How to Get Rid of Rough Dry Heels at Home the DIY Way on the Cheap

I tend to go barefoot a lot in the summer months, so by fall my heels are rough, dry and sometimes cracked.

You could go to get a pedicure and they will help to remove some of it, but I found you need a bit of a routine that works and save you money on treatments!

What You Will Need:

1.  Heavy moisturizing cream (of your choice)

2.  Clean white cotton socks

3.  Foot Rasp (emery board for feet!)

4.  Foot Bath, bowl or simply soak in the tub or have a hot shower!

Method:

Best time of day?  EVENING when you are done for the day.

Hopefully you have most of these items at home, but if not, they are a good investment if you want to keep your feet and especially your heels soft and supple.

I use this method all the time, and not only are my feet soft and smooth, it feels awesome!  So, allow yourself a little bit of pamper time for this in the evening.

Step 1.  Fill your foot bath, tub, or simply take a long hot shower.  Whatever method you choose to get your feet into some water for at least 15 minutes.

You can also get a shower foot scrubber/massage online with Amazon to speed up the process!

Rub them with the foot rasp, and rinse.

Step 2.  Dry with a fluffy towel.  You can also choose to do a pedicure at this point, but if your heels and soles of your feet are the object, then simply soak for 15 minutes, rasp, rinse and dry well.

Step 3.  While slightly damp, rub in a lot of moisturizing cream, and give your feet a good massage.

***NOTE*** Have the cotton socks ready beside you so you don't have to hobble around on one foot full of cream trying to find them!

Step 4.  Put on your sock.

Step 5.  Repeat for 2nd foot.

Step 6.  Go to bed with socks on.  By morning take them off and they will feel good and your feet will have absorbed the cream.

Repeat Often...

This not only helps your heels and soles of your feet to get rid of hard dry skin, but feels awesome and you will sleep like a baby!

DIY Trick or Treat Halloween Signs on the Cheap

If you love Halloween, as I do, it is easy to go crazy with expensive decorations.

I came across this super cheap and creative way to create a DIY Trick or Treat Halloween sign, using Dollar Tree supplies.

Check out this video first by TayraPerezproject, and see if you don't get inspired as I did!

All You Will Need:

10 x  black frames from Dollar Tree

2 x Black poster board (also from the dollar store)

White Markers such as Sharpie (or you could use glass paint)

Paper to create stencils.

Strong glue such as E6000 to glue the frames together.

Method:

If you already have some large letter stencils laying around, you won't need to do any tracing, but if you don't you simply find some letters online, print and trace out.

Watch the video to see how she puts hers together.  She actually colors the white letters right onto the glass.

You could have any kind of letter font you want or even white frames.

This type of Halloween decor works best for under a covered porch or if the weather is good.  Would also be super cute in the living room window if you don't have room outside.

Paired with some pumpkins this is an awesome way to decorate on the cheap.

All you Halloween lovers out there... get started NOW and you will be ready.

Trick or Treat on the Cheap!

There is no need to pay for expensive pre-made decorations!  Halloween is already an expensive night with the purchase of decent quality candy or chocolates for the little trick or treaters or even for that party you might host..

So get inspired and creative and make as much as you can.  If you allow enough time, you can be on your game this Halloween.

Do you see the Dollar store sweater pumpkin idea??  CLICK HERE  to see how you can update that simple fake pumpkin into something spectacular with an old sweater and no sewing involved!

If you need additional supplies, especially for this project, you can get the white sharpie markers online for a good price with Amazon.  Link below and also the E6000 glue, which is a super strong glue and much cheaper online.






Halloween will be on us before you know it. So get a jump on your decorations for your porch, window, house or wherever you like!

You don't have to spend a lot, just allow some time.  Remember... the Dollar Tree delivers now, so you don't even have to leave the house if you don't want to!

Happy Halloween!

How to Make a Sweater Pumpkin Using The Dollar Tree and Old Sweaters

I love crafting, and especially love crafts that look awesome with very little money spent that also include upcycling. 

With the fall season upon us, these sweater pumpkins make for unique decor and especially the latest farmhouse decor trend.  Check out this video!

If you were envisioning a pile of cheap orange pumpkins, then think again.  I came across this craft by "Lemon Avenue" on Youtube, and am totally in love with the idea of reusing old sweaters and turning them into super cool fall decor.

If you don't have any sweaters, ask friends, relatives or visit the thrift shop. 

Make a few of these and display them in a basket for some pretty cool farmhouse decor. 

Also remember that the DOLLAR TREE is now online and you can order most things in bulk and get them delivered to your door.

What you will Need:

Carvable pumpkins from the Dollar Tree (made out of foam)

Sweaters with no more life left in them other than the sleeves!

Glue gun

Accents of your choice.  There are so many ideas for this part.  Have some fun!

How to Make?

Check out the video, but basically you cut off the sleeve of a textured sweater (the texture adds some dimension to the pumpkin project)

Cut a hole in each end of the pumpkin and tuck the sweater edges inside with a glue gun.

Add your embellishments.

You Could Go With a Theme!

You can find sweaters in similar colors and create a theme that will match your own decor, or you could go wild and go for colorful sweaters. 

Keeping them a plain one color makes them look very sophisticated.

So Dress Up Your Pumpkin in a Sweater This Year.

I hope I have inspired you to give this a try.  You can order the pumpkins online if you can't get to the dollar store in person.

