We all know the key to healthy eating, cost effective shopping and family organisation is PLANNING - but without the proper tools it is easier to talk about than do!! I have no idea of how many "what shall we have to eat tonight?" & "what we got in the cupboard/freezer for tea?" conversations myself and my husband have had over the years -and to be honest I think a little bit of me dies each time we repeat them!!!
So a few years ago I bought a white board and began planning our meals - since then I have lost count of the number of friends who have commented on it and thought it was a good idea. Which it was until some bright spark rubbed out the days of the week and the children started doodling on it - oh yeah - and then we lost the pen! So planning went out the window and "the questions" returned...dear lord!!
UNTIL...I thought how I could turn this into a gift! Voila.. "Menu Planner Board" was born!
To Do
1. Firstly find an old picture frame - try Charity Shops, Jumble Sales, Car Boot Sales, Thrift Shops etc.. You need an A4 size frame, design/pattern is fairly unimportant as you can paint it!
2. Next you need to create the insert / days of the week sheet. Now if you have lovely handwriting or can do copperplate there is no reason to use a computer - but for the rest of us I recommend printing out the menu page. You can buy attractive (pale) patterned paper or you can download a background image from a site like www.photobucket.com . Once you have downloaded image (pale coloured!) save to desktop. Then open "Word" draw a Text Box to cover whole page and "Insert" picture (from desktop) - stretch image to fit. If this is not clear feel free to email me & I could send you "print screens" of process.
You can draw an image - scan it into your computer and print. In fact the options are fairly limitless.
If you are good on a computer (!) draw a text box over image and arrange lettering - otherwise print background. Then create lettering in Word and print this onto your background page you have already printed.
4. Now you need to place Menu Planner sheet into the picture frame - leave one of the metal tabs on the back of the frame up. This is going to be how you attach the pen.
You need a hair band - take the metal fastening and put it under the metal tab you left sticking up on the back. Use a plastic pen to mould the tab over the metal fastening on the hair band. Once fixed tie a knot in hairband and secure to the back of the frame with simple tape. Once turned over you have simple elastic loop through which you can place the pen (out of reach of KIDDIES!).
Attaching the hairband to tab. Tie a knot to make small loop and tape the rest of the hairband to the frame - when attached to a wall this will hold pen in place!
5. Now you need a coloured Board Writer - must be non permanent - preferably DRY WIPE. I got this set from the local "Pound Shop".
6. So there you go an attractive, personal & useful, Handmade Gift.
Hope You Enjoy - love bunny xx
ps - don't forget to make one for yourself!!
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