Girly Furniture

I have been on the hunt for a fancy dresser for my girls' room. Or at least something that I could make a little fancy. I almost couldn't believe when I saw this for $20 on Craiglist. It was such a good deal, almost better than free because of the rush of finding it and being the first one to email and also the first one to go see it. Craigslist can be like a shot of Caffeine sometimes.

Books like Painting and Decorating Furniture can be an inspiration and a curse at the same time.
So I am limiting myself to what I look at and read, at least for today.

So far...it has been a bit of a bugger to get ready to paint.

It has required me to pull out my manly skills in order to make it girly.

I even had help from my husband and brother-in-law getting started because I really hate sanding furniture. I think it still requires more sanding, chiseling, and paint thinning to get it just right. And sorry, it did come with all drawers, but one was upstairs when I was ready to snap this photo. I can be a little lazy sometimes.

What I am most excited about...the grooves in the wood working.

And the cute carved shapes...

And the adorable little carved feet...

Just guess what color it is going to be. Anyone? Anyone?

Off to find some more girly things in honor of Sassy's teeny tiny babe,

Cheers,

In Honor of Sassy's new addition!

For those of you that know Sassy personally, you would be proud to know that she welcomed another baby girl into her life just this morning!

A proud 5 lbs tiny, and just as cute as her "little" big sister.

In honor of Sassy I am declaring the rest of January...

"TUTORIALS, ADVICE and GIVEAWAYS FOR TINY GIRLY THINGS"... month.

It is the best name I could come up with sporadically.

Sorry - I am just not as good with words as Sassy is.

Come back tomorrow for something girly!

Cheers,

Happy New Year {Resolutions}

I normally LOATHE New Years Resolutions. It is like setting myself up to fail,

and honestly, who likes feeling like a loser? On another note, this is the year that I have decided to change everything that I dislike, including failing at New Years Resolutions!

Loathing item #1: grime on my stainless steel cookie sheets

No matter how much I scrub, soak or even scratch this grime, it seems permanent.

I really hate the grime, but these cookie sheets make the best cookies!

I still haven't found another cookie sheet that works better.

I would like to introduce you to the Bar Keepers Friend.

Say goodbye to those grimy pots and pans.

I won't lie, I had to use some elbow grease too. But look at the results!

I just love my {like} new cookie sheet.

Here is a comparable photo of one I cleaned, and one I didn't.

Can you tell which one I polished up?

The Bar Keeper's Friend works great on Stainless Steel, Porcelain, Fiberglass, Glass Cooktops, Copper, Tile, and Brass. If you end up scrubbing away like me, it is probably because I hadn't polished up my cookie sheets since I was married. 10 years of grime, now gone! Another plus, it works as a polish and removes tarnish and rust!

Do you have some grime you are loathing?

Cheers,

Fast and Foolproof Holiday Fudge!

One of my favorite parts of the Christmas season is fudge. I love fudge. LOVE IT. But let's be honest--who has time (and a fancy candy thermometer) to stand around the kitchen making fudge all day, hoping it will set after all that hard work?

I don't. Just ask my daughter. She's already mad at me for not spending enough time with a crayon in my hand.

So here's a very quick and easy holiday fudge you can whip up and pass out to friends and neighbors! You probably already have the ingredients in your pantry/cupboard.

Foolproof Holiday Fudge

3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 (14oz) can of sweetened condensed milk

Dash of salt

3/4 cup crushed up candy canes (more or less--it's up to you)

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Combine chocolate chips, salt and condensed milk and microwave on HIGH for 2 1/2 minutes, or until the chips are melted. Check on the mixture and stir after about a minute and a half.

Add the vanilla extract and crushed candy canes (save a little to sprinkle on top) and dump the fudgy goodness into a wax paper-lined 9x9 pan. Spread evenly, sprinkle the remaining candy cane bits on top and pop in the fridge for about 2 hours. Once it has set, cut it into cute little fudge squares, arrange it on a holiday plate or platter and pretend it required more effort!

