Windy Mayes Photo

Home Improvement Project # 9 and Tutorial: Custom Family Photos

This here is my first ever tutorial. I have studied many a one in my various projects, but never put one together before.

This information may be commonplace, but if not, it may be helpful to another family on a budget.

Here's how I managed custom framed family photos on a budget. My total from start to finish for 3 custom framed family photos was approximately $90. If you have ever priced custom frames, you will need a minute to catch your breath. Good? Read on to see how I got such a great deal.

Expansion

(no, not my nether regions) 

I've expanded my Etsy empire! After receiving the estimate for all the dental work I will need over the next year, I felt pretty damn bad that my babe would have to foot the bill for my lifetime lack of dental insurance and regular care. So I've opened a second Etsy shop. It's called (what else?!) WindyLou Vintage.

I hope to keep my house relatively free of all the lovely vintage pieces that don't quite make it into the regular rotation of decor. You know, all those irresistible finds that I just can't bear to leave the store without...

Things are a little sparse for now, but should fill up fairly quickly.

From My Lovely Lawn

We have inherited a beautiful lawn, thanks to the previous owners. While it is a bit daunting to have to keep up with retirees to the left and right, I'm confident that together the Millionaire and I can handle it.

For now, while we wait to see what all will crop up, I am enjoying the intricacies of the petals I have collected for the kitchen.

Homegrown

Jr. Millionaire girl's dance recital was today. Thankfully she performed early in the recital. We had to split due to my lingering infections. We took our "after" photos before - I love how her bouquet turned out. It cost us ZERO dollars and was made out of materials we had on hand: tulips from the front bed, rhododendron from the back bed, rhubarb leaf from the side yard, ribbon and tape we had on hand. It definitely stood out among the store-bought cellophane.

 She did a great job on her final performance (as she has decided not to do dance any more) and The Millionaire and I are both very proud of her!

Home Improvement Project #5: Ask and Ye Shall Receive - Matador Edition

I've been a fan of matadors for several years now. The typical bright and cheery colors fit perfectly with the color scheme in the kitchen. They are serious and beautiful. The Millionaire and I have accumulated several over the years we have been together, but they didn't feel cohesive until now. The Millionaire made a brilliant find at a local thrift shop. It was so brilliant in part because he is usually the one that is ready to leave and I am usually the one who wants to dig through one last pile. By some cosmic stroke of genius we landed two different prints by the same artist; the same artist that made the other matador print we already had at home. Three, count 'em, THREE different prints by the same artist. (BIZARRE! As I looked for the link, I noticed we have another print by the same guy, only we never knew it before now.)

And? I totally remembered to take before photos!