Friday Favorites: Pinterest

This is something I am not super proud of.. but Hi, I'm Becca and I'm a Pinterest Addict. This addiction/obsession only started a few days ago, but I am hooked! Pinterest has been sweeping the blogging world for a little while now. They suck you in with the beautiful pictures and the fact that it is "elite". For those of you that haven't heard, I will inform you. For it is far too good to keep a secret.

Think of that folder of pictures on your computer. The one that is full of photos that you found on the Internet, photos of beautiful and inspiring things. Imagine that you could access these photos AND the original website that you found them on from any computer. Now, imagine that you could see what other people find and save it for yourself too. You're in dreamland, I know but I'm going to pull you back down to earth and tell you that... ready... Drum roll please, a place like that does exist!

Now the only problem is, that you have to be invited to join. There is also a waiting list for an invitation but I have heard that it is very long and takes a while. If you have been dying to be accepted or I have convinced you that this is something you need to be a part of (because it is) then simply leave your email in a comment and I will send you an invite.

Because this is simply too good not to share!
Happy Friday!

Next big project...

Ok, so the craft room has hit a "creative" road block. No, the boxes aren't limiting my access to the room; that would be much easier to fix. I have most of everything unpacked and things are starting to come together. The bookshelf is put together, I'm in the process of making a desk, and most boxes are broken down. The biggest issue I now face is the vast amount of paper that is floating around. I mean magazines, inspiration pages, cards and so much more. Its out of control. I know most of you can relate to paper clutter. Even if you're not a crafter you have it. I plan on tackling this in various ways (which I will share later, I know...again with the teasing).

Here is my creative issue:
I want to create a HUGE bulletin board. All of the things that inspire me need to be seen not laying on the floor in a pile. I have thought about this for a while and then I stumbled upon this image...

Photo via Pinterest via Oh Happy Day

PERFECT!

Here is where you come in, I need help figuring out how to do it.
I want what is in that picture except, not really... :) Theirs is made of multiple boards that are put together. I want one big, cohesive cork board with a cool frame.

Here are my ideas so far:

• Frame made of molding from Habitat ReStore
• Cork squares pieced together
• Maybe a big roll of cork (if there is such a thing)

Now what I need help with...

• Have any of you made something similar? If so, please share!
• What should I use to back it? so far I have thought of foam core board or maybe thick cardboard
• Do you have any other suggestions? I am open to all input

If you are a normal reader but do not leave comments, please let today be the one time when you add some helpful insight! Thank you in advance.

Summer is on its way...

...and this is how I know

Daisy Chains*Fresh Strawberries
Bright Flowers*Cherry Blossoms  More organizing, recipes and projects soon to come... this nice weather has made coming inside to write a bit difficult. 

Friday Favorites: Magazines

If you were to ask my husband "what is the one thing that you wish we had less of?" His answer, hands down, would be my (slightly too large...) magazine collection. I blame it all on my father. He collected comics my whole life and his collection was HUGE! I love that each issue provides new projects, photos, and changes in our culture.

Here are the ones that are currently adorning my nightstand.

Country Living (US and British Editions)- I first fell in love with the British edition, its much more country and has BEAUTIFUL illustrations, but alas subscriptions are very expensive.

MaryJanesFarm- Wonderful Organic cooking, projects and much more. This magazine spurs on my dreams of being a true farm girl.

Somerset Life- Purely inspirational!

Where Women Create- I can only dream of having the beautiful studios that this magazine features.

Where Women Cook- Yummy photos and the coolest "dream" kitchens!

What are your Favorite Magazines?

Happy Friday!

Berry Yogurt Muffins

What happens when you start baking only to discover that you don't have all the ingredients for the recipe?

...You make up your own recipe, of course!

These muffins were created by complete accident but are better than what I originally wanted to make. The yogurt makes them super moist and the fresh berries make them perfect for a spring treat!

Berry Yogurt Muffins

Ingredients

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 tbs vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup milk (none of that water they pass off for milk, non-fat. The richer the better, whole or 2%)
• 8 ounces Greek yogurt with fruit in bottom (I used cherry but any of your favorites will taste just as good)
• 1 cup chopped berries (I used Strawberries but other seasonal berries will work too)

Instructions

• Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
• Grease a 12 muffin pan.
• Add all dry ingredients to mixer and stir together.
• Mix wet ingredients (except strawberries) in a separate bowl. Once completely mixed slowly pour into dry ingredients. Stir until completely combined.
• Fold in berries

• Fill muffin tin about 2/3 full. Then sprinkle each lightly with sugar.

• Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
• When removed from oven, place muffins directly on a cooling rack.

Be creative and try different berry combinations. What is your favorite berry?

original recipe from Gooseberry Patch, Simple Country Pleasures.

Drawer bookshelf

About 3 years ago while looking through my favorite magazine, Country Living I stumbled upon this project.

Photo by Country Living
Making this is not quite as easy as it appears. Unless you,
A) Have a old dresser lying around
or
B) Feel like seeking out the right one for the job.
But, then either way afterwards you will have a frame to dispose of...

My solution, get just the drawers.
I went to our local ReBuilding Center. If you live in Portland, OR then the ReBuilding Center is the perfect place to get the drawers. I payed between 2 and 5 dollars per drawer. Another place to get drawers is Habitat for Humanity ReStore. There is a store in almost every state. The only thing to make sure of is that your drawers are somewhat the same size.

Directions

• After you get them home you need to decide whether they should be painted and/or wallpapered. I chose not to paint mine and just wallpapered the insides. After cutting the paper to fit, spray adhesive the paper and adhere to the drawers.
• Decide how you want the drawers arranged: vertical or horizontal and in what order.



I choose horizontal.

• Attach them to each other. Making sure that the drawers are level along the way. Attach each drawer to the ones around it.





• Lastly, attach the top drawers to the wall. If you have more than two across then attaching the end two is just fine. For added stability use a stud finder (I checked and they won't help you find your boyfriend or husband...I know, lame joke) to locate the studs in the wall and drill screws into them.
  

When creating your bookcase feel free to get creative. I have built this two different ways. I used the same drawers just for different purposes and arrangements.

At our Portland house Sorry this photo is kind of lame... just pretend that the shelves go across and down the other side :)

and at our new house
I am sure that you could come up with another way to make it work for you.
How would you build yours? Feel free to ask any questions too :)