That's not the Toilet

 I had a special house guest coming into town last weekend, it's my grandma. I was doing a deep clean to get the guest bath ready and realized I was out of tub and tile cleaner. I was left with a few options. I could use Pine Sol (yeah right), Comet or Lysol toilet cleaner.

Just contemplating using comet brought up horrible childhood memories of me trying to work up a lather with that gritty cleaner trying to please an OCD parent (obviously an impossible task). No surprise at all that I squirted the toilet cleaner all over the tub and shower surround with out concern or regard for negative consequences.

The water here in UT is so hard. I am constantly fighting hard water stains. But they have finally met their match! The toilet cleaner cut through everything and didn't require scrubbing just wiping the tub down was enough. It saved me some serious time and the results are great. Who knows if it should be used on all different types of surfaces but it was awesome on my tub!

Hope you're all having a good week!
I know I am!!
- Becca -

Helpful Hints Everyone Should Know

 Z and I are taking a little vacay and will be partying it up missing my blog for a week. I've lined up some posts- tips to help you lovely peeps live easier and happier lives. I'll be back in action with projects next week!

1. Reheat Pizza
Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.

2. Easy Deviled Eggs
Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag.  Seal, mash till they are all broken up.  Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg  Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.

3. Expanding Frosting
When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes.  You can double it in size.  You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount.  You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.

4. Reheating refrigerated bread
To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.

5. Newspaper weeds away
Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers, put layers around the plants overlapping as you go cover with mulch and forget about weeds.  Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they will not get through wet newspapers.

6. Broken Glass
Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can't see easily.

7. No More Mosquitoes
Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

8. Squirrel Away!
To keep squirrels from eating your plants sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.

9. Flexible vacuum
To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll o r empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum.  It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

10. Reducing Static Cling
Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress.  Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and -- ta da! -- static is gone.

11. Measuring Cups
Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water.  Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

12. Foggy Windshield?
Hate foggy windshields?  Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car.  When the windows fog, rub with the eraser!  Works better than a cloth!

13. Reopening envelope
If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two.  Viola! It unseals easily.

14. Conditioner
Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair...

15. Goodbye Fruit Flies
To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass fill it 1/2' with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid, mix well.  You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!

16. Get Rid of Ants
Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it 'home,' can't digest it so it kills them.  It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works & you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

17. INFO ABOUT CLOTHES DRYERS
The heating unit went out on my dryer! The gentleman that fixes things around the house for us told us that he wanted to show us something and he went over to the dryer and pulled out the lint filter. It was clean. (I always clean the lint from the filter after every load clothes.)  He told us that he wanted to show us something; he took the filter over to the sink, ran hot water over it. The lint filter is made of a mesh material - I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter looks like.  Well,..the hot water just sat on top of the mesh!  It didn't go through it at all!  He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh that's what burns out the heating unit. You can't SEE the film, but it's there It's what is in the dryer sheets to make your clothes soft and static free -- that nice fragrance too, you know how they can feel waxy when you take them out of the box, well this stuff builds up on your clothes and on your lint screen. This is also what causes dryer units to catch fire & potentially burn your house down with it!  He said the best way to keep your dryer working for a very long time (& to keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out & wash it with hot soapy water & an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six months.  He said that makes the life of the dryer at least twice as long!  How about that!?! Learn something new everyday!  I certainly didn't know dryer sheets would do that. 
Note: I went to my dryer & tested my screen by running water on it.  The water ran through a little bit but mostly collected all the water in the mesh screen. I washed it with warm soapy water & a nylon brush & I had it done in 30 seconds.  Then when I rinsed it -- the water ran right thru the screen!  There wasn't any puddling at all!  That repairman knew what he was talking about!

I've had this sitting in my email for a few years- I love this awesome tips and thought I'd share the wealth!

- Becca -

Free Key Fix

Do you have keys that look exactly the same but are for different locks?

Well, I do and it drives me crazy! 

Without fail it seems I grab the wrong one first and that can be a pain in the butt when you're carrying 15 grocery bags.

I thought about using tape or something like that to mark them- but then it hit me! Nail Polish!

I grabbed a couple of shades to try it out and the first coat took awhile to dry- like at least a hour. But it bonded well.

You wanna plan to do at least two coats, just like your nails.

Is it driving you crazy, like it's driving me crazy, that the pink was painted too far over on the right side?

I ended up with three coats- and have had "nail polish keys" for a week testing out the durability. No chips or peeling, so I'm calling it a success!

A sad and true story.

I told the hubby the hot pink key was for his key chain, expecting him to know I was kidding and that it was actually the white one. What does it say about me that he unquestioningly put the pink one on his key chain?
Perhaps I can be unreasonable and controlling at times.

