Sunday, September 26, 2010

Canister Makeover

I have recently been on the lookout for some cute new canisters.  
However, so far I've seen only found
 either very pricey ones, or ones that are not exactly what I had in mind.
So I thought hey!!
Why not jazz up my old ones that I already have!



Here are my old canisters BEFORE,
(sorry I really thought I had shown the top of them in this shot).
 
I had a design idea in mind and went searching at Michael's crafts store and found these darling, very inexpensive little metal frames. 

 I then looked and looked through all the stick on labels and such that they make now and couldn't find any that spelled out SUGAR or FLOUR, so...
I decided I would just have to make my own. 
Here they are below.






After measuring to see what size they needed to be.  I used my photo editing program to get them just right and printed them out.
Now the tricky part was cutting them to fit inside the middle of the frame, especially rounding those corners. But you could probably take a plain piece of paper to practice a few times and then use it for a template once perfected.

There were only a few things needed to do this project, which I happened to already have on hand! These older glass canisters can often be found in thrift stores or garage sales.  I wanted my frames to have a blackend antique look so I dabbed some black acrylic paint on them and dabbed off a bit until I had the desired look I wanted. 

 Of course you might choose a different color to suit yourself and decor.  Oh be sure not to paint the area in the center of the frame where the label goes as it may show through. 

Then evenly brush a thin layer of glue on the inside area of the frame and apply your label. Carefully smoothing it out from the center to the edges, let dry. 
Once dried seal it by again brushing on a layer or 2 of varnish, let dry.   

Before applying your frame wash canisters thoroughly and dry thoroughly.  Then decide where you want it placed.  You could actually use a piece of masking tape as a placement guide (which I should have done), or just eyeball it (which is what I did). 

Apply the hot glue to the back of the frame.   
WARNING!  the frame will become very HOT
You might want to were gloves to protect your fingers! 
Once you've applied the glue quickly place it on the canister
holding the frame gently by the edges. 
Then when in place use a towel over the top of it to press it down firmly. 

Then gently peel back the towel a little at a time because a bit of the glue may attach to the towel and you don't want it pulling off your frame.  A bit of the glue is probably going to squish up through your label.
So when it has dried and hardened it can easily removed by
using a pointed exacto knife (as shown above). 

The top was a piece of cake.
Simply remove the lid and the plastic rim and cover with approximately 3 light coats of spray paint. Allowing paint to dry between each coat. When you hold it up and can no longer see through the paint you've got enough!

Here's a look at them all filled and looking pretty on the counter. 
 From now on I will be spot cleaning the outside with some glass cleaner 
and will have to use care when washing the inside. 

Btw, this whole project only took about an hour or so!

Have fun, and thanks for taking the time to stop by!
 As always, I appreciate your sweet comments!

Hugs, Sherri:-)

I'm linking up with Cindy for
"Show and Tell Friday"

and also with....

Susan from BNOTP for


Oh and a NEW meme 
At Pam's from
"Be colorful"

Becolorful



Please stop by and visit their blogs and the others participating for some

wonderful inspiration!!
 
 

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Eight Cubed "A getting to know you game"

Im playing along today with my friend
Pat at "Gypsy Heart" 
in a get to know you game called "Eight cubed"
that she is passing on from another blogging friend
Here is her quote about the game:  

 Eight cubed is where Eight people get to answer Eight questions and then tag Eight of their friends with Eight questions of their own. Get it? Got it! Good!

Yep, I think I Got it Pat...
Here are my answers to your questions below, and I think like you did,  I'll just see if there is anyone else who'd like to play along instead of
doing the tagging thing.

1.  What is your favorite time of the year and why?
I would of had a different answer to this question when I was in my 20's because back then I loved the Summer and spending hours baking in the sun trying to get a great tan!    But funny how things change... I can't stand HOT temps in the Summer now!!   So I'd have to say spring, because it feels like a time of rebirth with so many flowers blooming after winter.   I also love the fresh smell in the air when the sun comes out after a spring shower !

2.  Tell me what your most special dream for the future is.
Besides good health,  I'd have to say that I always dreamed of taking family and friends on a private chartered yacht to the Mediterranean!  Hey were talking DREAMS here right! lol!  Okay, a more realistic dream (I think) is getting my kitchen remodeled.

3.  Do you prefer TP (toilet paper) over or under?
Okay I used to be an UNDER/ TP person, then Oprah did a show once where someone asked her that question, and she said she was an OVER person, and she made it sound so much better that I switched, and have been an OVER person ever since!

