Wednesday Pick-Me-Up #5

Dry Erase Project Board

This project was inspired by Kaminski's Creations Menu Board.  But instead of a menu board, I made a project board.  I wanted a project board to replace all the post it notes I had floating around.  I hope this board helps me focus and stay on task.

This is one of my favorite types of projects - easy.  It also could have been done for free {another of my favorite project types} but I opted to buy some pretty new papers specifically for this project.  I choose the following papers from The Sweetest Thing line by My Mind's Eye:

• Tangerine "Wonderful" Dandy Paper
• Lavender "Reasons Why" Swatch Paper
• Lavender "Reasons Why" Motif Paper
• Tangerine "Together" Chevron Paper
• Tangerine "Sunshine" Beam Paper

The picture frame had been collecting dust underneath my bed.  It is a frame from Ikea and in its past life displayed a lovely original photograph of a hollyhock.

The first step in this easy project was to dust the frame and clean the glass.  Next, I measured the inside and created my layout.  The letters on the flags are rub-ons and the string is embroidery floss.

Then I slipped the created page into the frame and hung it on the wall in my craft room.

Now it's up to me to use this board.  I plan to take a picture of the board each month and post it so you too can know what is going on in my craft room.

I am sharing this project at these parties.

{Popsicle of the Month} - Peach Vanilla Cream Pops

Yes, I know.  Just last Sunday on a post I told you how I try to eat healthy and now I'm telling you about popsicles.  Well, I'm a true believer in treating yourself once in a while (or everyday!). And these yummy Peach Vanilla Cream Pops from Bon Appetit are a delicious treat.

I debated adding the amaretto and in the end I did.  But the next time I make them I will not.  I think this recipe would be good with other fruit - especially strawberries.

So go ahead and treat yourself to these pops.

Lunch Bags - {hostess gifts}

My sister Karen is so lucky.  I made these five lunch bags for her.  She sells Norwex and Dove Chocolate and gives one bag filled with goodies to each party hostess.  I let her pick out the fabric from my stash the last time she was visiting {for a Norwex party of course.}

She lives in Peoria, IL and would love to do a party for you.  Check out her websites for more information or to order product:

Norwex {Cleaning is a breeze with Norwex.}

Dove Chocolate {I highly recommend the sea salted caramels.}

I also have a few lunch bags for sale at my Etsy shop - eLRBe.  If you hurry over there now, I am having an August sale - get 25% off your entire purchase excluding shipping by using coupon code READBLOG25 at checkout.

Wednesday Pick-Me-Up #4

{Healthy Eating} Porcupine Sliders

Yesterday I hit the lakes {Calhoun and Isle} with my aunt for a nice 6.5 mile walk.  The weather was superb.  I hope {fingers crossed} the heat and humidity are in the rear view mirror.  

Exercise and healthy eating are two things I try to incorporate into my lifestyle.  I'm always on the lookout for new healthy recipes.  I found this great recipe for  Porcupine Sliders in the newspaper.  

These are not your mother's porcupine meatballs.  No way!  These are full of good for you ingredients - brown rice, ground turkey, dried cranberries, and spinach.  And did I mention how delicious they are?  I don't even bother with a bun - they are that good.

Give them a try, you won't regret it.

Washi Tape Clipboard

Earlier this year, I joined Team Washi and made a super cute washi tape keyboard.  This project left me with plenty of washi tape and the desire to do more with it.  Clipboards seemed to be a popular thing to cover with washi tape.  So I jumped on that band wagon as well after I came up with a brilliant idea on how I would use that clipboard.

To get started, I picked up a plain clipboard at Target.

I painted it white and then covered the entire front with washi tape.  Can you tell I tried to make a design?  {It's a field of flowers with the sun shining.}

Initially, I wasn't going to do anything on the back.  But then I was inspired by all the creative quilt backs I have seen on Pinterest and decided to add some tape there as well.  I also taped around the entire edge as well.

Now about my brilliant idea - in my craft room, I use my ironing board as my base for working on sewing projects.  The ironing board was beside the bed so I would lay the pattern or instructions on the bed so I could glance at them as I worked.  But then I rearranged the room and moved the ironing board into the corner.  I hung the clipboard on the wall in that same corner and use it to hold the instructions for whatever project I am working on.  

Don't you agree that is brilliant?  {Do you spy the following projects in this picture? - Scrappy Lampshade, Small Button Jars, Magazine Holders}

And when I'm not working on a project, it's a piece of art.

I am sharing at these great parties and Wednesday's Adorned from Above link party. 

Quilted Coaster

I had a problem at work - my water bottle would sweat and leave little puddles on my desk.  The paper towel coaster just wasn't cutting it.  I finally got fed up with it and made myself this simple quilted coaster from Martha Stewart.

Best part of this little project - it cost $0 as I already had everything I needed.  Also it didn't take much time at all.  {makes me wonder why I hadn't done this sooner, I had the instructions hanging on the board in my craft closet for over a year.}

This was the first time I used a walking foot on my sewing machine.  It was a little trial by error at first but I'm pretty happy with the result.  I definitely need some more practice in order to perfect this technique though.

And now no more water puddles on my desk or ugly paper towel coasters!

eLRBe {Etsy Shop} Blowout Sale

25% off entire purchase (excluding shipping) during the month of August at my Etsy shop eLRBe.


Use coupon code READBLOG25 at checkout.


Visit the shop here.

Wednesday Pick-Me-Up #3