Top 5 Viewed Thrifty Thursdays of 2015

I just love secondhand shopping.

I share my finds with you every Thursday.

Here are the top five viewed Thrifty Thursday posts of 2015.

Just click the links to see the whole posts.

Thrifty Thursday #152

Thrifty Thursday #148

 

Thrifty Thursday #149

 

Thrifty Thursday #154

Thrifty Thursday #166

Just looking at these pictures makes me want to seek out a yard sale or flea market!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

Psalm 56:3

  This post is linked to A Cup of Joe, My Salvaged Treasures, and Too Much Time.

Lovelies That I Love

Welcome to Lovelies That I Love: New Year's Edition.
It's a new year which means a new start.
Here are some ideas to help you start off fresh.

How cute is this planner?
I got my 2016 planner already and I can't wait to start writing in it.

Check out this menu board.
I have one that I use every week.
My family never has to guess about what we're eating for dinner.:)

I think taking photos is so important, although the last few years, I haven't taken as many as I used to.
 This camera would make that task more fun.
This year I vow to take more pictures!

We should always take time to record life's special moments.

One of my goals for 2016 is to keep a journal.
I've never been good at keeping one,
but if I had this one, I think I'd keep up with it.

I love this fabric organizer container.
I'm planning to go through all our closets and organizing them.
These totes would not only help, but would also add a cute factor.

Here's to a more organized, memory saving year for all of us!

I'm not affiliated with any of these companies; I just like their stuff.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid.

What can man do to me?

Psalm 56:11

This post is linked to Ivy and Elephants and Between Naps on the Porch. 

Top 5 Viewed Recipes of 2015

Every Tuesday, I share a new recipe that my family has enjoyed.

Here are the top five viewed recipes of 2015.

Just follow the links to see the recipes . . . 

Mmm. . . peanut clusters.

Double decker peanut butter and chocolate fudge

Two layers of yummy-ness!

Sugar cookies

Easy and delicious.

Double stuffed pizza dogs

A junk food-palooza!

Cinnamon sugar pecans

Sugar-y and delicious!

Swing by every Tuesday for a new recipe.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you

Psalm 55:22

This post is linked to My Girlish Whims and Plucky's Second Thought.

Top 5 Viewed Mini Albums of 2015

I hope you all had a nice Christmas. Hopefully you took lots of pictures and made lots of memories.:)

Out of all the scrapbooking I've done over the years, mini albums are my favorite projects.

Every other Monday I try to feature a different mini album here on my blog.

Here are the top five viewed mini albums of 2015. . .

Go here to see the many various pages in this baby boy themed Junk Journal.

Here is another Junk Journal that I made for a 30 Days of Lists project.

This album is made of coin envelopes and features answers to several different questions.

Go here to see this album that lists 31 things that I love about my husband.

This album is what I put together for my 2015 month-by-month album.

Makes you want to sit down and whip up a mini album, doesn't it?

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

As for me, I will call upon God, 
and the Lord shall save me.
Psalm 55:16

This post is linked to Tip Junkie and Plucky's Second Thought.

Merry Christmas!

I wish you the merriest of Christmases!

Enjoy this time with your family and take lots of photos!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Top 5 Layouts of the Week of 2015

Every other Wednesday, I share a step-by-step scrapbook layout tutorial.

Here are the top five viewed layouts from this year.

Click the links to get to the tutorials.

Layout of the Week #109

Layout of the Week #107

Layout of the Week #104

Layout of the Week #106

Layout of the Week #103

If you'd like to get caught up on scrapping your photos--- or stay caught up,

stop by and complete a layout with me.

I try to keep them simple and fun.

You can use your own supplies and just follow the easy steps.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

A soft answer turns away wrath, 

but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15:1

This post is linked to Plucky's Second Thought, My Girlish Whims, and The Dedicated House. 

Recipe of the Week #201- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Fudge

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Fudge
for the cookie dough:
1/2 cup butter, room temp.
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp salt
2 Tbsp half and half
1/2 cup flour

for the fudge:
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup butter
pinch of salt
1/3 cup half and half
4-5 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Line an 8"x 8" pan with foil, leaving some extra up along the edges. Spray with cooking spray. (Or use nonstick foil which is what I did.)

Beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy- about 3 minutes. Add salt, vanilla, and half and half and stir. Add flour and mix until incorporated. Set aside.

For the fudge, combine brown sugar, butter, salt, and half and half in a saucepan. Stir over medium low heat until the butter has melted and the brown sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and slowly stir in the powdered sugar, adding 1 cup at a time. Stir in vanilla.

Add the cookie dough to the fudge base and stir well. Mix in chocolate chips. Spread in pan. Chill, then cut into 1" squares.

This is some of the best fudge I've ever tasted! Even my hubby loved it and he usually won't eat anything that is cookie dough flavored. It's an easy recipe as there's no bringing it to a rolling boil. I think this would be a great gift idea!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

But He said, "The things which are impossible with men 

are possible with God."

Luke 18:27

This post is linked to Ivy and Elephants and Between Naps on the Porch.

Easy Coaster Christmas Wreath DIY

Do you ever go to a restaurant and sit down and see a pile of coasters on the table and think,
"Man, I could make something with these?"

That's what goes through my mind. :)

Grab a few of those coasters and give this wreath a try.

All you need to do is cover the fronts of the coasters with Christmas pattern papers.

You can do as many layers of circles as you like.

I have two different sizes on my wreath.

You can use a circle punch on a cereal box to get the smaller circles.

Once you get all the coasters covered, you need a large circle to adhere them to.

On a sturdy piece of cardboard, I traced around a large plate, then cut it out.

I then placed a smaller plate in the center, traced it and cut out the center.

To finish it off, I added a loop of ribbon to the top
and a big bow with some candy canes on the lower left edge.

Not too shabby for a bunch of coasters, huh?
I may try this for Valentine's Day and Easter. . .

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, 

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10

This post is linked to It's Overflowing, Tip Junkie, Too Much Time, and Skip to My Lou.

Vintage Wooden Shoe Form Christmas Door Hanging

Recently I picked up an old pair of wooden shoe forms at a rummage sale.
I thought I could add a little something to them and use them as Christmas décor.

First I tied the two forms together with some twine.

Then I made a small bouquet of Christmas flowers and greenery and tied it to the form.

I finished it off with a big red bow.

Isn't that cute?

The shoe forms were $5 and the flowers came from the dollar store.

I just love it when a plan comes together. . . inexpensively!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Only deliver us this day, we pray.

Judges 10:15

This post is linked to Embracing Change, Tatertots and Jello, Funky Junk,
and My Salvaged Treasures.



Thrifty Thursday #196

It's been a couple of weeks since I wandered into my favorite resale shops.
I never know if I'll find anything, but I always have fun looking.
I picked up just three things this time.

Isn't this gold wreath so pretty?

I believe it's photo display.

I think it would work great to display Christmas cards as well.

It was a bargain at $1.

I got this heavy duty wooden hanger for a quarter.

I'm not just yet what I'll do with it, but

I'll find some cute project to make with it.

I also picked up this oblong tray for fifty cents.
I have several silver platters, but when I find them for this cheap, I simply can't pass them up.
I have a friend who would like some of these. I'll probably give this one to her.

I paid less than two dollars for this stuff.
If you have a resale shop in your area, check it out. . .
you never know what you'll find!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.

Proverbs 14:21

 This post is linked to Too Much Time, A Cup of Joe, and The Crafted Sparrow. 

Lovelies That I Love

Here are some unique last minute gift ideas
on this week's edition of Lovelies That I Love.

For the Starbucks lover,
(isn't this the coolest phone cover?)

for the co-workers,

(super cute and creative)

for the hostess,

(I love that these can be personalized!)

for the grandmas,
(a bracelet customized with children's artwork- awesome!)

and finally, for the friends.
(aren't these too cute?)

That's all for this week.
Makes you want to get your shopping done, huh?

