36 of the BEST kitchen tips

Every once in a while, you run across that one blogger who has put together an amazing post of super useful things.

This week, I stumbled onto "Listoic" and Lilly Childer's fabulous post about kitchen tips. These were so amazing and helpful, especially the one about using a pizza cutter to cut up pancakes for the kiddos. Do yourself a huge favor and head over there to check this out - you will not be sorry.

http://www.listotic.com/36-genius-kitchen-tips-and-tricks/1

I am in the process of organizing and restocking my pantry. In fact, I am getting back to couponing and building up my pantry once more. A well stocked pantry is a thing of beauty and so very helpful - if you run into money short falls, dinners on a whim (Wow that recipe on Pintrest looks awesome, I should try that tonight!) surprise dinner guests ("Hey honey! I invited some friends from work over for dinner tonight" "Mom, can Tommy have dinner with us too?") or one of those times where travel to the store just isn't convenient (sickness, inclement weather) your pantry will be your best friend. So expect pictures and advice in my next post series which will be all about - you guessed it - PANTRIES!

To celebrate I am also sharing this cute and free tutorial on how to make your own pantry lables, courtesy of The Social Home who made these adorable lables from materials at the dollar store. Sounds very fantastically frugal to me!

Share your favorite things to keep in your pantry in the comments below.

Happy Tuesday!

When life throws you lemons - make stew! Or, how to reuse leftovers and trick your family into eating them...

There is nothing worse than throwing away a fridge full of leftovers. Ok, maybe there is, but seriously I cannot stand the thought of perfectly good food going to waste, especially if I spent time cooking it. However, my family is of the opinion that if it doesn't come from a place that includes a toy with their meal or isn't ready instantly then there is no point in eating it. Hence our long standing tradition of me creating dishes that reuse the leftovers in a new way, saving both time and money (two of my favorite things). Plus, on those nights you just don't know what to do these go-to recipies can be super helpful.

1.) Crock-pot chicken. This is cheap and easy - perfect for those nights when time is short! I buy whole chickens whenever I shop and throw them in the freezer. When I need a dinner I will take out the chicken and toss it in the crock-pot and let it simmer on low all day long. You can also use left-over chicken for this too. I add in what ever veggies I have on hand - last night's green beans, baby carrots from the snack drawer, the left overs from a veggie tray, or any of the veggies I have in the freezer from previous meals or canned in the pantry let them join the party too. Then I add some minced onions (or the dried kind you get in the baking section) salt and pepper, and a can of either chicken broth or cream of chicken soup. I let that cook all day and it's a perfect meal for dinner - just add some fruit, salad, and/or bread.

2.) Casserole. You can make litterally HUNDREDS of kinds of casserole. So that crock-pot chicken you made the other night? Now take all that super soft, flavorful, falling-off-the-bone chicken meat and put it in a baking dish. Pour in 2 cans of chicken broth, a package of noodles like corkscrew pasta, toss in your veggies again and a cup of shredded cheese, stir and bake. Your family will never know it's last night's chicken (unless they watch you make it, in which case have them help toss stuff in, it becomes and awesome game and they are more inclined to eat it).

3.) Stew. My favorite! I love this because you can let it simmer on the stove and it fills the whole house with a yummy smell or throw it in the crock-pot and go. Add in what ever veggies and meat you have on hand. Pour some cream of mushroom or cream of chicken in for your base, or use boullion cubes or canned broth. Throw in rice from the other night, canned/left over beans, or what ever cooked lentils you have on hand.

4.) Bakes. This is one of my kids' favorites! Take that stew, any mashed potatoes (feel free to use the boxed kind, no judgement) and biscuit mix. Layer your potatoes in a baking dish, pour stew over the top, then add your drop biscuits over the top. Bake for about 12 - 14 minutes and you're set.

All these dishes are great because you can basically use what ever is in your pantry/fridge and make adjustments based on picky eaters, allergies, and what you happen to have on hand. Here is a list of staples I like to keep on hand so I can make these any time:

~Biscuit mix
~Frozen whole chickens
~Block of cheese (I like the taste and versatility of Colby Jack)
~Dried onions
~Mashed potato mix or bag of potatoes
~Veggies (I throw left over cooked veggies in containers and freeze them and pull them out when I need them, but also stock up on cans and frozen)
~Garlic (dried, fresh, or canned)

I shop like crazy for deals on these staples by clipping coupons and doubling them on top of sales. I stock up when they are a good deal so I have them in my pantry when ever I need them. Just knowing I have these go-to options when time and funds are short helps to cut down on stress and helps me to stay organized.

