Thrifty Thursday #91

Last Saturday, I got up bright and early to go to an estate sale. 

I usually intend to get up early and exercise and clean my house while still getting to a sale when it opens. Let me tell you. . . that has never happened . . . until last Saturday. My hubby had to work, so I got up when he did. I walked on the treadmill, swept and mopped my floors, and scrubbed my bathrooms before taking a shower- and I still made it to the 8:00 opening ten minutes early!

That was a real shocker for me.

And probably a one time only thing.

Anyway, the estate sale wasn't the best I've ever been to, but it was worth going to.

Want to see what I got?

It was love at first sight when I spotted this old hair dryer. It didn't have a price, but was sitting next to a modern hairdryer that was marked two dollars,. I hoped that I could get the old one for the same price. When I asked how much it was, the lady said, "How about a dollar?" I was thinking, how about yes?!

Needless to say, I bought it. 

When I brought it home, I plugged it in and it actually works!

I'm thinking I might want to turn it into a night light for the bathroom. What do you think?

If you've followed my Thrifty Thursday post for any length of time, you're probably looking at this platter thinking that the last thing I need is another platter.

Well, you may be right, but this one has a handle on it. None of my other platters do! 

Plus this was only fifty cents.

I've already used it once since I bought it:)

These two metal embroidery hoops were both a dollar. I never pass these up because I think they're so unique. I plan to make several mobiles with these. 

These two dainty pink doilies were a dollar apiece. 

Aren't they pretty?

There were quite a few pieces of old jewelry. I rifled through until I found some pieces I liked.

I got these two broaches and the necklace below for $5.

There was practically no wear on these pieces. 

I also picked up some old books at this sale. I have a project in mind for Christmas, so I'm needing titles that are "Christmas-y." I was able to find two.

Not too shabby for $10.50 if I do say so myself!

Good luck to you with your secondhand shopping. Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; 

for Your law is my delight.

Psalm 119:77

This post is linked to Today's Creative Blog, Junkin' Joe, and 52 Mantles.

Layout of the Week #74- Creating a Photo Tower

     For this week's Layout of the Week I decided to use a unique concept- a photo tower! Have you ever heard that before? Me neither. :)
     Let me show you what it is. . .

 

Here's the layout we'll be creating.

See how the photos appear to be arranged in a tower form- with a wide base and getting narrow as they go up?

 

To make it, you'll need:

one 12"x 12" piece of pattern paper (you'll notice that mine has a pretty busy print)

about eight photos

letter stickers for the title

stickers in your theme

optional: decorative tape

 

Start by cropping your photos. You want them to be different sizes.

Mine are all no more than 3 1/4" tall and different widths.

The randomness will add to the tower-like effect.

 

Start by adhering two wide photos along the bottom of the page.

 

 

Then just slowly add more photos above those- the width of the photo tower should get more narrow as you build up. Feel free to overlap some photos.

You may want to lay them our before adhering them to get them just the way you want them.

 

Using your letter stickers, place the title about halfway down the left side of the tower

overlapping a photo.

 

Now place embellishments here and there along the right and left sides of the photos.

I alternated when I placed mine- I started with one up high on the right, then a little lower on the left, and so on. I mixed stickers with decorative tape and used one ticket.

 

Your final step is to add journaling.

Can you see where I put mine?

That's right, I wrote along the outer edges of the paper and even some along the photo tower.

That's it! Unique and allows for lots of photos!

 

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

The earth, O Lord, is full of Your mercy; teach me Your statutes.

Psalm 119:64

 

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

Recipe of the Week #91-Sweet Pepsi Chicken

Sweet Pepsi Chicken
6 chicken breasts
1 can cherry Pepsi
1/2 cup brown sugar
16 oz bottle BBQ sauce

Pour Pepsi in bowl. Add brown sugar and BBQ sauce. Mix. Pour over chicken in Crock Pot. Cook on low 6-7 hours.

This is quite tasty- and soooooo incredibly easy! The chicken was so tender after it cooked that I went ahead and shredded it. It would be good on buns, tortillas, or even by itself. We did add a little extra BBQ sauce on it before eating it.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant,

with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

1 Tim. 1:14

This post is linked to Cheerios and Lattes, Skip to My Lou and Between Naps on the Porch.

Thrift Store Necklace Remixed

A few weeks ago, I found a cute, though rather plain, necklace at the thrift store. I bought it thinking that I'd restring it with some other beads. The more I looked at it though, the more I decided that I liked it- especially how the beads were larger at the center, then got smaller at both ends.
I figured out a way to remix it without rearranging the beads.

I added some fabric rosettes.

Would you believe that I got the fabric at the thrift store too? I sure did- for only a quarter! The necklace was a dollar, so altogether this necklace is a bargain!

To make this, I used the necklace,

fabric,

fabric glue,

not pictured: hot glue gun and black felt

I trimmed a few strips off the fabric and used the fabric glue to make three rosettes:

one medium size and two small ones.

Using my hot glue gun, I attached the rosettes like this.

The smaller one on the right is actually glued to the top of the other two.

The back was pretty unbecoming.
If the rosettes accidentally flip over when I'm wearing it, I don't really want this mess to show.

So I decided to add a small piece of black felt.

I cut it in about the same shape as the rosettes and attached it with hot glue.

Ta-da! I'm pleased with how it turned out.

Pretty unique, huh?

I've had people ask me what do I do with all the stuff I find at thrift stores. Well, I try to limit myself to buying things that I think I'll actually use or create something with.

Hence this project. :)

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers

in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

1 Tim. 4:12

 This post is linked to Glitter, Glue, and Paint, Funky Junk Interiors, Craft-O-Maniac, Balancing Home, Embracing Change, and The Dedicated House.

Fall Back Into These Projects. . .

     It's finally starting to feel like fall around here, so I thought we could revisit

some of my past fall projects . . .

 

like this harvest wreath made from an old rake,

 

 

and this festive paper covered cauldron.

This adds a little fun to trick-or-treating whether you're the giver of the candy

or the receiver of the candy. 

 

This album showcases all the Halloween costumes our household has seen throughout the years.

So much fun to have all those memories in one place.

 

 

This fall themed paper covered pumpkin is charming and can sit out until Thanksgiving,

 

 

as can this fabric rosette jute wreath.

The best part about this wreath: the rosettes are just clipped on and can be changed with the seasons!

 

 

Don't you just love fall? Makes you want to get out a sweater and make some soup. . . doesn't it?

 

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth

by Your great power and outstretched arm.

There is nothing too hard for You.

Jer. 32:17

 

 

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

Thrifty Thursday #90

You know you're a thrift store junkie when the ladies at the counter recognize you when you walk in the door. Anybody else know that feeling? I sure do. 

I don't know if I should be proud or ashamed. . . :)

 

I was tickled pink when I spotted a basket full of vintage hankies and doilies

priced at twenty five cents each!

I sorted through looking for some without stains.

I got these two lovelies. . .

 

and this one (such handiwork!),

 

and this set of three!

Woo! Can you believe I got six embroidered hankies for $1.50?!?

I gave two of these to a friend, and placed the rest in my stack collection.

I plan to make something really darling with these, I just don't know what yet. . .

 

I got this awesome old manly book for a quarter.

 

Couldn't pass up these graphics.

 

I spent a quarter on this glass candlestick.

I like to keep one or two of these on hand just in case I need to make a raised cake platter.

You know how those kind of emergencies can just pop up:)

 

My final purchase was these two packs of brand new, never been used envelopes.

Each pack has 25 envelopes.

They're so cute all turquoise with a scroll in the corner.

You're probably curious as to what one gal can do with 50 turquoise envelopes if she's not

planning a party of any sort or any kind of mass correspondence.

Well, I'll tell ya. These fellas are destined to become pages in mini scrapbooks.

 

That's all for today, Folks! Good luck with your thrifty shopping this week.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,

and I shall keep it to the end.

Psalm 119:33

 

This post is linked to  Happy Hour Projects, Junkin' Joe, and Embracing Change. 

Layout of the Week #73- Creating a Pocket On Your Layout

     On every layout I make, I always include a title and journaling. Now, the title is usually easy to come up with, but the journaling isn't always so easy. Sometimes I just write about what went on in the photos, but sometimes I have some funny anecdotes that I can include. I love it when I can add those!
     There are times that I don't have room to fit all that I want to on a layout. So I have to improvise. Today I'm sharing an easy way to give yourself a little bit more room to add mementos to your layout.
    

 

Here's the layout we'll be creating.

See the pocket above the left side of the photos?

 

To make it, you'll need:

three pieces of 12"x 12" coordinating pattern paper

stickers in your theme

one or two journaling cards- notecards will do

letter stickers for the title

paper trimmer

adhesive

 

Trim your first piece of pattern paper to 6 1/2" x 11".

Cut your photos to fit. I was able to crop mine quite a bit.

You could also use three vertical 4"x 6" photos.

 

Make sure you leave about one inch at the bottom of the mat. Using your letter stickers, place your title in this space. My paper already had a word printed on it, so that's what I went with as my title.

 

Now trim your second piece of pattern paper to 6 3/4" x 11 1/2". This will act as a mat to your first piece of pattern paper. Don't adhere it yet.

 

When placing your adhesive, you need to adhere along the sides and the bottom. Along the top, you should leave a space without adhesive- this is where we'll slide in our journaling cards.

Place adhesive about halfway down where your cards will go so they don't fall down too far.

If you look closely, you can see that I circled my tape in pencil so you can see where it is.

 

Now place piece that onto your mat.

See how our journaling cards fit right inside that pocket?

 

I enclosed two journaling cards and two photos in mine.

 

Now adhere the large mat onto your background paper along the left edge and

about two inches from the bottom of the page.

 

 

Now it's time to add some stickers. Place 2-3 in the upper right corner of the background paper.

Place another 2-3 at the bottom right corner of the mat. Place one at the top left corner of the mat.

(After that, I felt mine was lacking, so I added a couple of tiny flowers to my stickers.)

 

Ta-da! That's it. Not too difficult, huh?

This pocket technique could be used on lots of layouts.

If you like the idea of adding pockets, you can go here and see another tutorial on this technique.

 

I hope this puts you in the scrapping mood:) I sat last night and went through some of my layouts that I've made. This is my seventy third tutorial which means I have that many layouts. Imagine if you decided to follow along every Wednesday- you could get quite a few layouts done before the end of this year!!

 

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

 

And I will delight myself in Your commandments, which I love.

Psalm 119:47

 

This post is linked to Happy Hour Projects, I Heart Naptime, and 52 Mantles.
    

Recipe of the Week #90- Oreo Pancakes

 

Oreo Pancakes

1 cup flour

1 Tbsp sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1 cup milk

1 egg

3 Tbsp veggie oil

dash of vanilla

6 Oreos, crushed

 

Glaze

3/4 cup powdered sugar

2 Tbsp milk

2 Oreos, crushed

 

Whisk together the milk, oil, egg and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients and whisk until incorporated. There may be lumps. Add the crushed Oreos and mix.

 

Cook pancakes as usual.

 

For the glaze, mix the powdered sugar and milk until creamy. Add crushed Oreos and mix.

Drizzle over the pancakes.

 

My boys thought these were amazing!! My older son could probably live on Oreos, so when I told him I was making these, he was fired up! They were a little on the sweet side for my hubby and I, but I will be making them again. On Saturday mornings, we often have a "fun" breakfast- and these definitely fall in that category.:)

 

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

As in water face reflects face, so a man's heart reveals the man.

Proverbs 27:19

 

This post is linked to The Dedicated House, Ivy and Elephants, and Craft-O-Maniac.



My "I Can Do That" Bracelet

     By now, I'm sure you've gathered that I love jewelry and I'm very frugal. I'm the kind of gal who sees something cute and instead of spending money on it says, "I can make that."
     Here's one of those projects.

 

 

It's a kind of circle charm bracelet.

 

This is my inspiration piece. I just love it!

You can find it here at Magic Jelly Emporium for $86.00

 

 

To make mine, I used a bracelet from Hobby Lobby, flat bottom glass pebbles from the dollar store, scraps of pattern paper, Mod Podge, and E-6000 glue.

I followed this tutorial.

Mine cost less than $5 to make.

 

 

I used different types of paper: ledger paper, sheet music, a page from an old storybook,

and different scrapbook papers.

 

What do you think?

 

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.

Psalm 119:18

 

 This post is linked to Tatertots and Jello, Skip to My Lou, My Girlish Whims, and Between Naps on the Porch.

Halloween Garland DIY

I made a trip to my local dollar store for some Haloween-y stuff that I could use to make a garland. 

Here's what I came up with. . .

I used two bouquets of black roses

one bouquet of smallish orange flowers

two strands of skeleton garland (all from the dollar store)

and from my own stash, I used black trim

and small plastic pumpkins

I started by cutting my black trim to a length of two yards.

Then I cut the skeletons apart and tied them evenly across the black trim.

In between the skeletons, I paired up one black rose with two orange flowers. I thought the orange helped to keep the roses from getting lost on the black trim.

I attached them with hot glue.

To finish it off, I used embroidery floss to dangle the tiny pumpkins

and plastic spiders (which came with the black rose bouquets).

 Pretty- and only a little creepy:)

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.

1 Thes. 4:9

This post is linked to Eighteen 25, Happy Hour Projects, Cheerios and Lattes, Too Much Time On My Hands, and Today's Creative Blog.