Thanks for stopping in!

- Becca -

Linked up here.

Make Prints into Oil {looking} Artwork

I was working on the design of our living room makeover. Trying to figure out is I'm working in our old art into our new design and it's been driving me crazy. 

We have a huge framed oil paint looking piece of art over the couch. I purchased it at Ross years ago for 100 bucks and started researching the piece. Turns out it's an "enhanced print" that retails framed for $275 to $650! Wowza! 

When I was looking up this artwork I thought it was an oil painting. I quickly learned it was not, as this particular oil painting was worth $16,000! What I had was called an "enhanced print".
I researched what that term meant and it's basically a print that has been brushed with a medium. 

This process makes it look WAY more expensive- like it would be worth 1000's rather than 100's! (maybe a bit of an exaggeration?)

  I decided to experiment and try to make my own enhanced print.

I started with a print I wouldn't mind messing up. Someone gave me this one, so kinda perfect for my little experiment.





Here's my what I started with:
a print, a brush, a bottle of medium, a bottle of texture and something to mix it together
- all of which I already had.





 I took the print out of the frame and mixed some medium with the texture which thickened the medium up considerably.

After the first coat it looked like this and truthfully I was thinking I ruined the print. Ahhh!


But thankfully it did dry clear. Like this. (I'm sure all you artists are cringing! Sorry!)
  
I decided it needed two coats to really build up the texture and look like brush strokes.



You want to make sure the strokes go in many different direction.

Also, make sure it is thinker and thinner in places.

 
Here's the end product next to the inspiration piece for comparison.

I think it's pretty darn close to the original. It has the same shine and varying texture.

I call it a success and I'm ready to try it on something bigger and maybe more expensive! Isn't this the perfect solution to a frame with no glass? I am thrilled with the possibilities!

Check it out Yo! I got me another feature!

Thanks for checking out my project!

- Becca -

I party everywhere!

Tools are for Women Too, Chic on a Shoestring,  Tip Junkie,  At the Picket Fence, Shabby Nest, Reasons to Skip the Housework, Simply Designing,  Funky Junk Interiors,  Nifty Thrifty Things, I Heart Nap Time, Creating Really Awesome Free Things, Petite Hermine, Craft Envy, Stories of A 2 Z,  Hope Studios, New Nostalgia, Sugarbee Crafts, Ask Anna Moseley, DIY By Design, Passionately Artistic, Women Who Do It All, House of Hepworths, L Bratina, Beyond the Picket Fence, Shabby Chic Cottage,  Fire Flies and Jelly Beans, Its a Hodge Podge Life, Just a Girl Blog, Simply Sweet Home ,  Inspiring Creations Blog, On the Verge 6, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Whipperberry, Remodelaholic, All Thingz Related, Saturday Mornings,  Poppies at Play, The Girl Creative, Type A Decorating, At Home With K, Elements Interiors, Some what Simple, Today's Creative Blog and  Stuff and Nonsense.

A Baby Shower {in images}

Not to throw anyone under the bus- but I didn't get to take the shower pics. 

Just work with me, k?

Talked about these easy peasy cake toppers here.

HOORAY GERRET! Talked about these here.

Bummer pic- but more about the design of this here.

BAD pic, but made these here.

Yummy popcorn in pretty paper cones.

More about this here and here
and even here!

Talked about making these here.

a

Pom Pom disclaimer- The ceilings were vaulted and I wasn't able to pick exactly where they needed to go, since Z and buddy were standing on the BACK of a folding chair to get high enough., basically risking life and limb to even get them up! 
{thanks Hunny}


Please stop by again sometime!

- Becca -

I PARTY EVERYWHERE I CAN!

Tools are for Women Too, Chic on a Shoestring,  Tip Junkie,  At the Picket Fence, Shabby Nest, Reasons to Skip the Housework, Simply Designing,  Funky Junk Interiors,  Nifty Thrifty Things, I Heart Nap Time, Creating Really Awesome Free Things, Petite Hermine, Craft Envy, Stories of A 2 Z,  Hope Studios, New Nostalgia, Sugarbee Crafts, Ask Anna Moseley, DIY By Design, Passionately Artistic, Women Who Do It All, House of Hepworths, L Bratina, Beyond the Picket Fence, Shabby Chic Cottage,  Fire Flies and Jelly Beans, Its a Hodge Podge Life, Just a Girl Blog, Simply Sweet Home ,  Inspiring Creations Blog, On the Verge 6, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Whipperberry, Remodelaholic, All Thingz Related, Saturday Mornings,  Poppies at Play, The Girl Creative, Type A Decorating, At Home With K, Elements Interiors, Some what Simple, Todays Creative Blog and  Stuff and Nonsense.

