Cowgirl coat hanger redo

I started out with this


Removed the hooks that were simply screwed into the back.

Then tried to think of where I was going to place the cowgirl hanger turned decoration, either over the mirror or over the fuse box.

I then measure the space between the mirror and the ceiling since the mirror is higher than the fuse box.

The space between the mirror and the ceiling is 11 inches. The halfway point is 5 1/2 inches. The cowgirl sign is 5 1/2 inches from base to the top of the cowgirl hat and 4 1/2 inches from the base to the top of the L. After I took all the measurements I subtracted the measurements of the cowgirl sign from the available space between the mirror and the ceiling. Since I suck at fractions I counted each point on the ruler and calculated how much space I should have below and above the cowgirl sign if it was centered.

My next step was to place the sign above the mirror and take a picture to see how it would look above the mirror. Once screws were drilled it wouldn't be directly on top of the mirror so I adjusted my conception and just visualized it a little higher.

I then placed the sign above the fuse box and took another picture.

I then compared the two to pick the placement I liked best.

I then measured between each of the hanging plates on the back of the sign.

Then I took all the measurements I had and made a few marks on the wall. Note that making measurement markings on the wall a flat surface with a measuring tape is not easy with the part on the end; a fabric measuring tape would have made it easier.

Even with the measurments and the level I still didn't get the screws exactly spaced right, but it was good enough and just fit.

Look at the finished project, ask bf if he thinks it's level, bf says it's level, lay down and think about it, go back unscrew and measure and mark again and move the sign down a little more.

Look at the finished project for the second time this time satisfied it works and that I got at least that one thing off of my to-do list.

What do you think?

sew pretty

I started out with this bag of sewing supplies.



And this cleaned up old pickle jar. Note if you want to clean out a food jar and get rid of the smell first clean it with regular soap and water. Then put a little bit of bleach in it put the lid back on it and shake it so the bleach gets all around in it, then dump the bleach out and rinse with water. That's it. You don't have to let it sit for any period of time, just shake it, dump it, rinse it. If you want to test this out after you clean it with soap and water smell it, you will see that the smell is still there even if you washed it by hand or in the dishwasher the smell is still there. Then do the bleach shake and rinse, and smell it again....smell that clean fresh smell. I love bleach. It gets rid of the smell right away, no waiting.



I took both and combined them and now have a very pretty useful and decorative display.

Every time I look at it I smile, it's so pretty. Now I just have to find out where to put it.

cleaning the vintage high chair

I have a vintage red vinyl highchair that I got for free last year. I saw a posting on craigslist from a lady who was unloading everything in two garages for free, first come first serve. I got a few things from those garages, but this is one of my favorites. I had been on the look out for vintage items especially vinyl.

Please ignore the mess surrounding the high chair.

As you can see although it's in very good condition, no rips and is structurally sound it doesn't look clean to eat off of. So I took some goo gone and attempted to clean it. Here it is after the first scrubbing.

Still doesn't look like you should eat off of it.


It appeared like the goo gone wasn't spreading all over. Goo gone is a very oily substance. I wasn't thinking at the time how water and oil don't mix very well, I just thought I wanted to spread out the solution more, so I combined it in a spray bottle with some water. That was when I was reminded of how oil and water don't mix, the oily solution went straight to the top. I did the only thing I could think of, before every spray I shook the bottle and sprayed. This helped to get some solution and some water. After I sprayed it I let it sit for a while.

This is what it looks like after it sat with the solution and I then scrubbed it again. Although it looks better then it did in the beginning it still shouldn't be eaten off of.

So in the end I used a bottle of goo gone from the dollar store and I got all of this off of the highchair and it's still not clean.

I was thinking of silver polish that you use on silverware and bowls and such. My bf thinks I should look for a metal cleaner. I don't know what I should use next. I would prefer to try other solutions to get it clean before I go to the last resort for this highchair which is spray paint. I love spray paint, but in this circumstance I would rather keep it original unless I end up not having any other choice.

Any suggestions?

Christmas ornaments

I don't know what it is about me, but when it is Christmas I don't really sing carols. Though after Christmas when it is out of place I find myself singing them. So when I got the following email a special offer from fave crafts although I thought it was out of place I also smiled, it looks like I am not the only one who thinks of the next Christmas right after Christmas just past.

Christmas Ornament Kit-of-the-Month Club guarantees your success with a dozen of imaginative kits that are guaranteed to make each year's Christmas festive. Your Christmas celebrations will be all the more joyous when you display and give these masterpieces.






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Every month you’ll automatically get a brand-new kit shipped directly to your door. Join today!

