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Marty's Musings

DIY projects, thrifty home decor and easy crafts

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Mother to Adopted Daughter on Wedding Day

By Marty Walden · 22 Comments

This letter from a mother to adopted daughter on her wedding day will make you cry and rejoice at the same time! (At the end of this post I’ve included some of my favorite inexpensive gift ideas for your daughter on her special day.)  My life changed when I decided in 2008 to courageously share our adoption story. It wasn’t a pretty ... read more

Filed Under: adoption, Lifestyle, Motherhood, Popular Posts, wedding

Best Chalk Painting Products

By Marty Walden · 19 Comments

These are the best chalk painting products available, with affordable options for transforming furniture and home decor! My husband and I started chalk painting years ago. We have very different approaches to the process! He's a painting contractor by profession and I'm the creative, slightly out of the box thinker. Our first project ... read more

Filed Under: Chalk Paint Ideas, DIY, Home Projects, Painting Tips, Popular Posts

Slow Cooker Taco Soup: Easy Dump and Go Recipe!

By Marty Walden · 30 Comments

Slow cooker taco soup is a quick, inexpensive recipe for days when you don't want to have to think about what's for dinner! As a homeschooling mom of many (5 kids, both biological and adopted) I needed some meals that were simple and ready at the end of what were usually hard days. Those were long days of schooling, piano lessons, field ... read more

Filed Under: crock pot meals, Easy Recipes, entrees, slow cooker

This cheap and fast DIY Valentines Day banner is made out of gift bags from the dollar store. Perfect for the mantel from dollar store items for under $15!

Cheap and Fast DIY Valentines Day Banner

By Marty Walden · 10 Comments

This cheap and fast DIY Valentine's Day banner is made out of gift bags from the dollar store. So clever and simple to make even the kids can help! Decorate your entire mantel or wall! 34 years ago Valentine's Day a pretty young girl with twinkling eyes pledged her heart to a dashing young man with long ... read more

Filed Under: Banners, Crafts, Home Projects, mantel, Popular Posts, Seasonal Projects, sponsored post, Valentine's Day

This cheap and fast DIY Valentines Day banner is made out of gift bags from the dollar store. Perfect for the mantel from dollar store items for under $15!

25 Valentine’s Day Crafts and Recipes

By Marty Walden · 57 Comments

Don't know where to start to create a special day for the ones you love? These 25 Valentine's Day crafts and recipes will help you celebrate and make memories on this special holiday!   My husband Tim and I celebrate our 34th wedding anniversary on Valentine's Day. Yes, we did indeed get married on Valentine's Day. Tim always says it ... read more

Filed Under: 25th Anniversary Vow Renewal Service, 25th Wedding Anniversary, Anniversary, Crafts, Seasonal Projects, Valentine's Anniversary, Valentine's Day, wedding

Upcycled Vintage Sheet into No Sew Table Runner

By Marty Walden · 22 Comments

It's so easy to turn an upcycled vintage sheet into a no sew table runner with a trip to a thrift store and these easy instructions! It's no secret that I love finding bargains and creating one-of-a-kind home decor with my discoveries. A pretty kitchen table (we don't have a dining room) is important to me since we're now empty nesters and ... read more

Filed Under: Crafts, Entertaining, home decor, No Sew Projects

How to Decorate for Christmas on a Budget

By Marty Walden · 14 Comments

Filled with simple DIY projects and thrift finds, this tutorial will teach you how to decorate for Christmas on a budget! One of my favorite and funniest Christmas stories happened in 1989. Whoa, that certainly seems like a long time ago! My husband Tim and I were living in Little Rock, Arkansas with our one-year-old firstborn daughter ... read more

Filed Under: Christmas, home tour, Seasonal Projects

11 Ways to Add Buffalo Plaid Christmas Decorations

By Marty Walden · 16 Comments

These 11 ways to add buffalo plaid Christmas decorations to your holiday home are simple AND inexpensive! Perfect for the DIYer and crafter! Am I the only one who has a mad crush on all things buffalo plaid? No? Good because you've come to the right place! For fall I added some touches of black and white plaid to my decor and just loved ... read more

Filed Under: Christmas, Seasonal Projects

DIY Buffalo Plaid Christmas Hoop Wreath

By Marty Walden · 14 Comments

This DIY buffalo plaid Christmas hoop wreath is both simple and gorgeous! Use what you have on hand and it's cheap, too! Christmas is my favorite season to decorate my home and in the past I loved making crafty decorations each year. Since we were homeschoolers for 23 years, my kids would usually join in making ornaments for their church ... read more

Filed Under: Christmas, Crafts, No Sew Projects, Seasonal Projects

Front Porch Christmas Decorations

By Marty Walden · 28 Comments

These 7 tips for creating beautiful front porch Christmas decorations won't cost you a lot of money or time! Create a welcoming space for all to enjoy! **Scroll to the bottom to see more amazing outdoor inspiration from my favorite bloggers! Anyone else struggle with all the decorating things this year? 2020 will not be forgotten anytime ... read more

Filed Under: Christmas, Seasonal Projects

Dried Beef Cheese Ball

By Marty Walden · 19 Comments

A holiday favorite that is perfect served year round, this dried beef cheese ball is easy to make and always a crowd pleaser! **Stay tuned for more fabulous entertaining inspiration from my favorite blogger friends at the end of this post! Tips for making this Dried Beef Cheese Ball recipe: Perfect for the holiday season, potlucks and ... read more

