.

Elkhorn here we come....

2011-06-23T18:00:00.001-07:00

The Junk Mammas are heading to the Elkhorn Flea Market this weekend, anyone else out there going?

here's last years trip!

Maybe we will see you there.

The Junk Mammas

Spent the day at the barn...

2011-05-19T17:22:00.001-07:00

The barn sale started today with a bang! People were lined up to check out. Here are some random pictures I took while I was working.

Cute garland out of old book pages.

Tons of stuff and all different.

Salvage on the side of the barn.

She had this cool boat in the middle of the yard in front of the barn.

More cubbies packed full of vintage planters, and nicknacks.

Who doesn't love these old trucks? This sweet thing greeted shoppers as they arrived.

The Junk Mammas

Barn Sale

2011-04-26T14:26:00.001-07:00

We have been busy working on stuff for the barn sale, more to come soon. If you are in our neck of the woods that weekend you have to stop and check out all of the fabulous stuff they have.

The Junk Mammas

The snow is deep, but the plants are cheap.

2011-02-09T10:47:00.000-08:00

I needed a little pick me up, so off to Home Depot for a spot of color. I have always loved these little flowers, the primrose. At the price of $1.38, I bought four. If I forget to water, no worries. They come in an array of different colors. I just placed them in my favorite ironstone piece. Instant centerpiece. .

The Junk Mammas

Yes Packers

2011-02-07T05:23:00.000-08:00

Being from Wisconsin and all we couldn't not mention the game. Go Pack Go. My kids have become packer fans this year. So we geared up with snacks and watched the game in our packer garb. It's good to be a packer fan today.

Easy Peasy Fudge

2011-01-18T18:03:00.000-08:00

This is one of the easiest recipes for delicious fudge.

1 can (14oz) of sweetened condensed milk

1 (12oz) bag of semi-sweetened chocolate chips

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups nuts of your choice (optional)

Over low heat in a medium size sauce pan, heat your chocolate chips and milk stirring until melted and smooth.

Pour into an 8x8 pan. Refrigerate for 1/2 hour, and cut into bit size pieces. Refrigerate again for 1 hour and your fudge is ready to serve.

The Junk Mammas

February 14th is coming...

2011-01-15T17:15:00.000-08:00

Although, I have nothing original to share with you all, I did find some random images on the web that are sure to inspire.

PB Kids

I love the above dots cut into the shape of hearts and put on colored paper, what a cute idea for classmates.

Who doesn't have an old deck of cards laying around? Love this!

This I had saved in favorite photos, not sure where I got it on the web, if you are the owner please let us know. I love the music paper and the letter on this one. Very cute banner.

Hopefully, we will get out of the winter blahs soon and start getting some of our own stuff done!

The Junk Mammas

Paula Deen's Potato and Ham Soap

2010-12-27T17:47:00.000-08:00

I found this recipe online and made it with some leftover ham from Christmas, it was quick, easy and the whole family loved.

2 cups of ham cut into small pieces

5 lbs of baking potatoes peeled and diced

1/2 stick of butter

salt and pepper

1 cup half-and-half

1/2 cup sour cream

Put your potatoes in a large pot and add just enough water to cover them. Cover the pot and bring to a boil, then uncover and cook on med-high 20 minutes. Reduce heat and add ham and the butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Over low heat add the sour cream and half-and-half; keep warm over low heat till serving time.

I served mine with some warm bread and a veggie.

The Junk Mammas

Wishing....

2010-12-24T11:19:00.000-08:00

You and your family a very safe and Merry Christmas!

The Junk Mammas

The elves are busy

2010-12-21T09:56:00.000-08:00

The elves have been busy around here lately as well as the rest of America. I wanted to do a small "gift" for my son's preschool class, and I remembered one that was in a Martha Stewart Mag.

But 3 and 4 year olds just don't need a whole candy bar, so I used the hersery snack size candy bars not to be confused with the minuture herserys bars. Not that is what happened at our house.

Now am off to make 18 more for my daughters class and peppermint popcorn for the school party.

I also love this idea for a little neighbor gift from Nanny Goat , who also has the tags to download for free. Who can't use any extra roll around the holidays.

The Junk Mammas

Need a last minute dessert?

2010-11-24T19:51:00.001-08:00

Looking for the perfect ending for your Thanksgiving meal? Try this quick and easy no bake cheese cake. I have made this for the last couple of years as an alternative to just regular pumpkin pie. The kids love it and the adults enjoy it as well.

What you need

1 pkg. (8oz.) cream cheese softened

1 cup canned pumpkin

1/2 sugar

1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

2 1/2 cups of cool whip topping thawed

1 graham cracker pie crust or 6 individuals crusts

mini chocolate chips (optional)

Make it

Beat cream cheese, pumpkin, sugar and pumpkin pie spice with electric mixer until well blended.

Gently stir in cool whip.

Spoon mixture into crust. Top with mini chocolate chips.

Refrigerate 3 hours or over night.

Wishing you all a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

The Junk Mammas

Happy Birthday

2010-10-04T11:39:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Junk Mamma Jenny!

I won't tell anyone that you are 40 today, oh I mean 39!

Weekend finds

2010-10-02T18:51:00.000-07:00

Despite the crazy evening I spent with blogger last night, I did manage to hit a couple of sales and score some goods early this morning.

I got this cute cabinet that opens with little cubbies inside. Not as all sure what to put inside it, but these images below from Pottery Barn should help inspire me.

Also, picked up some misc. glassware and a pair of shutters. Shutters seem to suck me whenever I see them. Hope there was some junkin going on in your weekend!

The Junk Mammas

New look

2010-10-01T21:49:00.000-07:00

This was my first attempt at a new look for our blog, without a clue what I was doing. The whole process was very confusing and turned out not so great. Please bear with us as we may need to get some professional help. :)

The Junk Mammas

Junkin @ JUNK BONANZA

2010-09-19T07:31:00.000-07:00

Can I just say- WE LOVED JUNK BONANZA!! We went to the cites on Wednesday night, and were up bright and early on Thursday. Headed to Canterbury Park around 7:00 a.m., to insure we had a good spot in line.

I wasn't great at taking pictures, my hands were literally full of the stuff, we made one trip back to the car to unload.

They had the coolest junk there, and the jewelry was incredible. The place was one great vendor after the next. You know how you find one cool booth at a flea market or art fair, this whole entire place had great stuff.

Can not wait until next year!!

The Junk Mammas

Good times

2010-09-11T20:15:00.000-07:00

Spent a great day with friends last Saturday. We went to the Burr Oak Winery for the fall festival to start our day. Wine tasting, lunch and even some grape stomping.

Next stop was the outlet mall in Wisconsin Dells, where few deals were to be had.

Last, dinner at Monks. This is one of my all time favorite places to eat in the dells, they have a philly cheese steak that is to die for.

Was home by 9:00 and in bed around 10:00.

The Junk Mammas

Junk Bonanza

2010-09-01T19:56:00.001-07:00

Junk Bonanza here we come...Just received our early bird tickets and we are on the count down until we go on the 16th. If your planning on attending let us know, we love to meet fellow bloggers.

The Junk Mammas

Barn Sale

2010-08-31T13:51:00.001-07:00

We are vendors this year, last year we were just shoppers. If you are in our neck of the woods please stop by and say hello and check out all the really fabulous JUNK!

The Junk Mammas

It's almost here

2010-08-30T20:02:00.001-07:00

With school starting on Wednesday fall is just around the corner. With fall comes one of our favorite holidays ~Halloween. While paging through some new catalogs I can across some great things for the season.

Love these shortbread cookie fingers from William Sonoma. They look pretty easy to make and would make a ghoulish table accent.

Who doesn't love PB kids? They have a Halloween count down calender and I love the other stuff in this picture like the word BOO under the cloches.

