Saturday, October 29, 2011

SHABBY CHIC FAUX FINISH




Today I'm trying my hand at a "homefaker finish" for my craft room walls. I couldn't find anything on the internet that suited me, so I guess it will be trial and error until I get it right. It's only paint right?
Here are the walls before the finish...
 I used a stencil I already had, and some pink and white spray paint. This is what I came up with, and I love it. Now I wish the shelving didn't have to cover some of it...oh well...

I love the way it almost looks like a shabby vintage wallpaper!        
I think all this spray painting in a small room    is making me..... woozy!!~


                           Thanks for stopping by!
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Thursday, October 20, 2011

EASY CROCKPOT CASSEROLE


  • I love this recipe because you don't have to cook the noodles first.I always have browned ground hamburger done up already in the freezer, so the crockpot is the only dish I make dirty. I love recipes that make my life easier!
  • 1 pound hamburger or ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
  • 1 medium green pepper, chopped (optional)
  • 1 can (15-1/4 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
  • 1 can (4 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
  • 1 teaspoon salt    
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 jar (11 ounces) salsa or spaghetti sauce if you can't take the heat. I've even used pizza sauce.
  • 5 cups uncooked medium egg noodles
  • 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese or blend of cheddar, Monterey Jack and American cheeses
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
In a skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Transfer to a slow cooker. Top with the green pepper, corn and mushrooms. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pour salsa  or spaghetti sauce over mushrooms. Top with noodles. Pour tomatoes and water over all. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or until noodles are tender. Sprinkle with cheese and top with sour cream just before serving.   
 Serves 4 - 6


Could it be any easier ?



Tuesday, October 18, 2011

CEILING FAN TURNED FANDELIER

  Ceiling fans help cool a room as they circulate the air, but they are not always as attractive as they could be. 
  Mine sure was hidiuos!  I decided to make a chandelier to fit around the single bulb light attachment on my fan hoping to add a decorative touch to the fixture.
  The tricky part was I didn't want to shop around for anything.I went on line and found a couple that would work, but they were all white, and that just wouldn't work in my Tuscan dining room.I guess I could have painted it,but finding something free around the house sounded much better.
  Upon looking all around the internet I found you can't take any old chandelier an attach it to your fan.
Ceiling fans are not designed to be attached to chandeliers. There is not standard hardware designed for such a purpose, nor is any ceiling fan approved by UL for such an application. So that idea was out.

  After about a half hour collecting some this and that from spare bedrooms, which I must say are just used to collect stuff right now, I came up with this concoction. I have to say I really do like it !

 The crystals to add a touch of elegance,and the combined materials  make it an eclectic chandelier.

BEFORE

I am so embarassed there was that much dust....




 AFTER...

Close up detail...

Night time...



I used a wallpaper border painted metallic gold for the top of my fake chandelier.

Thanks for looking....












Sunday, October 16, 2011

GREEN AND GOLD (OFFICIAL GREEN BAY PACKER) SALSA




This year I had an over abundance of green tomatoes left on my vines.They are so beautiful, I had to come up with some way to use them. First I thought green tomato salsa. 
I got all the ingredients for a recipe I had, and as I put the tomatoes in the pot, the Packers scored a touchdown. The rest is history, Packer salsa was born. I couldn't get green and gold ingredients out of my head.
The biggest problem I found with green tomatoes is that they are very bland. Hence the reason for all the seasoning in my recipe.






Yield: 10 pints OR 5quarts


No, you don't have to blanch the green tomatoes - no peeling either.


10cups chopped green tomatoes 
1 1/2 cups seeded, chopped yellow peppers
1/2 cup seeded finely chopped jalapenos
6 cups chopped onions
1 cup  lime juice
8 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 Tbsp ground turmeric
3 Tbsp oregano leaves chopped fine

1 cup chopped cilantro chopped fine
6 chicken bouillon cubes
1package Mrs. Wages salsa mix

2 Tablespoons Tajin fruit spice /seasoning
2 lb. bag frozen corn
1/2 cup sugar
Combine all ingredients in a large stockpot and stir frequently over high heat until mixture begins to boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Ladle hot salsa into pint jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Adjust lids and process in a boiling water canner 15 minutes at 0-1,000 feet altitude; 20 minutes at 1,001-6,000 feet; 25 minutes above 6,000 feet.
Mrs. Wages Salsa Mix 4 oz

















Saturday, October 15, 2011

EASY COLORED GLASSWARE

Just another idea for Mod Podge. I may not be able to build a house with this stuff, but I sure can get it decorated. I just love it. Can a girl get it by the gallon please!!


All you do is add a couple drops of food color to your Mod Podge, and coat your glass. With a heavier application you can even get different textures.





Another idea is coloring your crystals...Oh my the possibilities are endless!


Pinned Image








Here's one more idea.You can make your own stained glass. I got my "liquid lead" at Hobby Lobby, and after your pattern is dry, just paint on your colors...soooo easy!



         Now get to coloring Ya'll !!