Last Minute Mother's Day Gift

My mom loves framed quotes. Her kitchen walls are nearly covered in them.

So I figured what better gift is there to give her for Mother's Day?

 

 

I made her one.

 

The beauty of this present is that it only takes a few minutes to make.

Find a quote that you like and print it: you should be able to find one on Pinterest or even Google "Free Mother's Day Quotes."

Get a cute frame.

Insert quote.

Done.

I found this printable here.

 

There are other framing options to display a cute quote - you could use an old silver platter, place it on a clipboard, place it on a decorative tray, or adhere it to a piece of wood like this.

 

I hope you all have a lovely Mother's Day!

Thanks so much for stopping by and God bless.

 

I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart.

Psalm 40:8

 

 This post is linked to Simple Nature Decor, Too Much Time On My Hands,
Be Different, Act Normal, and Today's Creative Blog.

Thirfty Thursday #69

     I have to show you two fantastic curbside finds. . .

 

these awesome chairs!

They are nice and sturdy. I really don't know why somebody was throwing them away.

All I have to do is wash them really well and knock off a mud dauber nest (see it on the left side under the edge of the seat?).

Then I think I'll take the hand sander to them to distress them a bit. I can't wait to see how they turn out! (If you'd like to see, come back tomorrow:)

 

 

and I found this huge frame!

 It measures 31 1/2" x 28" and, it too, is in good shape.

I plan to paint it a bright color and distress it a bit. Then I'll put some chicken wire in it. I think it should look pretty cute.

     As much as I love secondhand shopping and good deals, you've gotta know that I am delighted when I find treasures like these for free!

     Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8:32

This post is linked to Apron Thrift Girl

Thrifty Thursday #67

     I saw a story in the local newspaper that said a well known beautiful old house in town was going to host a yard sale. I was so excited; I counted down the days til Saturday.
     I got there and was a little bummed. I don't know what I was expecting. The house was just the location of the sale- they weren't selling old relics there. Sometimes I make things bigger in my head than what they really are. I tell you what, if that yard sale had been all I'd imagined, it would've been amazing!!!
     Anyway, I did find a few things. . .

 

like this old card game. I LOVE old games!

 

Check out these cards! They're written in English and French.

Getting a little culture for just fifty cents:)

 

I found this really old fishing reel for my hubby who's a lifelong fisherman.

I thought he could set this on a shelf.

 

I bought this reel, too. They were both sitting there at only fifty cents apiece.

I thought they might look cute in a fishing themed shadowbox.

 

When I saw this plate, I. Fell. In. Love.

Have you ever seen one so pretty?

It's a small dessert plate and was only fifty cents.

 

This 17" x 15" frame is missing it's back, but for a quarter, I don't care!

I'm going to clean this puppy up and spray paint the frame a pretty color.

I may replace the glass with chicken wire. Not for sure yet.

 

I got a book for a quarter. I love to read.

I'm always on the lookout for leisure reading books that I can get rid of after reading them.

I have not made the leap over to a Kindle yet. I am just an old-fashioned girl, I guess.

 

I hope you all have a delightful time going to yard sales this weekend. Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

 

All the days of the afflicted are evil,

but he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

Proverbs 15:15

 

 

This post is linked to Junkin Joe, Apron Thrift Girl, and 52 Mantles.

Layout of the Week #53- Making a Layout to Frame (Mother's Day Gift Idea!)

     In honor of Mother's Day coming up this weekend, I thought that for this week's Layout of the Week, I'd feature a layout made to be framed.

 

Here's the layout we'll be creating.

To make it, you'll need:

one piece of 12"x12" paper with a pattern background and a decorative edge (like scalloped,

wavy, etc.)

large letter stickers that spell out "Family" (mine are 2" tall)

5"x7" horizontal photo

small journaling card (a notecard will work)

plain cardstock measuring 5 1/2" x 7 1/2" for the mat

strip of pattern paper measuring 3/4" x 8"

optional: small family themed sticker

embroidery floss

four 1/4" x 12" strips of black cardstock

12"x 12" coordinating cardstock

12"x12" frame (can be found at Michael's)

 

Unfortunately I don't have photos of each step, but I'll walk you through them.

1. Mat the photo

2. Adhere it about 2" from the top of the paper- this may vary depending on what your decorative edge looks like.

3. Adhere pattern paper strip measuring 3/4"x 8" across the bottom edge of the photo. (My strip has a scalloped edge.)

4. Center the letter stickers about one inch above the bottom of the page.

5. Print a quote about family on your journaling card. Then adhere it overlapping the top right corner of the photo.

The next few steps are optional.

6. Add family sticker to the lower left corner of the photo.

7. Add 1/4" strips of black cardstock around the inside edges of the pattern paper. They should look like a framed edge.

8. Tie embroidery floss to the letter "F" then pull the floss around to the back of the paper and tape it.

9. Tie embroidery floss to the "Y" and pull the ends around the edge of the paper and tape it to the back.

10. Adhere layout on 12"x12" cardstock. This will prevent the back of the frame from being seen around the decorative edges.