PB kids also has these decals, I think these would be pretty simple to pull off. The Internet has some great free clip art.

Love these white painted pumpkins by Martha Stewart, I will hopefully have some time this fall to paint a few.

The Junk Mammas

Maddie's Pink Party

2010-08-23T19:19:00.002-07:00

My baby just turned 6 years old last week and we celebrated in Pink!

A purple pinata was turned pink with a little cut up tissue paper.

Above the birthday girl was taking a break from it all.

In the back ground you can barely see the banner I made for a previous birthday party with pink scrapbook paper.

I filled my shade tent ceiling with pink balloons, streamers, paper pom poms and a chandelier I picked up a few years ago from a sale.

The table cloth was made from pink fabric with a little ball fringe and I just used dishes and stuff I had around the house and filled them with anything pink I could find.

For lunch the girls had jelly sandwiches cut into shapes, grape kabobs, bugles and strawberry soda.

The Junk Mammas

Target fabulous find

2010-08-22T15:27:00.000-07:00

I saw these cute canisters shopping at Target today. Can I justify the price tag of $51.97 for all three. I do have birthday money left. I'd better decide soon cause everything cute flies out of our Target.

The Junk Mammas

Gracie's 7th Birthday Party

2010-08-16T10:30:00.000-07:00

We celebrated my daughters 7th birthday this past weekend. Thankfully the weather cooperated, because I didn't plan for an inside party. It was wet and humid when I set up in the morning and I was really fretting over where to have the party inside or outside. Once I decided things fell into place.

My daughter picked a bird theme. Really. She has been into birds for about a year, so I went with it before she changed her mind to Pokemon.

The table was set up for to make bird houses, I love to start with a craft, it seems to settle the kids down a little bit. Even my neighbor commented how quiet the 8 kids were being. I used chairs and bedspreads that had been picked up from the the curb or garage sales to set the table. The party chandelier was made using the tissue paper pom poms and lanterns from Micheal's. Some of the pom poms I made from this tutorial and some were from the Martha Stewart kit.

The birdhouses the kids made looked cute hanging on the fence drying.

I also sewed the pendent garland. I was going to make some more they were kinda fun to make. Last minute I decided to make a mini garlands for the birdcages. I also used the leftover fabric to embellish the gift bags with a simple bird motif. The favor included a bird whistle and lip gloss or toy airplane. The bird whistle you fill with water and they really sound like birds chirping. I purchased them off amazon.

The project that nearly killed me was the pinata. Last week the weather was very humid, and the paper mache layers took forever to dry. I am an impatient crafter, so this was not a favorite project for me. I had to enlist my husband at the end to put the hanger in it. So if you make a pinata plan accordingly.

Another party for the memory book.

The Junk Mammas

Pickles

2010-08-05T12:40:00.001-07:00

Refrigerator pickles are a quick, easy and a delicious way to use extra cumbers. Mine uses 2 cups of sugar, 1 cup vinegar, a teaspoon of course salt and some dill sprigs. (cucumbers and onions of course)

I put everything except the dill in a sauce pan, bring to a boil and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Next, I pour it over my cut up cucumbers and onions, add some dill and refrigerate overnight. By morning you have flavorful pickles and as they are eaten you can keep adding cucumbers to the mix.

The Junk Mammas

Picnic clean up tip

2010-07-29T07:38:00.000-07:00

Growing up we went on alot of picnics. Parks and kids equal dirt. And my mother always packed a soapy water jar for cleaning up us kids. Wipes just can't handle the job when the kids are really dirty. Now I do the same. I find it easiest to use a wide mouth jar, so I can get my hand in it easily. I add a few drops of dish soap, fill'er up with water, and drop in a dishcloth. Now your set. Picnic on!!

It was a good morning!

2010-07-15T06:55:00.000-07:00

I found the new Country Home magazine the other day at Walmart. Yippeee! It wasn't cheap $12.99, but Walmart does discount magazines. So my perfect morning included Country Home, iced latte, a raspberry white chocolate scone and watching my kids ride there bike up and down the block. Ahh summer!

Junk Mammas

Craigslist find

2010-07-10T14:51:00.001-07:00

Here is my latest craigslist score, a Broyhill coffee table for $40.00. The seller had the end tables when I first looked at it, but they were gone by the time I was ready to make the purchase.

While I don't love the finish, this table has great bones I love the rounded legs, square top and it's the perfect size to accessorize and leave a space for the kids to play.

I usually sit on my projects a while, but this one I wanted to get started on right away. I sanded it down to bare wood on the top only. The legs I left because I was planning on painting them. I choose a dark stain for the top, Ace Hardware brand Jacobean.

I used 2 coats of stain and 3 coats of poly on the top. Next on to the legs, I painted those cottage white with Behr paint plus primer 2 coats.

Here is the finished project, I might distress the legs a little, but for now I am just enjoying a project I have completed.

The Junk Mammas

New Camera

2010-07-05T19:53:00.000-07:00

About a month ago I bought a new camera, the Canon PowerShot SD1400 IS. Don't let the size fool you, this camera takes some great pictures, in addition to being super small and easy to carry.

It also has a great feature on it, where you can pick a color from your subject and the rest of the picture appears in black and white.

Below is a picture I took of some pink peonies my mom brought me.

This camera comes in different colors and for under $300.00 complete with case and memory card this camera is a winner in my book.

The Junk Mammas

Lordy Lordy one of the Junk Mammas is "40"

2010-07-01T01:00:00.000-07:00

You say it's your birthday.......

New years eve 13+ years ago, the Junk Mammas knew how to live it up.

Mad scientist for Halloween, one of our favorite holidays and costumes!

years before we were 3 blind mice, not sure who or where the 3rd mouse was.

Here's the birthday girl posing for a shot. Happy Birthday my dear friend Kim!!!!

Remember 40 is the new 20!

The Junk Mammas(Jen)

Lego Party

2010-06-19T06:10:00.000-07:00

My son is turning 8 and loves Lego's, so we decided to have a Lego party theme. This year we had the party at Chuck E Cheese so I didn't have to go all out on the decorations, but here are a few things I put together to make the party special.

Lego gift bag tags- I got some Lego's at a rummage sale, and made the kids initials on each tag out of Lego's with the help of my hot glue gun.

Picks for the cupcakes- store bought cupcakes with picks I made from a printout I found online of Lego guys. Hot glued tooth picks to the back and just stuck them in.

Table decor- used an old pop crate I had and added a sign to the front that said Sam's 8 in Lego's. Got some primary colored balloons and napkins, then scattered the table with some misc. Lego's.

We are having a family party for him on Tuesday, I am going to attempt to make a Lego cake. If it turns out I will share the photos.

The Junk Mammas

French Provincial Chalk Boards

2010-06-07T18:51:00.000-07:00

Kristen from California, purchased these chalk boards from our Etsy store and used them at her wedding. They were used on the bride and groom chairs and we think they look incredible! What a great idea!!!

Thanks for sharing with us Kristen and congratulations!

The Junk Mammas

Weekend project

2010-05-30T06:26:00.001-07:00

I found this at a rummage sale close to my house about a month ago. Paid $20.00 for this little table, a desk for my sons room and a chair. I saw one of these on someones blog painted and thought it was really cute, otherwise I probably would have passed it up. I had been looking for a small night stand for my daughters room with storage and thought this would work.

I started painting before I took a picture, but above is the before.

Found this little drawer pull at Anthropology for $4.00, it had plaid fabric in it. I switched it out with my bargain Pottery Barn Kids bedding fabric.

Painted it pink, and now it's ready for Maddie's room! Linking this up to Just A Girl's show and share day.