Filed Under: appetizer/beverage, family cookbook

M&M Cookie Mix in a Jar with FREE Printable

By Marty Walden · 14 Comments

Love giving handmade gifts from the kitchen? This M&M Cookie Mix in a Jar recipe includes a FREE printable and label! Plus the cookies are divine! *** For more inspiration from some amazing blogging friends, check out the goodies at the end of this post! Do you ever look back in the past and wonder what in the world you were ... read more

Filed Under: Christmas, Gift Ideas, Printables, recipes, Seasonal Projects

Free Thanksgiving Printable: Practice Gratitude

By Marty Walden · 9 Comments

Use this simple FREE Thanksgiving printable to help you and your family practice gratitude no matter the circumstances! Does anyone else need to make an about face with their attitude/perspective this year? 2020 has certainly contained challenges beyond what we could have imagined January 1st. For me, I was diagnosed with the flu that day ... read more

Filed Under: Printables, Seasonal Projects, Thanksgiving

Anyone can decorate a Christmas mantel the cheap way with these 5 amazing tips! No more wasted time or money and your decorations will still be stunning!

DIY Chalkboard Banner Wood Slices

By Marty Walden · 25 Comments

Join the chalkboard craze with these easy handmade wood slices used as a chalkboard banner. Simply erase and use for any season, celebration or party. *** For more inspiration from some amazing blogging friends, check out the ideas at the end of this post! My Christmas village is one of of my favorite elements of our Christmas decorating. You ... read more

Filed Under: Banners, Christmas, Crafts, Home Projects, Seasonal Projects Tagged With: Christmas, crafts, DIY, Repurposing, seasonal

DIY Textured Vase out of a Plastic Carton

By Marty Walden · 20 Comments

Don't waste money on high priced home decor. Use an easy spray paint to create this DIY textured vase out of a plastic carton! Sometimes the best ideas come from random possibilities. Recently I was at my local craft store shopping for spray paint, and I came across an amazing product I'd never seen before. At the same time I had also ... read more

Filed Under: Crafts, home decor, Painting Tips, Popular Posts

Jiffy Corn Casserole with Cheese

By Marty Walden · 8 Comments

This simple Jiffy Corn Casserole with Cheese recipe is perfect for family gatherings and days you need a quick side dish! Tips for making Jiffy Corn Casserole with Cheese: Stock up on Jiffy Corn Mix when they're on sale and keep on hand for these recipes!Can be baked in a large casserole dish.Only need 7 ingredients for this delicious ... read more

Filed Under: bread, breads, Easy Recipes, recipes, side dish

No Sew Table Runner and Buffalo Plaid Chargers

By Marty Walden · 15 Comments

Need a quick and easy way to change up your decor? Try this no sew table runner and buffalo plaid chargers without any sewing! "Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go." ~unknown I don't know about you but 2020 has made me weary. I'm tired of the constant conflict on social media and the way this year has divided friends and ... read more

Filed Under: Crafts, Fall, home decor, No Sew Projects, Seasonal Projects, Thanksgiving

Easy Pumpkin Muffins with a Cake Mix

Easy Pumpkin Muffins (with a cake mix)

By Marty Walden · 37 Comments

A must have recipe, these easy pumpkin muffins are made from a cake mix, canned pumpkin and spices. Perfect for school, parties and celebrating fall! There's just something about fall that makes me want to bake! Maybe it's the cooler weather with a nip in the air. Maybe it's the joy I get from wearing sweaters and jeans after a long ... read more

Filed Under: bread, breads, Easy Recipes, Fall, Seasonal Projects, Thanksgiving Tagged With: bread, food, muffins, pumpkin

How to Make a DIY Rag Banner + Fall Mantel

By Marty Walden · 50 Comments

Want to update your fall decor without spending a lot of money? This DIY Rag Banner is perfect for any season and is so easy it's the perfect fall craft! I always like to remind you guys that I'm not a designer. I'm simply a woman who loves creating beauty in her home through trial and error and a little bit of DIY magic. If I can do it ... read more

Filed Under: Banners, Crafts, Fall, No Sew Projects, Seasonal Projects

Slow Cooker Barbecue Pork Sliders

By Marty Walden · 13 Comments

This blog post was created prior to the Coronavirus outbreak and recent CDC social distancing recommendations. As many of us are spending more time at home, I hope this recipe inspires you to try something new and brings some joy. Stay safe!##AllNaturalSmithfieldFlavor Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Inmar Intelligence and its ... read more

Filed Under: appetizers, Easy Recipes, entrees, slow cooker

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Meet Marty

Marty Walden believes anyone can create an authentic home filled with simple, thrifty decor. When you join her community, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to create a treasured home and still live within your means! Read More…

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Popular Posts

Mother to Adopted Daughter on Wedding Day

Best Chalk Painting Products

This cheap and fast DIY Valentines Day banner is made out of gift bags from the dollar store. Perfect for the mantel from dollar store items for under $15!

Cheap and Fast DIY Valentines Day Banner

DIY Textured Vase out of a Plastic Carton

Small Linen Closet Organization: 7 Simple Steps for More Room!

How to Use Chalk Paint Wax + Tips on Distressing

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