11. Place in 12"x 12" frame. You don't have to frame this layout, though; it would look just as cute in an album:)

 

 

Here it is in a black frame.

 

     This layout is very simple to make. You could do any theme with it. I think it would be a great Mother's Day gift. . . or a gift for any holiday for that matter!

 

     If you like the idea of framing a layout, but would rather do a couple themed one, take a look at this layout- it would look cute framed, too.

 

     Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

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

Psalm 56:11

This post is linked to Ivy and Elephants, Embracing Change,Too Much Time on My Hands, and My Girlish Whims.

Framed!

     I am always on the lookout for cute ways to display photos. So I dug in my stash of frames, pulled one out and made something that I've been wanting to make for awhile.

 

That's just two pieces of jute tied to the frame and clothespins holding the photos.

Can you get any simpler than that?

 

I've made frames and placed chickenwire in the center which is darling, too, but I really like how this turned out.

 

If you'd like to make one of these, all it takes is:

a large frame

jute

four nails

hammer

optional: spray paint

 

Start by spray painting your frame whatever color you like. Once it's dry, you need to decide where you want your nails. To do this, I got out some 4"x6" photos and eyeballed it so I could make sure that I would have enough room to hang them both vertically and horizontally.

Then hammer the first set of nails across from each other. My top row is about 2-3" from the top of the frame opening.

Then place your second set of nails- about 6-6 1/2" below the other set.

Now tie on some jute.

Ta-da! How cute will your photos look on a frame like this?!

 

If you like this idea, you can look here and here for other ideas for displaying photos.

 

You can go here to see the cute clothespins that I altered to use with this frame.

 

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

You have also given me the shield of Your salvation;

Your right hand has held me up,

Your gentleness has made me great.

Psalm 18:35

 



This post is linked to Today's Creative Blog, Craft-O-Maniac, Skip to My Lou, Making the World Cuter, and Between Naps on the Porch.

Thrifty Thursday #53

     This week, I stopped into a thrift store that I don't often go to. It's not for lack of trying on my part, because I stop by, it just isn't open very often. This day it happened to be open. The fellow running the store told me that due to poor management, the store is closing. No real surprise there, huh?

      He also told me that he was open to making deals. So when I saw this lovely frame, I asked how much he wanted for it. He said $5. In my mind, that wasn't making a deal. I set the frame down. I think he could tell by the look on my face that I never pay $5 for a frame- not even a big one and this one was an 8"x10". So he said that he'd throw in four books- with the frame for $5. I still wasn't on board. Then I thought about how this poor guy is just trying to sell what he can before he loses his lease. So I agreed.

     Good thing this frame is beautiful!!

 

 

I love the woodwork on it. It will look fantastic spray painted a pretty color.

 

 

I had already picked up these two books which is why he made the offer that he did.

The book on the left was published in 1933. Honey Bunch- Her First Big Adventure. Isn't it cute? I think it may become a scrapbook.

The book on the right I picked up just because I like how it looked (and because I needed four books). It was published in 1905. I probably won't cut this guy up.

 

 

My final two book choices were these:

The Secretary's Handbook published in 1954 because you can never go wrong with an old handbook of any kind

and

Ferdinand which I got because I had never read it before. It's a really cute story. I'm going to read it to my boys even though they're going to think they're too old for it.

 

     I am actually going to miss this thrift store. Even though I didn't shop there much, when I did, I always found good stuff.

 

     Good luck to you and your thrifting adventures this week. Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

I will sing to the Lord, because

He has dealt bountifully with me.

Psalm 13:6

 

This post is linked to 52 Mantles, Apron Thrift Girl, and Junkin' Joe.

 

Framed Monogram

     Sometime ago I covered a paper mache letter with an old Colorado map. You can see it here. I intended to give it to a friend as a gift, but I felt it was missing something. So I took an old black frame, roughed it up with some sandpaper, and removed the glass. Then I used spray adhesive to attach burlap to the back of the frame (the part that is usually covered by a photo). Using spray adhesive again, I placed the map letter right in the center.

 

     For the ribbon, I made two holes in the back of the frame before adhering the burlap. I ran the ribbon through the holes, then tied it at the top.

 

     Quick and easy- and it somehow looks more complete this way, I think.

 

     Thanks for stopping by and God bless. 

 

 

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

     This post is linked to The CSI Project, Happy Hour Projects, WTFab, Funky Junk Saturday, and Embracing Change

Thrifty Thursday #29

     I found the best yard sale this past weekend. There was so much stuff and it was priced so cheaply! I left with a full bag for less than $4.
     I got a brand new (still in the package) spring-loaded curtain rod for fifty cents. I don't have a specific need for it now, but when I do, I know I can't buy one brand new for fifty cents!

