Thrifty Love {link party #34}

Friday, June 29, 2012

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A little late today but here I am!!! Bet you though I forgot huh? I think it is impossible for me to forget thrift! Let me quickly say that today and tomorrow are the last days to help our current adopting family raise money for their adoption. Go HERE for more info and to help them out. Each month features a new family.

Lets get to it! I was actually out hanging with one of my besties today and yep we did hit up a couple of thrift shops. She was SOOOO happy to find a few LP records including Olivia- Lets Get Physical (lol), Dionne Warwick Golden Hits and the Urban Cowboy soundtrack which happens to be my other bestie's favorite movie. We HAD to call her and leave a message with that record playing! Yes my friends she has a player for her records. lol! It kills me! We went down memory lane with her 80's records today.

I've got another great one to share cause how do you say it... you can't beat FREE! This is a curbside pick up which was actually at my next door neighbors.

Two metal chairs. One is broken but I am gonna see if I can remove the unbroken side to make each side match. What do you think paint job or chippy, shabby love???

I quickly placed them under my arbor cause I spotted them while leaving. I knew if I waited until I got back they'd  be gone. I told my husband the neighbor is probably thinking OH GREAT! I though I got rid of those things and now I have to see them everytime I pull into the driveway! LOL!!! It's okay they'll be moved to the backyard soon and you won't have to see them any longer.

Now on to some features from last week's links.
vintage locks which I am in love with!

Land of EnCRAFTment has tons and tons of goodies but this set
definitely has caught my eye. Couldn't be that green color or anything!  ;)

Lastly we have these neat chairs from Junkin' Juice Box. They'd look so cool
in my patio which I envision as a cool retro lounge area. But that's in my dreams!
Thanks so much for joining us, now show us what you got!

Linking up at:
S- Fleamarket Finds  M- Apron Thrift Girl  TuCoastal Charm, Frugal Treasures Tuesday T- Vintage Thingie Thursday, Treasure Hunt Thursday, Blue Eyed OwlThe Haps F- The Thrifty Groove, Vintage Inspiration Friday S- Penny Worthy Project
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The Death of A Fish • Goodbye Nemo

Monday, June 25, 2012

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Who knew the death of a fish could be so sad. On 6/10/12 my husband and son found my son's fish dead. I'm sitting in the living room and suddenly hear my son crying. This cry sounded different like something was really wrong. I go into his room to discover the sad news. He was sooooo upset.

We got him this fish as a reward. You see he was terrified to go to the dentist. As he had already had a bad experience once. You know how it goes first time parents dealing with first time experiences. The child flipped at xray time. And I mean flipped! Now they tell me he needed some work done and we have to go back in a few. Then they give me all this info about the gas they will use and a papoose board if needed and so on! So then I started to flip and was a nervous wreck especially at the thought of that papoose board. Are you kidding me with that thing, should that even be legal?!

We decide to tell my son if you do good at the dentist we will get you a fish. Well he did brilliant! So straight to the pet store we go! We get a fish, a bowl, some rocks, and a small plant to make Nemo a home. We thought a little fish to keep him from being placed in that board was worth it. Fish don't live long anyway right? Well that's what we thought.

Little did we know! You see Nemo was almost 5 years old! This kid got this fish when he was just three and he just turned 8. He's had him for more than half of his life! His bowl was upgraded several times which finally ended up being a small tank. A tank that was right on the nightstand next to his bed.

It made me sad to have him crying in my arms saying I love Nemo. :( Poor little guy. I feel so bad for him.  I knew this day would come. I just thought it would have been a VERY long time ago before my son actually got attached or even really understood. Nemo lived soooo long, it didn't even cross my mind at times. You see my friends the death of a fish happens to be very a sad thing in our home. Goodbye Nemo you will be missed.
Here's a picture from happy times.
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Thrifty Love {link party #33}

Friday, June 22, 2012

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Hello friends we are celebrating my kiddo's Birthday today so keeping this one short and sweet. Nothing from me this week cause I need to get back to that cake in the oven real quick here. I do have some features to share though.

Number Fifty-Three shares her before
and after of this lovely bucket. I just love thrifty makeovers don't you?

Second Time Around Finds picked up these lovely
Pyrex bowls. I'm sorry but I never tire of Pyrex.

How about this 1950's Minnie Mouse Toy from Virginia Retro?
So cool!

Thanks all for joining Thrifty Love each week! I love that we can inspire each other to get out there and find something neat!

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Making JOY Come Alive in Your Home

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

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He was walking down that long, dusty road from Judea to Galilee. You know the one.

Most would have taken the long way around, avoiding Samaria altogether. It was a dirty place. Filled with ungodliness.  No one wanted to associate with those people. Their very presence could contaminate you.



Coming upon Jacob's Well, he sat down, tired from the journey. When out of nowhere, she shows up, a filthy Samaritan woman. 

