Thrifty Link Party Holiday

Friday, December 30, 2011

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Hello, I am taking a much needed break this week to tend to family issues. I hope to be back next week with the What I Love About the Thrift Store link up. I'll share some of your links from last week. Thanks much for linking each week I love seeing what you all find. And writing each thrifty link up post really gets me itching to go out and find something great!

May you all have a blessed and happy New Year!
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What Do I Know of Holy? {With Us}

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

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As I reflect back on the Christmas season, the one thing that really jumps out at me is the fact that God is with us.





Emmanuel. God with us.

And that it is his story, not ours.

And I could not help but think about the things we talked about on our 25 Days of Fitness journey the past few weeks...

-- how things never quite seem to go the way that we planned
-- and how God does things his way, with his custom label on them, in ways that we could never have
    imagined or even wanted, quite frankly

We also talked about the "characters" {if you will} surrounding the Christmas story...a bunch of unlikely people who we know close to nothing about.

For example, all we really know about Mary is that she was probably between 14 and 16 years old and as for Joseph, he was a carpenter.

And that's about it.

This of course reminded me of our discussion on Day 1, that God uses ordinary people.

You would think God might give us a list of Mary and Joseph's qualifications, as to why he chose them to carry and raise his son.

But instead, he barely gives us any details.

And I really love what a pastor had to say about it:

God does not choose to use us in his story because of who we are or anything we have done. It is not about us. He is the central character in his own story. He is the one who gets all the glory.

And the ones he chooses to use are those who are willing to let him overwrite their story with his story.

If we want to be apart of God's story, we have to give up the one that we have written for ourselves.

So tell me, are you willing to do that?

Will you step out on faith and allow God to overwrite your story in 2012, so that you can be apart of something big--- something that he is doing.

Or are you going to hang on to the plans that you have made?

I cannot believe this is the last What Do I Know of Holy? post for 2011! How time flies!

I have enjoyed my time with you and I hope you have as well. I will be back with some new topics in 2012. Feel free to let me know if there is anything specific you would like for me to cover next year. Leave me some comments.

Before you go, hop on over to my blog Worthy of the Prize and enter our last giveaway of the year, for a chance to win this awesome necklace from The Adopt Shoppe!


Then "like" the Tower Promotions facebook page and enter for a chance to win 2 $50 Visa gift cards. What a great way to pay off some of that holiday debt or buy something for yourself for a change!

I hope y'all had a blessed holiday season with loved ones. May God bless you as you seek him in 2012.
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Guest post: Thankful ornaments by MJ of 517 Creations

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

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Hi there! My name is MJ and you can usually find me blogging over at 517 Creations.   I have the greatest job in the world: being a stay-at-home momma of my wild and wonderful little boy. I'm married to a youth pastor, which often make for such a fun (and crazy) life!


The project I wanted to share with you today is a little something that you can do with your kids before you pack away all of your Christmas decorations.  I called it our thankful ornament.

We made this one in 2006, just after our first year of marriage, and used to it "record" things that we were thankful for from that year. 


I simply typed out things that we were thankful for (on plain computer paper), cut the paper into 1/4 inch strips, rolled them into "curls" in stuck them in the ornament.  I also added some "curls" of red and green scrapbooking paper. 



To make it easier to see what we were thankful for from that year, I created a little tag to attach to the top of the ornament that listed everything. Tie a few ribbons to the top and you're done!


It's a fun tradition and a great way to look back on the great things from the past years!


The girls over at Shanty2Chic just posted a variation on this project a few days ago.  Check it out here.

Wouldn't this be great to do with your kids before New Years?  Especially since you can find all of the Christmas stuff for more than 50% off!

Thanks again to Cat for allowing me to guest post today!  I'd love for you to visit me over at 517 Creations!


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What I Love About the Thrift Store {Link Party #13}

Friday, December 23, 2011

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Hey thrifty friends! Glad to meet up again! I have a few things to share this week but first wanted to let you know about the giveaway going on today on the facebook page! You can win a gift certificate for $50 to spend on some Cap Creations jewelry! Or use it as a great last minute Christmas gift. Click on over to the facebook page HERE to enter.

