THE VERY BEST THANKSGIVING TIP YOU WILL EVER GET!

I'm so happy you stopped by today! I going to share...

THE VERY BEST THANKSGIVING TIPS YOU WILL EVER GET!

Seriously!!!!

Let's get right to it...

HOMEKEEPING HINTS~ FAKE-OUT FABREZE

Here is a little known fact about me... I have the the best "nose". I can smell things most people can't. It is a blessing and a curse!

This has made me obsessive about keeping my home smelling fresh! With an active dog and cat under foot it is especially important that my furniture and carpets stay fresh between shampooing.

 When I found this easy-to-make and very inexpensive homemade Fabreze on Pinterest I had to try it.

And guess what.... IT WORKS!

Here's the recipe...

FAKE-0UT FABREZE

1/8 cup Downy Fabric Softener ( I used the originals scent and used a little less for my size bottle)

2 TBS baking soda

hot water

large spray bottle

Put all the ingredients in a spray bottle and give it a good shake until the baking soda dissolves.

Shake before using.

Use as you would original Fabreze.

Easy-Fabrezey!

Some SG Notes:

Go easy~ just like the original... a little goes a long way
I have been using it for awhile now and love it!

About residue~ I've used Fabreze for years and have never had a problem. I do have my furniture and carpets cleaned regularly. 

HOWEVER, I am not spraying it on my white furniture!
As all things, you might want to test it to decide for yourself.

Just a reminder....

TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS

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show up and show off your creativity... any little tidbit will do!

TUTORIAL TIPS AND TIDBITS #23

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! 

I am so thankful for all of my blogging friends and dear readers! Thanks for your kind words and support! I wish everyone a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!

Here are some great posts from last week...

TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS # 19

Welcome to TUTORIAL TIPS AND TIDBITS #19.

Hope you week has been fabulous so far! Here in my neck of the woods fall is colorful and cool... and we have been enjoying every minute of this very short lived season...

Last week TUTORIAL TIPS AND TIDBITS was overtaken by beautiful fall projects too!

Here are a few of last weeks creative links...

I think this FIVE MINUTE BURLAP RUNNER is the perfect go-to table foundation for any fall table!!! You will find the easiest tutorial and great photography at the FRENCH HUTCH... love it!

We all wanted to peek into Mary bedroom at AT HOME ON THE BAY and see her MASTER BEDROOM REVEAL!  What a beautiful room. This lovely rooms colors are bright and serene! Kudos to you Mary~ your post was the most viewed!

I have just delighted in this darling POTTING SHED. Mary at HOME IS WHERE THE BOAT IS has her new potting shed all decked out for fall and it is so full of inspiration!

I am always looking  for painting tips on blogs... BETSY SPREET'S BLOG is full of the coolest decorating and painting and reupholstering and tips.... she repainted these BEAUTIFUL CHAIRS and show us how! They are stunning!

We all loved the HAVARTI QUESIDALA WITH RASPBERRY JALEPENO JAM from Annie at ANNIE ONE CAN COOK. Her post was the second most viewed. No wonder... what a great combo!

Jenn, please come to StoneGable and help me ORGANIZE MAGAZINES! I'm drowning in paper!!!!

I am wild over this post over at CLEAN AND SCENTSIBLE. All magazine ripper-outers need these great tips!

Look at these darling FALL MAGAZINE INSPIRED PILLOWS from Paula at SWEET PEA. Aren't those animals so cute!!! What a great pair!

My offering this week is 10 tips to survive TREASURE HUNTING!  I added some great treasures I found at a wonderful new antique barn LA ROUGE VINTAGE

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TREASURE HUNTING SURVIVAL TIPS

Many of you are probably like me.... you cannot pass up a good antique barn... flea market... repurpose and reStore... auctions... tag sales...yard sale... or even great trash left out on the sidewalk!

It's a little... okay... a lot addictive!

Saturday I traveled a couple of hours to go to a few antique barns filled with great goodies. It was sooooo worth it!

I found a new and fabulous shopping opportunity called LA ROUGE VINTAGE on my travels! Many of the pics are from this unique barn! Check out their facebook page HERE. Thanks Shawn, Mara, Molly and Emily! The girls at La Rouge are rock stars!

To get the most out of these hunting adventures, you need to be prepared. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your antiquing/junking/hunting  excursions...

