Free Friday Giveaway! Halloween Spider Clippies

a Rafflecopter giveaway

1.  Be a fan on Facebook,  enter on the giveaway on the Facebook page!
2.  Follow Sandrabees on twitter
3.  Tweet about the giveaway
4.  Pin or repin this post with the spider clippies picture to pinterest! With "pin it to win it" as the caption

$2 Bow Sale!

Time to stock up!  All small tots size bows are on Sale!    Visit the Facebook page or Sandrabees.com for details and to order!  Sale runs 1 week only!  They won't be this low again until the Spring of 2013!  Single layers are just $2 each.  Choose from hundreds of colors...,  including solid grosgrain, polka dots, stripes, preppy stripes, & printed ribbons.

Make them double layers for $1 more or add a monogram for $2.

Want an outfit matched?  No problem.  I can match colors for you with a picture or link to the outfit online

Please pin, share with mommy groups, Facebook and twitter friends and family!

Queen Platform Storage Bed DIY

Shopping List:
Headboard/Footboard
1 – Sheet 3/4" Plywood, MDF
2 – 1x3 @ 8 feet long
2 – 2x3 @ 8 feet long
1 – 1x2 @ 8 feet long
4 – small moulding pieces 8 feet long
3/4” finish nails
1 1/4” pocket hole screws

Storage Bases
2 – Sheets ¾” plywood or MDF cut into strips 15 3/4" wide, referred to as 1x16 boards throughout this plan
2 – sheets ¼” plywood or other backerboard
4 – 2x4 @ 8 feet long
2 – 2x2 @ 8 feet long
3– 1x3 @ 8 feet long (for the slats – try and burn up small scraps here)
7 – 1x6 @ 8 feet long OR 1 sheet ¾” plywood cut into strips 5 1/2" wide, used as 1x6s for drawers. You could even use 5/8” thick material
4 – 1x8 @ 6 feet long
Optional drawer moulding
24 (or 12) – Drawer Knobs or handles
12 – 14” long drawer slides, the white euro style bottom corner mount ones will work best
1 1/4” and 2 1/2" pocket hole screws
1 1/4” finish nails

CUT LIST
Headboard/Footboard
1– 3/4" plywood or MDF @ 60” x 25" (headboard)
1 - 3/4" plywood or MDF @ 60 x 23" (footboard)
2 – 1x3 @ 60”
2 – 1x2 @ 60"
2 – 2x3 @ 47 1/2”
2 – 2x3 @ 27 1/2"
2 – 1x3 @ 67”
8– Moulding pieces ... i will have to measure these
8 - Moulding pieces (again i need to measure these (long point to long point, both ends cut at 45 degrees off square, not parallel to each other)

Storage Bases
4 – 1x16 @ 80”
8 – 1x16 @ 14 7/8”
2 – ¼” plywood @ 80” x 16 ¼”
4 – 2x4 @ 75"
4 – 2x4 @ 10”
2 – 2x2 @ 80"
14 – 1x3 or 1x2 scraps @ 7”

DRAWERS ( I need to double check the drawers
24 – 1x6 @ 14”
24 – 1x6 @ 21 ½” (I think I added a smidge to the length of the drawers Bu need to measure... I think I used 23 3/8")
12 – 1x8 @ 24 5/8” (Drawer Faces) measure and build to your exact drawers though
12 - ¼” plywood @ 23” x 14” (Drawer Bottoms). Again I think I added an inch or so... will need to measure to confirm)

This was the BIG summer project!  The plan when moving my son to his own room (which happened to be the bonus room) was to eliminate the need for a dresser.  Partly due to space and low ceilings.  After much planning we decided on the Fillman storage Bed that Ana-White had posted.  It was for a twin size bed.  I calculated and measured and came up with a queen size based on those plans.  I will update with my cut list and sizes if anyone is interested.  For now here are the pictures!  I did add 2 wooden knobs to each drawer (stained to match)  Need to get an updated picture!

THE BED!  12 Drawers queen size... I can't believe I built this!

Headboard and Footboard trimmed out

Easy Waffle Recipe

First off, I LOVE my waffle maker!  It is made by GE and makes 4 square waffles at once.  With a family of 5 this was a must for me.  This recipe makes 12 and feeds us plus a few leftover.  I always flash freeze the leftover ones and then place in a freezer bag.  Then they can get popped in the toaster for a quick breakfast, snack or breakfast sand which base :-)

This recipe came with my waffle maker and is awesome just as is.  Now sometimes I like to add blueberries, or diced apples and cinnamon or a dash of vanilla.  But 95% of the time I use this basic recipe.

2 Cups flour
2 TBS sugar
1 TBS Baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 3/4 Cups milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs

First mix dry ingredients in a large bowl, then add milk, oil, and eggs and whisk until just blended.  For my waffle maker I use 1/3 cup measuring cup to pour into each waffle square and it is perfect.

These are WAY better than any frozen store bought waffles, without any preservatives and so easy to whip up a batch.

