Decorating With Contact Paper

Covered Turntable 

Covered Tray

Here's a quick project that can be done in less than ten minutes for under $10.  I found this adhesive backed contact paper at Target for about $6 for a large roll, and couldn't resist.  I see this pattern everywhere lately on pillows, fabric, wallpaper, etc. So I came home and went a little crazy with it.

I found an old tray and a turntable that I use in our kitchen for serving, so I covered them both.  It sticks to just about any surface but can also be removed easily...thankfully!  (I had gotten a little carried away so I had to remove it from a few things!) 

If you don't want to paint but need a new look, this is a quick, low cost way to change just about anything!

~Simply Angie

Mix for Pancakes or Waffles

Pancakes are pretty much a staple at our house on the weekends and even some weeknights if we need a quick and easy meal.  If you don't have time to make them from scratch (see Tammi's earlier post  for Homemade or Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes), this is a basic pancake mix that can be stored and made as you need them... and is so much tastier than the box mixes!

Here's what you need for the mix:

• 9 c. flour
• 1 c. powdered milk
• 1c. sugar
• 4 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 c baking powder

In a large bowl or container with a lid, mix all together, shake well and store.  This will make several batches.

To make pancakes:

• use 1 c. mix
• 1 egg
• 3/4 c. water (you can add more depending how thick or thin you want your pancakes)
• 1 1/2 T. oil

Makes about 10 pancakes, depending how big your pancakes are.  I usually double it and freeze some, then reheat them in the toaster.

I make it the same way for waffles, except I use my waffle iron instead of a griddle.  It's so nice to have it made up and ready for a quick meal.  The mix can also be stored in the freezer in an airtight container or freezer bag.

~Simply Angie

Organizing Another Kitchen Cabinet

A quick organizing project was on the list before I started my baking for the week. I'm just weird like that, I can't work in the kitchen if I'm not organized. What works best for me when I am organizing is to keep like objects together and the items I use the most frequently are the items easiest to access.
A few months ago when I decluttered and organized my kitchen, that was my starting point. Once you make the initial time investment, it is easy to stay organized, not too mention the time you'll save every week! Just think of what you could do with some extra time on your hands!
About once a month, I spend 30 minutes or less to touch up all of the kitchen cabinets. I also have to change my cabinets depending on the time of year. When I am canning or making preserves, I change things around so they are handy. Here are a few more ideas include these Simply Kitchen Organizing Tips,Simply Organizing Pans and Lids, Simply Organize Kitchen Bowls Lids. You can find more ideas in the Organizing Label.
The cabinet today is for the items I use frequently such as measuring cups and bowls, and canning (storage) jars. I also keep jelly jars, pectin and citric acid, food processor accessories, a basket containing lotion and lip balm making supplies such as essential oils, beeswax, cocoa butter, and shea butter in this space. It's a great space for my cheesecloth and of course my little wooden recipe card holder that my grandpa made for me. In a larger basket on the top shelf, I keep my canning lids. How simple is that? So take the initial time investment and get organized!

Simply Organize Your Most Used Supplies Cabinet

 Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Mantel Decorating for Spring- Part 2

My sister, Angie and I are definitely on the same decorating path right now. For me I love the warm weather and want to take care of my inside "stuff" so I can spend more time in the garden and outside this summer! I especially like a clean look around my fireplace and you might know already that I love love love simple and shabby chic. I found most of my items around the house to put my mantel together because who really needs more stuff?

  
I started my project with my shabby chic ottoman (previously posted) and I recovered an old, very cool chair for $1 from fabric I found at the thrift store. I know Nate Berkus would be proud of me because my chair is the bright color that pops in the room! My friend, Jill had given my a birdhouse so I painted it a cream color (acrylic paint) and placed it on top of a candleholder that was headed for my garage sale (I painted that with the same cream color paint), draped some old vintage pearls on the candleholder and wrapped a vintage lace doily around the bottom. I also placed some very light pink roses in the birdhouse. I put flowers in a an old juice pitcher that was my grandma's and added some sparkly clear glass pieces. I bought the mirror but it was 50% off and it was perfect! I used LED candles on a shabby chic ceramic tray (that I bought for my sister but she donated to me before I gave it to her). I placed an old vintage linen around the tray. The little kitty on the floor was my grandma's, I always remember it in her living room when I was a little girl. She always had the kitty on a pillow so I stuffed an old children's pillowcase with pillow stuffing and put the kitty on it. That's it - now I have a spring/summer ready mantel for under $25. Hope you like it as much as I do! Happy decorating!

OK, time for a funny story, grab your coffee. So my sister and I were Skyping because she was trying to help me arrange the mantel and the phone just wasn't working. So I had my laptop in perfect viewing vision for her and I was busy moving things around on the mantel. We were trying all kinds of ideas and as she was watching me I turned my back to the mantel to pick up more pieces to try and suddenly there was a HUGE crash!! Yes - it was the mirror and yes it was laying on the hearth of the fireplace, mirror side down. I looked at my computer screen and she was laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes - she watched the whole thing happen!! She said it was like slow motion falling, so it seems like she might have had a moment to warn me?? Haha - anyway, all is well, the mirror did not break and the hearth is unscathed and we had a good laugh! That's the way things happen to us...it's all about building memories!

Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi