Thankfulness

~Remembering Jarrod~

Today I'm writing a post a little different than my other posts.

It's a date that is very special to our family. Twenty eight years ago today was a day of great joy for my husband and myself because our son Jarrod was born. This little guy was a boy who always had a smile on his face. He loved life and had a great sense of humor, he had us laughing often.

I am thankful today for the four years he was in our lives and I had the privilege to be his mom. I'm thankful for his love for the Lord and how just before going into the operating room for his open heart surgery he said "Jesus will take my hand". Those were his last words to us as parents and because of the Lords' amazing grace he's now safe in the arms of Jesus.



I'm linking to Chatting @ the Sky Tuesdays Unwrapped

DIY Sewing Machine Cover

In a previous post (Sewing Cabinet Makeover), I promised that I would provide instructions for the sewing machine cover. Today I'm going to fulfill that promise.

Sewing supplies that you'll need:
~buttons
~ribbon
~1/2 yard fabric
~1/2 yard lining fabric
~sewing thread
~iron
~sewing pins
~rotary cutter and mat or scissor

Instructions:

Begin by taking the measurements of your sewing machine...
measure the length....

...the height and the width of your machine.

My measurements were 14 " long X 7 "wide X 11" high . Now that you have your measurements add 1/2" on each side for seam allowance.

My ending measurements were...
15" wide X 8" high for front and back pieces....(cutting 2)
8" wide X 12 " high for side pieces (cutting 2)
8' wide X 15 " long for top piece (cutting 1)
Repeating the same measurements for the lining.


Begin sewing the pieces together..... sewing front and back pieces to the side piece, finishing by adding the top piece..

repeating this step with the lining ...

...finish by sewing the lining and cover together at the bottom (right sides together) leaving a small opening to turn the fabric right side out. Stitch the opening shut after turning the right side out...

...add your finishing touches of ribbon and buttons.

Have a great day and enjoy your sewing project.

Joy

I'm linking this post to

DIY @ A Soft Place to Land

Be Inspired @ Room to Inspire

Somewhat Simple Strut your stuff

The Shabby Chic Cottage Transformation Thursday
Tools are for Women Too

Fingerprints on the Fridge ~ Creative Chick Parade

DIY Monogram Plate

I love monograms!

While shopping I came upon these napkins.....

...and I remembered seeing monogram plates made by Mellisa @ 320 Sycamore .

Here's how I made it using instructions from Melissa and what I've learned from previous mod podge projects.

...starting with a free plate from a thrift store and a napkin ...

...the napkin has 3 layers
...peal it back so that you only have the top layer with the monogram on it... ....cut the monogram out of the napkin . I didn't have mod podge so I used glue that I watered down with water placing a thin layer on the plate where the monogram would go. Place the monogram napkin onto the glue and gently press out all air bubbles allowing this to dry completely.

....after it's completely dry add another layer of glue over the monogrammed napkin. I repeated this step twice giving it three coats total.

Here's the finished project....

...doesn't it look beautiful next to plates purchased from Goodwill making this project very budget friendly. Total cost for the project including Goodwill plates.... under $5 !
Have a great day!
Joy

Bathroom Makeover for Under $500

When we moved into the parsonage, the main bathroom was in need of a major makeover. It greeted us with floral stripe peach wallpaper, which was loose and falling off the wall. I tried to correct this problem by repasting it to no avail. The cabinet featured a faux marble sink that was cracking with leaking faucets. The old linoleum floor had many cigarette burns in it. The mirror was like the one in the photo below. (Sorry I do not have any other photos of the room before the redo).



The dim lighting was a "50's" model two bulb light fixture. The oak cabinet had very little varnish left on it and what was left was peeling.

The first thing I did was strip off the finish of the oak cabinet and refinish it. The old hardware was removed and replaced with bronze finished hardware that I found at the dollar store, total cost $4.00.
My husband then riped out the old sink and faucets. He replaced it by laying tile and adding a new sink. This was labor intensive for him since he had no tile saw and had never laid tile before. I think he did a great job!

Following that he made this hook rack for robes out of a piece of scrap wood and more dollar store hooks. He routed the piece of wood, painted it and added the hooks.
We went to Lowe's and purchased a new mirror and cabinet for over the toilet. We hit the jackpot while there and found the light fixture on clearance for $7.

We also added new woodwork...


...followed with a new chocolate brown wall color.

The last thing to be done was laying the hardwood floor. Our son lays hardwood floors for his profession and was able to salvage the wood from an old floor. He then laid and refinished it for a birthday gift to me.




Finishing touches could now be added....
a shower curtain from a garage sale for 50 cents, towel holder from Goodwill for $1.49 and towels from clearance racks...




...a candle scape and wooden relax sign also garage sale finds.


We can now relax in our remodeled 4' X 6' bathroom while soaking in a hot tub of water.


Joy

I'm linking this post to Transformation Thursday @theshabbychiccottage and Thrifty Thursday @ Tales from Bloggeritaville
Remodelaholic Friday
Frugal Friday @shabbynest
Tools are for Women Too

Beautiful Wedding Dress on a Budget

Welcome to Wedding Wednesday!



Finding the perfect dress:
Start your search by getting ideas of what's out there and what you like. We did this by checking out bridal magazines, internet bridal shops and attending local bridal fairs.


There are many ways that you can save a lot of money when shopping for the perfect dress. You can buy used @ consignment shops , thrift stores, classifieds from your newspaper, craigslist and internet shops. You can also use a dress from your mother, grandmother or friend. Check for bridal shop outlet stores where dresses are often sold for half price or less.
When planning a wedding on a budget, you must decide what your priorities are and where you want to spend your money. Our daughters didn't want to skimp on the dress of their dreams, but they did set a maximum price to fit their budget.


Shop until you find that perfect dress!
Here are the dresses are daughters bought....aren't they beautiful.



Joy

I'm link this post to WFMW

Easter Table Setting

I had a very blessed Easter attending church and celebrating Jesus' resurrection. Following the church service, our children all came for dinner. Here's a little peek of the table setting I used for our Easter dinner.

I made these cute little bird nest cookies for our appetizers...


...didn't they turn out cute? (recipe for these is at the bottom of my post).

For the centerpiece I filled an apothecary jar with dried moss and eggs(have you seen them over at Pottery Barn?).
My version was much cheaper using a jar from our daughters' weddings adding eggs I bought @ TJ Max. The centerpiece was finished off with some cut little birdies and candles from around the house. I love spring when all the birds come out, their nests are filled with eggs and everything is coming to life again...this setting reminded me of that.

Bird Nest Cookies

12 ounces chocolate chips

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 large can (5 - 6 ounces) choy mein noodles

Melt chocolate chips and peanut butter in the microwave add choy mein noodles. Place on a wax paper lined cookie sheet. Drop one large spoon of cookie mix on waxed paper. Make an indentation in the middle and add 3 candy eggs. Place in refrigerator to chill.

Joy

I'm linking this with Show and Share Day and Table Scape Thursday

A Gift Certificate

I am a Winner! Yea! I can't believe it...
I never win anything so you can imagine how excited
I was to received this note from Bonnie @House of Grace.....

Congrats on being the GET CLEAN winner of $30 certificate
and FREE membership!!!!

Thanks Bonnie!

I really enjoyed looking at her blog you should go check it out...





Joy