Layout of the Week #23- Using Phots as Borders on Your Layout

     This week we're going to step outside of the box and place our photos along the edge of our layout instead of having them in the center-actually that's more like staying inside the box, isn't it? :)
     Going around the edge means you get to use quite a few photos, so choose a subject of which you have several photos. I love being able to put a slew of photos on one layout.

Since the photos will cover so much area, you don't need many supplies:

1 piece of 12"x12" card stock

letter stickers for the title

marker to write your journaling

trimmer

adhesive

For my photos, I trimmed them to different sizes and had a random outer edge. If you plan to do this, you need to trim two inches off the right side and bottom of your card stock.

If you want an even edge, you can leave the card stock as is.

Trim your photos to fit along the edges. Leave a space in the center for your title and journaling.

If you decide that you don't want the random outer edge or if you're doing this digitally, trim all the photos to 4"x4". That will leave a 4" square in the center.

Place your title at the top of the blank space.

Add your journaling below your title, and you're done.

This layout is simple, time-efficient, and allows you to showcase many photos.

Here is an example using this technique on a two page layout.

TIP: when you use this technique, make sure your photos don't extend past an area of 12"x12" or your layout won't fit in your scrapbook.

     Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Open my eyes, that I may see

wondrous things from Your law.

Psalm 119:18



Recipe of the Week # 29- S'more Brownies

S'more Brownies

• 1 package brownie mix
• 6 graham crackers
• 2 cups miniature marshmallows
• 8 (1.5 ounce) milk chocolate bars, coarsely chopped
• 
  
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare brownie mix according to package directions. Spread into a greased 9"x13" pan.
• 
  
• In a medium bowl, break graham crackers into 1 inch pieces and toss with miniature marshmallows and milk chocolate. Set s'more mixture aside.
• 
  
• Bake brownies for 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove and sprinkle the s'more goodies evenly over the top. Bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow brownies to cool before cutting into squares.

These brownies were a big hit at our house! I made them for my son's birthday, then a couple days later made another batch to take to a church dinner. They're so easy since the base is box brownies.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31


This post is linked to Ivy and Elephants and Between Naps on the Porch.

No-Sew Vest Made From T-shirt

     Hi Everybody! Hope you all had a nice weekend. Ours was pretty quiet. It's nice to have a no-committment weekend every once in awhile! That will be stopping soon, as my younger son is set to start tackle football in a week.
     I found a tutorial for a no-sew vest (I believe they are now called shrugs?) made from a t-shirt while perusing Pinterest (don'tcha just love Pinterest?). A couple of weeks ago, I made a scarf from a t-shirt which was very easy, so I figured I could handle this. They had me at "no-sew!"
     I used one of my hubby's t-shirts. For some reason, I could only find an off-white one. This is how the vest/shrug turned out. . .

It has two ties up on the collar area.

And four ties on the back.

I think it would look cute in black, too.

Here is the tutorial I used. It is great- very easy to follow.

If you make one of these, leave me a comment and let me know how it turns out!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

This post is linked to Craft-O-Maniac, My Girlish Whims, and Brassy Apple.

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Proverbs 16:9



Ringing in the Weekend

     Many times I start off a tutorial saying how easy it is- well, today is no different. I'm going to show you how to make a ring that is very easy and affordable!
     I started by getting two pendants from Wal-mart for $3 each. You could find these at Hobby Lobby and use a 40% off coupon which would make your ring even cheaper!
     I had this pack of blank ring backs - a 3 pack for $2.99 (which I did use a coupon on)- so each ring today cost me less than $4. You can't find that at your local jewelry store!

These are my supplies. I also used E-6000 glue.

First, I trimmed off the loop for the necklace.

You may need to use a metal file if the loop doesn't cut off evenly.

Then you just glue the blank ring to the back of the pendant with E-6000 glue. Allow 24 hours to dry. Then you have a beautiful ring that hardly cost you anything!

Here's the first one I made. Nice, huh?

I really like this one. I've been eyeing rings like these online.