What are your favorite ways to remake your leftovers? Share your recipes below!

10 Easy Tips Decorating on a Budget

Long time no see! Sorry this blog has been neglected for so long, life sort of got in the way there for a bit. So here is a post to get some ideas going for everyone who looks at their house and goes, "What the heck do I do with this space?!?!?"

Recently I had a new friend over and she asked as she looked around my house, "How do you decorate on a budget?" She is in the same boat as me (and a lot of us) right now - not enough money to buy everything we really want and trying to make a house a home with pennies. I told her I have a few favorite shopping places and a few rules that help me pull things together.

1.) Never pay full price. This might sound like a given, but so many times you see that cute item in the store and you try to justify buying it or kick yourself over not being able to afford it. Instead, wait for it to go on sale or find a coupon and save up for it. Sometimes when you wait to buy something, you find something else that was less expensive that works just as well or better! Infact, don't even go shopping until you have tried some of the following ideas.

2.) Make it yourself. This is what Pinterest and YouTube are for! If you see a cool piece of art, a funky chair, a vase or something else you want see if you can make it for less. Wooden furniture can be repainted, chairs can be recovered in new fabric, and there are lots of tutorials for making your own art. Or, if you have a talented friend, see if you can barter with them to make you something. Trade babysitting for a painting, or errand running for a new knitted throw.

3.) Use found and memory objects. Feathers, nuts, branches with berries, rocks, beach glass, shells, sand, wine corks, ticket stubs, pictures - all can be put in a container and displayed, glued to or mounted in a frame, or placed on a tray. Not only does it look nice, but it is a conversation piece and has personal meaning.

4.) Use a common theme. Pick a few things the items you put in the space have in common. For example, my living room has four common themes - the colors cream, brown, and teal, and then horses. I have a painting in teal and blue on the wall of a horse, a stirrup from a saddle and a cream colored horse figure on the table, teal throw pillows and a brown throw blanket on cream colored couches, and a rug with teal, brown and cream stripes. Everything works together because the comon colors and themes tie it all in.

5.) Shop your house. Take all your pictures, blankets, curtains, pillows, small tables, chairs, throw rugs, tchotchkes, vases, candle holders etc. and put them on the floor in the center of the room. Then go through the pile, looking at the objects and seeing which ones flow together and how you can use them in different rooms. A basket in the bathroom is nice to put magazines and spare toilet paper rolls in. Moving pictures and paintings around can really change a room. Switch curtains and bedding to update a bedroom, use a wooden chair as a bedside table, trade lamps with the living room. Look at the objects in your house and see how you can move them to different rooms, swap them, or use them differently. You'll be surprised how much change that can really make!

6.) Trade with friends. Swap items with your friends to get a new look. If they are getting rid of something, offer to buy it from them or trade something or a service for them (baby sitting, yard work, grocery shopping, etc.). This is how I got my couches; a friend of mine was going to sell them, I offered to buy them so she made me a deal.

7.) Shop thrift stores. The ones in nicer neighborhoods have a lot of good items, and many thriftstores have a half price day or a day certain tags are discounted. Sometimes you will have to arrive early on the sale days to ensure you get what you are looking for, so I recommend going the day before to scout out the inventory. Make a list of the items you want, then arrive early the day of the sale. Keep to a budget and also keep in mind what you can do with something. Items can be repainted, distressed, or used in a different way even if missing pieces or if in need of minor repairs. I was able to pick up a room divider for $11 on half price day, and it looks great sectioning off the computer area from my living room. I have also picked up towel holders for the bathroom, shelves, chairs, candle holders, area rugs, pictures, mirrors, vases, plates, and linens.

8.) Check out garage sales and online forums. Again, stick to your budget and have a set list of items you are looking for. There are all kinds of bartering and want ads, facebook groups and forums where items can be bought, sold, and traded for. Craig's List, Freecycle, and time banks can be great resources. Not only can you find things you are looking for, you can get them very inexpensive to free and get rid of what you don't need. Be willing to do some elbow work and always make sure you are being safe when meeting people from online - choose a meeting place in public, bring a couple friends with you, and if it sounds sketchy, it probably is so avoid it.

9.) Make a collection book. You can do this on Pinterest, on your phone with an app, or by tearing out pages from magazines. Collect pictures of what you like to help you form an idea of what you want to put in your space. Be sure to record the dimensions of the space too! Then you know when you are out running around and see something if it fits with what you envision - and in your room.