I recently picked up these beauties! Don't you just love all the color? I'm a color freak though lol!
 

Now these next two photos are not actually thrift store finds. But I wanted to share them and all their vintageness. These were my mom's when I was growing up and she gave them to me a few years back. I loved these angels when I was a little girl. They were soooooo pretty to me. I wanted that one's hair on the right. I would stare at them for hours.

And this one belonged my husbands mom. This was the nativity set that he grew up with. It does include all the pieces. What a family treasure right?

Just a few of my things now lets see what you got!

Tales From Beyond the Nook  found these. They are so pretty!

Treasures in Thrifting Land found these and I think they look so neat in a bowl like that. Go see her other Christmas finds too!

Sir Thrift-A-Lot found some more fantastic Pyrex with lids!

And this my friend is what I love about the thrift store. Come share your finds!
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What Do I Know of Holy? {He Is On His Throne}

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

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After hearing Mary's perspective today in my reading from Max Lucado's One Incredible Moment, I am reminded of my thoughts on Joseph from last week, that things never quite seem to happen the way that we planned them.

Rest well, tiny hands. For though you belong to a king, you will touch no satin, own no gold. You will grasp no pen, guide no brush. No, your tiny hands are reserved for works more precious: to touch a leper's open wound, to wipe a widow's weary tear; to claw the ground of Gethsemane.

Your hands, so tiny, so tender, so white---clutched tonight in an infant's fist. They aren't destined to hold a sceptor nor wave from a palace balcony. They are reserved instead for a Roman spike that will staple them to a Roman cross.

Mary would never have planned for her child to walk the path that Jesus did. None of us would choose or want that for our son.

And yet, if she had tried to stop Jesus from walking the path to crucifixion, there would have been no resurrection. If he had not died, we would not live.

And I cannot help but think about Lazarus. Jesus could have saved him. He could have prevented him from dying. He did not need to leave him dead for that long. But if he had healed him before he died or if he had raised him from the dead immediately, we would not have witnessed God's glory and known for sure that it was of God and not man.

So when times are tough or things do not go according to plan, I encourage you to remember that {like silver} if we do not go through the fire, we do not come out refined.

And when you are wondering where God is in the middle of this mess, he is sitting on his throne. He is in control. He has a plan and it will prevail. He is on our side.

The God who can, will.

We just have to trust him.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. {Proverbs 3:5-6}
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a letter from Santa printable

Monday, December 19, 2011

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When Cathy asked for guest bloggers I jumped at the chance. It is always nice to enter into the world of another and I have been a fan of Cathy's work for quite some time. I am a fellow blogger, fellow creator, but of all things paper and Cathy won a giveaway a while back that I gave and we have been web friends ever since.

My letter from Santa tradition came about after I left cookies and milk for Santa. Christmas Eve night, Santa came and went as he usually does, ate his cookies, and drank his milk, and graciously left my two little ones a note of thanks and encouragement with two candy canes.


So I thought I would pass this tradition onto you with use of this printable. Use it as Santa's letterhead - as a way for Santa to leave a message - one of thanks, one of joy, or one reminding your kiddos of the reason for the season.


Have fun with it and enjoy.


To downlod your freebie just click here.
(for instructions on how to thread the ribbon through the card please stop by my blog tomorrow for a quick little tutorial).

And last, but certainly not least, have a wonderful and very joyful Christmas!

To learn more about me, Alison from The English Pea Studio, feel free to stop by or to keep in touch:
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What I Love About the Thrift Store {Link Party #12}

Friday, December 16, 2011

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Super busy with Christmas orders right now but wanted to pop in real quick for our thrifty link up. If you are waiting on an order it will be out soon. If you've placed an order thank you SO MUCH for your business! We are happy you selected us to be part of your gift giving this year!

