Projects Two and Three...Finally!

Project #2...

I decided to make myself an earring holder and love it! I realized that many of my posts have to do with organization...but I finally have the time to do it! I feel so incredibly busy and there is always so much to be done, but I am grateful for a flexible schedule now. Full-time work and full-time school never was good for making a home. So I find myself organizing and doing all the things that I have wanted to do for years and feeling like it is coming together one day at a time.

I have become a fan of pink as of late and even though it doesn't match the bathroom, couldn't resist! Again, just got a frame from the thrift store for $1, painted it, backed it with fiberglass screening and then with fabric. Add a hanger and you're done!

 Here it is with my earrings that finally have a home!

 I think it turned out nice in my bathroom. I found the white shelf at the thrift store for $4. I have my headbands and bracelets on the shelf with a few other odds and ends. I hang my necklaces from the bar and now the earrings are easy to find and fast to put off and on.

 Project #3...

I found this cute shadow box at the thrift store for $1 with the roses in it. The door is hinged, so it can be closed for a box, but I like to keep it open for more dimension and so it can stand up. All it needed with a little TLC - removal of some extra hardware, a little paint and glass cleaner. Cute for the baby room or living room.

Project #1

I was so excited to make this! I got a frame from DI and painted it, then backed it with ribbons and fabric. A whole lot of hot glue and a picture hanger later...I feel like I have a little flower garden! All of the baby's cute little hats on the left, headbands in the basket on the right and all of her cute little hairbows and clips on my new ribbon frame creation! I am so pleased with it. Thank you to all the sweet friends and family that have given us so many cute accessories.

Three Fun Projects in the works...Stay tuned...

Troublesome Corner Fix!

My Mom found this shelf at the thrift store and gave it to me. I thought about different places that I could put it in my house, baby room? kitchen? BATHROOM! I have a corner in my bathroom that has been useless to me! Nothing fits in it and it is such a waste of space. I was glad I finally found a garbage can to fit in it. So I painted this beauty and put it above the garbage can. Voila! No more wasted space and my counter is finally clear of clutter and everything I use the most is in easy reach.

A daunting task with an abundant reward...

   Twelve hours and fifteen pounds of tomato's later! I was able to put up twenty four glorious pints (And this monster quart) of salsa! Macey's has this wonderful pepper bar where I found habanero's and thai's to add to Kaci's smokin jalapenos! Our food storage is comin along! It is so nice while at the grocery store not worrying about the things you have plenty of!

    Tip: waiting until the season is near ending will have friends and family begging you to take their precious produce! I was able to raid my grandfathers orchard! Saving forty dollars! All I had to get were the lids, spice mix and extra peppers! I think fifteen dollars in supplies was well worth the nearly hundred dollars worth of canned goods don't you!

Feeling brave?

Blanch your tomato's so the skin will virtually fall off! Fifteen pounds sounds like alot...but keep in mind you are going to de seed and peel these babies!

According to your preference either chop or puree your newly peeled and seedless toms and start cookin!

I like to use Mrs. Wages hot salsa mix combined with fresh onions, garlic, cilantro and of course peppers! On a wild notion I incorporated fresh peaches into my puree:)

Simmer your salsa for at least thirty minutes before ladling into your warm sterilized jars.

I use the water bath method and process my jars for twenty minutes beginning at the boiling point!

Remove..listen for that wonderful "pop" that means your jars are safely sealed and enjoy!

Happy canning!

Easy DIY Earring Holder

   I love DIY projects that save a lot of money. Lately I have been working hard on birthday and Christmas gifts. This is one that I made to hold earrings. I just went to the thrift store and found an awesome frame that I painted black after taking out backing and glass. I went to Lowe's and bought fiberglass screening - like is used in your windows. : D I got a whole roll for about $6. My rotary cutter even worked on it. (It is not the metallic screening, it is a lot softer and pliable.) I cut it to cover just short of the entire back of the frame and hot glued it into place. Then I chose some brightly covered fabric, cut to fit the entire back of the frame, stretched and glued. Make sure you have a bracket to hang it on the wall with. Either get a frame with one already on it and cut your screen and fabric around it or buy one for about 30 cents and hot glue it on.

    My Sister-in-Law was cute enough to send me a thank-you picture of her birthday present with her earrings on it. I think it turned out nice and it really is such a great way to organize all of your earrings where they are easy to see and easy to find.

ON SALE - Photo Boxes at Michaels!

Good deal through Saturday, Sept 3 - usually 3.99 a box on sale for 1.99. I love these photo boxes! I use them for everything. I have all sorts of them to sort out scrapbook elements, sewing materials, stamps, ribbon and other crafting supplies, my pictures, decorations or other odds and ends. These will be so cute in Baby's room.

Fast Organization

Found this small shelf at Dollar Tree for a buck.

Take the little brackets off the back...

A little paint. I like gloss...

Voila! My bathroom drawer was getting really messy, so I used it for all of my hair pins and barretts as well as a bracelet. It is small enough that it doesn't take up any room but looks nice and keeps things in their place. Try it for hair accessories, jewelry, buttons, beads, etc.