Chandelier Makeover (?)

I have a chandelier in the trunk of my car, which I scored for $1.00 at a Yard Sale last weekend. I've seen these beautiful inspirations on blogs all over blogland, and I want to do my own. These pictures are pretty much what I have in mind ::

I am being super - lazy and therefore I will post a photo of MY actual dollar chandelier ... sometime later today :)

Pier One Pillow Challenge

Large Pom Pom Pillow
Orig. $29.95
Clearance $22.38
Things looking a bit vanilla around the abode? Liven things up with this vivacious pillow.

# Color: Multicolor
# Size: 14"W x 21"D x 2"H
# Textured finish
# Spot clean only

SKU Number:
2497161

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Come on ladies. I know one of our creative and handy selves can re-create this pillow!!! If you decide to accept the challenge, send me your POM POM PILLOW PICS!!!

I cooked Shripms !

I love to cook. I mean , LOOOOVE. However, Shrimp and Fish are not something I am a big fan of. Well I was bored and my Mom had a bag of frozen shrimps in the freezer, so here we go.

Butter, Sour Creme, Garlic, Penne (?) Pasta, Peas, and all kinds of other good stuff. I think it turned out very well, and "Cheers" myself with a large glass of Merlot.

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I also made the pasta with my Handy Dandy Pasta Express (actually called "Pasta -n- More") !!!

Scored this sweet little baby at Goodwill for about 2 bucks. YaY!



Peace!

Wine (or Whine) Crafts

So I am feeling a "wine sign" .. something vintage and classy.

Im thinking something on wood, like a plaque, with merlot colors and some pretty text. with black swirlies, of course!! I will post some updates as this idea develops :)

I love the ones they have over at Trimble Crafts.

Leave me some comments! Let's talk I'd love to meet you!
Share some of your wine crafts or signs of inspirations!!

Before and Afters :: of :: Dollar Store Craft Day!

See previous post :: I went buckwild on "idea items" as I like to call them.... at the DOLLAR TREE, the most fantabulous place in the world !!!

Began this simple little project with two items from the Dollar Tree :: a silver and black beautiful gift bag, and an 11x14" black frame.

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I cut a piece out of the bag to fit into the frame. I hung it with some gray toned ribbon. I also hung it with some vinyl lettering, all items from Dollar Tree.

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Total Cost of Project :: $3-4

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There was a set of vinyl lettering at DT (dollar Tree) with the saying "Live Well Laugh Often Love Much" I decided to frame up "Much Love" (a more relaxed, easygoing saying. reminds me of potheads and jamaicans). I used a pink envelope leftover from V-Day and randomly placed the letters. The beautiful black from is straight from DT, no alterations.

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LAMP TIME!!

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This little beauty struck my attention one day and Goodwill and I snatched it up for $3-4. I knew I wanted to put something inside the glass, like stones or glass chips, or something. I put about 3 different fillers in, before I found the perfect black river stones at DT (Dollar Tree) today. And it was just enough to fill the inside of the lamp :)

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AFTER

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A beautiful, classy lamp. for my new pink / black / romantical / swirlie / modern bedroom decor.

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LAMP UPDATE ::

I bought a new lampshade (trust me , this is against everything i stand for...) but it was at Target for $2.48. So I swapped it out ::

<(*please excuse the nasty table it's on!*)

Check out it's corner "home" ::

Just a little homemade cloche' :: made from a cheese board (scored at Goodwill for about $2.99) and a candlestick. The beautiful shell came off my beach here in Destin !!

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Well, I have been in 5th gear today, creating my booty off. I hope you all enjoy looking at everything as much as I enjoyed doing it all!

Also, please send any positive or negative feedback, share a project YOU have done, or and ideas you have. Remember, Create!.

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Dollar Store Craft Day!

The Dollar Tree Haul of Saturday !

