A $1 well spent and a little sewing time = New Curtains for the boys room Pin It

The boys have been needing new curtains for their room for some time but I just hadn’t found ones they like nor did I want to shell out $20 or more for a pair of curtains for their room. Let’s face it. They are rough on stuff and curtains are fair game to them. lol

So I watched the thrift stores and yard sales but never finding a pair to the size they needed for their windows.

While out shopping today and taking the 4 oldest (of the ones still as home) to Lowes for their “BUILD AND GROW Clinic” wherein the children built a Lowebot (car/robot) from a kit, we decided to pop into a couple of the thrift stores.

I searched their racks but didn’t find any curtains that were boyish nor long enough.  I was resigned to having to wait a little longer for curtains for their room.

However and this is were improvising comes into play.

I spied a very nice flat, king size, striped sheet in perfect condition.  My frugal brain began spinning and I knew I could make a pair of curtains to fit their window.  Since the two older boys (ages 11 and 9) where along, I asked if they liked it and told them that I could make a pair of curtains from it.  They agreed.    I only paid a $1 for the king size sheet.   (Goodwill – yellow tag was half off today!  It was $1.99.  Love those 1/2 off tags and 1/2 off days they have!)

Brought the sheet home, cleaned and ironed it. Then cut it down the middle basically.   It was a flat sheet to have the stripes to go cross-wise on it but once I turned it to make the stripes go floor to ceiling, it would work better for the curtain design.

Then came time to sew the now two panels.   I hemmed the sides, made the two openings along the top, one for the rod and a “poof” at the top and VOILA!  A new pair of curtains for the boys room.

Here’s the finished project:

So for a $1 and a little bit of sewing time (probably about an hour tops what with ironing and such), the boys have a new pair of curtains that they really like and I’m not out a whole lot of money for a new pair of curtains that may be torn up by the 3 and 4 year old boys  in the near future.

I told the boys I would love to paint their room the color of the green in the curtain or the tan color. They liked it to. That will be another project for another time. In the meantime though I’ll be watching for some deals on the paint. :)   Frugal is as frugal does afterall! 

Posts May Contain Affiliate Links, Read my Disclosure Policy

Review: Celtic Woman: Songs From the Heart Pin It

Songs From The Heart is the newest album from Celtic Woman. They have earned international recognition for their heavenly melodies and magnificent live shows. The Cincinatti Enquirer hailed them as “one of the most wildly popular singing groups on the planet.” This five-member Irish female ensemble puts a modern twist on the Celtic sound.  With hits like Sting’s “Field’s of God” and Billy Joel’s “Goodnight My Angel,” Celtic Woman is all over the Billboard charts and has seven sold-out U.S. tours.

Being of Irish descent, I am a lover of Celtic music.  The voices of Celtic Woman bring that beautiful music to life more than ever. My husband is a grand fan of their previous albums and couldn’t wait to listen to this one.  He was thrilled with it.

Here are the songs that are on this album:

1. Fields Of Gold
2. Amazing Grace
3. Níl Sé'n Lá
4. My Lagan Love
5. When You Believe
6. The New Ground
7. Isle Of Hope, Isle Of Tears
8. The Coast Of Galiçia
9. Non C'è Più
10. The Moon's A Harsh Mistress
11. You'll Be In My Heart
12. Goodnight My Angel
13. Galway Bay
14. The Lost Rose Fantasia
15. O, America!

Celtic Woman features vocalists Lisa Kelly, Chloe Agnew, Lynn Hilary and Alex Sharpe with violinist Mairead Nesbitt.   They are currently on tour including dates at Radio City Music Hall. 

The group is all over the Billboard charts, selling more than 3.8 million records in the U.S. alone and has had 7 sold-out U.S. tours. They’ve performed on Dancing With the Stars and have an upcoming PBS special.

The group continues to delight fans moving seamlessly between Irish classics, contemporary covers, and original compositions.

Songs From the Heart by Celtic Woman is in stores now from EMI Music/Manhattan Record. 

For more information on Celtic Woman, please visit www.celticwoman.com.

 

I received this product free from Team Mom for the purpose of reviewing same.  No other compensation was received for this review. The opinions expressed in this review are my personal and honest opinion.  Your experience with product may vary.

Posts May Contain Affiliate Links, Read my Disclosure Policy

2010 Homeschool Conferences & Conventions Pin It

Wondering when your area’s upcoming Homeschol Conference & Conventions are scheduled this year?

Here is an online list of conferences and conventions in  your state, searchable by state:  2010 Homeschool Conferences & Conventions

Posts May Contain Affiliate Links, Read my Disclosure Policy

3 – 2 – 1 Shape Rocket Blast Off! (Preschool File Folder Game) Pin It

Along with my elementary aged children, I have two preschoolers that I homeschool.

We branched off from using Rod & Staff Curriculum exclusively to using Workboxes to keep us motivated and organized.  I fill workboxes (or our version of the system rather)  with core curriculum but also with fun games and more.

With all that said, I have been incorporating file folder games into the workboxes appropriate for whichever child (ages 11, 9, 7, 5, 4, and 3).  I have especially been using file folder games with the two youngest, my pre-schoolers.

I found this great free printable game that teaches shapes (and can even be used with the 5 and 7 year old to help them learn some of the “harder” shapes".

If you are unfamiliar with making file folder games, you can google for various instruction or read this one on how to make a file folder game.

I combined that printable game with a packet of rocket themed room decor (photo below) so that the two youngest to play the game together (with my help of course) and added number stickers to three of the rockets (3, 2, 1).  I made a cover title page for the file folder with a word program.

Here are pictures of the finished game:

Here is a photo of the rocket themed room decor I found at Dollar Tree.

 

I hope to share some more games in months to come.  Enjoy!

Posts May Contain Affiliate Links, Read my Disclosure Policy

BOOK REVIEW: The Marriage Project: 21 Days to More Love and Laughter Pin It

The Marriage Project: 21 Days to More Love and Laughter Author:   Kathi Lipp Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (December 1, 2009) ISBN-10: 0736925287 ISBN-13: 978-0736925280

Read more »

Posts May Contain Affiliate Links, Read my Disclosure Policy