Jewerly Becomes Wall Art

I love this alternative to the normal jewerly box because you can see the jewerly you have, visualize how you can wear your pieces, and enjoy all of your jewerly every day. Making this project was very easy. I have make this using both photo frames with cork board, cork board alone, and now MDF board. The details below will give you instructions on how to make this set from MDF boards.

Supplies:

• MDF Board
• Window Screening
• 4 - 8 small nails to put together frame
• Wood glue to glue frame together if desired
• Upholstery Nails
• Hot Glue
• Ribbon
• Small Rubber Bumper Pads
• Hanging hooks
• Paint
• Paint brush
• Ruler
• Pen/Pencil
• Hammer

My cost for this project was $1 as I only had to purchase the uphostery nails as I had all of the other supplies on hand. A friend gave me her scrap MDF boards which gave me the idea of putting this together for Susan as we had spoken about her need for this.

Instructions:

1. Cut MDF boards to the size you desire. I like to do several sizes together as it looks better than one lone piece. (Gallery Art Style)
2. Sand edges of boards if needed.
3. I used narrow strips of MDF to make a frame. They measured 1" x 10 and 1" x 6.5". Glue and/or nail them together to create a frame.
4. Paint all pieces the desired color. I recommend 2-3 coats of paint.
5. Use a ruler to mark where you want to nail your upholstery nails. I like 1 inch down from the top and 1 inch between each nail.
6. Use hammer to nail upholstery nails in place using marks you made as your guide. You want to nail then about 1/2 way into the board leaving space for the necklaces/bracelets to hang from.
7. Turn frame over and hot glue window screening to back glue one edge and pull as you glue  to keep screening tight.
8. Hot glue ribbon over the cut edges of screening to keep back neat (not necessary but easy and keeps it looking clean and neat.)
9. Apply Rubber bumpers on back in four corners to slightly bump away from wall to give room for earing backs.
10. Apply Hanging hooks to all pieces.

I made this particular set for my future daughter-in-law, Susan. She needed a place to keep her jewerly and their bedroom colors are chocolate and sage. I plan to make myself one and will probably make some for my other daughter-in-law and friends if they want them.

All jewerly shown in the top photo is available to purchase... please let me know if you are interested in any of it. It is all custom made by me!

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

This morning as we were walking Melissa asked me how I would make a pumpkin smoothie. She had some canned pumpkin leftover after making pumpkin muffins and wanted to use it up. So, knowing I needed breakfast anyway, I gave it a try...this is what I came up with that tasted very good and was only 80 calories!

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
1/2 cup canned pumpkin (40 calories)
1/2 cup skim milk (40 calories)
sprinkle of each: cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger
1/2 - 1 package of truvia (you could use other sweetners if preferred)
Ice

Put ingredients into blender and blend until smooth.
Enjoy!

Chocolate Truffle Mousse Cake

This is a recipe that I put together today for the church picnic. I hope you enjoy it.

Truffle: (Sugar Free version – other versions listed below)

Ingredients:

1 cup cocoa

10 TBSP Oil

½ cup heavy whipping Cream

·         Mix together and Melt in Microwave

½ cup agave

1/8 cup coconut Flour

4 eggs

·         Mix together and microwave for a couple minutes until smooth

·         Note: at this point I felt mine was too thick so I added 1 more egg + 2 more TBSP heavy whipping cream.

·         Add:

¼ tsp coconut extract

½ tsp vanilla

·         Pour into 2 8-9 inch round pans that have been sprayed with Pam spray.  Bake at 325 for 30-35 minutes

Chocolate Agave Mousse

Ingredients:

½-1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream

1/8-1/4 cup Agave Chocolate Syrup (see below)

¼ tsp Coconut Extract

·         Using Mixer or Blender Whip Ingredients together until fluffy and stiff peaks form.

Assemble:

·         Allow Truffle to cool.

·         Spread ½ of Mousse Mixture on top of first layer.

·         Top first layer with second layer and spread top with remaining Mousse Mixture.

·         Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Chocolate Agave Syrup

Ingredients:

½ cup Agave Nectar

½ cup Water

½ cup Cocoa

·         Mix ingredients together.

·         Microwave for 5 minutes or until mixture thickens to consistency of chocolate syrup.

·         Add:

1 tsp vanilla

·         Allow mixture to cool completely.

·         Pour into container and Keep in refrigerator.

Truffle: (Alternate Gluten Free version)

Ingredients:

10 Squares of Semi-Sweet Chocolate

½ cup heavy whipping Cream

·         Mix together and Melt in Microwave

1/4 cup agave

1/8 cup coconut Flour or ¼ cup rice or sorghum flour

4 eggs

·         Mix together and microwave for a couple minutes until smooth

·         Pour into 2 8-9 inch round pans that have been sprayed with Pam spray.  Bake at 325 for 30-35 minutes

Truffle: (normal flour and white sugar)

Ingredients:

10 Squares of Semi-Sweet Chocolate

½ cup heavy whipping Cream

·         Mix together and Melt in Microwave

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup flour

4 eggs

·         Mix together and microwave for a couple minutes until smooth

·         Pour into 2 8-9 inch round pans that have been sprayed with Pam spray.  Bake at 325 for 30-35 minutes