In this photo are :: several spools of ribbon, a large photo frame and beautiful gift bag for framing, a small black photo frame and an easel, some candlesticks and candle holders and glue, for gluing them together.

My mom immediately claimed this one. consisting of a bronzed candlestick holder and a mosaic votive holder, both from the Dollar Tree. For You guessed it! $1 each. I just glued them together with some glue (also from the Dollar Tree) and put in a tealight candle. This would look great in a set, but I only got the one, as an experiment. You better believe I will be going back to get more

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I set the candle holder next to another Dollar Tree project in my Mom's room ::
A Flower arrangement , all ingredients, including rocks, flowers, stems and vase, from the Dollar Tree.

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This is a little of the "fancification" of my dresser (which is a 1980's entertainment center made from ugly brown MDF which is about to collapse.)

Notice my lovely finds :: the beautiful etched glass container with the silver lid, is from BOMBAY, got it at Goodwill for $2.99. The back glass jar, which is pretty much a dollar store candy dish, holds my precious gemstones, such as Jasper, Tigers Eye, Amethyst and etc.

Also please notice the triangular easel Silver clock from BRIGHTON, which I got at Goodwill for $5.99. It's one of my newest prized possessions =)

The silver Tray and the black and white floral contact paper came from the Dollar Tree.

Onion Soup Potatoes
All ideas and photographs by Jill at Pockets and Pebbles

This is one of my favorite side dishes. They're SUPER easy to make, and they taste great.

Ingredients:

1/3 Cup Vegetable Oil
1 Packet Onion Soup Mix
5-7 Red Potatoes

Wash your red potatoes and cut them into chunks. Put them in a large baggie along with the oil and onion soup mix. Shake well.

Put into a dish and bake @ 350 degrees for about 1 hour.

And you're done. How easy is that?

Posted by Jill at 4:30 PM

Pottery Barn Knockoff Challenge

Calling all DIYer's!!! I saw this Chandelier in Pottery Barn's latest catalog and fell in love.

Here's Pottery Barn's specs on it.

I am hoping that some of you creative, crafty people out there can come up with a step-by-step guide of how to make this beautiful chandelier! Come on, people. We can do this!

Please send me your pictures and ideas !!!

ALSO, I'm awarding a crafty prize to (2) RANDOM ones of the next 10 FOLLOWERS!!!. And anyone else who can help create this milk jug chandelier, I will send you a prize from my craft stash valued at $15-$20 !!!

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Gardening 101 ?

I have a black thumb . seriously. i need a plain english gardening tutorial. I want to grow spices (basil, parsley, chives, mint) and maybe some veggies like cucumbers, radishes, lettuces and cabbages. I have tried reading up on all this and am just very confused :(

Can anyone help?
plz & thx

Pantry Makeover Inspiration

I found the ULTIMATE inspiration for a Pantry Makeover. I am in desperate need of one and have actually begun (taking things out of the pantry lol) .

photo from House of Smiths

See, aren't you inspired?

Use up Those Turkey Leftovers with this Homemade Pot Pie!

instead of chicken, I am using Turkey. It is the leftover turkey carcass boiled for about 15 minutes, then the meat is picked off the bones very easily. add vinegar to bring out the calcium in the poultry bones. Also would work with a chicken carcass, or canned chicken. I wanted to make sure I found a homemade crust recipe, since I forgot to buy the crust when I was at the grocery .... just a few minutes ago! Grrrr....

COUNTRY CHICKEN POT PIE (HOMEMADE CRUST)


Chicken:

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cubed
1/3 cup oil (olive or vegetable)
1 tsp minced garlic
¼ tsp onion salt
¼ tsp black pepper


Crust:

1 cup flour
2 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. ground sage
2 tbsp. butter (separate)
1/8 tsp. salt
1/3 cup milk


Filling:

1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup sliced carrots
1 cup frozen green peas
1/2 cup sliced celery
1 can cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup, condensed
½ tsp. celery seed
1/8 tsp. black pepper
1/8 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1 can (14oz) chicken broth

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Chicken:

In a skillet, place oil, minced garlic, onion salt, black pepper, and 1 lb chicken which has been cubed.
Cook on medium to high heat until cooked through. Drain and leave in strainer for future use.