1. Wear comfortable clothes! Especially shoes... you generally spend a lot of time on your feet. Function takes a front seat to fashion.  I also like to wear layers. Many places are not air conditioned or heated. 

I don't take my usual purse with me. I usually take a "travel-type" purse that is small and has several compartments. It also has a very comfortable across the body shoulder strap.

If I am comfortable I can look and shop longer!

La Rouge Vintage

2. Do a little prep work before you head out. 

 Know what you are looking for and write it down. Measure spaces in your home that you need to fill and write it down. It is so frustrating to get a piece home and have it be the wrong size! I carry a little notebook with all kinds of helpful notes.

Take pictures of the spaces in your home you need to fill. I use my phone's camera. Then I have an image with me.

Also measure the inside of your car! I recently bought a piece that we just barely squeezed into the car. If it had been one inch longer it would not have fit! I now know the car's measurements too!

La Rouge Vintage

3. Take a measuring tape. I carry a small pink one in my purse at all times. 

4. Take fabric swatches and paint chips with you. 

5. Take a snack and a bottle of water... or two! I like to have a little protein on hand...  a few cheese sticks or some peanut butter crackers work for me. And I usually pack an apple or a couple of clementines for a little jolt of energy.

Stay hydrated. It will give you more energy.

La Rouge Vintage

6. Don't forget a small camera or your phone with a camera. Take lots of pictures of things that inspire you.

7. Take any medication. I always have a couple of Aleve on hand to ward off "shoppers headache"!

8. Negotiate... but be sweet. There is nothing that is worth being snarky about!

La Rouge Vintage

9.  Make it an event! Include family and friends that appreciate the hunt too! Take a break and go to lunch... celebrate great finds together. Take pictures of everyone with their treasures!

10. Be a wise shopper!  Know what you can spend and know when the piece is one you cannot live without! 

Set limits and only get what you LOVE!

Luckett's

For more great treasure hunting tips head over to my STONEGABLE FACEBOOK PAGE. Many StoneGable friends left fabulous tips!  You can add yours there too!

Just a reminder...

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TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS

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10 BEST SLOW COOKER TIPS ~ Part 1

Most people fall into two categories....

Slow cooker lovers.... OR Slow cooker bashers!

I happen to fall in the "LOVER' category and I would like to spread the love around and share some tips to help any "bashers" gently move into the "lover" category...

Playing to your slow cooker's strength and knowing how to avoid it's weaknesses will produce great tasting dishes with little effort and time in the kitchen!

 10 BEST SLOW COOKER TIPS... PART 1

  Forget logos like... "set it and forget it"! 

If you have believed you can dump all the ingredients of a recipe into a slow cooker and forget it, no wonder you are not a fan!

To get the best flavor and texture when slow cooking foods you need to do a little prep work! It will pay off in big flavors and tender food!

Here are a few tips that will make a big difference in cooking with slow cookers!

1.  Choose the right meats.

Choose meats that are tough or dense.  Slow cookers make tough meats like chuck roasts, briskets, short ribs, shanks, game meat and pork butt (shoulders) beautifully tender and scrumptious!

Whole chickens, bone-in turkey breasts and thighs, with the skin on, can also be moist and not overcooked if timed just right.

Personally, I avoid using boneless or skinless chicken in slow cookers. It tends to overcook and get a mealy texture.

2. Brown meats and vegetables.

Browning meat brings out that luscious caramelized flavor that we all love. Take the time to brown meats and  veggies like onions and celery before adding them to the slow cooker... your dish will taste so much better!

3. Choose the right vegetables.

Dense or fibrous vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, celery, parsnips, onions, garlic, turnips etc. cook the best in a slow cooker. Add them to the bottom or sides of the slow cooker. 

Avoid canned veggies... they are already overcooked!

Thaw frozen vegetables before adding them to the slow cooker.

4. Add the right amount of liquid.

Little or no evaporation occurs during cooking time so don't overdo the liquids! Here is a good rule of thumb...

2 TBS liquids for sauces

1/4 cup liquid for stews

1/2 ~ 2 cup liquids for soups

Using too much liquid waters down the flavor of the overall dish.


5. Don't add all ingredients at once.

Not all ingredients can be cooked for the same length. Seafood, tender vegetables, cooked chicken, pasta, dairy products and fresh herbs should  be added to you dish at the end of cooking time. This will prevent mushy or curdled food. Just make sure they are hot and cooked through!