I imagine her daily trip to the well was a sort of escape from her life. Anything to avoid the reality of 5 former husbands and now living with a man who was not even her husband.

If only she could meet the right man, her problems would disappear.

Isn't that what we think?

If only I could find a husband...have a baby...get rich...lose weight...land a better job. Get A Drink. Then I would be happy.

Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water that I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water that I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. {John 4:13-14}



What is it that you are waiting on, to be happy?

The woman at the well came in search of water but instead, she found Jesus. Her joy was made complete, despite her circumstances. She immediately ran back to her town, leaving her water jar behind, telling everyone she encountered, "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" 

And they did. They saw a change in her and as a result, they went to him.

You see, happiness is circumstantial. True joy is found in Christ alone. Will you let him fill you up?

Family Activity for the Week...

I have found that focusing on your blessings and being grateful for what you have, instead of what you don't have, leads to joy. This week I challenge you to read 15 Happy Ways to Joyfilled, Grateful Kids and choose at least one of the activities listed to do together as a family. Be sure to leave us a comment to let us know what you did and how it turned out.

Did you do the love challenge from last week?

Don't forget to hang your {Joy} fruit on your Fruit of the Spirit tree and display it in your home as a visual reminder for your family this week, as you focus on joy in your home. Go here to download the printables that go with our Making the Fruit of the Spirit Come Alive in Your Home series if you missed our introductory post. And go here  for Cat's tutorial on how to make your fruit printables into glass pebble magnets, so that you can hang your tree on the refrigerator.

Happy Wednesday, friends! Invite your friends to join us next week as we talk about PEACE! :)


 erins photo
About the Author: Erin Vick Franklin is the founder and director of Worthy of the Prize. Erin has a BBA in Marketing and Management from TCU and a Masters of Christian Education in Church Recreation from Southwestern Seminary. She is a published, award-winning author and poet. Purchase her book Worthy of the Prize Sports Camps: A Church's Guide to Implementing an Effective, Community-Reaching Christian Sports Camp to be used as an outreach tool for your church or mission organization. Erin is the wife of A, a Worship Pastor, and a work-at-home-momma to 2 crazy little boys, a and e.
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Adoption Family for June

Monday, June 18, 2012

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Every month we donate to a new family that is raising money for their adoption. $10 from every Chosen necklace sold will will be donated. Worthy of the Prize will also donate the entire proceeds from the sales of their Chosen Child Fit Band and Half Loop. See more about this month's family below, they have the entire month of June to earn.

Our family for the month of June is...
The Dalton Family
"We are Mike and Leslie Dalton. We have been married for a year and a half. Since before we were even married we have been discussing adoption, both domestic and international. We both knew we would go down this road at some point in our marriage. What shocked us was how early into our marriage that God had called us to it. Over the last several months God has been making it clear to us that this is our path. Since we began back in March, we have already experienced the typical ups and downs of the adoption process. Through this we are being strengthened for that very special day when we finally get to bring our sweet little baby home.
 Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.
Love,
The Dalton's
"
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Thrifty Love {link party #32}

Friday, June 15, 2012

17 comments
Hi there, welcome back for some Thrifty Love where each week we share our thrifty treasures. I am pretty excited to share this find with you. Here's a hint!

When I saw these in the thrift store I made a mad dash like a crazy woman lol! And they're green!
Then I saw the price and was like get me a cart people cause I'm loading up! The price on each piece was 90 cents, but wait...it gets better, it was Wednesday and Wed. means sale day, putting these babies at half price! Score! Are you kidding me, six mugs and six dinner plates of Fiesta ware for only $5.40?
 They blend in quite nicely with my other colors don't they?

Now on to some features from last week's links.
This adorable little girl cup, saucer, and bowl set
from It's Still Life is so unique isn't it?

Check out this little fellow from Thoroughly Modern Me!
Isn't he most adorable too?

So what have you found lately? Show us what you got!

Linking up at:
S- Fleamarket Finds  M- Apron Thrift Girl  TuCoastal Charm, Frugal Treasures Tuesday T- Vintage Thingie Thursday, Treasure Hunt Thursday, Blue Eyed OwlThe Haps F- The Thrifty Groove, Vintage Inspiration Friday S- Penny Worthy Project
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Making LOVE Come Alive in Your Home

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

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She had nothing. Nothing but a life filled with sin. Nothing but an alabaster jar filled with perfume.

 

Jesus was having dinner in the home of Simon, the Pharisee. Surrounded by the religious leaders of the day when she showed up. Uninvited. And obviously unwanted.

Right there at the dinner table, she washed Jesus' feet with her tears and poured out her expensive perfume onto his feet. A repentant sinner, anointing him with the only valuable thing she owned.

Seeing what she had done, Simon said, "if this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is -- that she is a sinner."