I'm not affiliated with any of these companies; I just like their stuff.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. . . .

 As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Joshua 24:15

 This post is linked to It's Overflowing, Life With Lorelai, and Skip to My Lou.

Recipe of the Week #200- Slow Cooker Cinnamon Almonds

Slow Cooker Cinnamon Almonds
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
3 Tbsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp salt
1 egg white
2 tsp vanilla
3 cups almonds
1/4 cup water

Mix sugars, cinnamon, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk egg white and vanilla until frothy. Add almonds and coat thoroughly. Add cinnamon mixture to the almonds. Stir until almonds are covered well.
Spray slow cooker with cooking spray. Place almonds in slow cooker. Turn to low. Cook for 3-4 hours, stirring every 20 minutes. In the last hour, add 1/4 cup of water and stir well. This will help the mixture to harden.
Spread almonds on baking sheet to cool. Separate them so they don't stick together.

These were so yummy! I think I may make some and give them as Christmas gifts. I might add a tag that says, "I'm nuts about you!":)

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

For where your treasure is, 

there your heart will be also.

Luke 12:34

This post is linked to Plucky's Second Thought, Ivy and Elephants, and My Girlish Whims.

Mini Album Monday #67- Review of Christmas Albums

On this Mini Album Monday, I'd like to visit some mini albums of Christmases past. . . 

This one of my favorite Christmas albums.

It's a collection of favorite photos and memories from over the years.

 This album is made with a single envelope and four tags.

You can't get much simpler than that!

You could have a tag for every family member and ask them to write their favorite Christmas memory, their gift wish lists, or why they love Christmas.

This is a Countdown to Christmas album I did in the style of Ali Edwards.
Every page is different and documents the 25 days leading up to Christmas.

I sure love this time of year. I'm so glad I have a documented it in different ways.

Thanks so much for stopping by and God bless.

So he answered and said, "

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,

with all your soul,

with all your strength,

and with all your mind,"

and "your neighbor as yourself."

Luke 10:27

This post is linked to Between Naps on the Porch, Tip Junkie, and The Dedicated House.   

Let's Wrap It Up! Fun Gift Wrapping Ideas

I've been so inspired by different gift wrapping that I've seen lately.
I just had to give some of those ideas a try. 

I bought a roll of masking paper in the paint section at Walmart.

It's a bit lighter than kraft paper and worked great as wrapping paper.

I just added some twine and a candy cane to this gift.

I always think tickets make cute tags.

This one is wrapped in a map (that I picked up at a thrift store).

I used a little twine and a cute green price tag (picked a box of those up at the thrift store, too).

I stamped some festive words on regular clothespins to add some charm.

This one has a wide band of holiday ribbon which I taped at the back.

Then I used a short piece of red twine to tie on a tag and a bell.

Looks cute and sounds cute.

I got a pack of snowflake decorations at the dollar store 

and placed one on this gift before tying it with Baker's twine.

Don't you just love Baker's twine?!?

Yep, that's newspaper on this one.

The ribbon really dresses it up.

Guess what these circles are. . .

Cupcake wrappers!

I used a regular size and a mini one.

I adhered them with double sided tape before tying the gift with Baker's twine.

This one was super simple.

Sheet music with a mini ornament and a ticket as a tag.

This one is one of my favorites.

I love doilies and thought one would look cute on the brown background.

I used a glue stick to adhere the doily.

Then I wrapped it with green twine.

This final idea is crazy easy.
It's a wrap for a glass bottle. Mine is a bottle of sparkling grape juice.
I cut off the sleeve of an old sweater so I ended up with a piece not quite as long as the bottle.
Then I slid the wrist to the bottom of the bottle.
I rolled a little bit of the top portion down and added a ribbon.
If you use a printed sweater, you could skip the ribbon.
Isn't that too cute?

Notice that all these ideas are not only simple, but very frugal too!

Doesn't this make you want to wrap your gifts?

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

God is our refuge and strength, 

a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1

This post is linked to Too Much Time, Tatertots and Jello, Funky Junk, and The Crafted Sparrow.