{far above rubies}

Taking it easy!

noreply@blogger.com (april @ faraboverubies) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Hi all! I wanted to drop a note to say I am taking a break from blogging for a few weeks. Now that beautiful weather has arrived, I can't make myself stay inside for long enough to even have much to say. Also, I am taking a summer class, and have VBS in a few weeks. Have a great summer!

Be sure to check out my VBS Mondays, Slow Cooker Thursdays, and Frugal Fridays!

*+*+*+*
Ps 72:17 His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.
Ps 74: 16, 17 The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun. Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter.
Ps 104:19 He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.
Ps 113:3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised.
Ps 148:3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
Rev 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

Easy Crafts for Small Children

noreply@blogger.com (april @ faraboverubies) — Mon, 11 May 2009 19:26:00 +0000

Recently, a friend asked me for some party craft ideas for small children, that could possibly be
done in a restaurant.  Most of these could be prepared ahead of time, with little assembly to be done by the children.  Most involve paper that can be cut
out ahead of time, so that there is  minimal work for the kids.
These would be great VBS crafts or even Sunday School!

Paper bracelets
http://www.ourbigearth.com/2008/08/08/inspire-creativity-handmade-paper-bracelet
s/

Printable Paper Dolls
http://tpettit.best.vwh.net/dolls/pd_scans/betsy_mccall/index.html

Lollipop flowers
http://shimandsons.typepad.com/shimandsons/2008/02/marthas-idea-my.html
martha's version:
http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d
373a0a0/?vgnextoid=4e1dd0f19132f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default&ln
c=b1a9cf380e1dd010VgnVCM1000005b09a00aRCRD

Cookie pouches (have cookies ready, let kids decorate envelope with
markers/stamps/crayons/etc)
http://norththreads.blogspot.com/2007/01/crafting-with-kids-valentines-cd.html

Lollipop Butterflies
http://www.skiptomylou.org/2009/02/03/printable-valentines/

Lollipop Flowers
http://www.skiptomylou.org/2008/02/08/how-does-your-garden-grow/

Paper alligator
http://www.skiptomylou.org/2008/02/06/id-snap-at-the-chance-to-be-your-valentine
/

Paper party hats
http://mayamade.blogspot.com/2008/07/party-hats_22.html

Newspaper party hats
http://www.skiptomylou.org/2008/12/31/how-to-make-newspaper-party-hats/

Paper fortune cookies  (ahead of time, cut out, and have "sayings" printed)
http://www.oncewed.com/index.cfm?postID=290

Paper pinwheels
http://www.craftideas.info/html/paper_pinwheel.html

Flower Pot canisters (would require gluing, maybe not so good for restaurant)
http://www.maizehutton.com/flowerpotcanisters.html

Be sure to check out my VBS Mondays, Slow Cooker Thursdays, and Frugal Fridays!

*+*+*+* Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

Record Bowls

noreply@blogger.com (april @ faraboverubies) — Mon, 04 May 2009 05:00:00 +0000

As a Vacation Bible School teacher, sometimes it is hard to come up with fresh ideas for crafts. So on Mondays I post any craft ideas that I come across that might work. Join in and pass the word! ~ April

photo courtesy of Thriftyfun's Record Bowl

This is a great quick craft that will definitely take some adult supervision. I actually did this for VBS as a one night craft. The girls loved it! The record gets very soft and pliable when heated in the oven, and melts into the shape of a "bowl".

You will need:
~ old vinyl records, which can be found at any thrift store pretty cheaply
~ oven - more than one in your church kitchen is great!
~ cookie sheet
~ oven proof bowl

Here are lots of different instructions below, even a video,
or just google "record bowls":

Instructables Record Bowl

Wikihow Record Bowl

Metacafe Record Bowl Video

Thriftyfun Record Bowl

Be sure to check out my VBS Mondays, Slow Cooker Thursdays, and Frugal Fridays!

*+*+*+* Psalms 119:138 Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.