Room Planners for Macs

WOW!
I am LATE posting today! It has been a super busy morning and afternoon, but today we are talking about space planning.

I've been looking for a comfy, charcoal colored sectional with modern lines for over three months. I've found out that in my area they pretty much come in two lengths. One where I may have room for a small end table and one where I won't. 

A room planner is one great way to decide what you want to do. But it can be difficult to find one that works with Macs.

Pottery Barn has this room planner available and it works like a charm. You can set up an account and save your top choices.

What do you think?

As for me, I'm still deciding...Shorter...Longer? hmm.
One thing I do know- this space planner is the BOMB!
Try it out and link up your plans!

- Becca -

I party HERE
and more specifically here and here.

Home Sewn Favors

I was doing the rounds at each and every craft and party store in my area and realized that party favors are pretty ridiculous in price.
I could pay $1 for 4 of these cute little organza bags or I could...

Well, I didn't know what I could do. See, I'm originally from Boston. My own mother's motto with anything having to do with crafts or sewing was "if a glue gun can't fix it than neither can I". 

Serious.

So, or rather sew, I knew making my own bags would be a heck of a lot cheaper and just as cute but I can't sew.

Well, Mom-in-Law Berger saved the day. We got some fabric with a 40% off coupon and used ribbon I had on hand and made these sweet babies.

It was actually sew (last time, I promise) easy that I probably could do it again on my own.

 Start by cutting strips of fabric-  these are approximately 3x5in.

See where my thumb is? Next you will sew to create the pocket where the drawstrings will be inserted. Hold the fabric so that the 3in side will be the height and 5 in side will be the width.


Sew across the top of fabric about one in from the top and then again across the top only about 1/2 in from the top.

Now you'll fold the fabric in half and sew the edges to secure the other two sides of the bag. Turn the bag inside out so the seems are on the inside.


You want to make two little cuts in the pocket you created for the draw strings and thread through a piece of ribbon. Tie it in a knot and then tie one through heading the opposite direction. This way you'll be able to pull it closed.

Side note- where can a person learn to sew these days, anyhow?

The overall cost was mostly for the candies inside the bag. Cheap Frugal project anyone with a sewing machine could do. Not only that you can customize it with cute ribbons or coordinating fabric.

As always, thanks for coming by!

- Becca -


I PARTY EVERYWHERE!
Tools are for Women Too, Chic on a Shoestring,  Tip Junkie,  At the Picket Fence, Shabby Nest, Reasons to Skip the Housework, Simply Designing,  Funky Junk Interiors,  Nifty Thrifty Things, I Heart Nap Time, Creating Really Awesome Free Things, Petite Hermine, Craft Envy, Stories of A 2 Z,  Hope Studios, New Nostalgia, Sugarbee Crafts, Ask Anna Moseley, DIY By Design, Passionately Artistic, Women Who Do It All, House of Hepworths, L Bratina, Beyond the Picket Fence, Shabby Chic Cottage,  Fire Flies and Jelly Beans, Its a Hodge Podge Life, Just a Girl Blog, Simply Sweet Home ,  Inspiring Creations Blog, On the Verge 6, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Whipperberry, Remodelaholic, All Thingz Related, Saturday Mornings,  Poppies at Play, The Girl Creative, Type A Decorating, At Home With K, Elements Interiors, Some what Simple and  Stuff and Nonsense.

Paper Flowers + Mother Nature

Mother nature completely ruined, uhh showed up, uhh- blew my Spring Centerpiece out of the water.

This is what she's looking like these days.

Muy bonita, right?

- Becca -

I PREETY MUCH PARTY EVERYWHERE!
Tools are for Women Too, Chic on a Shoestring,  Tip Junkie,  At the Picket Fence, Shabby Nest, Reasons to Skip the Housework, Simply Designing,  Funky Junk Interiors,  Nifty Thrifty Things, I Heart Nap Time, Creating Really Awesome Free Things, Petite Hermine, Craft Envy, Stories of A 2 Z,  Hope Studios, New Nostalgia, Sugarbee Crafts, Ask Anna Moseley, DIY By Design, Passionately Artistic, Women Who Do It All, House of Hepworths, L Bratina, Beyond the Picket Fence, Shabby Chic Cottage,  Fire Flies and Jelly Beans, Its a Hodge Podge Life, Just a Girl Blog, Simply Sweet Home ,  Inspiring Creations Blog, On the Verge 6, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Whipperberry, Remodelaholic, All Thingz Related, Saturday Mornings,  Poppies at Play, The Girl Creative, Type A Decorating, At Home With K, Elements Interiors, Some what Simple and  Stuff and Nonsense.