Here are a few more Christmas items that were picked up at the thrift store. These lovelies help decorate our home for Christmas!

I so have a thing for vintage ornaments! They are all just so lovely. I see them and I can't resist them. There were finally enough to do our tree this year with them. Are they not lovely?

This vintage looking Santa is great because his toy sack in the back is the perfect spot for holding candy canes.

Look at that vintage detail! Love it!

How here's a bit of what you all linked up last week!

Joyful Treasure Hunting picked up a pair of these chairs for 10 bucks!

And check out what Shabby Cottage Collectibles found.

Linking up at:
S- Fleamarket Finds M- Apron Thrift Girl Tu- House of Grace, Coastal Charm, F- Shabby Nest, The Thrifty Groove S- Penny Worthy Project
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What Do I Know of Holy? {This Wasn't My Plan}

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

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Oh my goodness!! God really hit me over the head with this one in today's reading from Max Lucado's One Incredible Moment: Celebrating the Majesty of the Manger.

Do you ever wonder what Joseph must have been thinking?

This isn't the way I planned it, God. Not at all. My child being born in a stable? This isn't the way I thought it would be. A cave with sheep and donkeys, hay and straw? My wife giving birth with only the stars to hear her pain?

...Who will celebrate with us? The sheep? The shepherds? The stars?

This doesn't seem right. What kind of husband am I? I provide no midwife to aid my wife. No bed to rest her back. Her pillow is a blanket from my donkey...

Did I miss something? Did I, God?

Wow. I think Max could have entitled this chapter, "Erin, what happened to your plan?"

And I would have to answer, "we are so far from my plan, I can't even remember what my plan was!"

I know for certain it was not to leave the great state, move cross country to the frozen tundra, away from family and friends, taking the boys from their cousins and all that is familiar, basically giving up everything....and for what?

This is not the life I wanted for my children. This wasn't my plan.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. {Jeremiah 29:11}

I'm unaccustomed to such strangeness, God. I'm a carpenter. I make things fit. I square off the edges. I follow the plumb line. I measure twice before I cut once. Surprises are not the friend of a builder. I like to know the plan. I like to see the plan before I begin.

But this time I'm not the builder, am I? This time I'm a tool. A hammer in your grip. A chisel in your hands. This project is yours, not mine.

I guess it's foolish of me to question you. Forgive my struggling. Trust doesn't come easy to me, God. But you never said it would be easy, did you?

You know how they say, "God works in mysterious ways."

Well, I believe it is because he wants us to know for sure that it is him. His ways are custom-made with his label on it.

One final thing, Father. The angel you sent? Any chance you could send another? If not an angel, maybe a person? I don't know anyone around here and some company would be nice. Maybe the innkeeper or a traveler? Even a shepherd would do.

Only the God of the universe could have orchestrated the events that took place the night of that first Christmas, all those years ago. Thank goodness Joseph and Mary allowed themselves to be used in such a way that we can know for sure that it was from God and not man.

I wonder what God could do in our lives if we did the same?

I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. {Philippians 3:8-9}

Be sure to join us over at Worthy of the Prize as we continue our 25 Days of Fitness journey, preparing ourselves physically and spiritually for the arrival of our savior!
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100 Postcards {A Giveaway} (CLOSED)

Monday, December 12, 2011

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What would you do with 100 free postcards? You may get your chance because UPrinting is offering one lucky winner 100 free postcards to do with as they please! We have used UPrinting before and the quality of their product is great! You will not be disappointed.
Prize Details:
- 100 pcs Postcards for one winner
- 5” x 7”, 14pt Cardstock Gloss, No Folding
- Front Only Printing
- 14pt Cardstock Gloss / Matte / High Gloss (UV), or 13pt Cardstock Uncoated
- 2 Business Days Turnaround time
- Free US shipping only

to enter:
1. Like UPrinting Postcards page and share how you would use the postcards if you win the giveaway.
Click Like↓.


