Mini Album Monday #71- His and Hers Mini Album

Since my hubby and I just celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary,

I thought I'd share a fun His and Hers mini album with you.

 I made this using two silver envelopes as the cover (they measure 4 1/4"x 5 3/4").
I punched holes in all the pages and the cover and used a ribbon as binding.

 The first page is the shape of half a heart.
I used four pieces of cardstock measuring 5 1/2"x 8 1/2" for the pages.

On each long page, I made one end shaped (heart, scallop, bracket, etc.)
Then I folded them in half.
When I placed them in the book, I alternated the shaped edges so that when each page was folded, a shaped edge appeared on every layout.

 Each layout has one black and white photo.

I added a bit of decorative paper on the pages with the photos.

I added a hand drawn line as edging around each page.

I used simple embellishments.

Each layout has a question,

then includes both my hubby's response and my response.

Here are the questions as they appear in the book:
What funny or pet names do you call each other?
What's the kindest thing he's/she's ever done for you?
What is your favorite thing to do together?
What is the most important thing you have in common?
What's the most interesting thing about him/her?
What is something you rarely agree on?
What is one of his/her lovable quirks?

I closed the album with a quote from Victor Hugo:
To love another person is to see the face of God.
 

Here's what the back looks like.
I folded the flap from the front envelope around and adhered it to the back envelope.


I made this a few years ago and it was refreshing to go back and look at our responses--
and at some of those older photos!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You!

Psalm 84:12

This post is linked to USS Crafty, The Dedicated House, The Interior Frugalista,
Lil' Luna, and Tuesdays With a Twist. 

Flashback Friday: DIY Projects Using Corks

I've started Flashback Friday on the last Friday of each month,
where we'll take a look back at five projects featuring the same theme.

This month, we're looking at projects using corks.
I scored two bins of corks at an estate sale sometime ago.
Follow the links to read more about each project.

This large cork heart wreath is nearly two feet tall and now hangs in the peak of our living room wall.

 A yard-o-corks is a great display for your child's drawings or even for Christmas cards.

I used beads and corks on these key rings.



I love how this cork covered letter turned out.

Go here to see how to make this cork heart

which looks cute on a shelf or can be used as a trivet.

Last month's Flashback Friday was chalkboard projects. Go here to see.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.

Proverbs 20:22

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

Thrifty Thursday #204

Every Thursday I enjoy showing you my secondhand treasures

most of which come by way of thrift stores.

Sometimes I get lucky curbside finds,

and sometimes I get even luckier and am given vintage gems.

Today's feature is one such gem.

Check out this old buffet.

(close up of the top)

 

Isn't it just lovely?

(close up of the drawers)

My brother was visiting family and brought this home for me.

I was elated!

I've always wanted a vintage buffet.

(close up of the doors)

I hope you luck across a beautiful piece soon!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

The hearing ear and the seeing eye, 

the Lord has made them both.

Proverbs 20:12

This post is linked to Blue Willow House, Life With Lorelai, and Embracing Change.

Layout of the Week #126

It's been awhile since I've done a Layout of the Week, but it's back!

I've got a super simple page idea for you today.

Here's the layout we'll be creating.

To make it, you'll need:

one piece of 12"x 12" pattern paper

two strips of pattern paper or decorative tape measuring 12"x 3/4"

and 10"x 1/2"

pre-printed title or letter stickers for your title

4 small embellishments in your theme

narrow office labels for your journaling (or you can use strips of white paper)

paper trimmer

adhesive

5-6 photos

To start, crop the excess off of your photos.

You'll want two rows of three

or one row of three and one row of two.

Line up your photos so that the middle one in each row sticks up farther than the two on the sides.

It doesn't matter what the center area in between the photos looks like
because we'll be covering that up.

Now add your two decorative strips in between the two rows of photos.

I slightly overlapped the shorter one onto the longer one.

Add your title in the lower right corner.

Write on the office labels and add them stacked along the upper edge of the pattern paper.

I used three labels for mine.

Finally, add three embellishments next to your journaling and one along the bottom left photo.
Now check the time.
Did we whip that up in no time or what?!?

Swing by in two weeks for another quick and easy layout tutorial.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

The Lord is my light and my salvation;

whom shall I fear?

Psalm 27:1

This post is linked to USS Crafty, Between Naps on the Porch, I Heart Naptime,
and The Dedicated House.

Recipe of the Week #209- Brownie Truffles

Brownie Truffles

1 pan of brownies, make according to directions

4 oz cream cheese, softened

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips, melted

Once brownies are cool, scoop them out into a large bowl. Don't use any hard edges. Add in the cream cheese and stir until combined. Roll into balls and place on a cookie sheet. Place in the freezer until firm- about 30 minutes.
Melt the chocolate chips and dip the balls into the chocolate. Place on wax paper. Top with sprinkles if desired. Place in freezer until the chocolate hardens. These are best served cold.

These were such a tasty treat! Who doesn't like chocolate covered brownies?!?

I found this recipe here.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; 

and let them say among the nations, "The Lord reigns."

1 Chron. 16:31

 This post is linked to My Girlish Whims, A Cup of Joe, and Skip to My Lou.

Upcycled Thermos Lamp

Are you ready to see one of my favorite upcycled projects ever?

It's an old thermos turned into a lamp!

I found this big ol' 2 gallon thing at a yard sale.

I knew right away that it would make an awesome lamp.

My hubby was with me and agreed. I got it for $1.

Check out the detail on its label.

My hubby screwed a hole in the lid and put the lamp parts inside the body

following the directions on the lamp kit.

 Then we added a small silver shade.

If you like this, you should check out this light fixture made from an attic turbine.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Give to the Lord the glory due His name.