Crust:

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, ground sage, salt, cold butter, and milk. Form into a ball, roll out.
Using skillet from the chicken, add carrots, celery, and onion. Pour in enough broth to cover the vegetables. Set left over broth aside for future use.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes.

In the same bowl used to prepare the crust, combine chicken, carrots, onion, celery, frozen peas, condensed soup, celery seed, pepper, salt, garlic powder. Add left over chicken broth until the desired consistency is reached.

Lightly grease a 9”x9“dish. Place mixture in bottom. Place crust on top and brush with egg whites or butter.

Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly.

Cool for 10 minutes before serving.


Read more about it at www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1626,131188-248198,00.html
Content Copyright © 2010 Cooks.com - All rights reserved.

epiphone les paul studio

Everyone who knows anything about electric guitars knows the Gibson Les Paul line is among the best guitars made. Check it out.

Just a note :: I will be Christmas-ing with family this week, so adios until next year, kiddos! Peace and trhiftiness be with you. Happy Holidays!

Post Turkey Day Fun

So the turkey is carved, the meal has been eaten, and there are piles of leftovers EVERYWHERE. You have slept, woke up at the crack of dawn to shop, eaten more, slept, shopped, eaten, repeat. There is still turkey leftover! Use these leftover Turkey Recipes to attempt to rid your home of all the leftovers.

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The Best Foods for Every part of Your Body :: reading this article today, I learned that my hair may be falling out due to an iron deficiency. wow :) time to buy some Iron Vitamins

100 Recipes Less than $1

AllYou's list of a hundred recipes for a dollar or less. some of these look absolutely awesome. . definite BOOKMARK (ctrl+D)

easy home air fresheners

Keep fresh air circulating

 in rooms (open doors, open windows, turn on ceiling fans).

                                     Use an air purifier

 with a HEPA filter to help remove toxins.

Change filters

 in purifiers, furnaces and air-conditioners often.

Throw out old food regularly

 as you write out your grocery list then clean your fridge with Antibacterial fantastik® All Purpose Heavy Duty Cleaner.

Store odorous foods

 in Ziploc® Brand Containers or cover with a variety of Saran™ products.

Scoop kitty litter daily

 and avoid using any that is dusty or scented. Placing litter box in an unused corner or little trafficked room is best.

Install houseplants

 like bamboo palm or chrysanthemum to cleanse impurities from the air and circulate oxygen.

Keep comforters, carpets and curtains clean

 with regular maintenance.

Spray

 Oust® Air Sanitizer to kill 99.9 percent of odor-causing bacteria in the air. It helps eliminate odors from pets, bathrooms and mold and mildew.

Use

 Glade® PlugIns® Scented Oil in the kitchen, bathroom, or home office and enjoy the superior fragrance of scented oils.

Integrate vases of flowering lavender

 or small sachets of cedar chips into your décor.

When painting,

 wrap cleaning brushes and paint roller in Saran™ Premium Wrap or place in a Ziploc® Brand Storage Bag for reuse the next day.

Bathe pets regularly

 in distilled water and clean food and water bowl daily.

Fill baskets

 with aromatic pinecones or make a centerpiece with fragrant lavender branches.

Srsly, how did I miss Deviled Egg Day?

Apparently, November 2nd is National Deviled Egg day.I was notified of this in my lovely HungryGirl.com newsletter. Just looking at this picture makes me want to make deviled eggs . RIGHT . NOW . Srsly. So of course, I had to share it! Yummy deviled eggs with all the taste and none of the nasty fats or sugars! YAY!