Yankee Pot Roast Dinner WW

noreply@blogger.com (april @ faraboverubies) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Find more Slow Cooker Thursday recipes here: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Yankee Pot Roast Dinner
Weight Watchers

2.5 lbs boneless bottom round roast, trimmed
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp salt
2 lg onions, sliced
1 3/4 cups water
1 1/2 tbsps balsamic or red wine vinegar
1 (1oz) envelope dry onion soup mix
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme
1 3/4 lbs red potatoes, quartered
1 lb baby carrots
fresh thyme sprigs for garnish, optional

This recipe was not originally a slow cooker recipe, but I made it this way:
Brown the outside of the roast in a skillet. Spray the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray. Add all ingredients, I place potatoes first so that they will by toward the bottom. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Serving size: 2 slices beef, 1 cup veggies, 1/4 broth
Points: 6

Be sure to check out my VBS Mondays, Slow Cooker Thursdays, and Frugal Fridays!

*+*+*+* Psalms 73:25, 26 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

Flower Pens

noreply@blogger.com (april @ faraboverubies) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0000

As a Vacation Bible School teacher, sometimes it is hard to come up with fresh ideas for crafts. So on Mondays I post any craft ideas that I come across that might work. Join in and pass the word! ~ April

photo courtesy of CampArtLady's Tutorial

Flower Pen

This is an old idea, I think we even made these way back when I was in VBS. But it is still a good one! You can make them with or without a flower pot. Some versions have foam in a small clay pot to hold the pen up. The photo above has beans, but you could use rice or coffee beans as well. You could even make an entire flower arrangement.
I think this would also make good Sunday School projects, maybe for Valentine's Day or Mother's Day.

Here are some tutorials and ideas:

CampArtLady's Tutorial

Fluffy Flower's Flower Pen Tutorial

youtube video instructions

Polkadot Pineapple's fabric version of the flower pen

Ready.set.craft's version

DIY's version

Be sure to check out my VBS Mondays, Slow Cooker Thursdays, and Frugal Fridays!

*+*+*+* Psalms 73: 22 - 24
So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

Baskets

noreply@blogger.com (april @ faraboverubies) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Find more Frugal Friday tips here: Life as Mom

Thrift Store ideas ~ Baskets

I found the above basket at Goodwill for $4. It is huge, about 2' x 3'! It fits on the edge of my fireplace filled with extra throw blankets and a pillow. Of course it has to be moved if we have a fire going in the fireplace, but that's ok.

This is not really a before & after, just an idea or suggestion. Thrift stores are the best place to find baskets. Baskets are those classic things that never go out of style. Sure, there are some styles that are dated, but mostly they are are simple. Here are a few of my ideas for baskets:

~ Use them as flower pots, this is especially great if you are carrying the plants inside/outside. And if you have "critters" that knock them over, they won't break.
~ Use them for organizing anything: office supplies, craft supplies, etc.
~ We have an emergency "power outage" basket in our closet full of things like flashlights, batteries, lighters, matches, candles, and our battery operated portable DVD player.
~ We have a basket on the top shelf of our coat closet full of scarves and mittens.
~ Make a grouping of baskets coordinate for a desktop or such, by spray painting them all the same color.
~ Roll up some bath towels in a basket for over night guests.
~ Use a basket instead of a gift bag or gift wrap.
~ In the summer time we set a small basket on our porch with bug spray and sunscreen for convenience.
~ Use a basket in the kitchen to hold a stack of cookbooks.
~ Use a basket at your bedside for night-time reads like magazines, mail, or books.

The possibilities are endless. Let me know what you use baskets for. And when you see a nice basket at the thrift store, buy it! You'll find a use for it, trust me.

Also, here are a couple of printable coupon likes I have received from friends this week:

Kashi printable coupons

SoBe lifewater coupons

Be sure to check out my VBS Mondays, Slow Cooker Thursdays, and Frugal Fridays!

*+*+*+* Matt 10:39, 40 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

Chicken Cacciatore WW

noreply@blogger.com (april @ faraboverubies) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Find more Slow Cooker Thursday recipes here: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
Another WeightWatchers recipe!

1 lb chicken cut into 1 in pieces
1 14.5 can crushed fire-roasted tomatoes
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 green bell pepper; sliced
1 onion chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup dry red wine or reduced sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1. Place all of the ingredients in a 5 or 6 quart slow cooker
2. Cover and cook until the vegetables are tender, 5-6 hours on high or 6-8
hours on low.

