Organizing Kitchen Cupboards

I don't know about you, but my kitchen cupboards tend to become messy very fast.  I don't have a lot and find things even stacked on top of the cupboards even!  As I rent, I am limited in terms of what I can do (to my 50 year old cupboards).  One thing that I started doing probably a while back was putting things in bins.  Originally, I bought these bins for my classroom for organization, but after being laid off, needed to find a different use for them.  So now, they help me organize my cupboards!  What I like about them, besides being less than $2 from dollarama is that they're deep to hold multiple items and I can see through the vinyl.  I have one for medications, one for sugars, one for dish cloths, and one for dish rags.  When I need something, I just pull out the bin, grab it, and then put it back.  Easy, and it's always in the same spot when I need it. 

As you can see, this one sits in the middle of my cupboard, holding my vitamins and medications.

Drinking Straw Pendant Light

Now in my search to bring you some cool ideas and introduce some cool at home projects, I stumbled across this one.  It's a pendant light made out of drinking straws!

The directions can be found at this direct link:  http://www.addicted2decorating.com/diy-project-lighting-contemporary-drinking-straw-pendant-light.html

Wouldn't it look cool in a kid's bedroom???

Time To Start Thinking About Stockings....

Okay, so while I don't know if stockings are a tradition in your family or not, but they are a huge tradition in our family.  Always have been.  The truth is, stockings have become a bit expensive over the years.  I try to get good deals as I see them as my goal is usually not to exceed $10 for one stocking.  I got a great buy today that I wanted to share with you all...

If you're from the Portage area (this could be on in other areas, just not sure as it's a grand reopening), make a trip to Canadian Tire this weekend.  They have a whole bunch of deals not posted in their flyer.

I managed to get two suet cakes (for my mother's birds) for only 77 cents each (regular $1.89 each) and a pair of genuine leather work gloves for only $3.99 (regular 17.98) for my stepfather.  So right there, I have a couple awesome things for their stockings, without breaking the bank.

Other great deals I saw included a beautiful drill for half price (now only $99.99), some amazing deals for closet organization, and a lot of deals on kitchen appliances.  It's worth checking out...

Shower Curtain Seat Covers

The other day I was watching, "The Nate Berkus Show".  If you don't know, I'm in love with his ideas.  He has great ideas that are pretty easy for the average person to do.  He's not one of those hoity-toity designers where everything is couture...he's normal and warm and inviting.

One of the ideas shared on his show by a guest (a celebrity contractor) was using a fabric shower curtain to recover seats for chairs.  Simply remove the pad, and either using the foam provided or new foam, make a template on some butcher paper of the size of fabric that you need to cut.  Remember that you need enough to easily fold over and secure.  Once you have a template you're happy with, cut out the fabric from the shower curtain and attach it to your chairs, securing it using a staple gun.  One shower curtain should do a minimum of 4 cushions, and you might just be able to get 6 if you're careful in your cutting!

Shower curtains are fairly durable, stain resistant, and easily affordable.  Enjoy!

Homemade Grand Marnier

So, whether you're okay with it or not, Christmas is going to be soon upon us.  If you plan on making your gifts, now is the time, especially for this recipe as it needs 5 weeks to mature.

Grand Marnier

1/2 tbsp finely grated orange zest (you can get this from one orange)
1 cup orange sections (equivalent to one large orange)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup brandy

In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine orange zest, orange sections, and both sugars.  Pour brandy over top.  Do not stir .  Cover.  Let stand at room temperature for 5 weeks.  Strain and pour into decanter.  Makes 2 1/3 cups.

Note:  within hours, the orange segements will rise to the top.  You don't need to worry about them going bad as the brandy preserves them.

Enjoy!

In one glance, everything you need

In a glance, how everything will look once the brandy has been added.  Any sugar above the top will settle on its own.

Custom Chalkboard/Whiteboard (from Nate Berkus)

Liven up your kitchen or family room with a message center that suits your style.

