Easy-Access Paint Storage for Touch-ups

I saw this great idea on Pinterest for storing small amounts of paint in baby food jars to use for touch-ups. I finally did it, but re-used my kids' empty milk cartons from "free lunch at the park". I simply peeled off the milk label, washed out the carton, and labeled them with a sharpie- all important info, including which rooms they match. Then I swiped a little dab of the paint on my finger to put on the lid. SO simple!

I am hoping this works out and keeps the paint fresh. The nice thing about this is that they are small enough to store inside the house in a cupboard or on a shelf for quick, easy access whenever you need them. Also, inside they are in controled temperatures so the paint doesn't freeze or bake. Yay! Thank you Pinterest, for a great idea!

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Lasting Candle

Here's a quick tip to make your favorite candle last a lot longer: 

after you have burned it down a bit add a tealight (regular one or a battery operated one) to the center.

I love the fall weather. Perfect time for candles and hot chocolate.

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Flavored Water

I've been drinking about 10 cups of water a day. Since its getting a little boring I figured out that I can flavor it .

I use these syrups(found at Cash & Carry store). It gives it enough flavor but it still tastes like water (if that makes any sense).

 I put 2 sqirts(= about 2 TBl.) in a 12 oz. cup of ice water. Pina Colada & Coconut are my favorite.

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Tie a Perfect Bow

Have you ever had trouble getting your bows to look just so? Well, there is a strategy to tying a perfect bow. Here's how I tie mine...

I always start it out with the right side crossing over the left, so that I end up looping it over and down behind with my right hand.

 Then I make a loop by folding the right strand under itself (with the excess ribbon hanging down from thumb).

Now I lay the top/left ribbon over the other loop and tuck it up through the right side. *TIP- The key is to make sure the ribbon stays as FLAT as possible the whole time.

Then I pull the loops tight to finish the bow.

Don't forget to fluff the loops of the wider ribbons to make them look full and finished!

You can also form a perfect bow without tying it around something. Just cut a piece of ribbon, longer than you need but not too much to waist.

Being conscience of where the middle of the ribbon is, I make a flat loop (with one half of the ribbon)  around the back of my right finger, leaving the long part hanging behind. Then I hold it in place with my thumb and index finger.

With my left hand, I bring the long part up (from behind), up and over my fingers and other loop, to the front. 

Then I tuck it up under the right one (just like I mentioned above) and finish it off.

I'm sure to pull nice and tight, and always have to play with it a little bit to make sure the loops are even. Then I trim off excess ribbon at the ends to give it a uniform, finished look.

*TIP- Depending on the size (width) of the ribbon I'm using, it will determine how big or small to make the bow. (They always look best if the sizes coordinate.)

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Helpful Beading Tools

I was helping my friend Cristi get ready for our craft day at church. She brought up this tip, so I had to share.


Since she hasn't made the investment yet on this bead tray{which in my book is a must have}.


She mentioned that felt fabric would help the beads not roll around everywhere.


The thought then came to my mind that you could use a piece of molding as the bead tray. The groove is where you would place the beads before stringing them.

Thanks Cristi for the tip!

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Remembering the Leftovers

I've had too many moldy Leftovers because I can't remember when I put them in the frig. Since were in the restaurant business we have to put dates on everything. I realized I needed to do this quick tip at home.


I just use these plain white circle labels to put the item name & date of when it was cooked & then its ready to be organized in the frig. Before I wash the container I just take the circle sticker off. Pin It

Clean Cut Brownies

A friend shared this tip with me: use a plastic knife to cut Brownies. Make sure you let the brownies cool first before cutting.

I'm amazed that the brownies don't stick unlike when using a "real" knife.

It's Genius!!

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Perfect {Sunny Up} EGGS

My friend Holly shared a wonderful tip with me a while back on how to make perfect Sunny Side Up Eggs. I have been using this method ever since.


Spray your pan, crack your eggs into it, put 1 ice cube inside then put a lid on top. The steam from the ice cooks the egg. No need to flip it over. No broken yolks.


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{Spray Paint} is my Friend

For the wedding tomorrow I needed to make a hair accessory for our oldest daughter. They had some at Claire's but I couldn't pay $6.00 for one.

Its hard to find black flowers, so I took matters into my own hands. I went to the dollar store, got headbands(package of 3) & a fake flower bunch = $2.00. My kind of savings.

I took my black spray paint & PAINTED it. A new flower. . .

I know its hard to see because everything is black but I put 3 black flowers together with a pearl bead as the center & hot glued them to the headband.
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Tip for Today

My aunt Rena taught me a little tip I thought was interesting: Put OATS in your meatballs!

Last night we had meatball sandwiches. I just added 3/4 cup of old fashioned OATS to 2 lbs meat, 3 egg yolks & seasonings. I put them in the crockpot on low for 5 to 6 hours with sauce to cook. They held together well and tasted great. Pin It

Egg Shells

My niece(early 20's) shared this Kitchen Tip with me the other day while cracking Eggs. I'm always irritated when I get a shell in with the egg yolk & white. There's nothing worse than eating eggs and then tasting a "crunch" that's not supposed to be there.


Take the shell and dip it back into the egg white to "pick up" the broken shell. It's amazing how the broken piece clings to the larger shell.

I know this is a simple tip but it will be very valuable in the kitchen.

I'm so excited to crack more eggs now.


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Sticker TIP

I'm so glad I figured this Sticker TIP out before more frustration came. . . I know companies have to put bar code stickers where is it convenient for them but it is so inconvenient for the customer.

Usually I have to run it under hot water and then use Goo Gone to get it off. And even then it still leaves a somewhat sticky residue.
So this time I tried my blowdryer (craft heat gun would work as well) while I slowly pulled the barcode sticker off-

WOW it worked.

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