"What's for Dinner?" Just Got Easier To Answer: DIY Menu Board

My latest project was so simple and cheep that I'd considered not counting it as a project at all.  But, since I technically think that it is one, I have now crossed off number 11 of 20 DIY crafts/projects on my 30 before 30 list.  (Holla!)

While I was searching for free printables for my Home Management Binder (which I've almost completed--more on that in another post) I came across some amazing menu board ideas.  I especially loved the variety of menu boards that Home Life Simplified has shown here (toward the bottom of the page.)

Although they're all awesome, many of them looked very time consuming and considering I'm beginning to plan my son's birthday party and the holidays will be coming up soon, I just can't see myself making any of them a reality anytime soon.

So, I stuck with the simplest (and in my opinion, one of the cutest) ideas I found:  putting a weekly menu in a picture frame and writing the weekly menu in dry erase markers so that it can easily be erased when it's time to write on it again.

Here's the one I found at Home Life Simplified that gave me the inspiration to create my own:

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I had already found this ADORABLE weekly menu plan free printable at The Nest Effect* that I was going to use in my Home Management Binder, but decided it would be perfect for a menu board:

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So, I grabbed a frame that wasn't being used, made a few trial and error prints before I got the correct size and viola, dinner menu plan in a frame was born:

I must admit, I got a little giddy once I added this week's dinner plans with the dry erase marker.  I mean, who doesn't like to write with a dry erase marker?  (Am I the only one who never outgrew that phase?)

So, tada!  Easy as pie!  It now sits in our kitchen window sill beside the herbs we're attempting to grow (no luck with the lavender thus far.  sad day.)  The black frame looks great in the window and it's very functional.  No more thinking about what we have in the cabinets and what to make for dinner that night. It's right there on the board.  And, if we decide to go out on Tuesday night to eat with friends, no big deal--erase Tacos and add it to Saturday.  Done deal.

Oh yes, I'm loving the functionality of such a simple project.  This thing will definitely make our lives easier.  

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* BTW:  The Nest Effect has several other awesome free printables on her site and an Etsy store with even more printables, so be sure to take a look!

DIY Fabric Magnet Board

Number 5 on My 30 Before 30 List is to complete 20 do-it-yourself projects.  I've had a few ideas rolling around in my head but I haven't had the time to complete any of them thanks to those pesky law-school finals.

However, today I made a fabric magnet board for my sister's bedroom (which is pink and black).  It was very easy and cheap to make and I'm happy with the way it turned out.  Want to know how to make your own?  Here you go!

Here's a list of everything you'll need in order to complete your fabric magnet board:

• A Frame (I purchased a mirror at an antique store for $3 and used the frame from it.)
• Fabric (I purchased mine from Jo-Ann's.  Click here to find one near you.)
• Hot Glue Gun & Hot Glue
• Sheet of Galvanized Steel (I purchased mine from Lowe's for around $10.)
• Scissors or Metal Sheers (I used regular scissors and they worked fine.)
• Piece of Foam Board (I purchased mine from Jo-Ann's.  Click here to find one near you.)
• Spray Paint (and primer if needed)

1) Start by wiping down your frame to remove excess dirt or chipped paint.

2)  Set it up to be spray painted the right way.  Now, the reason I'm including this step is because, while I'm sure all of you already know not to set the item you'll be spray painting directly on the paper because it will get stuck, I learned this lesson the hard way.  

3)  Next, prime it.  I primed the frame using Rust-Oleum and added a second layer after it dried for good measure.  

4)  Next, measure and cut your foam board to fit perfectly inside the frame.  After I did this, I placed it inside the frame just to make sure I measured correctly.  Feel free to skip that part of this step, but I just don't trust myself.  

5)  Get ready to cut your sheet of galvanized metal.  Note:  For this step and any other step where you directly handle the metal wear gloves to avoid getting cut!  

Before cutting I traced around the foam board onto the metal.  Then I measured about 1/4 an inch inside the line I had traced, making the steel slightly smaller than the foam board.  

6)  Now your primer should be dry, so it's time to make your frame pretty!  I applied a semi-gloss spray paint (again I chose Rust-Oleum) and allowed it to dry before applying a second coat.  The frame is now complete!  :)

7)  Glue the sheet of metal to your piece of cut foam board using a hot glue gun. 

8)  After ironing the fabric to get out all the lines and creases, lay your fabric face down and began gluing it to the back of the foam board.  It helps if you have an extra set of hands on this part to insure you pull the fabric tight enough to keep the fabric from sagging or wrinkling.   

9)  Finally, you're ready to place the fabric-covered magnet board into the fame!  I think I jumped for joy when I completed mine because I'm now one step closer to finishing My 30 Before 30 List!

10)  Put that cute little thing to work!  

Now, everyone knows the basic uses of magnet boards, such as holding pictures, receipts, and cards, but Shelterness suggests using a magnet board to hold your makeup!  GENIUS!!  

It's easy!  Just purchase a roll of magnet tape and stick a small piece onto each of your makeup items!

Look at this awesomeness and tell me this isn't a fantastic idea?!  What a great way to get all of that makeup out of that drawer and off your bathroom counter!

Picture Source

Stevie hasn't decided how she's going to use hers yet, but that's her job.  My job here is done!

Special thanks to Shanty 2 Chic for creating the tutorial that helped me through this DIY project 

and allowed me to share my experience with my readers! :)

Perfect Day to Play at the Park

Such a great start to the weekend MONTH!  

After I got home from class, Robert and I took Madd to the park downtown.  We flipping love this park.  However, because our trip was actually more of a spontaneous detour on our way to grab sushi ("Momma, can we go to that park and play that has the tunnels?") I didn't bring my camera.  So, cruddy pics from my Blackberry are all I have to share.  Grr.

The only thing Madd loves more than sliding down this big slide, is forcing me to slide down this big slide.

"Momma, what are you waiting on?  Just come down here already."

So of course, I did.

There are so many tunnels at the park.  It's perfect for little boys who love to explore.

Hmm.... I wonder how those jeans got a hole in the knee.

I had to crawl around the tunnels with him.  Yes, I meant to use the word crawl.  But could YOU say no to that face?  

Madd and I climbed up on a rock together and he said, "Let's just sit here and enjoy the beautiful view together."  He can be such a gentleman when he wants to be.  :)

After we left the park we ate sushi at our favorite sushi spot, Wasabi.  As usual, our eyes were bigger than our tummies.  Thank God for to-go boxes!  

I then decided to get an iPhone 4 because I've finally had enough of my piece-of-junk Blackberry.  I've gone through at least six of these things within the past two years because they just quit working.  Notice the cracked screen?  Just lovely, I know.

I think I'm going to have some type of ceremonial goodbye for it.  Maddox and I discussed this topic tonight on our way home from the Verizon store.  So, stay tuned for pictures of the ceremony.  [evil laugh]

The rest of the night was a lazy one.  Just ask Charlie.

But, we did manage to get the paintings for Madd's room that I purchased from Etsy hung above Madd's bed.  I've been waiting on these cute little guys for a month now because the seller painted them in colors specifically for his room.  I'm so glad they're here, and that Madd loves them.  

Alright.  It's time to join Charlie.  After such a great night, I'm ready for some great sleep.