If you want to stock your freezer you can make a few batches at once.  To flash freeze lay them flat on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper.  Stick in the freezer until hardened.  (about an hour or 2) then transfer to a gallon size freezer bag.  I think I can fit 8 in each... maybe a few more.  I do also reuse my freezer bags if no meat was in them

This Week's Menu

Monday (9/3/2012)
  Breakfast: Cereal

  Dinner Potluck with Friends

Tuesday (9/4/2012)
  Breakfast: Cereal or grits

  Dinner: Spaghetti w/ homemade Meat sauce, French Bread (makes 2 loaves, salad

Wednesday (8/29/2012)
  Breakfast: Homemade Waffles, sausage

  Dinner: Chicken Fried Steak, Mustard Greens, Rice (gravy), Corn on the Cob, Amazing Yeast Rolls (double for next day)

Thursday (9/6/2012)
  Breakfast: Bagels

  Dinner:  Homemade Cheese Ravioli with Meatball, Amazing Yeast Rolls

Friday (9/7/2012)
  Breakfast: French Toast (using , Sausage

  Dinner: Rice and Bean Enchiladas

Saturday (9/8/2012)
  Dinner: Grilled Chicken, green beans, Rice Pilaf

Sunday (9/2/2012)
  Dinner: Chicken Panini's, Broccoli Cheese Soup

***Lunches are usually easy pasta dishes, mac n cheese, sandwiches, or leftovers.

Free Sharpies's TODAY only

Snatch an 8-pack of Sharpie Fine Point Multi-Color Markers from Walmart for free with today’s Wild Deal at ShopAtHome.com. Plus, choose to pick your purchase up in the store to avoid shipping charges.  We are always reaching for Sharpies in my house.... just be sure to keep them away from the kiddos hands LOL
Here is how Wild Deals work at ShopAtHome.com:

• Head to ShopAtHome.com.
• Click the "today's daily Deal" for Walmart
• Click “Buy It Now” button for the Sharpie's.
• Pay $3.97 for the 8 pack of Sharpie Fine Point Multi-Color Markers.
• Choose to pick your order up in the store and you won’t be charged shipping.
• $3.97 cash back will be added to your ShopAtHome.com account.
• Final Price: Free

New to ShopAtHome.com? If so, you’re eligible for a $5.00 signup bonus. Because orders must fully process, the cash back and bonus will take a couple of days to show up in your account. Once earnings reach $20.00, cashing out is allowed.

Monday (8/27/2012)
  Breakfast: English muffins, eggs bacon cheese

  Dinner: Stir fry over noodles or rice

Tuesday (8/28/2012)
  Breakfast: Pancakes

  Dinner: Spaghetti w/ homemade sauce, French Bread (makes 2 loaves)

Wednesday (8/29/2012)
  Breakfast: Grits, cheese fruit

  Dinner: Crockpot Roast, potatoes, carrots, green beans French Bread 2nd loaf

Thursday (8/30/2012)
  Breakfast: Cereal

  Dinner: Chicken marsala, Mac n cheese, Spinach

Friday (8/31/2012)
  Breakfast: Sausauge Biscuits

  Dinner: Hot dogs, sausage dogs, sauerkraut, tots

Saturday (9/1/2012)
  Dinner: Hamburger steak, rice/gravy, Mustard greens, Salad, homemade bread

Sunday (9/2/2012)
  Dinner: Cheesy Potato soup, Ham steaks, Field Peas

JUMBO Size Bows on Sale!

Jumbo size Bows are on SALE! 48 hours only $5 each, monograms on sale too!

JUMBO SIZE BOWS are on SALE 48 hours! Just $5 each! Each bow is 6" across. choose your ribbons! (Solids, some dots, limited animal prints)  visit the website to see ribbon charts or on facebook in the photo albums.  JUMBO MONOGRAM BOWS ON SALE $10. To order head over to facebook or comment here with your email, colors, monogram if wanted, clip choice. email your order as well if you prefer! FREE Shipping!

Halloween Hair Clippies

Now Available!  HAIR CLIPPIES (FELTIES!)  These are just too cute!  Head on over to the facebook page for ordering details or post a comment here.  You may mix and match as well!

These may be ordered in pairs or just one and you may specify for right or left side of the head :)

Spider Clippies $4.50 each or 2 for $8

Ghost Clippies $3.50 each or 2 for $6

Bat Clippies $3.50 each or 2 for $6

Pumpkin Clippies $3.50 each or 2 for $6

Cat Clippies shown with matching applique Initial Shirt

Honey Chicken Crockpot Recipe

Chicken (1-2 lbs)
1/3 cup Honey
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup Soy sauce
2 TBS minced garlic (or 2 cloves), garlic powder works in a pinch too!

Put all ingredients in the crock pot on low 6 hours.  You can use any type of chicken with or without bones.  We prefer boneless skinless breasts.  Great served over rice or egg noodles.   This makes a great sauce.  I like to thicken the sauce before serving.  Mix 2 TBS cornstarch or flour with 1 TBS cold water... then whisk into sauce on low heat... add more or less to desired sauce consistency.  My kids LOVE this!