The Junk Mammas

Red, White and Blue

2010-05-25T06:31:00.000-07:00

Feeling a little Red, white and blue today.

photos-William Sonoma, Martha Stewart and Country Home

The Junk Mammas

Garden markers

2010-05-20T06:21:00.000-07:00

The time has finally come for some real planting. Last night, I planted my vegetable garden and some herbs. In the past I have not marked stuff, but I have seen some really cute plant markers in blogland so I decided to make me some this year.

I picked out some old knives I had and glued scrabble letters to them with E6000.

Longer words might be a problem, but I really think they turned out neat. Veggies and herbs not your thing, try using a word like "grow" and placing it in a pot with flowers.

The Junk Mammas

Elkhorn review

2010-05-19T04:46:00.000-07:00

We loved the Elkhorn Flea Market. It was huge with many fabulous items that we bought and a lot more we didn't bring home.

One of our favorite finds were these architectural pieces. Both Jenny and I bought two each. We actually got from two different vendors that both told us they came from the Wrigley house in Rockford, IL. So it must be true, we just thought they were cool.

We also met a few bloggers. Jan from Gracie's Cottage was just too sweet. We bought grain sacks from her. She had the fabulous idea to turn the grain sacks into floor clothes. I didn't get a picture of that, dah. But great idea.

Her booth was so busy it was hard to even snap a picture of her wonderful treasures.

We also met Joan and Mr. Anything Goes Here from Anything Goes Here. She also had some fabulous goodies. So if you are ever in the area be sure to check these lovely ladies at the Elkhorn Flea Market. We can't wait to go again

The Junk Mammas

Where is your favorite flea market?

2010-05-13T16:49:00.000-07:00

Unfortunally, we live in an area where flea markets are far and between. We have to travel 2-3 hours either way to find one with more then 50 venders.

This coming up weekend we are heading to one in Elk Horn Wisconsin. We are going on a road trip or a mini vacation as we call it. We are leaving on Satruday afternoon, staying the night and coming home around suppertime on Sunday.

If you are in the area you should check it out, we will give you the scoop next week on what we found.

From what I have read it is suppose to be one of Wisconsins finest with over 500 inside and outside venders and great food.

If you have been to it, we would love to hear from you. Otherwise tell us where your favorite flea market it.

The Junk Mammas

Wind chimes

2010-05-08T11:56:00.000-07:00

Worked on some wind chimes the past couple of days to add to my mothers day gifts. I took old rusty/chippy paint door hinges and added silverware with fishing line. I pounded the silverware flat, and did a lot of it-so I have extra to use for other projects as well.

My husband drilled the holes in the silverware, but I think you could make it by just tying the line onto the silverware.

For a little touch of whimsy I added a few keys into the mix. Love the sound it makes when the wind blows and it is supper cute also!

The Junk Mammas

Quick Mothers Day projects

2010-05-06T15:26:00.001-07:00

Worked on some quick and fun Mother's Day projects today.
Found this old coffee pot, took out the guts and planted this cute pansy in it. Added a cute tag.

Love this little red lunch box, it makes the perfect planter. We are adding this to the Frugal Friday party @ The Shabby Nest and Funky Junk Interiors Saturday Nite Special, come check out all of the great stuff.

The Junk Mammas

It was a windy day here!

2010-05-05T11:19:00.001-07:00

And a tree on the boulevard fell onto my van. Very minor damage to my beater and no one was hurt. ;-)My son thought it was exciting to watch them remove it. Sad to see the tree gone, but we can plant another. So much for a quiet day at home.

The Junk Mammas

Let the gardening begin

2010-05-01T07:07:00.000-07:00

image from Katy Elliott

The last day of frost on average for our area of the country is May 5th. Oh yah, let the gardening begin. Now I really love the look of cottage gardens like above, but truth be told I am really not that great at this gardening thing. Since we moved in a over eight years ago, I have planted umpteen perennials that have not returned. We have sandy soil and I lose gusto for watering plants. But I am ready to try some more. I do however do a decent job at container gardening, it is quicker and easier in my mind.

I do feel the cottage garden needs a little junk for character. So I added a little junk to my fence. This crusty mailbox thingy was found for 2 bucks at a garage sale and I thought it would look cute hanging on my gate with flowers planted in it. I planted bacopa, geraniums, and pansies. Now let's hope the kids don't knock it off. Now if I could only talk someone into painting my fence white.

The Junk Mammas

Laundry

2010-04-25T02:02:00.000-07:00

While I was rummaging last weekend I spotted this silver basket with wheels. I decided for $2.00 I could do something with it. I searched online and found one just like it with a liner for $49.00 and of course the super cute Pottery Barn one for $89.00.

Pottery Barn

I am always looking for places to put our laundry, with a family of 4 it seems to really pile up. Cute wicker hampers seem to be a thing of the past, or they are really expensive.

So with my new sewing class under my belt I thought I could attempt the liner with some muslin I picked up.

Here's my new hamper, it is so handy I am hoping to find another one someday.

Junk Mammas

Fabulous Find

2010-04-22T10:38:00.000-07:00

Sandal is season is here. Time to get those toes pretty again.

I tried Sally Hansen's new Complete Manicure Nail Polish and loved it. It claims to be a complete manicure in a bottle. Five steps in one bottle, base coat, strengthener, growth treatment, color, top coat. It also had a new style brush, that I liked.

I picked some up at Target, and I was impressed. I have had it on over a week with no chips or no wear with just two coats of polish. Our Target didn't have the greatest selection of colors, but the Sally Hansen web site does have quite a few. I picked out Commander in Chic and Pedal to the Metal. Check it out

The Junk Mammas

Quick $1.00 project

2010-04-08T13:56:00.001-07:00

Picked this piece up at a thrift sale last year for $1.00. I originally intended to use it for a ribbon holder, but it just didn't hold enough ribbon. I have been looking for a paper towel holder, but haven't been able to find one I like. They all seem to be black rod iron, or chrome.

So, I cut off the arms and the base was just the perfect size for a paper towel roll. I may paint it in the future, but for now, I like the dark wood.

Added this to The Shabby Nest's frugal Friday Party, check out all the great ideas over there.

The Junk Mammas

Man Cave

2010-04-05T03:24:00.000-07:00

I think we all have one of these in our house, unfortunally for me ours is not in the basement. My husband occupies our den which is right off the dinning room and the walk way to our main floor bathroom. 3 deer, a bear, a turkey, and some ducks adorn this lovley space. Plus, my husband uses this room as his catch all place, hunting clothes, books, even his everyday clothes at times are in there for everyone to enjoy. :)

My challenge was finding some storage, something inexpensive that I could transform into a stylist piece of furniture. I am going for a sort of english study looking room, with wildlife and a Pottery Barn twist- not sure if that is even possible, but here is my first project.

I picked up this dresser for $50.00 at a local furniture store, they had a trade in sale and this was the best I have been able to find for the money.

Today, I painstakingly painted it black. It is sort of an MDF material, so needless to say the painting didn't go so well. I sanded and repainted mulitple spots to just get the paint to stick. After inhaling all the fumes, I went to purchase pulls for the drawers, I came home with 6 pulls because I have 6 drawers right, wrong each drawer needs 2 pulls so tomorrow Iwill be off to the hardware store.

Stay turned for the finished product and some other touches I picked up for the room.

The Junk Mammas

Happy Easter~

2010-04-04T05:44:00.000-07:00

Wishing you and your family a Happy Easter!

The Junk Mammas

Fairy House

2010-04-01T04:40:00.000-07:00

Since Spring break is this week, I knew I needed a few things planned for my daughter to keep her from wanting a friend over everyday. We decided on making a fairy house I seen a few years back on a blog everything nice.

We got all our supplies at Micheal's and I already had the moss and saucer at home. My daughter painted the bird house I mean fairy house. And I hot glued everything else as she directed me to the correct placement. We left it outside for the fairies to pay a visit and leave a note with a little fairy dust. But the fairy forgot to stop by last night, so she was running around at 6:30 this morning leaving a quick note about how much she liked her new house. I was thinking that it would make a nice gift for my niece's birthday, if I bundled up all the supplies for her and her mom to make together.

