New Blog!

If you followed a link from Pinterest don't give up. I've started a new blog and the recipe or craft you're looking for is just a click away. Follow this link to see what I've been up to at my new blog it's easy just click here: New South Charm

Thanks for Stopping By, 

Susanne 

Holiday Craze

Whew! The Holiday Doe-See-Doe Is Finally Over…

I've got to say the holidays so B-U-S-Y, this year that almost every night I fell asleep the minute my head hit the pillow.  The decorating, shopping, wrapping, cooking, cleaning, partying, and traveling were almost more than this old girl could take.  There were a couple times I was pretty sure I might hyperventilate from all the excitement.  Now that the new year has started and we are home from visiting family, and vacation, things are slowing down and we are settling back into our daily routine.  I love our little routine; it’s what makes me comfortable in our little home.  I hope your holidays were as wonderful as ours and that his new year brings wonderful blessings and surprises to y’all no matter how busy life gets. 

Happy New Y’all,

Susanne

My hubby and I rang in the New Year in Las Vegas, I hope you enjoy the fireworks from our view Planet Hollywood.  

Fun in the Sun!

My sweet hubby and I are on vacation. We are soaking up the sun and relaxing by the ocean. I hope you all had a great Independence Day. Till we meet again I hope y'all are fInding ways to keep cool in the massive heat wave.

Thanks y'all,
Susanne

Kitchen Sink Organization

Kitchen Sink Organization

Ever feel like your kitchen is a hopeless pit of disorganization?  I do, on a daily basis.  One of the most frustrating areas of my kitchen is the sink.  I always have too many things laying around, there is dish soap, hand soap, scrub brushes, dish towels, and sometimes a vegetable brush.  It's really too much stuff to have sitting on the counter.  On top of all the stuff, there is that soapy mess that develops on the edge of the sink from the liquid dish soap.  Today I organized all that stuff, but you know me, it had to be C-U-T-E and dress up my kitchen just a little. 

I started this project with a trip to Hobby Lobby (really I mention them so much they should buy ad space) where I bought a clear cake plate, and twine.  Then I picked up a simple clear vase/candle globe and a cruet (usually used for vinegar or olive oil) to hold the dish soap, and I was ready to make a little vignette of organization in my kitchen.

I wanted to dress up the plain glass to give some texture and character so I wrapped a little twine around the cake plate and the dollar store container.  It was pretty easy to do and it took the glass pieces from Plain Jane to Sassy Susie in no time.

I started by placing a dot of hot glue at the top of the stem on the cake plate. Then I pressed the twine into the glue, and waited for it to dry. Be careful not to burn your fingers. Gluing the twine in place will make wrapping it around the stem much easier, and give you an anchor which will allow you to pull the twine tightly into place.

Next I wrapped the twine around the stem like so...

As you can see in the picture about the stem on the cake plate starts to flare out some towards the bottom.  It was at this point I figured out that the twine would not stay in place from this point down because of the shape of the stand.  To fix this problem I simply cut off the twine and glued it into place with another drop of hot glue.  Then I very carefully placed the beginning of another section of twine directly next to it.  See picture below...

After gluing the next section of twine in place I wrapped it around the stem several times and then

added another drop of glue to secure it in place.  See picture below...

I repeated this process until I got to the bottom of the stand.  Then one more drop of hot glue to

finish it off and this is the end product...

The round vase was a lot easier to do I stared with a drop of glue on the bottom, then I pressed the twine into the glue (watch out for that HOT glue) and waited for it to dry.

Once the glue was dry I began wrapping the twine around the vase pulling it tight as I wrapped.

When I'd wrapped the twine a little less than half way up the container I glued the end of the section of twine in place and it was done. 

My awesome new kitchen sink area, complete with a place for everything and no yucky soap build up on the sink and counter from for bottles of dish soap!

All that was left to do was put everything in place and enjoy my new clean and organized kitchen sink area.  What are some of the areas in your kitchen that drive you crazy trying to keep them clean and organized?  Do you have a clever organizing solution for your a high traffic area of your kitchen?

Happy Crafting!

Susanne

Cute and Cheap Memo Board

Cute and Cheap Memo Board

 So today I decided to make a memo board.  I was inspired by this cute one I saw on Pinterest from Make and Takes.  Sure I could have just gone to Wal-Mart or Target and bought one, but it would have been as C-U-T-E or matched my kitchen. 

Here's how I made it:

I started with a super cheap 8x10 frame from the Dollar Tree.  I was really lucky to find one that was made of unfinished wood. After lightly sanding it I added the first coat of paint.

As you can see in the picture I just used everyday craft paint available at Hobby Lobby or a lot of other big box craft stores.  For this project I used Folk Art acrylic paint by Plaid in Forest Moss.  I put two coats on the front and outer edges. Be sure to take the glass out of the frame first to avoid getting paint on it.

After the paint dried (about 2 hours) I used Aleene's Original Tacky Glue to attach three buttons on the frame.  I found these big wooden buttons at Wal-Mart.  I liked that they were a natural oak similar to the cabinets and island in my kitchen. 

 After the glue on the buttons dried, I put the glass back in the frame, along with some scrap book paper. How cool is it that the paper looks like burlap?

I added magnets to the back so I can hang it on the refrigerator. I attached a dry erase marker to the top with a Velcro dot.

I think it turned out really cute!  What do you think?

Happy Crafting!

Susanne

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Go Grizzlies and other activities...

Wow! The last month has really flown by!!! I'm sorry I haven't posted in so long, but I promise to make up for it in the next couple weeks. Tonight my hubby and I are on our way(I'm writing this post on my phone) to cheer on the Memphis Grizzlies as they takeon current NBA champs the Dallas Mavericks. When we get home Sunday I'll promise to post about the adorable spring wreath I made for the front door. Oh, and a great new, super easy recipe for chicken enchiladas. Until then I hope you enjoy your Easter weekend! See ya soon! Susanne

The Value Of a Homemaker

Today there is an article (see link below) breaking down the value of a homemaker's work into dollars and cents.  It is interesting to see what professionals charge for the skills a homemaker preforms on a daily basis.  If you are a stay-at-home mom or stay-at-home dad or just a busy wife making a nice home for your husband then you know no dollar amount can be put on the love you feel making those around you comfortable and happy.

Susanne

How much is a homemaker worth?

Learning Together

    Hello, my name is Susanne and this blog will journal my adventures in learning to become a modern day homemaker.  My husband Ashley and I live in a small town in Arkansas, with our sweet dog, Dash. At the begining of 2012 I decided I would spend time improving my domestic skills. Since I always imagined myself as a busy, pearl wearing housewife, who hummed happily as she vacuumed, and cooled pies on the window sill I am both excited and nervous to begin the journey. Join me as I begin the adventure of learning to bake pies,try new recipes, and decorate our home, and maybe some craft projects too. Learning along the way if simple girl from a small town in the South indeed has what it takes to become Susie Homemaker.