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Saturday, January 31, 2015

Super Bowl Party Recipes

super bowl party recipes, the altered past blog


Is your family a football family?  We are.  Even with 3 daughters and no sons, we love watching football games at our house.  Throw in some great food and it's a perfect day.

Here are a couple of recipes we love to have on game day.  They'll be perfect for tomorrow's Super Bowl and super easy to make!~

great super bowl football party recipes, the altered past blog

redneck nachos, super bowl party recipes, the altered past


My family loves Redneck Nachos.  They're easy to make and easy to cater to your family's likes and dislikes.  You could tweak it with more heat by substituting Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce with Frank's Hot Wing Sauce...yum!  Or add black beans and drained corn instead of northern beans for a more Tex-Mex flavor.  Easy, easy!

fiesta corn salsa, super bowl party recipes, the altered past

fiesta corn salsa, super bowl recipes, the altered past blog


I found this recipe for Fiesta Corn Salsa a few months ago.  There are several versions and sources for it on Pinterest.  The one I read said that it is the one dish that everyone will be gathered around at parties and that's no lie!  No worries if you run out of chips, just grab a spoon ;)

chicken enchiladas, super bowl recipes, the altered past blog

chicken enchiladas, super bowl recipes, the altered past blog

And, last but not least, Chicken Enchiladas!  We have made this recipe for many years and it's delish!  Easy to make for a crowd as well.

Hope you've found a new recipe to try.  Who will you be pulling for tomorrow?!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!

Angie

I'm linking here:
THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS
HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY
STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING

Monday, January 26, 2015

Something To Talk About Link Party #1

Do you shop at antique auctions?  You can really snag so great deals.  I've shared a few of mine before in this post.  I came across this website a few months ago and I'm hooked.  

I'm not an affiliate or compensated for this.  It's just so good, I wanted to share it!

It's called Everything But The House and is lists estate auctions for several large cities.  They've actually added a couple of new ones recently.




All bids start at $1 and there's no fee to place a bid.  However, if you are the final bid, you are obligated to make the purchase.  

Want to see some other places to find auction deals?  Try this site:  MarkNet Alliance  I've bought several items locally from an auction company that sells online in my area.  Here's a few of the deals I've found.


This beautiful mirror was only $11!!  It's old and very heavy.  Love it!


 This antique alabaster lamp was $9.  I know, crazy isn't it!

That's just a taste of what you can find at online LOCAL auctions.  Ebay isn't the only place you can find auction deals.  Local ones are online as well.  The best advantage to online sales is that they usually offer a preview day so that you can see the items firsthand before placing the bid AND you pick them up locally...no shipping costs!

Have you got some deals  or recipes or DIY projects to share?!  Well, this next part is for you!!  The Altered Past along with 2 Bees in a Pod, The Crowned Goat, Concord Cottage, and Bluwaterlife have joined together to bring you the Something To Talk About Link Party!  

It begins today and will run each Monday on all five blogs.  If you share your link below, it will be visible on the other four blogs as well.  How's that for exposure!  Each week we will also be selecting links for our features!  

Enough talking, let's get this party started!  Thanks for stopping by and God bless!!
Angie



We would love to connect with you on social media! 







Party Rules

1    No Etsy stores, giveaways, or link parties.
2   Please link to a specific post on your blog, not your blog’s home page.
3   Although not required, we would love a link back to one of our blogs with a text link or party button.
4   By submitting a link, you’re giving us permission to feature your project on our blogs and on social media.  Proper credit and a link back to your post will always be given.
5   Each week, a few of our favorites will be featured on all five of our blogs.  Features will also be pinned to our Pinterest Party Board  for even more exposure!  If you were featured, be sure to grab a button!


 Thank you so much for stopping by and for linking up with us!!



Monday, January 19, 2015

Easy Way to Paint a Table and Chairs

quickly and easily paint table and chairs with paint sprayer, the altered past blog

Are you constantly upgrading your stuff like I do?  I mean, I had a perfectly decent table in my office.

quickly and easily paint table and chairs with paint sprayer, the altered past blog

I bought this table at the thrift store a few years ago.  It's worked fine as a craft table and desk but it took up more room than I liked.  I also knew at some point I would paint it.  It has a beaded edge and beautiful legs.

Fast forward to just a few weeks ago when I saw an ad for a table with 6 chairs.  I didn't need the chairs but the table was exactly what I'd been looking for and the price was right.  Hubby and I made a trip across town and the set was mine.

Time to bring my current table downstairs to finally paint it along with the 6 chairs that came with the new table.

