What Inspires You to Create?

What inspires you to create?

Is it making what you want from an idea that has stewed in your mind for a long time?

Maybe it is something you saw online or in a store and you want to save some money?

Most of the time, I see something and I build upon that idea or maybe the product that I see maybe alright but not exactly what I had in mind...

Case in point: I wanted a chandelier for the nursery and the theme is rubber duckies. I searched and searched for a rubber ducky chandelier. The closest thing I could find was this item: Here

My problem with this chandelier is two-fold. First and most importantly, these "ducks" look like baby chicks to me! I have found a lot of the "rubber ducky" items are like that. No, No, No! I want the good ol' rubber squeaky looking ducky! The other issue I have with this chandelier is that it is close to $300!!! WOW! It is cute and all, but not $300 cute. I guess that is the cheap girl talking.

I brought this up to my husband and we got to talking about actually doing a chandelier ourselves with a rubber ducky. So, I got to searching for wooden rubber duckies or anything rubber ducky to fulfill our vision. Finally, we bumped ourselves on the forehead and thought, why not just use rubber duckies? My first thought: The rubber duckies are going to get hot and melt but the Hubs said he thought that it wouldn't be an issue.

We started the project by first going to the ReStore to get a very plain chandelier. A few choices were available and we went with the most plain one that we could find. The cost was $10.



So then, I started to search and search for the right rubber ducky. I know everyone can imagine it: a 3-4 inch tall rubber ducky, yellow, orange beak, black eyes... However, finding the right ducky was difficult. They were either, too big, too small, the wrong color, some sort of silly themed ducky, etc etc. I felt like I was in the story of the "The Three Little Bears". Plus, trying to find 5 of the same! GEEZ! After shopping at a dozen stores, I resorted to online rubber duckies. After the third order, we had success! A true Rubber Ducky found on ebay for $3 each. We purchased a few extra in case we messed up or a cat needed to be entertained.




The Hubs replaced the candelabras, purchased new candelabra sleeves and spray painted the chandelier white. Cost for parts: $40

The rubber duckies had a hole cut in the backs to slip on the candelabra (sorry ducky)

Here you can see it taking shape. We decided to use some old chandelier shades that we had picked up and recover them but decided in the end to spend the money to buy white shades. Cost for 5 chandelier shades: $30 for 5



Then, Hubs added a small chain and a small ceiling mount that was purchased from the ReStore since our chandelier was missing that part. Cost < $1



Daddy gets all the credit for making this happen. This chandelier is the most special feature of the nursery in my opinion and Daddy made it. It adds awesome light to the ceiling and the baby loves to look stare at.



In addition, it fulfilled our vision for a chandelier for the nursery at a 1/3 of the cost. However, later speaking about the time thinking, searching, and effort involved, we both agreed we would have bought this for $300 if it was out there!

On a funny note, as baby gifts we received lots of squeaky rubber duckies! Plus, I see them at Walmart now. GRRRRRRR

PROJECT COST:

Chandelier: $10
Shades: $30
Rubber Duckies: $18
Parts $41
Additional Ducks $10

Total $109

A New Take on Leftovers

Leftovers can be so boring. With just the two of us in the house, leftovers can last awhile. So, I think that it is important to use up the leftovers to save money, make an easy meal, and not waste food. I used to HATE leftovers. However, I made it into a game. What can I do with this leftover turkey, chicken or pork? Here is one idea...

The idea came to me when I was visiting my parents a few years ago and we had chicken pot pie. It was homemade with gooey biscuits on top. We used up some leftovers in the fridge and it was so yummy and comforting.

Later at home, I had A LOT of leftovers from a thanksgiving meal. Turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, and veggie tray. This recipe can be totally changed and still get awesome results so just try it! My husband calls it the biscuit delivery system.







Turkey Pot Pie

Ingredients:
Leftover Cooked Turkey, Diced into small 1/4 " pieces (or chicken or pork)
Mashed Potatoes (1-2 cups)
gravy (< 1 cup)
Cooked green beans
Raw vegetables (diced into bite size pieces)
garlic
1 can cream of mushroom soup
milk
1 can of uncooked biscuits (cut up into small pieces)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Saute' the garlic and onion together until translucent (~3 minutes) over medium heat. Then add the rest of the vegetables (carrots, celery, potatoes, cauliflower, squash etc.) Cook 5-10 minutes. Add meat, leftover mashed potatoes, gravy, and cream of mushroom soup. Stir well. Add milk until it is like a thick chowder. Add salt and pepper. Pour contents into a casserole dish.

Bake in oven (uncovered) at 350 F for 45 minutes until vegetables are close to being done and casserole is thick and bubbly. Add biscuit pieces on top of casserole and bake until biscuits are cooked and slightly browned (approximately 10 minutes).

This recipe can be changed. You don't have to use mashed potatoes, gravy, or raw vegetables. You can use frozen vegetable items if you like. The point of this recipe is to use up leftovers in the fridge and it gets the job done.

