Something for FREE!.....Red Pepper

Look what you can do with the hot pepper flakes you get the next time you order a pizza. They are FREE at most restaurants, but you usually have to ask for them. Just use your coffee grinder to make ground hot pepper to add to your favorite dishes. Coffee grinders can be used to ground nuts and dried herbs too. It's not just for coffee!

Repurpose paper perfume samples from magazines into this...

Instead of throwing away those perfume samples that always fall out of flyers and magazines, why not use them to place under the legs of  freshly painted furniture while it dries!

Another repurposing idea!

Figs are ready....finally!

Gardening

It is so nice to have freshly picked figs for breakfast which are full of fiber. My tree is producing a nice crop this summer.......Soon I will be making my fig preserves! (click here to see my recipe for making Fig Preserves)

New life to old patio furniture!

Furniture "upcycling"

After

Before

A new look for an old chair!

Furniture "upcycling"

Before

After

Magnolia wreath in the Spring & Summer too!

Art & Crafts

Who says you can't hang a magnolia leaf wreath in the Spring & Summer! I have a tree that I decided to cut some branches off and make a wreath. I got this idea from my sister-in-law who made a beautiful one for the inside of her home.

To start with, you can either use a straw wreath, which is a lot cheaper, or a styrofoam one. I decided to go with the straw one. I used floral wire pics on each leaf stem and also hot glued the tips to the leaf to secure it better. Then just start poking each leaf into the wreath at an angle and go back and fill in areas that need an extra leaf. Be patient because it takes a while to achieve the final look. Add a Spring or Summer floral pic if you like!

Look what popped up in my flower pot and I didn't even plant it!

Gardening

This is amazing and the only thing that I can figure out is that the wind blew or a bird dropped a sunflower seed from the bird feeder into the pot.

Sounds logical!  And it is pretty too!

Repurpose with old CD's & computer parts!

Art & Crafts

CD Art

Instead of discarding those old CD's, why not create a piece of art. Add old computer parts to make a more interesting work of art. Use E6000 glue and glue a few pieces at a time. Be patient with this process because it takes time to dry and if you try to glue it all at once, it will fall apart...Trust me!

You can make moveable parts too. Use an old CPU fan that you can spin on your own. Dangle a CD by using beading thread or fishing line.

Fun project....just be patient with the dry time!

Want to create something fun with an antique chair that has no seat!

Furniture "repurposing"

After

Before

Clean the chair and sand lightly. Spray paint a couple of coats. Embellish in areas with gold craft paint. And for a little extra  pizazz,...decoupage a fall leaf that you have previously flattened using an old book. Spray a clear lacquer coating to finish it up!

Fun & Easy Project!

Something for FREE!..."computer classes at your local library"

 

Take advantage of various computer classes your local library offers for FREE. I have been brushing up on my Microsoft Office skills with the latest version. Attending classes is great for networking and it is also fun and rewarding to be able to help out other people too! Just be prepared to attend several libraries since not all libraries offer the same classes...go out and explore and keep learning!

For more information on The Houston Public Library, click on the link below.....

http://www.houstonlibrary.org/home

Sea shells by the sea shore!

Jewelry

Sea Shell Earrings

As I was walking on the beach, I noticed most of the sea shells have little holes on the top which I found out that other gastropods (snails or slugs) will drill holes into the shells to feed off of. I thought this is perfect to make jewelry out of......so nature made it easy for me to create this summer accessory.

A brownie recipe that will...

Cooking

.

...Knock You Naked Brownies

(this is a photo of my batch....I use a little less caramel than Ree's recipe)

I saw this recipe from the show "The Pioneer Women" with Ree Drummond. I have made these quite a few times and they are rich & delicious. On one occasion, when my two college friends came to visit, we ate the whole entire batch!

Here is the link to her recipe with step-by-step directions.....Enjoy!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/05/knock-you-naked-brownies/

Enjoy her website with many more recipes ....

 http://thepioneerwoman.com/ 

I purchased this table at a garage sale over 15 years ago....well it was time for a new look!

Furniture "upcycling"

Before

First, I spray painted the piece with "Valspar" satin Churchill Hotel Vanilla and then did a little sanding on areas to give it the distressed look. I then added, on random areas, a touch of "Martha Stewart Living" metallic paint in Golden Pearl.

After

Gardening today...cut the shrubs and mowed the lawn...great exercise too!

"Organization"-The key to success....I am reaching my goal to be successful!

School is out in most places, yeah for everyone!....Enjoy a fun and safe summer!  I see a new project coming on!

My first blog!.....learning a lot lately so I can keep up-to-date with technology, but I also like creating art & craft projects, decorating, sewing, painting furniture, cooking, gardening, fashion, & jewelry making. I am always thinking of new projects to create! Just use your imagination!