Last time I was at the store these fall accents and pumpkins were going fast.

How to Display Your Sweater Pumpkins?

You could collect a few into a wicker basket or find a basket at a thrift shop and spray paint to match your decor.

Line them up on your mantle if you have one.

Personally I think they look good as a collection, so would also look nice on a entry way hall table to add to the autumn mood and decor. 

How to Upcycle a Wine Bottle with Paper Napkins and Paint - Gorgeous Shabby Chic or Farmhouse Decor

If you love crafts, and especially upcycling as I do, then check out this wine bottle recycling idea.

It is only a 3 minute video, but what a gorgeous idea!

What you will need:

wine bottle, cleaned and dried, label removed.  (make sure there is no grease on bottle, so clean well)

Paper napkins.  She uses roses, but you could use any vintage looking napkins or anything you like.  I love the vintage style as it suits the bottle.

You can get these at the dollar stores or also check online if you want more specific designs such as with AMAZON.  My favorites are below:



I love sunflowers, so for me this would work.  They also have a slightly vintage look to them.

In the video she uses "emulsion paint" which isn't always easy to get.  A way around this is to use a primer that will create the right surface for glass.

The primer/sealer below will do just that on glass and many other surfaces.


This multi-purpose primer will allow you to use any paint you wish once applied to the glass.  This primer gives the surface a "tooth" so that your paint will stay stuck to the surface.

PVA Glue or Mod Podge works the same.  (PVA glue is simply white glue you mix with water)  Mod Podge is ready to go.

How to Make?

Once your wine bottle is label free, clean and dried, paint on your primer.

Once dried (follow instructions on bottle) you can then add your paint of your choice, whether acrylic or chalk paint, both would look nice.

Using your foam brush, add the mod podge or (white glue and water mixture) to the bottle and add the top layer of the cut out napkins.

Follow the video, and don't forget the splatters at the end.  She protects her flowers with some paper while she splatters some grey dots on the bottle.

I think this step totally adds a vintage look to the entire thing.

Varnish - Add some varnish to protect your project and keep them nice.  If you don't like the idea of varnish you can add a couple of coats of modge podge, that will also protect your work.

Use Them as Part of Your Decor!

Create Candlestick Holders, or Vases for a single flower.  I think these would look super cool as rustic, vintage, shabby chic or farmhouse decor.

Would also make affordable housewarming gifts for friends and family.

So don't pitch those wine bottles into the blue bin, recycle them into beautiful artistic looking vintage art pieces!

Other Ideas?

Instead of cutting out the flowers or specific designs, why not add the entire napkin up to the neck of the bottle?

Or create a collage from different napkins you may have.

Hopefully I have got you inspired to try something yourself.

DIY Small Dog Carrier - Easy Craft for Your Special Pooch on the Cheap

If you are the parent of a small dog that loves to go everywhere, then check out this simple craft ideas for a DIY dog carrier or sling using a simple fabric tote bag on the cheap.

All you need are a few supplies that you may already have, check out this HGTV video..  obviously you can use any tote bag, but you will get the idea!

Create a warm and safe environment with these simple adjustments to any fabric tote bag you may have.  You could make a few of these so that you can "wash and wear" as they get dirty.

This is definitely a reuse and recycle project.  I don't know about you, but my closet seems to be multiplying with fabric tote bags as I sometimes forget to bring them with me when shopping and end up with more!

The fabric totes are super strong, so no worries about losing FIDO!

Gift Idea!

If you have small dog parents on your list, this would make an awesome gift idea.  You could use a new plain fabric tote bag and add an iron on picture of the pet or some words of your own to personalize it.

Pets love to go everywhere with you and it can be hard for small dogs to keep up on a leash, this way they are comfy and cozy as in the video, she adds a comfy bottom to the tote.

There is a safety harness and a snap (that you add) to keep pooch in the tote and safe. 

Now he can go everywhere with you!

Not into DIY??

IF you are not big on DIY but love the idea of a tote or a sling so you can take your dog everywhere, then check out this sling idea online.




Having the strap on the opposite shoulder will disperse the weight and be more comfy.

The sling idea is definitely hands free, leaving both your hands available as the pouch or sling sits more in front.

I think both above ideas are awesome for your walks, and also for the grooming visits or the Veterinarian visits to keep your little guy less anxious.

Travel Bag for Small Animals up to 8 Pounds

If you are doing a lot of traveling by car, you cannot obviously wear the sling or the DIY tote carrier above, you will need a small travel carrier to keep them safe.

This one is equipped with a seat belt and luggage strap to keep them safe in the car.  This one is for tinier dogs up to 8 pounds, and is very popular on AMAZON right now.





This particular soft sided small travel carrier has over 2000 positive reviews (at the time of this writing)

If you travel with your tiny best friend, then you should be equipped with the best safety equipment to keep him/her safe.  A travel carrier for the car and a DIY tote carrier or purchased sling for out and about.

I have seen so many drivers with their little dogs loose in the car or sitting on their laps while driving.  Even if you have to suddenly stop, their tiny little bodies would go flying.  This is NOT a safe option.

Get them used to an open sided travel carrier such as the one above that can be strapped in and keep them safe.  This way they can still see.  Add their favorite blanket or toy to keep them calm.

By getting the right size, they will feel cozier and not slide all over the place.

Enjoy getting out with your small dog!