We are enjoying a week of abnormally high temps around here. It is suppose to be close to 80 today normal high of 50. I am not prepared. So I am off to locate where are the shorts and sandals have gone. Hoping they still fit from last year.

The Junk Mammas

Lamps

2010-03-25T17:39:00.000-07:00

I love this Pottery Barn Lamp!

And this one from Layla Grayce! I just couldn't spent $100.00 on a lamp, so I decided to try and make my own version.

First of all, I love the cream chippy paint on these, paired with a crisp clean shade. I knew I needed to find just the right base to start. The one below was found at Walmart for $5.00 on clearance, it wasn't the right color or tall enough, but the price was right and I thought it had a similar shape the expensive ones.

I started by adding a block on the bottom to make it taller, just cut a square of scrap wood we had in the garage and glued in on. (didn't end up using the wood on the finished project) Next, I coated it all with cream paint and added a crackle coat once it dried. Last, I applied my umber and sanded lightly.

Finished it off with a $15.00 burlap shade from Target and whala! My $20.00 lamp is finished!
Adding this to My Romantic Home Show and Tell, Stop over and see all of the great stuff. Also, added to Kimba's DIY, check out all the great ideas!!!

The Junk Mammas

Sewing 101

2010-03-04T09:20:00.000-08:00

We started our sewing class this week and we are very exited! This is one thing that we have both wanted to do for a long time, especially seeing all the great stuff you all make with you sewing machines.

We headed to class with all our supplies in hand, like little kids on the first day of school. Kinda funny how that old feeling of butterflies came back. We are in serious need of instruction because I seem to fight with my bobbin and Jenny has trouble remembering how to thread her machine .

We walked into class winded from dragging our sewing machines to the third floor and picked a place to sit. The instructor greeted us as we got settled. We were confused what she said. The instructor speaks with a heavy Russian accent. Even though my mother-in law speaks fluent Russian, I know about to two words of the language. I thought, this is going to be interesting, we don't understand sewing terms already. It just takes a few seconds some times to process what she is saying. And she is funny.

What did we learn after our first class, I still have bobbin issues and Jenny has learned to thread her machine.

Wish us luck, we are going to need it!

The Junk Mammas

Sunday afternoon

2010-02-22T07:16:00.000-08:00

This is how a spent a hour or so Sunday afternoon. Reading and drinking, Ohhh, to bad my house was a cluttered mess of toys and projects yet to be completed. I just found a spot that was cleared off and perused my magazines.

I found Flea Market Style at my local Walmart Saturday morning. And I absolutely recommend Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea. I bought it at the Starbucks in Barnes and Noble. I love love love it. They sell it by the cup or you can buy the tin. Give it a try if you like cinnamon. Funny how a cup of tea and magazines can make you just so happy.

The Junk Mammas

Easter with Martha

2010-02-17T08:00:00.000-08:00

While browsing the Martha Stewart web-site I found some inspiration for Easter decorating.
I want to make an egg garland this year, love this.

I have made these carrots before and they work great with cheetos or cheddar bunny crackers inside also.

Hope you're inspired!

The Junk Mammas

Spring wreaths

2010-02-15T09:26:00.000-08:00

Although, it is snowing here I am searching the web for a spring wreath to make for my front door.

Love this wreath @Maryjanes and Galoshes

She used brown paper bags to create this beauty.

Good Housekeeping

The eggs are a cute touch on the bottom of this one with the word welcome. They could be easily be removed and something else added in their place.

Haru's shop Etsy

Found this one on Etsy and the bright colors caught my eye.

What's dressing up your front door these days?

The Junk Mammas

Valentines day across blog land

2010-02-05T19:07:00.000-08:00

We have spied some pretty cute stuff around blog land for valentines day, check out a few of our favorite ideas.

Clothes pin clip magnets @live.life.create.art.

Cotton candy ice cream cones @la*T* da.

Framed scrabble letter frame from Melissa at 320 Sycamore

Heart shaped paper clips from How about orange. I needed a video to figure this out.
Paper clip hearts video

Cute devil shirt that I saw about two years ago. Haven't made it, but my little devil could use it.

The Junk Mammas

Mac

2010-02-04T06:20:00.000-08:00

This is our sweet little puppy Mac. He grew from the above picture to the one below in literally weeks. At about 10 months old and 70+ pounds, he has turned into a BEAST! He has chewed and ruined shoes, my foam pots outside, the bean bags he used to use as a bed, and legos seem to be his favorite snack.

We are starting our 1st day of training classes today at the Humane Society. Did you know most Humane Society's offer training, and it's about half the cost of the puppy classes at other places.

Since we missed the puppy kindergarten, we have to start with one on ones. After last weekends incidents, I knew I didn't have a choice. My husband gave me a week to find training for me, the kids, and Mac of course. (Mac doesn't seem to listen as well to us) Sam my 7 year old happened to be in the path of Mac on Sunday and was bumped into the coffee table, liquid stitches and a black eye, made me decide we needed more control over him now!

Wish me luck.

The Junk Mammas

Amaretto Chunk Cookies

2010-01-19T08:18:00.000-08:00

I found this recipe in a magazine a couple years ago. I really like them, I loved the coconut in them. Try them out

Amaretto Chunk Cookies

Prep 30 minutes plus cooling
Bake about 10 minutes per batch
Makes about 4 dozen cookies

2 1/2 cups - all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon - baking soda
1 teaspoon - baking powder
1/2 teaspoon - salt
1 cup - butter or margarine (2 sticks), softened
1 cup - packed brown sugar
1/2 cup - granulated sugar
2 - large eggs
1 tablespoon - Amaretto Lliqueur
2 teaspoons - almond extract
2 cups - semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup - sweetened flaked coconut
1 cup - sliced almonds

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. On waxed paper, combine flour, baking soda, baking
powder, and salt.
2. In large bowl, with mixer at medium speed, beat butter and sugars until creamy.
Beat in eggs, amaretto, and extract. Reduce speed to low; beat in flour mixture just
until blended. Stir in chocolate chips, coconut, and almonds.
3. Drop dough by heaping measuring table-spoons, 2 inches apart, on ungreased
large cookie sheet. Bake cookies 10 to 12 minutes or until golden around edges.
Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool.
4. Repeat with remaining dough. Store cookies in tightly covered container at room
temperature up to 1 week, or in freezer up to 3 months.
Note: each cookie contains about 145 calories, 2 g protein, 17 g carbohydrate, 8 g
total fat (4 g saturated), 1 g fiber, 20 mg cholesterol, and 105 rng sodium.

We are adding this to Kimba's DIY- check out all of the great stuff from your fellow bloggers.

The Junk Mammas

Chalk board labels

2010-01-17T05:55:00.000-08:00

I know you have probably seen these a million times, they are everywhere. I wanted some chalk board labels to put on my sugar and flour jars. I have checked everywhere, and even looked online and was unable to find what I was looking for. One day at the dollar store I found some green chalk board stickers. I really wanted black, but they were removable, Wallie things I wanted. I thought I could paint them with some chalkboard paint I had at home. They were only $1.00 and if it didn't work I wouldn't be out much.

So I took out my black chalk board paint and went to work. After 2 coats and a couple of hours they were ready to cut. I did let them dry overnight before writing on them.

The Junk Mammas

W.S. Valentine wreath

2010-01-07T15:02:00.000-08:00

I finally did it. I made a wreath I have been gushing over for the past year. The William Sonoma Valentine wreath.

First, I searched the Internet for some free valentine images. I then printed them on card stock and cut them out.

Next, I took a green foam wreath I purchased for a couple of dollars and covered it with some red ticking fabric strips.

