Trash to Treasure Notebooks

Today I have a project where I used what some may consider trash
and turned it into something useful.
I turned tea box covers into notebooks.

Here's how they turned out.

For the front covers, I cut off the tops of two different boxes of tea.

For the back covers, I cut two pieces of chipboard to the same size as the box lids.

I used a pad of graph paper and cut pieces to fit in between the covers. I had 30 pages for each book.

I like the look of graph paper in notebooks:)

I bound the books using my Bind-It-All.
It's made by Zutter.
Heidi Swapp and Tim Holtz also have machines that will bind like this.
If you don't have one of these machines, you could bind your books using two office rings.

 I made these notebooks for a friend for her birthday.

She's a huge fan of tea.

I wrapped the notebooks with the tea infuser dude.

These notebooks are so simple to make.

You could use any type of packaging like Mac and Cheese boxes, movie theater candy boxes,

or even a soda box.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,

to which also you were called in one body;

 and be thankful.

Col 3:15

This post is linked to That DIY Party, The Crafted Sparrow, Lil' Luna, The Crafty Blog Stalker,
and I Gotta Create.  

Lovelies That I Love

Father's Day is just a few days away.

Check out some of these manly finds I came across. . .

This t-shirt is great.

You choose the number based on how many kids you have.

Cute, huh?

How funny is this mug?

It would be perfect for my boys to give to my hubby.

Check out this cool money clip.

I know a tie is a pretty cliché gift, but this one looks like a library card.

There's nothing cliché about that!

I think this leather camera strap is so nice.

It can be personalized with latitude and longitude coordinates.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

I'm not affiliated with any of these companies; I just like their stuff.

Holy and awesome is His name.

Psalm 111:9

This post is linked to Wake Up Wednesdays, I Heart Naptime, Crafts a la Mode,
The Cottage Market, and Sugarbee Crafts. 

Mini Album Monday #75- Retirement Wishes Album

A couple weeks ago at work, there was a going away luncheon for my retiring supervisor.

This lady is one of the sweetest people I've known, and she was loved by the whole clinic.

I thought it would be nice to have all my co-workers write her a note then bind them together. 

Here's the finished product.
I made a sleeve from a doily and part of an old map to slip over the bound cards.

The party was travel themed as she plans to do lots of travelling.

I used a piece of pattern paper that looks like a vintage envelope as the dedication page.

I started this project by downloading six different vintage postcard prints from here.

Then I made color copies onto beige cardstock and cut around the edges of the cards.

One of the girls at work passed them out to all our co-workers.

Everyone wrote a message to our supervisor wishing her the best in her retirement.

I punched holes in the upper left corner of each card.

(I placed hole reinforcers on the backs of the cards that didn't have writing
to help keep the pages sturdy.)

I added the tag that said "wishes" because we all wish her the best of luck.

This would be an easy project to do to celebrate a grandparent's birthday.
Just mail a card to each family member with instructions to write his or her favorite memory
 of the birthday person.

I think it would be very moving to read a bunch of messages from my loved ones and friends.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

And let us not grow weary while doing good,

 for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Gal 6:9

 This post is linked to Skip to My Lou, The Dedicated House, Tatertots and Jello,
The Girl Creative, and Between Naps on the Porch.

Lovelies That I Love

Here are some unique last minute gift ideas
on this week's edition of Lovelies That I Love.

For the Starbucks lover,
(isn't this the coolest phone cover?)

for the co-workers,

(super cute and creative)

for the hostess,

(I love that these can be personalized!)

for the grandmas,
(a bracelet customized with children's artwork- awesome!)

and finally, for the friends.
(aren't these too cute?)

That's all for this week.
Makes you want to get your shopping done, huh?

I'm not affiliated with any of these companies; I just like their stuff.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. . . .

 As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Joshua 24:15

 This post is linked to It's Overflowing, Life With Lorelai, and Skip to My Lou.

Recipe of the Week #200- Slow Cooker Cinnamon Almonds

Slow Cooker Cinnamon Almonds
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
3 Tbsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp salt
1 egg white
2 tsp vanilla
3 cups almonds
1/4 cup water

Mix sugars, cinnamon, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk egg white and vanilla until frothy. Add almonds and coat thoroughly. Add cinnamon mixture to the almonds. Stir until almonds are covered well.
Spray slow cooker with cooking spray. Place almonds in slow cooker. Turn to low. Cook for 3-4 hours, stirring every 20 minutes. In the last hour, add 1/4 cup of water and stir well. This will help the mixture to harden.
Spread almonds on baking sheet to cool. Separate them so they don't stick together.

These were so yummy! I think I may make some and give them as Christmas gifts. I might add a tag that says, "I'm nuts about you!":)

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

For where your treasure is, 

there your heart will be also.

Luke 12:34

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

Lovelies That I Love

When I show you cute stuff I find while virtual shopping,
I typically don't feature much for men's stuff.

Today I'm going to change that.

Here are some cool items that would make great Christmas gifts for the men in your life. . .

Check out this shotgun shell Christmas wreath.

Cool, huh?

My hubby would love it.

How cool are these motorcycle cufflinks?

This personalized ammo can is a great idea.

I never would've thought to personalize such a thing.

I love this mug.
It speaks for itself.

This personalized leather wallet is manly and classy.
I love the monogram on it.

Such fun and unique gift ideas, don't you think?

I'm not affiliated with any of these companies; I just like their stuff.

Thanks 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 My Girlish Whims, Ivy and Elephants, and Plucky's Second Thought.

Lovelies That I Love

Hi! I'm so glad you stopped by.
It's Wednesday so that means we get to look at some cute stuff I found while shopping online.

Prepare yourself to see some cool stuff. . .

I adore unique bags- especially repurposed ones.

