Check Out My Gallery Wall!

I am so excited to show you my new wall décor in our living room.

It all started with buying a canvas featuring a recent family photo.

Then I drew out a plan for what to hang around it, and my hubby helped me to hang it.

(Is it strange that I drew it out first?)

   

I incorporated many thrifty finds like a wine crate, old bobbins, and a printer's tray.
What do you think?

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

And be kind to one another, 
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, 
even as God in Christ forgave you.

Eph. 4:32

This post is linked to Life With Lorelai, Embracing Change, The Crafted Sparrow,
Tatertots and Jello, and Artsy Fartsy Mama.

Thrifty Thursday #220

We haven't had too many yard sales around here lately-

probably due to the all the rains we've had this year.

I do believe we are way ahead on our average rainfall.

I did, however, get to go to an estate sale this past weekend.

It was in a nearby town, so I just assumed it was a hop, skip, and jump away.

 (Geography is not my strong suit.)

My hubby took me and it actually took us about 30 minutes to get there.

 (Turns out it was quite a few hops away:)

You're probably wondering if it was worth the drive.

Well, since I'm blessed to have a hubby/best friend who truly enjoys going with me to these secondhand sales, I'd have to say that it was worth it- even if we hadn't found anything.

But we did find a couple of things- or actually I did.

He looked, but didn't see anything that he wanted

I loved this old school desk from the first time I laid eyes on it- even though it was extremely dirty and covered in cobwebs from years of sitting in a barn.

It was marked $15 and everything was half off the marked price.

I wasn't sure if I wanted it for $7.50 since I already have two of these desks at home.

I offered $5 and the lady said she'd take it.

Well, for that price, I couldn't just leave it there, could I?

I also got these two old yardsticks for $1.50 each.

I'm wanting to get quite a few of these for a project.

That's it. I only spent $8.

Two good finds, don't you think?

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

The Lord is high above all nations,

His glory above the heavens.

Psalm 113:4

 

This post is linked with My Girlish Whims, Crafts a la Mode, The Cottage Market,
and The Blue Willow House.

Layout of the Week #133

Scrapbooking has been one of my favorite hobbies since my boys were little.

I don't get to do it very often anymore which is probably why I enjoy 

these Layouts of the Week so much.

It not only gives me a chance to document what's going on in our lives,

but allows me a little bit of time doing something I absolutely love.

So thank you for coming by to scrapbook with me!

Here's the layout we'll be making. 

Yours will look similar, but not exactly like it as you'll be using products you have on hand.

To create it, you'll need:

one piece of 12"x 12" pattern paper

one piece of 5"x 11 1/2" pattern paper

one strip of pattern paper or decorative tape measuring 5 1/2"x 1/2"

letter stickers for the title

three embellishments in your theme

2-3 journaling cards (I used three label stickers)

adhesive

5-7 photos

First, place the 5"x 11 1/2" pattern paper along the left side of the 12"x 12" paper.

 Start placing photos in a column along the left edge of the pattern paper.

I used three photos.

Now stack photos next to the first column leaving a 1 1/2" border along the right side.

I cropped my photos making them fit. 

You don't have to use as many photos as I did.

You can complete this look using fewer but larger photos.

 With your strip measuring 5"x 1/2", cut a notch out of one side.

Place the strip along the bottom right photo overlapping the blank space.

Using your letter stickers, place your title sideways in the blank space

 just above the strip of pattern paper.

Place your journaling cards above the title overlapping the top right photo.

I used three labels and cut the excess off the edge of the paper.

For the last step, add your embellishments.

Place one in the lower left corner of the layout (I actually grouped three arrow stickers here),

one in between your title and journaling cards,

and one in the upper left corner of the layout.

That's it- pop this completed puppy into a scrapbook!

See you every other Wednesday for a new layout tutorial.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; 

Yes, our God is merciful.

Psalm 116:5

This post is linked to Gingersnap Crafts, Indie Crafts, The Girl Creative,
I Heart Naptime,and Between Naps on the Porch.

Recipe of the Week #225 -One Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice

One Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice
1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1" pieces
1/4 cup olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 carrots, peeled and diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups rice
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped
salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot, heat oil, then add chicken pieces and saute for 7 minutes, adding salt and pepper to taste. Add diced onion and saute for another 3 minutes. Add carrots, celery, and garlic. Increase the heat to high, and add chicken broth and rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let simmer for 15-20 minutes until rice is cooked, stirring occasionally. Add parsley and cheese.

This was so very good! Each of my boys has a weeknight that they have to help cook. It was my younger son's turn to help make this. He got lots of compliments on this dish.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

From the rising of the sun to its going down, 

the Lord's name is to be praised.

Psalm 113:3

This post is linked to Tuesdays With a Twist, Sugarbee Crafts, Skip to My Lou,
 and The Dedicated House.

Revamped Secondhand Frames

I had two large empty frames that I got at a thrift store a few months ago.

They've been leaning up against my desk just waiting for me to do something with them.

 

The other day, my hubby happened to bring home some chicken wire for a project he's doing, 

so I used a little bit of it to make this project.

The frames are 20"x 15".

 I trimmed chicken wire to fit the back of each frame and attached it using a staple gun.

I was thinking I'd just whip through this project, but it took me longer than I thought.

Chicken wire isn't that easy to work with. I have little cuts on my hands and forearms.:)

These kinds of frames are such a fun way to display photos, vintage postcards, or anything you want!

Have you ever made one?

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Blessed be the name of the Lord

from this time forth and forever more!

Psalm 113:2

This post is linked to USS Crafty, Crafty Blog Stalker, Simple Nature Décor,
Lil' Luna, and Plucky's Second Thought.

Two Step Feather Earring DIY

Here's how to make a cute pair of earrings in just two steps. . . 

 

Here are the earrings: dangly feathers in a hoop.

I started with these feather charms,

a set of 45 mm teardrop hoops,

and two earring hooks.

First, I attached the earring hooks to the hoops.
I used two pairs of jewelry pliers to open the loop at the bottom of the earring hook,
then I slid the hoop on and closed the loop.

Then I attached the feathers to the insides of the hoops by opening the small jump ring at the top of the charm, hooking it on, then closing it again.

That's it! Two easy steps- can you believe it?

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,

 who delights greatly in His commandments.

Psalm 112:1

 This post is linked to The Crafted Sparrow, Too Much Time, Embracing Change, and Indie Crafts.

Thrifty Thursday #219

This week's thrifty finds weren't found at any thrift store.
They're roadside finds- my favorites!
I just love finding good stuff at the curb:)

The first thing, I didn't actually find.
A friend found an old pool table at the curbside that he took home to fix up.
The balls were too old and worn to use, so he asked if I'd like them.

Well, I'd never say no to old pool balls!

Especially not if they're free.

I put them into the old glass jar I bought at an estate sale last week.

I just need come across one more set of old pool balls and it'll really look neat!

Here's something I found sometime ago in my neighborhood, but for some reason never shared here.
A set of old croquet balls. The sticks were in too bad of shape to do anything with,
 but these little fellas sit in this wire basket on my coffee table.
I love their worn look.

Well, that's it for this week.
Keep your eyes peeled on the curbs as you're driving through your neighborhoods.
You never know what you may find!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom

Psalm 111:10

 This post is linked to Blue Willow House, My Girlish Whims, The Girl Creative,
Life With Lorelai, and Artsy Fartsy Mama.