Saturday, October 31, 2009
Penny Pinching Party!
I love any way that will save me money, so check out the Penny Pinching party at The Thrifty Home.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Fastest, Simplest, Most Delicious Rice Crispy Treats You'll Ever Eat. Guaranteed!
This is how my grandmother used to make rice crispy treats. At least, how I remember them.
Ingredients:
Rice Crispy Cereal
Carmel (for melting)
Marshmallows
Water
Wax Paper (tinfoil works, too)
Popsicle sticks (optional)
First, take the carmel and melt it on the stove according to package directions. Mine said to heat them on medium-low heat in a saucepan until melted. I recommend turning the heat off once your carmel is melted so that it doesn't get too hot and burn.
Next, take the marshmallows and stick a popsicle stick through the center.
Then, dip the marshmallow directly into the saucepan and twist until the entire marshmallow is covered in carmel. Twirl the stick to avoid any dripping.
Next, dip the carmel covered marshmallow into a bowl of rice crispy cereal and roll it around until covered.
Place the finished rice crispy treat onto a try covered in wax paper or tinfoil.
Let cool and enjoy! The refridgerator works really well to get the carmel to harden up enough that they aren't gooey or runny. See. That was easy, right?
My First Giveaway Contest!!!!
Okay, so I'm new to this whole blogging thingy and I wanted to host a giveaway contest in order to build followers. Your in luck, even if your the only person entering. I'm giving away two Cosmo Cricket Home Decor Lacing Card Kits.
Here's how to win:
One entry: become a follower of my blog and then post a comment with your name, e-mail address, and that you became a follower. The contest will go through November 9th and the winner will be chosen by random integer counter. Example: Tiffany Skabelund, biff_erin@yahoodotcom, follwer
Two entrys: tell a friend to follow my blog and then post your name, e-mail address, and that you told a friend. Example: Tiffany Skabelund, biff_erin@yahoodotcom, told a friend.
Enjoy!
Here's how to win:
One entry: become a follower of my blog and then post a comment with your name, e-mail address, and that you became a follower. The contest will go through November 9th and the winner will be chosen by random integer counter. Example: Tiffany Skabelund, biff_erin@yahoodotcom, follwer
Two entrys: tell a friend to follow my blog and then post your name, e-mail address, and that you told a friend. Example: Tiffany Skabelund, biff_erin@yahoodotcom, told a friend.
Enjoy!
Talk to Me Tuesday at Tip Junkie
Topic: Why do you blog?
I just started blogging and love it. I have one that is for family/friends and its great to keep them informed on what we are up to when they live so far away. My decor/craft blog is a great way for me to share the things I learn and create and just feel like I’m talking/sharing with somebody older than five years old from the comfort of my home. So why do you blog?
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Very Easy DIY Plate Hangers
Here is a very easy, very inexpensive way to make plate hangers. This project cost me a total of $4.41 at the Home Depot. Here is a link to the Martha Stewart Living where I originally got the idea and instructions. Mine is a lot more detailed, trust me. But check it out anyway: http://www.marthastewart.com/good-things/wire-plate-hangers
Here's what you need:
- 16-18 gauge wire (I actually used fence wire minus one accidental shattering)
- plates to be hung
- needle nose pliers
- wire cutters
- pencil
- measuring tape
- patience (it took me two hours to make them all and hang 11 plates)
Here is what they look like in my home after I finished. Don't mind the not-so-great picture. The awkwardly placed light is another project.
Once you've gathered all of your supplies, Martha tells you to cut two pieces of wire 3" longer than the diameter of the plate to be hung. I found that it was easier to cut an ample length and then trim them down when I had them placed.
Just had to show off my e-bay find. These Bavaria, Germany blue floral china plates. I think the set of 16 cost me around $20.00, if I remember right. Gorgeous!
I chose to hang my plates around the wall that surrounds my dining table. Inspiration struck after weeks of pondering what to do with these walls in my brand new house. Plates, genius!
