Be sure and check out the SUPER SALE going on now on my Facebook Page! Fabulous deals on out of season merchandise! Click HERE to check it out!

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Wind Chimes From Found Items

I found a few more photos on my phone from my trip to New Orleans last month.  I snapped these in an antique store on Magazine St.

It’s kind of hard to tell, but these are wind chimes made from found items like old keys, silverware, and various other kitchen tools.

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What a great idea to re-purpose all those mis-matched flea market finds and random useless keys you find in a drawer!  This would be a fun project to do with kids as well.  Sharing with Transformation Thursday and House of Hepworths.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Window “Mis”Treatment: Valance From a Table Runner

After our recent kitchen remodel, I decided the current window treatments just didn’t “flow” anymore so I started the quest for new ones.  I originally wanted to do a bamboo shade but ended up not being happy with the ones I brought home.  So I came up with something else…..

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Yep, that is a bamboo table runner, and here’s the best part:

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Only $5.99!!  The inexpensive roller bamboo shades were $30.00 and probably double that for the roman shade type, and I need at least two.  This table runner happened to be the exact length of my window.  So hubby screwed a 1”x2”x6’ piece of wood to the window frame.

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And then just stapled the table runner right to it!

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I colored over the staples with a black marker and you can’t even see them now. 

So I need opinions…..I have 3 more of these table runners, one of which I need to use for the other smaller window.  I’m not sure if I’m liking the straight  across look on this window.  I really don’t want it to look like I slapped a table runner up there.

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So should I use one of the other table runners and combine it to make some pleats or something?  I hung it on the inside of the window because that’s how I will have to do the other window since it butts up against the cabinets.  So if I make it longer should I hang it on the outside of the frame?IMG_1745

Honest opinions needed!  Help!

P.S. Stay tuned for an EXTRA SPECIAL giveaway coming up in the next couple of weeks…..here’s a hint: it has something to do with these windows!

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Thursday, August 26, 2010

Are You Chicken?

I thought I would change things up a bit around here and post a few of my favorite recipes.  I’ve often said that my husband and I eat so much chicken that I’m surprised we don’t have feathers growing out of our butts!  Anyway, here are my top three chicken recipes that I make over & over again.

 

Chicken Rolls


1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can crescent rolls
2/3 cup milk
4 chicken breasts, cooked & chopped
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Heat soup & milk in saucepan until warmed through, stirring occasionally. 

Place a small amount of chicken & cheese in each dough triangle.

Roll up and place in a greased 8x8 baking dish. 

Add any leftover chicken or cheese to soup mixture.  Pour soup mixture over rolls.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until browned. 
*I usually buy the Grands crescent rolls, so it usually takes a little longer than 30 minutes to get done, you just have to keep an eye on it.  Also, I usually just use 2 large chicken breasts & always have plenty.

Buffalo Chicken Pizza


2 tubes (10 ou. each) refrigerated pizza crust
1 cup buffalo wing sauce, divided
1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 lb. chicken breasts, cubed
1/2 tsp. each: garlic salt, pepper, chili powder
2 tbspn. butter
1/2 tsp. dried oregano


Unroll pizza crusts into lightly greased 15x10 pan.  Flatten dough & build up edges slightly.  Bake at 400 degrees for 7 minutes.


Brush dough with 3 tablespoons of buffalo sauce.  Combine cheeses, sprinkle 1/3 over crust.  Set aside.


In skillet, cook chicken, garlic salt, pepper, and chili powder in butter until chicken is done.  Add remaining sauce, cook and stir over medium heat about 5 minutes.


Spoon chicken onto crust over cheese.  Sprinkle with oregano and remaining cheese.  Bake for 18-20 minutes.  Garnish with ranch dressing if desired.
*I can usually get away with using one Pillsbury pizza crust spread out on my pizza stone; you can use whatever kind of pizza crust you like.  I usually use the Frank's Red Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce

P.F. Chang’s Lettuce Wraps

I use THIS recipe.

Messy & a little time consuming, but so worth it!

Enjoy! And let me know if you try any of these out.  Have a great weekend!

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Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Functional Window Art

My friend has a unique way to display her daughter’s photos  and artwork in her room.  Check out this old window:window

She found this old window at an antique store and didn’t even have to do any refinishing.  She just cleaned it off and left it in its shabby state.window4window5She uses little bits of glue dots to hold her daughter’s artwork and photos behind the glass.  That way they are interchangeable. window2 And you see those little gel decorations everywhere now, what a cute way to add a little extra personality!

window3I’ve seen these old windows used in a variety of ways lately….as jewelry displays, dry erase memo boards, and more.  They are so versatile and unique.

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Sunday, August 22, 2010

Weekly Treasures

It’s too hot to do much garage sale-ing right now, but I did manage to swing by one on my way around town this weekend.  That plus a visit to Goodwill and some goodies from mom’s made for a pretty good haul this week!

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This glass hurricane votive holder was 25 cents! I’ve got a cute transformation planned for it….think Halloween!

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I found all of these great vintage earrings at Goodwill! Y’all know I’m a big fan of using vintage pieces on my frames and candle embellishments.  I can’t wait to use these.  IMG_1723

Mom brought these over saying she wasn’t going to use them anymore.  Given my fleur de lis obsession, I claimed them right away! I’m thinking of using them for some new chunky candle embellishmentsIMG_1724 The estate sales around town have been pretty hit or miss for me lately (mostly miss), so I was glad to get all these goodies.  I’ll be linking up this post to the following parties:

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Thursday, August 19, 2010

Looking Forward to Fall

With all the 100+ degree temperatures we’ve had around here the past couple of weeks, I’ve found myself longing for a crisp fall breeze! Not to mention, all the fall and Halloween merchandise is arriving in the stores now.  I’m ready to pull out my fall wreath and glitter pumpkins already!

I’ll hold off decorating for fall until at least mid-September, but I’m already planning one Halloween project inspired by something I saw in a store yesterday, I just have to find the right supplies! 

Here are some other ideas for fun fall crafts and decor.  All images are from the Better Homes & Gardens website, click on the links or photos for more info.

Painted pumpkins:

Junk-O-Lanterns:

Silver Swirl Pumpkins:

Pumpkin Candle Centerpiece:

Sequin Striped Pumpkin:

Looks like my to-do list just got a little longer!  What are your favorite fall projects?

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