Sunday, January 23, 2011

The Bottle Cap Project


Pin It


Well, I will start off by saying that this little project has been a LONG time coming!  Sometime within the past year (possibly/probably longer), I noticed a similar project in a facebook "friends" photo album.  A friend that I have never met face-to-face, just through the facebook/Jo-Ann Fabric & Crafts "World"! 
I complimented her work and told her we were starting our own collection of tops.  This EXTREMELY KIND & GENEROUS person asked for my address and shipped me a giant gallon ZipLoc bag full of all sorts of cool bottle caps!  My (then) 4-year-old was in heaven - she would sort those things for HOURS! 

At this point, I shared the project with my very handy husband.  He wanted to do a pattern - I wanted to do it random.  We bought a small end-table at a yard sale.  The end-table sat alone on the porch for a few (or more) months.  Our big TV went out so we used the end-table to hold a TV in the living room........you get the picture, right? . . . . . . . .

Yesterday, I decided to work on the project.  I had some pent up anger.  I had been directed on how to do this craft - I thought I would get to use a hammer, finishing nails & needle-nose pliers - my husband said "no". 

This is what we did:


FIRST:

Collect Your Bottle Caps:

While consuming beverages of your choice, you'll need to be considering your table top medium.  Do you wanna go BIG first or start small.  I opted to start small so that I didn't get overwhelmed & freak out. 
The table I did is 14 bottle caps x 14 bottle caps, so 196 caps in all. 

For $3, at a yard sale, this is the table I selected:


You'll have to appreciate the comestic flaws. . . . I think they pair nicely with the bottle caps. 
Plus, a sanding sponge & some spray paint can work some crazy magic!!

You might think the tabletop looks dusty - it's not - it the Commercial Grade Spray Adhesive that my hubby saturated on there before we (my 5-year old & I) started placing the caps.  It created a "sticky" that was just a little heavier than what you'd consider "tacky".  It securely held the caps in place but I could still change my mind if needed.  Maybe you can see the haze of the adhesive better in this picture:



Okay, now that you've seen the adhesive haze - you'll notice the center line.  It's not really necessary.  We learned that the hard way - but it did end up being a good mistake!  We did mark the outside line to install trim the outside edges (trim itself not pictured).

Next you will start placing your caps - working on the outline first, like a puzzle.  You'll have to get the spacing right and then follow your placement accordingly.........



And so on & so forth...........


Until you fill your space:




So, at this point we originally planned to just install the trim, paint & fill with epoxy.  Then I noticed the center line mistake!  When I whined to my wonderful, amazingly handy husband about it he said "no problem, don't worry."  He placed the trim, went out to his "room" came back with a can of satiny/glossy black paint, pulled out a medicine dosing syringe and came to my rescue.  See below:




He started filling each & every space with the pretty black paint.  How perfect is he!?!
And handsome, too ♥ It was oil based paint so I wanted NO part of it.

This is how it looked after fill-in:



Next, the trim is painted:



Now, we are waiting for the inside layer of paint to completely dry.  Once it is dry I will go find & buy the epoxy to fill it with.  I will add that info once I make it to that step. 

For now, me and my Miss K are admiring our work thus far:



And I am off to "the room" to see about that sanding sponge and black spray paint! 
Time to get busy finishing up the base & legs!

TO BE CONTINUED. . . . . .

.........3 WEEKS LATER

Here is the epoxy we bought - we should have bought the BIG BOX


and now it looks like this:


{{PICS COMING SOON}}


Thursday, January 20, 2011

3-Bean Confetti Salad


Looking for a "punch" of protein?  This salad will make you smile!  Eat alone, as a side-dish or chow down with corn chips!  It's packed with flavor and can be modified to satisfy any craving!!!

3-Bean Confetti Salad

1 can, Reduced Sodium Black Beans, drained & rinsed
1 can, Reduced Sodium Pinto Beans, drained & rinsed
1 can, White Beans (I used Canary Beans, see pic), drained & rinsed
1/3 cup Red Wine Vinegar
1 Tbsp. Olive Oil (for drizzle)
1 Med. Sweet Vidalia or Red Onion Diced or Chopped (whichever & however you prefer)
1 Big Handful of Diced Banana Peppers (the more, the merrier)
1-2 Tbsp. Diced Jalapenos
Salt & Pepper to taste

                                                               What You'll Need:


NEXT STEP:

Drain & Rinse the beans - don't need the salty, sodium filled glaze.....