Next step is to take one piece of wire and twist it so that you have one loop in the middle; this piece is used to attach the plate to the wall.
Next, bend the other piece of wire into a V-shape. Then, slide one end through the loop of the first wire piece. Cross the V wire over so that it is secure (see picture). The V should hang upside down and rest on the bottom of the loop.
Next, make sure that the loop or first wire is resting just under the lip of the plates base. This is vital if you want the rack to stay secure and not come loose. Now, turn the plate over and wrap the ends of the wire around to the front of the plate and trim them to a uniform length. Leave enough wire to twist into a decorative loop. This is where you use your creativity or lack thereof. It can't be done wrong. It is so genius that it still looks good. Trust me, it's Martha.
Okay, so here is the part where you have to be careful. Once you have finished making and attaching the plate to the hanger, make sure that it isn't loose. I got a little zealous around the 10th plate or so and shook a little hard and whoops! Broken china, sob! Now make those wire plate hangers and enjoy!
Here's what you need:
- 16-18 gauge wire (I actually used fence wire minus one accidental shattering)
- plates to be hung
- needle nose pliers
- wire cutters
- pencil
- measuring tape
- patience (it took me two hours to make them all and hang 11 plates)
Here is what they look like in my home after I finished. Don't mind the not-so-great picture. The awkwardly placed light is another project.
Once you've gathered all of your supplies, Martha tells you to cut two pieces of wire 3" longer than the diameter of the plate to be hung. I found that it was easier to cut an ample length and then trim them down when I had them placed.
Just had to show off my e-bay find. These Bavaria, Germany blue floral china plates. I think the set of 16 cost me around $20.00, if I remember right. Gorgeous!
I chose to hang my plates around the wall that surrounds my dining table. Inspiration struck after weeks of pondering what to do with these walls in my brand new house. Plates, genius!
Next step is to take one piece of wire and twist it so that you have one loop in the middle; this piece is used to attach the plate to the wall.
Next, bend the other piece of wire into a V-shape. Then, slide one end through the loop of the first wire piece. Cross the V wire over so that it is secure (see picture). The V should hang upside down and rest on the bottom of the loop.
Next, make sure that the loop or first wire is resting just under the lip of the plates base. This is vital if you want the rack to stay secure and not come loose. Now, turn the plate over and wrap the ends of the wire around to the front of the plate and trim them to a uniform length. Leave enough wire to twist into a decorative loop. This is where you use your creativity or lack thereof. It can't be done wrong. It is so genius that it still looks good. Trust me, it's Martha.
Okay, so here is the part where you have to be careful. Once you have finished making and attaching the plate to the hanger, make sure that it isn't loose. I got a little zealous around the 10th plate or so and shook a little hard and whoops! Broken china, sob! Now make those wire plate hangers and enjoy!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Love me some contests!
Check out this great giveaway at my friends Tracy's blog @ http://www.justformeandyou2.blogspot.com/ They are featuring clothing from Down East Basics which I absolutely love, love, love! They are modern, AND modest clothing. Gotta love it. http://www.downeastbasics.com/newarrivals.aspx
Cheap & Easy Home Decor
It's DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land - Check it out!!!!
This is as cheap and easy as it gets. I bought two frames from DI and spray painted them with paint I already had. I used some leftover scrapbook paper and cut them into three strips of equal size to cover the 8"x10" frames and taped them together. I hot glued two flowers I had already in my craft stuff and added a button in the middle. I added two large rub-ons that I had picked up at the latest Scrapbook Expo. and hung them on the doors. Voila! Instant home decor and cheap/easy craft that my oldest helped me put together. It took all of 15 minutes once the spray paint was dry.
Picture frame - $1.00
Letter rub-ons - $1.00
Total - $2.00 craft multiplied by 2 since I made one for each of my children = $4.00
By the way, don't you just love my doors. They have that beadboard look to them and I looooooovvvve them!
