Thrifty Thursday #57

     Today's Thrifty Thursday would be better titled "Freebie Friday," because I didn't pay one cent for these items!

 

This is an old slide projector that a friend from church gave me. He has a job picking up dumpsters- except for the heavy labor, this would be a perfect job for me. I would love first crack at the stuff people are throwing away!  

 

I'm excited to have this because I've picked up two sets of slides while thrifting.

Now I can have a slide show!:)

 

How cool is this old record player? I haven't plugged it in yet to see if it works, but I'm hoping!

The same friend also gave it to me. He knows that I like old stuff and was happy to share these items with me, although he did mention that he hoped my hubby wouldn't be mad at him for adding to my collection.:)

 

Look at all these cabinet doors. . . aren't they lovely?

I found them laying at my next door neighbors curb.

They are in excellent shape and did not warrant being thrown away.

I didn't even wait for it to get dark before I brought these home. I made three trips to get all 21 of them.

 

Don't they look like frames? I'm thinking chalkboards, framed quotes. . . all sorts of things!

 

Be alert while you're driving in your neighborhood. You can find some amazing things while curb shopping!

 

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

May He grant you according to your heart's desire,

and fulfill all your purpose.

Psalm 20:4

 

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

 

Layout of the Week #44- Creating a Flip Page for Extra Photos

     Sometimes when I sit down to scrap photos, I try to fit several on the page, but I'm not always able to. Today we are going to create a flip page on our layout to allow extra room for photos.

 

Here's the layout we'll be creating.

The part with the photos flips up and has room underneath to add more pictures.

 

To make it, you'll need:

three pieces of coordinating pattern paper- one 12"x12" piece and two 8 1/2" x 11" pieces

letter stickers for the title

journaling card (I used two index cards)

embellishments to go with your theme

adhesive

 paper trimmer

 

 

Take your first 8 1/2"x11" piece of paper (vertically) and fold the top two inches down which will make a two inch flap. Fill the rest of the paper with photos.

 

 

 

Place adhesive on the flap and center the smaller page onto the larger page.

 

Then take your second 8 1/2" x 11" paper and trim two inches off the end. Adhere it directly behind the top mat. This will act as a mat for more photos and will cover up the flap from the top page.

It should look like this.

 

Trim your photos to make them fit.

 

Add your title to the lower right corner of the flip-up mat.

I also used a ticket to act as a tab for flipping the page up. If you don't have a ticket, cut a small rectangle of paper and it will work.

 

To finish it off, add embellishments to the top right corner and the bottom left corner of the layout.

 

Here is what it looks like with the page flipped up. I attached my journaling cards to the backside of the flip up. If you have more photos, you could place them there as well.

 

I hope this encourages you to sit down with a bunch of photos and get them scrapped!

 

Thanks for stopping by God bless.

 

 

The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men,

to see if there are any who understand, who seek God.

Psalm 14:2

 

 

 This post is linked to Tater Tots and Jello and My Repurposed Life. 

 

 

Recipe of the Week #56- Burrito Casserole

Burrito Casserole
8 small flour tortillas
2 cups refried beans
2 tbsp canola oil
1/2 small red onion, diced
1-1 1/2 lbs beef
1 1/2 cups salsa
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese
jalapeno peppers

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut five tortillas into strips. Set aside.
Line 13"x9" casserole dish with remaining tortillas. Spread beans over the tortillas.

Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and beef and saute for five minutes. Drain the grease, then add the salsa. Pour mixture over beans. Cut jalapeno peppers and sprinkle over meat mixture. Top with tortilla strips and cheese. Bake until cheese melts. Top with sour cream and tomatoes.

My hubby loves this dish. Every so often I'll make a pan of it then cut it into serving sizes for him to take for work lunches.

I am a big fan of casseroles. They're easy to make, good to eat. . .is that old-fashioned of me? :)

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

He who walks with integrity walks securely.

Proverbs 10:9

This post is linked to Five Days Five Ways and Happy Hour Projects.

Old Brooch or Necklace?!

     If you've read this blog for any amount of time, I'm sure you've noticed how much I love secondhand shopping. So many times when I find an item, I know just what I'm going to do with it. . . it just might take me a while to do it.

     This is one of those projects.

 

 

I found this awesome brooch at my favorite thrift store- at least a year ago- for fifty cents.

I knew that I wanted it to be a pendant on a necklace.

 

 

I pried the pin off the back with a pair of needle nose pliers. It wasn't too hard.

Then I glued one of these bails to the back (found these at Michaels).

