It Cost Me Nothing - Printable Labels - Free!
Obviously, the promised posts on party decorating ideas for our "It Cost Me Nothing" series have yet to materialize. That is because my camera batteries went kaput. They are finito. In the meantime, we still have some decorating freebies to share. Several websites, including Better Homes & Gardens and Martha Stewart, offer a variety of free printables. These printables can be adapted for a number of uses. Party decorations and/or invitations are among the potential uses for these helpful resources. Gift tags, tags for use at the food table, wrapping, favors, cards, can be put together by printing out labels of various colors, shapes, and sizes. The use of each printout can be varied by changing the type of paper used when printing. Regular notebook paper makes for a darling invitation or announcement when used in place of common printer paper, especially with an old typewriter style font.
Not only can these free printables be used when planning celebrations, they are wonderful when used as originally purposed, labels. Very few kitchens and pantries wouldn't benefit from the mini-facelift fresh, new labels would provide. Which reminds me of a few quick tips: (1) When the desire for a redo fails to coincide with the necessary budget, do something new, even if it's a small thing. The smallest bit of new has the potential of transforming an entire room. (2) If there isn't anything remaining in the budget for even the smallest bit of newness, give your attention to keeping what you already have as neat and clean as possible. The humblest surroundings can impart a larger than reality feeling when kept neat and clean. (3) Go shopping - at home. Walk through each room and look at each one with a new eye. Consider each item, every picture, plant, accessory, then move them around among the rooms. A mismatched saucer could provide a brand new soap dish for the bathroom. Photographs in the kitchen are lovely. The tab top from cans, attached securely with hot glue to the back of a pretty plate, makes beautiful art when hung on the wall. (4) Place common items in uncommon places; use them for uncommon uses. Unused sugar and creamer containers add elegance to the bedroom and/or bath and can be filled with cotton swabs, cotton balls, bath salts, or any number of items. Seldom used items can often be repurposed and contribute freshness to familiar decor. Don't forget to include the garage or utility shed in your at home shopping trip. (5) Make your home work for your family's lifestyle. Too often we trick ourselves into thinking our home must look like those of our peers. Thinking we have to be like everyone else in our peer group is a hangover from our school days that can sabotage the sweetest of homemakers. No, white trim is NOT a fashion essential for the modern home. Especially if you don't really like white trim. However, if you do enjoy the crisp clean edge of white trim, go ahead and paint yours, even if all of your friends are embracing the newer trend towards dark wood. (6) Take everything out of the room, clean, only bring back what you and your family absolutely need and love. Nothing left to bring back? Make something new from items you already have. Coffee filters make a beautiful wreath. Really, it isn't the least bit tacky. Pieces of newspapers used instead of coffee filters would hum a quietly vintage melody. Find a forgotten package of birthday balloons? These make an unbelievably fun wreath for special occasions.*Last but not least, (7) Give of yourself to others. Invite a lonely neighbor over for tea or coffee. Rake the soon coming fall leaves of an elderly shut in. Offer to sweep the sidewalk for a new mother adjusting to caring for her blessing. Each of us have something to give, and there is no better cure for the no money blues than giving of ourselves, richly.
* There will be a future how-to post, with pictures, for the above wreath ideas. Hopefully, before Christmas.
Not only can these free printables be used when planning celebrations, they are wonderful when used as originally purposed, labels. Very few kitchens and pantries wouldn't benefit from the mini-facelift fresh, new labels would provide. Which reminds me of a few quick tips: (1) When the desire for a redo fails to coincide with the necessary budget, do something new, even if it's a small thing. The smallest bit of new has the potential of transforming an entire room. (2) If there isn't anything remaining in the budget for even the smallest bit of newness, give your attention to keeping what you already have as neat and clean as possible. The humblest surroundings can impart a larger than reality feeling when kept neat and clean. (3) Go shopping - at home. Walk through each room and look at each one with a new eye. Consider each item, every picture, plant, accessory, then move them around among the rooms. A mismatched saucer could provide a brand new soap dish for the bathroom. Photographs in the kitchen are lovely. The tab top from cans, attached securely with hot glue to the back of a pretty plate, makes beautiful art when hung on the wall. (4) Place common items in uncommon places; use them for uncommon uses. Unused sugar and creamer containers add elegance to the bedroom and/or bath and can be filled with cotton swabs, cotton balls, bath salts, or any number of items. Seldom used items can often be repurposed and contribute freshness to familiar decor. Don't forget to include the garage or utility shed in your at home shopping trip. (5) Make your home work for your family's lifestyle. Too often we trick ourselves into thinking our home must look like those of our peers. Thinking we have to be like everyone else in our peer group is a hangover from our school days that can sabotage the sweetest of homemakers. No, white trim is NOT a fashion essential for the modern home. Especially if you don't really like white trim. However, if you do enjoy the crisp clean edge of white trim, go ahead and paint yours, even if all of your friends are embracing the newer trend towards dark wood. (6) Take everything out of the room, clean, only bring back what you and your family absolutely need and love. Nothing left to bring back? Make something new from items you already have. Coffee filters make a beautiful wreath. Really, it isn't the least bit tacky. Pieces of newspapers used instead of coffee filters would hum a quietly vintage melody. Find a forgotten package of birthday balloons? These make an unbelievably fun wreath for special occasions.*Last but not least, (7) Give of yourself to others. Invite a lonely neighbor over for tea or coffee. Rake the soon coming fall leaves of an elderly shut in. Offer to sweep the sidewalk for a new mother adjusting to caring for her blessing. Each of us have something to give, and there is no better cure for the no money blues than giving of ourselves, richly.
* There will be a future how-to post, with pictures, for the above wreath ideas. Hopefully, before Christmas.