Turn Lemons into Lemonade

Next time you go shopping PLEASE don't let the scratched up beyond repair.....marked WAY DOWN because no one wants them items SCARE you!!

EVERYTHING.....I repeat EVERYTHING can be fixed or used for something else!!

You can ALWAYS turn Lemons into Lemonade

Use your imagination as to how you could fix it or use it for something else & I promise you will SAVE a HUGE amount of $$$ in the process!!

Take my homemade chalkboard for instance.....I was on a misson to find a chalkboard for my dining room!! But there were some things that I wanted in this chalkboard.....1 it had to be BIG and 2 it had to have a chunky slightly formal frame!! I searched and searched with no luck!! And any that I found that I liked were anywhere from $50 to $100 bucks and that was NOT about to happen!!!

Until I found this at Kirklands:

Scratched up beyond belief......and on sale for ONLY $10!! (originally $40)

OH YEAH:)

This picture is not really my style, but I had to look past that.....1 it was BIG and 2 I LOVED the frame....oh yeah and I can't forget the price!!

That's all you need to make Lemonade!!

I started out by......you guessed it spray painting the frame white! But it turned out a little to white & I wanted the detailed edging of the frame to stand out. So I used a glaze (acrylic paint with a little water) Painted the glaze on & wiped it off with a rag!! Once that was dry I painted right over the glass with my next favorite thing....Chalkboard Paint!! (make sure you use the paint that can be used on glass & use a couple of coats)

And this is what I ended up with, it's perfect for my Dining Room:

I'm in LOVE!!

XOXO,

April

Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

I'm sure some of you have seen something like this floating around the blogosphere!!

If not...I made one yesterday & I HAD to show you how to make your own:


Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

So my guest bathroom started off like this:

(The lighting is terrible in the guest bathroom and the lights for some reason make everything look pink!! EWWWW & Totally disregard the nasty mirror too.... I cleaned it after looking at these pictures)

A typical BORING Dial soap dispenser!! Not quite the look I was going for....but I'm CHEAP & I REFUSE to pay $10+ on a pretty one!! But I LOATH it.....

I really, really do!!

So I gathered up these supplies that I already had around the house:

1. mason Jar
2. wine bottle opener
3. sand paper
4. pliers
5. soap w/ pump

Then I used the sandpaper to remove any writing on the lid....do this in small circles!(after this step you may want to seal the lid so it doesn't rust....I skipped this step because I'm ok with a little rust....I think it gives it more character)

Next punch a hole in the center with a wine bottle opener!

Make the hole larger by using your pliers to pull back the lid

(don't make the whole to big....you want your dispenser to fit tightly in the hole so it won't move around)

(I used the dispenser from my Dial soap:)

After that all you have to do is fill your Mason Jar up with soap and screw on the lid:)

XOXO,

April

Tissue Paper Pomander Ball

Recently I was asked how to make Tissue Paper Pomander Balls......so I'll show you step by step instructions on how to make your own!! They are great party decorations.....and cheap & easy to make!!

First get 10 pieces of tissue paper (rectangle one's work best, but I only had square one's & they were boring old white:(

Next fold it back and forth like you would if you were making a fan!

Then secure the middle with a pipe cleaner & cut the ends in a point or round shape

All you have to do now is fluff and hang with fishing line.....TA DA!!

A Tissue Paper Pomander Ball!!

XOXO,

April

BBQ Chicken Pizza

(printable recipe)

All I can say is YUMMMMMM

This is my all time favorite pizza...EVER....if you have never had this before, you owe it to yourself to give it a try!!!

What You'll Need

1 refrigerated pizza crust

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Your favorite BBQ sauce (WallyWorld brand Honey BBQ Sauce is my FAV....SERIOUSLY)

Sliced Mozzarella

1 medium red onion, sliced

olive oil

garlic salt

Preheat oven to 375

Coat chicken breasts in BBQ Sauce & Bake for 25 mins or until done.

Slice into small pieces.

Roll out pizza dough and drizzle with olive oil......then sprinkle on some garlic salt ( I LURVE for the crust to taste like garlic bread)

Add a couple spoonfuls of BBQ Sauce to crust and spread evenly (This will replace the marinara...but don't use to much....a little will go a long way!)

Top the pizza with sliced mozzarella(I use tons), diced BBQ chicken, & sliced red onions.

Bake as directed on refrigerated pizza dough package!

Enjoy,

April

Homemade Sloppy Joes

Trying to figure out what's for dinner??

These Homemade Sloppy Joes are just as quick as using canned sauce & you probably already have everything you need!!

You'll Need:

1 lb. ground beef

1 onion, chopped

1 cup ketchup

1/4 cup water

2 T. Worcestershire sauce

1/4 t. salt

1/4 t. pepper

6-8 sandwich buns

Cook ground beef & onion in large skillet over med-high heat, until no longer pink; drain.

Stir in ketchup, water, Worcestershire sauce, salt & pepper; simmer for 20 mins, stirring frequently.

Spoon onto buns. Serves 6-8.

{recipe from Gooseberry Patch Family Favorite Recipes}

Enjoy,

April

Birthday Balloon Wreath

Super Cute & Easy Birthday Balloon Wreath

I started out with a wire wreath I found at Micheals for $2.99 and about 8 bags of balloons from the Dollar Store:)

Start by tying the balloons in knots around the wire wreath!!
I did 2 layers.....one on the inside and one on the outside wire to make the wreath SUPER FULL!!




Believe me when I tell you that this is SO Easy........it took me one night & I did it while I was watching T.V.!!
There is NOTHING to SEW or GLUE!!
I'm not gonna lie....I was a little sad I didn't get to break out "Old Trusty" aka my glue gun!! But I think she deserved a much needed break!




How Cute is That?? Right:)


This would be awesome to hang on your door during the birthday's in your family or just for birthday party decor!!


Whole project cost around -$10


XOXO,
April

Follow Me

If you like what you see on my Blog.......I would LOVE for you to become a follower (just click on the "Follow" with Google friend connect button on the right side) and help spread the word by telling your friends and family! If you are already a follower.....I would like to say "Thank You" your support to expand my passion is greatly appreciated, and without you this wouldn't be possible!!

Thanks,

April

Dollar Store Hurricanes

{picture courtesy of Williams-Sonoma}

I am infatuated with these Williams-Sonoma hurricanes (correction...I am infatuated with almost everything in that store) and I'm not gonna lie, I was on the verge of purchasing TWO of them!! Can you really just have ONE?? NEGATIVE

Then while searching around on Blogland......I found the Thrifty Decor Chick's version and I must say I just want to kiss her little feet.....THANK YOU!!! I would have had to cut off my arm & my leg to get the ones from WS!! And now I get to keep my arm & leg and have two hurricanes!!

HIP HIP HOORAY........I LOVE when I get my way:)

I purchased these two candle stick holders & two glass cylinders at.......

THE DOLLAR STORE:) WHAT??

Break out the old trusty hot glue gun and glue those bad boys together!!





And this is the end results.....not exactly the same, but pretty darn close!!
Just to show what you can do with these and how big they are: I put a tall pillar candle in one & filled the other one with shells......the possibilities are endless!


I can't wait to decorate these for the Fall:)


Whole project cost - $4


XOXO,
April