Recipe of the Week #61- Easy Fudge (Made in the Microwave!)

Easy Fudge
1 8oz pkg Philadelphia Cream Cheese
4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 pkg baking chips, any flavor (cherry pictured above)

Melt cream cheese and chips in microwave for 1 minute. Stir, then microwave for another minute. Add the sugar and vanilla. Spread in pan. Cut when cool.

You can use any flavor that you can find- I've made chocolate, butterscotch, and cherry flavored.

This recipe is so easy to make and always turns out good. It's an old family favorite. My mom used to make it, but as soon as I was old enough to know my way around the kitchen, it became my job to make it.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.

Luke 6:27-28

This post is linked to Too Much Time On My Hands, Happy Hour Projects, and Cheerios and Lattes.

Teacup and Saucer Candle Holder

     I have a weakness for cute teacups- especially when I can find one with a matching saucer.

  I never drink out of them as I am not fond of tea. They simply aren't big enough for my Diet Coke. Nevertheless, I have a small collection sitting in a cabinet.

 I think if I had a daughter, we would have regular tea parties. 

But I don't. 

I have two rough and tumble boys who cannot be convinced to do any such thing:)

     So, while browsing an awesome garage sale recently (I've been to this lady's garage sale before and she is the most awesome garage sale-er that I have ever seen! She has great stuff and actually sets it out nicely and sets up vignettes!), I found a beautiful teacup and saucer with little red flowers. I knew just what to do with them. . .

I turned them into a candle holder.

It was so easy!

If you'd like to make one, all you need is:

a teacup

a saucer

E-6000 glue

 short pillar candle or small cloche

Apply E-6000 glue to the bottom rim of the teacup.

With the saucer upside down, place the teacup glue-side down in the center of the saucer bottom.

Let it dry for 24hours.

You may want to place a stack of books on top- just make sure when you don't bump the cup and mess up the alignment.

Ta-da!

Then you can either add a cloche

or a small candle.

This would make a great gift for a friend or would be cute for party decor.

If you like this project, take a look at these other projects using little China plates.

I used them as frames.

You can see this post here.

I made some into a wreath.

You can see the post here.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Do not forsake me, O Lord;

O my God, be not far from me!

Psalm 38:21

This post is linked to Knick of Time, Craft-O-Maniac, Making the World Cuter, Between Naps on the Porch, and Skip to My Lou.  

More Chalkboard Goodness. . .

     I've been on a chalkboard kick lately and the madness is continuing today. . .

with a chalkboard tray and cloche.

Here's a look at the tray without the glass cloche.

I started with this naked tray and cloche that I showed you yesterday.

It obviously needs a little TLC.

My hubby used chalkboard spray paint and gave the tray two coats. I then gave it 24 hours to dry, and voila! A cute little serving set.

Here's an idea to incorporate someplace other than the kitchen. Put a couple of your kids' old toys under it.

It would also look cute with a few pieces of fresh fruit.

If you've got one of these hidden in the back of a cabinet, get it out, and paint it a pretty color. You'll have a new decoration out of an old piece. I think you'll agree that it gives it new life.

If you are a fan of chalkboard paint, take a look at some other things I've covered with chalkboard paint- a suitcase, a necklace, and a serving tray.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

And the Lord shall help them and deliver them;

He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them,

because they trust in Him.

Psalm 37:40

This post is linked to Be Different Act Normal, Happy Hour Projects, Five Days Five Ways, Cheerios and Lattes, and Funky Junk. 

Thrifty Thursday #61

     Many Saturday mornings I jump in my car with a Diet Coke all fired up about going to yard sales. Then I'll drive all around town and only find two- and sometimes they aren't even a good two. It feels like a wasted morning. After a morning like that, I always say that I'm going to check the newspaper before I go the next time. Then sometimes I do, sometimes I don't.
     This past weekend I found a couple, and it was worth all the driving around!

 

I got this platter and cloche for $1.50.

I've seen all kinds of projects using these throughout Blogosphere.

Come back tomorrow, and you'll see what I do with mine:)

 

 

I love old flash cards. I got this set for a dollar.

I often find flash cards, but I don't get them if they're not old.

 

This is a small bowl- only 4 1/2 inches across the mouth- but it was love at first sight. I don't even care about the chip on the lip (right side of photo). It's so old that it has spider cracks in the glaze .

I was shocked when the lady told me that it was only a quarter!

 

I love old books. This one is an old child's hymnal. The lady running the sale told me that I could have it for free since it was "God's Word." She said she can't charge for that.

 

I snatched up this beauty, too. I got it for free as well.

I've never had anybody let me have religious books for free before.

 

The illustrations are fantastic!

No, I will not be cutting up these two books:)

 

 

Found this brand new set of labels for a dime- I'm going to take them to the next scrapbooking group with my church friends so they can have something cute to journal on.

I have a huge collection of journaling cards, but not everybody else does. This way they can have a little variety in their books, too.

 

I wish you luck if you happen across any yard sales this weekend. Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;

He is their strength in the time of trouble.

Psalm 37:39

 

 

This post is linked to Junkin Joe and Apron Thrift Girl. 

 

Layout of the Week #47- Using White Space

     Today in our Layout of the Week, we're going to be utilizing white space.
     If you don't know what I'm talking about, I'm refering to the blank space on a page.

     Sometimes I feel that I need to completely cover my 12"x12" layout with photos, pattern paper, and everything else. I'm sure you've noticed that I tend to like a "busy" look on my layouts. Today, I'm challenging myself not to do that.

Here's the layout we'll be creating. Look at all that unused space. Pretty huh?
 