Hidden MSG

So recently I have been exploring making my own spice mixes. My last post was about making my own fajita mix. I mentioned that I learned that MSG was hidden in chicken bouillon. After that, I had a friend inform me that she learned that MSG was hidden in Ranch dressing and Easy mac. So, that is two more items out there that I had no idea that contained MSG. This information got me interested in other items that could contain MSG.

First off- MSG is monosodium glutamate- the sodium salt of glutamic acid.
It is used as a cheap flavor enhancer.

After doing some reading, I learned the the FDA will allow MSG that is in other ingredients not have to be listed. In other words, if a company uses chicken bouillon that contains MSG, all they have to mention is that chicken bouillon is in the ingredients.

Also, I learned that MSG could also be labeled as Processed Free Glutamic Acid. That seems like a no brainer but for a quick label reader like myself, I skim the label looking for MSG or monosodium glutamate!

MSG is considered natural and generally safe by the FDA. However, when people are sensitive and allergic to such items, wouldn't it warrant a label? I mean, don't companies tell us on their labels when they process peanut products in their facilities as well? Even when the item doesn't contain peanuts, they are warning us that there might be some in the product.

Also, this website explains that it is unlikely that people are sensitive MSG. I don't believe this after I have seen my husband break out into hives from MSG loaded foods. However, they also mention that MSG has not been banned from some foods like baby foods but it was decided to just take it out.

This is a interesting article about MSG being covered up and it contains a link to a 60 Minutes segment.

Here is a list taken from a website of foods and ingredients that commonly have MSG:


* Food Additives that ALWAYS contain MSG *

Monosodium Glutamate
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Hydrolyzed Protein
Hydrolyzed Plant Protein
Plant Protein Extract
Sodium Caseinate
Calcium Caseinate
Yeast Extract
Textured Protein (Including TVP)
Autolyzed Yeast
Hydrolyzed Oat Flour
Corn Oil

* Food Additives That FREQUENTLY Contain MSG *

Malt Extract
Malt Flavoring
Bouillon
Broth
Stock
Flavoring
Natural Flavors/Flavoring
Natural Beef Or Chicken Flavoring
Seasoning
Spices


Okay, so I will now get off my soapbox and get back to saving money!
So back to my main topic, if you have any great spice mix recipes out there that you love, share them with me!

Homemade Fajita Mix

In my last post, I decided to forgo the purchase of spice mixes and start with fresh spices and less preservatives in my cooking. I tried this out when cooking fajitas the other night. I think that it turned out fabulous. A lot of the recipes out there are very similar and I tweaked mine to my own tastes. My husband thought that my spice mix was perfect and from there, I was sold. I will no longer spend $1 or more for fajita mix!

Here is my recipe:

Fajita Mix
Makes approx. 3 batches

3 T. Cornstarch
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. cayenne (amount depends on how much heat you want)
1 T. cumin
1 T. paprika
1/4 tsp. salt
2 T. chili powder
2 chicken bouillon cubes, crushed
1 T. sugar


Mix spices together well and store in container. Use 2-3 T. of fajita mix with 1 cup water on cooked beef or chicken and vegetables.


Also, I wanted to share something that I learned when researching this fajita mix recipe. Did you know that chicken bouillon cubes could contain MSG? I didn't. I try to not cook anything with MSG because my husband has had hives from MSG before. There is organic chicken bouillon out there that doesn't contain MSG. Luckily, mine did not contain it so I didn't have to make a special trip to the grocery.

Make Your Own Spice Mix

Warning- Read close to a lunch or snack break!!

I LOVE spices. If you look in my spice cabinet, you will have a hard time seeing it all and if you touch 1 bottle, 3 bottles fall out... With that being said, I try to rein myself in whenever I shop for spices. Penzeys Spices is my favorite spice shop. They have an awesome magazine/catalog that comes with free coupons (for spices!) and recipes that are flavorful.

Ordinary spices that have been sitting around for 10 years no way compare to fresh, good quality spices. Also, adding spices enhance flavors to foods that ordinarily would be bland and boring. Think garlic, lemony, curry or even pickled vegetables...

The majority of spices out there are not very expensive and a little usually goes a long way. That is why it is silly to go out and buy the little packets of spices for tacos, chili, or pickling. Yes, I have to admit, I buy them too but not anymore! It is convenient but think, most of those spices you probably have in your cupboard already! Also, making the spice mix yourself, you will be able to control what is in there. You probably won't be adding the MSG or preservatives, right? Also, you will save a bundle especially, if you buy the general ingredients in bulk.

Storage Containers: you could save and recycle the old spice jars, use small Tupperware containers, or even use plastic baggies to make your spice mixes. Just make sure they close tight!

Make labels for your spices: you could use scrap pieces of paper to make labels, write with a sharpie on the jar, or do an internet search for some pretty labels to print!

Most importantly: Date your spice bottles!! Some recipes do contain expiration dates listed so it is good to say when you made the spice or if known, when it expires.

