Darling Doily Covered Pumpkins

Would you like to see something cute?

How about this doily covered pumpkin. . .

or this doily covered gourd.

They're so easy to make.

All you need is a plastic pumpkin or gourd of some type

a doily

Mod Podge

foam brush

Remove the stem. My gourds had stems that were able to be removed, if yours won't come off,

trim a hole in the center of the doily large enough to go over the stem.

Then, using your foam brush, adhere Mod Podge on the pumpkin where the doily will cover.

Press the doily onto the glue making sure all the edges are tight against the gourd.

Allow to dry.

That's it! Too easy and too cute!

I'm going to keep mine out with my Thanksgiving decor.

Happy Halloween! I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Thanks so much for stopping by and God bless.

Do not be overcome by evil, bur overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:21

This post is linked to Today's Creative Blog, The Crafted Sparrow, Funky Junk,
Too Much Time on My Hands, and My Repurposed Life.



Thrifty Thursday #141

This past weekend, I was able to go yard sale-ing in a part of town that I usually don't get to.

And, boy, did I have fun:)

There were two estate sales in that area that I had seen advertised in the classifieds,

plus I made it to several yard sales.

At one of the estate sales, I got these three awesome purchases. . .

this heavy duty rocker.

Because I was there on the last day of the sale, everything was half off.

So guess how much I paid for this rocker?!?

$37.50!!!!

I'm not kidding.

Where else can you get a solid wooden rocker for that little?

I also got this old Pin It Skirt Marker for $3.50.

How cool is this?

Tailors used to use these to hem ladies' skirts (as I was told by the gal running the sale).

Isn't it so lovely and awesome?

I'm going to use it for a photo holder.

Because I'm a nurse, I was attracted to this old nursing textbook from the fifties.

I wasn't too keen on paying $1.50 for it until I opened it and saw these. . .

gorgeous transparencies!



They are double sided and show all the different organ systems.

Love them!

Come on back next Thursday and I'll show you the rest of the loot I picked up.

I recommend that you try to find an estate sale in your area this weekend. You never know what you'll find! I wish you all happy treasure hunting!

Thanks so much for stopping by and God bless.

Let love be without hypocrisy.

Abhor what is evil.

Cling to what is good.

Romans 12:9

 This post is linked to Junkin' Joe, Be Different, Act Normal, and I Heart Naptime.



Lovelies That I Love

It's Wednesday. . . want to see what I found while browsing Etsy?

Have you heard of Dave Ramsey's envelope system for budgeting ?

This wallet is inspired by that system. 

How cute is this?

I just use plain old envelopes for ours.

I love the natural look of these tea light candle holders.

I adore unique jewelry.

This Antique Silver Spoon Ring is simply beautiful!

I don't know what it is about maps, but I love anything that features them.

Check out these note cards. Cool, huh?

Oh my goodness, speaking of unique jewelry, how A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. is this necklace?

It's made with a small light bulb and celebrates that there is light at the end of the tunnel .

Unbelievable.

If you don't have the Etsy ap on your phone yet, I suggest you get it.
It brings loveliness right to your fingertips:)

By the way, I am not associated with any of these businesses- I just like their stuff.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

And do not be conformed to this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,

that you may prove what is that

good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:2

This post is linked to Ivy and Elephants, Embracing Change, and My Girlish Whims.

Recipe of the Week #142- Cheeseburger Crescent Casserole

Cheeseburger Crescent Casserole
1 lb ground beef, cooked and drained
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup dill pickle relish
1 1/2 cups shredded American cheese
1 can refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

Preheat oven to 350. In a skillet, mix the hamburger and ketchup and heat until hot. Stir in relish and 1 cup of cheese. Spoon into a 9 or 10 inch pie plate.
Separate the dough into 8 triangles and roll up 1 inch on the shortest side of each triangle of dough. Place dough on top of meat mixture in a spoke pattern with the points toward the center. Sprinkle with the rest of the cheese. Bake 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted.

This was not only incredibly simple, but also incredibly good! The relish and ketchup added a nice amount of flavor to this. This is a repeat recipe at my house!

Thanks so much for stopping by and God bless.

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;

let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

Psalm 95:2

This post is linked to Skip to My Lou, Natasha In Oz, and It's Overflowing.

Mini Album Monday #41- Step-by-Step Halloween Mini Album

Today I've got a cute and easy mini album that you can make to showcase

photos of your kids in their costumes through the years.

The reason this album is so simple is because we're going to make one divider for each year.

Then every year, you'll just have to punch holes on the edges of your photos

and add them under the appropriate year's divider.

You can either make five divider pages which will show five year's worth of photos

or ten divider pages which will showcase ten year's worth of photos.

Doesn't that sound do-able?