Weight Watchers
Serving size: 1 cup
Points: 4

Be sure to check out my VBS Mondays, Slow Cooker Thursdays, and Frugal Fridays!

*+*+*+* 2 Tim 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Apron Theme

noreply@blogger.com (april @ faraboverubies) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0000

As a Vacation Bible School teacher, sometimes it is hard to come up with fresh ideas for crafts. So on Mondays I post any craft ideas that I come across that might work. Join in and pass the word! ~ April

This theme would be for older age girls, but would super cute and easy. You could modify them to be no-sew by using an iron on adhesive for the straps instead of sewing. Aprons could be made with a pillowcase (first one below) or bandana (below) or even a cute kitchen tea towel.

Modobject's no-sew pillowcase apron

Martha Stewart's bandana apron

Julia from creativeladiesministry.com has a whole page of Apron Theme Links, including the
apron papercraft above. She has a downloadable apron-related devotions!

Be sure to check out my VBS Mondays, Slow Cooker Thursdays, and Frugal Fridays!

*+*+*+* Isa 25:1 O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

Framed Canvas Print

noreply@blogger.com (april @ faraboverubies) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Find more Frugal Friday tips here: Life as Mom

Another thrift store before and after!

This is a framed canvas print of the 1880 John George Brown painting "The Cider Mill". I bought it at Goodwill for $5. It is hard to tell from the photo, but it is a distressed canvas print not a poster. Here is an example of one with no frame: Canvas no frame. I painted over the stenciled apples on the frame, with... you guessed it, black paint.

I don't know if it looks best above the bed in our guest room. I may have to find a better place for it, but until then that's where it'll be!

Be sure to check out my VBS Mondays, Slow Cooker Thursdays, and Frugal Fridays!

*+*+*+* II Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Cherry Buckle

noreply@blogger.com (april @ faraboverubies) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Find more Slow Cooker Thursday recipes here: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

I got this recipe from my Mom, she made this on Easter last Sunday, it was great!

Cherry Buckle

Ingredients
1 (26-ounce) can cherry pie filling
2 (15-ounce) cans peaches in syrup
1 (18.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix
1 stick butter, cut into small pieces
1 (1.19-ounce) packet maple and brown sugar instant oatmeal
1/4 cup sliced almonds (or any nuts)
Whipped topping, or ice cream for serving

Directions

Spray a 5-quart slow cooker with butter-flavored cooking spray and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine pie filling, peaches. Pour into prepared slow cooker. Sprinkle cake mix over fruit mixture. Dot with butter. In a small bowl, combine oatmeal packet and almonds. Sprinkle over cake mixture.

Place 8 paper towels over slow cooker bowl and secure with lid, to help trap steam. Cook on low setting for 4 to 6 hours. Do not lift lid to check cake for the first 3 hours.
Serve warm with whipped topping, or ice cream.

Here is a similar recipe with pears: Pear & Cherry Buckle

Be sure to check out my VBS Mondays, Slow Cooker Thursdays, and Frugal Fridays!

*+*+*+* John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Simple Paper Crafts

noreply@blogger.com (april @ faraboverubies) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0000

As a Vacation Bible School teacher, sometimes it is hard to come up with fresh ideas for crafts. So on Mondays I post any craft ideas that I come across that might work. Join in and pass the word! ~ April

Here are some VBS ideas that are more like party favors for your kids. They could be used as a simple "craft" for some ages. These links are for Valentine ideas, but could be decorated for any theme. Would be great for Sunday School too!

Martha's Heart and Lollipop Flowers

SkiptoMyLou's Printable Paper Butterfly Lollipops

Norththread's CD Cookie Pouch

Be sure to check out my VBS Mondays, Slow Cooker Thursdays, and Frugal Fridays!

*+*+*+* Luke 22:70 Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.

Kid's Apron and Chef Hat

noreply@blogger.com (april @ faraboverubies) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:24:00 +0000

I sewed up a tiny chef hat and apron set. The apron is reversible and ties at the shoulders. I used Heather Bailey Pop Garden in brown and some brown gingham.

The apron is one piece that wraps around the back and ties at the shoulders.

The reverse side of the apron:

The chef's hat is from a vintage pattern I have (I made another one here) and the apron is from Mayfly's smocket pattern .

