Tuesday, July 10, 2012

The Name Game

Debi Debi Bo Bebi-  Banana Fana Fo Febi...

Thanks for all the commiseration and advice about the Great Hacking Adventure of 2012. Clearly, confession is good for the soul. That's the way it appears, anyway, since I have yakked my story abroad to anyone who will listen for a week. You wouldn't believe how it  has been decorated by now. 

But then again, maybe you would. 

The husband, on the other hand, is already sick and tired of hearing about it.  He told me that he doesn't want to hear the phrase austerity measures one more time.

Therefore, I have given it a new name. I'm calling it No Buy July.  Doesn't that sound a lot more adventurous than austerity measures?  If there is one tip that defines my outlook on life, it's this:  Anything can be made more tolerable when dubbed an adventure, and every adventure is so much more adventurous when given a nifty name.  

Disclaimer: I have yet to find a name for carrots nifty enough to make me want to eat them.

Since it was Debi the debit card who got me into this mess, I'm giving her a new name for July as well. I shall now call her Debil instead.

Resist the Debil, and she will flee from you...

That pretty much describes No Buy July in a nutshell. I'm simply resisting anything that isn't a need. 

Food is a need. 
However, trying a new recipe with some random ingredient not on the pantry shelf is not. Besides... it's so much more adventurous to see what you can make from the freezer and pantry shelves. It sparks the creativity. 

Creativity is a need. 
At least, it's a need around here. If I can't be can't be creative, I get kind of cranky, and no one wants to be around a cranky fifty year old drama queen in the south Georgia summer. Trust me on that one.

However, starting a project for which one does not have supplies is not a need. 

So here's my project for the week. It's nothing fancy, but it didn't cost a dime either.  OK, technically, it didn't cost a July dime. The "before" parts were purchased in June at the Habitat ReStore, also known as Debbie's Waterloo. 

You thought I would never get to this part, didn't you? 


Old cheese dome: $2.00


Old wooden candle holder: $1.00


Old wooden candle holder with candle holder part removed. 


Gorilla wood glue


Heirloom white spray paint.


Nifty little pedestal cloche.

So there you have it, a silly little craft without spending a July dime. 

If anyone else is in need of saving money,
 I invite you to join me on the No Buy July Adventure.
You might as well take advantage of it while you can, people.

There's absolutely nothing creative
 that rhymes with the word August. 


*****
Thanks to Bunny Jean,
who sweetly featured this silly story and craft on her Bunny Hop.
 Hop on over and see more! 

50 comments:

Vee said...

This could probably become a fun challenge. Keep us informed. Perhaps I'll have to try "no buy July" in August.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I'm ready to join you for the 'no buy July'!! I need to cut down on stuff not add to it. That said, I LOVE your new pedestal cloche! I will look at my 'junk' and see if I can make something like that...LOVE IT!! Hugs, Linda

Gina said...

I love the idea of No Buy July, I'm just not sure I could last more than a day or two! It would definitely be a challenge.

Your pedestal looks beautiful! Good thing you had that baby stashed away since June.

Unknown said...

LOVIN No Buy July!! Your crafty transformation is wonderful. When I Fiscal Fast (the last week of each month - no buy nuffin around here then), I work on UFO's(unfinished objects) - creative juices just gotta flow :)

Blessings!
Gail

P.S. July is about 1/3 behind us :)

elizabeth said...

I love your little project! On the day I made my BOULANGERIE sign I really wanted to go to my favorite antique store that was having a big sale. Instead, I stayed home and made the sign and another project I'm blogging about tomorrow! At the end of the day I was so proud of myself for resisting the DEBIL! (the projects were made with stuff I already had)

Debbie said...

Love this whole ideas...I am on a FORCED No Buy summer, haha...Seriously, it isn't that bad working into once you get going. I love your project. Where ya going to put it? Hope your having a good day!

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Sorry, I have already been disqualified for the no buy July club very early on. Ooops! I would be interested in a no buy August Adventure though...maybe! Since I actually have several unfinished projects that I want to complete I may be able to actually pull it off. I love your cloche it looks great! I can't wait to see how you use it too, in a table setting maybe? I especially love how you fessed up that this was actually purchased in June. Funny!

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Sorry for all the actually's! Too much coffee this morning. :)

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Oh I have more months of no buy than buy...so I am the queen of learning to use what I have to be creative...so it is a treat when I can buy.

Have fun...you only have three weeks to go! You will make it girl...and I am sure you will have some wonderful projects finished at the end as you creative mind stays busy

no spring chicken said...