This is as cheap and easy as it gets. I bought two frames from DI and spray painted them with paint I already had. I used some leftover scrapbook paper and cut them into three strips of equal size to cover the 8"x10" frames and taped them together. I hot glued two flowers I had already in my craft stuff and added a button in the middle. I added two large rub-ons that I had picked up at the latest Scrapbook Expo. and hung them on the doors. Voila! Instant home decor and cheap/easy craft that my oldest helped me put together. It took all of 15 minutes once the spray paint was dry.
Picture frame - $1.00
Letter rub-ons - $1.00
Total - $2.00 craft multiplied by 2 since I made one for each of my children = $4.00
By the way, don't you just love my doors. They have that beadboard look to them and I looooooovvvve them!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Slowly decorating the new digs
This is my little girls' bathroom on the top floor of the new house. Yes, we are finally moved in. I picked up this vinyl letter quote from the Scrapbook Expo this year from DCWV (Die Cuts with a View) for $2.50. Love it. I have more that I plan to put around the house, but I have to decorate a little more first so I know where exactly to put them.
I have these amazing shelf's above my staircase and entryway on the main floor, but I've never been very good at decorating without it looking cluttered. Here are just a few of the things that I've actually unpacked and decided to put up there. I'm sure it will change along the way.
I probably showed this to you before, but I can't remember. It was only $8 for the set at DI. I love it.
I found this one on Saturday at the DI for $10. It matches exactly the other round piece I found awhile back. Same brand, etc. It is silver plated, but, hey, I'll take what I can get. I love this.
I've started to decorate the guest bathroom on the main floor. I have to specify, since we have four bathrooms. (I know, poor me.) The purple flower pot I found at Tai Pan Trading for 5.94 and also the olive oil jar for 1.94. I put a vinyl letter "S" on the front and plan to put hand soap in it when I get around to that stuff.
I painted the basket (1.00) for the toilet paper. The white shelf was from hobby lobby at 50% off (4.50) and the pictures I just picked up at wally-world for 3.94 each. The ribbon I just had left over from some wreath that I ripped apart for some project awhile back. I just found the little glass jar that will eventually hold cotton balls for .75.
I finally moved the right couch upstairs to the main floor where it belongs. It is actually the couch I bought for 20.00 from DI and covered it with a couch cover. I like it and it was a lot less than buying a new one for the time being.
I keep debating what to do with this space. It is the entryway behind my front door. I think I'll take the picture down and add a vinyl quote above it instead. "Live, Laugh, Love." What do you think?
I have these amazing shelf's above my staircase and entryway on the main floor, but I've never been very good at decorating without it looking cluttered. Here are just a few of the things that I've actually unpacked and decided to put up there. I'm sure it will change along the way.
I probably showed this to you before, but I can't remember. It was only $8 for the set at DI. I love it.
I found this one on Saturday at the DI for $10. It matches exactly the other round piece I found awhile back. Same brand, etc. It is silver plated, but, hey, I'll take what I can get. I love this.
I've started to decorate the guest bathroom on the main floor. I have to specify, since we have four bathrooms. (I know, poor me.) The purple flower pot I found at Tai Pan Trading for 5.94 and also the olive oil jar for 1.94. I put a vinyl letter "S" on the front and plan to put hand soap in it when I get around to that stuff.
I painted the basket (1.00) for the toilet paper. The white shelf was from hobby lobby at 50% off (4.50) and the pictures I just picked up at wally-world for 3.94 each. The ribbon I just had left over from some wreath that I ripped apart for some project awhile back. I just found the little glass jar that will eventually hold cotton balls for .75.
I finally moved the right couch upstairs to the main floor where it belongs. It is actually the couch I bought for 20.00 from DI and covered it with a couch cover. I like it and it was a lot less than buying a new one for the time being.
I keep debating what to do with this space. It is the entryway behind my front door. I think I'll take the picture down and add a vinyl quote above it instead. "Live, Laugh, Love." What do you think?