Be sure to check out my VBS Mondays, Slow Cooker Thursdays, and Frugal Fridays!

*+*+*+* Psalms 2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Before and After my "logo" sign

noreply@blogger.com (april @ faraboverubies) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Find more Frugal Friday tips here: Life as Mom

I ordered some lettering and a blank board from a friend's Uppercase Living party with consultant Rebekah Wade. A couple of coats of black paint, and some masking tape later, now I have my own sign! Not sure where I am going to put it yet, but I like it alot. It'll probably go somewhere in the vicinity of my craft room. :) Here's the pics:

From this:

To this:

To this:

Finally this:

Sweet! Now where am I going to put it?

Be sure to check out my VBS Mondays, Slow Cooker Thursdays, and Frugal Fridays!

*+*+*+* Eph 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Caramel Pie

noreply@blogger.com (april @ faraboverubies) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Slow Cooker Caramel Pie

14 oz sweetened condensed milk
1 tub whipped topping
1 graham cracker pie crust
garnishings (nuts, crushed candy bar, etc)

Pour the can of milk into a glass baking dish that will fit into your crock pot. Place the glass dish in the center of the crock. Fill the crock with water up to the level of the milk in the glass. Cook on low for 9 hours. The milk should be a caramel color. Pour into graham cracker pie crust, let cool. Cover with whipped topping, garnish with nuts or candy.

My take on it: very easy, and very good! This recipe actually came out of a Weight Watchers slow cooker cookbook. The pie is 7 pts/serving.

Be sure to check out my VBS Mondays, Slow Cooker Thursdays, and Frugal Fridays!

*+*+*+*Matt 22:12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

Princess Diaries - VBS ideas

noreply@blogger.com (april @ faraboverubies) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0000

As a Vacation Bible School teacher, sometimes it is hard to come up with fresh ideas for crafts. So on Mondays I post any craft ideas that I come across that might work. Join in and pass the word! ~ April

This VBS Monday I am kinda cheating and posting a link to my previous post on ideas we used for our Teen Girls Class in VBS 2006. This is the class I usually teach (teen girls) so that is what my craft ideas are geared toward.

Find the full description here: Teen Girls Class (Princess Diaries)

Be sure to check out my VBS Mondays, Slow Cooker Thursdays, and Frugal Fridays!

*+*+*+* Jhn 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Easy Like Saturday Morning

noreply@blogger.com (april @ faraboverubies) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 20:09:00 +0000

My Saturday morning...

a little coffee (of course!)
my birthday lemon blossoms from my Mamaw Helen
in my new birthday Nick & Nora pajamas from my mom
and a couple of bib sets

a Mossy Oak camo set (for Jeani):

A sage green/brown dots and brown gingham patchwork set (for Lisa):

All wrapped up and ready to go!

Be sure to check out my VBS Mondays, Slow Cooker Thursdays, and Frugal Fridays!

*+*+*+*

Isa 41:13

For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Before & After Desk Organizer

noreply@blogger.com (april @ faraboverubies) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Another before & after thrift store find!

I got this large desk organizer at Goodwill for $5.99, which I thought was a little much, and it wasn't even half off weekend. But I made the purchase because I had a plan, and a spot in mind for this item.

I have priced these large desktop organizers at what I call "seconds" stores like Marshalls and Ross for $39.99 - 49.99 for the larger ones. It's hard to get the perspective of the size from these photos, but it is approximately 10" x 24". Here's what I did:

First thing I did was to clean it up. As you can see from the before photos, it was kind of grimy.
I removed the tiny knobs from the drawers.
I covered entirely with two layers of black paint.
Modge-podged some black/ivory scrapbooking paper to the backs of the compartments.
Added some new hardware to the drawers (my husband Tony drilled the new holes). They are a little over-sized, but it was hard to find any small enough for these small drawers.

So ta-da!

Be sure to check out my VBS Mondays, Slow Cooker Thursdays, and Frugal Fridays!