4.  Would you prefer to cook or make reservations?
Now this is an easy one!!  R-E-S-E-R-V-A-T-I-O-N-S!!  After cooking for my family for soooo many years, eating out is such a treat to me!  But when I was younger I REALLY did enjoy cooking and trying new recipes!!

5.  I'd love to know your most memorable holiday ever!
Years ago when my family still lived close by, I used to always put on Easter celebrations.  One Easter that stands out is one where my hubby had just bought a video camera and we video taped everyone that day having fun and acting silly!

6.  What is your favorite item of clothing?
Hmmm, I guess it would have to be the cool and kinda funky t-shirt with some butterflies and beads on it that I recently bought with my 10.00 off coupon from Kohls.... Thanks Kohls!!!

7.  Coffee or tea? 
More of coffee drinker in the winter, and an ice tea drinker in the summer.

8.  If I came to visit, what would we do?
Uhhhh....lets see, well if the weather was nice we'd sit and talk alot over coffee, tea, or something out on the patio.  I'd probably want to take you to Nevada City, one my favorite places to go to for a drive, some shopping, and lunch.
If you want to see what it's like there you can go to this post I did last year...
 "Fun Day in Nevada City".

Okay, now here are my eight questions to pass along to anyone interested in playing.  Please play!  I think it will be fun to get to know ya'll better!   If you do decide to play along please let me know so I can come by to see your answers, Okay? Okay?!

1.  What are three words that best describe you?
2.  What is your favorite snack?
3.  What place would you most like to visit? why?
4.  Heels or flats?
5.  What is your favorite thing to do?, (besides blogging)
6.  Early bird, or night owl?
7.  What's something you've always wanted to do but haven't?
8.  What are your favorite smells?

Thanks for stopping by an playing along! 
Have a great day!!

Hugs, Sherri:-)

Thursday, September 23, 2010

It's Officially Fall ~Tablescape!

It's official!  
Autumn/Fall is HERE!!! 
The almond harvest is over and
I've got my table all set for the season!

Well at least for now anyway!


Some of you may remember this white cutout ceramic pumpkin from last year that I got from Marshalls (I saw some similar ones there this year too)! 
 I placed it on this oval shaped tray that I picked up at GW,
and then added some Fall berries and greenery.

I added this crackle finished rooster that I've had for a while, and this ribbon bow!

Fall stoneware from Dollar Tree!  Placemats from Ross.

I found this cute candle holder with a birdie on top and the candle at GW
the same day I found the tray...
Can you say SCORE!

Autumn Welcome!! 
 Indeed!!


This rooster is crowing... yay it's Fall!!!

Colorful centerpiece!

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit!
and
Happy Fall to Y'all!!
Sherri :-)


I'm joining Susan at BTNOP for


and Leigh from Tales From Bloggeritaville for
Thanks to them both for hosting these fun meme's! 
Please stop in and say hi to them and also the other particiants!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Fall Tabletop Decorating Ideas!

Can you feel the change of season in the air? 
Fall is almost upon us...but is it actually Fall or is it Autumn? 
Do you ever use the two words interchangeably? 
 I never gave it much thought until today. 
I guess it's just one of those things that make you go hmmm... 

Well , whether you call it Fall, Autumn (or both)! 
I think we can all agree that it's a great time of year! 

Of course it's also a great time to decorate too!


I made this arrangement with some pretty flowers
from the "garden department" at the Dollar Tree! 

What?  You didn't know they had one!! ;)

Photo edited with a little watercolor magic! 
This wicker rocker and table are one of my latest T/S finds! 
I was so excited to find them!  
Now I can rock away while I'm enjoying the wonderful Fall weather.

**ADDED NOTE** 
The rocker set was already painted red when I bought it...
Not sure if it will stay that color. Would love your input!!
This I did with some dried Fall leaves, a cute bucket,
some pinecones from the backyard with some potpourri tossed in and... 
Voila!  A cute little Fall display for practically nothing!
I whipped up this little pillow from my fabric stash!
For this display I added more dried Fall leaves to this wire basket, a bit more potpourri, a heavenly smelling candle from Ross,
and a lil ceramic punkin on the side. 
Easy peazy!!


I'm joining Marty at "A Stroll Through Life" for my first

Please stop by her blog to visit her and the other very creative participants!

Thanks for stopping by to visit and taking the time to leave a comment! 
I love hearing from you!

Hugs,  Sherri:)

Friday, September 3, 2010

Fresh Salsa!!