Last, I placed my cards on the wreath, glued them on and added a polka dot ribbon for hanging. For a couple of dollars and an hour of my time, I added a new addition to my valentine decorations. We are also adding this to Show and tell Friday@ My Romantic Home, and Kimba's DIY. Stop over to both of these places and check out the great stuff.

The Junk Mammas

Wishing you and your family.....

2009-12-31T05:45:00.000-08:00

A very Safe and Happy New Year! See all of you in 2010!

The Junk Mammas

Christmas 2009 has come and gone

2009-12-27T06:22:00.000-08:00

Ok, so we fell off of the blogger wagon. Sickness in December totally put a damper on my Christmas spirit. I did manage to send out a few cards and the tree finally did get put up and then I broke the top off of it. It was just one of those years. But the kids enjoyed the season, that's all that matters in my book.

Now I am just relaxing with the kids watching cartoons and playing games in front of the tree. I typically wait till the New Year to take down my tree and decorations, but it is just cluttering my house and the broken top is just bugging me. But I am just to lazy to remove myself from the couch to clean anything up yet. I must be in a food coma.

I did decorate my dining room and porch before the sickness over took my house. So I will share my pictures. Enjoy the rest of the holiday season.

The Junk Mammas

Stocking re-vamp

2009-12-08T08:21:00.000-08:00

I bought these plain stockings a few years ago and always thought they looked like they were missing something. I saw in a magazine were they had button initials on the stockings and loved that idea. So last night I started on mine.

I hot glued the buttons in place, sewing would probably have been a better option, especially if you want to change them later on. But, I was looking for instant results. As it was, it still took me some time to do one and I have 3 more to go.

I love the way that it added a personalized touch, and I think it would on any stocking you have. I will post a picture once I get the others finished.

We are adding this to Kimbas DIY party, stop by and check out all the other great ideas.

The Junk Mammas

Christmas decorating take 2

2009-12-05T14:10:00.001-08:00

Here are some random projects I have been working on in my house. Love that burlap webbing stuff from Walmart. I used it outside as well, on my door wreath and basket on my screen door.

Below, is a little tree I put in my living room. Unfortunately, we don't have a lot of room for our big tree in there, that always goes in the dinning room. This year I wanted one is the living room as well.

I used homemade stuff on this tree, birds cut out of music, old spindles and some clock faces I found somewhere online. Love my old bucket I got at an estate sale this summer, I was looking for a way to use it in the house!

Off to work on the big tree, we finally got it today.

The Junk Mammmas

Christmas decorating

2009-12-04T11:54:00.000-08:00

All over blog land everyone seems to have put up their Christmas decorations already, do some of you sleep. Yeeek, I better get going. We got about an inch of snow last night, so I am glad I got up my outside decorations earlier this week when it was 50 degrees out. I'll share some pics so I too look like I am doing something instead sitting on my butt.

Oh yes, my 3 year old son also has taken to helping decorate.

The Junk Mammas

Wishing you all...

2009-11-25T18:31:00.000-08:00

A very happy and safeThanksgiving.

The Junk Mammas

Pumpkin gingerbread trifle

2009-11-20T18:40:00.000-08:00

Looking for something new to try for Thanksgiving. Check out Paula Dean's recipe @ the Food Network. The recipe looks super easy to make and delicious, plus it received hundreds of wonderful reviews.

At a recent show we did, the booth next to us had fresh cranberries she was dipping in warm Carmel, which were to die for. We thought that would make a fun snack for holiday entertaining.

The Junk Mammas

Favorite things party!

2009-11-19T06:40:00.000-08:00

We are joining the party @ 320 Sycamore- Favorite things. Here goes with the Junk Mamma's favorite things.

Rimmel 60 second dry nail polish, it's a great polish and inexpensive. Nice colors and it works well for wiggly little toes and fingers that want to be painted also.

Yankee Candles, love the smell of candles in the house. A few of our favorite scents are Home for the Holidays, Midsummers night, Clean Linen.....

Things with a polka dot pattern. Red, black and white, brown. Dishes, fabric, rain boots, dish towels.... We love polka dots.

Flannel jammie bottoms, I even take my kids to school in them.

Mini Babybel light cheese rounds. Yummy to snack on.

Can't wait to see what everyone else has on their list!

The Junk Mammas

Upstairs hallway project

2009-11-17T17:13:00.000-08:00

Today, I started to tackle one of my projects. This has been an ongoing thing for literally years. I have been collecting frames to make a wall collage of the kids, dogs and our whole family if we have room.

I first started by mapping out the area I selected for my frames. I cut out pieces of paper the same size as the frames and taped them on the wall. This way you can get a feel of how they will work and move things around before the hole making starts. I really hate this step, but I knew if I wanted my husband to help me it had to be done.

Below, they started to go up one by one.

Here is the finished project for now. Not quite finished, but better then the frames stacked in my hallway. I need to pick out more pictures to fill the frames, and if I would have taken his picture a little higher you would see I have some space yet to go for it to be complete.

Check out Kimba's site for other DIY projects.

The Junk Mammas

W.S Love

2009-11-09T18:18:00.000-08:00

Every time I get a new William Sonoma catalog I seem to have to blog about it. The stuff in there is so darn cute. Love these snowflake cookie cutters.

Wish we had a store close to us, I would love to try the pops.

My favorite is the wreath. They have made one for a few holidays now using the same concept of vintage images or cards. I need to make one. Christmas might just be the time.

The Junk Mammas

Halloween 2009 take 2

2009-11-02T15:10:00.000-08:00

Costumes at our house this year seemed to be a little challenging. My daughter has wanted to be Hannah Montana since last year, so I finally gave in on that one and my son was undecided until around a week ago.

Maddie's costume just sort of happened. She had a lot of the stuff already and I purchased a wild shirt in juniors @ Walmart. The shirt turned out to be a Mylie Cyrus shirt, which I didn't even realize until I cut the tags off of it. The wig was a $3.00 bargain and thank goodness that is all I paid for it. I finally got it to stay better by putting in a ponytail with her real hair. But I still heard all night how itchy it was, so needless to say it didn't get worn much and will not be worn again.

Sam was my labor intensive costume. I ripped strips upon strips of fabric, then dyed it with Rid color tan. Next, I took some long underwear I purchased and began hot gluing strips on one by one. With a few nasty burns and a little cutting and stretching we had a mummy.

Tip for anyone using hot glue on something like this, stretch it while you are making it. There is not a lot of give once it has been glued. For the head piece I ended up using ribbon with strips glued on. I originally bought a ski mask and glued, etc. and found out it didn't fit his head once I was done.

The Junk Mammas

Halloween 2009

2009-11-02T05:43:00.000-08:00

After dealing with the H1N1 for the past three weeks, I did manage to make a peacock costume for my daughter. She has wanted to be a peacock for about 6 months, there was no talking her out of it. Excuse the poor pictures, kids and pictures on Halloween don't mix.

In process

So as a crafty Mom I broke out my hot glue gun and started to glue feathers to a cheap pair of fairy wings that I covered with black felt. Of course I glued my poor fingers a few times, man that hurts. I made a easy tutu for the skirt. And she was a happy peacock. My kids told me that is was the best Halloween ever a few times as we were trick or treating. That made gluing my fingers worth it.

This was after trick or treating, so we are a little disheveled .

And I can't leave out my little champ.

The Junk Mammas

Lack of blogging

2009-10-25T19:34:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of posts this month. Sickness has taken over our homes in one form or another. Hope to be back this week!!!

The Junk Mammas

Easy and yummy snack

2009-10-12T07:04:00.000-07:00

My mom made Pumpkin Pie Crunch for my son's birthday party this past weekend. It was delicious, I ate it for breakfast the next morning. If I wasn't home with a sick child I'd be running to the store the for the ingredients today. Give it a try I am sure you will love it.

Pumpkin Pie Crunch

Ingredients:
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 cup butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups Cinnamon Chex cereal
2 cups Wheat Chex cereal
2 cups Honey Nut Chex cereal
8 oz pecans

Preparation Steps:
In small bowl, mix brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice; set aside. In small microwave-safe dish, microwave butter on High about 30 seconds or until melted. Stir in vanilla. In large microwavable bowl, mix all cereals and pecans. Pour butter mixture over cereal mixture, stirring until evenly distributed. Add sugar and spice mixture and stir until coated.
Microwave uncovered on High 5 minutes or until mixture begins to brown, stirring every minute. Spread on wax paper or a cookie sheet to cool. Store in airtight container.

We are adding this to Kimba's DIY party, head over there for some other yummy recipes and projects.

The Junk Mammas

W.S. Halloween

2009-10-06T11:05:00.001-07:00

William Sonoma Halloween.... check it out! They have the most wonderful stuff. I love the wreath with the vintage Halloween images, such a simple idea that is so cute.

The Junk Mammas

They say it's your birthday!

2009-10-05T03:20:00.000-07:00

Help me to wish Junk Mamma Jenny a Happy Birthday.

Cranberry Fest

2009-09-27T06:19:00.000-07:00

September is fading away fast. We knew it would. But it is also the month of festivals in our area. Applefest, Cranberry Festival, Oktoberfest and so on.

Our annual excursion to CranFest was a little different this year. It has a flea market, farmer's market, and craft booths for miles. It was fun, but just not the same good "junk". You just never know unless you attend, but the food is always good. Like frozen cheesecake dipped in chocolate on a stick.

We of course did manage to find a few treasures along the way. And I even remembered to take a few picture this time.

These crates were very reasonably priced too, but they didn't go home with us.

I am not sure what this guy's story was but his car was quite the interesting.

Look, it's a lantern tree.

We both purchased junk girl charms, which we hunted down after seeing some woman wearing a similar one, and managed to find a few other treasures.

The Junk Mammas

4th Annual Barnyard Sale

2009-09-19T08:53:00.000-07:00

We headed out this morning to an annual barnyard sale. We had heard about it in the past, but this was the 1st time we have been able to go. There was a lot of stuff, and really great stuff at good prices.

They had vintage items, antiques, shabby chic, GOOD JUNK, pumpkins.... The list goes on and on.

Next year, we would love to be a vendor here.

If you happen to be in our neck of the woods, the sale still has 2 more weekends left. Saturday September 26th and October 3rd open from 9-5. Follow the signs from Coon Valley, they are located on Oakdale Road in Cashton, WI.

The Junk Mammas

DIY coffee table makeover

2009-09-17T10:13:00.001-07:00

I bought this table for $20.00 at a yard sale. It wasn't really what I was looking for, but I thought it might be cute painted. I sanded it down very lightly just to ruff it up, since it was in pretty good shape.

Next, I used a spray primer to give it a more even surface color, because the wood was so dark and it had the detail on top. Lastly, I applied cream spray paint, wiped on some brown glaze to age it a bit, and topped it off with 2 coats of polyurethane.

For $20.00 I have a new addition to my living room. Stop over to Kimba's @ Soft Place to Land for some other great DIY projects or link up to the party and show off your own.

The Junk Mammas

Blog Land parties

2009-09-15T11:13:00.000-07:00

We often join parties to show off the stuff we have been working on, but also to get some great new ideas for our homes, new recipes, or anything else that might be out there. One of our favorite parties to be part of a is DIY @ A Soft Place to Land each week.

We have joined several times, but last week Kimba choose our post as one of her favorites. We were so excited we wanted to shout out a BIG THANK YOU to Kimba for hosting this fabulous party every week and for including us among many others as your favorite for the week.

If you haven't been there check out Kimba's DIY every Thursday, link up or just enjoy the loads of ideas.

The Junk Mammas

Custom drapes on a budget

2009-09-11T05:00:00.000-07:00

We are linking up with Wendy from the Shabby Nest for a Frugal Friday party.

I wanted a custom curtain treatment, but without the custom price. I found some plain tab top curtains @ Target that were the perfect color, but I didn't like the tab top look and they weren't long enough. So I decided to customize them and sent them out to my seamstress. She cut off the tabs and added some fabric and trim on the top. She work really cheap because she my Mom. I really need to learn to sew.

Now with the tabs gone, I used black clip rings to hang my new custom curtains. I dressed each window for around $30.00 total.

The Junk Mammas

Scrabble anyone-Take two

2009-09-10T10:20:00.000-07:00

We posted this idea earlier this year, but thought we'd share again for Kimba's DIY party.

Our house has no mud room or coat closet near the back door, one of the pitfuls of an older home. But I do have a back porch that I use kinda like a mud room in the warmer months. If you leave your gear out there this time of year it would be frozen. So I had to have a place for the kids to leave there jackets and backpacks inside. I'd love not to have to look at jackets every time I am in the kitchen but you have to make due with what you have sometimes.

I added some hooks to this little wall, but wanted to add the kids names somehow. One day I thought of my scrabble game that was hidden in the basement under my craft stuff. I pondered a good while how to hang them up then it came to me, poster putty. I just stuck a little on the back of each letter and put them on the molding. Now my kids know where there jackets belong. Do they get hung there, about 90% of the time.

The Junk Mammas

Vintage plastic letters

2009-09-01T17:49:00.000-07:00

We recently came into a whole collection of vintage plastic letter and numbers. These are so much fun and the possibilities are endless with these. We are offering a few words for sale in our Etsy shop, but have plenty for custom orders as well.

They are made of a thicker plastic, so that makes them perfect for outside or inside use.

Check out these and the other fun stuff we have been adding to our Etsy shop.

The Junk Mammas

DIY Thursday

2009-08-27T03:07:00.000-07:00

I was pregnant with my first baby and found inspiration for her room in a magazine. That was six year ago, and I still have that magazine. I have issues, really I have issues. I loved the scalloped border painted on the walls. I managed to find a plastic two foot stencil from the local craft store, but I couldn't make it work. So after a couple ideas, I finally came up with using contact paper as a stencil.

I choose two shades of yellow, because I didn't know the sex of the baby at the time. I painted the top yellow down about six inches lower then I wanted to start the scalloped border. My thinking was that it was easier to cover over a lighter color with a darker color then vice verse

Then the fun began. I traced the scallop stencil on to the contact paper and cut it out. The contact paper stencil went around the whole room, so I could just paint without having to move a stencil. The hardest part was leveling the contact paper. Our old house is just not level, so we did just eye balled some parts. One of those laser levels may of helped, but they weren't around then. I painted the second color with a small foam roller and removed the contact paper. I didn't have any residue left from the contact paper and very little paint seeped under the contact paper. I didn't leave the contact paper but overnight, just time to paint enought two coats.

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These waves would be cute to do as well. Visit DIY @ SPTL for more do it yourself ideas.

The Junk Mammas

Pottery Barn Fall

2009-08-24T20:10:00.000-07:00

These remind me of my favorite time of year- Fall. The weather is cooler, my favorite festivals start. Kids go back to school......

Junk Mammas

Wall treatment

2009-08-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

We live in an old house. As many of you old housers know the walls in some rooms can get pretty ugly!

The plaster cracks and chips and once you patch them it is almost impossible to get a nice paintable surface again, short of replacing the plaster with Sheetrock.

Before

Afters

Here is a solution that is cheap, easy and fun to do!

We took a bucket of joint compound(bought at our local hardware store for around $10.00). First, thin the compound out with water to the consistency of pudding. Next, roll it on your walls like paint(you will want to patch any holes or cracks you have first, but they don't need to be perfect). You can pick different napes on the rollers to get the desired texture you are looking for. It's really that simple, and once it dries you can then cover it with your favorite color of paint.