*+*+*+* John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Maple Praline Chicken

noreply@blogger.com (april @ faraboverubies) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 09:12:00 +0000

(Gooseberry Patch - Slow Cooker Recipes)

Maple Praline Chicken

Ingredients:
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 T Cajun seasoning
1/4 cup butter (melted)
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 T brown sugar, packed
1 cup chopped pecans
6 oz pkg long grain rice, cooked

Directions:
Sprinkle chicken with Cajun seasoning. In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook chicken in butter until golden. Arrange chicken in a slow cooker. Mix together syrup, brown sugar, and pecans; pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low setting for 6 to 8 hours. Serve with cooked rice. Makes 6 servings.

Be sure to check out my VBS Mondays, Slow Cooker Thursdays, and Frugal Fridays!

*+*+*+* Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Frugal Friday - Chalkboard Masterpiece

noreply@blogger.com (april @ faraboverubies) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Another thrift store before and after!

The second I saw this frame in the window at Goodwill, I sucked in my breath "huuhhhhhhhh!" out loud. That is a little dramatic, but I fell in love with this thing as soon as I saw it. Alright, that's over dramatic too. Anyway, I liked it...alot.

First thing I did was to grab it up and asked how much it cost. When the cashier said five dollars, I hugged it for the rest of the way through the store.

And it is huge, about 2.5' x 3.5'.

Don't ask me why I like it so much.

I think it is because it looks like it ought to be wrapped around the wicked Queen's mirror in Snow White and asked, "Mirror, Mirror, on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?" in all of it's golden plastic glory. It also reminds me of some ornate frame that ought to have some masterpiece painting inside it. Thus my title, not a masterpiece just because I made it, but because it looks grand.

I wasn't for sure what to do with it at first, but I settled on a chalkboard.

Me and my little sis went to Home Depot and bought some 1/8" hardboard for about $3.87 a sheet. We bought two, one for the chalkboard and one for the backing. The kind gentleman at Home Depot cut the sheets to our measurements. I also bought a small piece of trim (in the photo) that we were going to use for a chalk ledge, but ended up not using it.

We checked the measurements to make sure that the board fit snuggly before we went any further.

Here is a back view of the frame with the first layer of hardboard (that will be the chalkboard) inserted.

Close up of the frames plastic molding below. The first layer went smoothly into the grooves because my husband measured so well. Then the backing board will go over it and screwed into the holes that are in the molding.

I had some vinyl lettering that I wanted to use, saying "The Canslers" and "EST. 2004". I had ordered it from an Uppercase Living consultant named Rebekah Wade at my friend Gail's party. When I ordered it, I wasn't exactly sure what I would do with it until this project came along. I started out wanting to put the "EST. 2004" letters along the bottom, but end up not using them.

I got some chalkboard paint at Walmart, (much cheaper there than Home Depot) along with some acrylic craft paint in "Country Tan". Also, I had some flat black spray paint that my husband used to spray paint the frame for me outside.

My plan at first was to have the chalkboard part in the center, and a block of tan paint at the top and the bottom. Once I got it taped off and started (below), I thought it looked kind of stripe-y. So I changed my plan to have only one block of tan at the top, with chalkboard the rest of the way to the bottom.

After the paint dried. I applied my custom ordered vinyl lettering. The chalkboard fit into the frame nicely. Then my husband drilled the backing onto the frame to hold everything together, and onto the wall it went! Ta-daaaaa:

I think this one is a keeper! And if I get tired of the chalkboard I can always switch it out with something else - corkboard maybe? Oh the possibilities...

Be sure to check out my VBS Mondays, Slow Cooker Thursdays, and Frugal Fridays!

*+*+*+* Pro 14:1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

Southwest Bean Soup

noreply@blogger.com (april @ faraboverubies) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Southwest Bean Soup

1lb ground beef
1/2 onion
2 - 10oz can tomatoes w/chiles
2 c. water
16oz can kidney beans
16oz can pinto beans
16oz can black beans
11oz can corn
2- 1oz pkg ranch dressing mix
2 - 1.25 pkg taco seasoning mix

Brown beef and onion together in a skillet; drain. Transfer to a slow cooker. Mix all other ingredients. Cook on low for 5 - 6 hours, high for 3 - 4 hours.

The taco seasoning makes this dish spicy, and it is a good variation on beans and chili. We like it that way.

Be sure to check out my VBS Mondays, Slow Cooker Thursdays, and Frugal Fridays!

