Bottle Cap Table

 

 

Over the years I have been saving bottle caps from all the beer and "girly" beer drinkers from get togethers.  I first started collecting one of every beer that I tried.  Then I decided I wanted to make something out of them instead of just keeping them in a jar, collecting dust and taking up shelf space.  So I decided I was going to make a bottle cap coffee table.  This took several years of collecting bottle caps.  Mainly because I didn't start out trying very hard to collect a large quantity, and also partially because the more beers everyone would consume, the more often they forgot to save the bottle caps for me; so they would get thrown away.  Although in a previous post I stated I would try anything once as long as it wasn't too dangerous, I guess you would have to classify digging in the trash under the too dangerous category!! 

Flash forward to present day:  I finally got enough bottle caps and hot glued them to the top of a table.  Then I sealed them with a clear glaze coat (the same stuff they use to protect the serving bar at an alcoholic establishment with lots of liquid spilling on the tabletop!  Also same stuff they use to enclose scorpions to make a clear paper weight!!)

After the clear coat dried for 3 days, I had a piece of glass cut to the size of the table top and bought clear bumpers to put underneath the glass so it wouldn't slide around on top of the clear coat. 

This table took 10 years from the time I started collecting bottle caps to the time I finished the table.  It took about a year or two to collect enough once I set my mind to the task.  What I love about this table is the fact that every single one of my friends had a part in making this table.  I have truly amazing friends...Sigh!

How to Clean Car Headlights

So I have read in several places that toothpaste will clean your car headlights really well and make them look brand new again.  So I figured, what the heck, right?!  I will try it, cuz I will try anything once as long as it's not too dangerous!! :)  So I did try it, with Ultra Brite toothpaste, and OMG, it worked like a charm!!  I just put some toothpaste on a dry rag, wiped it on in circles.  Then put a second layer of toothpaste.  Then took a wet rag and wiped it down.  My headlights don't look brand spankin new, but WAY better!  And they shine a lot brighter in the dark now.  I am really impressed.  Everytime I get out of my car now, I walk in front of my car, just so I can stare at my clean and pretty headlights!!

Before

After 

 



Halloween Banner

This is the cutest halloween banner and it only cost about $11 to make!!  Fun craft for kids!!

 

 

 

Materials needed:

 

12"x18" foam sheet (2mm) - each color sheet will fit 2 faces

     1- white (ghost and candy corn) 

     1- black (bat and spider)

     1- orange (pumpkin)

     1- green (frankenstein and witch)

Permanent markers for outline, facial features, candy corn coloring, and pumpkin stem (**I originally used poster markers and they didn't dry well on the foam.  I don't know if regular markers would not dry easily either, but I would recommend permanent just to be safe.  The black permanent marker dried very quickly.**) 

Scissors

Tacky Glue

Wiggly Eyes - 6 large (25mm) for Frankenstein, Ghost, and Witch and 10 small (7mm) for spider and bat

Thick Black Pipe Cleaners - 4 cut in half for spider legs

1-Hole Punch

String

 

Draw outline of each character with marker and cut out.  Flip over so there are no markings from the outline. 

Use tacky glue to glue on eyes on each character.  Press firmly for several seconds so they stick well.  Draw the facial features on each character. 

Hole punch each character once on the left and once on the right side.  The spider will need 4 holes punched on each side for each leg.  I hole punched the 2 extra ones for stringing it on towards the top of the spider's head by the eyes. 

Put the end of the pipe cleaner through each of the punched holes for the legs and bend the end over to keep from falling out.  Then bend the legs in the center slightly so the legs stick up a little bit.  Cut the string to the width of where you want to hang it. 

Sring each character on.  You can either tie each end of the string onto where you want it, or tape it. 

 

And voila!!!  The foam sheets work really well because they stay put pretty well on the string without sliding around.

 





This is a close up of the spider.

Mosaic Tiled End Table

LOVE IT!!!

I had an old oak coffee table that had several rings and spill stains from drinks and it looked warn out.  I wanted to revamp it a little, so I decided to tile it with stone tiles in a mosaic pattern.  It cost me altogether just under $50 for the materials. (Would have cost me lessif I would have went with regular 12x12 ceramic tiles, as they are considerably cheaper.  The tiles I bought were $7.97 ea at Lowe's and I bought four 12x12 sections).



The is the before (Pretty wore out)

 



I got some 2x2 slate tiles that come together in a 12x12 tile with space separating each tile on a mesh backing.  (12x12 tiles can be cut down with a utility in 2" increments in the space between the tile to adjust to size needed).  I used a 1/8 groove trowel for the adhesive and a 1 qt container of mapei type 1 premixed tile adhesive.