To make this layout, you'll need:

one 12"x12" piece of cardstock (doesn't have to be white- I'm using the term "white space" loosely)

one piece of pattern paper measuring 12" long by 5 1/2 " tall

journaling card ( an index card will do)

title sticker (can use a pre-printed title or letter stickers)

a few random coordinating stickers

 

I got my stickers and journaling card from these two pieces. I love papers like the one on the right- they come with all kinds of journaling cards on one sheet.

 

First adhere your pattern paper to the top of the cardstock.

 

Now take your journaling card and adhere it towards the bottom right corner.

 

Then overlap part of your card with your title. I used a preprinted title, but you could use letter stickers as well.
 

Now place your photos across the bottom of the pattern paper. I really trimmed mine so I could fit four, but it would be easier to go with three that measure about 4" wide and 3 1/2" tall.
Feel free to alternate the heights of the photos when you adhere them.
 

If you haven't already, write on your journaling card. Add an embellishment near the title and at the lower left corner of the cardstock.

Ta-da! We're done! The white space really allows the photos to take center stage, don't you think?

 

     If you enjoyed this tutorial, feel free to stop by next Wednesday for another one. I try to post a new scrapbook layout tutorial every week.

     Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

But those who wait on the Lord,

they shall inherit the earth.

Psalm 37:9

This post is linked to Too Much Time On My Hands, My Repurposed Life, Tater Tots and Jello, and The Dedicated House.

Recipe of the Week #60- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars

 

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups all purpose flour

1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

2 cups mini chocolate chips

Topping:

1 cup creamy peanut butter

2/3 cup milk chocolate chips

Beat together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy -about 3 minutes. Add vanilla and mix until combined.

With the mixer on low, alternate mixing in flour and condensed milk until combined. Gently fold in chocolate chips with spatula.
Line 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper. Press the cookie dough into the pan .Cover the bars with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 hours until firm.

For topping, combine the peanut butter and milk chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and heat until smooth. Spread the mixture over the cookie dough bars. Chill the bars for 1 hour or until topping is firm.

When I found this recipe I couldn't wait to make it. They had me at cookie dough! This was an easy recipe to make and my boys loved it! Even my hubby, who doesn't usually go for cookie dough, enjoyed it.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Love the stranger.

Deut. 10:19

This post is linked to Between Naps on the Porch, Embracing Change, 52 Mantles, and My Girlish Whims.

Birthday Party Decor Ideas

     My hubby celebrated his 40th birthday this weekend. I surprised him with a party. We don't have a lot of money to spend, so I came up with some thrifty decorating ideas, and I thought I'd share.

 

I knew I needed to keep the party low-key. My hubby isn't a show-y kind of fella. So I just used a few decorations and had the party at church after Sunday evening service.

We attend a small church and have wonderful friends there, so I couldn't think of a better place- or group of people with which- to celebrate.

 

My hubby has several hobbies - one of them being reloading (bullets). So I bought a pack of shooting targets at Walmart for $3, picked up a few pieces of glassware at my local Dollar Tree, and borrowed some empty brass from my hubby's supply. I was able to keep the price of my decorations right at $20.

I cut a couple of the targets in half and used Mod Podge to attach them to pillar candles.

Then I used some of his brass and shotgun shells to sprinkle on the glass plate around the candle.

For a couple of the shorter glass candle holders, I cut up old gun ads (from a reproduction Sears Roebuck catalog) and used Mod Podge to attach them to the front and back of the candle holders. Then I filled them with empty brass bullets (not loaded).

 

Here are the other two pillar candles covered with targets. 

 

I used a few of the targets and some more old gun ads to make bunting.

 

A bunting is so easy to make- all you need to do is make a triangle pattern out of thick paper (like a piece of junk mail or an empty cereal box), then trace around it on your paper. After you cut several out, stack them, use a hole punch to punch holes in the top two corners. Then all you have to do is string them on some twine! So cheap, but adds so much!

 

 

My friend used several of the targets like doilies throughout the food area.

Too cute!

My hubby loves nachos, so I decided to go with a nacho bar. This was pretty easy because you just need chips, nacho cheese, and several toppings. Everybody got to build their own plate of nachos, so it was a big hit.

     Planning for a party doesn't have to be difficult or expensive. You could individualize the theme by choosing a hobby that the birthday person enjoys.

• If he golfs, fill candle holders with tees or golf balls. You don't even have to buy new ones, just dig into his collection! Use score cards to make a bunting. Get a piece of AstroTurf to use as a table runner.
• If you have somebody who's an artist, fill glass jars with pencils or paintbrushes. Paint a few pieces of paper with abstract watercolors and trim it into a bunting.
• A baseball fan would love jars filled with baseballs and a bunting made up of bases.
• For a fisherman, you could make a bunting out of lures! Just borrow a few from his collection and hang them off of some fishing line. Have the silverware sitting in a tackle box.

     Once you get going, I'm sure you could come up with lots of cute ideas!

     I want to show you one more idea that would work with any theme.

 

 Cut out the age of the birthday person and fill it with pictures.

Everybody loves to look at photographs.

 

I got two pieces of foam core board from the dollar store. Poster board would work as well, although it isn't as thick. 

Then I drew the numbers and cut them out with a box cutter. If you do this, your numbers do not have to be perfect because they're going to be covered with pictures.

I hung mine to display them, so before I covered them, I punched out two holes on the top of both numbers and threaded some twine through them. Then photos ended up covering the holes.

 

Here's my handsome hubby. I am so grateful that I've been able to spend the last eighteen years with him. He is my best friend and a great dad to our boys. I couldn't ask for a better husband.

Happy Birthday, Baby. I love you.

 

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

 

Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him,

and He shall bring it to pass.

Psalm 37:5

 

This post is linked to Craft-O-Maniac, Skip to My Lou, Making the World Cuter, and I Heart Naptime.