Proverbs 31:13
Language of Roses 
Garden of Quotes
by Victoria Smith
Don't assume that everything in your home has to come from a chain store or department store. Try shopping at junk shops, flea markets, good will stores, consignment shops, yard sales, and I'm not above picking up things thrown out for spring clean up or next to dumpsters.
Creating some of the things in your home makes it unique and interesting. One tool for doing this is a sewing machine. If you've never sewn it's not complicated. Get a plain sewing machine for about $100; That's all you really need for simple sewing projects. The machine will come with a manual for operating and care intructions. Visit DIY for Beginning Sewing instructions
I hope these ideas will inspire you to think of new unique ideas to decorate your home.
Living Room
Paint all your mixed matched furniture one color so the pieces will be uniformed. Visit paint ideas.com. Then use cordinating fabric to recover or make slipcovers. This is especially effective done in the all white decor. It could look nice in other colors too. Click here for An Online Upholstery Class.
Lamps can be so expensive now days. I own a cat and I can't afford to pay $200 for a lamp everytime one is knocked over and broken. Rewire old lamps. You can purchase kits for rewiring lamps. If you find a lamp in a flea market or at a yard sale that you like paint over it and rewire it. Look for a shape and size that you like. It does not matter if it's booger green. You can spray paint it. Or use gold paint to paint it up fancy. I've also seen lamps at the dime store lately that have a nice shape but strange colors. All they need is a new color.
Need art for the wall? Try pressing flowers and framing them. For flower pressing instructions visit Preserved Gardens. Or use a fancy font and print out your favorite poetry and frame it. Use your favorite bible versus' for small frames.
Use old or new sheets to make tab top curtains. Hem the bottoms for the desired length. Then use a cordinating ribbon for the tabs. This is a simple easy way to make curtains. Another way to make curtains with a sheets. Flip the extra length over and stitch a rod pocket. This gives you a valance and curtain in one. For rod pocket sewing instructions you can use this site Quick Valances. It's meant for making valances but the rod pocket instructions can be used for curtains too.
My book shelf usually runs over with magazines and craft books. Use your cereal boxes to make magazine holders. Use a pretty wrapping paper and school glue to cover it with.
Make fancy photo frames from old ones. You can pick up frames from flea markets and yard sales for usually 10-25 cents. Use glue and fabric or pretty wrapping paper to cover them. For free decoupage instructions visit Craftown.
If you are real lucky maybe you can find one of those big spools to use for a table. If not you can also use a plastic outdoor table and chairs. Make a long tablecloth to cover it up. Use newspaper to make a pattern for slipcovers for the plastic chairs.
Get sheets from the dime store (dime store sheets are good for anything except using them as sheets) and use them for your tablecloth. Measure your table first. If a fitted sheet comes with it you can use the fabric for seat cushions or window valances. If they come with pillow cases use them to make napkins. Dinner napkins are about 20x20.
Use stretchy beaded bracelets for napkin rings. You can pick these up at most dollar stores.
Love all those vintage aprons? Use them for cafe curtains.
Use old cookie cutters to decorate wreaths.
Find your favorite recipes online and compile your own cookbook.
I've never understood why bedskirts are so expensive. You can buy a nice blanket for what a bedskirt cost. Go to a dime store or thift shop. Pick up a cheap sheet set that matches your decor. Use the flat sheet for the bedskirt. Test the size your need with the sheets you already own. To tailor it cut squares from the corners and fold the fabric under then stitch it down. If you get a sheet set you can use the fitted sheet for decorator pillows or valances. You can also use an old blanket or quilt for a bedskirt.
What to do with old worn out church dresses. It's a shame to throw out those old easter dresses. Use them to make decorator pillows. How to Make Pillows and Cushions. If you are a big lady you may have enough fabric for fancy valances. Making Quick Valances. Usually when a dress is worn there are only certain areas that are worn out. Detach the laces with a seam ripper and save it for your pillows or to use for something else. Don't forget to take the buttons off for other projects. If you don't have any to use look at consignment shops and yard sales.
Love all those victorian fabric shades? Use bridal tulle to make them. Use the fine gauge kind. This fabric is very inexpensive. It comes in several colors so you are not limited to white and some of it has a shimmery sheen. Measure your windows and make sure to buy it wide enough for your window then get about 6 yards for each window. Make a rod pocket at the top. Then below the rod pocket using the zigzag stitch sew straight down the sides and then zigzag two more times spacing the lines out equally. Then pull the string to gather the fabric. To hold the gathers together. Sew over the gathers. The great thing about these is you can still have your mini blinds underneath and use them to let light in though the tulle shades. You get the look but still have the function. If you match your fabric to your mini blinds they will not be very noticable.
Guess what I use my stackable storage containers for? Nightstands in my bedroom. I see no reason for those cheap decorater tables. Get fabric and make your own tablecloth for them or use a sheet. This is a great storage solution and it eliminates the need for more furniture. You could also use this idea in the living room for end tables.
Fancy shoes are so popular now. You don't have to spent a fortune for those little collectibles. Use your old dress shoes for floral arrangements. Paint or spray paint the shoe then embelish it with lace, ribbon, ect. Then use floral foam or styrofoam and slip it inside and use dried or artificial flowers to make arrangement.
Use and old shawl fold it into a triangle then used it for a valance.
Love those expensive bath towels? Use plain towels and lace or wide fancy ribbon to sew onto the towels.
Want a fancy mirror for the bath. Find a plain jane mirror. Then glue artifical or dried flowers around it.
Use an old vinyl shower curtain for a bathroom window treatment. Usually when the shower curtain is ripped and full of mildew at the bottom the top part is still decent. Cut the top ring holder part off and cut off the bottom that is ruined.
Join free seed exchanges online and trade what you have for something new. Go to Garden Web to exchange seeds & plants, also exchange garden books and other garden items. Best garden exchange site on the internet.
I can't believe the price of dirt these days. Make your own dirt from compost. Using your table scraps and leaves you can make the best garden dirt. Visit Guide to Composting.
You love drinking herbal tea, why not use your flower bed for a to grow an herbal tea garden. Visit DIY Tea Garden or to create an indoor tea garden visit The Garden Path.
Paint Ideas - Do it yourself paint ideas. (great techniques)
The Everyday Decorator - This site has tips for decorating if you rent. (unique site)
Fanciful Ribbons Dance in the Window (sweet idea)
What to do with all that junk mail!Use your junk mail to make scrapbooks, cards, and envelopes. Click here for basic paper making instructions.
A Lifetime of Memories - Scrapbook tips & techniques.
How to Get Rid of Junk Mail, Spam, and Telemarketers by Fred Elbel