To make an album like this, you'll need:

a set of A-Z card guides (you'll use 5-10)

hole punch

2 office rings (mine are 1 1/2")

variety of Halloween pattern papers

adhesive

paper trimmer

Optional: stickers and distressing ink

For the cover, place a piece of pattern paper measuring 5"x 4" just under the tab.

Above that, adhere a strip of pattern paper measuring 5 1/4"x 3/4".

This should extend over the bottom part of the tab.

Flip the card over and trim around the excess paper on the tab.

Place the title along the bottom edge of the pattern paper.

I used a sticker that said, "Halloween." Then I added a square of pattern paper

and stamped the rest of my title on it: "through the years."

On each divider, we'll be using one or two pieces of pattern paper- I used all different papers.

If you only have a few, alternate them.

Optional: I added a few stickers here and there. Feel free to do the same.

I also inked around the edges of the divider cards and all the papers.

With the next card, trim a piece of pattern paper to 3 1/2"x 8".

Tear the right edge off, then adhere it along the left edge of the page.

Place two stickers in the lower right side.

Trim a strip of pattern paper to 2"x 8" and adhere it along the left edge.

Trim another piece of pattern paper to 3 1/2"x 3 1/2"

and adhere it about 1" from the top of the divider card.

Cut a piece of pattern paper to 3 1/4"x 8" and adhere it along the left edge.

Then trim three small pieces that measure 2 1/4"x 1".

Adhere them stacked above one another centered between the top and the bottom of the page.

For the next card, trim a piece of pattern paper to 5"x 5".

Place it at the top of the card.

Then trim a strip to 1 1/4"x 5" and place it below the first piece.

If you'd like, place a sticker in the lower left corner.

If you're making a five year album, stop right here.

You now have your album ready to add photos.

Yay!

You can skip over the next five steps and go to the photos at the end.

For the next divider card, trim a strip of pattern paper or cardstock to 1" x 8"

and adhere it about 1/4" from the left edge.

Then cut a piece of pattern paper to 4 1/4" x 5 1/4" and adhere it about two inches

from the top of the card.

If you'd like, you can add a sticker to the lower right corner.

This page is the easiest one yet.

Just trim a piece of paper to 4"x 7" and place it in the center of the page.

If you'd like, add a sticker in the lower right corner.

Trim two pieces of paper- the first to 3 1/4"x 8"

and the second to 1 1/4"x 8" and adhere them next to one another.

If you'd like, place a sticker overlapping the two pieces at the top.

Trim a piece of paper to 3 1/2"x 6" and cut a notch out of the bottom.

Adhere this about 1/4" from the top and left side.

Trim a second piece of paper measuring 3"x 1 1/2" and place it so it overlaps the first piece.

If you'd like, place a sticker in the lower right corner of the page.

And last, but not least, you'll need a piece of pattern paper measuring 4 1/2" x 8"

 and tear the right edge. Adhere it to the left side.

If you'd like, place 1-3 stickers in the upper right corner.

Now, you'll want to punch holes in your pages.

I measured 2" down from the top and 2" up from the bottom for my spacing.

That way vertical 4"x 6" photos will fit in this album. 

Bind the pages with two office rings.

The nice thing about using these rings in an album is that you can add as much as you like without running out of room.

I thought I'd show you the first few pages of the completed album.

You'll want to write the year on each tab, then place photos behind that divider page.

There's also room on the left (the backside of the page divider) for you to add

a piece of paper with some journaling.

I suggest adding highlights of that year's Halloween-funny stories or details on how you celebrated.

I already have a Halloween Through the Years album, which you can see here,

so I think I'll be giving this to a friend who has toddlers so she can start her own keepsake.

It is such a joy to look back at photos taken throughout the years as my boys celebrated Halloween.

I know you'll enjoy having one of your kids, too.

Thanks so much for stoping by and God bless.

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord!

Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.

Psalm 95:1

 This post is linked to Daisy Cottage Designs, Plucky's Second Thought,

Tatertots and Jello, and Between Naps on the Porch.



Can You Be-Leaf This Garland?

I enjoy making garlands.

It just takes a little bit of time to make a whole lot of cuteness.

Today I used some leaves that I had picked up at the dollar store and made this one. . .

I used four different packs of leaves,

and ran them through my sewing machine.

As I ran them through, I turned them every which way.

I started off leaving space in between the leaves, but then decided

that I liked them better butted up against each other.

I can't wait to hang it up. :)

I hope you all have a lovely weekend- try to get out there and enjoy time in the real leaves!

Thanks so much for stopping by and God bless.

For of Him and through Him and to Him

are all things, to whom be glory forever.

Psalm 94:36

 This post is linked to Be Different, Act Normal, Tatertots and Jello, Simple Nature Decor,

and The Creative Collection.



Thrifty Thursday #140

On Thursdays I share photos of items that I've found during week
at thrift stores, yard sales, or estate sales.