Let’s face it, we all need reminders from time to time, which is why chalkboards are so useful in common areas of the home. They’re the perfect place to jot down chores, grocery lists, appointments and phone messages for everyone to see. And they make great billboards for sharing notes with your family. Here’s how to create a custom chalkboard that fits your décor.

1. Choose a picture frame of a size and style that complements your interior design. Remove the glass pane from the frame.
2. Firmly apply strips of 2-inch masking tape to the back (inside) of the glass pane to strengthen the outer surface.
3. Spray the front (outside) of the glass pane with a coat of chalkboard spray paint. Let dry, then repeat until uniformly coated.
4. Once dry, place the painted glass back in the frame and attach the frame backing.
5. Hang the frame securely to the wall. Now grab a piece of chalk and write a message to yourself: job well done!

My tip:  Chalkboard and whiteboard ahesive can be bought from Dollarama in the craft section rather than spray painting!

See the complete link here:  http://www.thenateshow.com/tipsandtools/detail/create-your-own-custom-chalkboard

Framing

There are some great options out there if you love things framed.  Some basic ideas include:

• buying frames with already made mats inside
• going to a professional to have something framed
• buying a frame and then cutting the mat yourself

Buying frames with already made mats inside:

This is an excellent option if you're happy with the frame and the color of mat it provides.  One option if you weren't happy with the mat, is to stencil it or paint it.  It can work well, and can be really cheap.  This frame shown with the mat was only $10 from Wal-mart about a couple years ago.  It works well as I didn't want anything to distract from the photo.  The only thing to remember is that your mat is a limited size opening, so you need to select your mat based on the size of your photo.

 Buying frames and cutting the mats yourself:

It's not as hard as it sounds.  Find a frame that you love and then grab a mat, which can be bought from most craft/framing stores.  The mats that you see in the pictures shown were mats that were given to me by a person who no longer did any framing, so they didn't cost me any money.  Here's what you do:

1. Pick your frame and your photo/print that you want to display.  Make sure the frame is larger than the photo so that you can have the proper matting.  Consider going even larger if you really want to make a statement. 
2. Pick a mat color that will complement your frame and your photo. 
3. With measurements provided from your frame, measure carefully with a ruler, pencil, and small level, drawing the size of the frame onto your mat.  Place your mat on a cork surface and cut out the outside of it with an exacto knife.
4. Now the inside is a bit tricky.  Take the length of your mat (let's pretend it's 17") and the length of your print (we'll say it's 10 inches).  Subtract 17" from 10"=7".  Divide this number by 2 and you get 3.5".  You need to measure from the outside in 3.5".  Make a mark, or a line.  Do this for the other length side.  Now do the same for the width side.  I'll post some drawing pictures to help you all if you're having a hard time following.
5. Using tape (you can buy archival tape or acid free tape), but I just tend to use regular tape.  Flip your mat over so that you're looking at the wrong side.  Secure the back of your photo to the mat, flipping over to make sure everything is lined up properly.  Tape.
6. Get it ready to hang!

Buying a frame and then getting a professional to mat it:

This is harder to do now as a lot of professional framers refuse to do this anymore, including mine.  But if you can get someone to do this, it saves you the hassle and you get really precise cutting that looks great.  This picture shown is of me when I was around 2 at Christmas.  Because these photos were linked by subject, I wanted them all together and I knew it was way to complecated for me to frame myself.  So I just purchased the frame (on sale from Michaels for $20) and then had it professionally matted.  I think it only cost me $20, but this was probably about five years ago.

Getting a professional to frame and mat it:

The great thing about getting a professional to frame and mat your photo is that it's completely customized to your photo.  The framer knows the latest stylings of framing and can give you some incredible advice.  Framing can be expensive, but if you look hard, you can find some great framers out there for reasonable costs.

The family I've always dealt with have been the Ruddells.  The lady that does it is fabulous and I swear her prices can't be beat!  This photo shown only cost around $100 to mat and frame, with a double mat.

If you're interested in her, her contact info is:

Ruddell Frames

 

Phone: (204) 857-3901

55 3rd St NW

Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N2B8