Storage for Border Embellishments

I have a hard time finding ways to store my border embellishments for scrapbooking. I've either been storing them in the bags made for 12x12 papers or a spaghetti noodle holder...

The bags were great, because the embellishments were completely covered so they wouldn't get dirty or dusty, but if I wasn't careful, they would get bent up in the bags. The noodle holder was wonderful because they didn't get bent, but I had no way to cover them except for putting a plastic bag over them...not very attractive.

While grocery shopping a couple days ago, I noticed these super stack Pringles (that I happened to have a coupon for) and I thought that this container would be perfect for storing borders. Is it sad that I buy food items just to reuse their containers for something else???

The can still wasn't quite tall enough, so I did have to make some modifications...

I started by washing and drying the can and lid. I unrolled the cardboard at the top of the can,

Then I cut 2, 2 inch sections off a paper towel roll. You could also use a toilet paper roll, but the paper towel ones are usually thicker.

I made one cut in each of the paper towel roll sections to make it lay flat and then taped each section onto the top of the can...

I folded over the top of the cardboard and taped it down to give the lid a little better grip when it's on the can. I went a little tape crazy, but I wanted to make sure the top of the can was nice and sturdy...

This is what the can looks like after the paper towel roll sections are taped down...

I used some paper from American Crafts Blue Skies Collection to cover the can and I used Aleene's Tacky Glue to attach the paper to the can, but you could probably use a glue gun or any other sturdy glue. If you roll the paper before hand, it will have a nice curve to it that makes it easier to attach to the can.

You will probably have just a little bit of overhang on the top of the container. I folded this over and taped it to the inside of the can and then I glued a piece of scrap paper into the inside to cover up all the tape.

Cut a piece of ribbon 8-10 inches long and attach to the can using a stapler. To reinforce the ribbon, I used two staples criss-crossed over each other and then I added a couple stickers to hide the staples.

Pop on the lid when your done and this makes a great little storage container for your borders that's pretty enough to hang up and easy to grab for scrapbooking on-the-go.

$4 Dinner for Two

Two of my goals for this year are eating healthy and spending less money. This dinner encompases both of those goals wonderfully. (Look for the cost breakdown at the end of the blog.)

Seasoned Pork Cutlet Sandwich with Romaine Lettuce and Tomato on Earthgrains Thin Bun

Broccoli

Sauteed Portabella Mushrooms

Baked Sweet Potato Chips

Sweet Potato Chips

1 large sweet potato (makes enough for about 4 servings)

Olive Oil

Garlic Powder

Salt & Pepper

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Peel and thinly slice sweet potato (I used my food processor). Drizzle olive oil over slices and add seasonings. Toss or stir potatoes until evenly covered. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and spray. Place sweet potato slices onto cookie sheet, making sure that they are not overlapping. Bake for 30 minutes or until edges start turning brown. The chips will become crispier as they cool down.

**What I would've done differently** Instead of baking the sweet potatoes at 425 degrees, I would've baked them at a lower temperature for a longer time. I think this would've prevented a lot of the burnt edges. I'm sure these could be baked in the morning or the next day and stored until ready to eat.

Seasoned Pork Cutlet

2 Pork Cutlets

McCormick Grill Mates seasoning (or seasonings of your choice)

In order for the meat to cook evenly, I like to let it sit, covered, at room temperature for about a half hour before cooking. Preheat your skillet (I used cast iron for this, but if not using cast iron or non stick, make sure to spray your pan or put a little olive or canola oil in it). Sprinkle seasonings on both sides of pork and rub in.

Put cutlets into pan. Cook on each side for about 5-10 minutes until done.

Sauteed Portabella Mushrooms

4 oz Portabella Mushrooms (serves 2) (A lot of times sliced mushrooms will be the same price as whole.)

1 tsp unsalted butter

1 Tbl olive oil

*Most sauteed mushrooms are made with a lot of butter, by subsituting some of that with olive oil, you still get that great, sauteed taste, but it's a little healthier for you.

Garlic (fresh or powdered)

Onions (fresh or powdered)

Melt butter in pan with olive oil over med-high heat. If using fresh garlic and onion, satuee these before adding the mushrooms. If using powdered garlic and onion, add with the mushrooms. Cook until mushrooms develop a dark brown color. Usually about 10-15 minutes.

**Tip for storing mushrooms: If you're only using half a package, only wash what you will use and store the rest of the mushrooms in a brown paper sack. This will keep the mushrooms fresh a little longer than storing in plastic containers or bags.

Steam the broccoli.

Toast the buns and serve with condiments of your choice.

Cost Breakdown:

EarthGrains 100% Whole Grain Thin Buns = $.62 for 2 buns

Bird's Eye Broccoli = $.99 for 1 bag

Sliced Portabella Mushrooms = $.75 for 1/2 container

Sweet Potato Chips = $.79 for 1 sweet potato

Total cost for dinner for two = $3.15

(Plus, there were some Sweet Potato Chips and Broccoli leftover that I had for lunch the next day!!)