These are reclaimed vintage totes.

Awesome, huh?

I love this vintage style recipe book.
It even has divider tabs inside.
How great would this be for storing old recipes from loved ones-
especially if they're written in their own handwriting.

These earrings are made from camera lenses. How cool are they?

I love these human anatomy magnets.

They're so quirky!

I love this look of a photo printed on a slice of wood.

You just send them your photo, and they print it onto the wood slice.

Too cool.

I'm not associated with any of these companies, I just like their stuff.

Thanks so much for stopping by and God bless.

The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy.

Psalm 126:3

This post is linked to Skip to My Lou, Natasha In Oz, Tatertots and Jello,
and Plucky's Second Thought.

Magnetic Monogram Message Board

Magnetic Monogram Message Board- well, that's a mouthful!

It's also an eyeful. . . 

I got this metal letter at Walmart. (Hobby Lobby has them, too.)

Then I added some cute magnets.

And Voila!

A darling message board!

I'm thinking this is a cute and simple gift idea!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Jesus said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, 

with all your soul, and with all your mind."

Matthew 22:37

This post is linked to Natasha In Oz, Tip Junkie, and Plucky's Second Thought.

Lovelies That I Love

I hope you're all having a good week.

Feel like shopping? Or at least looking at some cute stuff?

Check out these darling Etsy finds. . .

How much do you love these letters?

They're just beautiful. The grapevine wreath adds so much.

Check out this necklace. . .

It's the New York City skyline.

How cool is this?

Our couch is covered with cute pillows.

 This one would fit right in with the rest of them:)

I really love this scarf.

This is a build your own bangle bracelet.

I love personalized jewelry, and this one is so unique!

I may be buying a few of these as Christmas gifts. . .

Admit it. A little window shopping was just what you needed, huh?

By the way, I'm not affiliated with any of these companies; I just like their stuff.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Uphold my steps in Your paths,

 that my footsteps may not slip.

Psalm 17:5

This post is linked to Plucky's Second Thought, Between Naps on the Porch, and Tip Junkie. 

"Orange" You Glad?

Do you have that one person who is difficult to buy for?

Or maybe that person that you'd like to give a gift to, but don't know just what to get?

How about an orange themed gift basket with a tag that says,
 "Orange you glad it's your birthday?"

Just get a clear or orange container and fill it with orange products.

I included a notebook, pen, nail polish, lip gloss,

 Ice Breaker mints, gum, and a can of orange Crush.

Then I tied a ribbon around it all and attached a tag.

You could do this and customize it to anything really. . .

Orange you glad school is starting/ending?

Orange you glad that test is over?

Orange you glad you work here?

Orange you glad to be my friend? :)

You can go here to see how to build a basket full of sunshine.

Thanks so much for stopping by and God bless.

I will be glad and rejoice in You; 

I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.

Psalm 9:2

This post is linked to Skip To My Lou, It's Overflowing,
Lil' Luna, and Plucky's Second Thought.

Lovelies That I Love

Every other Wednesday, I do a little virtual shopping looking for
awesome finds to share with you guys.
While I love to "window shop," I don't usually spend money on myself,
 but if I were to do so, here's what I'd get. . . 

This is one of many beautiful necklaces by Beth Quinn Designs.

I adore everything she makes!

I love this tunic. Wouldn't it be too cute paired with some leggings?

It's very reasonably priced, too.

This triple cross ring is from The Vintage Pearl.

I discovered The Vintage Pearl online a couple of years ago. Now they have a store just 20 minutes down the road from me. How great is that?!?

I've had my eye on these Macie Bean cowboy boots for awhile.

I think the flowers are just so happy looking.

I totally love this "Week In The Life" album kit from Ali Edwards.

It's everything you need to make an album that documents one week in your life.

What an awesome keepsake this would be!

Well, that's a peek into my wish list:)

Thanks so much for stopping by and God bless.

P.S. I'm not affiliated with any of these companies; I just like their stuff.

Happy is the man who finds wisdom.

Proverbs 3:13

This post is linked to Ivy and Elephants, Skip to My Lou, Lil' Luna, and Between Naps on the Porch.

Decorative Letter DIY

In this day and age it's easy to get overwhelmed with all that's on our to-do lists.

Taking a little time for ourselves is refreshing- so that we can get back to do what we need to do.:)

I find that I like to use my "me" time doing something crafty. 

I suggest that you try to take some time to be creative.

Here's a simple project to get you started.

Try your hand at making a decorative letter.

 

To make one, you need:

paper mache letter (mine is 8" tall)

large piece of pattern paper

paint

Mod Podge

2 paint brushes

sandpaper

fabric flower or ribbon

To start, paint the edges of the letter.

Once the paint dries, put your letter on the back of the pattern paper

 and trace around it leaving plenty of space. Then cut around those lines.

I lined mine up up at the top right corner to make it easier 

to get my paper on straight for the next step. 

 Cover the front of the letter with Mod Podge.

Lay the paper on top of the letter. 

I lined my paper up at the top left corner to make sure it was straight.

Press along the entire letter paying close attention to the edges to make sure all the paper adheres.

This is what it looks like from behind.

I feel working with a little extra paper around the edges allows me to cover the entire letter.

If I cut it exactly to size, I have to be sure to line it up exactly which is difficult to do on wet glue.

Carefully use your sandpaper along the edges to remove the excess paper.

Finally, add a flower or ribbon to your letter.

Here's a side view to show how painting the edges gives it a more finished look.

One of these would be a great gift for a teacher (with school themed paper),

for a baby shower or even for a house warming gift.

I hope you have an awesome- and creative- weekend!

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 Simple Nature Decor, Life With Lorelai, Too Much Time On My Hands,
and Tatertots and Jello.