With Summer coming to and end I'm really going to miss those
garden vine ripened tomatoes and fresh Summer fruits!! 
My dear friend Mary and her hubby has kept me well stocked this summer,
Thanks guys!!!!

So did you plant a veggie garden this summer? 
Or were you lucky like me who had friends that did?!!

My favorite thing to make with those vine ripened tomatoes is
SALSA!!

I don't actually have a recipe that I follow,
but these are the basic ingredients that you see here.

Approximately:
4 or 5 tomatoes
1/2 white onion finely chopped
2-3 jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped
1 Tb. chopped garlic
approx. 1 cup chopped cilantro
approx. 1 Tb. lemon juice
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste



Below is my typical breakfast/lunch,
hmm.... I guess that would be called brunch!! 

An egg scramble consisting of, two free range eggs minus one yolk,
a Tb. Oscar Meyer bacon bits, (only 25 calories!),
Topped with a small sprinkle of pepper jack cheese,
A half an avocado, chopped
and my fresh salsa!
A cup of mixed fresh fruit on the side (cantaloupe, strawberries, and pineapple) today!
and one slice of stoneground whole wheat toast,
with a tsp. Smart Balance Omega light spread with EVOO in it.
Yummy!!

Fresh salsa is always great snack for your Labor Day celebration!
Add some tortilla chips and how about a margarita TOO!

You can make your own Margarita mix using fresh or bottled lemon and lime juice and Splenda if you're watching your sugar intake like me!  
(Btw, Jose Cuervo Margarita mix has 24 grams of sugar in a 4 oz. serving) 
 YIKES!!

Adding fresh Salsa on many of the foods I eat
is a tasty and easy way to get my daily veggie intake.
Also a batch stays fresh in the frig for several days!
Salsa also looks so colorful and has soooo many good nutrients too:

Tomatoes~ Excellent source of vitamin C and vitamin A. good source of niacin, vitamin B6, and folate. Contains the anti-oxidant lycopene.

Cilantro ~ Good source of dietary fiber, iron, magnesium, and manganese. Anti-inflammatory, controls blood sugar, cholesterol, and fights free radicals.

Onions ~ Helps lower blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Protective against many types of cancer.

Garlic ~ Good source of manganese, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-viral properties. Promotes optimal health.

Jalapeno peppers ~ Contains Capsaicin, which is good for helping with weight loss. Capsaicin also acts as an anti-inflammatory. Also kills bad bacteria in the stomach and intestines that can often lead to stomach ulcers.

Lemon juice ~ Rich in vitamin C and calcium, promotes healthy digestion, is a natural immune system booster, and diuretic.

              NOW...
                 ♫ EVERYBODY SALSA ♫!!

....and when your done here, dance on over to "Designs by Gollum" for


 Don't miss out on Michael Lee's KitchenAid Mixer Giveaway!!
WooHoo!

What's your plans for Labor Day weekend?!
What ever you doing... I hope you have a good time and stay safe!!

Hugs, Sherri:)

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Poolside Pigeon?

I've lived here for almost three decades and 
I've seen many different visitors drop by to visit our pool,
but this is the first time I've had a pigeon stop by...
But is it really a pigeon? Or is it a dove? 

Hey Lady what are you looking at?  Wait a minute, is that a camera?  COOL!

Now I knew there has been a pair living in my yard for some time now,
because I've seen and heard them in the large pine tree behind my pool 
always making there cute little cooing sounds. 

 All this time I've been calling them doves.  

So I ask you... What is the difference between a dove and a pigeon??
Well I read...in a word... none! 
They are literally the same thing!
Huh??  
I don't get it! One in the same? 
So why is it that pigeons get such a bad rap, 
and not doves???
and why don't they call them ALL either doves or pigeons?

Anyone??

When I first saw this pretty dove/pigeon (whatever) I thought no way will I be able get my camera in time to get a pic of it before it flies away....
But suprise, suprise,
not only did I get there in time
but it let me get so close to it
I think it might have let me pick it up if I had tried.
Of course I didn't actually try to though!  

I was cracking up because I think it was actually posing for me!

How funny!

Hey lady...what'a ya mean funny! Dont ya mean cute?!  Alright, now thats enough picture taking... you can go now, I think I might take a swim!

Okay, Okay!!  I'm going!!

As you can see... it takes very little to entertain me
LOL!
Have a great day! 

Oh and be sure to stop by Susan's at "A Southern Daydreamer"
for 
Outdoor Wednesday
after your visit here!
Hugs, Sherri :-)
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