Family Tree for Under $10

*UPDATE*
In the post below, I show you how to paint
clear contact paper to make a family tree;
HOWEVER,
since then I've recently discovered you can 
buy black contact paper!
I now sell Black Contact Paper for $.70 a foot in my {Store},
along with a similar version of the Family Tree for $11.99.

The benefit to using contact paper instead of vinyl
is the black contact paper is not only easier to apply,
but is movable and you can re-position it
a few times before it loses it's stickiness;
whereas vinyl shrivels once you decide to move it. 

Keep reading! 

Today I'm really excited to start 

sharing some decorating ideas on a budget.

My story with decorating on a budget

starts back when my husband and I were

married four years ago and both in college.

It can be tough but it's so much fun to learn

to be creative and use what you have.

Then our sweet little girl came along and

with that some more budgeting. 

When we got our apartment almost two years ago,

I was thrilled to have $25 to decorate our entire little "home."

Since then we have now moved into a house,

which is amazing and so fun to call our own.

Budgeting is still a necessity 

and so we find ways to stretch what we have

and find being creative is half the fun!

We try to spend between $25 - $35 a week on groceries

and I've slowly been decorating room by room

with a craft budget of $25 a month.
I figured there's got to be other people out there
like me that are on budgets but want to 
still enjoy making things and doing crafts.
That is the entire reason I created this blog,
to provide tips, freebies, ideas and affordable items
so hopefully there's no one that
"can't have it because they can't afford it!"

On to the good stuff!
My cute sister-in-law got this amazing Family Tree

 

and I wanted to use it in our hallway.

Unfortunately, $39.99 wasn't going to work

for us so I put my brain to work to figure 

out how I could make one.

I went to our local dollar store and 

picked up 7 different frames,

along with the "Family" quote.

Now for the fun part

(and my biggest decorating secret!)

Contact Paper!

This stuff is incredible! 

Vinyl can get pricy,

but this stuff is only $5.50ish for a huge roll!

I paint on it, cut it, use it to hang items, 

stick it on the wall without it removing paint,

and lots more that I'll be sharing in the future.

Here's the rest of the process on how 

you can make your own family tree.

• On the WRONG side of the contact paper, draw your leaves, branches, and stump.
• On the RIGHT side of the contact paper, you'll be able to see through to your drawing on the backside. Cover the areas with 2-3 coats of paint. (I used black acrylic paint)
• After the paint is completely dry, apply a thin layer of modge podge.
• Once modge podge is dry, turn it back over to the WRONG side so you can see where to cut.
• Peel of backing and apply on wall where desired.

 

Good luck!

Click HERE

to print the pattern
or find it on my {Freebies} page.

Enjoy! 

Thanks for stopping by and for your comments!

Link Parties: Key Lime - The Frugal Girls - Creation Corner - At the Picket Fence - Simple Home Life