DIY projects to try

This year I have decided I would really like to tackle some interesting DIY projects.

I have been looking around the web and found some cool ideas.  There are some projects I would like to use for my home and some that would be great for my home staging projects.

One easy project I have done in the past is updating the seats on dining room and kitchen chairs.  If you have chair seats that pop off, you can pick whatever fabric you like and easily change the colour and style.  It takes little time and you can transform your dining or kitchen chairs that same day.  If you want to get a bit more daring, you can repaint your chairs as well.

Here is a sample I found on http://www.diyhomedecoratingideas.com/

Another neat idea that I found is making art work using either wallpaper or wrapping paper.  This is  easy and very cost effective.  You can change your pictures each season.  This is a great idea for home staging as well to add some colour and accessories to a space.

Here are some samples I found on http://www.squawkfox.com/2008/09/15/do-it-yourself-painted-stripes-wallpaper-and-canvas-wall-art/

 

Here is another sample from http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/05/wallpaper-art.html

There are also many ideas for DIY headboards.  Here is an example from House and Home.  For instructions click here.

There are so many possibilites...I want to try them all!  I think I will start with my chairs since that can be a quick update and also try some of the art work.  Once I have a completed project, I will post an update!

If you have any other DIY projects that you have tried,  I would love to hear about it and see some pictures!

Nothing beats real homemade tomato sauce

Last week, I went through my regular routine (about every 2-3 months) of making my big batch of tomato sauce.  A lot of my friends will make their tomato sauce on Sundays.  I find making my big batch allows me make portions that I can freeze so anytime I want to make pasta, I have it ready to go.

Each time I make my sauce, I have memories of my mom doing this every Sunday.  We would go to Sunday mass and when we returned, she would make her pot of sauce that would be enough for the week.  It was a tradition to have a pasta dish for Sunday lunch/dinner.

My sauce process takes about two hours since I also make homemade meatballs.  I have been asked by some friends for recipes for my sauce and meatballs.  I really don’t have a recipe.  I just add as I go along.  I have the usual spices and ingredients but as for amounts, I couldn’t really tell you since I just “eye” it. 

The tomatoes I use are those that we did back at the end of the summer with my parents.  That was a 3 day process of canning the tomatoes but nothing beats the real thing.

When I make my big batch, I usually use 10-12 jars depending on how long I want them to last or if I will be needing the sauce for special occasions or making things such as lasagna etc.

For my sauce, my usual spices are basil, oregano, parsley (Italian seasonings), salt, pepper, and garlic powder.  I also sauté some onions and garlic.

The sauce usually simmers a bit with the spices and onion/garlic while I prepare the meatballs.

On this occasion, I used three types of ground meat for the meatballs – beef, veal and pork.  Depending on what is available, I have made them with just beef but I find using a variety of meats gives it a better, richer taste.

I also add some minced garlic and/or onion, salt, pepper, basil, oregano, parsley, eggs, grated parmigiano cheese and bread crumbs.  Again, I can’t give you amounts since I really eye ball it and look for a certain texture of the meat.  I don’t really want it to be “dry” but have some moisture to it.  I usually add at least ½ cup to 1 cup of cheese and at least ½ cup of bread crumbs when I’m making a big batch as I did with this.

Once all the meatballs have been rolled, I have put them in the oven.  I have also fried them in the past when I only have a few.  Baking them doesn’t take as long and I find doesn’t have all the oil from frying.  I usually bake them at about 375 for about 25 minutes or until they are getting browned.  I also turn them during the baking process.  Depending on the size of the meatballs, they may take more or less time.

I will then add the meatballs to the sauce and have the sauce simmer for about 2 hours to infuse the flavour of the meat into the sauce.  Boy, does the kitchen smell great when I am making the sauce!  I remember when my mom made her sauce, she would put some in a bowl, give me some fresh italian crusty bread and I would dunk away.  Talk about an amazing snack while I waited for lunch or dinner! 

I know some of you may be thinking, “I don’t have the time to do this” or "I don’t have canned tomato jars”.  There are other alternatives to making your own.  You can buy canned tomatoes and then make your own pasta sauce.  My process may take a bit of extra time but nothing beats the taste of homemade.  It also allows me to continue my Italian family tradition of making my own sauce.  My goal is to continue this tradition with my kids when they grow up and have their own families!  I hope I have inspired you to try something homemade – Buon Appetito!!!



 

Getting organized after the holidays

Now that the holidays have come and gone, my itch to get the decorations and tree put away has begun.  My husband keeps bugging me to leave it since I got a late start this year and to enjoy it a while longer.  I am just finding that I want some order in the house and the decorations are standing in my way. 

Many of my friends have mentioned that getting organized is part of their resolutions this year.  I have this as a continuous goal.  Staying organized gets to be quite a challenge at times with two kids and a busy household.  I have good intentions but then there doesn't seem to be enough time and things slide unfortunately.  I commit to keep plugging away at this!

Since organization and decluttering can take pages to discuss, I plan to have different posts on ideas and tips that might help all of us.  If you are planning a move this year, the task of decluttering is a key component.  More to follow in future posts.  If you are interested in a home staging consultation, contact me here to see how I can help you get your home ready to sell.

As you get ready to put away your decorations, make sure you look through all your items.  If there are things that you have used and don’t really want any more, consider donating or giving them away.  Why take up space for things you are not planning on using.  I put together a bag before I starting holiday decorating this year and gave it to our local Value Village.  Hopefully someone else will be able to enjoy my items. 

I have found some neat and interesting ideas on Christmas storage.  There are some good ways to store decorations using household items that can be cost effective.  Click here to read more.

Do you find you always have a tangled mess of Christmas lights? Here is a good idea found on Martha Stewart.com.  You keep them organized by winding each strand around a piece of cardboard cut to fit in a plastic bin (picture pieces are 20 by 14 inches). Use scissors to cut a 1-inch slit at the top of one long side and the bottom of the other long side of the cardboard. Secure one end of the lights in a slit, wind lights around, and secure the other end in the other slit. Store stacked light between layers of bubble wrap in bins. 

There are many great storage bins that you can find to store your decorations at stores such as Wal-Mart, Rona, Canadian Tire and Home Depot.  January is usually a great month to find sales on storage containers.

 


Rubbermaid

 

Snapware Corp.

If you have a lot of holiday clean-up to do, don’t try and do it all in one day.  You might find it overwhelming.  I try and do the Christmas tree in one day and then get all my other decorations done another day.   This way you can concentrate on one area at a time and have time to organize well.

Well best of luck if you are conquering the task of organization this year.  If you have any good ideas or tricks that have helped you, please share them!