*+*+*+* Psa 3:6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.

Welcome Baby Jenna!

noreply@blogger.com (april @ faraboverubies) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Congratulations to the Baileys on new baby Jenna!
She is a cutie and a blessing that arrived on March 11th.
I took her a set of these from my shop:

more photos here

tucked in this:

We also welcomed her here and here!

Be sure to check out my VBS Mondays, Slow Cooker Thursdays, and Frugal Fridays!

*+*+*+* Ruth 1:6 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

Coral China Doll Stuff

noreply@blogger.com (april @ faraboverubies) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0000

I just finished sewing some little things for Coral. They were just shipped off to Wisconsin. It's a tiny tote, similar to this one. And a tissue holder following JoJo's instructions. Also a pillowcase to match her quilt that I made last year. I looked back through my posts and I never posted about Coral's quilt, my very first quilt! So that will be coming soon.

Be sure to check out my VBS Mondays, Slow Cooker Thursdays, and Frugal Fridays!

*+*+*+* Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

VBS Monday - Paper Silhouettes

noreply@blogger.com (april @ faraboverubies) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0000

As a Vacation Bible School teacher, sometimes it is hard to come up with fresh ideas for crafts. So on Mondays I post any craft ideas that I come across that might work. Join in and pass the word! ~ April

photo courtesy of Danielle Thompson's tutorial

These paper silhouettes are so "vintage-y"! They would make great keepsakes for parents and grandparents also. The profile of the child is traced onto black or dark paper, cut out, and placed in a frame, or wood plaque. The possiblities are endless!

CRAFT mag's Silhouette Roundup has many links to great silhouette tutorials.

Check out DesignSponge's version of a silhouette placed onto an empty glass frame:

photo courtesy of DesignS ponge's tutorial

The above tutorials use the method of tracing the silhouette from a photo. But if you would like to make the process a little more participatory, you could use the method of tracing the actual silhouette of the child using a light source:
Gerber Life's Tutorial or eHow.com's tutorial

Silhouettes could be place on wood, paper, glass, photo frames, etc. I think this project is very versatile, and would be great for children of all ages, boys or girls. (Older boys may not be as interested.)

Be sure to check out my VBS Mondays, Slow Cooker Thursdays, and Frugal Fridays!

*+*+*+* Pro 8:11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

Frugal Friday - Before & After Wood Frame

noreply@blogger.com (april @ faraboverubies) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Before:

Another before & after thrift store find!
I found this stand up frame at Goodwill for $3.99. I think this price is a little high, but it was a unique style that I had not came across before. The frame is freestanding, but also has a hanger on the back if you want to put it on the wall.
The before photos are kind of misleading because as usual, I was so excited about starting my project that I forgot to take the "before" photo. So I had already put a coat of paint on the frame in these before shots. The frame started out a washed out faded black with burgundy strip around the edge.
I touched up the frame with flat black paint. I removed the "rooster" insert, and covered it with some scrapbooking paper. Then I cut out the letter "C" out of some coordinating scrapbooking paper and modge-podged it all over the hardboard rooster print. Easy and simple and looks great on top of my pie safe!

After:

Be sure to check out my VBS Mondays, Slow Cooker Thursdays, and Frugal Fridays!

*+*+*+* Joel 1:3 Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.

Cheesy Crock Potatoes

noreply@blogger.com (april @ faraboverubies) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Cheesy Crock Potatoes
from Slow Cooker Recipes (Gooseberry Patch)

Ingredients:
24oz pkg frozen hashbrowns
10.75 can cream of potato
16oz ranch dip
1 - 2 cups shredded cheddar
6oz can french fried onions

Directions:
The usual, mix it all up, dump it in, turn on the crock for low 6-8 hrs, high 4-5 hrs.

I know this sounds like a broken record coming from me, but: these potatoes are great for church dinners or large family gatherings. They remind you of Cracker Barrel's hashbrown casserole. They are great! Be sure to spray your pot first with some cooking oil, because they tend to stick around the edges. Not on the healthy side, but you could improve matters by using low fat cheddar and ranch dip.

Be sure to check out my VBS Mondays, Slow Cooker Thursdays, and Frugal Fridays!

*+*+*+* Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.