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Each project is carefully assembled into a complete, ready-to-go kit, including all the materials (except basics like scissors and glue) and step-by-step instructions. There’s nothing left to buy. And nothing’s been left to chance! Join today!


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When you join Christmas Ornament Kit-of-the-Month Club, you’ll really be pleased with the quality of materials and and wide variety of techniques. Join today!



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The kits are created by some of the best designers in America. Simple, step-by-step photos and instructions guide you from start to finish. Join today!

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HALF-OFF INTRODUCTORY SAVINGS!

These kits are a great value at the regular member price, but if you act today, you can also take advantage of a BIG 50% OFF INTRODUCTORY SAVINGS OFFER! Join today!

When you go to their site it doesn't tell you anything about prices till you click join now. If you join with a 50% off offer your first Christmas Ornament craft kit at their listed BIG INTRODUCTORY SAVINGS rate is $7.49 (plus postage & processing). After the first kit it goes back up to the regular rate of $14.99 (plus p&p.

Each kit is supposed to make 3 ornaments. I don't know what the postage or processing costs are, figuring before those charges your paying $5/ornament. Am I the only one that finds that ridiculous?

Let's compare the ornaments Kit you get with this company to what a fellow blogger Just a Girl did with ornaments from the dollar store, hot glue and a hanger. I estimate after all is said and done she made both ornament wreaths for less than the price of one of their kits. The following is her post.

Let me make this declaration. I am a FIRM believer that you do not decorate for one holiday before another has taken place. Firm. Believer. Thanksgiving and Christmas are two very different feelings to me, and I don’t need decor mixing ‘em up. However…

I couldn’t resist a jump up on just one. So I’ve seen others taking part in this project, but Eddie Ross’s was my dream wreath. The colors were perfect, and that bow sang to me. He used about 80 ornaments. I did not.

I hit up the dollar store and bought these tubes of ornaments for, well, $1.00. The pink ones I picked up for 1/2 off at Michaels. I had to have the pink. Oddly enough, I actually had to buy a package of wire hangers at the dollar store. I didn’t have a single one! Wire hangers and I don’t really get along.

Like Eddie says, unwrap the wire and form a circle out of the hanger. Then, just thread the ornaments on in assorted colors. I hot-glued the hook to half of them like he told me to. The other half, I didn’t. I regret that decision.

Of course, the only problem now is that I didn’t buy enough ornaments for two of them. Inside the den is where I keep the kids’ white tree, and I thought this would be a cute entrance. Looks like I’m back to the dollar store for more!

Until then, let’s just pretend.

Okay. That’s it. Back to Thanksgiving. No more talk of this stuff.

Go to her blog and give her some love. I have quite a few posts of hers starred for future reference. Here are a few of her posts that I starred myself.

I have a confession to make

One. More. Day

Tag Tutorial

The Dresser

Greeting Card Caddy

What is it about Art Supplies?

Of course these are just a few of the posts I have starred, I have many more. Instead of sharing everything I starred myself I will let you go check her out yourself. I read it all, so take it from me you might just fall in love yourself.

sloppy joe turnover

I found this recipe for Sloppy Joe Turnovers at Little Birdie Secrets blog, her mom makes them every Christmas. This is the recipe they followed.

Sloppy Joe Turnovers

1 lb. ground beef
1/4 c. onion (you can sprinkle in dried, minced onion if you prefer)
1/2 c. ketchup
1/4 c. sour cream
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
10 oz. can refrigerated flaky biscuits

-Heat oven to 375 degrees. Brown ground beef and onion in a skillet. Add ketchup, sour cream, salt and garlic powder. Simmer for 2 minutes. Roll out biscuits (just stretch them out a bit with your hands). Place a heaping spoonful of meat mixture in the center of each biscuit. Fold over the biscuit to cover meat and seal the edges with a fork. Cut a slit on the top of biscuit. Bake turnovers on a cookie sheet for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown on top.

You can go to here Sloppy Joe Turnovers for the full article including the pictures of how theirs turned out.

I didn't follow their recipe, but a modified version of their idea. I made the traditional can sloppy joe. And set that aside. I then made a batch of biscuits using the recipe off of the jiffy box. In hindsight I think my attempt would have ended out better had I used the refrigerated flaky biscuits. Although that is my perfectionism peaking through. My family though loved it the way it was.

I made the dough the night before and refrigerated it. Though that's not neccesary I just had time the night before to get some prep in.



I then took some of the dough and rolled it out into a thin sheet with no real shape. I couldn't get it as thin as I wanted just rolling it out so I spread it out and pushed it down a little with my hands then rerolled it again.



After I got it the desired thiness I took a spoon full of the sloppy joe mix and placed it on the uncoked dough. I then folded the dough over the mix and sliced around the fold. I then took a fork and pinched the edges all around to seal it closed. And then cut a slit in the top as a vent with scissors.



