Copycat

If you’re like Anne from Annimal Instincts, beach décor is not limited to summertime alone. Anne says, “For me, reminders of the sand and sea are not only a summer phenomenon. I can’t get enough of the soothing blues, whites, and tans all year round.” To bring that calming effect to her master bath, Anne used a little computer know-how to create custom versions of Crate & Barrel’s Sea Life Silhouette series using images she found online. Anne displayed her prints in inexpensive frames for a savings of $61 from the price of her inspiration.

This summer Whitney from Shanty 2 Chic built a beautiful outdoor dining table with plenty of style and space for her family of seven. It kind of goes without saying that seating is an important counterpart to a table. Whitney solved that problem by building two benches with plans by Ana White that share the same fancy X design as her table. I am still blown away by the fact that the table AND both benches came in under $140!

Jen from Librarian Tells All has already gotten a head start on her Christmas crafting. Yes, I know it’s barely October, but you’ll thank me when you see these adorable flower ornament clips that Jen made. As Jen points out, the clips have plenty of uses from tree trimmers to gift clips to hair accessories, which means you will want to make plenty! Thank goodness it’s only October, huh? {Wink}

Larissa from The House on Harrison wanted some candlesticks for her master bath and found beautiful gold and white candle holders from Pottery Barn that were perfect for the space. Not surprisingly, the price was crazy, which propelled Larissa to refab some candlesticks of her own with spray paint and glaze. I think it’s amazing how Larissa’s use of glaze adds such depth and actually gives the appearance of carved stone.

If you’ve seen the prices on some of Anthro’s ruffly panels, you know I am not exaggerating when I say they are crrrazy expensive. How about we just drop one of those zeros off the $200 price tag? Following this tutorial from Amanda at DIY Til We Die, you can make not one but TWO panels for under $20! What’s the secret you might be wondering… Amanda used $4 sheets from Wal-mart, which allowed her to get plenty of fabric to sew these beauties without the expense!