Ah, it sounds like a grand adventure. I'm SO glad you thought of it in July! I look forward to hearing reports of your spiritual warfare. I think the Debil is plotting and planning. Be strong my friend! The cloche was a fabulous first attack! What's next on the front line?

Blessings, Debbie

Miss Merry said...

No Buy July? I love it! It is too late for me already this year (excuses, excuses)but I am adding it to my calendar for next year :) -what a fun challenge! I still love the debit card story; I can so see myself in your story.

Bunny Jean said...

Hi Debbie!

So funny and yet true... I am with you on the No Buy July!

That cheese dome turned cloche on a pedestal turned out great. I would love for you to share it at my Bunny Hop Party this week :) I may even 'borrow' your theme for making do with items we already have on hand.

xoxo Bunny Jean
Wednesday's Bunny Hop Party

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

Love the creativity! The things we are the most cheerful about seem to be those that cost the least... well not always...but when we do it ourselves, it is a good feeling. I do still see some of those 'debil' made me do it things around here though. :(

Kathleen said...

Aren't you a clever girl? Your new cloche is lovely! I wish I had your imagination and flair for creativity. Also love the name change from Debi to Debil, it made me chuckle.

Barbara F. said...

Hi Debbie, love the cloche, and I am so with you for "no buy July", but so far after RE taxes, car ins, NYS registration and my license expireing next month, a delayed bill from my dentist from an apptmt back in March, and a couple of EBay eipsodes, I have to buckle down in August. I can also send you a recipe for "Copper Pennies", which involves carrots!! xo

Ann said...

Ok. You've outdone yourself, Debbie! Sooooooo cute!

Cheers!

Bunny Jean said...

Hi again Debbie... I have featured this on my Bunny Hop Party post today and used one picture plus a link back to this post. It posts at 4:00 Pacific time. If this is not okay with you just shoot me an email.

xoxo Bunny Jean

Lynn said...

Your cloche turned out cute! Best of luck with No Buy July, I know you'll do well. It's my son's B-Day soon... and it is still yard sale season... and they worry at HomeGoods if I'm not there on Saturday... So, I'll be with you in spirit:@)

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Hi Debbie, I love the idea of No Buy July ! Your new cloche on a pedestal is perfect!!! I keep trying to find an old cheese dome, but no luck so far.

xinex said...

Sorry your account was hacked, happened to me twice already but good thing the bank does not hold us responsible. Love the cloche! You are so funny, Debbie, lol....Christine

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

Now you've done it! Good girl! And your "new" "buy" is positively adorable!

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Mercy me, I roared at Debi's new name. You're something else, girlfriend. I do indeed like the "no buy July" adventure, but I can't promise to join in the fun. HA!

Sue said...

Debbie,You have out done yourself with this craft, I absolutely love it, and if my cheese plate wasn't packed away with my wood candlesticks I would go and copy this. i truly love this project, and if i wasn't starting my packing tomorrow during this fiasco, I would find them any way! Great job!
Hugs,
Sue

Anonymous said...

Debbie,
The craft looks great! As a skinflint, it has even greater appeal to me!

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Debbie, that is just plain fabulous...The cloche that is, now, go eat your carrots!!

Carol

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

P.S. I love what you did with the cloche!!! Genius!

Amy Kinser said...

I so need to do this with you. The big problem is that I am having company coming in next week. I did tell Beth today that I would love to see if we could feed them from our pantry and freezer and not have to buy anything but milk and bread. Hmmm...gonna do more thinking on that one.

Love the "debil" name. You are one creative lady, my friend.

Christine said...

Ha ha haaaa ha haaaa ha haaaa ha haaaa haaa ha!! Cracking up! Hooting and snorting!

Chatty Crone said...

I will try to save money with you this month too and only the necessities.

Just one thing - is chocolate necessary?

And I LOVED this.

sandie

Mevely317 said...

Oh darn ... I somehow missed your previous post. OK, NOW I'm nodding and grinning again.
Can I relate? Ooooh, yeah. :(
Since we're 10 days into July, I declare myself INELIGIBLE to participate in "no-buy-July" -- but plan to give it a try next month.

PS - I soooo love this cloche!

Denise said...

You are awesome.

corners of my life said...

I need to start a pinterest board called "paint it white". This would be my first pin.

Barbara Neubeck said...

Hi Debbie,
If anyone can make 'No Buy July' work ..I'm sure it will be you. You are so clever and creative.
Have a great week
Barb from Australia

Babs said...

I love the "No Buy July" idea and I know what you mean about getting cranky without creativity..me, too.
That's why you'll see the grapevine wreath covered in brown paper, on my recent post..trying to be creative without spending any money. I know a brown paper wreath isn't that exciting, but it gave me something "creative" to do. LOL Hang in there,
Babs

Creations By Cindy said...

Now this is my kind of craft! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Anita Diaz said...

Debbie, oh how I miss reading your posts when I don't get around to visit. You are just brilliant, my friend!! I totally get into projects then don't have what I need, and the 30 minute drive to Lowes is not happening, so I have to make do with what I can dig out of my dad's garage. Love your project!! My goodness, what a great idea! Thanks for stopping by and for lays making me smile or laugh:-) Wish you were closer to me also!!

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

Love your new cloche -- and LOVE "No Buy July!" I've been doing that myself (except for the fudge at M.I. which was a "need" at the time after the tandem bike adventure). As soon as I can get some more decluttering done, I'm going to start on some little projects (like your cloche) that have been waiting around for a lonnng time. That's my goal... Can't wait to see how creative you get over the next few weeks. Enjoy the self-imposed challenge!

Renée said...

BOOM! Way to pull it off in "No-Buy July." Your new cloche is awesome Debbie. I'm going to hunt in a couple of closets and see if I can find something that needs a little update.

Saturday we realized a dream when we got my car, my guy's truck and our see-doos in the garage for the first time all together. I've been on the giving end for the last 1-1/2 years. Still, I'm sure I've saved a few goodies to work on. Thanks as always for a big smile and inspiration.

FrouFrouBritches said...

I am joining you for No Buy July. Why? Cause I'm broke! I, too, am making due with what's in the pantry and the craft closet, but I'm not happy about it. There's so much I want to get done before school starts while I have time. When schools starts, I'll have more $$, but less time. ugh!

I LOVE you new cloche! It looks amazing!!!

By the way, I can't think of a title to make me want to eat carrots either. ICK!

Angel said...

Once again I am awed and inspired by your creativity! Can you make me one too??? :)

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

That looks great! Your creativity is working overtime, and I love it. So clever to come up with such a great project in No Buy July. I'd also love to read your story, Morning Glory! laurie

Denise said...

I think that cheese dome and candlestick were some I sent to that Habitat Restore....Why didn't I think of that idea? You're simply brilliant sister dear. Love your new cloche.

Maybe we'll get lucky tomorrow on our adventure. Can't wait!!

Anne said...

Debbie your cloche idea was so neat. Plus it makes it one of a kind.

Mary said...

Creativity is a need and I so don't want No Buy July enforced in my house...it's too HOT and HUMID for me to be without a checkbook too :) I tell myself that a $2.99 dish at HomeGoods is less than the daily Starbucks habit I used to have~ how's that for rationalization? I love your little pedestal cloche transformation!

Unknown said...

How in Heaven's name did you come up with that craft idea???? I look at the two pieces and think, huh. an old cheese dome and an old candle holder...and that's it.
I love what you have done AND I am pretty impressed with your "No buy July".
Notice I did not say I'm right there with you on the "No Buy July".....but I have some really pretty chair cushions for when I repaint my kitchen. Does it count if I keep the receipt to take them back if I come to my senses later?
xo
lynn

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

I love this project, Debbie! I'm always looking for chunky candlesticks like this when I am at the thrift store and if there is a cheese dome around, it will come home with me, too.

I read your previous post about the "hack". I actually just started using a debit card at the end of last year when we moved and got a new bank. I usually use it for purchases under $50.00, but not very often. We are more of a use the credit card so you get your reward points {I have an Amazon card}. We pay our cards off in full every month, so it doesn't matter ~ it's coming out of the checking either way. I just get the points this way and can order from Amazon using my them.

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Great project! So, so cute!

I love the name change from Debi to Debil....so much easier to resist the Debil than Debi....

Blessings!
Deanna

Red Couch Recipes said...

No Buy July would drive the retail people crazy, but what an idea. Love your new cloche. Joni

Athena at Minerva's Garden said...

Hi Debbie: Great idea. I love "shopping the house" to find materials to work with--it's amazing what you find tucked away that you forgot about. Take care--have a wonderful weekend!

Denise at Forest Manor said...

I'm definitely on board for a No Buy July, as we just made the final payment on our kitchen re-model. Yikes!

I love your "new" cloche! I'm going to try calling things an adventure and see if I can't make the boring things a little more fun. :)

Hugs,

Denise

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