Then placed on a cookie sheet to go into the oven. That I had preheated to 375.



I cooked it for about 15 minutes. Or until it was golden brown.



The final product looks a little oddly shaped and my version might have had smaller portion sizes, at least mine looked smaller than little birdies; but for a first attempt I am happy it at least turned out and that the family liked it. I think I will have to try doing it with the refrigerated biscuits just to have a comparison version to see which the family likes more. I might like it more just because it would save me time on not having to roll the biscuits out which was the most time consuming part of this dish.

weight loss pay out, is it too good to be true?

I am subscribed to get emails from www.favecrafts.com and recently got a FaveCrafts special offer emailed to me titled Women Wanted: Get Paid $1500 to Lose Weight. I clicked on the image to see if I would qualify for this special offer. It brought me to the following site: http://evaluatemyhealth.com/eval/P176/survey.asp where I filled out all the information and got down to the check the box that you agree with their terms. I clicked to read the terms which I have included below.

If you read the terms you will notice it says you have to request trials of ALL products they suggest you take. You must also take these products for a minimum of 90 days. You take a before and after pictures of yourself and email your story to them with all proofs of purchase, once verified that you bought 90 days of product and did not request any refunds for any of the products they send a check to all valid submissions. What I noticed about this offer first was that it said I have to request all trials they suggest and take products for 90 days minimum. What it did not say was how many trials I would have to buy and how many 90 day minimum terms of use I would have to go through. How much out of pocket money would I end up spending before getting paid to loose the weight? How much of the money they are going to pay me will end up just being reimbursement money for the products they had me try? Would I really end up making any money from loosing weight? Some may say loosing the weight would be reward enough, but really if it was wouldn’t we all be skinny, loosing weight isn’t easy and lets face it money is a big motivational push.

The second thing I noticed was it mentioned sending in my success story of how evaluate my health helped me loose weight, it didn’t mention any where what happens if the products they suggested didn’t help me to loose weight. What happens if I try the products for the duration suggested and still don’t loose weight, or if I do I only loose 5pds? I find that although the payout is alluring the specifics missing from the offer deter me from the special offer.

Also taking all products for 90 days isn’t always realistic, what happens if the product makes you sick. What if you end up being allergic to something that’s in one of the products and can’t take it? Are you just out all the money you already spent on all the products you tried by their recommendations AND out the money at the end because of reactions to the products and your inability to take certain things?

What do you think?

Terms:
Get paid $1,500.00 to lose weight!

We are so sure you will lose weight by following our recommendations that we’ll pay you $1,500 for losing weight! The only reason you can take advantage of this incredible offer is because success stories are needed to use in future infomercials and on new websites.
Here is how to qualify:

You must request trials of the weight loss products/programs that are recommended to you by clicking the links for each product/program and requesting your trials.

Before you start on any of the recommended products/programs, take a photo while holding that day’s newspaper in a well-lit room that clearly shows your body weight.

Follow/take the recommended programs/products for a minimum of 90 days.
Then on exactly day 90 take an after photo in a well-lit room and while holding a newspaper as proof of how much weight you have lost by day 90.

Email us your before and after pictures along with a written and short video story telling us how you lost weight by following the recommendations of EvaluateMyHealth.com

You must include your bill of sales for the recommended products/programs to prove that you did take/follow the products/programs for at least 3 months. (You will receive these bills of sales with your orders.)

We must verify that you did not request a refund for any of the products/programs ordered, since we are only looking for serious customers.

You must sign our testimonial release form stating your story is true and accurate and giving us permission to use your testimonial in any future marketing materials.

Your photos, testimonials and proof of purchase can be sent to: testimonials@evaluatemyhealth.com.

We will gladly write all valid entries a reward of $1,500.00! That’s it and that’s all!

How much better can it get?
You get paid $1,500 to lose weight!

junk cart

I was reading back through old post I have made and I found my junk thesis theory post. I said "I am officially on the look out for an old styled grocery cart that was originally used to tote all your grocerys home, but for which I will use to tote all my junk treasures home."

I forgot that I posted that or I would have updated on it sooner. A while back there was an ad on www.craigslist.com from a lady that said she had a garage full of stuff that she wanted gone. I had my sister call her and ask her about it and it was a ton of various things, but the bottom line was she wanted it all gone. Some people had already come and gone but there was still tons left over. We got the address and went when I got off of work. There was actually two garages full of stuff. My sister and I went junking through them both and actually found some stuff to bring home. My top two prizes from this junk day was an old vinyl red high chair


and a yellow grocery buggy. So the search for the buggy is over.

signed junker