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Frugal & Fun Country Decorating By Monica Resinger http://homemakersjournal.com Country decorating can be fun, creative and frugal because the items that work in country decor are either handmade like quilts, rugs, wood items, and folk art, or natural items like dried flowers, branches and flowers. Many of these type of items you can make or find at little or no cost. Quilts, for example, can be handmade by you with fabric scraps or worn out clothing. If you don't know how to make quilts, you could check out a book from the library and learn how. You may even be able to find one at a yard sale or thrift store, if you're lucky. If you can't find or make quilts, check thrift stores for beautiful crocheted afghans; I have seen many and these would be equally as beautiful in your country decor. Just be sure to find colors that match your scheme. You can drape quilts or afghans over your sofa, or hang on a quilt rack. I have even seen them hung on a wall, like art. Throw rugs are a wonderful way to vary your decor. If you want a change, just switch rugs or add one in a new area. Rugs can be braided or crocheted with scraps of worn out clothing or fabric. If you don't know either method, there are books out on the subject and you could also do a search on the Internet for instructions. I have found many throw rugs at thrift stores and yard sales. Whenever the price is right and I like the look of a rug, I'll buy it so I can make a fresh look when needed. Wood items are abundant at thrift stores and are very reasonable. There is a huge variety too; I have seen wood fish, shelves, mini rocking chairs, coasters, placques, bowls, boxes, figurines, letter holders, spice racks, planters and a lot more. Sometimes I'll find a scratched wood item that I like and I'll still buy it because I'll take it home & fix it up with paint. These can be decoratively painted, or just touched up. You can also learn how to make your own wood items by taking a class or studying a book. Usually folk art is very simple, so it is possible to make your own! Look around at other folk art to get ideas for your own original design, then go to the craft store & get artist paper (like 140 lb. watercolor paper), lightly sketch your design, then paint. If you really believe that you aren't able to do this, then again, check thrift stores! I see charming prints and original art for very reasonable prices. Another inexpensive option would be to frame calendar pages. Look for pretty frames at the Dollar Store. The nice thing about natural items is that they are free. Hopefully you have your own yard where you can gather pine cones, branches, flowers, and leaves. If not, maybe you have a relative or neighbor that will let you takes some naturals from their yard. Branches and fresh flowers can be placed in pretty vases (check thrift stores!) or canning jars, pine cones look beautiful in big wooden bowls, as do leaves. The possiblilities are endless; just use your imagination for containers and combinations. You don't need a lot of money to create a charming home! Have some fun and start hunting for or creating the things that would make your home special. For more fun & frugal tips check out The Homemaker's Journal Frugal e-book package that includes 7 e-books that are all packed full of money saving tips, hints and tricks: 1- The Big E-book of Frugal Tips, 2- Fantastic Frugal Grocery Tips, 3- Homemade Household Cleaners, 4- Journal Jar (Wonderful Homemade Gift Idea), 5- Frugal Creative Christmas Ideas!, 6- Turn your Recyclables Into Crafts! and 7- The Leftover Recipe E-Book. Click here for details: http://homemakersjournal.com/ebooklets.htm Get Monica's FREE weekly e-zine for homemakers! To subscribe, just send a blank e-mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHILE USING ARTICLES POSTED ON THE GROUP: 1. Print the article in its entirety. Don't make any changes in the article . 2. Print the resource box with all articles in their entirety. 3. Send the Author a copy of the reprinted article or the URL where the articles was posted. Anything short of following these three rules is a violation of the Authors Copyright. Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ReprintArticles-Paradise/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ReprintArticles-Paradise/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