(I like how they're kinda shaped like a ♥....)
"beans, beans, they're good for your heart.
beans, beans, they'll make you ......." 


MOVING ON:

Chop Onions & Banana Peppers & add Jalapenos



LAST STEP:

Add Vinegar, Olive Olive, Salt & Pepper & Combine All Ingredients


ENJOY!!!






WANNA MIX IT UP? 
     Add Fresh sliced tomato or chopped red or yellow bell peppers!  

BONUS TIP:  
     Add a can of Garbanzos & Blend in food processor w/ Olive Oil and make Hummus!! 
     Serve with Wheat Thins for a healthy snack!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Gum Drops & Lollipops

I've recenlty learned to crochet so I decided to get some practice working on my
"Pay It Forward 2011" projects.  This is my first item:

"Gum Drop" Yarn - started out here.......


Completed Item:  Gum Drop Dish Rag!  Now. . . . go wash some dishes!!



I bought the yarn simply because I liked the name of the color "Gum Drop"...... it turned out much prettier than I expected!


Tortilla Soup for The Soul

Hello Friends!  Just thought I'd share a recipe that I made Sunday night.  Here in the Atlanta Area, snow & ice have settled in so I've been working on some projects and eating yummy foods.  This recipe is something I was able to whip up really quick and it was pretty simple to make.  Hope you enjoy!

(Creamy) Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

For The Soup:

1-2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 lb Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast (season w/ garlic powder)
1 Onion Chopped
2 c. Reduced Sodium Chicken Stock
1 Taco Bell Taco Season Packet
1 Ranch Dressing Season Packet
1 c. Water
1 can No Salt Added Petite Diced Tomatoes (slightly drained)
1 can Garlic & Onion Diced Tomatoes (slightly drained)
1-2 Tbsp Diced Jalapenos (optional)


For The Garnish (optional):

Tortilla Chip Strips (I buy the kind that are in the crouton/salad dressing aisle)
Sour Cream (I buy reduced fat)
Shredded Cheese (again 2%, reduced fat) 
Jalapenos

In a large stock pot heat oil on Med-Hi heat & add chicken breast.  Cook for 4 minutes then flip.  Cook for 2 minutes.  Toss in onions and a little stock.  Cover and let cook for another 2 minutes.  Add enough stock to cover chicken & cover w/ lid.  Reduce Heat to Med & cook 5-8 more minutes (depends on thickness of your chicken) until chicken is cooked through.  Remove chicken from pot.  Set aside.

Add all other ingredients to pot.  NOTE:  You can add as much or little water as you like – I do it to taste because I don’t like my stuff to be super salty – the season packets take care of that!  Stir, cover & let simmer.

Shred chicken however you like to – with 2 forks or a really sharp clever.  Return to pan.  Let simmer for as long as you like – the longer the better. 

WANNA MIX IT UP A BIT?  If you want a creamy tortilla soup, add a cup of sour cream to the soup!

Garnish & enjoy!

This serves 4-6

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Snowmageddon 2011 . . . .

........ better happen, is all I have to say!

Well, in case you haven't heard, most of Georgia is expected experience the joy of snow, followed by freezing rain and ice.  I totally blew this off a week ago! 

Now I trying to find a heating alternative in case we lose power!! None of the retailers in the area have heating options that operate off of gas.  Home Depot is even out of generators....which is creating even more panic in my mind. 

I'm really looking forward to being snowed in with my wonderful crew.  I have my "Pay-It-Forward 2011" projects to work on (crocheted dish towels & rags, a pillowcase dress & a rice sock), school has already be cancelled for Monday, gonna stock up on a few movies in case we lose DirecTv.......good times, right!?!   I'm wondering.....what is your Snowmageddon Plan (because I didn't have one)??

Sooooo......on that note, I am off to find an alternative for heat - I hope I don't end up with a Coleman Camping Stove!

Friday, January 7, 2011

I'll just blog about it. . . .

Simply put, I am here because I think I have a lot to say & I'm certain that a majority of my facebook "friends" aren't that interested in what I have to say.  I'm sure I have crossed some hidden facebook etiquette "line" a time or two with my posts!  It has become a little superficial and I like to converse online with people that I share common interests with......I'm a mom & a wife, I work from home, have 2 wonderful kids and my amazing husband travels a lot and when he is at home, the day time is spent resting.  So, sometimes I just need a place to vent.  Just typing that makes me feel better : )

Once I get the hang of this, I hope to be posting about anything from current events to my latest tasks, recipes and just whatever may be on my mind.

Ta-ta for now!