Inexpensive Wreaths - Rusty Pulley - Junk Inspired

Welcome to my home. I've included a few junk inspired wreaths I made for this holiday season.
If the shoe fits...then you will no longer need your vintage metal shoe stretchers. Convert them into your next wreath hanger. By gluing vintage buttons to the end piece of the stretcher, you provide just the right amount of pretty.


If you don't have access to free tree greenery, check your local nurseries to see if they have "boughs for a buck". What these places do is sell the trimmed pieces from the trees they have for sale for only a buck a pop. Great idea for those of us that don't have it available in our yards. Great variety too!


Remember this pulley from a previous post of mine? Well I wanted to show you what I came up with. Given to me by a barn sale employee during their sale, this wreath as a whole cost less than $2 since the wreath form was only 49-cents and I took advantage of that "boughs for a buck" deal. Can't beat that! I absolutely love the look of it.




It greets our guests at the driveway. Add some snow on top of the soggy, decomposing leaf-filled ground and the scenery will be gorgeous!

Anyone can find old wire wreath frames at a thrift store for very cheap. Why I like them is their green paint is usually a bit worn and chipped, and most likely bits of rust have made their appearance. (You know me and rust.) This wreath cost only $1.50 to assemble. This style wreath causes little obstruction of the view through the kitchen window. On those cold, wintery snow-filled days, we just love that.

I would love to hear about your wreath ideas...junk inspired is a plus but not a requirement! Happy junking to all!

Inexpensive Junk Holiday Photo Cards

Happy Holidays everyone! Since I had such great feedback from my vintage typewriter photo display last month, I thought I'd incorporate that idea into my family's holiday cards this year. It was as easy as taking a photo of my display...


...select your favorite photo developing source. I chose to make 4 x 6" photos with a matte finish. A matte finish provides a more vintage, classic or retro feel to your photos. I purchased my envelopes separately from Walmart.

Mail your junk photo cards as-is or hand write a personal message on the back for your family and friends.

I was able to create this unique holiday card with envelope for only 35-cents each! Make it even cheaper by drawing a line down the center of the back of the photo and mail it like a postcard without the expense of the envelope. Be creative and take photos of other pieces of junk in your home. This type of card could be used for any occasion so the possibilities are endless!

Have a wonderful holiday season and keep on junking!

Friend or Foe?

(Enlarge photo) Is Meg enjoying the hug from her sister, Ellie, or is she getting ready to throw her over her shoulder and do a body slam on her?

Exciting News! Joy To The Fishes...

Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me.
- Three Dog Night
Hi everyone. If you've ever read my posts in the past, you know I am a JUNKMARKET Style junkie. I've read and/or own every book or magazine that includes projects by Sue Whitney, President of JUNKMARKET Style, (and former partner Ki Nassauer, now with Junk Revolution) and continue to be inspired by them daily.

When I came across Sue's new and improved website (and FREE by the way) back in August I was thrilled and signed up immediately as a member. So many like-minded people in one spot has been enjoyable and enlightening! There are many talented junking folks out there, that's for sure.

To make a long story short I was asked to be a contributor for the JUNKMARKET Style website. Yippeeee! To quote my husband regarding junking and being asked to contribute, he said "I don't get the whole junking thing, but I can respect when an expert in any field notices you, it's pretty cool". Thanks hubs. Sue and I chatted on the phone last week and I had to admit to her I was a bit "starstruck". I'm sure it sounded silly, but it was true.

So there you have it. I've been on cloud nine ever since and it has actually got my butt in gear at home. This Joy to the World project is the first one I contributed to the site. I hope you enjoy it.

I used a window insert from an old broken storm door. A few panes of glass and wood frame were missing. I removed what I had to to acheive a symmetrical look.

My husband attempted to sneak this map from his childhood into our garage sale. Does he not know who he is married to? Do I not visit thrift stores, flea markets and rummage sales weekly for this kind of stuff? Good grief!

These silver letters say it all.

Three vintage bottles sitting in a row. One falls off and watch mom blow!

My David Copperfield moment: String vintage bulbs with fishing line and amaze all your friends and family with their floating appearance. Oooo...aahhhh.

Snap off the end of the greenery rope you bought for your mantle or outdoor display and make a mini-wreath. Easy enough.

So come check us out over at JUNKMARKET Style...specifically me. Ha! Become a member and you'll be instantly addicted to the junking lifestyle too.