now, when you enter any thrift store, you have to be willing to look beyond what you first see...and imagine what it could be. And then I always think to myself, "If this is a total flop, I can always donate it back to Goodwill or sell it in a consignment sale."

Ashlee had a fabulous find this past Saturday that just needed a little of that imagination.

Look past the "Blue Bonnets" and you are left with four large glass jars with lids on a wooden shelf.

Even though this was originally priced at $8.99, because of half-price Saturday - this ended up costing just $4.50.

After removing the "Blue Bonnets," Ashlee gave the jars a quick cleaning. I always disinfect any thrift store purchases I bring home. You never know where they have been. For this reason, I usually don't purchase plastic items. I just feel like I can't get them as clean.

Since Ashlee home-schools, she was needing a storage solution for some math manipulatives that she was currently keeping in plastic baggies.

I love the bright colors that are now housed in these jars.

Ashlee has plans of adding a bright paint color to the shelf.  She mentioned that these would also look great in a laundry room with soaps inside. Or even in a bathroom - one for cotton balls, one for q-tips, etc.

Even if you were not a fan of the shelf, the jars were still a great price at just around $1 a piece.

Did anybody else venture out to Half-Off Saturday? I'd love to know what you found! Anyone else have to look past some "blue bonnets" in order to transform a find into something fabulous? 

Fabulous Finds Under $5: Free Frame and eBook

I am well aware that today is Monday and not Friday. However, I found two freebies today that may not last until Friday. And "Monday Finds Under Five" don't sound as cool. ha.

Jeremiah watched Hudson this morning so that I could take a mini-vacation quick trip to Target. I had heard that Huggies were on clearance and wanted to use some of my coupons. Pampers are my favorite, but if Huggies are cheap I will use those! I was able to stack some coupons and get some diapers for when Hudson is a little bit bigger. We are still wearing Newborn size for now.

Before I go to Target, I always check out their printable coupons. And I always print the coupons that are for apparel, not knowing what I might find on those lovely clearance racks. But right now, you can print a $2 any picture frame coupon that will let you get this 4x6 frame for FREE!

They are priced at $1.99.

Pick your color...black, white, or wood.

If I end up going back to Target before the coupon expires, you can bet I will pick up another frame.

The second freebie of the day is the book "Courageous" in Kindle form. Download the book here....and remember to check the price. Amazon changes prices frequently and without warning. I don't have a Kindle, but I do have the Kindle App on my iPad.

Have you found any fabulous finds under $5 lately? I'm loving my "freebies" today!

Oh, and here's a deal for a cheap gift idea...$1 for a photo mug (plus shipping). Mother's Day?  Plus, get 40 free 4x6 prints for signing up...great way to fill that free photo frame!

Friday Finds Under Five: Curstomizable Printable

My FFU$5 aren't always going to be thrifted items. And this find is a perfect example. For today's cheap-o item, I thought I would share this fabulous printable that is customizable. You pick the color...you pick the letter...you type the word/name.

It will print beautifully as an 8 x 10.

However, wouldn't it be adorable to make your own set of alphabet flashcards in a 4 x 6 size?

I can just imagine the most adorable photo album - one side of the page showing a custom printable and the opposite side of the page showing a picture of the individual/object. (And yes, I realize I probably should have switched the N and the M so that they were in alphabetical order...oh well).

This is originally intended for nursery decor. But I can easily see it framed in the entry of a home with the family's last name too.

They would be adorable in a classroom as well.

This blog also offers another style for the custom printable that is equally creative. This one will probably find its way into my nursery decorations. It's just the right style.

You could easily print this yourself on your personal printer. Or take it to an office supply store to have it printed inexpensively on cardstock. Or use up some of your free photo prints.

It's easy to even try out a few colors or ideas. You can find this online printable from On to Baby here and here. This site has many other free printables that are cute - check those out here.

However you choose to use this FFU$5, it's adorable. I love that you can easily make this into whatever you need it to be.