2. Tweet how you will use the postcards if you win the giveaway.  In the tweet include a link to the UPrinting Postcard page (http://www.uprinting.com/postcard-printing.html) NOTE: Make sure to use the FULL URL and not any URL shortening tool for the tweet. Twitter will automatically shorten the URL for you.

Both must be done before extra entries will count.

extra entries:
• Follow the Cap blog.
• Like Cap on facebook.

Open to US residents only, 18 yrs and older that have not won a UPrinting prize in the last 6 months. • Leave a separate comment on this post for each entry. • Make sure we have a way to contact you. • Last day to enter 12/15/11. • GOOD LUCK!!!

This giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given and I will receive postcards for hosting.
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What I Love About the Thrift Store {link party #11}

Friday, December 9, 2011

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Christmas festivities are in full swing around here! Not to mention making and packing jewelry orders like Santa's little helper! Busy Busy!!! Did you grab the free Christmas printable yesterday?

Keeping with the Christmas theme I have a couple of thrifty Christmas items to share. I love vintage Christmas decorations. I snatch them up real quick anytime I see them. How about you?

I was so excited when I found these little toy solders at my local thrift store. They are about 12 inches tall. They are styrofoam, plastic and fantastic! Have you ever seen anything like them? I haven't!

This lovely angel was just waiting for my to pick her up. She measures about 11 inches tall. Not sure what she is made out of but the crazing on her face is neat. Sorry you can't see it in the picture.
Do you have any vintage Christmas items? I'll be sharing more next week.

Now on to you guys! We had a good turnout last week. I'm so glad that some of you are coming back each week. And glad to see a couple of new people too. Are you guys enjoying this thrifty link up? Thanks so much for joining if that's you! 

Cheerful Thrifty Door found toy solders too. They come apart. So fun!

So what did you find lately? Love for you to join us!

Linking up at:
S- Fleamarket Finds M- Apron Thrift Girl Tu- House of Grace, Coastal Charm, F- Shabby Nest, The Thrifty Groove S- Penny Worthy Project
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wise men printable

Thursday, December 8, 2011

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Today we have a free 5x7 Wise Men still seek Him printable! I had this printed at my local photo lab, framed it and placed it in our living room. It's such a simple reminder to seek Jesus this Christmas and always. I would definitely have no problem leaving this one out all year long. These framed prints would make great gifts too. Enjoy and we'd love to hear if you snag it!

Click on image to download.

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What Do I Know of Holy? {An Ordinary Night}

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

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We are in the midst of 25 Days of Fitness over at Worthy of the Prize this month. We would love for you to join us as we prepare ourselves both physically and spiritually for the arrival of our savior! I will be sharing some of the thoughts from my journey through Max Lucado's One Incredible Moment: Celebrating the Majesty of the Manger here with you each Wednesday this Christmas season.

Have you ever felt like God forgot about you? Like there is simply nothing special about you?

That you are just ordinary.

If so, I encourage you to think about the night that Jesus was born and, take heart!

An ordinary night with ordinary sheep and ordinary shepherds. And were it not for a God who loves to hook an "extra" on the front of the ordinary, the night would have gone unnocticed. The sheep would have been forgotten, and the shepherds would have slept the night away.

But God dances amidst the common. And that night he did a waltz.

...The night was ordinary no more.

God has a special plan for each one of us. And it is bigger and better than we could ever have imagined.

Who would have thought that the savior of the world would have been born in a stable to a lowly carpenter and his wife, who was pregnant before he married her?

And yet it is a beautiful picture of the fact that "man looks at outward appearances" while the Lord "looks at the heart."

Many at that first Christmas were so busy looking for a "political savior" that they missed God's best...his bigger, better plan...the birth of his son...not the one that would save them from the government...but the savior of the world, the one who would conquer the grave!

Don't miss out on what God has for you this Christmas because you are distracted by the busy-ness of the season or because you are looking for something spectacular.

Slow down. Seek him. And notice what he is doing in and around you this season.