Head over to StoneGable's Facebook page to see great slow cooker  tips from my FB friends!

Look for more Slow Cooker tips next week in 10 BEST SLOW COOKER TIPS, Part 2!

Click HERE for a 21 of my favorite slow cooker recipes.

FOODIE FRIDAY

TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS~ WEEK # 17

Welcome to TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS # 17

Visiting blogs have taken on a whole new meaning for me.... My radar is set for great DYI's, interesting tips and fun tidbits!!!!

And I have been inviting all those great bloggers with those great posts to the party! If you haven't gotten the invitation... YOU ARE INVITED... join in!

 I hope you are as inspired as I am by these features from last week...

TIPS FROM AN ANNIE SLOAN STOCKIST

As I was sitting in the workshop in a darling cottage on a country farm... my head was swimming with wonderful  stories and information and inspiration! 

I had on a work apron and held a paintbrush in my hand and I was learning to coax beauty out of a piece of wood. 

Bowls of creamy paints surrounded my workspace and encouraged me to give them a try!

It was a magical day!

Our teacher, Celeste Blumenauer owner of CATFISH CREATIVE FURNISHINGS infused the day with so much creativity and wonderful instruction and tips... I had to have her share some of her magic with you...

TUTORIAL TIPS AND TIDBITS #12

Welcome the the 12th TUTORIAL TIPS AND TIDBITS!

Fall was starting to make it's appearance last week... the most viewed entry was NEW FALL CENTERPIECE from Lynn at HAPPIER THAN A PIG IN MUD! 

Here are some other featured posts that were popular...

TUTORIAL TIPS AND TIDBITS #11

Last week TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS  almost hit 100 participants and it is only 10 weeks old! While that is great... and I so appreciate everyone who shares...what I love the most is all the things you can learn to do from these creative people who share their how-to's, tips and tidbits!

A great example is the kitchen above... A PROGRESSION OF A KITCHEN from GOLD COUNTRY COTTAGE was the most viewed post last week. And no wonder you should see the transformation!!!! 

Here are a few more (more than usual) features from last weeks TTT bloggers...

TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS # 8

Since I have started TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS I guess I am extra aware of all the creative DYI"S in bloggland. Not only that, but great tips and tidbits too! 

Just today I learned how to transfer a beautiful french motif onto a painted surface, got helpful tips for making a centerpiece and found many fun tidbits along the way!

I am finding so many easy, well written Tutorials for all kinds of interesting projects... big and small!

And I have been inviting everyone to join me and show off what they have been doing! If you haven't gotten a personal invitation from me... this is it! Join in!!!!

I wish I could show you every entry from last week.. like Show-And-Tell... they were more than fabulous!!! Since, I can't, here are a few features...

Isn't this table full of SWEET LAVENDER breathtaking? Poppy at WITH A DASH OF COLOR shows us how to make some heavenly scented projects!

Patricia, and her daughter, at BUTTER YUM taught us how to make scrumptious homemade GNOCCHI.

There is something so satisfying about making homemade pasta! Doesn't that photo tell a story!

This Tutorial from Jennifer at TOWN AND COUNTRY LIVING is particularly helpful to me...  I have 4 stools tops that need some pretty  graphics. Her very detailed Tutorial HOW TO TRANSFER GRAPHICS WITH MOD PODGE is so easy to understand! Wait till you see the inside of the box!

Let's look at another IMAGE TRANSFER PROJECT from Kristen's at SOPHIA'S LIVE BEAUTIFULLY!  Thanks so much for introducing me to TAP paper! Check out these great transfers on fabric!

Look at this handsome front door! Julie at THE FAMILY CEO joined TTT with this QUICK AND EASY FRONT DOOR MAKEOVER

I love love love sea grass lamp shades... but they can be quite pricey! Tammy from A WALK IN THE COUNTRYSIDE  made this fabulous BALLARD KNOCK OFF SEAGRASS LAMPSHADE from a placemat!!!!! You will see this lampshade in my home very soon!





If you run over to THE OPULENT COTTAGE you can see more images of this stunning FREECYCLE ARMOIRE. It was a tv cabinet in it's former life... and look at it now!

Paula from SWEET PEA gives us very helpful tips about how to REFRESH YOUR GROUT. This post is a real keeper! Just wait till you see her grout before and after!






And here is my tutorial this week... MAKING SCENTED DRAWER LINER. It looks so pretty and smells even better... my drawer liners smells like vanilla!

