More Upcycled Cabinet Door Ideas

I am on a mission these days more than ever, to be a good steward of the money my husband brings home.  I want his heart to safely trust me in this area and I consider it part of my calling as his helper to find creative ways to save money.  Gifts are a great area to exercise that stewardship, so we’re thinking hard about Christmas.

In addition to the chalkboard/memo boards I made from re-purposed cabinet doors, I did a few others I thought I’d share for your inspiration.  These cost me nothing but my computer ink (which I buy dirt cheap) so the thrill of making them was all the better.

Before…

I think I’ll use baling twine to hang this one.

I used Picnik’s collage feature for this one.  I simply printed it off on photo paper (which I got as a sample in the mail!) and attached it with double-sided tape.  The ribbons serve as hooks to hang it.  I drilled the holes myself…ahem, after I made 2 calls to my husband to figure out a. how to charge the drill battery and b. how to get the drill bit to stay in.  I am a work in progress.

I also did a music theme with one that I didn’t get a picture of that turned out really well.  Still thinking of hooks on the others, maybe…they’re just really fun!

How I distressed these:

These were so easy to distress because the cabinets are already slick so the paint lets the wood show through and you don’t have to be particular when painting.  After the flat paint dried, I sanded the edges a bit then wiped on a little stain (you can’t really see this effect in the picture) and wiped it off until I liked the look.  Super easy!

Homemade, Repurposed Gift Idea: Old Cabinet Doors

One of my favorite things to do is to re-purpose old stuff, or to use the more popular term, “upcycle”.   There is something positively delicious about rescuing a used, worn object and giving it new life.

(Perhaps it is because it mirrors the story of redemption written on my heart by the “Master Upcyler” who restored this used, tattered young woman and gave her new life…..and because we bear His image,  that creative heart of His beats in us.)

As we begin to think about Christmas gifts, and as that time of the year always necessitates our bravest creativity, we are rummaging around for some great gift ideas.

I found a bunch of these old cabinet doors that my father had collected over the years.  After finding a few ideas on line, we decided to recyle them into message/chalk boards for the kitchen.

One thing to note about me and homemade gifts:  I like it simple.  If it’s not pretty simple, I’ll grow impatient and lose interest.  Crafting ADD, I guess.

(Somehow the angle of the pictures I took created an illusion that makes the top pic look much wider???)

I did the first one, and Alexa, my 8 year old begged to do the rest and did a fantastic job!  We’re looking for some cool knobs to glue or screw across the bottom to hang aprons and such.

(Close-up of the dry brush effect.)

A few short steps:

1. Tape around the inset that will be painted with chalk board paint and then paint it.
2. After that dries (just an hour or less), tape over the edge of the painted inset and paint the rest of the door the desired color.
3. We “distressed” the look by brushing over the wet paint with a dry brush.
4. Glue or screw knobs across the bottom, tie on a piece of chalk (all optional) and you’re done

I am considering playing around with trying to make a plaque and painting a word or phrase inside.  Vinyl lettering would work great, but I’m also challenging myself to do the upcycle without spending any money.  Any ideas would be helpful!

Since posting, I found this very inspirational video with lots of different cabinet upcycling ideas!

While we had the chalk board paint out, I got happy and painted the top of the children’s table (well, THEY painted it because I temporarily lost my sanity wanted them to be involved too.)  Then we spray painted the rest John Deere green (it was the only color of spray paint we had, OK?)

The table is a hit!  And since our air conditioning is out and it’s 150 degrees inside, (well, 90, but I’m going with a heat index of 150) we’re spending a lot more time downstairs (which is where the table is) so the new distraction comes at a great time! I said “distraction” but I meant “teaching tool”, of course

Making Home on a Budget: Frugal Ideas for You

In a never-ending quest to be resourceful, help your husband as you carefully manage your income and be the best steward possible of what the Lord has given you, you need ideas!  We all have enough creativity if we put our minds to it!  I thought I’d toss out a few ideas we’ve implemented recently:

Feminine apron

Need to give a gift on a shoestring budget?  Grab some stashed fabric and make an apron!  Aprons have made a sassy comeback and besides being useful can be quite decorative as well.  Usually you can find a simple pattern or directions in a search.  This one would be too fancy for me to make, but there are some really simple, cute ideas too.

*Another apron option is to purchase a denim jumper at the thrift store, cut it up the back and add ties and embellish with ribbons, buttons, etc.

