$2 Homemade Valentines picture frame

 

My hubby found this $1 unfinished wooden frame at Michaels a few weeks ago...he tossed it in our cart, saying "you could probably do something cool with this for your blog". Challenge accepted :)

What you need:

• cheap wooden frame ($1 from Michaels)
• chalkboard paint (bought at Lowes...already had on hand, so $0 for me)
• colorful ribbon ($1 ribbon - it was technically Xmas ribbon, so was 80% off)
• Tacky glue
• optional: various colored chalk

Instructions:
Step #1: paint 2 coats of chalkboard paint over entire picture frame. Wait about 10-20 minutes between coats

Step #2: Once paint is completely dry, lay ribbon across frame in desired pattern and cut accordingly. Draw a light line of tacky glue along the back of the ribbon and press onto frame in desired pattern. Wrap ribbon around the back of the frame and make sure it's glued well. Let dry.

Step #3: Insert a romantic picture of you and your significant other :)


Step #4: (optional!) With the chalk, write a love note to your Valentine and leave the new frame on their bedside table on February 14th!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Recipe for giant soft pretzel

Last week, a friend of mine hosted a girls' wine night and everyone brought a dip to share with the group. I found this Pillsbury recipe and LOVE soft pretzels...sounded easy enough, so I gave it a try. It was DELICIOUS!! We loved it so much, that I made it again last night for the super bowl. Needless to say...it's GONE!
 

Mine isn't as pretty as Pillsbury's picture, but YUMMY!

Ingredients:

• 1 can (13.8) refrigerated classic pizza crust                             
• 1 tbsp baking soda
• 1 egg, beaten
• coarse salt, as desired
• pre-made jar of queso (I bought the Target brand) 
• *or* you could make the velveeta/rotel cheese dip, which would be equally as tasty!

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Spray large cooking sheet with cooking spray. Unroll dough; reroll into long rope, stretching carefully to about 55 inches long.
2. To make pretzel shape, form dough into U shape. Twist ends together twice. Press down dough where dough overlaps in an X. Pick ends up and fold over so they rest over bottom on U shape, pressing ends to stick. Place pretzel on prepared cookie sheet. 
3. In small microwavable bowl, heat 1/2 cup water uncovered on High about 30 seconds or until hot. Add baking soda; stir until dissolved. Brush pretzel with soda mixture. Let stand at room temperature 5 minutes. (I'm not 100% sure what the baking soda does...but I *think* it helps the dough rise...don't quote me on that) :)
4. Brush pretzel with beaten egg; sprinkle with salt. Transfer to cookie sheet. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until dark golden brown.
5. Open jar of queso. Heat if desired, but room temperature was pretty tasty!
6. Dip  your pretzel in the queso til your heart's content!

Makes 6 servings

                          

 

Try it and let me know what you think!

DIY Earring Organizer

 

I needed to declutter the top of my dresser AND my jewelry box, so made this neat-o earring hanger to hang above my dresser. It was a super-easy project - wanna know how I did it? Read on...

 

  

What you need:

• A sheet of stamped metal from your local Hardware store. I bought a large sheet from Lowes for about $25, and have plans for the rest of it!
• 8"x10" (or larger) picture frame - with the glass and back removed. Mine came from Restore for $2 and got a coat of black spray paint.
• Metal snips I bought them for $8 from Lowes. I'd recommend buying a pair with longish handles - makes it easier to cut the metal without the hurting your hands.
• Hot glue gun
• optional: ribbon - for hanging the frame on your wall


Instructions:

Step #1: Using a Sharpie marker, outline the backing of the picture frame onto the sheet metal. Put paper/cardboard underneath your work area, so you don't get sharpie marker on your surface. 

Step #2: Cut out the rectangle, using your metal snips
 

Step #3: Insert cut metal into the back of the picture frame. If it doesn't fit perfectly, trim the metal with your metal snips.

 

Step #4: Using your hot glue gun, run a straight line of hot-glue along the edges where the metal meets the wooden frame.

*Note: I originally tried a staple gun to staple the metal to the frame, but the staples were too long, and ended up coming through to the front of the frame.

Step #5: Turn the frame over, hang your favorite earrings, and you're DONE!
An optional step is to hot glue ribbon to the top-back corners of the frame, so you could hang it on a wall. Mine is leaning up against my wall, so no ribbon needed :)

 



There you go! Super easy and super-cute way to organize my favorite earrings.

ENJOY!