Fast forward to two weeks ago when I took the pendant with me to Hobby Lobby to find some matching beads. I picked up three sets of pearls- black, pink, and green.

Then today, I sat down and strung them onto some wire.

 

Once I finished, I had enough beads to make a matching bracelet.

 

And some matching earrings.

     If you're a jewelry maker, don't forget to think outside the box when it comes to what kinds of pieces you use. Whether you're secondhand shopping or going through your grandma's old jewelry, keep your eye out for cute pieces like this that you can modify. You'll be glad you did!

     Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27:1

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

Scrabble Word Decor

     I often find old Scrabble games while I'm thrifting, and they're never more than a dollar, so I always pick them up. Needless to say, I now have several sets of Scrabble tiles.
     If you happen to have an old Scrabble board game, take a look at this cute and easy project. If you don't have one, take a look anyway. It may make you want to find one!

 

I spelled out a word, glued it to the letter holder, and placed it on a shelf.

These days, you can't find home decor any cheaper than this:)

 

You can spell out any word that you'd like.

 

All you need to make this is:

Scrabble tiles

Scrabble tile holder

E-6000 glue

 

 

I even made a set for a friend who is getting married.

I didn't know when I made these, but Scrabble happens to be their favorite game!

 

You could make these as gifts- think how cute "Teach" would be for a teacher!

They would also be cute for any type of shower- baby, wedding, housewarming. . .

 

If you're wondering what I did with the boards that came with the games, go here to see.

 

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the path of righteousness

for His name's sake.

Psalm 23:3

 

 

This post is linked to Be Different Act Normal,  Five Days Five Ways,  My Repurposed Life, Happy Hour Projects, Too Much Time on My Hands, and Tatertots and Jello. 

 

Thrifty Thursday #56

     Lately, I've been fitting a thrift store run into my weekly grocery shopping trip. Not because the thrift stores are near where I grocery shop, because they really aren't. Just because when I have a little time out and about, I take advantage of it and try to do a little something fun.
     I got a few goodies on this week's run. . .

 

I found this darling Pyrex mixing bowl that was marked $2. I thought that was a little high as it was a small bowl, so I asked the gentleman working the cash register if I could give him $1 for it. He thought long and hard, then agreed. Score! 

I have a friend who asked me to be on the lookout for glass mixing bowls for her. I love to have a mission when I'm secondhand shopping, so I gladly agreed to keep an eye out for these.

 

This cute little cup and saucer was only fifty cents. I have another friend who has me watching for teacups for her. It's so nice to be able to pick up cute things that I don't have to find a place for when I get home!

 

I don't usually buy clothes secondhand, but I spotted this summer dress that looks brand new for only $3 and couldn't pass it up. I love the style, and I love the color. Even if I just wear it around the house, it was indeed a bargain.

 

I got this set of four records for $1. When I see a good deal on records, I am always tempted to buy them. If you're wondering why, take a look here and here and you'll see some projects in which I've used vinyl records.

 

I hope you all have good luck in your thrift store shopping and yard sale-ing this week!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

Show me your ways, O Lord;

Teach me Your paths.

Psalm 25:4

 

 

This post is linked to My Girlish Whims, Junkin Joe, Apron Thrift Girl, and Shabby Creek Cottage. 

 

 

Recipe of the Week #55- M&M Sugar Cookies

M and M Sugar Cookies
2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups sugar, plus 1/3 cup for rolling
2 oz cream cheese, cut into 8 pieces
6 tbsp butter, melted and still warm
1/3 cup vegetable or canola oil
1 large egg
1 tablespoon milk
2 teaspoons vanilla 
1-1 1/4 cups M and Ms

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Put 1/3 cup sugar in a pie plate and set aside.

Combine 1 1/2 cups of sugar and cream cheese in a large bowl. Pour in the warm butter and whisk to combine. Whisk in the oil, then the egg, milk, and vanilla and mix until smooth.

Fold the dry ingredients into the wet. While mixing them together, add the M and Ms to the dough. Continue mixing until a soft dough comes together. Do not overstir. Refrigerate 2-3 hours.

Roll the dough into a balls and roll in the sugar.
Flatten the dough balls. Bake the cookies for about 10-12 minutes. Do not overbake- these should be soft, chewy cookies.

These cookies are fantastic! I've made M and M cookies before, but I think the cream cheese in this recipe is what puts these over the top! These did not last long at our house!

I found this recipe here.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,

but a woman who fears the Lord,

she shall be praised.

Proverbs 31:30

This post is linked to Embracing Change, I Heart Naptime, and 52 Mantles.