A New Look for an Old Metal File Cabinet

As long I can remember our family has been trading furniture with each other. It's a simple process, when one family gets tired of an item, you start asking the rest of the family if they want it. It can actually take several years for an item to make it's way through the entire family, but sometimes by the time it comes back around, the original owner reclaims it or it is sent away to donation land. My husband still laughs about this funny little routine we have, but it seems normal to us and it saves us money! So now that you see how it works, I was actually the fourth owner of the metal filing cabinet. My daughter called one Sunday afternoon and asked if I wanted the filing cabinet and of course I did! I needed a new filing cabinet but I really am not fond of the metal cabinets and if I got a wood cabinet, I would have to paint it! I also didn't want my home office to look like an office, so I decided I would create a new look for the old metal filing cabinet.

I started by removing the hardware and bought some shabby handles for 50% off and dry-brushed them light pink acrylic paint. Then I measured the top of the cabinet and used my old, thrift store chenille bedspread and started cutting the material to match my measurements. I brushed Mod Podge onto the top of the cabinet and laid the cut material over the top. I pressed it with my hands, so it would stick to the top. I did this for the sides, drawers and door, then let them dry.
When the cabinet was dry, I used hot glue to attach braided pieces from the bedspread to the side seams and top of the front of the cabinet. Then I cut the fringe off the bedspread and used hot glue to finish off the bottom of the cabinet. The secret is to make sure your fabric doesn't overlap onto the drawers or the door (if you have one). This way the drawers will open without getting caught on the fabric.Attach the hardware and begin using your new, old file cabinet!

Welcome to my shabby office!

Before

After

Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Grandma's Bread Pudding and Caramel Sauce

I was trying to think of something for dessert last night and homemade bread pudding was my choice. Our Dad was not a dessert lover but bread pudding was one of his favorites. Our grandma made the best bread pudding, hope you like it! Ingredients : 5 cups slightly dried out bread, any kind. I used Italian bread. 1/4 cup raisins (optional) 2 cups milk 1/4 cup butter 1/2 cup white sugar 2 eggs 1 T vanilla 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/2 tsp cinnamon Caramel Sauce Ingredients 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 tsp vanilla Directions : Cut the bread in cubes. I cut some of the crust off (on about half of the bread). Place bread into a greased casserole dish or an 11x9 inch pan. Add raisins. Microwave milk and butter about 4 minutes on 60% power or heat in a saucepan over medium heat on the stove. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. Slowly add the mixture to the egg and milk an...

Grilled Orange Roughy

My favorite food choices are often related to family memories, so I wanted to share one of our favorite grilled fish recipes. Our Dad used to take us fishing and we grew up eating the fish we caught ourselves. Then came the time when we had to start buying fish, I searched for types of fish that didn't taste too "fishy". It's hard to accomplish that in the Midwest, we don't always have many choices. We were introduced to orange roughy during a trip to San Diego where my great-uncle treated us to some of the most wonderful seafood we had ever eaten at an establishment called Anthony's. It was the first time we had eaten orange roughy and it was white, flaky and not too fishy tasting. After a few experiments, this is my favorite method to prepare it at home. Serves 4 or 2 with leftovers! Ingredients: 4 orange roughy fillets 1/4 c fresh cilantro, I use a small handful * if you are not a cilantro fan use fresh dill, about 1/4 c chopped 2 tsp garlic powder o...

Homemade Goulash

Last weekend I made meals for the freezer. It takes a few hours but this will save you time during the week (in case you have nights like I do when you don't feel like cooking) and your family will love it! I adapted this recipe from Paula Deen (it's called Bobby's Goulash). I used organic ingredients but use the products of your choice. I would have liked to use fresh tomatoes from the garden but my tomatoes weren't quite ready. You can also make it gluten-free by using gluten-free elbow macaroni. It's so tasty - my family loved it! Ingredients : 1 pound ground turkey 1 pound lean ground beef 1 -2 small onions, diced ( I used red onions) 1 (28 ounce) can tomato sauce 2 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice 3 cups water 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 T Italian seasoning 3 bay leaves 3 T soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce 1 T seasoning salt course ground pepper to taste 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked) Putting it together: Brown meat and onions in a lar...

Natural Homemade Living

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