I hate painting.  Having I ever mentioned that?  I really do.  Probably because I stink at it.  Ask me to paint you a landscape or a still life and I'm your gal.  Ask me to paint a wall or a piece of furniture and I'll make a mess of it.  I know, it's like opposite world because I'm just weird like that.


quickly and easily paint table and chairs with paint sprayer, the altered past blog

This was the beginning of the torture painting.  I used a linen white chalk paint because I love the coverage you get with chalk paint.  What I don't like is having to get into all those little grooves.  That's when I decided to reach out to the people of HomeRight and give their Finish Max Pro paint sprayer a try.

They happily agreed and this beauty arrived!

quickly and easily paint a table and chairs with paint sprayer, the altered past blog

My knight in shining blue plastic :)

If you've never used a paint sprayer before, here's some quick tips:  make sure you have lots of space in a well-ventilated area, put tarps or plastic down to catch over spray, face mask, if you're inside, and latex gloves, if you have manicured nails (unlike me).

quickly and easily paint a table and chairs with paint sprayer, the altered past blog

First coat of paint done with a brush (and possibly a few choice words)

quickly and easily paint a table and chairs with paint sprayer, the altered past blog

Nice, smooth coat of paint MINUTES later using HomeRight Finish Max Pro paint sprayer.  

I will confess here.  I tried out the sprayer in the garage on this chair.  Along with the over spray, you need to expect a lot of dust, I guess you could call it, from the dried paint particles flying in the air.  I did have to sweep up the dust from the garage floor so I moved my operation outside on the next day when it was sunny.  

quickly and easily paint a table and chairs with paint sprayer, the altered past blog

Even with the time it takes to set up my spraying area and the clean up of the paint sprayer (which is pretty darn easy), using this method to paint the 6 chairs took probably less than half of the time it would have taken me with a brush.  And, the finish is nice and smooth, free from brush marks.

quickly and easily paint a table and chairs with paint sprayer, the altered past blog


quickly and easily paint a table and chairs with paint sprayer, the altered past blog

quickly and easily paint a table and chairs with paint sprayer, the altered past blog

Not sure why the top looks like it has grayish areas but it's totally white.

Seriously guys, a paint sprayer is the bomb!  I was able to finish two large painting projects in just a couple of days.  Just make sure you take it outside if you don't have ample space and ventilation inside.  You don't want to save all that time only to have to clean up the garage ;)

Many thanks to the people of HomeRight for sending me the Finish Max Pro.  The projects and opinions about their product are 100% mine.

Oh, and here's a little sneak peek at the new table in my office!



Thanks for stopping by and God bless!
Angie

I'm linking here:
THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS
HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY
STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Carved Rocks: Easy Valentine Craft with Dremel Tool

Easy Valentine Craft, carved stone, the altered past blog

A couple of years ago, I saw a article about using a Dremel tool to carve designs in rocks.   So, the other day I was thinking about a Valentine craft that would be easy to make and be a keepsake as well.  It dawned on me...a carved rock!  Kinda like the carving your initials in a tree thing!

I'm here to tell you.  It was super easy and I love the results.

I'm a rock hound so I had plenty of river rocks around the house, but if you don't, try simple landscaping rocks from the home building store.  I'd bet you could even find a great one while on a walk :)   A Dremel tool can be purchased online or at big box stores.  They start at less than $20 and are a great tool to have around.

Easy Valentine Craft, carved stone, the altered past blog


Here's the other items you'll need:

rock(s)
Dremel 7700-1/15 MultiPro 7.2-Volt Cordless Rotary Tool Kit
drill bit (usually included if you have the drill kit)
marker or chalk
safety glasses (there will be dust and possibly fragments)

Easy Valentine Craft, carved stone, the altered past blog

Ready?  Let's get started.  Choose the sentiment you want forever carved in stone.  Write it on the stone with the marker or chalk to get the placement and size right.  I chose a silver Sharpie so that it would blend with the color of the rock.  You want to use something that won't be seen afterwards.

Easy Valentine Craft, carved stone, the altered past blog

Easy Valentine Craft, carved stone, the altered past blog
(sorry for the fuzzy phone pic...daughter needed her camera for a wedding!)
Once you like the placement and size of your sentiment, begin carving using the Dremel tool.  Go slowly and try not to carve too deeply at first.  You can go back over the lines again and again to make them deeper.  Important:  make sure to hold the drill firmly as it may want to jump a little, making crooked lines, ruining your design.  If that happens, just toss the rock out in the backyard and hundreds of years from now an archaeologist will find it and will be so confused!  Lol!  I so want to carve something crazy and throw it outback just for the fun of it!  Ok, I digress.

Easy Valentine Craft, carved stone, the altered past blog

Don't worry, even going slowly, this craft only took me a few minutes to complete.   Take a look at the ones I created...all in less than 30 minutes!