1 Chron. 16:29

This post is linked to Plucky's Second Thought, Simple Nature Decor, Thrifty Rebel Vintage,

Somewhat Simple, Funky Junk, Blog Handmade Link Up, and My Salvaged Treasures.   

Vintage Pattern Projects

My neighbor recently gave me a whole slew of vintage patterns (see here and here).

With so many, I had to do something with them.

Here are a few projects I came up with. . .

I covered a vase.

I used two different patterns- one for the front and one for the back.
I just used the fronts of the patterns.

Then I used a piece of the pattern paper to fill the inside of the vase.
I just love how this turned out!

I used one to cover a notebook.
I placed the front of the pattern on the front of the notebook
 and the back of the pattern on the back of the notebook.

For the notebook itself, I used half a file folder and cut it in half again.
The pages are just pieces of graph paper cut to size.
I bound it with my Bind-it-All tool.

The third project I made is a vintage sewing garland.

I cut the fronts off of six patterns. 

Because the paper was fragile, I backed them with white cardstock and sewed around the edges.

Then I added some paper doilies and vintage sewing notions in between the patterns.

I attached them all to twine with mini clothespins.

Stay tuned because I have some more vintage pattern projects up my sleeve!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, 

for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever.

1 Chron. 16:34

This post is linked to My Salvaged Treasures, Lil' Luna, The Cottage Market,

Embracing Change, and Funky Junk.

Thrifty Thursday #203

It's been a busy week for me, so I only had time for one thrift store stop.
So of course, I went to my favorite one.

I found this silver tray for fifty cents.

I didn't need another tray, but this one is smaller than the others that I have.

It's about the size of a dinner plate.

It's pretty, isn't it?

Sitting on the counter near the cash register was a bowl labeled $.25 each
and was filled with small plastic bags of silver pieces.
This is what I pulled out of the bag- a menu holder that I'll use for a photo holder.
There were twelve of them and I bought them all.
I'm hoping to use them on some sort of interesting photo display.

I also picked up the newest John Grisham novel for a quarter.
It still has its original price tag on it that says $15.99.
What a score!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!

1 Chron. 16:10

This post is linked to Blue Willow House, The Crafted Sparrow, I Heart Naptime,
and Too Much Time.

Check This Out!

I checked my mail this morning and guess what I found in the mailbox?!?

My favorite magazine!

Isn't it so inviting?

I love thumbing through the pages and looking at all the beautiful photos.

It always makes me want to stop what I'm doing and hit the thrift stores.

If you've never read this magazine, I suggest you go get yourself an issue.

I'm not affiliated with it, but I highly recommend it:)

Here's where you can find single issues
and here's where you can subscribe.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord!

Call upon His name;

Make known His deeds among the peoples!

2 Chron. 16:8

This post is linked to The Dedicated House, Life With Lorelai, and My Girlish Whims. 

Recipe of the Week #208- Hearty Beef and Bacon Stew

Hearty Beef and Bacon Stew
2 lbs stew meat
16 oz bacon, chopped
8 med. carrots, chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped
6 medium potatoes, cubed
1 yellow onion, diced
2 qts beef stock
2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 cup frozen peas

Cook bacon in a large pot until it turns brown. Add stew meat and cook until mostly cooked through. Stir in veggies and stock. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce to a simmer and cover until veggies are fork soft. Add frozen peas and continue to cook until peas are warm.

Note: I left out the peas. My boys have a strange aversion to frozen peas.

Beef stew is a great winter meal.  And let me tell you that bacon only makes it better! My family loved this.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

I have put my trust in the Lord God, 

that I may declare all Your works.

Psalm 73:28

This post is linked to Between Naps on the Porch, The Dedicated House,
and Plucky's Second Thought.

A Pop of Love

I've had a jar full of old bottle caps sitting on my mantle for sometime.

I've known what I wanted to do with them, I just haven't taken the time.

Fast forward to this morning. The boys didn't have school due to the holiday

 which meant I also had a little time to myself.

So I broke out my old bottle caps and made this. . . 

I placed the bottle caps in a heart shape inside a shadowbox.

Then I used rub-ons to add the word love to the glass.

I kinda love how it turned out!

Do you have a crafty to-do list full of ideas?

How often are you able to get to it?

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Remember His marvelous works which He has done

1 Chron. 16:12

This post is linked to Tip Junkie, Simple Nature Decor, Tatertots and Jello,
 Funky Junk, and Skip to My Lou.

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

Happy Valentine's Day, my loves!

Take pictures.

Make memories.

Show your love!

 

 

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Vintage Embroidery Pillows

I usually don't pass up vintage embroidery when I'm at estate sales or thrift stores.
I can only imagine the amount of time and talent that went into making them.
I hate to think that nobody loves those pieces.

I took two different pieces that I've found and repurposed them into pillows.

The two deer pillows are from the same table runner.
The smaller heart was from a vintage hankie.

I decided to make them heart shaped pillows.

Here's the table runner that I used. See how it had a patch in the middle?

It really couldn't be used as a runner anymore, so I thought it would make lovely pillows.

It had the image embroidered on both ends, so I was able to make two pillows.



Here's the hankie I used.

I started by cutting a heart out of a stiff piece of paper.

Then I traced around the heart onto the fabric.

For the hankie, I traced two hearts for the front and back of the pillow.



For the deer prints, I used a paisley fabric to back the pillows.

That way I could make two matching pillows.

For the smaller heart, I used the trim from the hankie around the edge of the pillow.

What do you think?


Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Seek the Lord and His strength;

seek His face evermore!

1 Chron. 16:11

 This post is linked to Funky Junk, My Salvaged Treasures, Simple Nature Decor,
 and Tatertots and Jello.