Check This Out!

 

It's a good day in the neighborhood-

the new issue of Flea Market Décor is out!

 

This magazine just makes me happy:)

 

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

Abstain from every form of evil.

1 Thes. 5:22

 

This post is linked to Sugarbee Crafts, Life With Lorelai, and My Girlish Whims.

Recipe of the Week #233- Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
2 cups chicken, cooked and diced
2 cups Ritz crackers, crushed
1 Tbsp poppy seeds
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
1 Tbsp lemon juice (optional)
1 tsp minced garlic (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix chicken, soup, and sour cream. Add in Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and lemon juice, if desired. In another bowl, mix together crushed crackers, poppy seeds, and melted butter. Stir until combined.

Grease 9"x13" baking pan. Spread chicken mixture in the pan, then top with the cracker mixture.
Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes.

I added all three optional ingredients and the flavor was outstanding! Because it is a casserole, I served it with only sides. Next time I'll serve it on top of noodles or rice.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Test all things; hold fast what is good.

1 Thes. 5:21

This post is linked to Skip to My Lou, The Crafty Blog Stalker, Craft-O-Maniac,
and Gingersnap Crafts.

Repurposed Bracelets: Belts to Cuffs

I've had this project in mind for awhile.

I've been collecting leather belts to turn them into bracelet cuffs.

It's actually been on my to-do list for about three months.

Do you ever have something that you want to do, 

but you're just afraid to start it because you don't know if you can do it? 

That was this project for me.

Then I finally told myself, "Just cut the belt. What's the worst that can happen?"

 I'd just mess up a yard sale belt.

 Crazily enough, that first cut was super easy.:)

Once I got started, I couldn't stop.

I cut off between 6 1/2" and 7" for each cuff.

Then I punched two small holes on each end.

I used my Crop-A-Dile to make the holes, but there are special leather tools made for doing this too.

 Finally I threaded narrow leather string through the holes.

I added wooden beads at the end of each strap just above the knots.

On this cuff, I added a metal quote band.

For these, I used some fabric as ties.

 

I got all these belts at yard sales and/or thrift stores.

I still have quite a bit of the belts left. I think I'm going to have to make some more. 

One belt even has the words rodeo queen engraved on it. Won't that make a cute bracelet?

If you are dealing with something in your life right now that you're not sure how to handle,

just take that first step. Stop dreading it. "Just cut the belt." 

You'll find that it wasn't worth the worry that you put into it.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Rejoice always,

 pray without ceasing, 

in everything give thanks; 

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thes. 5: 16-18

This post is linked to The Dedicated House, Tuesdays With a Twist,
Simple Nature Decor, Funky Junk, and  Between Naps on the Porch.

Not Your Usual Cork Boards

I've mentioned before that I have a big bin of corks that I bought at an estate sale.
I used up quite a few for today's project: shaped cork boards.

This is a Texas shaped one.
 

I started with a thin piece of wood cut into the shape of Texas.

Then I glued corks to it.



I'm a big fan of ampersands, so when I found a wooden one,

I thought it would work great for this project.

 





Here's a side view. I glued the corks end up.
I like the different looks of the corks- especially the ones with the dates printed on them.

I went through almost my whole cork supply.
Hopefully I'll come across some more soon in my secondhand shopping.

I think these would look cute hanging over a desk with notes pinned to them.
What do you think?

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Blessed are You, O Lord!

Teach me Your statutes.

Psalm 119:12

 This post is linked to The Cottage Market, Tatertots and Jello, Craft-O-Maniac,
and Life With Lorelai.

Thrifty Thursday #227

The other day, I swung by Goodwill with a trunk full of stuff to donate.

Naturally while I was there, I had to take a buzz through the store.
I don't go there as often as you'd think I would.

I am so glad I did.

Check out what I found. . .
 

I rarely buy secondhand purses or clothes, but today I made an exception

when I found this brand new Sakroots purse for $7.99.

It came with a key ring and small matching bag.

It literally had no wear. I love the happy print.

Would you believe that I was needing a new purse? I was excited all day about this score.

I was also thrilled when I spotted this metal receipt holder.

It isn't vintage- it's a replica. Nevertheless, I love it.

I'm excited to do something with it, I'm just not sure what. I'm thinking photo display. . .

It was $6.

My third find was this vintage Pyrex mixing bowl for $2.
It's small, but in great shape.
My teenage sons love to use my mixing bowls to eat cereal out of.
 I prefer when they choose a smaller size bowl like this.

I can't believe the three fantastic things I walked out of Goodwill with.
 I will have to stop there more often!
What's your take on Goodwill? Do you go often?

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Your word I have hidden in my heart,

that I might not sin against You.

Psalm 119:11

This post is linked to Blue Willow House, The Crafted Sparrow, and Crafts a la Mode.   

Lovelies That I Love

It's just too hot to go out shopping from store to store.

Instead we can sit right here in the air and look at these cute things I found online.

I am totally in love with this cityscape ring. It's Rome- can you tell?

So stinking awesome.

Isn't this canvas clutch cute?

I love anything by Selina Vaughan.

I think these kraft bags with scallop ovals are so cute.

I would put them into a mini album, but they'd be cute to have on hand for gift wrapping.

You could stamp or write the receiver's name in the oval,

 then fold the top over and seal it with a piece of decorative tape.

Check out this colorful bracelet.

I'm loving all the different colored strips of leather!

I think this garland is so unique.

It's fabric records. Cool, huh?

Wasn't that nice? We got to see some cute stuff and didn't even break a sweat!

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

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Rejoice always.

1 Thel. 5:16

This post is linked to Skip To My Lou, Ginger Snap Crafts, The Dedicated House,

and Between Naps on the Porch.





Recipe of the Week #232- Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies

Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies
2 sticks butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups peanut butter
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
 additional sugar for rolling the cookies

Mix butter, sugars, and peanut butter together. Add eggs, baking soda, vanilla, and flour. Roll dough into balls and roll through sugar. Place on cookie sheet and use a fork to make the criss-cross pattern on top of each cookie. Bake at 350 degrees for 11-12 minutes.

These cookies were so light and fluffy. Definitely a recipe to try if you like soft peanut butter cookies!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

For you yourselves are taught by God

 to love one another.

1 Thel. 4:9

This post is linked to Wake Up Wednesday, My Girlish Whims, I Heart Naptime,
and Simple Nature Décor.