We have done this in several of our rooms and love the way it looks! This treatment would be great in new houses too, giving those flat walls a little more pizazz!

Stop over to Kimba's DYI party and check out some other great ideas!

The Junk Mammas

Hannah Montana Explosion

2009-08-17T17:13:00.001-07:00

We survived the 2nd birthday party in a row, Hannah Montana style. My daughter has been obsessed with her since last year. My husband walked into the house and said we must of had a Hannah Montana explosion in here. He thinks the party themes are getting a little more ridiculous each year, but I love that part.

I think the farther a head you can plan for these parties the more you can get for your money. I bought the goodie buckets last year on clearance after Halloween for $.75 each, and have picking up things here and there to fill them with.

The kids decorated poster board guitars, that I printed off of Nick Jr. com. I used HM ribbon for the straps that I bought at Michael's for $1.00 a spool. Most of the art supplies were stuff we already had in our stash at home.

The poster was from a calander we had in my daughers room, the microphones were made from toliet paper rolls, with balls covered in tin foil on top. I bought the fabric for a few dollars at Walmart and the cupcake gutair cake was purchased there as well.

The party was a hit and not so bad on the budget either!

The Junk Mammas

Hello Kitty Birthday Party

2009-08-16T05:01:00.000-07:00

My daughter's 6th birthday party was this past Saturday. After many discussions she decided on a Hello Kitty roller skating party. This was the first time we haven't had it at the house. It is way easier, but there is just something I really enjoy about planning the food, games, and decorations. I missed making some decorations, but that doesn't mean we didn't bring some with us.

We used some of the typical party supplies a Hello Kitty table cloth, napkins and plates. But we added a unique floral centerpiece, which I think turned out pretty cute if I say so myself. I borrowed roller skates from a friend and placed a mason jar in the skate then laced up the skate. I added the water to the jar and a simple grocery store bouquet of flowers. Tucked a extra party invite taped to a skewer into the bouquet. I would of picked up some cute laces for the skate but of course didn't think of that until I was putting it all together.

And of course the favor. My favorite part and can add to the budget quickly. So I try to pick up things on clearance here and there during the year.

Each guest received a Hello Kitty bag with candy, stickers, tattoos, lip gloss, back pack clip, and dipped pretzel rods (birthday must at our house) tied with a note thanking each guest for coming to the party. I found the pink bags at Micheal's, 3 for a buck. Ironed on fusible web onto white felt and cut out the Hello Kitty head shapes and ironed the kitty head to bag. I did melt a couple bags because my iron was too hot and I also placed a tea towel between the iron and the bag to make sure I didn't melt the bag to my iron. Cut out eyes and nose out of black and yellow felt and glued them on because they were so small. Added a purchased flowers, I found a Walmart for a "bow". Sewed her whiskers with black embroidery floss. The bags were complete in one afternoon nap time.

Our daughters birthdays are only a day apart, so watch for the next party.

The Junk Mammas

Zucchini Bread

2009-08-07T17:20:00.000-07:00

I love to grow a garden each year. And like most years, we end up with way to much zucchini.

One of my favorite things to do with it besides grilling it, is making bread.

Here is a quick and easy recipe that I use to make it.

3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
2-3 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup vegtable oil
3 tsp. vanilla extract
3 eggs
2 cups shredded zucchini

Bake 1 hour @ 325 degrees

Recipe makes 2 loaves

*Stir in options that are great with this recipe

walnuts
chocolate chips
pecans

The Junk Mammas

Quick project

2009-08-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

We decided to join the fun @ Kimba's "Do it yourself day". Check out all of the great projects your fellow bloggers have been busy working on.

Today, I made over my shelf in the front hallway. Since I put the house numbers on my back door, I have been itching to do another project with numbers.

Above is the before, the shelf had pegs for hangers and they were not very sturdy. As you can see I am missing a peg.

Here is the after, I attached some hooks that I purchased at Walmart for under $10. Next, I printed out some numbers on my computer to the size that would fit above the hooks. Last, I traced them with carbon paper and used a paint pen to fill them in.

The Junk Mammas

The tale of the 3 legged tray...

2009-08-03T18:03:00.000-07:00

Sliver trays our a weakness for us and when I found one with those fancy legs on the bottom I just had to scoop it up.

I purchased it for $5.00 at a rummage sale. The tray was extremely heavy and had those cute feet on it. I swear I turned it over before I bought it, but low and behold when I got it home I realized it had a leg missing. While it is still a great tray don't get me wrong, I was looking for one just a little different then the ones I already had.

It was no more then a few days later, Kim and I were at a local flea market and she found a beautiful silver tray with the feet. We looked it over and the feet were intact, we weren't going to let that happpen again! When we got to the car we realized one foot was partially broken off.

We got a good laugh out of the whole thing though. The trays are pretty similar, so now I just need to talk her into giving me one of her legs.

The Junk Mammas

Candy bar shortbread

2009-07-30T16:28:00.000-07:00

I found this recipe in my junk mail one day. It was in one of those book offers, I tried it and loved it. I didn't buy the book, but I may try and find it. And it is sure easy. Mix, Cook, and Melt. If you love Toblerone you love this.

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
pinch salt
3 (3.52 oz) Toblerone chocolate bars, coarsely chopped
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Stack 2 baking sheets together and line top sheet with parchment paper.
In a mixer bowl, cream butter and sugar until blended. Add flour and salt and mix to make a stiff dough that does not quite hold together. Pat dough into a 13 x 9 inch pan lined with parchment paper and set pan on prepared baking sheet. Bake until lightly golden, 25 to 40 minutes. Sprinkle chocolate on hot uncut shortbread. Let set about 5 minutes and smear chocolate around. Cut into 2 inch squares and remove cooking to fridge or freezer to set up.

The Junk Mammas

Frugal Friday

2009-07-24T11:59:00.000-07:00

Wendy at the Shabby Nest is having Frugal Friday Party. Who are we to turn down a party?

I have wanted a drop leaf table coffee table for in my living room for a few years now. I wanted an antique one, but was not willing to pay $100 to $200 bucks to then cut down the legs. I just couldn't do it, and I never found one painted the right color.

I found a table on Craig's List in May for $40 bucks. And it sat in the corner of my dining room until last week. I wasn't sure I really liked it, didn't know what color to paint it, blah, blah. I decided just to go for it and had my husband cut the legs down and then pulled out the wood kindergarten chairs Jenny found a church sales for 7 dollar each. Now it is the perfect place for my kids to play games, eat a snack, or color. I am glad we went for it, now should I paint it. What color, it may take me until next summer to decide. So for my $54, I have a sturdy coffee table my kids can use.

The Junk Mammas

Weekend Finds Part -2

2009-07-20T14:17:00.000-07:00

We had a great weekend of junkin, as you can see by some our lastest posts photos. We found this great estate sale in the paper. It said 30's and 40's vintage items. Low and behold the house was filled. Look at the stacks of vintage tableclothes.

She had a ton of ironstone, Chamber pots, pitchers, etc. Kim asked if they minded if we took some photos for the blog. Here our some of the items we left behind. She had some really wonderful stuff.

The Junk Mammas

Weekend Finds

2009-07-18T15:18:00.000-07:00

We hit a few really good sales this weekend. And most were super cheap, love it. Now we need to find homes for all our stuff. I swear one day sometime soon, we will actually do something with our junk and blog about it.

Most of the stuff we found was $1.00 or under, minus the white ironstone chamber pot and pitchers.

Stop by tomorrow and checkout part 2 of our weekend finds, and see what we passed up. Also, head over to and see http://southernhospitality-rhoda.blogspot.com/ for the weekly finds and others.