Child’s Gift

Click over to learn how to make Tricia’s cute idea for a homemade pencil and notebook roll.

Recycled Gift Packaging

Tricia also had this adorable, simple idea:

Delicious, Frugal Dinner:

Jumbo Pasta Shells

1 chicken breast

Handful of mushrooms, sliced or diced

1 block cream cheese

1/2 stick butter

2 cloves garlic

Pasta sauce

Shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese

Sauté chopped garlic and mushrooms in oil or butter.  Add chicken, continue sauteing until done.  Set aside.  Melt cream cheese, butter over low heat in saucepan or skillet.  Add a little milk and stir with whisk until creamy.  Add chicken/mushroom to sauce.  Line cooked pasta shells in casserole dish and fill with spoonful of mixture.  Top with pasta sauce and shredded cheese and bake until melted.

I made this last week and for our family of 10 (remembering that we have several small children) I only used a half a box of shells, half a jar of pasta sauce and one chicken breast!

Fun for Kids:  Homemade Playdoh

1 cup flour
1 cup water
1/2 cup salt
1 TBS cream of tartar
1 TBS oil
food coloring

Directions:

• Heat all ingredients in a saucepan, slow to medium heat. Stir continuously. Once dough is at the consistency you want, remove from heat. Cool before using. *high salt content so please keep playdough away from pets.

My best tip for staying cool and keeping the thermostat up:

Crush ice in a blender and dole it out.  It will lower your body temperature and have you shivering in the 82 degree house.

Hospitality or Humility: Practical Tips for Practicing Hospitality

“Hospitality, according to Jesus, is essentially being willing to be humiliated!”

Hospitality= Humble Service=”Caring for the needs of others”

Jesus’ last act as He knelt and washed the disciples’ feet–caring for their basic, unexciting needs, was the final, ultimate irony of His entire message to us:  “Forget yourself, become the least, serve until you’re spent and you can be My disciple”.

I think it’s significant that He used the lowest of acts AND performed them for his “spiritual family”, those men who had become like sons to Him, as His “grand finale”.  I don’t know about you, but I need to hang out in that story for a bit!

Once we understand the What, Why, When and How of Hospitality, it is easier to focus on the practical ways to carry out this important command.  With all our notions of entertainment and impression aside, we should feel freer now to embrace real hospitality. Instead of being prompted by pride (impress them with my food, my house, etc.) Jesus reminds us that hospitality is essentially being willing to be humiliated! Ouch.

“Outward” Hospitality

I mentioned in the last post that phone calls, sending cards and carrying meals are a few ways to show hospitality.  It’s very easy to make this a regular part of our lives with a little forethought.  Hints:

1. Keep a basket full of note cards, stamps, pens and address book.  Keep the basket in a visible place as a reminder.  Ask the Lord to lay someone on your heart and follow through with a kind word.  If He prompts you to send a monetary gift, it can be a tremendous blessing to someone, if not just to say, “God has not forsaken you”. Consider those you may not readily think about–often the women who seem to “have it all together” don’t, and could use a word of “I’m praying for you today”.
2. Occasionally make an extra meal/plate while you cook for your family to have on hand when a neighbor needs a meal.  My Dad has the habit of fixing a plate from their dinner and carrying it to a widowed man down the road.  It is about the only cooked meal he ever eats.  It takes less than 10 minutes and it is a tremendous blessing to “Mr. Bill”.
3. I’ve mentioned before the incredible gift that my friend’s daughters have given to me on more than one occasion. Sometimes they will bring a meal and clean the house for me, mostly because they just love to serve.  Busy moms appreciate acts of kindness as much as the next person!
4. Our neighbors usually bring a huge basket of breakfast food (cereal, bread, jam, fruit, etc.) when we come home after a new baby has been born.  A very practical relief to sleepy parents.

Hospitality at Home

Having people over, though not the only way to show hospitality, is the area most people feel inadequate.  There are several things our family thinks are important as we practice hospitality:

1. If it’s too stressful, we’ll avoid it, so we must make it doable for our family in our season.
2. If it’s stressful, Mom isn’t joyful.  If Mom isn’t joyful the rest of the family isn’t either.  If we can’t welcome others into our home with joy, there’s no point.
3. A welcoming spirit is much more important than the menu.
4. Be practical.
5. Everyone serves.
6. If we don’t plan deliberately (get out the calendar, call and invite someone) it remains something “we need to do”.
7. An imperfect house is not only OK, but can be tremendously encouraging to another mom who (incorrectly) thinks you are perfect.   Tidy is good; perfection is hypocrisy.