And don't forget that people are watching you too. And you just might be the only Jesus they see.

And can I just add...thank goodness God uses the ordinary. Otherwise we would miss out on the privilege of being apart of his glorious work, bringing us closer to him and making us more like his son.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. {Isaiah 55:8-9}

Be still, and know that I am God. {Psalm 46:10}

And just a little reminder, today is the LAST day that you can purchase an Africa Glass Ornament. ALL proceeds go to help the adopting families that we support bring their children home. You will get it in time for Christmas. Go here to purchase and please help us spread the word!

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Our Christmas Cutoff has Arrived!!!

Monday, December 5, 2011

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Coupon Code Below
Final day to place your Christmas orders!
Our Christmas cutoff date is here, Monday December 5th. All orders placed after today are not guaranteed to arrive by Christmas.

So if you want to GIVE a little Cap Creations for Christmas please order now!  And if you're hoping to GET a little Cap Creations be sure to forward this to that special someone. {wink wink} Nothing wrong with an obvious hint!

We cannot guarantee delivery times on orders placed for our international friends.

Check out some goodies below and use coupon code CHRISTMAS to get 10% off for mom, dad, brother, sister, grandma, grandpa, teacher, cousins, friends and more.
Tiny Initial
Tiny Initial
Saint Christopher Necklace
Saint Christopher Necklace
Best Friends Necklace
Best Friends Necklace
Little Slugger Baseball Necklace
Little Slugger Baseball Necklace
I Teach
I Teach
Sterling Silver Initial Necklace with Freshwater Pearl
Sterling Silver Initial Necklace with Freshwater Pearl
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What I Love About the Thrift Store {link party #10}

Friday, December 2, 2011

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Do you have a Goodwill Bookstore near you? I love thrift store books because of the bargain you get on them. My kiddos and I hit up our Goodwill Bookstore with a mission! We needed Christmas books and we needed 25 of them to do a Christmas countdown. Yikes that's a lot! Check out what we found.
The doh-doh bird in me forgot to take pictures before wrapping them. But they are all Christmas or winter theme.  We snagged the Polar Express hardcover for 45 cents! I just saw it on my kiddo's scholastic order form for 19 bucks! And I am looking forward to reading Flavia and the Christmas Legacy. Thinking it might become a favorite for years to come.
We wrapped them like gifts and placed a number on each. Every night the kids will take turns opening one and the whole family (Dad too!) will read it together until we get down to 1! Got the book idea from The Idea Room, (thanks Amy) but we added the countdown numbers. You can snag our numbers HERE. By the way the kids loved wrapping these too! They are just for us so who really cares how well they are wrapped more importantly they had fun with it and mom wasn't hovering over them making sure they looked perfect!

And this my friends is what I love about the thrift store! I will probably be sharing many thrifty Christmas finds soon. Hope you like vintage Christmas cause I sure do. Now lets see what you found!

Speaking of vintage Christmas, Tatter and Fray found these Vintage Christmas Ornaments.

These owl trivets are from Joyful Treasure Hunting. Be sure to check out her mom's Pyrex collect too! WOW!

Thanks for joining us!
Linking up at:
S- Fleamarket Finds M- Apron Thrift Girl Tu- House of Grace, Coastal Charm, F- Shabby Nest, The Thrifty Groove S- Penny Worthy Project
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Free Christmas Countdown Tags

Thursday, December 1, 2011

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Happy December! Today and tomorrow only use coupon code HAPPYDEC for 15% off your orders at Cap Creations. Not valid on past or pending orders. Monday is the last day to order for guaranteed Christmas delivery!

Are you ready for Christmas? Use these tags to countdown! Simply download, print and cut or punch with a jumbo hole punch. 1 3/4 - 2-inch punch works best. The possibilities are endless on how you could use these. Create your own countdown activity and attach these tags! We'll share ours tomorrow for our What I love about the thrift store link party. We'd love to hear how you use them! Enjoy!!!

Click HERE to download.


Background paper by Summertime Designs.

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