DIY Saturday
Today we are signing papers with the realtor and putting a sign in the yard. It’s a big day. And The Narrator and I are sick, sick, sick. Ugh. We’d appreciate your prayers all around as we drag our couging, aching bodies around to get everything ready for the realtor to take pictures!
Filed under DIY Saturday, moving | Comments (3)
DIY Saturday – Make your own chicken broth
In a crockpot!!
Last week my visiting mother-in-law bought two small, whole chickens and we cooked them in the crockpot. We put a layer of carrots and celery on bottom, placed both chickens in the crockpot side-by-side and sprinkled a packet of Good Seasons Italian dressing mix over the top (this is also very good with the Ranch dressing packets). It was sooo yummy and created the richest broth.
She then taught me how to make more of my own chicken broth, and we filled up my freezer. I’ve been buying broth a lot lately for soups and it’s expensive!! This option is so much more economical and DELICIOUS!
1.After you’ve picked all the chicken off the bone, place all un-edible pieces back in the crock pot (bones, fat, gristle, skin).
2.Add in a few stalks of celery (with the leaves). We didn’t do this – but you can also add a few bay leaves and sage if desired.
3.Fill the crock pot with water and turn on low for 8-10 hours or overnight. Your house is going to smell soooo good!
4.Strain the broth into a bowl removing all the bones and pieces and allow to cool.
5.Once the broth has cooled , place it in the refrigerator until it the fat has congealed, and then scoop or scrape the fat off the top.
6.Place the broth into smaller freezer-safe containers (I’d recommend 1-cup containers, or freezing in ice cube trays and then placing in a freezer bag) and freeze. Broth will last about 6 months in a regular freezer.
Filed under DIY Saturday | Comments (3)DIY – Sew on a button
Sewing on a button is one of those skills that I think everyone needs to know how to do. In fact, while I was contemplating the execution of this post, I sat down and the button on my Michael Kors jeans (that I got at the outlet mall for $20!) popped off! That just goes to show you that even high quality clothes will lose their buttons. Or maybe it just means I need to exercise more!
I’m sure in some sewing law book somewhere there is a “right” way to sew on a button, but in my opinion, you just need to get the button functioning so you can wear your pants (or shirt) again.
Supplies – these items are all found in a small sewing kit you find in the aisles at the grocery or at a dollar store, or next time you stay at a nice hotel, check your room for one!
- a hand sewing needle
- thread to match what is used on the other buttons (unless this is a hidden button that you won’t see then the color doesn’t matter)
- scissors
1. Cut a length of thread about 24″ long. If you get the thread too long it will get tangled.
2. Thread the needle and pull the thread through so that it is doubled evenly.
3. Tie a knot in the end of the thread. Really, you just need a good knot – whatever kind you choose – so that the thread won’t pull through the fabric. This knot happens to be my choice.
4. Locate where the button belongs. Most of the time, there will be marks on the garment, little holes, from where the button was previously attached. If those aren’t there, button the surrounding buttons and lay the garment flat, then take a pencil and lightly mark through the center of the buttonhole where the button belongs.
5. Bring the needle up from the backside (wrongside) of the garment through one of the original holes (or where you have marked) to the side of the fabric where the button belongs.
6. Put the button on the needle, lining the holes up with the holes in the garment, or keeping it straight on your pencil mark. Make sure your button matches the direction of the holes of any surrounding buttons.
7. Take your needle back down through the fabric in the other hole.
8. Come back up through the fabric in the first hole. Keep going up and down in the holes repeating steps 6 & 7 until the button feels secure (about 5-6 times), ending with the needle on the backside of the fabric. (NOTE – when coming up from the backside of the fabric each time, try to make the needle enter the same place each time for each hole, but really – who is going to see it but you??)
9. Now you need to tie a knot in the thread so the thread doesn’t unravel and your button comes off again. Once again, I say tie a knot however it works for you. Here’s how I do mine – it may be a bit complicate, but is worth learning!
a. take your needle through a small piece of the fabric on the backside of the button
b. pull the thread so you have a little loop
c. put your needle and thread back through that first loop, making 2 loops
d. put your needle back through the 2nd loop.
e. pull the needle and thread taut quickly making a very secure knot. Takes practice, but is worth it!
10. Clip your thread and wear your garment!!
Congratulations! You finished your button repair!
Filed under DIY Saturday, craftiness | Comments (5)DIY Saturday – Clothespin Magnets
Ever since Christmas, every time I opened my refrigerator door, one or two of the many beautiful Christmas photo cards we received in the mail fell off the fridge. It was becoming apparent that I needed more magnets. So when I saw this tutorial, I pulled out my scrap paper and went to town with Little Miss Sunshine’s help. Not only did I add more magnets to my fridge, they are super cute and hold my cards so much better. The only change I made to the construction was the use of round magnets I had on hand already. I strategically placed my die cuts so they covered the magnet, but it wouldn’t have mattered anyway, because once they are holding photos you don’t see the magnet anyway! My fridge looks so much more organized and now I can look at all these cute little faces all year long!
DIY Saturday
Around our home, Saturday is DIY day. Whether it’s a bathroom remodel, hemming pants, cleaning up a yard, or making cards, Saturday’s are a buzz around here. Even the kids get involved. T-Rex loves to brag that he “helped” Daddy fix the hole in the shower.
So Saturdays I’ll start sharing some of our DIY around here with tips, suggestions, or even how you can DIY the same things.
It’s a New Year, and every New Year I strive to stay on top of note sending – thank you’s, birthdays, get well, encouragement, miss you, love you, congratulations, marriage, new baby, anniversary – the list is endless! I’ve always appreciated a hand-written note, and in the days of “green” e-cards and emails, the effort of a handwritten note is precious. So this week’s DIY for me was to re-stock my card cabinet.
Cards can get expensive, so I got resourceful and stocked my cabinet with easy, semi-handmade cards. Michaels has a TON of $1 bins right now. I found packs of 8 blank cards and envelopes for $1. These cards were winter/holiday cards, but are generic enough to use all year long. I think it’s the ultra-cool glitter that classified them as “holiday.” But hey, I love sparkle all year long! I picked up a couple packs that were brown and good to use for men too. As a side note, sign up online for “the knack” and Michaels will send you a 20% off your entire purchase coupon during the month of your birthday. I just got mine and used it, so these cards were actually $.80 a pack for 8 cards.
Once I got the cards home, I took out the few word stamps that I have and positioned them in the corner to give the blank cards a bit of handmade flair. (Michaels also has bins of $1 stamps.) If you have nice handwriting, you could write a sentiment and dress up your handwriting a bit. A few of them, I stamped the inside with sentiments as well. Simple, easy, inexpensive, and super classy. Maybe I’ll send one to myself!!!