Food.

We recently concluded that a one or two dish meal needed to become our standard “company menu” for several reasons.  One, it’s easier to prepare ahead of time and anything you can do early in the day relieves stress as time for guests to arrive approaches.

Secondly, if there are a lot of people, it’s much less chaotic at meal time to serve from one or two dishes rather than five or six.

Third, if the budget needs considered, this is usually the most economic route.

I’ve learned from more seasoned women that selecting one or two regular “guests menus” saves a lot of stress; also, you become more efficient practicing with the same menu.  (See one of our menus below.)

Note: It’s perfectly wonderful to have people over just for dessert and coffee–especially at first if you just want to ease in.

Cleaning House

As I’ve mentioned, I’m learning that not only is it OK for our house to not be perfect (no point trying), but I am personally relieved to see someone’s house look a bit lived in as well. So I feel there’s a balance; we should honor our guests by presenting a tidy, pleasing atmosphere, but we should not feign perfection as it provides neither us nor our guests any benefit.

Tips:

• We designate Fridays as cleaning day.  This is also the day we try to invite others over.  Having company is added incentive for everyone to work diligently and cheerfully.
• Play soothing music during dinner–this is a biggie on our list.
• Light candles.  Low lights and candles hide a lot of dirt
• Focus on the main areas and guest bath; don’t sweat the rest.
• Baskets and containers will help keep things looking organized and allow you to do a quick toss before guests arrive.
• It makes people feel especially welcomed if you or some of the family is waiting on the porch when they arrive.  Likewise, walking them out and waving them off sends the message that you really enjoyed your time.
• Listen intently, ask questions and care about what your guests have to say.  If your heart is set on loving the Lord, “out of it will flow rivers of living water”.

One of our menus:

Just for your information:

I estimated this entire meal to cost less than $12.  It fed 14 people the first night (lots of children, mind you), 9 people again the next night (our family) and enough left over to send for hubby’s lunch the next day–total mouths fed=24

Menu

Creamy, Cheesy, Chicken Soup

Homemade wheat rolls

Pasta salad

Derby Pie

To make soup:

Pour 4-6 cups of chicken broth into large pot.  Drop a peeled, whole onion and turn on medium.  In a separate pan, sear 4 boneless/skinless chicken breast in olive oil.  Remove from pan and chop finely.  Add chicken to broth.

In the same pan, add more oil/butter and saute several cloves of garlic and diced mushrooms (I also added a Tbsp. or so of green chilies).  Add those to soup.  Add more oil/butter to pan and make a roux (add flour, stir a bit with a fork, then dip some of the chicken broth into flour mixture.  I added Marsala wine, 1 cup of sour cream, 1 block of cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, whole cream (you could use milk)–I really don’t measure this, I just add until it’s thick and creamy.)

(Hint:  you could add mashed potatoes to thicken and stretch this soup.)

Add white sauce to soup.  Season generously with fresh, ground pepper and salt.  Simmer for several hours to let flavors meld.  I prepare this in the morning, turn off around noon and as long as it stays warm, leave it out until dinner time and reheat just before guests arrive.

Serve with cheddar cheese sprinkled on top–yummy!

Can’t wait to hear your tips and tricks!

You CAN Stay Home: Earning Money From Home

So what to do if you have saved all the money you can save and it still seems difficult to stay home on your husband’s income?   In a Proverbs 31 fashion, you can add to the family income and be a huge blessing to your husband; it can also be a valuable teaching tool as your children learn first hand the nuts and bolts of finance, profit and work ethic.

The same principle applies here as to saving: a little adds up to a lot. So don’t neglect the day of small things!  And remember, if you have debt, paying that off as intensely as possible will greatly relieve the strain of the finances.  For your inspiration…

***I just read a sentence from Dave Ramsey’s book about building a $1000 emergency fund as fast as you can before you start tackling debt.  He says:***

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You CAN Stay Home: (Living on One Income) Paying Off Debt

The two most important things we learned from financial guru Dave Ramsey weren’t practical at all; they provided the emotional energy we needed to put behind the practical steps.

What were those two things?

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