The Junk Mammas

Greeting, from the land of junk

2009-07-13T09:17:00.000-07:00

The land of junk continues to grow at our houses. Here is junk from the weekend. Lanterns from Walmart on clearance $10.00 each, marked down from $25.00. Silver tray was $5.00. A window with grid screening already in it for $3, a vintage suitcase $5, 2 wood planters $2 for both, 5 finals for $2, rake head for $1, which my son thought I bought him. And the hat stand was a find from Goodwill. I only have plans for the suitcase, a perfect place for my daughter's dress up clothes. She can't get it open without my help, so mean. At least I can then say no dress up clothes without cleaning up the million other toys first.

Check out Rhonda @ Southern Hospitality for others weekend finds.

The Junk Mammas

Price my space at Nesting Place

2009-07-12T13:05:00.001-07:00

The Nester is having a "Price my space party." I decided to use my daughter Maddie's room to share, as most of her stuff was found at a bargain price.

The white bed was found at a rummage sale for $20.00, the pink bedspread at an estate sale for $6.00. Then there is my Pottery Barn Kids bedding. I love that blue bedding. I have had some of this stuff since crib size. I bought it all at 1/2 price or less and picked up a few pieces on Ebay for next to nothing. Basket was an Ebay find, it is Pottery Barn Kids and matches my blue bedding, I bought 2 for under $10.00. The rocking chair was a 1st birthday gift and the pillow was a rummage find for $.50.
The white dresser was my sons that we bought unfinished for around $100.00. Pink bird house and Madeline sign I picked up at TJMAXX on clearance. Both were scratch and dent and paid $3.50 for the bird house and $6.00 for the name sign. The lamp shade is the blue PBK again, and I added some pink ball fringe. I paid $5.00 for the lamp shade, the base is a candle stick base that I bought way back and painted it white.
White wire basket was $1.00 at Salvation Army, and the rabbit jar was a baby gift.

The scalloped shelf is from TJMAXX, it was chipped so I only paid $5.00 for it. I put a fresh coat of pink paint and it's as good as new. Wood rabbit was an after Easter find one year for 75% off.

This room is one of my favorite rooms in our house and one of the smallest. I love the way it turned out and it was all furnished on a budget of less than $200.00.

The Junk Mammas

Summer Ice Tea

2009-07-07T15:36:00.000-07:00

We don't live in the south but I do enjoy iced tea. This is one of my favorite recipes. It really is never the same twice at my house, cause I can't remember what teas I used. Typical fashion for me. I really am liking TAZO Passion tea lately, but use whatever you have on hand.

Choose 10 teas from your cupboard. Eight herbal teas, such as lemon, chamomile, mint, and hibiscus, and mix with one to two bags of Earl Grey or English Breakfast. Hang the tea bags into an 8-cup Pyrex container. Pour boiling water over the tea, and steep for at least 10 minutes. Add 1/4 cup sugar or Splenda, taste, and add more sugar if desired. Add lemon if desired. Even my husband likes this tea. Recipe is from Martha Stewart.

Enjoy!

The Junk Mammas

The door

2009-07-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

I finally did it, I painted my house numbers on my door. I have seen in blog land all of your doors painted with the house numbers. It adds so much to the door.

For those of you who have not seen this done, here's what I did. First, I printed numbers from my computer. Just used ones I found in Word and inlarged them to the size I wanted. Next, I used carbon paper and and taped that and my numbers to the door. I traced over the numbers with a pencil, that left me with an outline of my numbers. Last I filled them in with a paint pen.

I love the way it turned out and it added some much needed charm to my old screen door.

The Junk Mammas

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

2009-07-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Wishing you a very a happy birthday Kim. One more year until the BIG ONE!!!

:) Jenny

Rummage Sale Birthday Party

2009-06-25T14:27:00.000-07:00

A 10 year old girl that attends my daughter's grade school is having a birthday party, so what you may say. Her party is a rummage sale and bake sale to benefit the local humane society. Each guest has been advised they will be helping run the sale and if possible to donate some items. What a socially responsible young girl and a clever idea. Her mother must be proud. You can check out the entire story here. Since the sale is only a few blocks away, I will try to make it to support her cause.

Speaking of kids, the other day I over heard my daughter ask her brother if he'd like to play rummage sale. I had to chuckle, as she set up all her goods all over my living room. It was cute, even if the mess was in left sitting for two days. I guess maybe we have been going to a few sales this summer, but after all we are the Junk Mammas.

Enjoy the weekend.

The Junk Mammas

Junkin finds and a recipe

2009-06-21T07:09:00.000-07:00

Since summer is in full swing our schedules are filling up, so our junkin has slowed a bit this week. I did manage to go to Goodwill and found some things and I did stop at two sales on the way to an outing. It is so hard for me to resist a garage sale sign.

I think I am going to attach a bird house to one end of table leg then put in my garden. Maybe the same for the shovel or maybe I will just hang it on the outside of the garage. Who knows with me. Don't forget to check out all the other finds at the Rhonda's Southern Hospitality.

Someone requested us to share this recipe.

Chicken Delight(Divan)

2 10 oz packages of frozen broccoli

2 cups cooked chicken

2 cans cream of chicken soup

1/2 cup mayo

1 Tbs lemon juice

1/4 tsp curry powder

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup croutons, we use more

1/2 stick butter

2-3 cups cooked rice

Combine soup, lemon juice, mayo and curry in small bowl. Melt butter and mix with croutons for topping. Save for later. In 9x13 greased pan layer cooked rice, broccoli, chicken, soup mixture, and cheese. Top with croutons. Bake @ 350 from 30-45 minutes.

I usually half this recipe for my family and use light soup and mayo. You can play around with the amount of lemon and curry to your taste. And don't forget the croutons because it's the best part.

The Junk Mammas

Gardening

2009-06-16T14:04:00.000-07:00

Planting flowers and growing a vegetable garden are some of our favorite things to do in the summer. We have a large back yard and I have tried to make it cozier with planting along the fence and using non-tradition planters.

We love old garden gates. Below, I used some posts and a gate to make an entrance to my veggie garden .

The black one was found curbside, I used it on my back fence behind some perennials.

I lined my back steps with tin coffee pots that I found and some old buckets. This area does not get a lot of sun so I used impatiens and fern type plants.

Some old washtubs I found rummaging are filled with a fern and some shade blooming flowers.

Kimba's having a garden party @ A Soft Place to Land, stop on over for some great ideas or join the party.

The Junk Mammas

Weekend finds

2009-06-15T05:30:00.000-07:00

Here are some of our junkin finds from this weekend. Although, we only went to a few sales we think we found some pretty good stuff. All the stuff in the picture below was $1.00 or under, most marked $.25. We discovered church sales this year. The stuff is super cheap and there is usually a huge selection. Love it.

These chairs were only $4.00 for all of them, yes $1.00 each. The lady didn't want them back in the house again. They are already a nice creamy color all they need is some new fabric on the cushions.

Of course we love the farmers market on Saturday morning, I picked up these peonys and put them in one of 25 cents ball jars. Simple pleasures.

Check out Rhonda @ Southern Hospitality to see what other stuff was found this weekend.

The Junk Mammas

Last day of school

2009-06-12T04:08:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it, but it is the last day of school. I have been a tad sad because my first born will be finishing Kindergarten. OK, I have being crying at just the thought of the last day of school. I guess I am just sad because she is growing up. In Kindergarten they still have rest time, free choice, and special helpers, all the fun little kid stuff. In first grade she will be heading into more of the scholastic side. I guess she really is a big girl. Life must go on, I just will be the one hiding behind sunglasses at school today.

I did put together a easy little teacher gift. I wanted to make something to add to a gift card, so I decided on paper covered clothes pins. Added some cute little school wood thingys I bought at Micheals. I wrote the teachers name on the chalkboard, but didn't take a picture of that before I tossed in the gift bag.

The Junk Mammas