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The Thrifty Jewell

"Just Do It Yourself…Thrifty Money Saving Tips

Painting Fabric DIY Vintage Ottoman Painted with Chalk Paint

The Thrifty Jewell

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May 22, 2020

This is the first time I have painted fabric furniture. I bought this ottom at a thrift store for $5 and I love it! It’s a cute style and it’s very sturdy. The gold color didn’t go to well with my decor and it had some stains on it but still! I decided to paint it. I figured if it didn’t work out, I could always reupholster it.

This was before I did anything to it.

My supplies:

  • Chalk paint
  • Chalk paint brushes
  • Spray bottle with water
  • Fine grit sandpaper

I started by spraying the fabric with water, one section at a time, saturating it.

Then with the round chalk paint brush, I applied the paint to the wet area in a circular pattern. When the chalk paint mixes with the water, it acts like a dye. I really worked it in. I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Graphite and white for the legs.

I covered the whole fabric area with one coat and let it dry, then I went around with a second coat.

I painted the legs white. It’s a bit of a contrast here but I applied dark wax over the two coats of white paint.

After the fabric dried, I took a fine grit sanding block and rubbed it lightly over the surface of the paint. This is what softens the fabric back up. I also scuffed the legs. I love a shabby chic look.

Here’s the final piece. It’s so adorable!

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Gardening: Large Planter Tip

The Thrifty Jewell

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May 22, 2020

I have a use for empty pop cans or empty water bottles work great too! We just have an excessive amount of carbonated water cans right now due to covid-19 and the inability to return cans right now.

I bought these giant planter pots for the deck and I don’t like filling them all the way up with dirt. Number one, they are too heavy to move around and number two, you don’t need all that dirt for flowers.

Fill the pot half way up with cans or bottles and then top off with soil, then plant your flowers!

It’s very green…recycling, it’s a money saver and a back saver!

Marinated Chicken Great for the Grill

The Thrifty Jewell

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May 21, 2020

I’ve been doing this lately when I bring my Chicken in from the store. It’s really easy and makes dinner quick. It also makes the juiciest grilled chicken.

I start with fresh chicken. I like my chicken breast thin. It cooks up so evenly and fast. I start by butterflying the chicken breast.

Place it between parchment paper and pound it flat with a meat tenderizer. Use the smooth side.

Pound until you get the desired thickness.

This oil and vinegar dressing is from Aldi. It makes a great base marinade. It has seasoning in it and is very light tasting. I like marinading before freezing because it’s a time saver.

I put the chicken in a freezer bag and pour in some of the seasoning. Squeeze the air out and seal. Mark it, then freeze. I lay them flat in the freezer and I freeze one breast per bag, that way I can pull out just what I need. It thaws quickly because it’s thin. I usually add some other dry seasoning, whatever I’m in the mood for and throw it on the grill. It cooks fast and it is so delicious. The other night I basted bbq Sauce on it while it was grilling…it was amazing!

Instant Pot Triple Layer Lasagna Recipe

The Thrifty Jewell

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May 19, 2020

This is a recipe that serves 3-4 people. I like to make lasagna in the summertime but do not like heating up the house to bake it. This is great for that or even camping or if you don’t have an oven to bake it. It’s also great if you just want a small pan of lasagna.

Ingredients:

  • No boil Lasagna Noodles
  • 1.5 lbs ground beef
  • 1 Jar Your Favorite Pasta Sauce
  • 1 Pint Ricotta Cheese
  • Mozzarella Cheese
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Chopped onions
  • Minced Garlic

Start by cooking the ground beef in the instant pot on sauté. Add salt and pepper. You can add onions and garlic at this time if you wish.

Spray a pan that is made to fit inside the Instant Pot. I bought this one off of Amazon. You can also use a spring form pan.

Break up lasagna noodles and arrange them in the pan.

Layer beef, sauce, ricotta and mozzarella.

Keep going…I did three layers.

Layer foil like this then wrap up pan, leaving space between foil and cheese. you have to put water in the Instant pot to bring to pressure and you don’t want water getting into your lasagna.

A rack with handles is needed because the pan fits tightly in the pan and the handles are needed to lift the pan out. I use this silicone one.

Pour 1-1/2 Cup water in pot and place pan down inside.

Close lid and set to sealing. set manual time to 26 minutes. After time is up, let it naturally release for 15 min or until ready to serve, it will stay warm. Remove from pot and let sit for 5-10 minutes to firm up.

I like to place the lasagna under the broiler for just a couple of minutes to brown the cheese but this step is not necessary, you can also use a hand torch.

Cut into pie shapes and serve.

Fourth of July Flag Snack Tray

The Thrifty Jewell

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May 19, 2020

July 4th is one of my favorite summer holiday’s. We like to spend it up at the lake. We usually have family up and we like to snack! I like to have lots of different finger foods that are easy to serve up. This is one I plan on making this year. It’s easy and for the most part, healthy and it’s patriotic. I will make a bigger one for the fourth, this is just a sample one. Just rinse the fruit and form them in the shape of a flag on a tray. This will look so good on the table this year!