Here's the black ring with a bracelet I already had. Looks fantastic together if you ask me. :)

Oooh la la. This little turquoise ring is going to get a lot of use!

      Wouldn't a ring like this make a great gift for a friend? You don't have to spend a lot to give a nice present.

     Thanks for stopping by and God bless.
     This post is linked to Happy Hour Projects, Be Different Act Normal, Too Much Time on My Hands, Making the World Cuter, and My Repurposed Life.

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Romans 5:3-4

Thrifty Thursday #28

     My thrifting adventures have been greatly curtailed this summer as we only have one working car. During the school year, I dropped everybody off and picked everybody up (which actually took nearly 2 hours every day!), so I had wheels to run my errands. Now that it's summer and the boys are home, my hubby takes the car to work. It's too far to ride my bike to the thrift stores and I'm afraid if I ride my bike to yard sales, somebody will think it's part of the sale. Besides, my basket isn't big enough to carry much anyway. :)

     So, the other day I was running to the grocery store and I saw a yard sale sign. Much to my son's dismay, we had to check it out. When we rounded the corner, there were actually two yard sales. I only spent seventy-five cents at the first one.

This record makes me want to find a record player. I figured my hubby would like it- ok, and I probably will, too. When my boys were little, we would put on an old Johnny Horton CD and march around the living room in tune to the music. The boys loved it!

I will never pass up an old reading book-especially when it's only a quarter!

At the second yard sale I got my deal of the day- old metal folding chairs. They were marked at $3 a piece. I decided I'd take one. The lady of the yard sale offered me a deal- all three for $7.

I reasoned that since we had family coming over that evening for my son's birthday, I really needed them.

(I plan to spray paint them.)

Then I spotted these flippers which were in great condition. I got them for my boys. We'll have to plan a trip to the beach before summer is over to try them out. They want to try them out in their uncle's backyard pool. . .which should be interesting- it's only 12 or 15 feet across.

My older son immediately claimed the green ones and said his brother could have the pink ones. I informed them that the flippers aren't pink, they're faded red. . . :)

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 34:4



This post is linked to Apron Thrift Girl.

Experiencing Technical Difficulties. . .

     Hi Guys, due to technical difficulties with ye 'ol computer, the layout of the week will be postponed until next Wednesday. We're running Clean PC as we speak.
     
     Hopefully things will be back in order for me to show you my thrifty treasures tomorrow!:)

     Here's a little story for you. My boys were invited by a friend to go see the new Batman movie last week. They had a great time and were full of stories when they got home. The next day, my younger son Ethan was talking in a gravelly "Batman" voice and wanted to know why Bruce Wayne talked normally, but Batman talked in a different voice. I told him it was probably part of Bruce Wayne's alter ego. Ethan continued speaking in his "Batman" voice throughout the day. Later as he stood next to me folding laundry and constantly talking with his new voice, I had had enough. I asked him to stop talking like that. He looked at me and said, "Why, is it scaring you?"

     Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Recipe of the Week #28-Taco Stuffed Shells

Taco Stuffed Shells
1 lb beef
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 (14 oz) pkg cream cheese
12 large pasta shells
1 cup salsa
1 cup taco sauce
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monteray Jack cheese
1/2 cup crushed tortilla chips
3 green onions, chopped
1 cup sour cream

Brown beef. Add taco seasonings and prepare according to package directions. Add cream cheese. Cover and simmer until cheese is melted.
Set aside and allow to fully cool.
While beef is cooking, cook pasta shells.
Pour salsa in bottom of 9"x13" dish. Stuff each shell with meat mixture. Place shells in baking dish and cover the tops of shells with taco sauce.
Cover and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle chips and cheese on top. Bake another 15 minutes. Top with sour cream and green onions.

This is a great recipe. You might be thinking, pasta with taco meat?! Take my word for it- it works!

You can see in the photo that I added jalapeno and garden salsa peppers to my hubby's shells.

I got this recipe from BlogChef.net.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Nehemiah 8:10