Easy Valentine Craft, carved stone, the altered past blog

Easy Valentine Craft, carved stone, the altered past blog


Easy Valentine Craft, carved stone, the altered past blog

I'm pretty excited with how well these turned out.  I think they would make a great gift for anyone but especially for that special guy in your life...a Valentine that's not too frilly or heartsy or red!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!
Angie


The above is an affiliate link to Amazon.  The little amount I earn helps bring you more of The Altered Past.  Thanks!

I'm linking here:
THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS
HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY
STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

An Organized Workroom Part 2

  workroom studio organization, craft, the altered past blog

Welcome back!  I'm so glad you joined me for part two of my Organized Workroom post.  If you missed part 1, you can check it out here:  An Organized Workroom Post 1

Today, I'm showing you more of the storage methods I use in my workroom.  Since I do altered art projects along with my DIY home projects, it requires hoarding keeping lots of various doodads, tchotchkes, treasures.  My family would probably disagree but that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Seriously, it's not really hoarding if it's organized, right???  Nevermind, don't answer that.

fabric and scraps organization, vintage soda crate, the altered past blog
a vintage RC cola crate hung on the side of a cabinet holds my many pieces of fabric scraps

work room organization, craft room, the altered past blog

vintage match holder used for chalk, the altered past blog
I use a chalkboard near the door to write down my projects and materials needed.
This vintage match holder is perfect to hold extra chalk.
french style vintage stereo cabinet, the altered past blog
French style vintage stereo cabinet, gutted, painted, and fabric panels added

old stereo cabinet turned craft storage cabinet, the altered past blog
This old stereo cabinet was gutted and now used to store my supplies.
The old pull-out turntable drawer works perfectly for holding lots of paint bottles.
The vintage apothecary jars hold everything from junk metal pieces to rubber stamps.
Jars and jars of treasures...buttons, knobs, die, keys, dominoes, clothespin, tags, and more!


craft supply storage, workroom organization, the altered past blog

Wine box, wooden bowl, jar, and other dishes help keep things contained
An old miner's basket hung from the ceiling with pulleys holds spools of ribbons.  Out of the way but still within reach!

workroom organization, old dishes, baskets, and frame, the altered past blog
An old frame with chicken wire, broken teapot and sugar bowl are great for holding tools
Are you ready for my workroom's secret??!  Check it out!

hidden storage in workroom, studio, the altered past blog
The faux columns on each side of the mantel...they have secrets. ;)
They are actually built-in storage cabinets!
Whew!  That was quite a tour.  Thank you for sticking around to the end.  I hope you find some inspiration and ideas for your own workroom!

God bless!
Angie


I'm linking here:
THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS
HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY
STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING

Monday, January 12, 2015

An Organized Workroom Part 1

workroom organization, the altered past blog

Well, I finally got my workroom organized!  Nothing like posting those ugly before photos (see the post here) to make me get my tail in gear.  I should try this tactic more often.

After I got everything cleaned up, organized, and photographed, I realized I had about a bazillion pics to share.   So, instead of being that person that pulls out the slide projector and subjects you to a ton of vacation pictures, I'm breaking this up into two posts.

Before we jump into my newly organized workroom, I thought I'd share a little about it.  When we moved to the country almost 10 years ago, I decided the shed that was on the property would be a great place for my art studio.

I painted the walls inside, bought a little woodburning stove to heat it during the winter, bought a really l-o-n-g vintage cast iron sink to use for washing paint brushes (and the occasional dirty dog).  I bought cute curtains and dreamed of planting an herb garden outside the front door.  It was coming right along until...


nashville flood 2010, the altered past blog

nashville flood 2010, the altered past blog

nashville flood 2010, the altered past blog

Yeah, in my own little world, this was somewhat devastating but compared in real life to those that lost much, much more from that flood.  It's was just an inconvenience.  We ended up burning practically everything that was in the shed.  And, quickly decided the shed was not a safe place for my art studio.

So now, I have a little 10 x 10 room that my husband built me in our basement garage.  It's actually cozy and now it's organized!  Come on in!

workroom art studio, organization, the altered past blog
fabric scraps, vintage shopping cart (for the Country Living Fair and other shows), fall floral decor

workroom art studio, organization, the altered past blog
my version of the old woodburing stove (electric heater), old door turned mantel, vintage bistro chairs

workroom art studio, organization, the altered past blog
vintage china cabinet turned storage cabinet and my many, many jars of junk :)

workroom art studio, organization, the altered past blog
an old board covered with batting and cloth is used to hold inspiration pieces and projects

workroom art studio, organization, the altered past blog
my work table made from an old dismantled desk and a hodge pode of other containers for art supplies
Well, whaddya think?  Much better than the before photos ;)  Be sure to check back tomorrow as I'm sharing more of what's in all those jars as well as some secret storage areas that my husband so ingeniously created!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!
Angie

I'm linking here:
THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS
HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY
STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING