My Summer Purse

I've been carrying around my current purse for sometime now,

so I've had the itch for a new one.

Most people would head to the store to buy one.

But I'm more frugal than most.

Instead of going to a department store, I went to the tote section at Hobby Lobby. :)

Here's my new purse.

I started with:

three flowers

a long strip of fabric (although ribbon would also work)

 and this plain burlap tote (the interior is a beautiful red and white striped fabric) 

It was very simple to embellish.

I used my hot glue gun to attach the fabric strip. I lined it up right at the end of the straps.

Then I glued on my trio of flowers.

I think this will do!

Thanks so much for stopping by and God bless.

She opens her mouth with wisdom, 

and on her tongue is the law of kindness.

Proverbs 31:26

This post is linked to The Crafted Sparrow, Too Much Time on My Hands, Life With Lorelai,
and Tatertots and Jello

Thrifty Thursday #177

I was cruising through my neighborhood the other day

 and spotted this gem sitting on a stack of junk by the road.

Isn't it lovely?
It's an old Craftsman metal toolbox.

I think I'll turn it into a planter.

It'll take some work, though because it's quite rusty.

Have you found anything good by the curb?

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

For the Lord takes pleasure in His people

Psalm 149:4

This post is linked to Embracing Change, I Heart Naptime, and My Salvaged Treasures.

Lovelies That I Love

Whew! 

I am ready for summer to slow down. . . it's passing much too quickly!

Grab a cool drink and take a minute and check out these cute things. . . 

How much do you love this print?

I'd surely hang it in my house! I think it would match in every room.

This personalized clay dish is too cute.

I think this bracelet set is beautiful! 

I love the hammered silver, and the copper heart is just darling.

Here's another cute mini album from I Love It All.

The package comes with everything you need to put a mini album together.

I think this designer maternity hospital gown is gorgeous.

I have no need for a maternity gown nor a hospital gown, but if I did, I'd have to have this one.

I hope you're all enjoying your summer!

Thanks so much for stopping by and God bless.

I'm not affiliated with these companies, I just like their stuff.

Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;

 His understanding is infinite.

Psalm 147:5

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

Recipe of the Week #180- Peanut Butter Cereal Bars

Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
1 cup sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup creamy peanut butter
6 cups crisp rice cereal

Combine sugar and corn syrup in a pan and bring just to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat; stir in peanut butter, then the cereal. Spread into a greased 9"x 13" pan. Allow to cool before cutting.

These things are like junk food crack. I start eating them and eating them, then get a stomach ache and swear I won't eat them again. Then when I feel better, I'm right back to eating them! They are a huge hit with my family as well.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Be silent in the presence of the Lord God; 

for the day of the Lord is at hand. 

Zeph. 1:7

This post is linked to Between Naps on the Porch, It's Overflowing, and What's On the List?

Mini Album Monday #58- Scrapping Every Day Photos

Today's album is a fun one that features pictures of my boys when they were younger.

They spent an afternoon with a friend and I took pictures of them all playing together.

Sometimes as moms, we get caught up thinking we have to focus on only the big things that happen,

but the everyday things are important to document, too.

I started with an accordion folded piece of orange cardstock.

Besides the cardstock, I used a few small pieces of pattern paper, a few stickers, 

and some paper for journaling.

My cardstock was already folded when I got it, but you could accomplish the same thing by folding cardstock. If you want it longer, just cut two pieces of cardstock to the same length. Then after folding them, adhere the back page of the first to the front page of the second and you'll have a longer accordian folded album.

I cropped the photos to fit and added one to each panel.
Each panel measures 9"x 3 3/4".

For the journaling on these pages, I gave my boys lined paper 

and asked them to write about their friend. This way I not only have these darling photos, 

but I have the boys' handwriting at this time as well.

On these pages, I added some pattern paper and a sticker to the corner of both photos.

This is the back page of the album.

These are pages on the backside of the album.

Because it's accordion folded, it can be spread out and looked at all at once.

As you can see, this album is very simple.

You could put one like this together in a few hours.

Just accordion fold a piece of cardstock and add some pictures and a little bit of pattern paper.

I can't tell you how awesome it is to have this memento from the past.

It just warms my heart looking at it.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless. 

While I live I will praise the Lord;

 I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

Psalm 146:2

This post is linked to My Girlish Whims, Tip Junkie, Today's Creative Life, and The Dedicated House.

Happy Birthday Ethan!

Today this boy, my baby, turns 14.

It's so hard to believe that he's already so old. He'll be a freshman this fall.

It really doesn't seem like that long ago I was carrying him around on my hip.

Sweet memories.

In honor of his birthday today, I'd like to share fourteen things about Ethan:

1. He loves to tease people--- almost to the point of being annoying. He especially likes to tease his dad and his big brother.

2. He has beautiful blue eyes that sometimes change in intensity.

3. He is very smart and a fast learner- especially for things that he is interested in.

4. He has plans to start his own business- and already is making it happen. I am so proud of his initiative.

5. He is very loving. He often puts his arm around me when we're out in public. He doesn't care who sees.

6. He has a wonderful sense of humor.

7. He is an awesome guitar player.

8. He prefers to wear t-shirts and athletic shorts- no matter where he's going. 

9. He is an excellent archer.

10. When he becomes interested in something, he learns everything he can about it.

11. He loves football- watching it, playing it, talking about it. . . He can amaze you with his vast knowledge of football facts.

12. He is an excellent shot with his rifle.

13. His face is covered in freckles- he hates them, but I think they're darling.

14. He is incredibly polite and knows how to handle himself when dealing with people.

I am grateful to be this boy's mom. Our family is incredibly blessed to call him our own.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

For this child I prayed

Sam. 1:27

Beach-y Centerpieces

Here's a super easy centerpiece that is great for the summer.

If you've got a large vase/candle holder, some sand, a few seashells, and a tealight candle,

then you've got what you need to whip up one of these.

 Just fill the vase/candleholder about 2/3 full of sand.

Place a few seashells around a tealight candle.

That's it!

Pair it with a fishing net and you've got a whole lotta cuteness!

(I got my fishing net at the dollar store.)

Makes you want to go to the beach, huh?

Have a lovely weekend!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, 

I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Habakkuk 3:18

This post is linked to Simple Nature Decor, Tatertots and Jello, and Embracing Change.

Thrifty Thursday #176

Last week I found very little to buy at the thrift stores

which beats this week when I found absolutely NOTHING!

Yes-sirree-bob.

I left empty handed.

But have no fear. . . 

I still have something lovely to share with you.

Check out these giant jars. . . 

 I got them for free.

A relative gave them to me.

They were going to be thrown away at his workplace.

He thought that I'd love them.

He was right:)

These are no regular jars either.

They are 12" tall and 9" wide.

I love them!

Right now this one is filled with small bags of peanuts.

I haven't done anything with the first one, but I'll figure out something to do with it.

I hope you have better luck with your secondhand shopping this week!

Thanks so much for stopping by and God bless.

The Lord is righteous in all His ways, 

gracious in all His works.

Psalm 145:17

This post is linked to Life With Lorelai, The Crafted Sparrow, and Too Much Time On My Hands

Layout of the Week #114

Today's layout is super easy.

Don't I say that every week?

Well, I always try to keep things simple.
If you try this, you'll see:)

Here's the layout we'll be completing.

(My scalloped circles are made from reflective paper which makes them hard to see. Sorry.)

To create it, you'll need:

one 12"x12" piece of pattern paper with a muted pattern

three pieces of pattern paper measuring 3 3/4"x 6"

three vertical photos measuring 3 1/2"x 5 1/4"

letter stickers for the title

three circles (mine are about 1 1/4" scalloped circles)

three embellishments that are small enough to overlap the circles

one roll of decorative tape

adhesive

paper trimmer

Use your decorative tape to line the outer edges of the 12"x12" pattern paper.

Mat the photos on the 3 3/4"x 6" pieces of pattern paper.

Two of them should be matted towards the bottom of the paper

and one should be matted towards the top of the paper.

Place these three mats in a straight line about 2" from the top of the background paper.

Add your title in the lower right hand corner.

Place your journaling above that.

I had a long title that doubled as my journaling.

These pictures are from Father's Day.

 It's crazy how many pictures I have to take to get a good one even after this many years.

 I didn't figure that I needed to journal that because it's evident from the photos.

Instead I wrote, "Every day is a good day to make a memory." 

My background paper is covered with the repeating definition of memory.

My decorative tape lists the days of the week.

That's how I came up with my title/journaling.

Now place your circles on the thicker side of each mat.

Then place your embellishments overlapping those circles.
THAT'S IT!!!
WE'RE DONE!
What do you think?
You could probably do this every other week, huh?
So can I. . . :)
Come back and follow along every other Wednesday and we'll quickly get your photos scrapped.


On another note, I'm thinking of making a video tutorial for Wednesday's Layouts of the Week instead of step-by-step photos. How do you all feel about that?
Would it be easier to follow?

Thanks so much for stopping by and God bless.

The Lord is righteous in all His ways, 

gracious in all His works.

 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;

 he also will hear their cry and save them. 

Psalm 145:17, 19

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

Recipe of the Week #179-Double Stuffed Pizza Dogs

Double Stuffed Pizza Dogs
6 hot dogs
6 mozzarella cheese sticks
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
24 slices of pepperoni
6 hot dog buns
1 jar pizza sauce

Slice open hot dogs lengthwise and put them in the bun and place on a baking sheet. Open cheese sticks and tuck into hot dogs.Cover hot dogs with pizza sauce. Cover with shredded cheese. Place 3-4 pepperonis on top. Put in oven and bake until cheese is melted.

Let me tell you- if you like hot dogs and pizza, you'll love these! My 15 year-old-son was in heaven while eating these!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; 

and He knows those who trust in Him.

Nahum 1:7

This post is linked to The Dedicated House, Ivy and Elephants, and What's On the List?

Have You Heard of the Junk Hippy Roadshow?

Have you heard of or been to the Junk Hippy Roadshow?
It's a show full of booths featuring vintage items, antiques, and lovely junk.
There are booths with shabby chic furniture, cute clothes, and unique jewelry.
It's right up my alley.
 

I believe they have shows in Texas and Oklahoma.

Fortunately, the town I live in is one of their stops

and I got to go to the show this past Saturday.

It was amazing.

There was so much to see.

I felt most of the prices were fair.

I just loved walking around and looking not just at what was being sold,
but also how the items were displayed.

It was only $5 to get in.

 

If you get a chance to go to one of these shows, do it.

You won't be disappointed.

I'm not affiliated with this organization, I just think it's awesome.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, 

And I will declare Your greatness. 

Psalm 145:6

This post is linked to It's Overflowing, Skip to My Lou, and Between Naps on the Porch.

Vinyl Record Projects

In all my secondhand shopping, I've noticed that one thing I can almost always find is
 vinyl records.

You may be thinking, "Big deal. Nobody uses those anymore."

Well, let me show you what can be done with them. . .

I've turned some into a wreath. 

I've made some into bowls.

I've even cut them down and turned them into notebooks.

One of my favorite projects using vinyl records is this chandelier.
I made it using some ribbon, an old wheel and eight small records.

The easiest project that I've made with them is this plate stand.

You can go here and see how a friend and I used vinyl records
 to decorate a music themed graduation party (which includes the above chandelier).

So, how about it?
Think you'll pick up a few records next time you stumble across them?

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, 
slow to anger and great in mercy.

Psalm 145:8

This post is linked to My Repurposed Life, Funky Junk, Life With Lorelai,
and Embracing Change.

Thrifty Thursday #175

There were slim pickings at the thrift stores this week!
I left with only spending $1.24.
Books were on sale for a dime apiece, so I picked up. . .

this algebra textbook from 1968,
 

this physics textbook from 1966,

and this Fundamentals of Electricity and Magnetism book which was printed in 1969.

I'm thinking these three books will become junk journals
like this and this only they'll have a school theme.
What do you think about that?

I also got three stuffed animals (for my mom's dogs) and
two never-been-opened office supplies (Post It notes and reinforcement labels).

Best wishes for your junking this weekend.

Thanks so much for stopping by and God bless.

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised

Psalm 145:3

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

Lovelies That I Love

Take a break from the heat and check out this cute summer stuff I found on Etsy. . .

How beautiful is this wreath?

I just love sunflowers.
The sticks add so much to this wreath.

I love this summer poppy scarf.
As long as you're going to be indoors, it's not too hot for a cute scarf. . . 

This summer paper bunting is made from pages out of a vintage floral book.

Beautiful.

I love subway art. Check out this colorful summer sign.

I love, love, love these summer buttons from aflairforbuttons.

You could incorporate these into a summer album or other paper craft.

They'd look great in a shadow box too!

You've gotta admit, this stuff is hard to resist!
I'm not affiliated with any of these companies, I just like their stuff.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, 

for in You do I trust, 

cause me to know the way in which I should walk, 

for I lift up my soul to You.

Psalm 143:7

 This post is linked to The Dedicated House, Too Much Time On My Hands,
I Heart Naptime, and The Crafted Sparrow.