 But many times when I go to these places, I don't buy anything.

If I don't have a use for it or if it's too expensive, I won't buy it.

Sometimes I don't even see anything worth buying.
.

This week, I went into two thrift stores and didn't buy one thing---at first.

Although there was one item I was on the fence about.

 This Stanley thermos.
I'm not a coffee drinker, and even if I was, I don't think I'd like a used thermos.

However, I'd been on the lookout for one of these ever since I saw a picture
 of one turned into a lamp.

I thought this project would be so cool, but I knew I couldn't do it by myself.
So, I texted my hubby to see if he'd be willing to help me.
I didn't want to spend the $5 unless it was for this lamp.
I didn't get an answer from him, so I left without the thermos.

Ten minutes later when I was already across town, my hubby answered and agreed to help.
Luckily, the thermos was still at the store when I went back later that day.
I can't wait until I can show you guys the lamp!!

So, that's it.
Just one item for Thrifty Thursday.
Yipes.
I'll try not to let that happen again:)

Thanks so much for stopping by and God bless.

But the Lord has been my defense,

and my God the rock of my refuge.

Psalm 94:22

 This post is linked to The Handmade Hangout, Junkin' Joe and Embracing Change.



Check This Out!

In last week's Lovelies That I Love post,

I featured this beautiful plaque.

 

The creator of this plaque, Misty, happened across this post and wanted to offer all my readers
 a 10% discount on anything in her store Misty Michelle Design.
Use the code THANKYOU2014

How fantastic is that?!?

Here's some more of her beautiful work:

I love this one.

Not only do I like her quotes, but I think the pictures she pairs with them with are awesome.
You can find this one here.

This one makes me smile.

There are just so many to choose from- you just have to stop by and take a look!

Thanks so much, Misty!

I can't wait to come by and do some Christmas shopping:)

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

In the multitude of my anxieties within me,
Your comforts delight my soul.

Psalm 94:19

This post is linked to Ivy and Elephants, I Heart Naptime, and My Girlish Whims.

Recipe of the Week #141- Chili's Copycat Salsa

Chili's Copycat Salsa
2 cans (14.5 oz) whole tomatoes, drained
3-4 canned whole jalapenos, not pickled
1 yellow onion, quartered
1 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp sugar
2 tsp lime juice

Place all ingredients together in a food processor and puree until smooth.

Note: I doubled the amount of salt and garlic salt. I also added an extra 1/2 tsp of both cumin and lime juice. Also, I used fresh jalapenos instead of canned (but only 1/2 a fresh jalapeno which might account for me needing to add the additional spices. I don't like spicy salsa).

This sure was tasty! I remember Chili's having AWESOME salsa. Of course, we are a big salsa eating family:) My hubby and boys can take down a whole bag of tortilla chips in one sitting if they've got some salsa. We will be making this recipe again.

Thanks so much for stopping by and God bless.

If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus

and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead,

you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

This post is linked to Skip to My Lou, It's Overflowing, and Natasha In Oz.

Decoupaged Pumpkins

Living in southern Texas, I don't get to enjoy the pretty colors of fall or even much fall weather,

but that hasn't stopped me from having all sorts of fall-ish crafty ideas bouncing through my head. . .

I couldn't wait to cover a pumpkin in sheet music.

Ever since I'd seen one like this on Pinterest, I knew I had to try it.

I tore strips of sheet music and adhered them to the pumpkin using Mod Podge.

I used a white pumpkin as my base so there wouldn't be any orange peeking through.

Then while I was in decoupaging mode, I thought that it might be fun

 to cover a pumpkin with an old map.

Because, quite frankly, if I'm given a blank canvas of any sort, at some point,

I'm going to want to try to cover it with map. :)

What do you think? Kind of different, but kind of cute too, huh?

Make sure to stop back because I've got lots more fall themed ideas up my sleeve!

Thanks so much for stopping by and God bless.

For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Romans 10:13



This post is linked to Daisy Cottage Designs, Between Naps on the Porch,

Today's Creative Blog, and Plucky' Second Thought.



Cheap and Easy Halloween Decorations

Believe it or not, but you can find some cute holiday stuff at the dollar store

as long as you don't wait until too close to the holiday.

I find that they have more selection about a month in advance.

 

I got all the stuff to make this Halloween garland at the dollar store.



 

You can go here to see the DIY.

 

 

Everything (except the grapevine wreath itself) used on this wreath was bought at the dollar store. 

Go here to see how it was made.

 

I'll be heading to the dollar store this weekend to find some harvest themed
decorations to use in some fall projects.

I hope you all have a great weekend!

 

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

With Him are wisdom and strength

Job 12:13

 

 This post is linked to Craft-O-Maniac, I Heart Naptime, and Too Much Time On My Hands.