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As I have mentioned before, my kitchen planning desk can get quite cluttered. I originally had a whiteboard calendar that had a small notes section up, but I didn't keep up with it very well. I do better when I plan on a weekly basis...life can change pretty easily around our household.

I decided to combine and change a few ideas I had seen. The first thing was a calendar and posting area. I wanted a calendar that would be easy and simple. I really just wanted the dates so I could look quickly to figure out the date. I based this off of an idea from one of the idea pamphlets I had gotten from Hobby Lobby. I made numbers for each date and put a magnet behind each and month labels. I also have the option of using pictures of people for their birthdays or subbing in different magnet designs for holidays or special days. This makes the calendar fun and easy to personalize. As far as the base I had my husband help me out a little bit. He happens to work for and HVAC company and has easy access to sheet metal. I had him make me a 17x24 piece. He folded the edges back to make them smooth and not sharp. I then spray painted the piece.

Another option would be to use a baking sheet. This is a simple solution that is quite accessible.

The size I used left plenty of space to post notes and such. And, each month all I have to do is move the numbers and change the month.

So...you may be asking yourself how I keep track of events. Well...as I said earlier...I work better on a weekly basis. So, I repurposed a 8 frame collage frame that I had, replacing the pictures with cardstock. This gives the freedom to choose a design or use plain white (as I did). I love this idea because it simplifies things. The first frame says "Our Week" and the days in order in the rest. Instant dry-erase board! Love it!

Glass Pane Photo Wall

We had an old coffee table that was falling apart and needless to say...it ended up in a bonfire. Being a glass artist...I was definitely not going to let this lovely and large piece of glass go to waste. I was inspired by the plaque that I have that says, "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." The plaque was already hanging in our entry way. I found a simple way to hang pictures of those great life moments. One (strong) magnet goes on the front of the glass...the picture behind the glass and the other magnet behind the picture. So simple and yet a great statement. Just another way to use something for a function other than its original purpose.

Flower Pot Pens

My planning desk in the kitchen tends to collect stuff...so...I was looking for a way to eliminate some of this clutter. Normally I would have a pen jar sitting there, but that ends up collecting all sorts of things as well. I have had the oversized coffee cup planter for about a year now and it has basically just been sitting empty in random places in my kitchen...and then it hit me...I don't have to put a real plant in it and I can make it functional. This was a super simple project and it looks like it took a ton of time.

You'll need:

-Your choice of pens. (I like Bic crystals)
-Fake flower of choice (I used white gerber daisies to go with my decor)
-floral tape
-Pinto beans (one bag should do)
-A container of your choice
-Ribbon (Optional...I decided not to use any)

You will need to remove the plastic stem part and leave only the wire. After removing the plastic, attach the flower by wrapping the floral tape around the wire and pen. If you are not going to use the ribbon you will probably want to wrap the floral tape almost to the bottom of the pen. This will look better. (at this point you could wrap the pen with ribbon, hot gluing at the top and bottom of the pen).
Fill the container you plan on using with pinto beans and insert pens!

Cream Cheese Chicken Pizza

Well...I must give credit to My Neu Life for this recipe. I made some small changes for my preferences and what I had in the house at the time too. I love making pizza and this was delicious, healthy alternative to most, and my husband approved! Ingredients:

• Pizza crust
• Philadelphia Cooking Creme, Original (Try the different flavors...we really liked the italian herb one)
  
• Fresh tomatoes
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Cooked, shredded chicken
• Garlic powder
• Spinach
  

Directions:

1. Preheat oven (use directions on dough). Roll out the prepared pizza crust. In the original recipe
2. Spread on desired amount of cooking creme. I probably used half of the container and found it to be plenty...use your own judgment
3. Layer on the sliced, fresh tomatoes, shredded chicken, spinach leaves and mozzarella.
4. Bake according to directions
5. Once done baking, you can also sprinkle with oregano and garlic powder.
   
6. Serve and Enjoy!

Jewelry Frame :)

I recently got rid of my jewelry box. It was one of those standing ones and it just wasn't fitting my style and there wasn't really a good place for it in the house. so...for a while the jewelry I had just sat on my shelf or in a smaller box. I wanted something that would help to organize my jewelry and keep it all in one place...not to mention keeping it all untangled. I loved this idea and I happened to have an old frame that worked perfectly and I had been looking for ways to use it for a while since the glass from it broke in it's move from the parents house to our house. I literally needed nothing but ribbon and the frame. I tied the ribbon at different heights on the frame. I plan to also put in c-hooks inside the top portion for rings. I have also seen people use thin pieces of wood or sticks instead of ribbon. I like the ribbon because it's able to move and make putting on and taking of jewelry quite easy.

Pallet Coffee Table

This was such a fun project and it turned out awesome!
Materials:
Pallet
Pre-made table legs (I got mine at Home Depot...you can get them in various heights)
Spray paint (optional if you'd like the natural look)
Glass for top

The process is pretty simple. I sanded down some of the rougher parts of the pallet, but for the most part there's not much prep on the pallet. You will need to drill the holes for the legs to screw into. The hole should be slightly smaller than the screw at the top of the legs. Screw legs in. Make sure you do it on the right right side...I wasn't paying attention the first time and well...you get the picture...just annoying having to redo things. After you have the legs in it's time to paint. You can choose any color you'd like. I chose mine to match some of the furniture I already have. You can also leave it natural. for a top you can get a sheet of glass for it. I am still finishing up the stained glass top that I made for mine, but in the meantime I am using 4 beveled squares that I had from the table that this one is replacing. I like this look as well! It makes it a good place to store some of your favorite books or you can use it for magazines and newspapers...be creative! And the fun thing about using pallets is there are really soooo many options for uses...from tables to shelves! Have fun!

My Guilty Pleasure

So...yes...I love chocolate...and there are quite a lot of things that could be my guilty pleasure...but I must say that crafting and especially making things out of something that doesn't completely fit at first glance is definitely my guilty pleasure. This is especially helpful with living life on a budget and wanting to be able to continue with my obsession. I have always been a crafty or "artsy" person as my dad always said, (stained glass, painting just to name a couple) but it's been so fun finding new and some would call odd ways to create. Some of my new obsessions...pallets, mixing dishware, repurposed things of all sorts...and so much more. I'm so excited to share these all with you! I'll try to put as many step-by-step pictures and instructions as I can, but there are things that I just didn't get pictures of throughout the whole process.
I have also rediscovered my love for cooking and baking...so....you'll definitely find some recipes too!
Jen