Pantry update!

I showed you my pantry here. When I did this pantry make over I had a hard time finding shelf liner I liked  I finally settled with the red and white checks. I did like it ok but the more I lived with it the more it bothered me. It was way to busy.

I decided to paint and I love how it turned out.

I emptied the pantry and got rid of expired food and moved some things that I no longer wanted in there.

I started by painting the walls WSU Gray... yes that is the actual color. Scott has a "man cave" That is WSU Cougar colors. I used his leftover paint. I chose not to paint the top section because I was afraid it would be too dark. I may go back and do this section when I do the touch up. (I always have touch up after my paint dries!)

I painted each of the shelves white, left over paint from Maddie's room. I couldn't find the saw horses..this worked. ;) The grass is dead from a game we played in that spot.

Then I put it all back together. This seriously took me like 4 hours.
Here is the finished product...

It looks so much cleaner with out the busy red and white checks.

I moved the pasta, rice and dry foods to the top shelf.

to make room for the cereal and breakfast foods down lower

I did some rearranging and got some new jars.

The cereal basket is from Hobby Lobby,  Kuerig basket is from Fred Meyer, all other baskets are from 

Jo Anne's. The black wash tubs that hold my flours and paper plates etc are from the dollar store. Spice packet holder from Jo Anne's. All wire shelves are from Target. Jars are from Target, Goodwill, Garage sales and my garage, I love me some bottles and jars! The cute labels are from the Farm Chicks store that is no longer open. My plan is to use my chalk board vinyl on the ones that do not have labels. Wire baskets on top shelf are from a garage sale about 5 years ago... I knew they would come in handy!

 Here is the before.... cute... but too much for my taste.

and now...

 I totally didn't have time for this project but I'm glad I did it. CHECK! 

Next up is my store room... uhg... one trip to Costco and that place is a mess again... I need some organization/purging/rearranging in there! Good thing those are 3 things I LOVE! ~Shelby

Happy 4th of July Mantle

Happy 4th of July!! In honor of the 4th and due to the fact that I have had a house full of guests and took no WIWW photos,  I am linking up with Honey We're Home  for the 4th of July link party

I love to style my mantle with the seasons and the holidays. For me it is some what therapeutic. I have this blank space that I can play with. Usually with out spending any money.

In my new house I have red walls in the family room and I am amazed at how well they coordinate with most holidays and seasons. This mantle is one of my favorites yet!

Take a look..

I love how the red walls look with all my red. I worried because sometimes red on red doesn't work. The previous home owners chose this color. Most of their decorating choices I don't like, but this was a home run. If I can find the color, I will share it!

The fireworks were a craft show find. They would be so easy to make.  I found a bunch of great old jars at a garage sale and used them here.  I used cheerful daisies in the blue glass jars and filled the others with shells. I am a beach lover!

My mom went to the Oregon coast and brought me back some star fish... they tie in the beach and the 4th of July theme.

The books are from around the house. I use books in decorating they add the color and the height you need. Peek under the jackets of your hard back books.. you might be surprised at the colors you could use in your decorating.

The horse is a favorite find from TJ Maxx. I left him twice and when he was still there the third time I knew we were meant to be together! ;)

Some milk glass and a blue candle and the mantle is complete!

In between the apple pie and the fireworks today please stop and remember those who have sacrificed for our freedom. I am proud to be and American and I am so thankful for those who serve our country. My grandfather was a POW in Japan for almost 2 years. Tomorrow I will share his story of heroism.

This year my niece is in Afghanistan. She is a nurse in an ER unit. She will be away from her husband and two baby girls for a year. Talk about sacrifice. Thank you to Nichole and all the men and women over seas and all the heroic men and women that have come before them who serve our country and make sacrifices most of us couldn't even imagine and would never even consider.

Here is a picture from her  face book yesterday from Afghanistan. Proud Americans? Absolutely.

God bless America!!! Have a safe and happy 4th!

Milk bottle faker

A few weeks ago at the Farm Chicks show I found this great old milk bottle holder. I thought it would be great as a drink carrier.

After getting it home I decided it would also look so very cute on my table with milk bottles in it, filled with daisies. I only had one old milk bottle and it was to fat to fit. I knew I could scour garage sales and antique stores and find some but I like instant gratification and didn't want to pay very much.

 My solution .. Starbucks frappachino bottles.

(this was my day 7 on the photo a day June from fatmumaslim.) So fun, check it out! It's never to late to join!

 I showed here how to get labels off of bottles and jars.

Cute, cheeerful little center piece.

 I am shelbyjojo7 on instagram, follow me!! Also I'd love for you to be a follower on my blog so I can get to know all of you too! ;)

Easy way to get labels off of bottles and jars

I love to re use bottles and jars. Sometimes though I find it nearly impossible to simply soak off the labels. Here is a trick I use to make those sticky label slide off with ease.

Ammonia, zip lock bag and your bottles or jars.

This couldn't be simpler,  place bottle in bag, pour a small amount of ammonia in and seal. You do not need to soak the bottles. The fumes of the ammonia is what will take the label off. A small splash will do! Let sit for a few hours. Some glue is so strong it may need over night. I set mine in the sink or on my back porch.

Remove bottles from the bag and rinse in warm water. I use my cleaning gloves with this process. The ammonia is powerful! I wouldn't want it to mess up my pretty shellac manicure!! :)

This process couldn't be easier, and leaves zero glue residue.

easy peasy!

                 

Bottles make great vases, here are a few of my favorites...

A tiny, sweet vanilla bottle

A stubby, brown beer bottle.

covered with moss and twine.

I found this great tan and red stuff, (it is like a think trim or ribbon) at Hobby Lobby. It looks great wrapped around a pickle jar and finished with a little twine. {I actually did a set of 3 of these in various sizes for a centerpiece.}
I love a bottle or two! I'll be sure to show you some more great bottle/jar ideas soon! ~ Shelby

***Also use ammonia to easily clean stove burners at   TheVspot . Vivienne has tons of great tips, check her out!