Thanks, On to Baby for sharing your creativeness with us!

How would use use this printable? Have you found any great finds lately?

Friday Finds under Five: Wonderful Wooden Toys

Even though Hudson is still quite small, I am always on the lookout for classic wooden toys. And if I can find them at a cheap price...even better.  This Friday's find only cost $2.25

Yesterday, my BFF and I did a little thrift store shopping and went to lunch. It seemed like a mini vacation! I am so thankful for Jeremiah and that he was willing to keep Hudson.

Ashlee showed me a thrift store I had never visited before. They have the most organized toy section...ever! And everything seems to be priced so cheaply. I love Pinterest and other blogs, however the trend of remaking thrift store finds seems to have driven the prices up at Goodwill. I am so excited to find a place that didn't seem to be affected by the recent fascination with thrifty finds.

I first laid eyes on this adorable little stool that would turn into a chair. I plan to clean it up and paint it a funky color. I haven't decided on the right color yet.

And the best part of this find.... the price! It was only 50 cents!

Next, I stumbled upon some wooden alphabet blocks for $1 and a colorful set of Jenga blocks for 75 cents.

At my rescheduled baby shower last Sunday, I was given this adorable TOY basket. The blocks have found a temporary home.

These little wooden treasures are the perfect addition to Hudson's growing toy collection.  Among his toys is Jeremiah's fabulous set of wooden cars from his childhood. His uncle made them for him.

I'm also loving this fabulous toy mailbox that Ashlee found last week. Vintage wooden toys are my new favorite obsession.

I can just image the fun we will soon be able to have once Hudson is able to play!

Friday Finds under Five: A Little Roadside Decor

In order to keep myself motivated and blogging, I have decided to start a few "themed days." I can't promise that I will have something to mention each week...but having the goal and the title gives me something to look for and work towards. (My other themed day is Wednesday We-Do)

It is no secret that I love a good bargain and I love to treasure hunt (some call it thrifting...some call it junking...). There's nothing like the thrill of finding something totally unique for an extremely low price. In my mind, even if something is fabulously vintage, if I can't get it for super cheap, it's not as "cool" of an item. I can't begin to describe the joy that comes from finding that special item on the side of the road set out for the trash (like this fireplace screen I found for my mom).

And so...on Fridays, I hope to highlight some kind of great find for under $5.

I wasn't even planning on posting anything today...until I took a trip to the post office at the bottom of the hill. On the way back home, I spotted beautiful sprigs of bittersweet along the side of the road. Naturally, I had to stop...(I have got to start carrying some tools in the car for such occasions!) I used all my strength to break off some of the branches of the gorgeous yellow and red berries. If I had only been about 5 feet taller, I could have filled a trashbag with bittersweet. But, I didn't get greedy...or try to think of how to get a ladder down there in the woods. I merely grabbed a handful of beautifulness and got back in my car. I did get some strange looks for some other cars passing me by.

Upon arriving home, I simply stuck the sprigs into my vase on the kitchen table. The new branches looked awesome nestled in with my yarn pom-poms. Simple...beautiful...and free!!!  We sure do serve a creative God...He's surrounded us with such a colorful world.

I'm sort of glad that I haven't already decorated for Christmas....otherwise my fall colored decor would not be as becoming.

Upon posting my free find on Instagram, I noticed that I was not the only lucky junker today! My blog friend, Joni did a little dumpster diving of her own...literally.

She found an awesome wool Aztec rug. You can see the nice man in overalls in the picture above...he scored some Christmas lights and a pack-n-play. ha. Looks like it was a winner of a day for more than one person at the dumpster site.

After running the rug through the sanitary cycle and hanging it in the sunshine, Joni is now on the hunt for the perfect place for her prize.

I imagine it in front of a rustic bench on her fabulous wood porch...but we'll see where she decides to place it! (See her adorably decorated home in some of the pictures here and here.)

Did any of you find any under $5 prizes this past week? Feel free to link up!