I am not an expert when it comes to spices but my rule is it needs to be remade after 1 year. Will it make you sick? Most likely, no. However, the flavor could be compromised.

As I plan and test some of the spice mixes out there, I plan on updating my progress with you and letting you know what my household likes. Do you have a special spice mixes out there? Let me know! I would love to try it!

Recovering a Lampshade With A Lighter Fabric

I found this lamp at a yard sale for $5. Forgive me, I didn’t get a pic of the original lampshade and the base together.

I wanted a white shade with some sort of rubber ducky theme on it. Maybe some yellow bric brac on the edges or other binding. When I draped the white fabric over the original lampshade, I could see the crayon design. I decided to try to peel the fabric away from the fragile plastic underneath. Yes, that was silly…. Sorry, no pictures of that failure attempt!

I started to research what the plastic lining was on a lampshade since I had to start fresh. Turns out it is styrene. I found various styrene sheets at websites such as Hobby Lobby. Instead of paying for shipping, I decided to seek out the Hobby Lobby store in the area because I have never been there. When I got to the Hobby Lobby store, I looked up and down every isle and found every kind of sheet but styrene. However, when I was shopping in the fabric department, I found a huge sheet of plastic for $3.99. I bought 2 sheets-just in case.

So the first thing I did was to finish tearing off the old shade from the wire frame and also trying to keep it in tack. Then I cut the old lampshade in half from top to bottom and traced it on the plastic sheet. Give yourself a little extra on all sides to overlap. If you have too much in the end you can always trim.

I repeated the tracing and cutting onto my fabric. Again give yourself extra fabric for wrapping around the plastic liner.

Next, play with the plastic liner on the wire frame until you get it even. Secure with clothespins. Cut the plastic liner if necessary at the top and bottom to make the circle a bit more even.

Then, secure again with scotch tape.

Wrap your fabric around the plastic liner and make sure it fits and you have enough fabric cut. Start near the middle of the shade and spray the plastic liner and smooth the fabric with your hand.

Keep going around and repeating the spray and smooth process until you get to the edges. Then, fold the edges to a pretty seam. After that, fold the edges over, secure the fabric with spray adhesive and then clothes pins.

I then added some rubber ducky 3D stickers. Later, I plan to add some yellow edging but I haven’t decided exactly what yet.

Here are some tips on things I learned after 2 shades: 1. Test your spray adhesive to make sure it sprays clear. I had to make 2 shades because of this. 2. Iron your fabric before you begin to smooth it out because you can see the fold seams on my shade. 3. Have extra plastic and fabric!! If you look at my shade long enough you can see some inconsistencies such as the fold lines, uneven bottom etc etc. That is okay. It is a learning process and I am happy with the outcome. Next time, maybe I will double up on the white fabric to overlap the dark lampshade to make things a little easier on myself.

Total Cost= $23

Lamp/shade= $5
Plastic $8
Fabric $4
Rubber Ducky 3D stickers= $4
Clothes Pins $2

Not exactly cheap but customized for the rubber ducky nursery!

The Planning Stage

Geez! I haven't spent time with you since Jan 17th! I had a lot of New Year's resolutions and one of them was to spend more time documenting the changes in our house. Well, I haven't done that much have I?

I have been very tired and very un-virgo like- not worrying about the day to day schedule of life and making it perfect. What is causing these unusual behavior? Pregnancy! YIPPIE! The baby is due to arrive September 13th- so yes, another Virgo in the house. Please, pray for my husband.

So, I am finally feeling more like myself nowadays-not so sick and nauseous with a little boost of energy. Like my doctor says, I am slowly starting to enjoy the pregnancy. I certainly enjoy the eating and resting part of it. I also am enjoying thinking about what kind of parents my husband and I are going to be. We have wanted a child for so long and finally, it is here! I must admit, I am scared out of my wits and at the beginning, I admit that I thought, "Oh God, what have we done?"

Well, that feeling has subsided and I am starting to plan, plan, plan!

For starters, I was worried that I was going to be out of my clothes rather quickly. I stressed about this and talked about clothes non-stop with my husband. I figured one day I would wake up and not have a thing to put on to go to work except sweats.... I know I drove him crazy. Luckily, with my mother's help (and her huge material closet), she boosted my wardrobe by making maternity tops for me. This has taken a huge load off my shoulders.

I have also been working on some sewing projects. I first raided my "give to goodwill" bag and found plenty of dress pants, jeans, capris, and shorts that I could work with. I then turned them into maternity pants.

Here are some good tutorials:

Maternity Pants 1


Maternity Pants 2

These are so simple and well, it didn't cost much. I purchased 10 yards of 2 inch elastic from ebay for $4. I used pants I was going to give away so that didn't cost anything. For the top band I used old tshirts that were going to be shop towels or goodwill and so, that didn't cost anything either. So, total cost $4 and time spent was about 30 minutes-1 hour for each pair.