10.) Don't be afraid to invest in something important. Buy a good mattress for your bed. Get a sturdy couch in a neutral color that will last a long time. Put in good flooring that will handle wear and tear. Save up first and again see if you can get it on sale or use a coupon. However, certain items it is ok to splurge on when you are going to have them around for a long time. Otherwise, you are going to spend more in the long run trying to replace or repair something, and if you don't have the money to do either you will be frustrated for not investing in the right piece.

So there you are, my handy tips for decorating your house on a budget! Feel free to comment below and leave your ideas and tips for how you make your house look fabulous for less. 

Personalized "China" - Dollar Store Craft!

I saw a photo tagged on Pinterest that gave a very short, easy description on how to personalize a mug:

http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2012/06/his-her-sharpie-mug-diy.html

Of course, I HAD to try it! So very addicted to the Dollar store now *sigh*. It keeps my crafting costs down though! So here are the supplies you will need to do this at home:

1.) Sharpie Marker
2.) Plain white dollar store ceramic mug or plate
3.) Small bowl of water
4.) Cotton pad
5.) Oven

The first thing you want to be sure of is that the plate is free from fingerprints, dirt, and/or smudges. Next, preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and pick your design. I am in the midst of slowly redecorating my kitchen/dining room into an Alice in Wonderland theme, so I chose an image and phrase from the book.

Next, begin to draw out your design. If you mess up, dip the cotton pad in a bit of water and wipe the marker off; if you do it somewhat quickly, it "erases" quite easily. If you are a bit further along and decide it isn't right, you may have to scrub a little more, but the cotton pads are great at taking the marker off.

Once your design is in place and you are satisfied with how it turned out, bake it in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. I went out and mowed the lawn and accidentally left it in the oven longer than 30 minutes, but it still turned out beautifully:

I haven't tried using other colors of Sharpie yet, but I am thinking I need a mug to match so I am going to try them. I would imagine it would work the same way, and Sharpies come in lots of different shades which means this project can be personalized in lots of ways. This would also be a great gift idea and is something most children could do with supervision.

I have a few more crafts to post including more of the stuff I found in the shed, so stay tuned!

Happy Fourth of July everyone!

This week, I have been covering in the church office for the secretary who has been on vacation, so my crafting time has been limited. However, I did get to one of the projects I had on my list: using the empty frame, I created a little wedding vignette.

This project was really easy and cheap! The frame was probably from the dollar store, but was missing the glass. I scanned a copy of a wedding photo and cut it out in photoshop, then added text from Ephesians 5:21-33 in The Message paraphrase. I really love how it talks about husbands cherishing their wives, and wives supporting their husbands. The language is so romantic! Any romantic poetry or verse can be used, song lyrics or even an old love letter would work for this part. When I was happy I printed it.

For the matting, I took an awesome silvery printed Tiffany looking sheet of card stock and ModPodged it to the mat. I used a craft knife to cut it after I glued it so it was the perfect size. The rings were tied to a ribbon and draped across the top corner of the frame. The men's ring was one that I found when the former owners moved out of the house - they had left it in a jar of nails. The "diamond" ring was one I had since I was a kid, and I love the touch of sparkle it adds (though I wish my wedding ring diamond was that size, hehe!) and both rings echo the silver in the matting.

Lastly, I added the year we were married on a little placard at the bottom of the frame. I really love how it turned out! This month my husband and I will have been married 14 years (!) and I wanted to do something special to honor that.

I have moved over 11+ times in the 14 years we've been married, so a lot of my wedding stuff has been broken, lost, or destroyed, but I do want to try and make a wedding shadow box at some point. I think this is a wonderful project to preserve this memory though, even if much of our things haven't survived to make it into that shadow box.

If you have a project like this or try this one out, post a link in the comment below and show it off. I'd love to see what you come up with!

Happy 4th!

Easy-Peasy Book Holder

So today I had an amazing find! When we bought this house last summer, the old ladies who lived here left a lot of stuff when they moved out. Most of it is in a shed in the back yard, so since I was putting in the air conditioners today (Please, summer, get here already so I can use them!) I stumbled on some fantastic stuff!

A picture frame with no glass, an old story book, a frosted glass globe from a ceiling light, some rope, clothes pins, and burlap! I have so many exciting crafts planned, but first on to today's mini make over part one.