4/4/10 Sunday Coupon Preview

Look for a P & G coupon insert in this Sunday's papers.

According to Sunday Coupon Preview, these are some of the coupons that will be available:

4-4 P&G coupon insert


Sunday coupon preview

Regional coupon inserts & value differences are to be expected!



(x) before coupon = multiple of same coupon

ETS = excludes trial sizes



P&G Coupon Insert



Duracell rechargeable cells, charger, pocket or powerhouse charger Save $2/1 (4/30)

Tide Save $1/1 (4/30)

Dawn Save $.50/1 (4/30)

size Cascade Save $.50/1 (4/30)

PUR OR PUR flavor options system Save $3/1 (4/30)

PUR pitcher or faucet mount multi-pack replacement filters or PUR refrigerator filter Save $3/1 (4/30)

Charmin product Save $.25/1 (4/30)

Venus,Embrace, or Breeze systems or any Venus disposable Save $2/1 (4/30)

Olay body wash, in shower body lotion, hand lotion or body lotion Save $1/1 (4/30) ETS

Herbal Essences Shampoo, Conditioner or Styler Save $1/1 (4/30) ETS

Secret clinical strength or soothing effects Save $1/1 ETS 5/31/10

Natural Instincts or Loving Care product Save $3/1 (4/30)

Pnatene Styler or Treatment (4/30) ETS

2 Pantene products Save $1/2 (4/30) ETS

CoverGirl product Save $1/1 (4/30)

Olay Pro-X facial cleanser or facial moisturizer products Save $5/1 (4/30)

Olay facial moisturizer or cleanser Save $1/1 (4/30)

Olay Total Effects 7-in1 anti-aging body wash Save $2/1 (4/30) ETS

Buy Head and Shoulders shampoo, get conditioner free (4/30) ETS

Crest premium paste 4 oz or larger Save $1/1 (4/30)

Crest 3D White professional effects whitestrips Save $10/1 (4/30)

Crest rinse 440ml or larger Save $.75/1 (4/30)

2 Crest toothpaste 4oz or larger Save $1/2 (4/30)

Glide floss or Glide picks Save $.75/1 (4/30)

Oral-B pulsar, crossaction, advantage or TWO indicator manual toothbrushes Save $2/1 (4/30)

Buy 1 Always Pantiliner 68-120 ct, get 1 34-60ct free (4/30)

Buy 1 Tampax 36-60ct, get 1 18-20ct free (4/30)

Buy 1 Always Pad or feminine cleansing cloth 24-54ct, get 1 12-22ct free (4/30)

Fusion razor Save $4/1 (4/30)

Gillette Mach 3 cartridge Save $4/1 (4/30)

4 Pringles 180g or larger Save $1/4 (4/30)

Pringles Snack Stacks Save $.50/1 (4/30)

Fixodent 1.05oz or larger Save $.50/1 (4/30)

Downy Liquid or Sheets Save $1/1 (4/30)

Prilosec Save $1/1 (4/30)

Prilosec Save $3/1 (4/30)

B1G1 Mach3 disposable, Sensor3, Custom Plus3, Goodnews or Customplus (4/30)

Pampers Diapers or pants Save $1.50/1 (4/30)

Pampers Splashers swim pants Save $1/1 (4/30)

Kandoo Save $1/1 (12/31)

A Fool's Dinner

Ever have the feeling that you've been without adult interaction for a little too long...I did after making this April Fool's Day Dinner! Nothing like pink mashed potatoes to make you realize you need a night out with your friends!

I am some what of a freak when it comes to holidays. I love decorating and celebrating no matter what it is! So why not make a special dinner for April Fool's Day? What says 'April Fools!" better than meatloaf cupcakes with pink mashed potato 'frosting' and pound cake 'french fries'.

(The pink stuff in the glass container is strawberry whipped topping. The plan was to make it red to look like ketchup, but I didn't have enough red gel coloring)

Even funny bun liked the pink potatoes!

Fool me once...

Ever since I saw it on America's Funniest Home Videos, I have wanted to put a rubberband on our kitchen sprayer so when hubby turns the sink on, he'd get completely soaked! Of course I haven't because, while I may love a good prank, other people don't and dear hubby is one of those people. So, I just fight the urge.

Looks like the sink wanted to play it's own trick on April Fool's Day though!

The sprayer decided that it didn't want to shut off! Now, I like to think of myself as a woman that's pretty handy with tools and DIY work. I figured it just had some buildup in it-- nothing that a little vinegar couldn't fix.

So, I took the nozzle off and soaked it in a bowl of vinegar. Still couldn't use the sink though because when the nozzle is off, there's nothing to push down on the sprayer hose to make water not come out of it. As usual, I kept forgetting this fact and everytime I turned the sink on, I'd get sprayed with a blast of water!

I put the nozzle back on after about an hour of soaking. Yeah...still didn't work! Needless to say...a hammer can fix anything. :)