Menu Board for Make It For Monday

Meal planning has become a weekly task to help curb over spending for meals. I usually post my weekly menu plan here on my blog but I wanted a Menu chalkboard to let hubby and kiddo {and remind me} know what's for supper.

I looked through catalogs, checked prices at big department stores and found several I liked but nothing exactly what I wanted. I wanted something narrow and long with the days of the week on it.


I found these refrigerator chalkboard menus on etsy but they were sold out. :(


I really liked this one from the Nautical Decor Store, but still not exactly what I wanted. Price tag $42


My Pottery Barn catalog showed this one for $99-$149. OUCH!




So I decided to make one for myself.

I found this at a thrift store on 1/2 price day. It was marked $1.91



I bought me a can of chalkboard paint for $8. Used some of my STAX scrapbook letters and this is what I made:



I also picked up that little duck for a buck. Isnt he cute?

So with today being Menu Plan Monday and Make it For Monday I give you my menu plan for this week on my new Menu chalkboard made by yours truly for less than $10. {and I still have chalkboard paint left over!}



Check out what others are doing on Menu Plan Monday

Friday Follow: Making Newspaper Peat Pots

I'm always trying to find alternative ways to do things without spending money. In these rough times more and more people are growing more and more of their own food to save money.

There is no need to spend a bunch of money on trying to grow your own food to save money! Seeds can be started in a variety of containers. Instead of throwing away your newspapers, use them to make peat type pots to get them started.

Here's how I make mine.



Take a full sheet of black & white print, tear in half.



Fold sheet in half.



Then place your cylinder (empty veggie can, rolling pin with handles removed, paper towel/toilet paper rolls, piece of scrap pvc pipe, etc) on the folded edge of paper about 1 1/2" over the edge.




Roll the can (or whatever you choose to use) until paper is around your cylinder,



Then stuff the excess that is hanging off cylinder up inside



Then using a tamper (I use that wooden mallet shown in the last photo) tamp the ends down from inside the top of the can.



Check outside bottom to be sure there is no big holes and paper is laying good and flat.



Carefully slide pot off can!


I used the 15 ounce tomato sauce can this time because I don't like having to repot two or three times before they go outside into my garden. This way the newspaper pot can be planted with the seedling so you dont have to disturb the roots, you'll save time and money by not having to buy more potting mix.

Flea Market Style Giveaway

It's finally here! Have you seen it? Did you pick a copy up? I found it at Walgreens. I want it! (wish I had grabbed it while I was there!)

If you would like a chance to win a copy, head over to A Vintage Touch. Lara is hosting a giveaway for two copies!

To find out what all the hype is about and where you can pick up your copy, head over to Flea Market Style. And Linda or Matthew if you are reading this, I would love to give a couple copies away to my readers, Email me! :)

Decorating With Plates

Finally! After moving these blue willow type china plates from one home to another and from one shelf to another they have found a home.

One of my problems deciding where to put them or what to do with them was I have very little area to display anything like this in my kitchen/dining room. Either all walls are windows or has appliances on them. Also blue is not my kitchen/dining color.

I went to work on the guest bedroom. I've had everything collected just sitting in different areas of the house.

I pulled a cute little nightstand from the garage hubby gleened from curbside trash for me. The lamp was in the storage room waiting to be put back together and have it's harp replaced. The lamp shade was one I had removed from family room a couple months ago. The little vase (given to me from my mother as a gift a couple years or more ago) sits upon an extra plate that did not go on the wall.

This heavy iron headboard is an antique salvaged from the trash a couple of years ago and has been hiding behind my craft room door waiting for someone to help me carry it downstairs. Did I mention it is hea-veee! The quilt and pillow shams were also salvaged from the trash and washed up beautifully.



Now for the plates. Plates are fun to decorate with all over your home. I've seen them used in every room. They are cheap when you need to purchase them and can be found at thrift stores, garage sales, or even in your own china cabinets!

I chose to hang some of mine over the bed. The hangers for the plates were also found (brand new, never used) in the trash. These hangers can also be made very easily yourself.

All but one of the plates were given to me by my mother as gifts. One I purchased at a thrift store. I dont remember exactly how much it was, but I never spend over $1 on stuff like that. ;) The little square tiles were purchased at a thrift store also for $4.

I had a little trouble getting all the plates spaced evenly, but was happy with the end result and felt I had accomplished something. I'm still chasing away those winter blues and decorating inside.

I would love to hear about your recent trash to treasures or new decorating projects, leave me a comment.

For more decorating inspiration head over to So You Think You Can Decorate!

and then party with everyone over at Reinvented for Trash to Tuesday

FREE Redbox Movies

March is here! Today is the first Monday of the month and you know what that means.... FREE entertainment. Today is the day to get your FREE redbox movie. The code is: RBXLUV4U. Expires 3/1/10 at 11:59 pm. Find your nearest Redbox by clicking HERE.