Em home schools and has had some difficulty in claiming a space for school. She was using the dining room table, however it proved to be too much of a distraction - Jay loves to ride in his plastic car around the island in the kitchen, and you have to pass through both rooms to go from the living room to the bedrooms or the bathroom. Also, it appeared the allure of the TV was a bit much for her at times as well.

Our den has a built in desk and it is usually piled up with crafts, toys, books, and junk the girls don't want to put away. I have been going through each room of the house systematically attempting to recycle, donate, upcycle, corral, or trash the constant flow of junk that seems to continually threaten our home. The den was pretty much last on my list, being that it is out of the way of the rooms we use every day (and the ones company sees, hehe). Frankly it seemed a bit too over whelming and I had other places to clean first, but giving Em a place she can work is now a priority.

First of all, I cleaned all the junk out of the room. It took three garbage bags! One bag for DI, one bag for recycling, and the last bag was split between garbage and craft items we didn't need anymore that I donated to the church.

Second, I looked at the walls and tried to figure out something fun to do there. We had STACKS of board games that Jay had gleefully pulled apart and lost pieces to, so I grabbed my trusty hot glue gun and assembled as much as I could of the game boards, then hung them on the wall.

I wasn't thinking about showing the step by step when I did these so there are no "in progress" pictures, but basically it was just an act of a girl and her glue gun. Very easy-peasy.

Now, Em needed a place to keep her school work where it was organized and safe. I saw this idea on Pinterest somewhere, but evidently didn't pin it but I did remember it. It's really easy though!


First, you need a cereal box, then you need ModPodge, a craft knife, scissors, ruler, black marker or pen, and cool paper/pictures. I measured up 3 inches on the corner of the box, then made a mark. Then I took the ruler and lined it from that mark, across the cereal box, up to the top corner.

I repeated this step on the other side, then connected the two lower lines with one straight line across the thinner end of the box. Then I took my handy craft knife and followed the lines, slicing the box apart.

I cut off the last box tab left then went back with scissors and evened out all the edges so they were smooth. Next I cut some of Em's favorite pics out of this old book I found in the shed:

...then added ModPodge to the backs and pasted them onto the box. I also used some cute scrap book paper Em picked out, then put a label at the top so she could write her name on it. The finished project:

Now Em has the perfect place to keep her school books, and a place to work in peace without Jay and Bea bothering her. I am going to keep working on the den, and promise I will add pics of the room as it continues in its transformation.

Have a great weekend!

No Sew Super Hero Cape!

So I heard on the radio today that there are 300 registered superheros in the United States. What?!? Really??? I wonder what the qualifications are for that, and how did they form a registry anyways?

But it got me thinking about my own little superhero, and how to make him a cape. So I came up with this really easy, no sew cape that you can use for dress-ups or costumes, birthday parties - whatever!

Step one: Get a shirt in the color you want your cape to be. Lay it out on a table/flat surface face up. If the shirt doesn't already have fold lines, you may want to iron it so it does. It makes cutting easier later.

Step two: With chalk or wash out marker, trace out the following pattern on the front of the shirt:

Up the sides across the corners, and around the collar.

Step three: Turn the shirt over so the back is facing up, and mark it like so -

run the line from the top of where it ended on the front up to the side of the collar on both sides.

Now you have your cut lines!

Step four: Cut the sleeves and the front of the shirt off, following your cut lines, keeping the back and the collar intact.

You should end up with a triangle shape topped by the collar of the shirt.

Lastly, clean up your cut lines to ensure that there aren't any funky cut marks and everything is in line. I also took some fabric paint and added a letter "J" to the back, using tape to help make it straight:

So Bea was watching me do this part, and she said "Oh are you adding an ego?" 

"A what?" I asked.

"An ego, you know," she said.

"You mean a logo?" I questioned.

"Yeah, ego, logo, evo, pickle - what ever," Bea replied.

Man I love that girl, she's always good for a laugh.

It took about 2 hours for the fabric paint to dry. I pulled off the tape and walla! One happy superhero :) 

Jay loves this thing, and one of the best parts is that he can put it on and take it off himself. No need to worry about tying, or it coming undone while he's flying around fighting crime. And if it gets dirty, we can throw it in the wash easily. If you don't want to add a painted logo you can skip it, use an iron on transfer, custom make an iron on transfer with a special kit from the craft store, or just leave it off entirely. 
*Update, found this site sugartotdesigns.blogspot.com that has easy superhero logo tutorials - brilliant! Use these if you like to add an insignia to your cape using felt.

Bea has already claimed the scraps to make into a shrug, so I will be posting that tutorial later.

Happy crafting!