Using Thrift Store Canvas Art For Farmhouse Sign Projects Repurpose

The Thrifty Jewell

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May 16, 2020

Here’s a thrifty Craft tip. Don’t pass up canvas art from thrift stores and garage sales.

I bought these large canvas art pictures at a thrift store for .75! I’m going to do something different with each one.

I took this one and painted it with chalk paint.

I brushed these three colors on in layers.

After this dried, I stenciled the words with acrylic craft paint in black.

It’s not perfect, but I feel like farmhouse decor needs some imperfections sometimes. Now, what to make with the other two??

Stir Fried Green Beans with Bacon and Almonds

The Thrifty Jewell

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May 16, 2020

Need a really fast, delicious green bean recipe? Here it is.

Ingredients:

  • Frozen Green Beans
  • Olive Oil for stir frying
  • 1/2 t salt
  • 1/3 C Slivered Almonds
  • 2 Minced Garlic Cloves
  • 2 Slices Chopped Bacon

Start by stir frying the beans in olive oil for about 3 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients.

Keep stirring until beans are cooked through. This takes about 8-10 minutes total. You can absolutely use fresh green beans but you will need a longer cook time.

These beans are so full of flavor and a great addition to summer bbq’s.

Peach Sun Tea with Monk Fruit Simple Syrup

The Thrifty Jewell

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May 16, 2020

I make sun tea a lot in the summer. I thought I’d try adding some peaches this time. We also use Monk Fruit as our choice of sweetener. It’s low carb and has zero calories. It’s very sweet.

I used about a cup of frozen peaches and 8 tea bags. This is a two quart pitcher. I filled it with cold water, leaving a little room for the simple syrup.

I sat it in the sun for about six hours. Today was warm but it’s even better when it’s hot out!

While it was brewing in the sun, I made Monk Fruit Simple Syrup.

I brought one cup of water and one cup of monk fruit to a boil and then turned down to a simmer. Then I added a pinch of xanthan gum to help thicken. Stir until all is dissolved and then remove from heat.

Add The simple syrup to the tea and stir. You’ll have to test to see how much syrup you want. We use one cup for two quarts.

I like to put ice cubes in the tea that I make from tea. Freeze tea and place cubes in a bag and store in freezer. It keeps tea from tasting watered down.

The peaches gave the tea a great flavor. I’m thinking next time I’ll try raspberries.

Queen Anne Highboy Dresser Makeover Restoration

The Thrifty Jewell

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May 15, 2020

I am so in love with this new (vintage 1976) furniture I got for my master bedroom at the lake!

I got a Queen Anne Highboy and a nightstand. I got these beautiful pieces for FREE a friend was giving them away. I knew the second I saw it, I wanted it. I’m now on the hunt for another similar nightstand to redo.

This is what it looked like before. Very pretty but didn’t go with my lake decor. I went with Annie Sloan Napoleonic Blue and her Dark Wax.

This was by far the most challenging piece of furniture I have done! It was a lot of work but worth it!

This is the paint only, before the dark wax was applied. So bright, I know! But I had a vision. This paint is amazing. It covers well, no sanding needed! I just used Awesome Cleaner to wipe off any residue, that’s it. I painted two coats of blue then applied the dark wax.

This was after the wax was applied but before buffing.

This is after buffing.

All finished!

Here’s the nightstand.

The tools I used:

These brushes. The big brush is a chalk paint brush. I used it mostly. The others were for small detail areas.

Awesome cleaner from dollar store…it’s well, awesome!

I wore a mask while using the Awesome. It has a strong odor.

The paint and wax I used. I used a soft cloth to buff the wax.

Here’s the link for the nightstand makeover: https://thethriftyjewell.com/2020/04/25/vintage-queen-ann-end-table-makeover-chalk-paint-furniture-restoration/

Cilantro Lime Rice Instant Pot Recipe

The Thrifty Jewell

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May 15, 2020

This rice dish has amazing flavor and would be delicious with any main dish meat. It is an instant pot recipe and cooks up super quick! This serves 4-6 people and can easily be doubled.

Ingredients:

  • 2 C Rice (I used Jasmine, so fragrant)
  • 2-1/4 C Water or Broth
  • 1/2 Diced Onion
  • 1 T Minced Garlic
  • Olive Oil
  • Fresh Cilantro
  • Juice From One Lime

1. Rinse Rice

2. Set Instant Pot to Sauté, add olive oil to cover the bottom. Sauté onions, garlic and rice for about three minutes.

3. Add water or broth and stir. Set lid on place, vent to seal, set time for four minutes. After time is up and instant pot beeps, let it naturally release for eight minutes. Then carefully release excess steam.

4. Fluff rice with a fork.

Enjoy!

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