If you have been featured at TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS please grab a "Featured" button from my sidebar.


Please visit our featured bloggers and see their creative blogs!


Now let's see what great TUTORIALS, TIPS AND TIDBITS  you have for us!

* Please link your post using your permalink

* Please link back to TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS in the body of your post. You can find my button TTT button on my sidebar.

* Visit other TTT participants... let's all visit at least 3 others and comment

* Please link up only photographs that belong to you.

* It would be nice if you would follow me, thanks!

PILLOW LOVE

Pillows are like jewelry for a home!  And I LOVE bling!

They add color, pattern and texture. They add seasonal panache and warmth. Pillows can change with our moods!  

And they are a mini facelifts for any room...

Pillows are the quickest way to update a tired piece of furniture and bring a new burst of color into any decor!

The pillows (Pottery Barn Outlet) on my family room sofa are rather calm and serene right now. Because this room is filled with neutrals, I try to add pillows with a refined and tailored... not fussy feel.

It's difficult to get a great open shot of my pillows... the sofa "floats" between my breakfast area and family room.

In this month's issue of SOUTHERN LIVING MAGAZINE, Pheobe Howard shares some simple steps for arranging pillows on a sofa." Mrs. Howard gives her five pillow approach to creating a well composed sofa", the article reads. I think they are spot on! Here is a mix of StoneGable's and Mrs. Howard's ideas...

1. Don't be matchy-matchy! Pillows and sofa or chair upholstery should not be the same !  Use a combination of solids and patterns. Add pillows with texture for a big visual punch! Mrs. Howard says to limit patterned fabric to one set of pillows. Good advice, but I say mix patterns! Here is where you can go a little wild! Pillows are not a huge investment... experiment!

2. When arranging five pillows on a sofa, the outside pillows should be the largest. 

My two brown linen, jute trimmed piilows are 22 inches. Next to them are two 18 inch linen pillows in a deep rust. They sport a large tortoise shell button enclosure.... nice detail.  Because I wanted the pillows to give color and texture to the room without a whole lot of pattern I used two different solid colors next to each other.

3. Keep the look balanced but not too symmetrical. Throw in an extra odd shaped pillow. Here is where you can get creative. Choose a third pattern with colors that tie it to the total look.

I chose a beautiful crewel-look pillow in a very traditional pattern. It is timeless. It will never go out of style and will look good in any season. It brings interest to my neutral family room and ties in the colors of my sofa and other pillows. This will be my go-to pillow!

The embroidered pattern adds a touch of refined style to my farmhouse family room!

4. Use pillow covers and down inserts.

There are so many reasons to buy pillow covers. Pillows covers can be taken off easily to be cleaned. Some pillow covers can go right in the washer and dryer!

Pillow covers are often less expensive than ready-filled pillows. And you can control the stuffing material.

When you need a new look, just take off the pillow cover and replace it with another.

My favorite reason for using a pillow cover is that they store beautifully. When the cover is done for the season, I clean them, fold them and stack them in my linen closet. No big bulky pillows!

 Make the investment of good down pillow forms. They look and feel so much better. If you are allergic to down, use a high quality hypoallergenic down. 

I have found a very acceptable alternative to an all down insert as they can be very pricey. It is a feather/down blend insert from Pottery Barn. They are inexpensive, look nice and have been durable... without feathers popping through the casing. To see these inserts click HERE.

5. Overstuff your pillows.

If your pillow cover is 20 inches, stuff it with a 22 inch insert. I learned this trick by trial and error. Upsizing an insert gives a pillow a full fluffy look.  Thin, limp pillows are not attractive!

Use a "euro sham" pillow insert for a 24 inch pillow. You won't believe the difference it makes!

Mrs. Howard says DON'T karate chop your pillows... I didn't for these photographs. But the jury is still out... don't you just want to give those pillows a little quick chop?

I must admit, I have a wee little obsession with pillows, and change them often. Because of this I do not make a big investment in any one pillow cover. There are wonderful places to find upscale pillow covers that can keep us within our budgets... etsy and outlets are my favorite pillow haunts. And don't forget we can make them ourselves! I have a beautiful piece of washed burlap just waiting to become a pillow cover!

As always, decorating is a personal expression! Enjoy and be creative!

I am joining Thistlewood Farm  for PILLOW PALOOZA 2012