To which Jesus replied, "Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he cancelled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"

"I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."

"You have judged correctly...Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven-- for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

What is it that you value? What have you been holding onto, keeping for yourself, putting above your relationship with God?

This woman loved Jesus so much, she gave everything she had. What a beautiful testimony of faith.

Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. {1 John 4:7-10}

Family Activity for the Week...

Gather together and have each family member tell one thing that they are going to do this week to show love to Jesus and others. One of the best ways to show love is to put another person before yourself. Sacrifice something for them in the same way that Christ made the ultimate sacrifice for us on the cross. Give up something for them.

Leave me some comments to let me know what you did and how it went. I will be praying for you!

Don't forget to hang your {Love} fruit on your Fruit of the Spirit tree and display it in your home as a visual reminder for your family this week, as you focus on love in your home. Go here to download the printables that go with our Making the Fruit of the Spirit Come Alive in Your Home series if you missed our introductory post last week. And go here  for Cat's tutorial on how to make your fruit printables into glass pebble magnets, so that you can hang your tree on the refrigerator.

Happy Wednesday, friends! Invite your friends to join us next week as we talk about JOY! :)


 erins photo
About the Author: Erin Vick Franklin is the founder and director of Worthy of the Prize. Erin has a BBA in Marketing and Management from TCU and a Masters of Christian Education in Church Recreation from Southwestern Seminary. She is a published, award-winning author and poet. Purchase her book Worthy of the Prize Sports Camps: A Church's Guide to Implementing an Effective, Community-Reaching Christian Sports Camp to be used as an outreach tool for your church or mission organization. Erin is the wife of A, a Worship Pastor, and a work-at-home-momma to 2 crazy little boys, a and e.
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Glass Pebble Magnet Tutorial

Monday, June 11, 2012

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Here's a fun and simple project for custom or personalized magnets. I will be using my Fruit of the Spirit printable to do this tutorial. Click here if you would like this printable and to find out more about our Fruit of the Spirit series.

Supplies:
-printed Fruit or any other 1 inch design printed at a photo lab.
-large glass pebbles, just over 1 inch (dollar store for a whole bag)
-mod podge (elmer's glue will work too)
-paint brush
-small magnets (craft store or walmart)
-strong glue like E600 to glue on magnets
-a 1 inch circle punch (handy but not necessary)



A quick note about printing, in an earlier post I had mentioned printing your designs at a copy shop, however I would recommend having them done at a photo lab on photo paper. Regular paper is too thin and you will see the black magnet through the paper.

1. Punch your design out with a 1 inch circle punch. If you do not have a punch you can cut them with scissors just be sure they are about the size as your glass pebbles.

2. Put a coat of mod podge on the face/front of your design and stick it to the back/flat side of the glass pebble.
You will see the mod podge when wet but it will dry clear.

3. Place a dab of E600 on the back and attach a magnet and let dry.

For each step you can do several at a time I find it easier that way. All done, once dry move them about wherever you please!

If you printed out the fruit tree you can place it on the fridge with your new fruit magnets. Or as pictured below I have placed it on a metal tray and set it up on an easel. Thanks for reading!
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Thrifty Love {link party #31}

Friday, June 8, 2012

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Anyone have some Thrifty Love to share? Get ready to link up below! I quickly want to mention that I have the Vintage category on sale in my etsy shop. Come check it out, ALL vintage items are 20% off!!!

I picked up these fab coasters! Anything green just calls out my name, I definitely HAD to pick these up! They are in the living room and they work great!

I hate when coasters keep a puddle inside. Not a prob with that absorbent suede middle.

Here's some of your links from last week!

Marty's Musings shares this great scrapbook room that
was done on a budget that used many thrifted items.

Woman in Real Life shows us lots of blue including these lovelies.


Show us what you got!





Linking up at:
S- Fleamarket Finds  M- Apron Thrift Girl  TuCoastal Charm, Frugal Treasures Tuesday T- Vintage Thingie Thursday, Treasure Hunt Thursday, Blue Eyed OwlThe Haps F- The Thrifty Groove, Vintage Inspiration Friday S- Penny Worthy Project
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Making the Fruit of the Spirit Come Alive in Your Home

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

2 comments

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. {Galatians 5:22-23}

I am sure these characteristics are displayed in abundance in your home as they are in mine, right? Ha! I can't even type those words without laughing out loud!

I feel like my 6 and 4 year old boys do nothing but pick at each other these days. We have been in transition for the past few months, yet again, our second cross-country move in less than 2 years and with the unfamiliar surroundings, lack of routine and uncertainty comes two tired, cranky, fussy little boys. 

They have been driving me crazy and because I am tired and cranky myself, I end up snapping at them and the vicious cycle of non-fruit-filled-living continues.

Sound familiar?

Whatever your situation may be, I am sure that you face days where your home is less than an uplifting environment, to say the least.