1/8 groove trowel

1 qt premixed tile adhesive

 

First I taped off the outer edge of the table where I wanted the wood border to remain so I would not get adhesive on that part of the table.  Then I spread the adhesive with the trowel inside that taped off area.  Then I set my tiles into the adhesive, ensuring to push enough to sink them into the adhesive. Let dry.  Then I used a sanded grout in a caulking tube.  It was mapei brand also.  I squeezed the grout into each space and pushed it down into the spaces with a caulk smoother.  I then smoothed over the top of the tile with a caulk smoother for a smooth finish on the top of the tile.  Then I used a wet tile sponge to wipe the remaining grout from the tile.  (wipe at a 45 degree angle, not straight across or in circles).  Wipe water dry with a rag.  Then I let it dry for 2 days before placing anything on it.  I did not seal it with anything, although I will probably go in and seal the grout.

 

 

Recipes w/ star rating

I have listed foods that I have found on Pinterest that I have actually made myself and then given them my star rating from 1-5 of how good I thought they were. I included the link so they can be found directly so credit is given where it's due. Enjoy!!

-----DESSERTS-----

Lemon Cookies - 5 stars
http://www.somewhatsimple.com/lemon-supreme-cookies-3-ingredients/

Reese's Peanut Butter Bars - 5 stars
http://mybakerlady.com/2012/01/16/reeses-peanut-butter-bars/

Lemon Bars -3 stars
http://livingpractically.blogspot.com/2011/04/two-ingredient-lemon-bars.html#comment-form

Blue Moon Cupcakes - 4 stars
http://www.missmake.com/2011/08/blue-moon-cupcakes.html

 



-----ENTREES-----

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos - 4 stars
http://www.mychocolatetherapy.com/2012/01/crockpot-chicken-tacos.html

Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken - 5 stars
http://www.semihomemademom.com/2012/02/slow-cooker-salsa-chicken.html

-----BREAKFAST-----

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Squares - 3 stars
http://gingerbreadbagels.com/2011/03/22/peanut-butter-banana-oatmeal-squares/

Hard Boiled Eggs - 5 stars
http://imgfave.com/view/2261198

Caesar Chicken

I created a recipe for Caesar Chicken that I think is the best chicken recipe ever!  I have experimented with different stuff to try to make chicken all different ways.  This one is my favorite!

I took a thawed chicken breast and spread a layer of ceasar dressing on the top and bottom.  Then sprinkled on a layer of bacon pieces and a layer of grated Parmesan cheese on the top on the breast.  Then I crumbled up croutons and sprinkled a layer of that on top.  Baked in the oven at 375 degrees for 30 mins.  *If frozen breast, cook on 375 for about 45 mins. 

Wall Art for "Headboard"

I haven't had a headboard on my bed for quite some time, and I really wanted something unique for my headboard.  I found some ideas on Pinterest for wall art that you could use as a headboard.  So here is what I decided to do...

      This was my bed before with no headboard.                  And here is the final product!

So I got some vented shelves that were on clearance at Lowe's and painted them brown to match the colors of my room decor.

These vented shelves were $7 each.  So I spent $14 for the shelves and about $4 for the paint.

Then I hung them horizontally on my wall just above my bed and VOILA!

$18 "headboard"!

Acrylic Art

I decided to try my hand at some acrylic painting on canvas.  I wasn't sure how well I would do since I am not exactly the greatest artist out there, but these are the first 2 I tried for practice to see if I like it.

Necklace Holder

Recently I have seen people posting pics on Pinterest of boards they were making to hang necklaces.  I made one as well, but I didn't like it on the bulletin board style, so I put my own twist to it.  I got a wooden concertina hook stand and spray primed/painted to match decor of my bedroom.  Then I hung it on the wall and placed my necklaces on the peg hooks and VOILA!

I got the concertina hook stand at Michael's Craft store for about $5 and the spray primer and spray paint together cost about $8.  So not very expensive to make and very easy!!

Mosaic of Paint Chips

Tried this idea out, originally from FaveCrafts.com.  The exact site is http://www.favecrafts.com/Wall-Decor/Mosaic-of-Paint-Chips.  Very neat idea!  My living room is done in black/white/brown, I have a zebra theme.  I thought this would go well with it!

I put it on a shelf in my living room to be the background for a lamp. 

Easy Switch Plate Covers

I made these a couple years ago thanks to an idea I got
from a co-worker at Lowe's.

These fun switch covers are so easy to make!  I bought an unfinished wood switch plate and primed it with a spray primer.  After the primer was dry, I spray painted the whole plate white with spray paint.  After that dried, I penciled on the stripes.  I brushed on the black stripes with latex paint with a very thin brush.  Then I painted the border around the edge and around the switches with latex paint also.  I used Valspar for all the different paints.  For all the supplies, it cost me about $15 to make.

Inspiration

I recently joined Pinterest after seeing everyone talking about it on Facebook.  It has inspired me to make a lot of changes in my home, cooking, and my hobbies.  I decided to create a blog to channel all my inspirations, whether it be from Pinterest, or just in general.  Hope you all enjoy!