Pantry - magnets & dry erase

In an effort to keep the front of my refrigerator looking clutter-free, I came up with this solution: Use the inside of the pantry doors! I bought a piece of sheet metal at Lowe's. I measured the inside of the pantry door and sniped the metal to that size. I used an epoxy to adhere it to the inside of the door. Now, I can keep all the cluttery things I love (random photos, magnets, notes, drawings, etc.) out of plain sight. I still see them all day long because I am always opening the pantry doors. It would be cute to put the metal down low for the children to play with!

On the other side of the pantry I wanted to paint chalk board paint - but chalk is forbidden in the house (says husband). So, I thought dry erase board. I bought this frame at a garage sale for 50 cents. It had plexi-glass in it which I almost threw away at the time. It is much lighter than glass and worked perfect for my dry erase board. I put some 3M tape on the bottom so the frame wouldn't clank around every time I open & shut the door. Every day there is a different note from Ella about her cat Marbles!

Heirloom Silverwear Display

I found this idea on Write. Click. Scrapbook. It is such a great idea!I got out some of my heirloom silver pieces and made one in about 5 minutes. I used scrapbook paper and cardboard for the back. I marked the places the wire needed to go to hold the silver then drilled small holes through the paper/cardboard. I used thin wire to hold the pieces in place. I have it hanging in the kitchen and it makes me happy to look at it.

My Favorite Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies

I love chocolate and peanut butter together! When ever I am served those Hershy's Kiss peanut butter cookies I love them but never know how to eat them. I end up with a big chunk of chocolate in my mouth and the chocolate-less cookie remaining. Problem solved with this, my favorite PB cookie recipe!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies
1 cup butter
1 cup peanut butter, smooth
2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla

Beat butter, peanut butter, 1 cup of the flour, sugars, eggs, soda, powder and vanilla. Beat in the remaining flour. Shape into balls and roll in sugar. Flatten with a fork in a criss-cross pattern. Bake at 375 for 7-9 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with chocolate chips. Return to oven for about 30 seconds. Spread the melted chocolate over the top of the cookie.

Problem solved: chocolate in every bite!!!!

I Love Hobby Lobby!

A few weeks ago I went to my sisters house for a weekend. In three days we went to Hobby Lobby 5 times! I don't live any where near a Hobby Lobby sadly. I found this fun iron owl bell in the metal department. It was $10 and then half price!!! Love that! The bell was a dark brown color so I spray painted it bright red and hung it in the kitchen. I now have a bell to ring when it is meal time instead of yelling for everyone! My kids said, "Why didn't you hang it lower!" I can only imagine life with three kids ringing this loud bell all day!!!!

Pantry Cupboard Re-Do

I am in the process of repainting my kitchen. Today's project is the pantry cupboard. I saw this cool paintable-textured wallpaper at Lowe's. So I thought I would give it a try. The photos are a little dark as I do my best work in the wee hours of the night!!

First you measure the space you want to cover and cut the wallpaper those dimensions. I used my quilting rotary cutter and mat and it worked like a dream. Then I followed the wallpaper instructions. Soak the paper for 30 seconds, let it sit for 5 minutes, then apply, smoothing out the air bubbles and wiping off the excess glue.

I applied a piece to each of the panels on the cupboards and let it dry over night.

Now the fun part begins. I wanted the wallpaper to match the rest of the cabinets so I first needed it to be red like the rest of the kitchen. It was hard to get out the Tomato Red paint when I am wanting to cover it up!

I let the red dry then it was time to paint the aqua color over the doors. I left bits of the red showing through on the texture part to give it the rustic feel I am going for.

When that step was done and dry, I sanded the edges of the doors so the red would show through here and there.


I then applied a coat of Polycrylic. This is a non-coloring protective coat that will keep the paint from chipping and give some durability to the wallpaper.

I love the finished look. The wallpaper looks like it was always part of the doors!

Magnet Scrabble Board

Update:
Every time I walk by this board it has new words on it. I love seeing what the kids come up with. It is such a fun idea - way better than refrigerator magnets!
I bought this magnet board at a garage sale for $1. It used to be pink and I spray painted it aqua to match the rest of the aqua inspired kitchen I am working on. I collect scrabble games and pick them up at garage sales for crafting. (Don't tell my mom, Scrabble is sacred to her!) Anyway, I put magnets on the backs of all the tiles and now the kids can make words and Sally can learn her letters.

Repainted Kitchen Cart

I was out walking with my husband and pushing my daughter in the stroller. I saw this sitting on the curb next to the garbage cans. The owner of the house was outside and I asked him if he was throwing it away. He said that they used it to put their birdcage on but the bird had recently died so they were getting rid of it. He told me I could have it! So, we wheeled it down this steep hill, back up another hill all the way to our house.

I sanded it down then painted it red to match my red kitchen.Only fast forward a few years and the red kitchen is going bye bye!
So I just finished painting it light aqua with a rustic finish so the old red paint shows through a touch.

Decorating with Heirlooms Series

I am teaching a class for a Family History Fair called, "Decorating with Heirlooms". The next few posts are ideas we will be talking about in the class. I have linked back to the photos I have used from other websites hoping to give them proper credit.

Heirloom Decor IdeasDe-cluttering your Antiques by Country Living

New Uses for Old Silverware from kirstenerickson.blogspot.com
Antique Hutch by Southern Living

Decorating with antiques by Country Living.
Vintage Drawer by Minimaltrends.com

Bread box turned flower vase from Midwest Living.

Old door knobs as hooks from Midwest Living.

Decorating with Heirlooms - Creating your Gallery Wall

Gallery Walls Inspiration

The House of Smiths

Bright Bold Beautiful Blog
Bright Bold Beautiful Blog

Bright Bold Beautiful Blogspot

The Lettered Cottage


High-Heeled Foot In the Door

Projectnursery.com

From Inspirationforhome.blogspot.com

Family Tree Wall from Freshpaintartist.com

Decorating with Heirlooms - Paint is your Friend

Nothing can change the look of an item like paint. It's an inexpensive way to update, change, or just be creative with your heirloom decor.

Painted chairs turned bench by Kindallscreations.

Before and After table by It's Overflowing.

Turquoise bedside table by Inspirationforhome.com.

Maybe the lamps are not totally vintage - but you can use this technique on anything! From iVillage.com

Turquoise night stand by Creativediyersclub.com.

Vintage desk painted red from Cobistyle.com.

Painted dresser or buffet from Delighting In Today.


The following three photos are from the Decorologist.com. She uses mismatched chairs that have been painted the same color.