2014 - Page 14 of 34 - Pretty Handy Girl

Gluten Free Chicken Noodle Soup (using Chicken Burgers)

Gluten Free Chicken Noodle Soup | Pretty Handy Girl

Did you know that Costco has chicken burgers that taste really good in soup? You read that right! Amylu Chicken Burgers are sold in Costco and they are super yummy and easy to cut up and throw into this hearty and healthy soup.

Last fall, I got a killer cold. When I’m sick I crave Chicken Noodle Soup. Raise your hand if you grew up on Campbell’s Chicken Noodle soup? It was the soup my Mom gave me anytime I was ill. As an adult, I usually make my own so I can add more veggies and control the sodium. But, I still love those little squares of processed chicken in the Campbell’s version. (Am I a freak?!)

Anyway, I hadn’t been to the grocery store in a while and our fridge was almost empty. Luckily I had just enough ingredients to throw together in a pot and make this yummy Gluten Free Chicken Noodle Soup. My good friend gave me two Amylu burgers to try (because buying a Costco quantity of something you’ve never tried before is brave) and they were still sitting in the fridge. I was hesitant to try them, but in a pinch I had to use what I had on hand to make my chicken noodle soup.

I was overwhelmingly ecstatic by the results! The chicken burgers were perfectly seasoned for the soup. But, best of all, it had the same texture as those little squares in the Campbell’s version! I vowed to write down the recipe and share it with you, so here it is: Read more

September 1, 2014/10 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

accessories, bedroom, curtains, decor, Decorating, Master Bedroom, window dressing

Easy and Inexpensive Romantic Curtains

Are your windows naked? What’s holding you back? Don’t have the funds to buy some? Don’t have the time to sew some? I have the instant cure for your naked windows. Get ready to make your own easy and inexpensive romantic curtains! Best of all, you don’t have to sew a thing!

Materials:

2 Flat twin sheets from Walmart ($4.97 ea.)
10 Curtain ring clips

Instructions:

Fold your bed sheet in half lengthwise at the top edge. Pleat the left corner and clip a ring over the pleats approximately 2-3 inches below the top edge.

Pleat and add another clip at the fold. Gather another pleat halfway between your two clips and add a third clip. Read more

August 29, 2014/10 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

arts and craft, Contributor, Crafts, DIY, Gift Ideas, gifts, kids art, painting, Painting & Antiquing Techniques, Très Frugal

DIY Block Print Stamped Tea Towel

Hey there! It’s Melissa from The Happier Homemaker back again with a fun and easy DIY tutorial you can even get the kiddos involved with! I’ve been noticing block printing coming up a lot in my home decor magazines and catalogs lately. Last week when I was prepping a little rainy day potato stamping activity for my 3 boys, I decided it may be time to try a little block printing DIY of my own.

Supplies:

Flour Sack Tea Towels
Large Raw Baking Potato
Knife
Craft Paint
Fabric Medium
Iron and Ironing Board

Instructions:

Cut your potato in half and use your knife to {carefully} cut your design. Simple shapes work best for this type of stamping.

On a paper plate, or paint palette, mix your craft paint with fabric medium in a 2:1 ratio (or according to fabric medium instructions.) Read more

August 27, 2014/5 Comments/by Melissa Riker

bedroom, Before and After, Decorating, Furniture, Home Decor, Home Tour, Master Bedroom, night stand, painting, Painting & Antiquing Techniques, ReNew, Trash to Treasure, Tutorial, Upcycling

Updating a Nightstand {Lowe’s Creative Idea}

Updating a Knotty Pine Nightstand | Pretty Handy Girl

The best way to give your room a makeover on a budget is if you can use your existing furniture. Notice that I didn’t say using it “as is”. Heck no! Update your solid furniture by adding moulding, paint and new feet!

(Pretty Handy Dog is already staking his claim on his preferred spot on the new bed.)

When I decided to build our new bed, I wanted to use our existing nightstand and vanity to save money. But, the nightstand was a little too short for the new bed height. By adding new feet and painting it the same color as our new bed, I was able to give the knotty pine nightstand a second life.

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Materials:

Optional:

Scrap 2×4 pieces of lumber to brace base
Kreg jig and pocket screws
Drill

Instructions:

Start with a solid night stand. She may have some dated curves, but that’s nothing a little baseboard moulding can’t fix!

Remove the drawers. Clean out any dust bunnies and lost love letters out of the back.

Cut an interior facing 45 degree angle into one end of the baseboard moulding. Line up the bevel against one end of the front of the nightstand. Mark the opposite corner of the base where you need to cut. Read more

August 25, 2014/24 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

adfree, DIY, Door, Door Hardware, Fix It, Home & Auto Maintenance, Home Safety, Tutorial, Window, window dressing

Install Security Film to a Glass Door and Protect Your Home

How to Add Security Film to Glass Doors & Windows | Pretty Handy Girl

The folks at Allstate Insurance have graciously sponsored this post, which will help you learn how to install security film to safeguard your doors (or windows) from a potential break-in! It’s a simply DIY solution that could potentially save you the heartache of having your home burglarized.

I’ve noticed an unsettling trend in our area. There are more thefts popping up around our neighborhood. Luckily the majority of them are burglaries with no violence. But, it’s still unsettling. If you want the latest on crimes around you, sign up for SpotCrime.com. Simply enter your address and you’ll get emails when crimes are reported around you. Then again, this could lead to a bit of paranoia {raising hand.}

Regardless, there are two doors in our home that have always caused me some concern. We have two half window doors that needed some added security measures. The first one is the entrance to our mudroom. The second one is the back door to our garage (and you know I’d be heartbroken if anyone stole my power tools!)

If you have a door like this, a burglar can simply break the pane of glass closest to the knob, reach in and turn the deadbolt and handle. One option is to install a two-sided keyed entry deadbolt lock. Because we have little children, I worried about them not being able to find the key and get out of the house in the event of a fire.

This past week I happened to hear about security film and did a little research. I was skeptical until I tested the material myself. The results seriously amazed me! You can watch my test in the video later in this post.

In the meantime, here are the supplies you’ll need and the very simply installation instructions!

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Materials:

8 Mil Security Window Film
Spray bottle with water and a few drops of dish soap (or baby shampoo)
4 inch Squeegee
Paper towels
Razor blade
X-acto knife (or scissors)
Metal Ruler
Ball point pen or fine-tipped sharpie
Cutting surface

Instructions:

1. Begin by removing the grill if you have one solid piece of glass with faux dividers (see my video below for more details on removing the grill.) If you have true divided light, move on to the next step.

2. Measure your windows. Reduce the size by 1/8″ to leave space at the edges for the water to escape. Transfer the measurements onto the film with pen. Cut the window film with the x-acto knife and ruler. (You could use scissors in a pinch.)