Menu Plan Monday

Here is our weeks worth of meals.  Lunch is usually leftovers (if there are any), pasta, wraps, or sandwiches.   I usually try to bake a sweet of some sort towards the beginning of the week to include in the kids lunch boxes and for snack time.  And forgive me for the reverse order of breakfast and dinner... this is copied from my app that I do my meal planning in and I am too lazy to reverse it!  Promise we do eat breakfast first though! Lol

Monday (8/20/2012)
  Dinner: Spaghetti, homemade bread

  Breakfast: Biscuits and gravy (w/sausage)

Tuesday (8/21/2012)
  Dinner: Tacos

  Breakfast: French toast bacon

Wednesday (8/22/2012)
  Dinner: Sticky chicken crock pot, rice, green beans

  Breakfast: Oatmeal fruit

Thursday (8/23/2012)
  Dinner: steak, butter noodles, peas, yeast rolls

  Breakfast: Eggs toast

Friday (8/24/2012)
  Dinner: Pizza party (homemade pizzas)

  Breakfast: Blueberry muffins

Saturday (8/25/2012)
  Dinner: Shrimp scampi

  Breakfast: Cinnamon rolls

Sunday (8/26/2012)
  Dinner: Hamburgers, potato or pasta salad, baked beans

Monogram Bow Special

MONOGRAM BOW SPECIAL~ $8 each for Missy (4“)or Large (5") sizes, or choose Jumbo size for $2 more (6“). Free shipping! BONUS* Buy 5 get an additional bow free! Choose your ribbon colors, single initial, 3 letter monogram, or name. You may also choose thread colors too. Choose alligator clips or french barrettes. Great to match outfits, sports teams, school colors etc. To order comment here or on facebook "SOLD" with email address, size, ribbon/thread colors and name /initials wanted, clip choice.  Some samples below... possibilities are endless for color combos!

Over 100 solid colors of ribbon to choose from!  any questions??  Please shoot me an email

Laundry Room Dresser/Shelf

Ok, Although I am not completely done with my Laundry Dresser I am posting an update.  I don't have my doors completely done and hanged... but other than that fully functional.  I have had it in place and using it a few months now and absolutely LOVE it!  Read more about my laundry room here

Here is a BEFORE of my rickety rackety sorter and hanging space:

And an after!!!

I still need to figure out what to do on the top of my shelf... Look at all of that space!!!  I think I can fit 6 or so fabric/wicker/wood bins.  Yes I am undecided :)  I do know that I want a home for items to donate, things that need to be mended... and... hmmm what else can I store up there??  ideas anyone??  I think I want to either stay in a woodsy wicker look (nothing too dark... or go with a creamy/tan neutral color up there.

As you can see clothes are filled in the baskets an they are very sturdy! Each person in my family has their own basket now.  the 6th basket is for fabric napkins and towels.  They can hold dirty clothes... or clean, and slide in and out just like a dresser drawer. 

I ammended the Ana White Laundry Dresser plan  I built 2 dressers, however for the top piece I cut one piece (instead of 2) to help keep them together, then  I squared them up when I put the backing on.  I was going to do a ceramic tile countertop and build in the whole thing like cabinets... but then I started thinking about if we ever needed to replace the washing machine or dryer and needed to move those out of the room.... I had to keep the laundry dresser moveable too... so it is NOT attached to the wall and I left the baseboards in place :) 

Eventually I will build a sink cabinet... and replace the utility sink... I will secure that piece of cabinet in place and the dresser will butt up to it.  I had to keep this under a certain height so that my ironing board cabinet would still open and be usable :) 

So all that said I joined varied lenghs of 1x3's which I sanded an distressed.  The stain is ebony and red mahogany mixed with 2 coats of poly on top for a smooth finish.

I also added wooden brackets with a rod for my hanging area.  I came out enough to allow for hanger to hang and had to add a block of wood to the tops because I didn't account for the shelf being in the way when hanging... It works... same distressed look :) 

How about some more pictures???

For the rod I drilled a hole in my wooden brackets.  The design was free handed and then cut with a jigsaw.  I added another bracket for the end pieces that do not have holes drilled for the rod.  This was they are set in place and will not shift or slide

Close up of bracket

Close up of folding area.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my finish!!!

And I have made my doors... aside from my beadboard backing that I need to purchase and cut.  an I need to figure out the hinges.  I have bought euro hinges that hopefully will work and be hidden.  The doors will be painted glossy white like the bottom of the dresser.  and I plan to glaze them with dark walnut stain.  Which I plan to also do on my existing white cabinets that hang above my washing machine and dryer!  Here are the door frames:

I have decided to wait until my kiddos go back to school to finish the doors.  This summer I am commited to getting my oldest son moved into the bonus room (which was the playroom) and have a BED to be built!!  All 3 kiddos will be in school this year and I will have plenty of time to myself for projects!