Devilish Eggs PER SERVING (4 pieces): 79 calories, 1.75g fat, 403mg sodium, 6.25g carbs, 1g fiber, 2.5g sugars, 9.5g protein -- POINTS® value 2* Deviled eggs are no longer a fatty no-no. This recipe will have you churning out creamy, delicious eggs in no time. Ingredients: 2 cups roughly chopped orange cauliflower (or alternative below) 1/4 cup fat-free mayonnaise 3 wedges The Laughing Cow Light Original Swiss cheese, room temperature 1 tbsp. sweet relish, patted dry to remove moisture 2 tsp. minced shallots 1 1/2 tsp. yellow mustard Salt and black pepper, to taste 10 hard-boiled eggs, chilled Optional topping: paprika Directions: Place cauliflower in a large microwave-safe bowl with 1/3 cup water. Cover and microwave for 6 - 8 minutes, until cauliflower is soft. Once bowl is cool enough to handle, drain any excess water from cauliflower. Lightly mash cauliflower, and then place in a blender. Add mayo and puree until just blended, not smooth. Do not over-blend. In a mixing bowl, combine cauliflower mixture with cheese wedges, relish, shallots, and mustard. Stir until smooth. Season mixture to taste with salt and pepper. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. When ready to serve, halve eggs lengthwise and remove yolks. Evenly distribute cauliflower mixture among egg white halves and, if you like, top with paprika. Eat up and enjoy! MAKES 5 SERVINGS HG Alternative! This recipe calls for orange cauliflower. If you can't find it, use regular cauliflower. But add a drop of yellow food coloring to the mixture if you want your Devilish Eggs to look like the real thing.

let's go green 'round the house

Try innovative ideas that help the earth without lightening your wallet.

1. Opt for cloth. The average American family uses 1 1/2 rolls of paper towels per week, says Earth911 (earth911.com), so cutting down to just one a month could save you roughly $45 a year. Use cloth towels or old T-shirts cut into squares to clean up spills; toss them in the wash instead of the trash. Snip old sheets to use as napkins, or buy cloth napkins in various colors, with a different hue for each family member. (Visit tablelinensforless.com to find napkins for as low as 83 cents a piece!)

2. Throw a green cleaning party. Gather your friends together to have some fun while mixing environmentally friendly cleaning products. Pool your money to buy the ingredients; everyone should leave with enough supplies to last a month. Try these three recipes: Glass cleaner: Combine 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice with 1 quart water. Pour into a spray bottle and use with newspapers to clean surfaces. Furniture polish: Add 1 teaspoon lemon juice to 2 cups vegetable oil. Carpet freshener: In a jar mix 1 cup crushed dried herbs, 1 teaspoon ground cloves, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 2 teaspoons baking soda. Shake well. Sprinkle a bit on your carpet, let it sit for an hour, then vacuum.

3. Boil water in a flash. When cooking pasta, use a kettle to boil water, then transfer the water to the pot. The water will boil faster, so you'll use less energy.

4. Tidy your computer. Instead of using pricey keyboard cleaners, which contain chemicals, turn your keyboard upside down and shake out dirt and debris. Then swipe double-sided tape between the keys to pick up any remaining bits. Source: Ideal Bite


5. Freshen up your oven. Cleaning your oven probably isn't tops on your to-do list, but once it's done your food will cook more efficiently, which will save energy and money. If you own a self-cleaning oven, start the cleaning cycle right after you've cooked or baked to take advantage of the residual heat.

6. Rinse and reuse. Get more life out of empty pickle, jam and sauce jars by washing them thoroughly and using them to store dry goods, homemade salad dressings and even leftovers. 

7. Take your temperature. Keeping your fridge and freezer colder than necessary can boost your energy consumption--and your bills. Your fridge should be set between 37°F and 40°F, the freezer between 0° and 5°F.

8. Keep water in the refrigerator. A less-than-full fridge has to work harder to stay cold than one that's completely stocked. If some shelves are bare, stash a few glasses of water on them to help maintain efficiency.