Am I right?

This summer I am asking the Lord to transform my home into one free from stress, frustration, negativity and all things associated with the sin-filled life and to instead fill it with peace, harmony, love and all things that are a result of Spirit-filled living. Will you take this journey with me?

Are we going to be able to remove all sin from our lives and home? Absolutely not. In fact, once we begin our journey with Christ, we must allow the Spirit to make us more like Him (and less like the world) each and every day, however we will never actually achieve perfection until we are at home with Him in Heaven.

That being said, I feel it is our responsibility to do intentional things in our lives and homes that are God-honoring, in order to promote growth in our walk with Him and to be a living example of Christ to our children.

In fact, Cat and I have come up with a plan to help us fill our homes with the Fruit of the Spirit this summer!

Every Wednesday, I will post a lesson on one of the Fruits of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I will also give you an activity to help you put that particular fruit into action in your home that week.

Meanwhile, Cat has designed a Fruit of the Spirit tree and individual fruits, so that you can display them in your home as a reminder. Click on images to download, when they open right click and save. If you run into any problems downloading them please let her know. The tree is 8x10 and the fruits are 4x6. For our project they both need to be printed on a laser printer, so that the ink will not run. An office store can do this for you.



Go ahead and print your downloads and next week Cat will provide a tutorial showing you how to turn your fruit printables into magnets, so that you can hang your tree on your refrigerator.

If you want to go ahead and gather your supplies for her tutorial, here is a list of things you will need...

- your printed fruit
-large glass pebbles, just over 1 inch (dollar store for a whole bag)
-mod podge (elmer's glue will work too)
-paint brush
-small magnets (craft store or walmart)
-strong glue like E600 to glue on magnets
-a 1 inch circle punch (handy but not necessary)

At some point, she will also show you how to put your tree in a frame or on a wood block, so that it can be moved around your home.



After learning through our I HATE RELIGION series that Christ has set us free from the law of sin and death, I am so excited to begin exploring with you how we can use our freedom to become more like Him, not pursuing a life of sin, but a life filled with His Spirit!


It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery....So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. {Galatians 5:1, 16}

Happy Summer, friends! Be sure to invite others to join us here each Wednesday!



 erins photo
About the Author: Erin Vick Franklin is the founder and director of Worthy of the Prize. Erin has a BBA in Marketing and Management from TCU and a Masters of Christian Education in Church Recreation from Southwestern Seminary. She is a published, award-winning author and poet. Purchase her book Worthy of the Prize Sports Camps: A Church's Guide to Implementing an Effective, Community-Reaching Christian Sports Camp to be used as an outreach tool for your church or mission organization. Erin is the wife of A, a Worship Pastor, and a work-at-home-momma to 2 crazy little boys, a and e.
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Thanks Coach!

Monday, June 4, 2012

2 comments
Just sharing a free printable today for your kiddos baseball coach that I made this year for my kids coach. This print is 11x14 (go big or go home right?) and includes baseball theme photos that I took myself that spell out coach.

You can have it printed at your local photo lab. If you have a photo editing program you can personalize as needed. Or what I think is great is to have each team member sign their name and number with a sharpie in all of the surrounding white area. Then simply frame it and you're golden!

This print is for personal use only. Please DO NOT sell it or use it as your own work. If you would like to share this print with others for their use please send them to this page. Thank you for respecting my work this way. To download click on image then right click and save to your computer.
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Thrifty Love {link party #30}

Friday, June 1, 2012

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It's Thrifty Love time!
I have a couple of things to share with you today. My husbands grandma gave me these lovely laces!
I love the colors and the size and sooooo want to make something with them. Any ideas? They are large 4 inch width. The cool thing about grandma Susie is she volunteered at a thrift shop when she lived in another town and would pick up neat stuff all the time. Grandma also gave me the BUTTONS!

At a visit to a thrift shop I picked up this neat rack. Brand new in the box for only $2.95
This is perfect for me cause I ALWAYS struggle with getting the paper I need out of my cabinet. I had it all in one stack so of course the one at the bottom it was tough to get out.  Copy paper, cardstock, envelopes, shipping labels, check! It's all there and the rack is a perfect fit for my cabinet! I love finding a great deal on a product I could really use!

Okay now for some features from last week!
Sweetpea's GoodJunks shares this great Pachinko machine.

Tatter and Fray found these great P glasses which I
really like since my last name starts with a p.

Bliss & Vinegar has a lovely mix of goodies.


Linking up at:
S- Fleamarket Finds  M- Apron Thrift Girl  TuCoastal Charm, Frugal Treasures Tuesday T- Vintage Thingie Thursday, Treasure Hunt Thursday, Blue Eyed OwlThe Haps F- The Thrifty Groove, Vintage Inspiration Friday S- Penny Worthy Project
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