Bento Lunch

It's AIMS testing this week at school and it makes everything all crazy and hectic for the kids.  Mara really wanted a 'special' lunch like what we saw on Pinterest the other day so I decided what the heck, why not try and put together some origami lunch meat (a.k.a. Bento) for my little princess.  She specifically requested Phineas from Phineas and Ferb.

It's a turkey and provolone sandwich on honey wheat bread.  Strawberries, crackers, banana muffin, goldfish, on a bed of romaine.  Hope she likes it.

Egg Hunt

I really love digital scrap booking, mostly because it doesn't make a mess.  I did an awesome job on this scrapbook page so I'd thought I'd show it off.  I do the HFD over at crafty scraps to get the free mega kits they offer.  This month's kit is defiantly worth the time.

Chore Charts

I have been spending tons of time on Pinterest lately.  Well that has led to some fun new products being created around my house.  One in particular that I am proud of is my Chore Charts.

It all started a couple weeks ago when I saw this kitchen command center.  Totally awesome I know.  But she bought her chore charts from this woman.  Cute and functional but for three kids a little out of my budget.  Finally the nail on the head of my creative inspiration was this tutorial on how to build your own chore magnets. This project is getting done.

So how did I do it you ask?  Well I'll tell you.  I went to Home Depot (my favorite store  within the last week). I was thinking about magnetic paint but I heard that it wasn't as good as it advertises so I decided to check on getting a hold of some metal.  Metal shingles come in 8x12 sizes and the awesome Home Depot guy (Jerry) cut a couple of inches off so they were 8x10s ($1 each).  Then the frames were a quick grab at Wal-Mart ($3 each).  I had some sticker paper I bought over a year ago for a project that I forgot about (free  for me cause I can't remember what I spent).  I tried to find the cute little wooden disks that the lady used for her magnet tutorial but they just don't exist in town (after trying three stores I gave up on that particular item) so I decided to use cardboard.  A little cheaper (free) alternative for me plus I seem to have an abundance of it.  

I designed a page for each kid in Photoshop and then printed it on sticker paper.  I then stuck the sticker paper right on the shingle (not quite even I know).  Then the now pretty shingle went into the frame (no glass).  I then designed the little chore magnets stuck them on a box and cut them out.  After putting magnets on them they were done as well.  It was pretty simple actually. ($12 total)

Special Thanks to the following designers that create awesome digital kits and then give them away.

Wee Fairie Ring (Mara and Timmy's design was mostly her work)

Blog Train Blog (I got Theresa's design from the March Blog Train)

Everyday Mom Ideas (Most of my magnets were her work)

Crafty Scraps (They always make me work for stuff but it is always good)

If anyone notices that I missed someone let me know and I'll add them.

My Garden

I like strawberries.  Fresh strawberries.  Just plucked from the vine and still warm from the sun Fresh Strawberries.  (My mouth is starting to water as I think about it).  Growing up every summer it seemed like I had fresh strawberries whenever I went into the back yard and wandered by the garden.  

Well we don't have a backyard.  Or a front yard.  We kinda have a patio that overlooks a parking lot.  We have No yard.  NONE.  No yard, no garden, no fresh picked strawberries.  I literally can't remember when the last time I had a fresh JUST picked strawberry.  

While looking at different apartment plant arrangements on Pinterest involving stacking pots and hanging gardens I came across this pretty wall garden that just seemed perfect.  On the website it linked back to this tutorial.  It looked simple, fun and in budget.  It involved old wooden pallets.  

Well I went pallet 'shopping'  the day after I saw it.  By shopping I mean I drove around looking for pallets by dumpsters.  I saw many that were really broke, splintered, and in general needed major repair work before using.  I struck GOLD though behind a beverage house though.  The Budweiser guy was unloading and he had two wooden pallets in great condition all I had to do was wait till he was done.  He said I could have um but only one would fit in my car.  Brought it home and spent a day fixing it up and painting it.  

Before going to Home Depot I made a chart of all the plants we would need.  I let the kids each pick out a flower set and we went to town.  I talked to the 'Expert Gardener' about soil and dirt and then we were off to plant.  While working on it I met and talked to more neighbors than I had since moving in.  

My garden has to stay flat for a week while the plants take root then I can put it against the wall.  Feel free to tell me what you think.