Fabulous, Fantastic, and Frugal Friday - Gift No. 4 - Menu Board

How many of us plan a menu for the week, shop for the menu, and then forget what we were planning to cook by the time Wednesday rolls around?

I'm guilty of that but those big chalkboards have no place in most smaller kitchens. When I spied an idea that offered a solution I was determined to have my version of it.

Confession: I totally ripped the idea off from Southern Living at Home.

If you want to see the real deal go here:
http://mag1.olivesoftware.com/ActiveMagazine/welcome/STLM/SouthernLivingatHome.asp
Look on page 17.

The one we'll be making looks completely different but the idea is the same.


Supplies

• black chalkboard paint
• wood plaque or a board cut to size of your choosing
  
• ribbon
  
• plate stand
• chalk
• drill and drill bit that is large enough to make a hole to push ribbon through
  

First, grab your plaque/board. They are pretty inexpensive. I got mine for a dollar and some change.


Decide where you want the ribbon. I put the holes for my ribbon 2" from the side and 1.5" from the top. I marked it...

and drilled the holes so it would be perfectly even.


Make sure to sand the holes well, front and back.


Next, paint your plaque with chalkboard paint. I used black because it was under the sink and I'm way to lazy to get up and go to the store after all that turkey. ;) It does come in other colors, though.


Let it dry. Meanwhile, enjoy this homemade red velvet delight. MMMM!


Then grab your ribbons. Cut them the length of the space between the holes times three and allow for the tails on each end. Why you ask?
Because you need to lace the board like this...


You may want to cut a "v" shaped notch or slanted ends to make them pretty.


Little tip - If you take the flame of a lighter and run it across the cut ends it won't fray. Most ribbon is polyester so the heat melts and seals the threads.

Cut as many different ribbons as you like and include them in the gift bag. That's what I love about this gift! It's awesome for those who like to decorate for the seasons...





Now, grab that plate stand.
You can rock it out with a snazzy one like this...


or go a bit more frugal by picking up one at the one dollar store...


or give it some pop with a color like this...


Include some chalk, small or large...


and give it to someone absent minded, like me.
They'll appreciate it!

BTW, if you don't like chalk use a small dry erase board instead. If you want, hang it on the wall by adding hanging hardware.
How about some different ribbon for a teen's room?
Or... use magnetic paint and include a magnet. Then you have a place to keep your recipe card tidy while you cook.


Make it yours or theirs. ;)

Happy Gift Giving!

NNMHHKYS7AY6

NNMHHKYS7AY6
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Some decor additions

Red velvet cake with cream cheese icing, turkey, dressing, homemade rolls, and glazed carrots are all waiting to get made while I indulge my decorating addiction.

I haven't put all my new purchases in place but these two cast-offs have found spots to call home, for now anyway.

So, where did this pheasant go?

ta-da...

Okay, you don't get credit for that one. My picture cropping gave that one away. lol.

I've been loving the feathers and natural decor this Christmas so I think me finding her was meant to be.

She looks good from any angle.
That shutter is for holding Christmas cards and photos that we get in the mail this time of year. I have extras that we'll spice up for a "Fabulous Friday" gift. ;)

Now, what about the homeless fish?

He has now found a new home here...

I hung him about four inches lower than the door frames in the room. He brings some color to the large gray area above the television and adds height.

Side note ~ My demonic camera seems to wash out color and depth. It's got a flash that could kill a vampire 40 miles away. It turned the screen on the T.V. a creepy white so I blocked it out in black. The wall color is really a light gray and the white background of the two side photos contrast more than what is visible in the photo.

Check back soon for my cheap and easy countdown for Christmas decorating and stay tuned for our Friday gift idea!
(I'm super excited about it!!!)

Goodwill Hunting

Ah! Satisfaction

Don't you love a good find?
Don't you love a good deal even more?

I decided to run into the thrift store for a few minutes and found all this.

(There are actually three more of those wood square plaques sitting in the floor.)
I spent $30 on my entire haul.

Sometimes I wonder how I get so much into 1200 square feet.

My husband wonders how I find so much "treasure". Although, my idea of treasure doesn't always coincide with my husband's idea of treasure. Once I get the items fluffed and puffed he sees what I saw in them.

I'll get some pictures up on Tuesday or Wednesday so you can see where these things went.

Happy Hunting!

A relaxing holiday weekend

This weekend was as near perfect as I can imagine - sans the beach.
We spent Saturday outside enjoying the fall scenery. We all had a wonderful time, especially the ducks.


Afterward, we drove around looking at houses and neighborhoods. I spotted some really nice home in the 1 million dollar range. lol.
I did spot some reasonably priced homes, too. They looked so tidy that I had to snap pics. My hubby said we probably looked like we were "casing the joint" in our minivan.


After all that, the whole family was starving... starving for cookies!... so we went over to this fine establishment.

They have the best butter cookies I've ever tasted. MMMM!
They ship cookies, too. ;) Just click the picture for the link - because I would hate to deny anyone such fabulous cookies.

Sunday we got up to go to church but didn't make it. Our son was sneezing left and right. I'm pretty sure it's allergies but we ended up staying home after thinking that there might be a chance of infecting everyone in his room.

Now, what do you do with a gloomy Sunday afternoon?

Go antiquing, of course.
We headed down to our favorite gallery and looked around. When we first came in I spotted this. I loved the frame.


We wound up not buying any decorative items but it was nice to look around.
The gallery had holiday music playing and a spread of cookies, cakes, and juice. Everyone was in a festive mood and it was relaxing to stroll around amidst all the old treasures in their newly found Christmas atmosphere. I usually don't breakout my Christmas sweater this early but I felt especially festive today and decided to wear it. Very serendipitous don't you think?

(Yes, I love themed sweaters and I wear them shamelessly. Fellow holiday sweater wearers, you are always welcome here.)

Amid all that Christmas spirit, I did find one treasure that I could find a place for... I'm still thinking about getting this table. I'm trying to be more responsible about my purchases. Trying is the key word there.

I'm sure my hubby would like me to pass on it. I do love it though.

I hope you all had an enjoyable weekend, too. If not, take a stroll backwards in time through some treasures like these.


I'm sure your Monday will be much better. ;)