More on the bedroom update- carpet tiles, compressed mattress and adjustable bed frames

This bedroom redo was kind of like the book "When You Give A Mouse A Cookie".
There were several steps before we ever got to the redo.
First, we didn't want to get rid of our current bed as my husband built it and the mattresses are just a year or so old.
So, we had to empty out the guest room.  The bed from that room went to this grandson who had just outgrown his crib- meaning he was escaping the crib and we all feared he could get hurt during his escapes.

Then I cleaned the carpet in that empty guest room and touched up the wall paint. 

Our old bed was moved in there as well as 2 little shelves that were previously in the craft room.  They work just right as bedside tables.

This guest room is set up and needs a bit of decorating but that can wait.  

Then we emptied out our master bedroom- the old carpet was removed and everything was taken out.  

Then we decided to go with the carpet tiles while we waited for the beds to come from Amazon. More on them below.

I'm not giving links in this post as I am not an affiliate of any of the companies.
We chose Dynasty compressed mattresses.  We bought 2 Twin XL.

Each came rolled up tight in box, about the size of a 4 year old grandson. 

The mattress is rolled tight and wrapped tightly in plastic.

Just carefully cut away the plastic and unroll and watch the mattress just puff right up.

It was really quick and fun to watch the mattresses puff up.  

They are firm like we like and very comfortable.  They didn't smell weird and have very good warranties. 

W bought 2 Twin XL Sealy adjustable bed bases.  They are black platforms with remote controls to adjust the head or the feet.  They frames come assembled, except the legs need screwed on and the mechanical parts needs attached.  It was not difficult to set up.  The frames are heavy but not nearly as heavy and hard to move as we expected from the reviews on the Amazon site.



The linens  used are 2 Twin XL fitted sheets and a king size top sheet.  I wasn't sure how the top sheet was going to work as we sleep with the beds at different adjustments but it works fine.  The sheets come in sets from multiple Amazon sellers.  Making the bed is little tricky when putting on the fitted sheets.  Where the 2 mattresses set together is the tricky part.  The foot of the bed is easy and the top is much easier if we raise one side all the way up and put on the fitted sheets when those 2 corners are not together.


We bought the Simply Seamless
Tranquility Mountain Mist carpet tiles from Home Depot.
They are not hard to handle.  The tiles have a peel and stick backing and ours stuck just fine to our concrete slab floor.  They were easy to cut with a big exacto knife and metal ruler for the straight edge.
Since there is no pad, the floor doesn't feel as cushy as traditionally installed carpet but it is plenty comfy enough for us.
Look at the above photos closely.  In some parts, it really looks like wall to wall carpet.  But in other spots, it's very evident it is tiles.  Even still, we like the floor and are glad we did it.
My advice if your considering this is to look on the Home Depot site and read the reviews for these carpet tiles.  There are some very detailed reviews with photos there.
This brand of tiles are also available from other online sellers.  I suggest shopping around to get the best price.  When we bought ours at Home Depot, they were about $58 a box.
I have vacuumed the carpet tiles multiple times with our Dyson and they are staying stuck.

I'll try to answer any other questions on this.  

Starting in July, tomorrow, I've got several frugal posts planned.  

New patio and bedroom makeover

We have wanted a bigger patio ever since we moved to to this home 15 years ago.
And now we finally have one 😄

It extends from our backdoor, under the pergola, all the way to the tornado shelter, my husband's shop and a good bit under the basketball goal.  

It's big enough for the picnic tables and chairs, and still plenty of room for the grandchildren to ride trikes or play.  

It needs prettied up still. The tables will get refinished and I want to add some planters with color.  My husband also needs to move back his grill and smoker.  We will add extras as we can but for now,  we are just thrilled to have the concrete patio.  

We like to do things ourselves but concrete on this scale is out of our ability range.  We hired a local man and he was so honest, skilled and hard working.  

In our bedroom, we wanted an adjustable bed.  My husband has bad knees and sleeps best when his knees are elevated.  I sleep best when my head is elevated a lot.  

So, we shopped on Amazon and picked out the motorized adjustable beds frames and compressed mattresses.  We learned through the reviews, that the bed frames are heavy.  So we thought we should replace the 17 year old white carpet before we put the heavy beds in.  We shopped at Lowes for some but there was a waiting list for installation.  So we decided to do the carpet ourselves with carpet tiles from Home Depot.

Before we pulled out the carpet, we moved out everything in this room.  While it was out, the walls were cleaned and paint touched up and the window blinds and window were cleaned.  

Doing all that made it feel like a brand new room.  

I ordered a king size bedspread but it was way too small as this bed is rather tall.  After shopping for 2 days for a big enough bedspread, I decided to order 2 king size fleece blankets and sew up one that would be big enough and still machine washable.  

My husband built the ladder to display quilts. 

I sewed the curtains and changed around the things on the walls.

We bought this vintage Ethan Allen vanity at our favorite thrift store a few months ago.  I didn't have it set up until we redid the whole room.
The lid lifts open with a mirror inside and cubbies for cosmetics and such.  I am really enjoying this vanity.

Actually, we are enjoying all of these improvements and are so thankful we could make them.

If anyone has questions about the bed or carpet brands,  I'll answer.

So after these two big expenses, can anyone guess what the theme at home will be for a good while?
Yep,  we are back in frugal mode and I plan to have quite a few frugal posts through July.  

Homemade - child craft and a meal

Hello everyone 🌞 It's summer and we're doing summer things. 

My grandchildren love to do crafts and when I saw this easy craft on Pinterest, I was pretty sure it would be a good one. 

The craft uses those glass pebbles sold in about every craft and floral department, clear glue and a base like a plastic lid from a yogurt carton. And something for a hanger like a piece of cording.  I first used a bent paper clip and was not crazy about it.  Cording works better.  

I made this one as a sample and test when no children were here. 

The grands made all the rest.  

Just squirt out a layer of the clear glue on the plastic lid and then put in a hanger and the glass pebbles in any design you like. 

The older grandchildren planned out their designs before using glue. The younger ones just had fun putting the pebbles into the glue with no plan.  

we used Elmers clear glue- bought at Walmart in the school supply section.  

The only drawback to this craft is the glue takes a long time for the glue to dry- close to a week.  

The children had to leave these here until they were dry and I kept them where I could check them often.  I put the glue on thick enough so I was confident the suncatchers would hold together and maybe our glue is thicker than needed to be.  

Once the glue is dry,  the sun catcher will just peel right out of the plastic lid.  

The lids can be reused for a second batch,  which is what we did.  

The ones hanging in the window were made a week ago.

The ones still drying on lids were made yesterday.  

here is a peek out one of our back windows.  Can any one guess what is going on in our backyard with a cement truck and a very hardworking contractor?  We just had a much bigger patio poured and I am so pleased and excited about it.  More on that later......

One of our favorite meals is grilled burgers and I decided at the last minute to cook them.  

I looked online and tried a yeast bun recipe that is ready in about 30 minutes.  They did mix up fast and easy.  And they were great in a pinch but I do prefer my old recipe over this one.  

The burger toppings were all grown in our backyard except for the pickles.

I cooked some fried potatoes and onions- both the potatoes and onions are also from our backyard garden.  

I call them "fried" as I cook them in a nonstick skillet with just about a teaspoon of oil.  But they are oil heavy like most deep fried potatoes  

my husband grilled the burgers in the backyard and they were so good!
this is his plate.

I hope all my readers in the northern hemisphere are having a nice summer too.

New wreath and this week's to do list

Now that my craft room is organized,  I knew what I had and decided to make a wreath for our front door.  People have been making these fluffy wreaths for years.  You just need a wreath form  and fabric squares.

Actually, you will need lots and lots fabric squares.
More than in this photo, I had to cut more.  Mine are 4 inch squares.  They do not have to be perfect and if some are really crooked or too small, they will still work.

I used an old foam wreath. 

You also need a "poker" I used a plastic paint brush end but knitting needles or a screwdriver would work too. 

Put the fabric square around the poker and dip into a little glue,  then poke the fabric in the form, about a 1/4 inch deep.
The glue is optional.  But I live in windy Oklahoma, so I wanted to add a little support.

Then just fill in the wreath, front and sides with  fabric squares.  

 Close up and I did put fabric on the back of mine as our front door has a window.  I didn't want to look at the bare back of the styrofoam wreath.

And here is my new to do list for this week and my press on nail manicure.  Impress is my favorite brand. 

Have a good week everyone ❤️

organized craft room

It's not a cute craft room yet, and its not Pinterest worthy,   but it is clean and organized.  And I am so happy I had time to get this job done.  Decorating will come later. 

This is my Necchi sewing machine and this desk that belonged to my husband's grandparents suits me just fine to sew on.  The drawers are nice storage and the desktop is enough sewing area for most things I sew. 

Rubber stamps on the wall,  a work table for paper crafts and the bookshelf has baskets of glitter, markers, ink pads, craft scissors, etc:
On the top shelf is a Cricut machine for paper cutting. 

This cubby was in the closet but it was hard to see in so I moved it out and added sorted fabric in each cubby.  On the top is fabric that I have projects in mind to make first.
Roll wrap is in the crock and the container on the right is full of old white towels that I plan to cut up and hem for rags. 

these shelves all got sorted.  Fabric is on 4 shelves. 
Perler beads are on one shelf,  Beads and jewelry making things have a shelf
One shelf holds 2 baskets of glues, tapes and all adhesives
Also sewing notions,  plastic canvas and yarn,  supplies for kid crafting,  more quilt scraps, batting, ribbon and some patterns-


Before- the closet was a disaster but not anymore! 

I hung up the ironing supplies in their rack on one door. 
Scrapbook paper and such is on one big shelf.
On the floor is a box of fall craft supplies and a box full of gift bags and tissue paper.
That red basket is empty

The tubs on the floor- one is gifts, one is unfinished quilt tops and squares my mom made or my dad found at yard sales,  one tub is solid colored fabrics and 2 tubs are small fabric scraps.
The folded clothes and clothes on hangers need ironed. 
The storage cubes on the middle shelf hold vintage sheets,  plaid fabric, etc:


And this is the desk that holds the PC, printer, routers, shredder and tall that kind of stuff. 

So, that's my craft/sewing room.  I still want to label the containers, shampoo the carpet and do a little decorating and that will happen soon. 

For now,  I am thrilled this room is useable again. 

I've been thinking about how to fix this room for months and have browsed both online and in stores for more containers and shelving units.  But as I got to working in here today,  I discovered I already had more that enough things on hand to organize this room. 

Doing it all for free is a happy bonus. 

Yes,  I know I have a lot of "stuff" 

But I truly bought very little of at retail price. 

Some is from yard sales and thrift stores. 

Some is from my daughter and the majority of it is from my parents when they downsized to move to their retirement home.  

Thanks for visiting

Jumping back in........

Hello everyone,  the last few weeks have been anything but routine with the end of school year busyness, family things and such.
I'm hoping to get back to a pace I like.
So, I'll be starting this new week with a new to do list.  There is not much cleaning on it as I did several of the weekly tasks this evening.

I've been working on a number of sprucing up, refreshing and deep cleaning projects around our home for a couple weeks.  When they all are done to my liking,  I'll show those. 

For now,  my biggest job will be reorganizing and cleaning my craft room.  It is so messy and full,  it's almost impossible to actually craft or sew in there.  

These photos were taken Sunday evening.  

I plan on working in there Monday until it's done.  

Eeeeeek!  I know! 

Come back Monday night as  I plan on it looking 100% better 

Meals, bragging, a diaper deal, an oops deal, etc;

good morning everyone,  here are a few things we've been up to

This is our salad-sandwich tray for the week.  Making meals and snacks is so much easier when I take the time to make up of these.  We used it this weekend to make sandwichs and to have diced veggies with our cottage cheese.  During the week,  we will add diced veggies to dinner salad, eat more sandwiches and add diced veggies to tuna for tuna salad.

I'm trying to use up some oddball ingredients from the pantry.  This meal used a can of green enchilada sauce and the enchilada casserole was delicious! I usually make Mexican rice with chicken broth but there are several cartons of turkey broth in the pantry.  I used turkey broth for this batch of rice and I couldn't tell any difference.
I also baked a pouch of cookie mix.
I'm guessing most every pantry has some unused oddball ingredients, right?

I have to brag on my son and daughter in law.  Her mother just retired and they hosted a dinner for her.  They originally planned to have it in their backyard but we had so much rain that day.  So they

 cleared out their living room and set up the dinner there.  

For dessert, Bobby made cinnamon rolls.  This batch was only his 3rd time bake yeast bread and he used my grandparents recipe, from my blog.  Link is on my right sidebar under my grandparents photo. I think he has yeast baking mastered already.

Several weeks ago I read about a Cuties diaper deal on Amazon and I think I saw it on Mineysavingmom.com but I'm not sure.
The deal is to use Subscribe and Save and get 4 bags of Cuties diapers, shipped, for around $6-7 total, depending on the size.  That price is for all 4 bags, not just one.
I read the reviews and skeptically bought it.  We use a lot of diapers in our family.
My first shipment came, all 4 bags in one box, and their quality is fine.  For nights, a heavier diaper might be better, but these are great for daytime.

I have since reordered 16 bags and my daughter did too.

I have to say Amazon changes their prices and availability often.  In the short time I've been watching Cuties diapers, I have seen the price go way up and then way down.  All our orders were placed when the price was low.
If you need diapers, I would suggest you check Amazon daily and buy when the price is low too.
Cuties come all sizes and the packages range from a single bag, to the four packs to boxes.
So if you want to try Cuties, please read the description to make sure you know what your getting.

Grandson Jackson is here the most and he needs his clothes changed often as he is an enthusiastic player and eater. 

I had very few short sleeve shirts here in his size but more than a dozen long sleeve shirts. 

These 3 all had the double sleeve style so I decided it would be quicker and cheaper to just alter these 3. 

No sewing involved -just cutting.  I just cut off the long sleeve under the short sleeve hem.

This took maybe 5 minutes - I think my husband may want the sleeves to use for rags when he stains wood projects.

I bought these water jugs at Walmart in the Easter clearance section for .50 each. 

I hand washed them and then 2 grands used them. 

I put those 2 to wash in the dishwasher. 

But, they must be made of shrinky dink plastic as they shrunk! 

Their bottom label does say hand wash only so the damage was caused by my error. 

Oh well, I'm glad I didn't buy more than 5. 

Crazy, right?