diy inspiration board

I have wanted to make two inspiration boards for my office for over a year now.  I bought the fabric ages ago (thank goodness I still like it!) but I never took the time to make them.  Last friday I decided it was time.  It is a simple project that requires an afternoon, a little fabric, some batting, ribbon and a staple or glue gun.  The photo above is what I came up with.  I think I may add some more ribbon but overall I am pleased with how they turned out.  My plan is to use one board for business cards, appointments, family photos, do-not-forget notes.  The other is for photos, tear sheets and random things I like for upcoming projects, websites to read, fun crafts, etc.  This has turned out to be a great way of getting all those piles of paper on my desk organized!

Making the board is easy.  The only skill it requires is being able to use a staple gun. I found these instructions from the www.diynetwork.com website.

1. Select fabric and cut it to size — four inches longer on each side than the plywood and batting. Buyer's guide: Look for bargain remnants of fabric for this project.
2. Lay the fabric on a sturdy worktable, wrong side up.
3. Cut the batting to the exact size of the plywood.
Working smarter: If you can't find the right size plywood board, have a hardware store or home store cut it to size.
4. Center the batting on the fabric and then place the board on top of the batting.
5. Pull the fabric to the back of the board and staple in place, finishing one side, then the side opposite. Pull the fabric tight before you staple each side, and leave the corners until the last. You can use an electric staple gun or a hand stapler.
Safety alert: Always wear safety glasses when you use a staple gun.
6. Pull the batting up over the corner, and staple the very corner to the back first. Then pleat the remaining material and staple it down too.
7. Turn the board over and mark where you want your ribbon to go, using a yardstick and a disappearing marker to draw parallel diagonal lines, about five inches apart. There are clear rulers made for this purpose, or use a sheet of colored paper with a line marked five inches from the straight edge. Set the straight edge on your first line, and then use the paper to make a dot where your next line should go.
8. Draw lines across one side first, then the other to create a crisscross pattern.
9. Cut ribbons that are a few inches longer than each of the lines.
10. Cover one set of parallel lines with ribbons by laying a piece of ribbon over each line, and then pulling the excess to the back and stapling it in place.
11. Cover the other set of parallel lines with ribbons the same way, first weaving them over and under the ribbons that are already attached, in a crisscross pattern.

To hang the board you can attach to d-rings with picture-hanging wire to the back and then hang it on the wall as you would any framed print.

**If you want to make a message board instead just replace the cork or plywood with thick foam core and use a hot glue gun instead of the stapler.

**I didn't attach the ribbons with the stapler instead using flat tacks.  This will make it easier for me to adjust them if I don't like the spacing, want to add more ribbon or need to tighten them over time.

turmeric - nature's healer

 Source:  sheknows.com

Have you heard all the press regarding the spice Turmeric?  Found in most curry based meals I love it but have never thought much of it.  My interest was peaked when I came across an article in Clean Eating magazine last month.  This month it is mentioned in Reader's Digest (yes, I read that little mag - my grandmother gave me a subscription) and it is all over the web.  I don't know much about it so decided to do some google-ing to find out what all the hype is about.  Apparently, this spice offers amazing benefits - both internally and externally.  According to Women's Health, the benefits have been known for centuries and have always been an important part of Chinese herbal medicine and also the Ayurvedic medicine of India.  It is believed to support liver health, help bad cholesterol, and is being studied for its ability to block tumors.  A study at the University of Texas found turmeric to be useful in preventing and blocking the growth of cancer such as melanoma tumor cells, breast cancer, colon cancer and others.  Many other reputed health benefits of turmeric include healthy skin care, lowering bad cholestrol levels, liver and gallbladder health and possible joint pain relief through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.  As an added plus the antioxidant power of turmeric is so effective that it actually helps preserve the shelf life of foods that it is added to!  But, are there cautions and side effects?  Consumed in moderate quantities the article states that it has shown no ill effects.  Doctors do advice that turmeric extract be avoided by anyone with gallstones or stomach ulcers except under doctor supervision.  Some other benefits I found include helping the body stave off flu and ease its symptoms, is a natural pain reliever, promotes wound healing (due to its antiseptic and analgesic properties) by applying topically, is effective in treating asthma, helps stabilize blood sugar levels and is useful in weight management. Apparently, it stimulates the metabolism of fat which is useful in promoting healthy weight loss!  That alone makes me want to make something tonight with it!

Here is a recipe to try.  If you aren't a curry fan, try Turmeric in your egg salad.  Just a 1/2 teaspoon should do it.

Authentic Bangladeshi Beef Curry

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 5 green chile peppers, finely sliced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger root - peeled, sliced, and ground into a paste
• 3 cardamom pods
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 1/2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 cup water
• 2 pounds boneless beef chuck, cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces

1. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking and stirring until the onion is very tender and dark brown, 15 to 20 minutes more.
2. Stir in the garlic, green chiles, ginger paste, cardamom pods, cloves, and cinnamon sticks. Cook and stir for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, until the garlic begins to brown.
3. Stir the cumin, coriander, turmeric, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and water into the onions. Simmer until most of the water has evaporated and the mixture has thickened.
4. Stir in the beef chuck and cook on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the meat is cooked through and tender, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. 
5. Serve on plain basmati rice or with nann or pita bread and a bottle of Zinfandel wine.
   

Use 5 to 6 small green chile peppers, such as Thai chiles; if they're unavailable, substitute 2 to 3 serrano chiles or to taste. Use rubber gloves when chopping chile peppers.

hand full kid

In early December I attended the Jackson Holiday Bazaar at Snow King Resort.  With local artisians producing everything from hats, soap, home decor and clothing it is an event not to miss.  One booth that caught my eye was Hand Full Kid.  They describe their clothing line as free spirited ecowear for kids.  They hand-dye organic cotton/hemp blends in knit, stretch, and fleece to create these fun clothes.  I love love love the little dress and jacket above.  The hoodies are especially cute with long pointed hats falling down the child's back.  Another really great idea are the super comfy potty training unders for boys and girls.  They have an extra absorption liner in fleece - everything organic. AND when you order the undies they come in a an adorable drawstring bag that doubles as a "purse" or treasure bag for your little one.  You can find these and more on their Etsy site.

 

something delish!

 source:  bakerlla.com

When I stumbled across this recipe for S'mores cupcakes I couldn't resist posting it here as my "daily find".  I have a girlfriend whose love of this combination led her to offer s'mores during her wedding.  She will be having her first baby this week so this treat could be the perfect coming home surprise.  My only thought is that instead of the big marshmallow on top maybe a couple of the miniatures?  Oh my, don't they look heavenly?? I may have to keep a couple for myself!  For more photos and a step-by-step recipe check it out at Bakerella.com. 

time to start blogging again

It has been an interesting December and January.  I had no time to catch up on daily chores and that ever nagging "to do" list but I did take some time to reflect on life.  With this said I have decided that for the next few months I will be focusing on my creative side.  With my temporary lay off at work I realize that I have been given the gift of time.  My first plan is to make two inspiration boards for my office.  This will help me keep focused on projects and coax the cobwebs from my mind.  Next is to break out the sewing machine to figure out if I still remember the skills I learned years ago.  I have some darling children's clothing patterns I am dying to stitch up. The next couple of months will be interesting.  I have a huge project list but have also taken our youngest out of daycare so will I be able to juggle both?