Who Am I?

Woo hoo, I have reached 82 followers!  Not bad for getting my name out there in only two ways:  One, by posting my project links on Facebook to my friends, and two, linking my projects to other blogs' Linky Parties.  I don't have a Bargain Bound Facebook page...just too much for me to keep up with as a part-time teacher and full-time mom of 2 busy kids.

Now that I have built my followers list up and because I seem to get a lot of visitors stopping by, I thought I take some time to really introduce myself.

Here it goes...

I am originally from the Monterey area, which is just beautiful...however, foggy more than it is sunny.  Because the weather is so cold, I knew I couldn't live there.  After attending college in Northern CA (big shout out to Chico State..Chiiiii-cooooo), I learned what real seasons were like and what a warm (ok, hot) summer was.  I fell in love!  In 1998, my husband and I bought a house in Northern CA and have never looked back.

My husband.  My high school sweetheart.  My handyman.  I married my better half in 1996 and we have 2 children.  Our son is nine and our daughter is 6.  We stay busy with the kids' sports schedules, but wouldn't have it any other way.  

I am a part-time 4th grade teacher and have been teaching for 16 years.  For the last six years I have been sharing a contract with another teacher.  It has been a dream working part-time because I get the best of both worlds:  Being a stay-at-home-mom and being a teacher, which I love.

I've always had a creative side to me.  I enjoy the arts and take a hip hop dance class on a weekly basis.  Dance has always been a part of my life in one way or another.    I love to exercise.  Aside from dancing, I run occasionally and hit up the gym on a regular basis.  Yep, I'm a gym rate.  I also love music.  Ahh, what would I do without music?  

Last year, about this time, I started doing some DIY projects around the house and would post the pictures on Facebook.  After hearing, "Emily, you need a blog" numerous times I decided to take the leap.

I started Bargain Bound in June of 2011.  I love a good bargain...who doesn't?  My goal is to create crafts and household decor on a budget.  I love the challenge and I love stretching my creative side.

Of course there is more to me, but need I say more?  I thank you for stopping by and I look forward to enticing you with more fabulous projects.

-Emily

After Christmas Finds

One of the things I enjoy doing after the holiday is scoring on some after-the-season-sale items.  Last weekend during a break at my daughter's indoor soccer tournament, I drove over to Beverly's Fabrics to scope out the scene.  All Christmas decor was 80% off.  I was able to find a couple of things.

I found these key ornaments for $1.20 each (regularly $5.99 each.)  I plan to take off the metal hanging loop and spray paint them.  Not sure yet how they will be displayed, but my wheels are a-turning!

I also found 2 garlands for $5.00 each (regularly $24.99 each.)  I thought they were versatile and I initially pictured them displayed in a glass jar.

I hope to make it to a few other stores, such as Z Gallerie, before everything has been taken off the shelves.  Happy Shopping!

January Mantel

As much as I love decorating for Christmas, it always feels good to get the decorations packed up and have the house back to normal.  Last January is when I really took an interest in switching up the decor on our mantel.  I went for a mostly white look and settled on this:

This year I wanted to do something similar,  by keeping a clean and fresh look.  In the last year I have collected a few thrift store owls that are normally displayed on a shelf in our laundry room.  As much as I like looking at them as I come and go, I thought they deserved to be in the spotlight for a while.  And since they are white, it was a perfect inspiration and centerpiece to the mantel.

Along with the owls, another inspiration was a color combination I came across online:  mustard and turquoise.  While shopping at Kohl's last week I came across the perfect mustard-colored candles...all I needed were a couple of candlesticks.  I began with my own collection, seeing if there was anything I could transform.  Jackpot!  I found these two thrift store pieces I had painted white:

I had a (somewhat) turquoise spray paint on hand and gave them a couple of coats.  The color was okay, but not as deep as I would've liked.  I decided to try a trick I've used before.  Using a thin rag, I covered the paint with a water-based stain in Dark Walnut to give it a more rustic feel.

 

Another feature I wanted to add to my mantel(scape) was a wreath.  Last month we purchased a mirror to replace a print we've had hanging for years.  It was definitely one of those things when you say, "Geez, why didn't we do that a while ago?" I loved the way my Christmas wreath looked hanging from it.  Oh, only because you asked, I'll show you a picture (ha, ha.)

So back to the wreath.  I had seen this wreath on Pinterest and loved the texture of it.

So off to Hobby Lobby I went to pick up some moss and ribbon.  I had a styrofoam wreath form already.

Covering the wreath was super easy, just a little messy.  I covered our table with an old towel and got to work.  I used hot glue, a little at a time, and worked my way around the wreath until is was all covered, with the exception of the back.

So, with my new candlesticks, some white flowers from last year, the owls, and a container of fake lemons, my January mantel is complete. I love the fresh look!

Oh...one more thing.  I thought the owls looked a little "flat" and needed to be raised.  My husband cut me a piece of wood that I beat up using a hammer and other tools in the garage so it didn't look so perfect.  Again, using the Dark Walnut stain, I covered the wood.  

Drum roll, please.  The final January mantel.

Thursday Thoughts

Ten Thoughts This Thursday

1.  I wish...the best to everyone in 2012.

2.  I want...to get to the gym and back to my routine.

3.  I think...my kids totally made out this Christmas.

4.  I look forward to...tackling more DIY projects after the first of the year.

5.  I appreciate...that my kids go to bed without a single fuss.

6.  I enjoy...the beginning of a new year.

7.  I need...to write a bunch of thank you letters.

8.  I feel...exhausted.

9.  I am listening to...my daughter sing songs from Annie, a movie she received from Santa.  Love it!

10.  I hope...we all get a good night's rest now that we're back home.

Happy Holidays

It's that time of year...one where there isn't a lot of free time.  So in other words, I don't think I'll have a new post for another week or so.  Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a super holiday with your family and friends.

Felt Ornaments

Am I addicted to felt?  Well...no.  Have I been doing a bunch of crafts with felt?  Well...yes.  And because I have been crafting with felt lately, I have quite a supply of left-overs.  While sorting through some Christmas boxes, I came across some old ball ornaments.  Ding!  Felt covered ornaments.  I stuck with what I know best:  Rosettes and Pom Poms.

Thursday Thoughts

Ten Thoughts This Thursday

1.  I wish...the house would clean itself.

2.  I want...a "boyfriend" style blazer.

3.  I think...Facebook has partially killed Christmas cards.

4.  I need...a solid nap.

5.  I appreciate...businesses that gift wrap.

6.  I enjoy...seeing the red Starbucks cups.  It means it's the holidays!

7.  I struggle...with gift wrapping.

8.  I feel...more fit now than when I was training for my first half marathon.

9.  I recommend...sending your child's teacher a hand-written note thanking him/her for what they do.

10.  I hope...all the ski bunnies get some snow soon.