I love this burlap bag. I don't think it's old, but I've been on the lookout for one of these. Guess what I paid for it. . . ten cents!

I think it will make a cute throw pillow or padded seat cover. I've even seen these framed.

I believe this game is older than I am. I love the box!

This is a nice sized frame. It will look great with chickenwire in the center.

I got all 8 of these beautiful patterns for ten cents (not apiece- for ALL!) They're from the sixties and I just love the images.

The container that they're in was such a bargain, I couldn't pass it up. It holds the patterns perfectly. I think that's where I'll store all my old patterns in my craft room.

This cork is 12"x24" and came in a bundle of six- for fifty cents! I can't wait to come up with some cork projects!

I got both this unused sketch pad and this pack of 50 pink envelopes for ten cents each.

 I thought this blank recipe box would be a good replacement for my current recipe box which is on its last leg. The lady at the garage sale threw in the brand new recipe cards- I got them both for fifty cents. The Hobby Lobby price was still on these-they cost $6 new.

I stopped at one other yard sale and got this blanket for $2. It's in good shape. I've seen different projects using this type of material- I'm on the lookout for something to do with this one.

Well, I was out for less than an hour and didn't even spend $6 which left enough money for me to swing by Sonic for my favorite drink- Route 44 Diet Coke. That's what I call a good morning!:)

Good luck on your thrifting adventures!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just,

whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any

excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4:8

This post is linked to Be Different. . .Act Normal, Apron Thrift Girl, and Too Much Time On My Hands



Serving Up Plates as Frames

     Hi Everybody! Hope you all had a nice weekend. 

We sure did. Nothing beats a leisurely weekend spent with your family:)

     Years ago, my husband and I lived in Germany and we were able to travel quite a bit. My goal when we went to Czechoslovakia was to get my own set of china (for some reason, I thought all married women needed a set:). Well, at the time our meager finances didn't allow me to get my own dishes. So, throughout the years, whenever I came across a cute plate or teacup for a reasonable price, I'd pick it up. Now I have quite a collection of unique pieces. I adore my mismatched China set! It's my little bit of femininity in this house full of testosterone! My boys refuse to sit down and have a tea party with me, but they won't pass up a homemade treat served on a cute plate!

     Anyway, I had seen a project online some time ago using these plates as frames and I wanted to give it a try. I found all these plates at the thrift store.

For these two, I printed off some older photos that my cousin had shared with me of our grandmother and parents when they were young (thanks again Robyn!)

I thought the older photos would look good on the plates.

Here are close ups of  the plates:

I like this one the best! It's a photo of my Nana when she was young- 

I'm guessing in her late twenties.

I added a small doily behind the photo and placed a couple of flowers 

on the bottom right side of the photo.

This is a photo of my mom (the brunette) and her younger brother and sister. 

Delightful photo- can you tell her brother was full of the dickens?

I added the trio of flowers at the bottom.

Then I decided to try a set with current photos.

 I think they look good, although next time, I'd probably print them in sepia.

This is a photo of my mom and dad. 

I think the pink and white photos bring out the pink roses on the plate.

This is my sister and brother-in-law. I love the gold accents on this plate.

I added different flowers to all the plate frames, although they'd be cute even without the flowers.

If you'd like to do this, all you have to do is cut your photos into a circle. I used a Coluzzle, but you could just trace around a cup or something else circular. Then you can adhere the photos to the plate using Glue Dots. In these photos, I have the plates sitting on plate stands, but they'd look cute hanging on a wall, too.

Thanks so much for stopping by and God bless.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they

may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

This post is linked to

Framed Button Cross

     Hi Everybody! Have I got a project to show you today!

     Recently, one of my good friends had a birthday, and I wanted to make her a gift. I know she loves crosses, and I had seen an outline of a cross made out of white buttons on another blog. I thought, "If an outlined cross looks cute, a solid cross made of multi-colored buttons would look great!" So I got out my buttons and a chunk of linen fabric and got to work.
     I attached the fabric to the back part of the frame. Then I used fabric glue to attach the buttons to the fabric. Then I placed the whole thing in the frame
     For the frame, I had a nice new 10" x 17" wooden frame. I thought it looked a little blah when I put the cross in it. So I sanded it and tried to figure out how to add some color without spray paint (it was too late to spray paint and I knew I could come up with something that didn't need much drying time). Here's what I did: I got some red acrylic paint and added water. Then I proceeded to brush that on the frame- kind of like white-washing, only it was red-washing!
     I still felt like it needed something, so once it was dry, I got some antiquing medium and rubbed it on the paint. It made the wood lines pop out. I was pleased with the effect.
     To finish it off, I added rub on letters that say, "Believe."
     I just freehanded this cross, but if you'd like to make one, you could always print out a cross, cut it out, and trace around it on the fabric. Then just make sure you cover up your pencil marks.
     What do you think?

     Thanks for stopping by and God bless. Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

This post is linked to Life in Grace and