You can mix up the ingredients a bit by adding nuts, toffee bits, etc. instead of candy canes. You can also change it up with milk chocolate chips or white chocolate chips, mint chocolate chips, peanut butter chips or butterscotch chips. Have fun and be creative!

Enjoy all those Christmas treats, friends; and feel free to share your favorite holiday recipes with us!

Snacking Merrily,

Announcing: Our 12 Days Giveaway Winners!!!

Woohoo! Our first ever 12 Days Giveaway is officially over and it's time to announce the winners! Are you one of the lucky 12? Check below to find out!

Day 1: Set of 2 Holiday Hair Clips

Winner: Ms. Muffin!

Day 2: Birds of a Feather Ornaments

Winner: Life at the Laneys!

Day 3: PEACE, JOY, FAITH Banners

Winner: Jaime Packham Boyce!

Day 4: TicTac Snowman Favors
Winner: Jen H!

Day 5: Ribbon Bracelets

Winner: Amy ("I like SP on FB")!

Day 6: JOY TO THE WORLD Banner

Winner: Shannon!

Day 7: Teeny Tiny Felt Cookies

Winner: Lee!

Day 8: MERRY Banner

Winner: The Peterson Life!

Day 9: Baby Cap and Clips

Winner: Mallory!

Day 10: "Elf Notes" Mini Cards

Winner: Eileen Giuliacci!

Day 11: Fabulous Crocheted Scarf

Winner: M.M.M.!

Day 12: SEASON'S GREETINGS Canvas

Winner: Whitaker Family!



Congrats, winners, and thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway! The Sassy Pepper loves you all! We'll be posting this on FB too for all you FB entries. If you didn't win, don't worry--we'll have regular giveaways in the future. 2011 is going to be one fun, crafty year!

If you are one of our lucky winners, please email us by Friday, Dec. 17th at thesassypepper@gmail.com with your address so we can ship your loot ASAP!

Merry Christmas, Sassy Pepper lovers!

On the 12th Day of Christmas...

FYI:

YOU HAVE UNTIL MIDNIGHT DECEMBER 13th TO ENTER ONE, TWO, OR EVEN ALL OF OUR GIVEAWAYS if you've just found us! The winners will be announced December 14th. (That's tomorrow!)

On the 12th day of Christmas, the Sassy Pepper gave to me a fabulously festive SEASON'S GREETINGS canvas wall hanging!


This giveaway is for a 12x12 canvas, hung on a red ribbon. So chic and festive! The canvas says "season's greetings" on top of a sparkling white snowflake. The canvas has been finished off with a layer of Mod Podge to protect it and keep it pretty for years to come!

Enter to win this wall hanging by completing one of the following options:

1) Leave a comment

2) "like" our Facebook page if you haven't already done so, then "like" or comment on the FB post for that day's giveaway

3) Become a follower of the Sassy Pepper blog (if not already)

4) Post our giveaway on your blog and send us an email with a link to your post

All winners will be posted tomorrow, December 14th,

so tell your friends and get those entries in pronto!

Anxiously waiting to announce our winners!

On the 11th Day of Christmas...

In case some of you are confused...

YOU HAVE UNTIL MIDNIGHT DECEMBER 13th TO ENTER ONE, TWO, OR EVEN ALL OF OUR GIVEAWAYS! The winners will be announced the 14th.

Having said that,

On the 11th day of Christmas Pepper donated a scarf that she bought at a Christmas boutique just yesterday! Don't you love supporting fellow crafters? I will also have you know that the proceeds of this scarf have gone to help a Mother and Child shelter. I have always wanted to learn to knit or crochet, but this is even better.

Made with lovely homespun yarn in black with brown and cream specks.

You will be cozy warm and stylish!

Cheers,

To enter to win this scarf, please do one (or more) of the following:

1) Leave a comment

2) "like" our Facebook page if you haven't already done so, then "like" or comment on the FB post for that day's giveaway

3) Become a follower of the Sassy Pepper blog (if not already)

4) Post our giveaway on your blog and send us an email with a link to your post

All winners will be posted on December 14th,

Please come back for more and be sure to tell your friends!